African Evolution

Good Day,

Am Joel and am one of the voices that people will be listening to, for time to time now. Because there is a purpose my standing here in front of you. And my purpose is let you and you and you, know that there is an opportunity given to us to change the course of our life but not only ours but also those of our children and the children of our children and for many generations to come.

Great men and leaders, of whom we were forced to learn about, have made their time and their impact for their generation of which they lived for. Am not talking about the Americans or Europeans, Asians, great leaders of whom children of nowadays boost themselves of. Let’s say George Washington, who fought for a really free country of which he had a greater vision but let his followers continue because he knew that the legacy he left would be like a bench mark for those who will come after him. And so and on, each president coming to the white house tried to be better than the previous one in office. And I say that is the type of legacy that we should be looking forward to in Africa.

We also had great leaders here in Africa namely: Kwame Nkrumah, Patrick Lumumba, and so on, all we talk about them is independence and how it came about. Let say these first leaders really fought for us and be much grateful for their achievements because if it were not because of them we wouldn’t be here in this freedom we enjoy, but their great story stop there.

I want to ask a question to all of you: Why are we not better economically placed with the natural resources and the agricultural benefit we enjoy? I am sure the most popular answer will be: ”we do not have good governance? Or we don’t know how to manage? Or maybe and what comes more now, is that, the white people have contracted these resources for centuries with the first leaders, so we can’t have good hold of what we really can get?

Now the questions we should be asking ourselves is if governance is the problem then why have we been voting the same type of people into power, we know the routine of these politicians. They will come to your doorsteps and present your problems and the available solutions that they will put into place if you vote for them.
Everybody will collide with me on the fact that if we want something we got to fight for it. And once we have it, we can then do what we want with. Great leaders fought for what they define as a goal for themselves and the generation to come at their time?
Will someone tell me which government in Africa did better than any previous one they follow and if yes what are their milestones.
Don’t tell me because, you build more roads, hospitals or highways I have to vote for you for another term in order for you to finish because the roads you are claiming on constructing never get finished and these hospitals are always under construction. But let me judge you base on the number of programs that you have implemented out of what you presented to me.
In order to change the African lifes we have to start changing the way we think and the way perceive things. Because these politicians will always bribe you with 10 or 20 % of their income to get re-elected and get served on his table with chickens and meat of different kind of food that you may have never heard of that could cost 200% the money they took to bribe you.
That’s how it is. Each leader we vote should fight for the country interest and not their as it has been going on for decades now. And we, the people should be the watchdogs. Laws are made for the people and by the people. Let’s say we vote a law that says that before someone contests for presidency, it should be found in his background that he has fully served his country by serving and bringing something positive to the country like a company that is employing number of people. That will trigger patriotism in their doings.

Deciding for our futures should only depend on us. Why do we have to consult white people before we could do one thing or the other? Meanwhile they don’t consult anybody before doing anything.

Let’s change our way of living and see the way we should impact our world for my children and your children to enjoy a better country and a better future and let us above all set a good legacy that will help our children continue where we finished.



Joel

THE INTERNET AND OUR WORLD – COMPARE AND CONTRAST

             In almost 20 years of existence, the internet has become the most powerful information tool since Gutenberg’s printing press, but also the most instructive and threatening.

The experience of internet has shown how the trails of information that we (particulars, companies) leave across the web are not only redefining privacy, but also are creating feedback loops that may be narrowing our horizons, rather than opening our eyes to be new. It has also shown how we (individual, company) think and are.

Clearly at beginning, the internet has brought about a lot of transformation in what information we have at our hands. It is very much empowering; no one now has the monopoly of information: everyone has the freedom to participate in the library of knowledge collected online, by accessing them or creating them. Anyone who has historically held control over the distribution – government, media- is repositioning itself vis-à-vis internet.

But it is always dangerous, however, to be blinded by idealism. The internet is, with no doubt, a transformative technology on a par with the printing press, but it’s difficult to believe that it will bring the end of inequality or will erase international conflict. In fact, some people have learned how to manipulate the internet’s power for their ends.

The internet becomes something considered as dangerous when it is used to radicalized new recruits to fundamentalist causes, to attack a country’s banks and institutions or to promote propaganda within authoritarian states. The debate becomes more personal when we consider how the use of this overwhelming commercial space is transforming what privacy means now. As we cross the internet, our personal information is captured and manipulated. We enjoy services for free, but our actions are analyzed to generate precise targeted advertising that funds companies behind the websites.

