Is the end of the world coming? Can we prevent it? How? How serious is the effects of Global warming?
The main problem of the world is Global warming:
Global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans. Although global warming has occurred in the past, the term is often used to describe future anticipated warming of the earth due to greenhouse gasses.
Global average air temperature near Earth's surface rose 0.74 ± 0.18 °Celsius (1.3 ± 0.32 °Fahrenheit) in the last century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes, "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations," which leads to warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect. While this conclusion has been endorsed by certain scientific societies and academies of science, other scientists disagree about the primary causes of the observed warming.
Models referenced by the IPCC predict that global temperatures are likely to increase by 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) between 1990 and 2100. The range of values reflects the use of differing scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions as well as uncertainties regarding climate sensitivity. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming and sea level rise are expected to continue for more than a millennium even if no further greenhouse gases are released after this date. This reflects the long average atmospheric lifetime of carbon dioxide (CO2).
An increase in global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. There may also be increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, though it is difficult to connect specific events to global warming. Other consequences include changes in agricultural yields, glacier retreat, reduced summer streamflows, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors.
Remaining scientific uncertainties include the exact degree of climate change expected in the future, and especially how changes will vary from region to region across the globe. A hotly contested political and public debate also has yet to be resolved, regarding whether anything should be done, and what could be cost-effectively done to reduce or reverse future warming, or to deal with the expected consequences. Most national governments have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol aimed at combating greenhouse gas emissions.
What are the signs:
Direct manifestations of a widespread and long-term trend toward warmer global temperatures
Heat waves and periods of unusually warm weather
Ocean warming, sea-level rise and coastal flooding
Glaciers melting
Arctic and Antarctic warming
Events that foreshadow the types of impacts likely to become more frequent and widespread with continued warming.
Spreading disease
Earlier spring arrival
Plant and animal range shifts and population changes
Coral reef bleaching
Downpours, heavy snowfalls, and flooding
Droughts and fires
The map of early warning signs clearly illustrates the global nature of climate changes. In its 2001 assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that, an increasing body of observations gives a collective picture of a warming world and other changes in the climate system."
While North America and Europe—where the science is strongest—exhibit the highest density of indicators, scientists have made a great effort in recent years to document the early impacts of global warming on other continents. Our map update reflects this emerging knowledge from all parts of the world.
Although factors other than climate may have intensified the severity of some of the events on the map, scientists predict such problems will increase if emissions of heat-trapping gases are not brought under control.
Effects:
The predicted effects for the environment and for human life are numerous and varied. The main effect is an increasing global average temperature. From this flow a variety of resulting effects, namely, rising sea levels, altered patterns of agriculture, increased extreme weather events, and the expansion of the range of tropical diseases. In some cases, the effects may already be occurring, although it is generally difficult to attribute specific natural phenomena to long-term global warming.
A summary of possible effects and our current understanding can be found in the report of the IPCC Working Group II; a discussion of projected climate changes is found in WG I. The more recent IPCC Fourth Assessment Report outlines the latest agreed international thinking, but omits more controversial ongoing work, particularly in respect of positive feedback mechanisms that might ultimately have the potential to lead to a runaway greenhouse effect.
Proposed responses to the effects of global warming fall into two categories: mitigation and adaptation.
And last prevention:
We can prevent global warming through loving and caring the natural resources that we have.
Now we know all about the main issue of the Earth, the greenhouse effect. Now we must prevent it to maintain the evolution of people and to mainatin the normality of the world.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Importance of a Teacher
Who are so called secondary mother? Are they the teachers? Are they important? Can we learn immediately without the help of our second mother?
In education, teachers are those who help students or pupils learn, often in a school. The objective is typically a course of study, lesson plan, or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. The different ways to teach are often referred to as the teacher's pedagogy. When deciding what teaching method to use, a teacher will need to consider students' background knowledge, environment, and their learning goals as well as standardized curricula as determined by the relevant authority. The teacher should also be able to deal with students with different abilities and should also be able to deal with learning disabilities. Many times, teachers assist in learning outside of the classroom by accompanying students on field trips. They also supervise study halls, help with the organization of school functions, and serve as supervisors for extracurricular activities.
Teaching may occur face-to-face or via some other modality, e.g. through distance education or e-learning. Teaching can also be mixed with entertainment. When the term education is combined with entertainment, the term edutainment is coined.
Primary and Secondary School Teachers
Perhaps the most significant difference between primary and secondary teaching in the UK is the relationship between teachers and children. In primary schools each class has a teacher who stays with them for most of the week and will teach them the whole curriculum. In secondary schools they will be taught by different subject specialists each session during the week and may have 10 or more different teachers. The relationship between children and their teachers tends to be closer in the primary school where they act as form tutor, specialist teacher and surrogate parent during the course of the day.
This is true throughout most of the United States as well. However, alternative approaches for primary education do exist. One of these, sometimes referred to as a "platoon" system, involves placing a group of students together in one class that moves from one specialist to another for every subject. The advantage here is that students learn from teachers who specialize in one subject and who tend to be more knowledgeable in that one area than a teacher who teaches many subjects. Students still derive a strong sense of security by staying with the same group of peers for all classes.
University teachers
Teachers in college are called instructors or lecturers. In the United States, the term "professor" is usually applied to college or University teachers who have received their Ph.D., while instructors or lecturers have received their Masters degree, and usually are pursuing their Ph.D. Professorial rankings from Assistant Professor through Full Professor that may be defined differently at various institutions. The rank of American university instructors depends in part on the amount of relevant and publishable research completed over time.
