It cannot be true that fear of Communism is the root of all evil, since evil far predates communist philosophy. But it does seem to be true that love of money is the root of the fear of Communism and the love of money is said to be the root of all evil. Including the […]
Category: World
Disinformation, Misinformation, and Politics
So apparently a person’s political leanings have a big influence on their willingness to hop on social media and gleefully post stuff that just isn’t true – or if they’re feeling somewhat lazy, just link to or repost disinformation, misinformation or other fake crap. Around the world, people who lean right-wing (including some who lean […]
12 Sustainable Cities: How Urban Areas are Going Green
What makes a city sustainable or ‘green’? In most cases, a ‘green’ city in this post is a city that has invested heavily in transitioning to or adopting renewable or sustainable sources of energy. Another major factor in whether we highlight a city as ‘green’ is literal greenery. That is, a deliberate and successful attempt […]
Make New York Great Again
We’ve been taking a look at how Americans rank compared to the rest of the world on various measures like entrepreneurship, human development, Olympic medals, tourism and other stuff. You can find out how Americans rank by looking at Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the Make Americans Great Again series. As part […]
Make Americans Great Again – Part 3
Third in a series in which we look at how Americans rank compared to other nations on various measures. Take a look at Parts 1 and 2 for background. Today we’ll start with something that is on the mind of developed nations, and a big worry, especially for some in the right-wing of politics: POPULATION […]
Make Americans Great Again – Part 2
Second in a series in which we look at how Americans rank in different categories against the citizens of other nations around the world. Because obviously, if you want to ‘make America great again’, you’ve got to have great Americans doing that. Right? So let’s take a look at how Americans are doing in various […]
Make Americans Great Again ~ Part 1
You may have heard of a catchphrase that goes “Make America Great Again.” But what about Americans? Can we make Americans great again? Or are Americans already great? The greatest? Not so great? Used to be better but somehow got worse? Used to be mediocre and now reign as the GOAT? What’s going on with […]
Israel and Hezbollah – Time to Stop Escalating the Fight
As if the fighting in Gaza is not bad enough – and it is definitely more than bad enough – there is also fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In mid-June both sides escalated attacks, a development that no one in the world actually needs. Israel is still conducting an offensive against Hamas in […]
Pollution Solutions for Cities
On a Clear Day You Can See…. What can you see on a clear day? Mountains, lakes, the ocean, blue skies, puffy clouds – or air pollution, industrial complexes, agricultural dust, office buildings? Did you know there is an International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies? The reason there is an international day of […]
Credible and Not-so-Credible Threats
Here’s the situation. Someone or something A (we’ll call A “Asshole” for easy identification) makes a threat against someone or something B (we’ll call B “Beta” just for fun). Asshole says to Beta, “Beta if you don’t give me your lunch money, Imma beat you up.” Now Beta has to decide whether to give in […]
A Horrible Disease and a Humble Hero – the Power of Passion
In 1958, Viktor Zhdanov, a Ukrainian virologist, proposed an ambitious plan to eradicate smallpox at the Eleventh World Health Assembly in Minneapolis. Despite skepticism, Zhdanov's sensible use of existing vaccines and logistics convinced the world to take action. His passion and research overcame global ignorance, leading to the eventual eradication of smallpox in 1977, underscoring the profound, yet often unnoticed, impact passionate individuals can have on history.
Technologies and Market Incentives – or How Neoliberalism Put You at Risk
The U.S. faces a national security risk due to adherence to neoliberal economics, falling behind China in technology like 5G. The CSET's 2021 report highlights Huawei's dominance, facilitated by China's strategic long-term investments. Meanwhile, America's fixation on free-market competition has weakened its global stance, allowing China to advance towards superpower status without adhering to neoliberal dogma. This reflects a catastrophic misallocation of resources, contrary to capitalism's claim of efficient resource distribution, and exacerbates issues such as climate change and economic inequality.
Finding Peace
The post from getprettyfedup.com laments the prevalence of war, highlighting Iran and Israel's recent skirmishment, the devastating conflict in Ukraine, and strife across other regions like Yemen, Sudan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Syria. Despite 110 global conflicts, it notes peace in America, Europe, and between the Koreas. It emphasizes the human yearning for peace amidst a historical penchant for war and urges a focus on finding and fostering peace.
How to Save Tropical Rainforests Before They’re Gone
Tropical rainforests, once occupying 14% of Earth's surface, now cover only about 6% due to rampant deforestation, losing 6 million hectares annually. Located near the equator, these biodiversity hotspots play critical roles in climate regulation, oxygen production, and water cycling, as well as being reservoirs of potential medical drugs. Indigenous people are the most adept at conservation, yet economic incentives drive the exploitation of these forests for commodities like timber, beef, and soybeans. Global efforts to halt destruction include legal reinforcement, economic shifts, sustainable development, and international collaboration, but challenges remain as financial gains from deforestation often overshadow conservation benefits.