When we search on our computers at home or at work, we may thing that we are only transacting only with our machine. In fact, when we type a query in Google’s search box (for example), we are divulging our needs to a technology which all over the world, with hundred of eyeballs trying to match the perfect advertising to your search terms.

Yet, we still think it is an oracle, giving it personal questions.

Our relationship with the internet is a synergy: as it grows, so will we. And as it draws us into its networks and hyperlinks, we will shape them in our global image. It is the most revolutionary evolution that we as a planet have ever participated in.

From: Jocras

Is Obesity really a problem? (3)

                    I interviewed Diane, a dietitian, and Ellen, a registered nurse, who have both specialized in working with overweight and obese patients. They were in agreement that certain diets that concentrate on eliminating carbohydrates and increasing the intake of protein (meat) can lead to weight loss. However, they say that over the long haul, there can be negative secondary effects.  This is confirmed by a medical chart called Maintaining a Healthy Weight It states: "Low-carbohydrate diets, especially if undertaken without medical supervision, can be dangerous." It continues:" They are undesirably high concentration of Ketone bodies (a byproduct of fat metabolism)." If you are considering a low carbohydrate diet, be sure to consult a doctor first.

If it is your goal to lose weight do not despair. "Weight control isn't impossible, nor does it need to mean deprivation or a boring, repetitious diet," says Dr. Walter C Willett. With conscious effort and creativity, most people can successfully control their weight for the long term with an enjoyable but reasonable die and near daily exercise.


                           How important is exercise?

Dr. Willett:" Other than smoking, exercise is the single best thing you can do to get healthy or stay healthy and keep chronic diseases at bay." How often should one exercise? What are the benefits of physical effort?
Some experts advise that daily exercise, if only for 30 minutes, can be very beneficial. But it is suggested that even exercising three times a week can help one avoid serious problems in the future. Exercise burns calories, and the predominant question for someone who is trying to lose weight should be, each day am I burning up calories than i am taking in? If the equation is reverse, then you will surely gain weight. So walk or cycle instead of riding in a vehicle. Climb stairs instead of taking elevator. Exercise! Burn calories!
Dr. Willett explains:" For many people, walking is an excellent alternative to other types of physical activity because it doesn't require any special equipment, can be done time and any place, and is generally quite safe." His advice, of course, refers to brisk walking, not just taking a stroll. He recommends 30 minutes of physical activity every day if possible.
             
                                 Is Surgery the best Solution?

In any effort to lose weight and to prevent future weight gain, some severely obese patients have followed the advice of barbaric (obesity) specialists who recommend various surgical procedures. Who might qualify for these surgical solutions? The writers of the book Mayo clinic on Healthy weight suggest the following:" Your doctor may consider surgery if your body mass index s above, an indication that you are severely obese." The Mayo Clinic Health Letter suggest: "Surgery for obesity is generally recommended only for people between the ages of 18 and 65 with a body mass index over 40 whose obesity is creating a serious medical risk."
What are some of these surgical procedures? They are small-bowel bypass, gastric portioning, gastroplatic, ad gastri bypass. This latter procedure involves stapling across the top stomach, leaving a small pouch that holds only about 14 grams of food. The small intestine then cut and attached to this pouch. Thus, most of the stomach is bypass as well as the duodenum.
         
                        Is Liposuction the answer for you?

What is Liposuction? One dictionary defines it as: "Usually cosmetic surgical procedure in which excess fatty issue is removed from a specific area of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen, by means of suction. Also called suction lipectomy."(American Heritage Dictionary) However, does that mean it is remedy for obesity?
The Mayo Clinic on healthy Weight says that liposuction is cosmetic surgery. It is not a weight-loss plan. Fat cells are sucked of the body by means of a narrow tube inserted under the skin. Several kilograms can be removed in one session. However, "the surgery isn't a treatment for obesity." Is it a safe procedure? "People with certain weight-related medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, are at increase risk of complication liposuction."

So if you are overweight or obese, what can you about it? The old adage is true, "where there's a will, there's a way." Do you have the motivation and the willpower to do something about it? As an overweight child or an overweight adult, what are your choices? Lose weight or possible lose years of life. Adopt an active-style, and feel the satisfaction of accomplishment - even in small things, such as smaller sizes in your clothing!