An "assistant professor" is typically required to have completed extensive research seminars at the post-graduate level and have written and defended the dissertation. The Ph.D. is almost always required. Assistant professors are similar to lecturers or readers in the United Kingdom. Their initial preparation for the profession takes between eight and twelve years.
An "associate professor" must typically have completed five or more years of additional research, published articles in national and international journals, developed syllabi for the teaching of various courses, provided services to the University (i.e., committee member, faculty senate member, etc.), and in most cases have published refereed books.
The "full professor" in the United States would be the equivalent of the "Professor" in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. It is not typical to achieve the title of "full professor" within the first fifteen to twenty years as an educator and researcher at a university in the United States. It requires dedication to the discipline and eminent, original scholarship, as shown through published works and a diverse curriculum vitae.
In the United Kingdom the title 'Professor' is restricted to university teachers who have been granted a 'chair'. Others are known as lecturers or readers and usually carry the title "Dr." by virtue of having a PhD. A very small number of lecturers, particularly on social science and arts fields, may be titled "Mr/Mrs" etc as they may only have a Masters degree.
Senior teachers
Teachers who look after the whole school are called head teachers, school principals, headmasters or headmistresses. The equivalent in colleges and universities is called the dean, principal or vice-chancellor. See also school leadership.Teachers of this status rarely teach students. A teacher in a grammar or public school in Britain may also be a Head of House. Houses were also used in secondary and comprehensive schools.
As with most large organizations a school needs a hierarchical structure of command, allowing matters to be delegated to a specific department or the senior teachers of the school. In many cases there are deputy headteachers, heads of department (or subject, such as science or history) and heads of year. A head of year is in charge of the pastoral care of one year group.
Every school has a disciplinary procedure which dictates how punishments should be given to misbehaving students. One common method of coping with problems is the idea of escalation whereby the classroom teacher attempts to deal with the student(s) themselves before passing it on to a more senior teacher. Eventually, should the situation not be resolved, the headmaster becomes involved.
Now we all know the importance of a teachers in primary, secondary. University and the seniors. Without them there are no educated people and respected people.
In education, teachers are those who help students or pupils learn, often in a school. The objective is typically a course of study, lesson plan, or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. The different ways to teach are often referred to as the teacher's pedagogy. When deciding what teaching method to use, a teacher will need to consider students' background knowledge, environment, and their learning goals as well as standardized curricula as determined by the relevant authority. The teacher should also be able to deal with students with different abilities and should also be able to deal with learning disabilities. Many times, teachers assist in learning outside of the classroom by accompanying students on field trips. They also supervise study halls, help with the organization of school functions, and serve as supervisors for extracurricular activities.
Teaching may occur face-to-face or via some other modality, e.g. through distance education or e-learning. Teaching can also be mixed with entertainment. When the term education is combined with entertainment, the term edutainment is coined.
Primary and Secondary School Teachers
Perhaps the most significant difference between primary and secondary teaching in the UK is the relationship between teachers and children. In primary schools each class has a teacher who stays with them for most of the week and will teach them the whole curriculum. In secondary schools they will be taught by different subject specialists each session during the week and may have 10 or more different teachers. The relationship between children and their teachers tends to be closer in the primary school where they act as form tutor, specialist teacher and surrogate parent during the course of the day.
This is true throughout most of the United States as well. However, alternative approaches for primary education do exist. One of these, sometimes referred to as a "platoon" system, involves placing a group of students together in one class that moves from one specialist to another for every subject. The advantage here is that students learn from teachers who specialize in one subject and who tend to be more knowledgeable in that one area than a teacher who teaches many subjects. Students still derive a strong sense of security by staying with the same group of peers for all classes.
University teachers
Teachers in college are called instructors or lecturers. In the United States, the term "professor" is usually applied to college or University teachers who have received their Ph.D., while instructors or lecturers have received their Masters degree, and usually are pursuing their Ph.D. Professorial rankings from Assistant Professor through Full Professor that may be defined differently at various institutions. The rank of American university instructors depends in part on the amount of relevant and publishable research completed over time.
An "assistant professor" is typically required to have completed extensive research seminars at the post-graduate level and have written and defended the dissertation. The Ph.D. is almost always required. Assistant professors are similar to lecturers or readers in the United Kingdom. Their initial preparation for the profession takes between eight and twelve years.
An "associate professor" must typically have completed five or more years of additional research, published articles in national and international journals, developed syllabi for the teaching of various courses, provided services to the University (i.e., committee member, faculty senate member, etc.), and in most cases have published refereed books.
The "full professor" in the United States would be the equivalent of the "Professor" in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. It is not typical to achieve the title of "full professor" within the first fifteen to twenty years as an educator and researcher at a university in the United States. It requires dedication to the discipline and eminent, original scholarship, as shown through published works and a diverse curriculum vitae.
In the United Kingdom the title 'Professor' is restricted to university teachers who have been granted a 'chair'. Others are known as lecturers or readers and usually carry the title "Dr." by virtue of having a PhD. A very small number of lecturers, particularly on social science and arts fields, may be titled "Mr/Mrs" etc as they may only have a Masters degree.
Senior teachers
Teachers who look after the whole school are called head teachers, school principals, headmasters or headmistresses. The equivalent in colleges and universities is called the dean, principal or vice-chancellor. See also school leadership.Teachers of this status rarely teach students. A teacher in a grammar or public school in Britain may also be a Head of House. Houses were also used in secondary and comprehensive schools.
