license

Creative Commons License
Where the stuff on this blog is something i created it is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License so there are no requirements to attribute - but if you want to mention me as the source that would be nice :¬)

Friday 29 March 2024

Global Gender Gap Report

 

Iceland is the top-ranking nation for the 14th year in a row. The Global Gender Gap Report ranks countries on how large the gap is between men and women, rather than overall opportunities and resources for women in any country. #iceland #gendergap #womenempowerment #genderequality

Thursday 28 March 2024

The Truth Behind Potemkin Villages: How a Russian Nobleman Tried to Fool an Empress

 

Photo by Maria Krasnova on Unsplash

Potemkin villages are a term used to describe any fake or deceptive appearance that is meant to hide an unpleasant reality. But where did this term come from, and what does it have to do with Russian history?

The origin of the phrase dates back to the late 18th century, when Russia was ruled by Empress Catherine the Great. One of her most influential ministers and lovers was Grigory Potemkin, who was in charge of the newly annexed lands of Crimea and southern Ukraine. These regions had been devastated by war and famine, and Potemkin’s plans to colonize and develop them were hampered by lack of funds and resources.

However, in 1787, Catherine decided to visit her new territories, accompanied by several foreign ambassadors and dignitaries. Potemkin, eager to impress his mistress and the world, allegedly ordered the construction of fake villages along the banks of the Dnieper River, where the empress’s barge would pass by. These villages were made of cardboard, canvas, and wood, and populated by actors dressed as peasants. They would cheer and wave at the empress, and then quickly dismantle the villages and move them to the next location. Potemkin also reportedly used bags of sand to simulate wheat, and herds of animals to create an illusion of prosperity and abundance.

The story of Potemkin villages became widely known through the writings of some of Catherine’s contemporaries, such as the Finnish politician Johan Albrecht Ehrenström and the French aristocrat Astolphe de Custine. However, modern historians have cast doubt on the veracity of these accounts, and suggest that they were exaggerated or fabricated by Potemkin’s enemies or rivals. Some historians argue that Potemkin did decorate and embellish some existing towns and villages, but did not hide the fact that they were temporary and for show. Others claim that Catherine was well aware of the true state of affairs, and that the deception was mainly aimed at the foreign observers.

Regardless of the historical accuracy of the legend, the term Potemkin village has entered the popular culture and language as a metaphor for any false or misleading appearance that conceals a more dismal or disappointing reality. Examples of Potemkin villages can be found in politics, economics, media, and art. For instance, some critics have accused North Korea of creating Potemkin villages to fool foreign visitors and journalists. Others have pointed out the use of Potemkin villages in film sets, such as the one built for the movie The Truman Show. Potemkin villages can also be seen as a form of propaganda, manipulation, or fraud.

Potemkin villages are a fascinating phenomenon that reveal the human desire to create and maintain illusions, as well as the human ability to expose and debunk them. They are a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that we should always look beyond the surface to discover the truth.


Learn more:

Source: I asked Microsofts' Copilot, which uses GPT4, to "Write a short article with a catchy headline explaining what a Potemkin Stucture is" and the text and post title above it produced, to which I added a picture

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Navigating the Phone Etiquette Maze: Handling One-Sided Calls


We’ve all been there—the phone rings, and you scramble to answer, Meanwhile,the same individual never answers your calls

1. Assess the Situation

Before jumping to conclusions, consider these factors:

  1. Call Log Detective: Check your call history. Are your calls consistently ignored? Perhaps their phone plan is limited, or they’re perpetually out of phone credit. Give them the benefit of the doubt.

  2. Timing Matters: Reflect on when you call. Maybe they’re in a meeting, driving, or napping. Respect their schedule. Resist assuming they’re dodging you.

  3. Relationship Dynamics: Has anything strained your relationship? Cold vibes? Seek unbiased advice from a friend before drawing conclusions.

2. Test Your Theory

  1. Alternate Phone: Call from a different number. If still no response, leave a brief message explaining your purpose. Avoid incessant calls—it’s both irritating and rude.