Joel

Is Obesity really a problem? (2)

                 The tendency of some who have no problem with weight is to view overweight and obese people judgmentally and dismiss them as individuals with weak willpower and poor motivation. But is the problem that simple? Are obese people necessarily indolent individuals who avoid any physical exercise? Or in many cases are there other far-reaching causes that are more difficult to control?


Heredity? Environment? Or Both?

   The book Food Fight state:" There has long been debate pitting genetics versus environment in the genesis of obesity." What is meant by genetics in this context? Some hold to the theory that the human body nature store excess calories for possible future needs. The source continues:” the genetics of obesity has been studied for decades... Much research now been done on human genes and obesity. Sophisticated techniques are being used to identify genes that predispose people to weight gain and to diseases like diabetes. In scientific parlance, 25 percent to 40 percent of the variability in population body weight can be explained by genes." The book continues:" Given that obesity is usually blamed on personal failing, these numbers underscore the importance of biology, but still, 60 percent or more of the influence can be attributed to the environment." This means that a major factor in obesity is still the person's life-style. Does the individual take in more calories than he or she expends each day? Are the wrong kinds of food being consumed on a regular basis? Is time set aside each day for moderate exercise?

The Mayo Clinic explains the cause of obesity in simple terms:” Genes may set the stage for overweight or obesity, but your body weight or obesity ultimately is determined by your diet and physical activity. Over the long term, eating excess calories, leading a sedentary lifestyle, or a combination of both lead to obesity." The same source continues:" Your heredity doesn't mean you're destined to be fat... No matter what your genes say, it is ultimately your choices in nutrition and activity that will determine your weight."
The weight-loss industry generates millions of dollars as desperate people seek to regain their former figure. Yet, what do experts say about these programs? "Obesity is very difficult to treat, and most people who lose weight do not keep it off," says the book Food Fight. “The most optimistic estimates are that 25 percent [one in four] lose weight and maintain the loss, often requiring many tries."


Danger of Obesity

Obesity can lead to severe health problems. Dr Scott Loren-Selcoa neurologist at the University of Southern California Medical Center warns of the danger of Type 2 diabetes for even young people who are obese. He says:" We are seeing it all the time now, and believe me, it is frightening. I tell [obesity patients] that I could take them up to the diabetes ward and show them their possible future: the blind the amputees, the endless number of people who are completely infirm because of type 2 [diabetes]-and who are all obese." What is one contributing factor? “They can afford super sized burgers and fries- and so they get, “says Loren-Selco.’There's no one out there telling them it is wrong-certainly not the fast-food companies, and, frankly, certainly not most physician, who still aren't trained in nutrition."
Dr. Edward Taub, a well-known writer on nutrition, states:" It has recently become more fashionable, and even politically correct, to believe that being overweight is just a normal and acceptable part of modern life. This is truly an amazing public relations feat accomplished by the economic interests that thrive on fattening us."

Experts say that those who are "pear-shaped." carrying extra fat at the hips may be healthier than those who are "apple-shaped," having fat distributed around the abdominal organs (especially if the waist exceeds 89 to 101 centimeters). Why? Because "fat in your abdomen increases your risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer," says the book Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight. "If you have a pear -large hips, thighs and buttocks- your health risks are not as high."
So, what is the solution for the millions of adults and children worldwide who are overweight and in danger of serious health complication? Is there an effective remedy?



Joel 

Is Obesity really a problem? (1)

                                 Adolescent obesity is like an epidemic. This epidemic has become a pandemic that is spreading in many countries as more people exercise less and feed on junk food. A consultant in adolescent medicine said: “the next generation in England will be the most obese in the generation of mankind." The Guardian Weekly Reported:" obesity was once mainly an adult problem. Now Britain has a young generation whose eating habits and sedentary culture is leading them towards problems first seen in the US. Long-term obesity will predispose them to illnesses such as diabetes to heart disease and cancer."

The writers of the book Food Fight state: "over consumption has replaced malnutrition as the world's top food problem." Don Peck, in the Atlantic Monthly, state: "Some nine million Americans are now 'morbidly obese,' meaning roughly [45 kilograms] or more overweight." Weight-related condition lead to some 300,000 premature death a year in that nation, "more than anything else except smoking." Peck concluded:” Obesity may soon surpass both hunger and infectious d as the world's most pressing public-health problem." Therefore, who can afford to ignore the threat of obesity?