As with most large organizations a school needs a hierarchical structure of command, allowing matters to be delegated to a specific department or the senior teachers of the school. In many cases there are deputy headteachers, heads of department (or subject, such as science or history) and heads of year. A head of year is in charge of the pastoral care of one year group.
Every school has a disciplinary procedure which dictates how punishments should be given to misbehaving students. One common method of coping with problems is the idea of escalation whereby the classroom teacher attempts to deal with the student(s) themselves before passing it on to a more senior teacher. Eventually, should the situation not be resolved, the headmaster becomes involved.
Now we all know the importance of a teachers in primary, secondary. University and the seniors. Without them there are no educated people and respected people.
From seed to tree
Oh! Hi! How’s your life? Have you ever wondered where trees come from? How they become so big things, trees come from something very small: seeds. From a little seed to a giant tree – that is truly a great journey. How did that come out?
I asked this question to myself because on last December 22, 2005 we went to my lolo’s place where there were many trees which my lolo take good care of. I their see many big trees and I asked my lolo how it big? Then he said that it came from seeds.
Seeds come from flowers, or from inside fruits. Though they don’t have legs or fins or wings, seeds can travel far. Some are blown by the wind. Some are carried by rivers and streams. Others are brought by humans for example when we walk and animals to faraway places.
When a seed finds itself on the ground, it has a chance of becoming a tree. All it needs are the things that most living things need: water, air, sunlight, and food.
When the seed is soaked in enough water from rain, water gets inside the seed and wakes up the tiny tree in it. The tiny tree is so small that it doesn’t look like a tree at all. It does not have branches or leaves or roots. And it is not called a tree but a plant cell. Once the plant cell wakes up, it can eat the food that is stored inside the seed. After it has eaten, something mysterious happens.
A tiny root pushes down into the soil, and a tiny shoot makes its way above the soil. The seed has becoming a seedling! Now it looks more like a little plant.
The root then gets food from the soil, because by this time the food inside the seed has already ran out. The tiny shoot gets air and sunlight from above the ground. With enough food, air and sunlight, more roots will grow, and the shoot will begin to grow leaves. Now it really looks like a plant.
With more roots and more leaves, the plant grows heavier. It has to grow bigger stem, which then becomes a trunk. Some trees grow branches so they can have more leaves. The plant’s skin will also harden into what is called the bark so that it can support itself better. Now our plant has become a young tree.
After some more time, the young tree becomes adult. The adult tree produces flowers and the flowers bear fruit. From the flowers or the fruits come new seeds, which can then become new trees.
“Oh! I’m very tired.” While we were in a trip going back to Mandaue City, I learned another values from one of the most important living things, the trees..
To me all things have their own journey and life. Like the tree it has a great tree. The next time you see a small seed, think of what a big tree it could be!
I asked this question to myself because on last December 22, 2005 we went to my lolo’s place where there were many trees which my lolo take good care of. I their see many big trees and I asked my lolo how it big? Then he said that it came from seeds.
Seeds come from flowers, or from inside fruits. Though they don’t have legs or fins or wings, seeds can travel far. Some are blown by the wind. Some are carried by rivers and streams. Others are brought by humans for example when we walk and animals to faraway places.
When a seed finds itself on the ground, it has a chance of becoming a tree. All it needs are the things that most living things need: water, air, sunlight, and food.
When the seed is soaked in enough water from rain, water gets inside the seed and wakes up the tiny tree in it. The tiny tree is so small that it doesn’t look like a tree at all. It does not have branches or leaves or roots. And it is not called a tree but a plant cell. Once the plant cell wakes up, it can eat the food that is stored inside the seed. After it has eaten, something mysterious happens.
A tiny root pushes down into the soil, and a tiny shoot makes its way above the soil. The seed has becoming a seedling! Now it looks more like a little plant.
The root then gets food from the soil, because by this time the food inside the seed has already ran out. The tiny shoot gets air and sunlight from above the ground. With enough food, air and sunlight, more roots will grow, and the shoot will begin to grow leaves. Now it really looks like a plant.
With more roots and more leaves, the plant grows heavier. It has to grow bigger stem, which then becomes a trunk. Some trees grow branches so they can have more leaves. The plant’s skin will also harden into what is called the bark so that it can support itself better. Now our plant has become a young tree.
After some more time, the young tree becomes adult. The adult tree produces flowers and the flowers bear fruit. From the flowers or the fruits come new seeds, which can then become new trees.
“Oh! I’m very tired.” While we were in a trip going back to Mandaue City, I learned another values from one of the most important living things, the trees..
To me all things have their own journey and life. Like the tree it has a great tree. The next time you see a small seed, think of what a big tree it could be!
Is the Earth Dying
As we all know the Earth is the only planet in our solar system that can support life. But it seems that we humans have been ungrateful to our planet. Our activities are endangering the well of being of our home. This raises the question-“Is the Earth dying?”
Humans use many things from the Earth for our consumption, such as food, water, gas, and wood. Using these things is okay, so long as we can assure that the future generations will still be able to enjoy these gifts of nature. But our actions have been very abusive. Here are some of the bad things that humans have done on Earth.