  2. Recruit a Friend: Ask someone else to call them right after you do. If their call gets answered but yours doesn’t, it’s time for a candid chat.

3. Set Boundaries

  1. Mutual Respect: Remind them that phone courtesy goes both ways. If they expect prompt answers, reciprocate. 

  2. OR if this isn't possible and they just continue to not answer your calls and let them go to answerphone when they can answer at their own convenience, then just let all their calls go to your answerphone - after all its only treating them as they treat you

  3. Communication Alternatives: Suggest other modes—text, email, or face-to-face meetings. Decision fatigue? Opt for quality over quantity.

Remember, it’s a two-way street. Balance respect with assertiveness, and soon you’ll master the art of phone juggling. 

References.

1: How to Tell if Someone Is Ignoring Your Calls and Decide What to Do About It 2: How to Avoid Wasting Time on People Who Don’t Respond


Source : I asked microsoft's AI, copilot to "write a short article with a catchy headline about how to deal with people who donlt answer their phone but expect you to answer yours when they call" and then edited the text and added a picture. I did a major edit adding point 2 under 3) above








Saturday 23 March 2024

Taliban’s Bold Move: Slashing Opium Poppy Crops and Shaking Afghanistan’s Political Landscape

 


In a surprising twist, the Taliban, now in control of Afghanistan, has waged an unprecedented war on drugs. Their target? The opium poppy fields that once fueled the world’s heroin trade. But what does this ban mean for Afghanistan’s politics and economy?

The Poppy Paradox

Less than two years ago, these same Taliban fighters were insurgents battling for supremacy. Now, they enforce their leader’s decree: no more poppy cultivation. In April 2022, Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada strictly prohibited the cultivation of poppies, the source of opium—the key ingredient for heroin. Violators face destruction of their fields and penalties under Sharia law. The Taliban cites both the harmful effects of opium and religious beliefs as reasons for the ban.

Afghanistan was once responsible for over 80% of the world’s opium production, with Afghan heroin dominating the European market. But the Taliban’s crackdown has been remarkably effective. Satellite analysis reveals a significant drop in poppy cultivation across major opium-growing provinces. Wheat crops have replaced poppies, leaving many farmers financially strained.

The Impact

Economic Fallout: Dr. David Mansfield estimates that the ban has wiped out the equivalent of 450,000 full-time agricultural jobs. This blow hits an economy already reeling from drought, conflict, and development cuts 2.

Political Dynamics: The Taliban’s anti-narcotics campaign reshapes the political landscape. By curbing opium production, they gain legitimacy and demonstrate governance. However, this move could also alienate some factions that profited from the drug trade. The delicate balance between enforcing the ban and maintaining stability remains uncertain.

Global Implications: Afghanistan’s heroin trade had far-reaching effects. Now, with reduced supply, the global market faces disruptions. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s success in eradicating poppy fields could bolster their standing internationally.

Conclusion

The Taliban’s ban on heroin production is a double-edged sword. While it tackles a grave issue, it also poses challenges. As Afghanistan grapples with this seismic shift, the world watches—a mix of hope and skepticism. The question remains: Can the Taliban sustain this war on drugs without unintended consequences? Only time will tell.

Sources

The above article was produced by asking microsoft's AI, Copilot "to write a short article with a catchy headline about the Taliban ban on heroin production and the likely impacts on Afganistan politics"  I then ediyted the text a little and added the picture
The picture is by NEOM on Unsplash

Thursday 21 March 2024

How to Live, Forgive, and Hope: A Simple Guide to Christian Beliefs

 














Photo by Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash

Christianity is one of the world’s major religions, with over two billion followers. Christians believe in one God, who created the universe and everything in it. They also believe that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from sin and death. But what do Christians believe about how people should live their lives, forgiveness, what happens when we die, and Jesus? Here is a simple guide to some of the core Christian beliefs.

How to Live

Christians believe that God gave human beings instructions on how to live a good life and get to Heaven after they die. These instructions are called the Ten Commandments, and they are found in the Bible. The Ten Commandments tell Christians to worship only one God, to respect his name and his day, to honour their parents, and to avoid killing, stealing, lying, cheating, and being greedy. Christians believe that by following these rules, they are showing their love for God and their neighbours.

