Tag: culture

Why the News and Other Media Outlets Follow Social Trends

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

In response to a post on social media I became acutely aware that the state of society is somewhat a loss. The media, news channels and other various outlets are deliberately restricting certain content whilst favouring others.

One such topic is LGBTQ rights. Now we in England and the UK have no shortage of these rights. People can identify as gay or lesbian or whatever without the risk of persecution. The gay scene is big in many towns and cities.

However, in other countries such as Uganda, these rights are non existent and merely identifying as homosexual is now illegal. I bring this up because Uganda like many countries do criminalise homosexuality but they have done so for hundreds of years. The west, like England also used to criminalise it but we only talk about other countries. Although England has changed it doesn’t mean it hasn’t always been a part of this.

So why do the news outlets focus on places like Uganda? Well, it’s simple. They are popular news stories which will garner huge attention and support in western countries from people who haven’t the faintest clue as to how or what the operation or culture of those foreign countries is. For example, the majority of citizens could be in favour of the new bill, making it a democratic process with homosexuals – if there is many in Uganda – in the minority.

However the west does a very nasty job of making these countries seem like the worst place on earth. Aside from protecting their own cultural heritage and the society they live in, they are a different way of life and people don’t seem to understand that. What is normal in one country isn’t always normal in the other. We have to accept this. Trying to impose a global homosexuality acceptance parade is offensive and undermines the majority. Remember that these homosexuality rights are modern creations, and you cannot shift the entirety of Africa, or Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia to do as the west pleases.

Taking the story of Uganda, it had been illegal since 1902 to be a homosexual including various displays of affection. The new death penalty is not something to be frowned on, in fact it is to prevent the rape and abuse of young boys and girls.

The law in Uganda now classes ‘aggravated homosexuality’ as having gay sex with someone under the age of 18 or with someone being HIV positive, among other categories…

This is not a bad thing, but the west seems to think that homosexuality should be allowed in any form, even minors. You have to laugh at the disgusting reporting going on. Insinuating our African family is less because they ban something which would otherwise hurt the vulnerable is not a good image. Although the agenda in England has started to shift to dangerous tactics like imposing LGBTQ awareness in schools.

Saudi Arabia came around, changing the law to allow women to drive, a huge milestone. Yet with all their laws banning homosexuality the world cup was hosted there! What does that say about the medias agenda? It seems they have a selective and very dangerous money grab scheme involving certain states and countries. If they hosted the world cup and built and entire stadium for the world to visit, surely they are open to making homosexuality legal? The west went there, paid them trillions and didn’t say a thing about its brutal legal system – known worldwide for persecuting people for very minor crimes.

If the news actually reported on things that matter – like the fact that Afgahnistan also imposes the death penalty for homosexuality and so do several other countries then it might seem fair to go after Uganda, but the reality is the new law is actually protecting people. Don’t forget Africa and many of the countries suffer from AIDs and HIV epidemics, with HIV being a worldwide pandemic for many years. They have to account for this, and the high risk of disease spread from homosexuality activity.

Although I am not condemning them or siding with them in any case. It seems like perhaps we, and the news of the west need to give countries a wider berth. We cannot be selective about what we choose to argue about when in reality those same things are happening in western countries. There is no end in sight for LGBTQ rights in England, and it is unlikely that they will end soon, if anything they will continue to grow.

My Experience of {Duolingo} so Far 😎

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

Going into Duolingo was a big leap for me. Not only had I not learned a new language since my school days, but this was an online app which essentially meant I had to learn and teach myself. There is not tutor, and you are guided through each lesson in which you have to comprehend and use a foreign language without input. You may have to read, write, speak or place words in the correct order. I can say this though, I have found it fun to use and it has been a surprisingly rewarding experience so far.

My profile (pictured above in a screenshot) shows that I joined in August, and over 3 months I’ve accumulated nearly 9,000 total XP. This is quite significant. My languages are shown as studying German and Russian. If you want to follow my progress and you are also on Duolingo, feel free to follow and I’ll follow back. I primarily focus on German and have only started to use Russian on Duolingo to consolidate things from a book I use. I have reached many milestones already.

It has been easy to use, navigate and recently they updated the learning tree – which I wasn’t too fond of. The app is online or on a phone and can be used anywhere. The lessons take you through various topics, learning all the essentials, except you will not learning it in order, you will build upon what you have learned. So you may learn how to order in a café and then later learn how to speak the full vocabulary of such an event. For example, you order coffee, then later, you learn how to say things like I would like a coffee please. Or I would like a coffee what would you like? This allows progressive learning in a gamified language learning app.