Dr. Walter C. Willett writes in the book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy that "next to whether you smoke, the number that stares up at you from the bathroom scale is the most important measure of your health." The key word here is future health.


How do you define Obesity?

When a person is considered obese and not just somewhat overweight? The Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, United States:’ in simplest terms, obesity is being seriously overweight because of excess of body fat." But how do you determine what overweight is for each person? Height-weight tables can give an approximative guideline as to whether one is simply overweight or has passed into the stage of obese. However, these don't account for the differences in body composition. The Mayo Clinic says: "body fat, instead of weight, is a better predictor of health." For example, an athlete is likely to have more weight because of muscle mass or large bone structure. What are the basic causes of overweight or obesity? The question will be discussed in the following article.

Joel

Psychology of Homosexuality

       Everything in creation, including human and animal life, is governed by natural laws. Laws of nature control natural processes and natural phenomena.

The heavenly bodies including their axis and orbits, ocean current and ebb and flow of the sea - are all regulated by natural laws. For example, man must eat to satisfy hunger, sleep to get rest for the body and keep the body sound and fit by exercise or work of some kind.

When the human limbs are left for a period such as one or more months without movement, they may become stiff and not flexible. The natural law of duality or popularity is found at work in human and animal life and in natural phenomena.

For example the possible and negative aspect interacts to make life possible on earth. The male and female aspects must cohabit harmoniously to reproduce their kind. It is through that process that creation reproduces itself and human life is perpetuating on earth. There are the dual phenomena of life and death, youth and old age, heat and cold, pain and pleasure, day and night, and so on. When the law of duality or polarity is broken - anachronism and absolutes. In his philosophy of dialectical materialism, Karl Marx explains how law of duality operates to keep nature in harmony and balance.

According to Karl Marx, the positive or negative aspect is replaced by the order - when one aspect does not function normally to maintain balance and harmony. Karl Marx saw socialism-communism as the negative aspect of capitalism. He contented that internal contradiction within the capitalist society makes socialism-communism a natural replacement for capitalism. Why did socialism-communism fail? The answer rests with the law of duality.

In homosexuality, one finds one aspect of duality or polarity interacting with itself. The male aspect relates sexually with another male. It is a phenomenon that violates natural law. Naturally, well-placed and well-disposed human beings do not violate the law of procreation. It is when a person is displaced or is not properly disposed that person begins to violate natural law in the matter of sexuality. For example, confined persons such as prisoners, for lack of freedom to interact with their opposite aspects, namely males and females, may indulge in homosexuality. At puberty, some persons are inclined to masturbate and some begin to indulge in some kind of homosexuality.

The recourse to masturbation or homosexuality at puberty is due to lack or opportunity to express love in the natural way. Teenagers who do not have luck resort to early sexual intercourse. Most teenagers give up the early sexual indulgence as they grow older. It is those who do not give up when they grow into adulthood that tend to embrace homosexuality. The reason for departure from the natural process of procreation is psychological. Dr Carl Jung, a Swiss medical doctor, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, offers a convincing explanation in his analysis. Dr Jung puts the structure of personality in the following categories: The psyche, the consciousness, the personal unconscious and collective unconscious.

For lack of space, i will dwell on the category known as the collective unconscious, which is the area of the concern of this article. The collective unconscious is made up of what Dr Jung terms archetypes. According to Dr Jung, archetypes are the contents of the human psyche. He names the content as: the persona, the anima and the animus and the self. 

Persona is described by Dr Jung as the "outward face" of the psyche. This, he explains, is because it is the outward face that is seen. The "inward face" he calls the anima in males and the animus in females. In males, the anima constitutes their feminine archetype, while the animus is the masculine archetype in females. "If the personality is to be well adjusted and harmoniously balanced the feminine side of man's personality and the masculine side of a woman's personality must be allowed to express themselves in consciousness and behavior," Dr Jung advised. What Dr Jung has discovered and told the world about is the subtle operation of the lack of duality or polarity as it influences human personality.

As Karl Marx, the Marxist postulated everything in the creation has its positive aspects and negative aspects. Interaction of both makes it possible for a thing to exist an entity. In a person, both the positive and negative aspects of human personality must be allowed to interact in a balanced and harmonious manner. Problems set in when both the anima and animus in a man or a woman interact out of balance and harmony with the persona archetype. For example, a male will be inclined to behave more like a woman - if his anima archetype projects itself over and above the man's persona archetype. Conversely, a woman is likely to behave more like a man if her animus archetype overrides the persona of her female personality.