Christians also believe that Jesus taught them how to live by his words and actions. Jesus preached about love, justice, peace, mercy, and forgiveness. He also performed miracles, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and helped the poor. He set an example of selfless love for all people, especially those who were rejected by society. Christians believe that by following Jesus’ teachings and example, they are becoming more like him and pleasing God.

How to Forgive

Christians believe that forgiveness is a very important part of their faith. They believe that God is merciful and forgiving, and that he wants human beings to be the same. They believe that God forgave their sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sin is anything that goes against God’s will and harms the relationship between God and humans. Christians believe that because of sin, they deserve to be punished by God. But they also believe that because of his love, God sent his Son to die on the cross as a payment for their sins. By having faith in Jesus, Christians believe they receive God’s grace, which is his undeserved favour and blessing. This means they believe God has forgiven them and given them the strength to live a good Christian life.

Christians also believe that in order to be forgiven by God, they must forgive others who have sinned against them. They believe that Jesus taught them to forgive without limit, as he did when he prayed for his enemies on the cross. They also believe that Jesus taught them to pray for forgiveness every day in the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most important prayers in Christianity, and it includes the phrase: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Christians believe that this means they must forgive others as a condition for receiving God’s forgiveness.

How to Hope

Christians believe that death is not the end of life, but the beginning of a new life with God. They believe that after death, they will face God’s judgement. They believe that those who have faith in Jesus will be welcomed into Heaven, which is a place of eternal joy and peace with God. They also believe that those who reject Jesus will be sent to Hell, which is a place of eternal suffering and separation from God. Christians believe that this judgement is fair and just, because God knows everything about everyone and he rewards or punishes them according to their deeds.

Christians also believe that one day Jesus will come back to Earth in glory and power. They believe that this will be the end of history and the beginning of a new creation. They believe that Jesus will raise all the dead from their graves and judge them according to their faith. They believe that those who belong to Jesus will live with him forever in a new Heaven and a new Earth, where there will be no more sin, pain, sorrow, or death. They also believe that those who oppose Jesus will be thrown into a lake of fire, where they will suffer forever. Christians believe that this is the ultimate hope for humanity and creation.

How to Know Jesus

Christians believe that Jesus is not just a historical figure or a moral teacher, but the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. They believe that he is fully human and fully divine at the same time. They believe that he was born of a virgin named Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. They believe that he lived a sinless life on Earth, performing miracles and teaching about God’s kingdom. They believe that he died on the cross for the sins of humanity and rose from the dead on the third day. They believe that he ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. They believe that he is alive today and intercedes for his followers.

Christians also believe that anyone can know Jesus personally by faith. They believe that faith is not just intellectual agreement with facts or doctrines, but trust in a person who loves them and wants to have a relationship with them. They believe that by faith, they can receive God’s forgiveness, grace, and Spirit. They believe that by faith, they can become children of God and members of his family, the Church. They believe that by faith, they can experience God’s presence, power, and purpose in their lives.

Christians believe that knowing Jesus is the most important thing in life, and that nothing can compare to the joy and peace that he gives. They believe that knowing Jesus is not only for this life, but for the life to come. They believe that knowing Jesus is the way to live, forgive, and hope.


Learn more:


Source: I asked Microsoft's CoPilot (and its Chat GPT4) to "Write an article with a read me headline which explains simpliy what Christians believe about how people should live their lives, forgiveness, what happens when we die, Jesus".  The text and post title above is what it prodcuced, wo which I added the picture



Tuesday 19 March 2024

How to Fold the Miura Ori - a fold invented in 2016 with applications from surgical stents to space-bound payloads

As the boingboing source site says "In 2016, a team of Harvard researchers led by L. Mahadevan introduced a groundbreaking fold called the Miura-ori. This fold revolutionizes approaches to creating three-dimensional structures and has a wide range of potential applications, from surgical stents to space-bound payloads." found via boingboing