On Global Warming by a Scientist
published on Sun. Feb. 28th, '10 by Swami AtmaIn this article Bill McKibben analyzes the tactics used by those denying the global warming effect.
He first compares with much clarity the strategy with that of OJ Simpson laywers and goes on arguing in different ways.
If you're smart, you can also take advantage of lucky breaks that cross your path. Say a record set of snowstorms hit Washington D.C. It won't even matter that such a record is just the kind of thing scientists have been predicting, given the extra water vapor global warming is adding to the atmosphere.
He also addresses issues such as partisanship and others.
The columnist David Brooks, for instance, recently said: "On the one hand, I totally accept the scientific authorities who say that global warming is real and it is manmade. On the other hand, I feel a frisson of pleasure when I come across evidence that contradicts the models… [in part] because I relish any fact that might make Al Gore look silly."
A gem of an article overall.
Comments on my Facebook wall
On Piracy & Theft
published on Sun. Sep. 21st, '08 by Swami Atma
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The Cost of Security
published on Fri. Sep. 12th, '08 by Swami Atma
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The Net Result
published on Wed. Aug. 27th, '08 by Swami Atma
On Getting to the Terrorists
published on Sat. Jun. 14th, '08 by Swami AtmaThis is a perfect analogy to the current situation.
For those who don't understand why the whole world is resenting the US, may be this will help in the comprehension department.
Fascinating Green Roof
published on Sat. Jun. 14th, '08 by LalitaJust found a webpage about green roof meaning roofs with plants on it. There are several good reasons - apart of the great look - for having plants on your roof. But this is the best:
If you're interested, you can find out more about green roofs here.
Psychological & Spiritual Health
published on Wed. Jun. 11th, '08 by Swami AtmaIt is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. Krishnamurti
In other words play the game of life in your own terms. Too many people waste their life trying to fit in and just follow the masses and the system.
The system is just there to take your money, not for your own good.
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What Makes Finnish Students Best in the World?
published on Sat. Jun. 7th, '08 by Swami AtmaIt seems when you compare countries on many factors Northern Europe in general and Scandinavia in particular seem to always fare very well.
This trend is true again as far as education is concerned. What's funny about it is the methods they use. Instead of overworking the kids they give them plenty of free time and freedom. What a concept!
High-school students here rarely get more than a half-hour of homework a night. They have no school uniforms, no honor societies, no valedictorians, no tardy bells and no classes for the gifted. There is little standardized testing, few parents agonize over college and kids don't start school until age 7.
So what makes us think their educational system is so good?
They earned some of the top scores by 15-year-old students who were tested in 57 countries.
This excellent story from the Wall Street Journal explores the many factors that lead to such outstanding results. Read it. It's a lot of fun.
I filed this post under politics because while all politicians talk a big game about schools and education I think the budget ratio education vs. defense department (read attack department in some cases) speaks volumes more than empty words.
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Timeline of Oil Consumption in the World
published on Sat. Jan. 12th, '08 by Swami Atma
Sometimes a picture is truly worth a thousand words.
Please Be Nice to America
published on Sun. Jan. 6th, '08 by Swami Atma
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What Is Your Carbon Footprint?
published on Thu. Nov. 29th, '07 by LalitaReducing our CO2-Emmissions and stopping global warming is not about saving this planet. It is about maintaining the possibility for humankind and most of the animals to live on this planet. This is what should wake you up if you're still asleep concerning the climate crisis.
It is not yet too late and most of the technic needed is already invented. We have to start using it. Most people have the opinion that they can't change something and that the industry has to start. But it's you who tells the industry what to do by the things you're buying, eating and using. And you have a home where you determine which kind of energy is used, how much kilometers you drive in your car and much more.
You can start by finding out how much tons of carbon you are producing every year and by reducing it
How Is Your Country Doing In Poverty Aid?
published on Fri. Nov. 23rd, '07 by LalitaNearly all the diseases and deaths caused by hunger could be stopped. This would cost about 195 billion US-dollars. Therefore twenty-two developed countries agreed to donate 0.7% of their national income to reach these 195 billion dollars. As usual some countries are faster than others and some are not really working on a plan.
You can see here how your country does and find some ideas what you can do. Either you donate your part by yourself to an organization you like or you can print a letter to your government. Or you could just do both...