A big bonus is that it is free. I highly recommend this platform (not sponsoring me, although if Duolingo see this they are free to do just that). Over four months my progress has been remarkable and enjoyable. I’m now soaring through units, learning and retaining information more effectively than reading a book. The repetitive speaking system, in which phrases and words are repeatedly shown the same things multiple times, allows better retention.

Russian is a bit more difficult and as such I am using a combination of sources, like books and audio CDs as well. I feel that you could reach a satisfactory beginner level if you worked through all the units – numbered at around 114 for German. I believe from what I have learned so far that completing all of it would mean you are at least B1 level of the CEFR scaling system. However, this would also be dependent on other factors like frequency of learning, interaction with native speakers and general motivation and of course the learner’s ability to actually remember this information and use it.

I’m happy to rate it at 4 stars up to now: there are flaws and the spoken sections of learning leave something to be desired. It is also flawed in that the majority of the scenarios that are demonstrated in the language you are learning is simply unrealistic.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Unrealistic scenarios include owls not playing football and dogs reading books. But Duolingo’s fun, childlike characters certainly bring a bit of enthusiasm to the learning process.

The site offers a paid option which removes adverts. Aside from this it is now integrating the stories system into the learning, so a milestone might consist of reading a story in the native language you are learning, as opposed to being optional as it was before. This is a good, progress step to keep it mixed up. You also have access to thousands of lessons offered on the site from as low as $2 for an hour. I believe it’s set up for schools too.

Overall, and this is a brief conclusion, it is worth the time. But you need to stick at it daily to actually progress. I cannot imagine anyone progressing beyond introductions, family and dining etc. if they chose one lesson a week. They’d get bored. Consistency and integration into you own life is key. Take the lessons into your real-world experiences to begin to apply the vocabulary to real world situations. Travel or interaction with native speakers is also highly recommended for better learning.

New Device – CD Player

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

Most people have a phone, laptop or desktop computer and a tv. But now they no longer sell them with cd players, or have done for a few years. I did not know this so ordered the cd player below.

It doubles as portable device as well as something you can plug into your computer. I needed a cd player for my language courses, to listen to the audio content but I will use it for music as well. I think product sellers need to factor this in when selling audio content for courses, so they can provide it online instead. But I am happy with the fairly priced purchase online.

As for my day. Well, it’s going very dark early here. It was around 3pm and going dark. I bought some big candles at a market – where I could bargain which was great – along with a super big version of Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I also headed to the library to find a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while called A Spy Named Orphan by Roland Philipps. A cross between Soviet Union spy and England. I hope it’s worth it. As I say, I’ve been waiting to grab a copy but just been putting it off. Hopefully this winter is less gloomy with all the books I’d like to read + everything else.

How many of my followers and fellow Word pressors use Duolingo? What are your thoughts on this for learning? I’m asking as they have recently changed the layout and I’m not keen on the new format so am hoping to move away from it soon.

All the best.

The Napoleonic Wars

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars)

The Napoleonic Wars were a series of major global conflicts putting the French Empire – led by Napoleon I – and its allies against a ton of European states formed into various coalitions. For a time, Europe was dominated by France, the result of which had stemmed largely from the disputes associated with the French Revolution.

The Napoleonic wars are seen as five major conflicts; termed after the coalition that fought Napoleon.

: the Third Coalition (1803–1806), the Fourth (1806–07), the Fifth (1809), the Sixth (1813–14), and the Seventh (1815) plus the Peninsular War (1807–1814) and the French invasion of Russia (1812). (Wikipedia).

From the battles of Leipzig to the concluding showdown at Waterloo, this was certaintly a series of world wars if there ever was one. It involved not only European powers, but continents such as Africa, South America and Asia.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Napoleonic-Wars

I’ll be covering this series of battles just as I am writing about Medieval England (sorry I haven’t added to that in a while!)

The series will simply be called Napoleonic Wars and will look at the rise and fall of a massive empire, how it influenced society today and some awesome battles tactics, formations and even some war gaming! Stay tuned!

Welcome, in every EU language!

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden

England ~ Welcome.