1. Destruction of the Rainforests
Rainforests aren’t just patches of land that happen to have many trees on it. Many plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else live in rainforests. In fact, more than 60 percent of the Earth’s species can be found here. Humans use woods as a raw material for many products such as paper and furniture. Rainforests are good sources of wood. However, many wood companies are cutting too many trees. Cutting too many trees will prevent the rainforests from recovering the cut trees. This leads to the extinction of many plants and animals because the trees are also their homes.
2. Abuse of the Bodies of Water
Our sees and oceans are home to many plants and animals, just like the rainforests. Bodies of water have provided us with food and of course, water for drinking and washing. But again, humans are abusing these by over fishing, by destroying the fishes’ home (coral reefs) and by dumping and by dumping garbage on it. Just look at the rivers and creeks around the city; many people are even disgusted to go near them because of the foul smell. Many see these bodies of water merely as a dumping area for household and industrial waste.
3. Air Pollution
The air supplies us with oxygen and nitrogen so that we’ll be able to breathe. Several human activities release harmful gases to the atmosphere, which threaten the environment. Gases from factories, cigarettes and vehicles are the main causes of air pollution. The combination of all these harmful gases causes smog, which look like fog from afar, only much darker because it’s dirty.
The Earth is dying, and it’s al our fault. Our population is growing so fast, so is our demand for space, food and convenience, which has led to the destruction of the environment. But this can be stopped, if we all work together. Here are some of activities that can help.
1. As much as possible, buy products that are recycled.
2. When going camping, make sure to bring plastic bags for your trash.
3. Dispose your trash properly.
4. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!
5. Report smoke belching vehicles to the authorities.
6. As much as possible, try to take public transportation such as the MRT or FX taxis to reduce pollution. Leaving your vehicle at home will not only save some money, it will also save the environment.
7. Plant trees. Trees can catch the harmful gases that vehicles, factories and cigarettes produce.
8. When buying appliances and aerosols, tell your parents to check if the label reads “CFC- free”. If not, tell them not to buy it. CFCs are harmful to the environment.
We only have one Earth. If many of us concerned enough to act, our planet will live much longer. Don’t let the Mother Earth die; she’s counting on you for help.
Humans use many things from the Earth for our consumption, such as food, water, gas, and wood. Using these things is okay, so long as we can assure that the future generations will still be able to enjoy these gifts of nature. But our actions have been very abusive. Here are some of the bad things that humans have done on Earth.
1. Destruction of the Rainforests
Rainforests aren’t just patches of land that happen to have many trees on it. Many plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else live in rainforests. In fact, more than 60 percent of the Earth’s species can be found here. Humans use woods as a raw material for many products such as paper and furniture. Rainforests are good sources of wood. However, many wood companies are cutting too many trees. Cutting too many trees will prevent the rainforests from recovering the cut trees. This leads to the extinction of many plants and animals because the trees are also their homes.
2. Abuse of the Bodies of Water
Our sees and oceans are home to many plants and animals, just like the rainforests. Bodies of water have provided us with food and of course, water for drinking and washing. But again, humans are abusing these by over fishing, by destroying the fishes’ home (coral reefs) and by dumping and by dumping garbage on it. Just look at the rivers and creeks around the city; many people are even disgusted to go near them because of the foul smell. Many see these bodies of water merely as a dumping area for household and industrial waste.
3. Air Pollution
The air supplies us with oxygen and nitrogen so that we’ll be able to breathe. Several human activities release harmful gases to the atmosphere, which threaten the environment. Gases from factories, cigarettes and vehicles are the main causes of air pollution. The combination of all these harmful gases causes smog, which look like fog from afar, only much darker because it’s dirty.
The Earth is dying, and it’s al our fault. Our population is growing so fast, so is our demand for space, food and convenience, which has led to the destruction of the environment. But this can be stopped, if we all work together. Here are some of activities that can help.
1. As much as possible, buy products that are recycled.
2. When going camping, make sure to bring plastic bags for your trash.
3. Dispose your trash properly.
4. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!
5. Report smoke belching vehicles to the authorities.
6. As much as possible, try to take public transportation such as the MRT or FX taxis to reduce pollution. Leaving your vehicle at home will not only save some money, it will also save the environment.
7. Plant trees. Trees can catch the harmful gases that vehicles, factories and cigarettes produce.
8. When buying appliances and aerosols, tell your parents to check if the label reads “CFC- free”. If not, tell them not to buy it. CFCs are harmful to the environment.
We only have one Earth. If many of us concerned enough to act, our planet will live much longer. Don’t let the Mother Earth die; she’s counting on you for help.
Blogging is great
Do you easily forget things that happen in the past? Are tired writing in a diary book, which deacy later if not use? I have something for you it is called Blogging.
Blogging is posting important moments in your life not only the important moments but you can also post the moments that happens daily in the web! Web?
It come from the word blog. A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order.
Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most early blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.
The term "blog" is a portmanteau, or, in other words, a blend of the words web and log (Web log). "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
In November 2006, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 57 million blogs.
Yes in the web, but first you must register. You go to blogspot.com, where you can log in with your
People have, since it started, complained about the fact that there is junk on the web. And as a universal medium, of course, it is important that the web itself doesn't try to decide what is publishable. The way quality works on the web is through links.
It works because reputable writers make links to things they consider reputable sources. So readers, when they find something distasteful or unreliable, don't just hit the back button once, they hit it twice. They remember not to follow links again through the page which took them there. One's chosen starting page, and a nurtured set of bookmarks, are the entrance points, then, to a selected subweb of information which one is generally inclined to trust and find valuable.