More Relative World Maps
published on Thu. Oct. 4th, '07 by Swami AtmaI'm a new fan of relative world maps. I had blogged previously one such map and a good link but I just found some which are even more stunning.
This new article from the Daily Mail gives us several more with some details and a good explanation about them.
I was touched by the following maps. The first two highlight the dichotomy between the countries who spend big money on war and the ones who suffer most from those wars.
The next two underscore the divide between countries that make the toys and those that play with them.
Non-violent Protest In Germany And Burma
published on Wed. Oct. 3rd, '07 by LalitaOm Namah shivaya!
Today is the 17th annivarsary of the german unification. After a long period of suppression and fear, a non-violent revolution led to the reunification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic (DDR). There are lots of arguments if it happened too fast and therefore brought along lots of financial problems. But the people all over Germany and all over the world were impressed how the citizens of Eastern Germany could change so much by just showing their opinion non-violently. Nobody thought this was possible. But now the german chancellor is not only a woman, but a woman from the former DDR.
Germany before and after the unifcation
When I thought about what this day means to german people, the people in Burma were coming in my mind. At the moment there are people trying the same thing there. Buddhist monks and citizens of Burma are demonstrating peacefully on the streets for democratic elections and freedom. But they are not only thinking about high ideals - there is not enough to eat in Burma, they are fighting for a future.
They are risking their lives because the military junta decided to fight the demonstrations. It is important to show support and sympathy all over the world. Because of this reason, bloggers started the "Red Shirt Friday". You can show your support by wearing a red shirt every Friday which is the color of the monks' clothes. The monks need every positive energy and support.
Support the monks, wear a red shirt every Friday
This blog supports "Free Burma!" You can read more about it if you click on the picture below.
US States To Countries By GDP
published on Wed. Sep. 12th, '07 by Swami AtmaHere is a strange map about the relationship of US states and countries with equivalent GDP (Gross Dometic Product).
It makes you ask where is all the money going?
There are still so many poor people in the US, so much misery and so many other issues. What's up with the infrastructure? Just travel between Asia, Western Europe and the US and you will notice something is just not right.
Incredible! Chinese Soldiers Shooting At Pilgrims
published on Sun. Sep. 9th, '07 by Swami AtmaThis is truly sickening.
A Creative Way To Protest
published on Fri. Jul. 27th, '07 by Swami Atma
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On Crime & Punishment
published on Mon. Jun. 25th, '07 by Swami Atma
the cage of shame
Three months ago, during my stay in Slovakia I took this photo. It's called the 'cage of shame'. Back in the medieval times, when somebody would commit a petty crime, they would be displayed in the cage which is located in the middle of the village square.
The idea was to shame the fellow into not doing it again. At first my reaction was to think that was very barbaric and a sign of the middle ages.
This could not happen nowadays of course, especially in developed countries. Or could it?
modern day version
The opinions about this modern version vary greatly. Some think this is a very cruel punishment while others think that doing this for 4 hours is a good deal to avoid a 60-day jail sentence.
Of course it takes a whole other dimension when a whole of people such as myself report it on their blog and you end up on the Internet for ever. :-(
Here is another take on it in this; the humoristic version the 'shame as a punishment.
This being the internet I'm not sure whether this is for real or this is staged but it's funny either way.
Here it's fitting to finish with an uplifting sentence. That's one we would encourage heartily!!!
Reflections On Fascism
published on Wed. Jun. 6th, '07 by Swami AtmaIf you don't like political posts, please skip this one. On the other hand if you'd like to contemplate an alternate view of what's happening these days in the US, check out this article.
On How To Establish World Peace
published on Sat. Jun. 2nd, '07 by Swami AtmaI like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Ghettos, Apartheid, Slavery! Nowadays? Try India
published on Thu. May. 31st, '07 by Swami AtmaMost of us Western yogis tend to idealize and romanticize India. This 11-minute video shows another side of India which most people are not aware of: the untouchables.
Untouchables are outside the caste system.
This touches to one of the differences between Yoga and Hinduism. While the caste system is deeply entrenched in the Hindu religion, most Indian yoga masters have transcended it and rejected it.
This video was submitted by Misha.
Posted in: Politics - Yoga | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Changing Times
published on Wed. May. 30th, '07 by Swami AtmaThis article provides a deep reflection about the changes taking place in the US.