Ireland ~ Fáilte

Germany / Austria ~ Willkommen

France ~ Bienvenue

Spain / Portugal ~ Bienvenido / Bem-vindos

Italian ~ Benvenuto

Luxembourg ~ Wëllkomm

Belgium / Netherlands ~ Welkom

Sweden ~ Válkommen

Denmark ~ Velkommen

Poland ~ Mile widziany

Czech Republic ~ Vítejte

Slovenia ~ Dobrodosli

Croatia ~ Dobrodosao

Greece ~ Kalos irthes

Hungary ~ Isten hozott

Slovakia ~ Vitaj

Romania ~ Bun venit

Bulgaria ~ Dobre doschell

Lithuania ~ Sveikas atvykes

Latvia ~ Laipni ludzam

Estonian ~ Tere tulemast

Finland ~ Tervetuloa

Dependency Culture

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

(noun) A culture or lifestyle characterized by individuals’ dependency on state benefits such as welfare

https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/glossary/dependency-culture/#:~:text=A%20dependency%20culture%20may%20arise%20out%20of%20a,Means%20tested%20child%20tax%20credits%20Free%20prescriptions%20e.t.c

Welcome to this short post on dependency culture. It seems a bigger problem now than ever. Are you dependent on the state for somethin or a corporation? Do you want to be? Do you have a choice? The reality is everyone is dependent on the system of the government and the banks to live, because they are the lawmakers and the ones who control the money and they say we need money to live.

The reality is everyone is dependent on the system of the government and the banks to live, because they are the lawmakers and the ones who control the money and they say we need money to live.

Wizard

Many other things we can become dependent on. Fast food, money, technology, phones, social media, other people, welfare, drugs, alcohol, sex, exercise, being busy, being with people, not being able to look after yourself.

Over the last few years the issue of dependency has grown from the helpless state the world had been left in. From being unable to work and refused to access work to being refused access to going outside, to mandatory clothing and mandatory positions to stand in when at the supermarket and the distant to keep from one another… These are mere tools of control and have no reality in science and the evidence strongly showed it nothing more than a mild illness for the majority of people. We became dependent on the government for news updates on what to wear, where to stand, who to meet and what to say and think… and everyone followed like sheep.

We became dependent on the government for news updates on what to wear, where to stand, who to meet and what to say and think… and everyone followed like sheep.

Wizard

Things were as normal for a lot though, with many still going abroad on holidays and days out seemingly unaffected by travel bans or restrictions, and holding indoor gatherings of multiple households. Despite saying people obeying were like sheep, the people completely ignoring the guidance and living normally are the ones who should be ashamed of themselves. They were not above the rest, as their fellow humans struggled they fobbed them off and carried on. They were in fact dependent on their own ignorance. And this ladies and gentlemen is by far the most dangerous thing in the human race. It leads to acts of selfishness and as we’ve seen nothing is more dangerous than this.

Why not come together? Why not be individuals? We can learn our own dependency and gather our own tools and systems. But, we should never leave people suffering, bring them into the fold of being an individual. Nurture them.

But, we should never leave people suffering, bring them into the fold of being an individual. Nurture them.

Wizard

When kids are racing to the fast food restaurants to eat junk, encourage them to go elsewhere or make their own food for half the cost. If you see people afraid to socialise why are you being nasty to them instead of inviting them along? If someone is crying in public why are you not asking them if they are okay?

Dependency on yourself is key. Dependency on the mass thinking or the thoughts and ideas of others will lead to you becoming a robot. You are already under their control whether you like it or not. The banks control your money, the government controls the laws, the housing and the economy and so do businesses.

You gave them that power, now you need to reclaim it.

Wizard

All the best.

Child Abuse ~ Hard Silence

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

A single moment in a child life can cast a shadow that will stay a lifetime. Child abuse is an often quiet, silent abuse in which the children are often ignored and very frequently gaslighted. The children may be labelled liars, which is to diminish instantly anything they say.

Let me state my position on this awful and yet somehow ongoing issues in the modern world. Anyone calling a child a liar should automatically be registered on a watch dog type register with government. Then, they should be investigated using social workers. If it transpires that they are telling the truth, which I find hard to believe, then of course move on. But keep them on the register and provide support to the children. Because as the case may be, the child is all too afraid to speak out. Also, why would it be better to believe the adult? I have never met a child that lies, consistently. The occasional lie I can understand, it is part of natural development for a child to lie to understand if it is wrong.