A great example of course is the blogging world. Blogs provide a gently evolving network of pointers of interest. As do FOAF files. I've always thought that FOAF could be extended to provide a trust infrastructure for (e..g.) spam filtering and OpenID-style single sign-on and its good to see things happening in that space.
In a recent interview with the Guardian, alas, my attempt to explain this was turned upside down into a "blogging is one of the biggest perils" message. Sigh. I think they took their lead from an unfortunate BBC article, which for some reason stressed concerns about the web rather than excitement, failure modes rather than opportunities. (This happens, because when you launch a Web Science Research Initiative, people ask what the opportunities are and what the dangers are for the future. And some editors are tempted to just edit out the opportunities and headline the fears to get the eyeballs, which is old and boring newspaper practice. We expect better from the Guardian and BBC, generally very reputable sources)
In fact, it is a really positive time for the web. Startups are launching, and being sold [Disclaimer: people I know] again, academics are excited about new systems and ideas, conferences and camps and wikis and chat channels and are hopping with energy, and every morning demands an excruciating choice of which exciting link to follow first.
And, fortunately, we have blogs. We can publish what we actually think, even when misreported.
Blogging is posting important moments in your life not only the important moments but you can also post the moments that happens daily in the web! Web?
It come from the word blog. A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order.
Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most early blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.
The term "blog" is a portmanteau, or, in other words, a blend of the words web and log (Web log). "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
In November 2006, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 57 million blogs.
Yes in the web, but first you must register. You go to blogspot.com, where you can log in with your
People have, since it started, complained about the fact that there is junk on the web. And as a universal medium, of course, it is important that the web itself doesn't try to decide what is publishable. The way quality works on the web is through links.
It works because reputable writers make links to things they consider reputable sources. So readers, when they find something distasteful or unreliable, don't just hit the back button once, they hit it twice. They remember not to follow links again through the page which took them there. One's chosen starting page, and a nurtured set of bookmarks, are the entrance points, then, to a selected subweb of information which one is generally inclined to trust and find valuable.
A great example of course is the blogging world. Blogs provide a gently evolving network of pointers of interest. As do FOAF files. I've always thought that FOAF could be extended to provide a trust infrastructure for (e..g.) spam filtering and OpenID-style single sign-on and its good to see things happening in that space.
In a recent interview with the Guardian, alas, my attempt to explain this was turned upside down into a "blogging is one of the biggest perils" message. Sigh. I think they took their lead from an unfortunate BBC article, which for some reason stressed concerns about the web rather than excitement, failure modes rather than opportunities. (This happens, because when you launch a Web Science Research Initiative, people ask what the opportunities are and what the dangers are for the future. And some editors are tempted to just edit out the opportunities and headline the fears to get the eyeballs, which is old and boring newspaper practice. We expect better from the Guardian and BBC, generally very reputable sources)
In fact, it is a really positive time for the web. Startups are launching, and being sold [Disclaimer: people I know] again, academics are excited about new systems and ideas, conferences and camps and wikis and chat channels and are hopping with energy, and every morning demands an excruciating choice of which exciting link to follow first.
And, fortunately, we have blogs. We can publish what we actually think, even when misreported.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Who will save the saviors of the Philippine economy?
In deniably, the $5.3 billion in remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in 1997 and their remittances in 1998 have helped save the peso from further collapse amid the Asian financial crisis. However, the same financial crisis is threatening their jobs abroad. Will the government help them get through this labor crisis? In a press conference on the rights of migrants held last December 17, participants of the "Rights and Roots Campaign and Regional Consultation on Migrants’ Savings for Alternative Investment" expressed their disappointment over the absence of government in reintegration processes. __ "What infrastructure support can government gives migrant workers? What financial channels? What production incentives so that our savings create value added production, instead of being squandered on apples, 21-inch TV sets, chocolates and other imported goods?" they asked. _The consultation gathered 60 grassroots migrant workers, unionists, migrant families, advocates and support groups from Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and the Philippines. The event was organized by the Asian Migrant Center (AMC), Kanlungan Center Foundation (Kanlungan), Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Kakammpi), and Unlad Kabayan (UK). The organizers said that it was a pioneering endeavor aimed at upholding migrants’ rights and demand for jobs in their homelands. Overseas migration of Filipino labor dates back to 1972, when the Philippine government adopted labor migration as a temporary measure due to an economic slump which increased unemployment. For the government as well as the families of OFWs, overseas migration has been an economic plus. Even former President Fidel Ramos recognized this and consequently raised the status of labor export, coining the term "modern-day heroes" to describe migrant workers. But along with the dollar remittances and the short-term luxury that money can afford is the brutal reality of migration’s ugly side. Maricris Sioson, Flor Contemplacion, Sarah Balabagan, Heidi Juperatum and all the other victims of injustice and violence whose names didn’t make it to the headlines are among the grimmest pictures of migration. Some 700 workers, mostly women, die each year following mistreatment by their employers, according to recent figures released by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Overseas Foreign Workers. Women activists say the mortality figure is likely to be even higher. An anonymous source at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said that 40 foreign workers arrive home in coffins each week.
___With the economic crisis continuing to engulf Asia, thousands of Filipinos are terminated from work. Organizers of the consultation reported that in Malaysia, thousands of Filipino domestic helpers will have to return to the country in line with that government ‘s policy passed last October not to approve new work permits, and limited existing work permits to a maximum of six years. In Hong Kong, more than 25,000 foreign domestic helpers have already been terminated due to the crisis; 160,000 others experienced a 36 per cent wage reduction last December.