When did we decide it was too dangerous for our children to ride their bikes to school?
When did we decide it was okay to strip search an old lady at the airport because the pin in her hip set off the metal detector? When did we decide it was too risky to take a cup of coffee on an airplane?
It's also relevant to you if don't live here since most societies around the world are imitating this country in a frightening and irrational way. How irrational? by not copying the good things about the US but taking in the worst. I don't feel like elaborating at this point.
On Patriotism
published on Fri. May. 25th, '07 by Swami AtmaHaving seen this morning the excellent but overly hubristic IMAX movie about Texas, this quote could not come at a better time.
Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it. George Bernard Shaw
And another one, not as funny or insightful, for good measure.
Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles. George Jean Nathan
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On Wars & Weapons
published on Mon. Feb. 26th, '07 by Swami AtmaI know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
Female Nobel Laureates Launch Peace Bid
published on Tue. Feb. 20th, '07 by Swami Atma"After the revolution, we were informed that women could not be judges anymore and women judges were demoted to administrative levels," she said in an interview Tuesday. "I became the clerk of the court in which I had been the judge. Of course, I couldn't tolerate that and I got early retirement."
Ebadi became a human rights activist and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. Now she has a new goal: She's teamed up with other women laureates to launch a campaign to promote a peaceful solution to U.S.-Iran tensions.
Please read the whole story here.
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Bar Sweep Sparks Controversy
published on Wed. Apr. 12th, '06 by Swami AtmaThis happened in Texas.
TABC agents and Irving police swept through 36 Irving bars and arrested about 30 people on charges of public intoxication. Agency representatives say the move came as a proactive measure to curtail drunken driving.
After proactive war comes proactive arrests!
People got actually arrested for drinking in a bar. :-)
Some of the suspects said they were registered at the hotel and had no intention of driving. Arresting authorities said the patrons were a danger to themselves and others.
Please read the whole story here.
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A Follow Up
published on Tue. Apr. 11th, '06 by Swami AtmaI mentioned a while ago how the US department of Justice sued and threatened Google to hand over a huge amount of search records, order which Google was fighting.
Well it seems that the DOJ has been unsuccessful and Google has won that battle.
This is a clear victory for our users and for our company, and Judge Ware's decision regarding search queries is especially important. While privacy was not the most significant legal issue in this case (because the government wasn't asking for personally identifiable information), privacy was perhaps the most significant to our users.
Posted in: Politics - Computers | comments disabled (?) | Permalink
Oh No! They've Got Some Clones Lined Up
published on Thu. Mar. 23rd, '06 by Swami AtmaThis is a strange one ok. This is a TV interview of W Bush's nephew who is 19 years old and who wrote a letter to the Houston Chronicle in defense of his uncle regarding the 'port' controversy.
He is obviously trying to position himself as a future politician.
Now the creepy part is that he looks exactly like W. Bush but younger. He definitely looks like a young clone. Why is it a problem?
Because the Bush clan is becoming a political dynasty based on physical resemblance. I believe W was elected in the first place (if you believe he rightly was so) because he looked so much like his dad. He benefited from instant recognition even though it was clear back then that he had no credentials whatsoever.
It was so obvious to everyone that he was not the sharpest knife in the drawer that after his first presidential debate vs. Al Gore they said it was not that bad since he did not say anything utterly stupid. He just hammered again and again a few sentences that were prepared for him. That was they call a brilliant debate. :-(
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On Our Online Privacy
published on Mon. Jan. 23rd, '06 by Swami AtmaYou may or may not be aware of this ever increasing push of the US government to spy on EVERYBODY, at home and abroad.
This blog entry talks about how the search engines are dealing with it:
The US government requested not personally identifiable search data from AOL, Google, MSN and Yahoo! in an effort to evaluate how often children might find porn on the web. Everyone but Google handed it over. The US government is now suing Google.
Please read full blog entry here.
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The Cost of War
published on Mon. Mar. 21st, '05 by Swami AtmaOf course here we are just talking about the monetary cost and only the $ cost to the US.
Think about the money spent by other countries and more importantly, the cost of lives to soldiers of all sides, not just death but all wounds and amputations.
Saddest of all is the amount of deaths and injuries among civilians.
Enough said.