Then the fear element is engaged. Abused children wouldn’t be instantly taken from abusive parents if an allegation is made, as far as I am aware. ‘Authorities’ get involved and this can take some time. Perhaps if there is instant support and the child is removed, that would help. I have yet to see this happen myself, although it probably is, but not frequently.

https://www.penngroup.co.uk/post/family-law-the-need-to-investigate-abuse-and-remove-children-from-the-risk-of-harm

It is still rampant and although the media has shoved articles and news down our throats about abusive relationships, domestic abuse to women, and abusive partners, during lockdown… it failed to mention child abuse. Do you think a woman is the only abused person in a house with children? Do you think the real issue was child abuse as opposed to abuse of women? Are you seriously telling me that during the lockdown in which schools, day care and others were shut that absolutely no children suffered abuse of any kind? Give me a break. It is under reported and hidden away because if people really knew how common this crime was then they might think differently about ‘lovely society’ or those abusive parents at school they met. Schools are an issue in themselves, often not caring as much as they claim. When cases of abuse are exposed the usual line of programming is ‘they are shocked and will work to make sure this never happens again.’ Rhetoric. If they did something, child abuse would have ceased hundred of years ago.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55682745

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/mother-stepfather-and-boy-14-found-guilty-of-murdering-five-year-old-logan-mwangi/ar-AAWsazX?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=bbcfcaea832647bcb57b6aad1cebb8a9

Having experienced child abuse, these children can often go on to use drugs and alcohol and develop mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It might lead to more serious conditions like disassociation disorders – where the pain is too much so they disconnect from the body. In that situation, you might wonder how on earth they could ever get help if they can’t even remember the abuse. Those are the most serious cases, sadly I have read about them. It results in post traumatic stress disorder {PTSD} which can further impact a child. Flashbacks and feelings of reliving the events will seriously impact them. It does not matter how long it goes on, but that it will impact them for the rest of their lives. They can use coping mechanisms and may need medication to help. It impacts their wellbeing, sense of self and lot of people commit suicide because of the abuse. Many adults who experienced abuse as children may avoid talking about it or become very distressed or upset when asked about it.

The child has low self-esteem from the abuse. If it revolves around mental abuse, they will grow up with distorted perceptions of themselves, often not having confidence, feeling like they are not good enough or having emotional and relationship issues which might mean they prefer to stay alone. A hard silence they endure. If everyone spoke about the abuse they suffered, and I suspect it is very common, then it would be more than 1,000,000 people I suspect. Although the law prevents people from physically attacking people, it does not criminalise physical punishment on children. What this means is that, they can in fact physically hurt them and class it as ‘punishment’ for bad behaviour. Look at the article below.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/18327204/parents-could-face-five-years-in-jail-smack-kids/

I am not surprised that it is not law already. Can you believe people oppose this? They think punishment should be left to parents. Well, I have news for you, delusional political statues, any form of violence – mental and physical – is abuse and is disgusting. What you are really doing by opposing it, is saying quite obviously that you condone that behaviour. Do you realise what is being done to these children? Do you think slapping a 4 year old child across the face is acceptable? You might want to keep the dangerous cycle of child abuse in society, but I don’t.

What do you think? If I ever see someone hit a child, and yes it is more common than you think especially in public {disgusting} then I will and do speak out against it I would encourage you all to consider taking a stand if you see it.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post then please like, comment and follow my blog for more creative and brilliant content.

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We All Wish To Be, Peter Pan

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

After watching that most bittersweet of children’s tales, Peter Pan, tonight I found myself taken back by that inner desire to never truly grow up, to live in a world full of vast imagination and seemingly eternal happiness. The boy who never grew up. The adult who wishes to be the boy again. The conflict of good and evil and its heroic shaping of the human heart. I watched Peter Pan (2003), starring Jason Isaacs as Hook and Jeremy Sumpter as Peter. It’s an amazing movie and I remember watching it when it first came out.

Why do we all wish we were this boy who never grew up? I suppose any child at some point questions whether they will ever grow up or stay a child forever, that innocence of not-knowing their own fate. In the world of the adults, we have villains and we have something even more intimidating, responsibility. A child, most of their time, will not realise what such external pressures and life forces await them once they hit the adult phase. Bills, more bills, work, social commitments (God help us with this one), personal accountability, education (If they so choose, after school), the horrors of the media and news (If not already watching it), the vast internet, the magic of illicit substances, drinking and smoking, culture and the ideas of classes in society and the divide between rich and poor, the motivation behind their own desires, the temptation to overwork or not to work, a world full of completely awful things.

If that child is so fortunate to be shielded or have a moderately good upbringing in a fairly well-off family, they might not be exposed to reality for the majority of their childhood or teen years, sometimes beyond, or quite possibly, never, if they have the wealth. We all deep down in our adult hearts wish to be in a simple time, a place with no responsibility and where we had the glow and shine of being children. A timeless story and one which can be told anywhere and to anyone. Did you ever have thoughts as a child or never growing up? How do you feel now you have, is it that daunting?