___Deported migrants are not welcome in their home countries, said Rex Varona, AMC executive director. The Philippine government, for instance, has encouraged OFWs hit by crisis to find work in other countries – instead of coming back to the country.
___"For those who ultimately return, it will be like jumping from the frying pan to the fire – no jobs, no property or land to farm on, huge debts to pay and a family to feed. Those who are allowed to remain in the receiving countries are re-deployed in 3-D jobs (dirty, dangerous, demeaning) as in Malaysia. Many have been cheated out of their wages and benefits (e.g., in South Korea) or can’t find work (e.g., in Japan, Korea)," wrote Varona in his article "A Year After: Surveying the Impact of the Asian Crisis on Migrant Workers" published in the Asian Migrant 1998 Yearbook.
___"The era of export of Philippine labor has to end," the consultation participants declared in a statement. Varona said that the government is on a denial stage when it claims that "there is no policy on labor export." "It has to fully accept the diaspora that it has created, and account for the thousands of OFW lives that have been sacrificed."
___While the organizers recognize the efforts of the government in protecting OFWs, they are also resigned to the fact that these efforts are "too weak, too inadequate, too late."
___"We demand more resolute and aggressive initiatives by the government to institute bilateral, international and national protection mechanisms, laws and agreements for Filipino migrants," the participants said.
___More importantly, the participants emphasized, the government must address the root cause of overseas migration. "Staving off attacks and abuses on migrants’ rights is not enough nor sustainable. The real, substantial protection for OFWs is to provide decent jobs for them at home."
___"No amount of paper protection nor government pleading will stop the abuses against the OFWs. We are hired abroad precisely because we are cheaper, more exploitable than local workers."
___The era of Filipino dominance in the international labor market, according to them, is drawing to a close. The international labor market has been saturated. The economic crisis has further narrowed down opportunities, and created a ‘double push’ pressure. Even Korea, a destination for Filipina domestic workers, is reportedly planning to export its own migrant workers. Other sending countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have been aggressively exporting their labor.
___And like goods in a globalized market, there is a stiff competition in terms of cost and quality. As the organizers said, "In order to gain market hold, there is intense undercutting – migrant labor from other countries are offering themselves at cheaper rates, in worse working conditions, in more vulnerable situations."
___If the Philippines wants to maintain its level of deployment, it has to accept reductions in migrants’ wages, benefits, rights and protection. OFWs will therefore be exposed to more abuses. "The worse can be expected," lamented Tolentino of her constituents in Japan.
___At present, the only "semi-protection" that OFWs have is the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families promulgated by the United Nations in 1991. However, only 10 countries have so far ratified it. A minimum of 20 signatory countries is required for the covenant to be enforceable among member countries.
___Uncertain of their future abroad, not to mention the poignant feeling of homesickness, participants declared: "We demand our right to work, our right to life and to be with our families. We demand that the government start creating reintegration processes and mechanisms now so that there can be jobs and opportunities later that we can return to."
___As the Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong said: "We sell only our labor but not our rights and dignity."
___With the economic crisis continuing to engulf Asia, thousands of Filipinos are terminated from work. Organizers of the consultation reported that in Malaysia, thousands of Filipino domestic helpers will have to return to the country in line with that government ‘s policy passed last October not to approve new work permits, and limited existing work permits to a maximum of six years. In Hong Kong, more than 25,000 foreign domestic helpers have already been terminated due to the crisis; 160,000 others experienced a 36 per cent wage reduction last December.
___Deported migrants are not welcome in their home countries, said Rex Varona, AMC executive director. The Philippine government, for instance, has encouraged OFWs hit by crisis to find work in other countries – instead of coming back to the country.
___"For those who ultimately return, it will be like jumping from the frying pan to the fire – no jobs, no property or land to farm on, huge debts to pay and a family to feed. Those who are allowed to remain in the receiving countries are re-deployed in 3-D jobs (dirty, dangerous, demeaning) as in Malaysia. Many have been cheated out of their wages and benefits (e.g., in South Korea) or can’t find work (e.g., in Japan, Korea)," wrote Varona in his article "A Year After: Surveying the Impact of the Asian Crisis on Migrant Workers" published in the Asian Migrant 1998 Yearbook.
___"The era of export of Philippine labor has to end," the consultation participants declared in a statement. Varona said that the government is on a denial stage when it claims that "there is no policy on labor export." "It has to fully accept the diaspora that it has created, and account for the thousands of OFW lives that have been sacrificed."
___While the organizers recognize the efforts of the government in protecting OFWs, they are also resigned to the fact that these efforts are "too weak, too inadequate, too late."
___"We demand more resolute and aggressive initiatives by the government to institute bilateral, international and national protection mechanisms, laws and agreements for Filipino migrants," the participants said.
___More importantly, the participants emphasized, the government must address the root cause of overseas migration. "Staving off attacks and abuses on migrants’ rights is not enough nor sustainable. The real, substantial protection for OFWs is to provide decent jobs for them at home."
___"No amount of paper protection nor government pleading will stop the abuses against the OFWs. We are hired abroad precisely because we are cheaper, more exploitable than local workers."
___The era of Filipino dominance in the international labor market, according to them, is drawing to a close. The international labor market has been saturated. The economic crisis has further narrowed down opportunities, and created a ‘double push’ pressure. Even Korea, a destination for Filipina domestic workers, is reportedly planning to export its own migrant workers. Other sending countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have been aggressively exporting their labor.