The anima in a man and the animus in a woman can be undeveloped or deflated. This anomaly can also create personality distortion. Why? When the anima or the "woman" in a male is underdeveloped, he may fin it difficult interacting with a female. And when the animus or the "man" in a woman is underdeveloped or suppressed she may find it uneasy to relate with a man. A man and another man who are respectively so disposed - are likely to attract each other and express love that ends up in homosexuality. The same applies to a woman and another woman so disposed. 

Since homosexuality arises out of distortion or dislocation of personality, is it curable? Personality distortion or dislocation can be corrected. Since homosexuality arises out of personality problems, it can be cured.

Joel

Prejudice and Discrimination (Part2)

" All human being are born free and equal in dignity and right. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood." -Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of human rights.

Despite that lofty ideal, prejudice and discrimination continue to plague mankind. this sad fact reflects not only our times but also the imperfection of the Humans. Netherless, the situation is far from hopeless. Granted, we may be unable to eliminate the discrimination we see around us, but we can work to root out prejudice that may lodge within ourselves.

A good start is to aknowledge that none of us are above developing prejudice. The Book Understanding Prejudice and discrimination says: "Perhaps the most important conclusions to emerge from prejudice research are these:(1) no one capable of human thought and speech in immune from harboring prejudice, (2) it often takes deliberate effort and awareness to reduce prejudice, and(3) with sufficient motivation, it can be done."

Education has been describe as "the most powerfull tool" in the fight against prejudice. The right education can, for example, expose the root causes of prejudice, enable us to examine our own attitudes more obectively, abd hlp us deal wisely with prejudice when we are victims.

                                                             Getting to the Roots
Prejudice causes people to distort, misinterpret, or even ignore facts that conflict with their predetermined opinions. Prejudice may have its beginnings in seemingly innoncent, but misguised, family values, or it may be sown by those who deliberately promote warped views of other races or cultures. Prejudice can also be fostered by nationallism and fasle religious teachings. And it can be a product of inordinate prid. As you reflect on the following point and on pertinent principles taken from the Bible, Why not examine your attitude and see if changes are in order?
Associate. Humans are gregarious by nature, and this is a good thing. Indeed, one isolating himself will seek his own selfish longing and will even desregard practical wisdom. We should choose our associate wisely, for the can exert a powerfull influence on us. Wise parents, therefore, take a deep interest in their children's associates. Sudies have shown that children as youg as three years of age can develop racial biases, which they pick up  form attitudes, words, and gestures of others. Of course, parents themselves should do all in thir power to be good influence on their little one, kowing that parental influence is usually the most powerfull factor in shaping a child's values.
Nationalism. One dictionarydefine nationalism as a "sense of nationl consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placeing primary emphasis on promotion of its cultures and interests as opposed to those of other nations." Ivo duchacek, a professor of political science, obversed in hs book Conflict and Cooperation Among Nations: " Nationalism divides humanity into mutually intolerant units. As a result people think as Americans, Russians, Egyptians, or Peruvians first, and as human beings second- if at all." A former UN secretary- general wrote: " so many of the problems that we face today are due to, or the result of, false attitude- some of them have ben adopted almost unconsciously. Among these is the concep of narrow nationalism-'my country, right or wrong.' "
Racism. Racists believe"that race account for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is supeiror to others," says one dictionary. Yet, as is noted in the World Book Encyclopedia, researcherss have not discovered any scientific basis for such claims of racial superiority." The gross injustices that racism fosters, such as people's systematic denial of rights to fellow humans, are painful evidence that raciism rests on falsehoods and fallacies.
Religion. The book The Nature of Prejudice says: " Abomination inevitably result when men use their religion to justify [selfish pursuits] and ethnic self-interest. It is then that religion and prejudic merge." What is especially striking, the same book observes, is how readily many religious people "seem to slip from piety into prejudice." Evidence in support of those words is seen in racially exclusive churches, sectarian hatred and violence and acts of terror inspired by religion.

Yes, for good reason that GOD cautions:"more than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart, for out of it are the sources of life." So view your heart as truly precious, and let nothing corrupt it! Instead, fill it with Godly wisdom. Then, and only then, will 'thinking ability and discernment safeguard you, to deliver your from the bad way, from the person speaking perverse things.'

What, though, can you do if you are a victim of prejudice or discrimination? The next article looks into this matter.


Joel