Friday, November 29, 2019
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Hong Kong: "We might as well go down fighting"
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/11/escalating-violence-hong-kong-protests/601804/
Aren’t you afraid? I asked, gingerly. “We are afraid,” they quickly admitted. They even giggled, but it got serious quickly. This is our last chance, they said very matter-of-factly. If we stand down, nothing will stand between us and mainland China, they said. They talked about Xinjiang, and what China had done to the Uighur minority. I’ve heard about the fate of the Uighurs from so many protesters over the months. China may have wanted to make an example out of the region, but the lesson Hong Kongers took was in the other direction—resist with all your might, because if you lose once, there will be a catastrophe for your people, and the world will ignore it.
The two women weren’t sure whether they would win. That’s also something I’ve heard often—these protesters aren’t the most optimistic group. No rose-colored glasses here. “But we cannot give up,” one insisted, “because if we do, there will be no future for us anyway. We might as well go down fighting.”
* * * *
This is amazing. But I agree. Better to go down fighting.
Aren’t you afraid? I asked, gingerly. “We are afraid,” they quickly admitted. They even giggled, but it got serious quickly. This is our last chance, they said very matter-of-factly. If we stand down, nothing will stand between us and mainland China, they said. They talked about Xinjiang, and what China had done to the Uighur minority. I’ve heard about the fate of the Uighurs from so many protesters over the months. China may have wanted to make an example out of the region, but the lesson Hong Kongers took was in the other direction—resist with all your might, because if you lose once, there will be a catastrophe for your people, and the world will ignore it.
The two women weren’t sure whether they would win. That’s also something I’ve heard often—these protesters aren’t the most optimistic group. No rose-colored glasses here. “But we cannot give up,” one insisted, “because if we do, there will be no future for us anyway. We might as well go down fighting.”
* * * *
This is amazing. But I agree. Better to go down fighting.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Looking back 30 years to see the future
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/09/world/berlin-wall-photos-30-year-anniversary.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur
“They were prepared for everything, except candles and prayers.”
This quote shows many things. First, that great change can happen suddenly and surprisingly, from unknown circumstance. Second, that peaceful actions can bring down militaristic authoritarian regimes. And finally, that when we want the demise of a despotic rule, we need to plan BEFORE that demise for what will come next. Many times in history such things as the fall of the Berlin Wall were so hoped for and pushed for, but "what happens next?" was left for after that goal was reached.
“They were prepared for everything, except candles and prayers.”
This quote shows many things. First, that great change can happen suddenly and surprisingly, from unknown circumstance. Second, that peaceful actions can bring down militaristic authoritarian regimes. And finally, that when we want the demise of a despotic rule, we need to plan BEFORE that demise for what will come next. Many times in history such things as the fall of the Berlin Wall were so hoped for and pushed for, but "what happens next?" was left for after that goal was reached.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
housing the homeless is cheaper than ignoring them
https://www.vox.com/2014/5/30/5764096/homeless-shelter-housing-help-solutions?fbclid=IwAR3018muOA1GVLRTi_9b8nqzap67vf8qkxDyhmRF4wTOktpmvUQpITA52xA
"Some early research on this produced truly mind-boggling
results like a Central Florida Commission on Homelessness study
indicating that the region was spending about triple on policing homeless people’s nonviolent rule-breaking
as it would cost to get each homeless person a house and a caseworker.
More recent, somewhat more careful studies, were a bit less enthusiastic
about the cost-saving potential but still highly positive.
- A 2017 RAND Corporation analysis of the Housing for Health program in LA County concluded that the county saved about 20 percent by putting people with complex mental health issues in supportive housing rather than relying on law enforcement and emergency room visits.
- A 2015 randomized control trial of a housing-first approach across several Canadian cities saw essentially no change in money spent (Canada’s structurally lower health care costs are likely a factor here) but gains in quality of life and community functioning.
- A separate randomized trial study in Toronto found that housing first was effective in combatting alcohol abuse disorders.
Earlier studies from Charlotte and Southeastern Colorado also show large cost savings from focusing on simply housing the homeless."
So it's a good idea to be nice to each other?? Amazing!
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Finally a better concrete after thousands of years
https://newatlas.com/materials/rubbery-crack-resistant-cement/
"This substitution gives slabs of the concrete a somewhat rubber-like quality, allowing them to contract and spring back when subjected to impacts, instead of cracking. In fact, the material is reportedly six to nine times more crack-resistant than regular concrete. Additionally, it self-seals upon being poured, meaning that it could be well-suited to the construction of underground structures such as bunkers.
And as an added bonus, because the new concrete replaces cement with plentiful waste products, it should also be cheaper to use."
I would like to invest please.
"This substitution gives slabs of the concrete a somewhat rubber-like quality, allowing them to contract and spring back when subjected to impacts, instead of cracking. In fact, the material is reportedly six to nine times more crack-resistant than regular concrete. Additionally, it self-seals upon being poured, meaning that it could be well-suited to the construction of underground structures such as bunkers.
And as an added bonus, because the new concrete replaces cement with plentiful waste products, it should also be cheaper to use."
I would like to invest please.
Monday, May 6, 2019
Universal Basic Income doesn't work
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/06/universal-basic-income-public-realm-poverty-inequality
"Redistributing the personal tax allowance and developing the idea of universal basic services (UBS) could offer a more promising alternative. This calls for more and better quality public services that are free to those who need them, regardless of ability to pay. Healthcare and education are obvious examples, and it is argued that a similar approach should be applied to areas such as transport, housing, social care and information – everyday essentials that should be available to all."
* * *
I'm not sure the results are all in yet, but this is a thoughtful view of the idea so far.
"Redistributing the personal tax allowance and developing the idea of universal basic services (UBS) could offer a more promising alternative. This calls for more and better quality public services that are free to those who need them, regardless of ability to pay. Healthcare and education are obvious examples, and it is argued that a similar approach should be applied to areas such as transport, housing, social care and information – everyday essentials that should be available to all."
* * *
I'm not sure the results are all in yet, but this is a thoughtful view of the idea so far.
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