___And like goods in a globalized market, there is a stiff competition in terms of cost and quality. As the organizers said, "In order to gain market hold, there is intense undercutting – migrant labor from other countries are offering themselves at cheaper rates, in worse working conditions, in more vulnerable situations."
___If the Philippines wants to maintain its level of deployment, it has to accept reductions in migrants’ wages, benefits, rights and protection. OFWs will therefore be exposed to more abuses. "The worse can be expected," lamented Tolentino of her constituents in Japan.
___At present, the only "semi-protection" that OFWs have is the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families promulgated by the United Nations in 1991. However, only 10 countries have so far ratified it. A minimum of 20 signatory countries is required for the covenant to be enforceable among member countries.
___Uncertain of their future abroad, not to mention the poignant feeling of homesickness, participants declared: "We demand our right to work, our right to life and to be with our families. We demand that the government start creating reintegration processes and mechanisms now so that there can be jobs and opportunities later that we can return to."
___As the Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong said: "We sell only our labor but not our rights and dignity."
March for Women?
March is Women's History Month, a fine time to celebrate the historic achievements of women -- in politics, culture, and, of course, WORDS! In honor of this event, I thought it might be fun to write a series of posts all month long ... about women authors and artists or fascinating female characters in books I come across this month. So far, I know that over the next two weeks, I'm going to tell you about the amazing author Jhumpa Lahiri, about a new website for gutsy girls who love to read, and about an artist who plays with words. I'm also going to keep my eyes open and see what else comes up because this is the way it goes with being an editor: Once you have a topic or theme on your mind, everywhere you turn, you see things and people that remind you of it. Anyway, enough tangents! Today, I want to tell you about a fabulous new book I recently read. Flora Segunda, by Ysabeau S. Wilce, is about an adventurous, spirited girl (named Flora) who lives in a country called Califa in a house (called Crackpot Hall) that has eleven thousand rooms and a red dog. Flora is almost 14 years old and one of the few remaining members of the once-glorious Fyrdraaca family - her mother is the Commanding General of the Army of Califa and her father, a wounded warrior/soldier is there, but not quite there (if you know what I mean). Crackpot Hall used to be an enchanted mansion where rooms appeared, disappeared, and shifted shapes. It was a living being with an elevator that had its own mind and could carry you to far, unknown corners of the house. Now, it is a ghost of a home, falling apart. Unlike the other great homes of Califa, it has a banished and vanishing magical butler named Valefor who wants Flora to help him get his powers (and rule) back. On the eve of her 14th birthday, Flora is dismayed. She's about to be initiated into the world of soldiers: "When Fyrdraacas turn fourteen and celebrate ... off we go to Benica Barracks to learn to march, to learn to ride, to learn to shoot, to learn to die," she tells us. Flora doesn't want this. "I want to be a ranger, a scout, a spy. Rangers don't follow orders; they slide around the rules, scoot around the edges of the law. They hide and they listen and they uncover things that are concealed. They discover the truth though it be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies," she says. And, so the drama begins:
Flora Fyrdraaca knows taking shortcuts in Crackpot Hall can be risky. After all, when a House has eleven thousand decaying rooms that shift about at random, there's no telling where a person might end up. But it's not just household confusion that vexes Flora, what with Mamma always away being Commanding General of the Army, Poppy drowning his sorrows in drink, and Crackpot Hall too broken down to magickally provide the clean towels and hot waffles that are a Fyrdraaca's birthright.Yet Flora is nothing if not a Girl of Spirit. So when she takes a forbidden shortcut and stumbles upon her family's biggest secret--Valefor, the banished Butler--she and her best friend Udo plunge happily into the grand adventure of restoring Valefor to his rightful (or so he says) position. If only Flora knew that meddling with a magickal being can go terribly awry--and that soon she will have to find a way to restore herself before it is Too Late.
Flora Segunda is a fantasy novel written in an original voice and filled with quirky characters. I was immediately captivated by Flora's character and if you're like me, you'll identify with her intense desire to be true to herself and her willingness to take risks, even if it means having a bit of explaining to do to her Army General mother! The world of Califa is imaginary, but somehow it seems very real too and is one that I'd love to visit again (thankfully, there's a sequel on the way!).I had the chance to have lunch with the author Ysabeau Wilce a few weeks ago and was fascinated to learn that she based the world of Califa on a real city in which she used to live and that she drew maps for every part of this world she created. If you plan on reading the book or have read it, I wonder if you can guess what city that is? (Yes, this seems to be the week of blog posts about cities!). If you guess right (click on comment below), I'll see what I can do about getting you an autographed copy of Flora Segunda.
Flora Fyrdraaca knows taking shortcuts in Crackpot Hall can be risky. After all, when a House has eleven thousand decaying rooms that shift about at random, there's no telling where a person might end up. But it's not just household confusion that vexes Flora, what with Mamma always away being Commanding General of the Army, Poppy drowning his sorrows in drink, and Crackpot Hall too broken down to magickally provide the clean towels and hot waffles that are a Fyrdraaca's birthright.Yet Flora is nothing if not a Girl of Spirit. So when she takes a forbidden shortcut and stumbles upon her family's biggest secret--Valefor, the banished Butler--she and her best friend Udo plunge happily into the grand adventure of restoring Valefor to his rightful (or so he says) position. If only Flora knew that meddling with a magickal being can go terribly awry--and that soon she will have to find a way to restore herself before it is Too Late.