I wish sometimes to understand what has happened to me. But, through the course of my life have come to the answer myself. I will never have the answer. Why did I go through this? Why would that feel so long ago, yet, it is not that long ago? Did you ever find yourself not wanting to wake up from that dream? Do you feel younger in dreams? Oh, how the dream has long played a role in our lives.

The haunting reality of the world is extremely disturbing even to the strongest willed of us. The attempt to blanket that with the use of fairy tales, and to provide entertainment and life lessons, is quite popular. One only needs to look at Disney (Who also made an animated Peter Pan) to see the attempt to shield children from the world and to make it look colourful and full of love and happy endings. Over the years, movies have changed slightly, not all of them are happy endings and ‘live forever after’ in love. But, it is not for people to make such movies, because children do need love and good to conquer evil and fear, otherwise what is being taught to them? Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, a desire of many men, yet, the envy of a lot of adults. To see beyond what is presented and to understand why the story is significant is important, ironically, to becoming an adult.

Please like, comment and follow if you found this post interesting. I would be glad to hear your thoughts on this, particularly, which characters did you connect with as children. Did you ever find yourself wondering, just how long ago was I an 8 year old kid, in love with children’s movies, oblivious to earth and your own ultimate fate?

Knight

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison 
Mysterious stranger becomes visible through thick fog

"I remember my father once said..."

'Now shall we praise the Warden of Heaven-Kingdom
the might of the Measurer and his purpose
work of the Wulder-Father as he of wonders
Eternal Lord the beginning created'

She stands upright

Knight is nodded into aura

"Time to begin again, the time has passed, to venture into the darkness"

He kisses her hand outstretched

"I'll belong one day, be long gone."

Moon light.

*- Here is my post called: A DARK WALK (https://psychedelicwizard.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/a-dark-walk/) It can relate to the above in a sense, or maybe not.

What is a Fast?

Posted on by T. Maxwell-Harrison

“Fasting is the willful refrainment from eating and sometimes drinking (see Water fasting and Juice fasting). From a purely physiological context, “fasting” may refer to the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight (see the “Breakfast”), or to the metabolic state achieved after complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Several metabolic adjustments occur during fasting.” – Wikipedia.

That’s right. I’m into DAY 2 OF MY FAST. Cold feet. I am documenting this to keep me distracted as finding it harder than I used to. This could be due to medication I am on. Anyway, when one fasts, they have digested any food in them and are now entering a phase where the body will not be able to use outside calories to survive. Their bodies turn inwards and begin to devour glucose stores and such. Further down the line when glucose is no longer taken from the liver among others, which is not that efficient at keeping us going, our bodies turn to ketosis. Keto, or ketosis is a state where the body burns fat and is a more efficient way to sustain the body.

So when people say a high fat diet is bad, they should be saying when combined with sugar, which could result in cancer. High fat is beneficial especially for the brain. The brain will be healing from the lack of sugar and the ketones will boost mental clarity and cognitive awareness, I would say, after 3 days you really get big benefits but even skipping breakfast (breaking the fast) can be great. Our brains are made of around 60% fat! (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20329590/). That’s an astonishing amount. Keto diet is also very popular and you might benefit from this if you are intermittent fasting.

I am not abstaining from liquids like tea or water. I am drinking those in sufficient amounts to prevent any low blood pressure associated with not eating all the time… or should I say, stabilised blood pressure. Fasting could be difficult if you have diabetes, as you will be producing glucose for a short while from storage which could raise blood sugar levels, this will get better over a few days. I would not advise anyone in a health capacity but if you take insulin or anything else to lower blood sugar, don’t fast without medical advice or, use your fat brain and don’t use insulin because you won’t be eating. Insulin would impact the fast, because it will prevent your body entering a true fat burning state.

How do I feel? Thanks for asking, Wizard. I feel okay, but my lungs are trying to shift some kind of mucous from the cartilage or something because having a bit of pain there. Not something that used to happen. I haven’t really made a big deal of fasting in the past, but now I find it quite difficult and it is my fault for not following on with it. When I started to live alone and could actually have food and such I realised there was no reason to fast anymore. (But let’s not dwell on the vile scum perpetuating to care).

The ability to order fast food online is a big problem in the UK and I think other developed nations. The service is usually poor, the food of low quality and the whole thing is just a mess. Yet, people continue to order food from these franchises using an app on their phone. What happened to going out to a restaraunt or heck, making or cooking your own? People do need to fast but because it takes 2 clicks to order a big fast food meal, they don’t bother.

Ever tried it?