Flora Segunda is a fantasy novel written in an original voice and filled with quirky characters. I was immediately captivated by Flora's character and if you're like me, you'll identify with her intense desire to be true to herself and her willingness to take risks, even if it means having a bit of explaining to do to her Army General mother! The world of Califa is imaginary, but somehow it seems very real too and is one that I'd love to visit again (thankfully, there's a sequel on the way!).I had the chance to have lunch with the author Ysabeau Wilce a few weeks ago and was fascinated to learn that she based the world of Califa on a real city in which she used to live and that she drew maps for every part of this world she created. If you plan on reading the book or have read it, I wonder if you can guess what city that is? (Yes, this seems to be the week of blog posts about cities!). If you guess right (click on comment below), I'll see what I can do about getting you an autographed copy of Flora Segunda.
All About Hulk
Hulk does not like change very much because every time somebody thinks Hulk should change it is things like "Hulk should smash less" and "Hulk should not watch Dora the Explorer and should instead go and fight stupid Stilt-Man" and let Hulk tell you that fighting Stilt Man is a problem for Daredevil or Spider-Man!!!!Also: Hulk thinks you should read good article that was written on the internet where Hulk and the rest of the people he worked with for a while called The Defenders answered questions. OK? OK!
Hulk has gotten a lot of emails and comments wanting to know why Hulk hasn't updated his diary that is on the internet lately and Hulk wanted to also address some rumors that have been floating around about Hulk that need to be talked about because people need to know the truth about what has happened to Hulk of late, ok? OK! Hulk will put the things Hulk will say in a list because Hulk learned from Iron Man that it is the best way to tell people what is going on with Hulk and other things that need to be put in language that is clear.
1. Hulk is not dating crazy Lindsay Lohan. Hulk only wanted to help the nice girl from that movie about mean girls get from the nightclub she was in back to her limousine. She kissed Hulk on the cheek and all of the papers in New York City (yes, I am talking about you, J. Jonah Jameson and stupid Peter Parker at the Daily Bugle!!!!) decided to run a picture of it like it was a fact that Hulk was spending time with her. Hulk only was nice to her that one time and Hulk really hopes that she enjoys her time in Wonderland. Hulk read about Wonderland in Peter Pan (or maybe Hulk saw the movie) and it sounds like a nice place to learn to stop drinking that stuff that looks like water but really isn't!!!!
2. Hulk is not in outer space. That is a story in comic books that Marvel Comics puts out about Hulk. Hulk knows this is hard to understand, but COMIC BOOKS ARE NOT REAL. Hulk has had to move to "Brooklyn" because Hulk can't afford the place Hulk had in "Greenwich Village," but Hulk has a nice neighborhood and nobody stares at Hulk too much because compared to some of his neighbors, Hulk is quiet and nice.
3. Hulk is not dead. Hulk just has been busy saving the world instead of writing in his internet diary! Did any of you hear about Hulk stopping The Leader's stupid beam that erased people's brains and made them all his slaves? That is what Hulk spent time doing instead of typing in the computer internet! Hulk also punched out a big monster in Tokyo after Doctor Strange sent him there and played golf with Thor (who is not dead either so stop asking Hulk about that) in ASGARD, which is a very nice place to play golf but Hulk thinks you may have a tough time getting there.
There. That is what Hulk has been up to lately! What have you been doing?!?!?
Hulk has gotten a lot of emails and comments wanting to know why Hulk hasn't updated his diary that is on the internet lately and Hulk wanted to also address some rumors that have been floating around about Hulk that need to be talked about because people need to know the truth about what has happened to Hulk of late, ok? OK! Hulk will put the things Hulk will say in a list because Hulk learned from Iron Man that it is the best way to tell people what is going on with Hulk and other things that need to be put in language that is clear.
1. Hulk is not dating crazy Lindsay Lohan. Hulk only wanted to help the nice girl from that movie about mean girls get from the nightclub she was in back to her limousine. She kissed Hulk on the cheek and all of the papers in New York City (yes, I am talking about you, J. Jonah Jameson and stupid Peter Parker at the Daily Bugle!!!!) decided to run a picture of it like it was a fact that Hulk was spending time with her. Hulk only was nice to her that one time and Hulk really hopes that she enjoys her time in Wonderland. Hulk read about Wonderland in Peter Pan (or maybe Hulk saw the movie) and it sounds like a nice place to learn to stop drinking that stuff that looks like water but really isn't!!!!
2. Hulk is not in outer space. That is a story in comic books that Marvel Comics puts out about Hulk. Hulk knows this is hard to understand, but COMIC BOOKS ARE NOT REAL. Hulk has had to move to "Brooklyn" because Hulk can't afford the place Hulk had in "Greenwich Village," but Hulk has a nice neighborhood and nobody stares at Hulk too much because compared to some of his neighbors, Hulk is quiet and nice.
3. Hulk is not dead. Hulk just has been busy saving the world instead of writing in his internet diary! Did any of you hear about Hulk stopping The Leader's stupid beam that erased people's brains and made them all his slaves? That is what Hulk spent time doing instead of typing in the computer internet! Hulk also punched out a big monster in Tokyo after Doctor Strange sent him there and played golf with Thor (who is not dead either so stop asking Hulk about that) in ASGARD, which is a very nice place to play golf but Hulk thinks you may have a tough time getting there.
There. That is what Hulk has been up to lately! What have you been doing?!?!?
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