Is American Healthcare Any Better Or Not?

The United States of America is one powerful nation. Many countries the world over look up to the “Land of the Free” and the Home of the Brave” for a lot of reasons. But let’s be unbiased here and try to check on one crucial aspect of nation-building: healthcare. Do Americans really enjoy better healthcare services and privileges than citizens of other nations or do they have one of the most expensive healthcare delivery systems in the world? Well, it’s hard to come up with an assumption if we don’t have a point of comparison, right? So, let’s compare healthcare in the US and that of Denmark, a European country that may be thousands of miles from North America but undoubtedly also faces the same medical woes and maladies faced by every American.

The culture between these two countries are strikingly different and we’ll soon find out if the same thing applies to the way health is viewed and taken care of by both. In reality, the Danish healthcare system is arguably far more superior than that of the US in a lot of ways. The thing is that they have a smaller budget for healthcare than in America but theirs is far more efficient. It might make you wonder how they manage to pull it off if a country as big and powerful as the US still struggle with doing so until today but apparently, culture plays a major role. Lifestyle practices like cycling is a great example and in turn, triggers a positive domino effect that not only benefits one person but the entire country as a whole. Politics is not as dirty as well. Politicians actually care about the citizenry and compromise on policies that are meant to uplift the lives, safety, health, and well-being of the people.

Politics and healthcare are intertwined

Finally, the US political two party system creates one winner and one loser. The Danish multi-party system creates coalitions and consensus.

In this system, controversial issues are generally resolved through compromise. Compromise creates many winners and fewer losers. Larger coalitions tend to be longer lasting and programs are more faithfully executed since many more people wish to see a given program succeed.

My impression of Danish people, is that they do not necessarily think of life as a zero sum game whereby one must lose in order for another to gain. In the US on the other hand, it is commonplace to see Democrats and Republicans repeatedly describing each other’s plans in terms of “winning” or “losing.” Unlike Denmark, compromise in American politics isalmost unheard of.

(Via: http://sciencenordic.com/how-does-denmark-have-better-healthcare-us-less-money)

It basically boils down to the prevailing culture and mindset in America. One group has to either win or lose. There is no meeting halfway and compromising especially if the issues being tackled are of national interest. Denmark may be smaller than the US but with all the resources America has, it is not impossible for it to copy and succeed at transforming our nation’s healthcare system and making it as good as that of its European counterpart. We all could learn about how open and accepting the Danish culture is and that is perhaps the reason why they manage to succeed in healthcare where Americans have lost.

The United States has the highest healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP among developed nations throughout the world. Currently, the nation spends 17% of its annual GDP on healthcare. In dollar terms, that comes to $3.06 trillion. The average amongst our peers is just under 11%.

In per capita terms, according to research from George Mason University, the United States spends, on average, $8,508 per person on healthcare. The average among developed nations is less than half of that, at $3,322.

Meanwhile, as our healthcare costs escalate, so does our aging population. Pew research has determined that 10,000 members of the baby boom generation turn 65 every day. By 2030, when all boomers are 65 or older, they will account for 18% of the nation's population. While I am an eternal optimist, I sincerely doubt the ability of our current healthcare system to care for a sickly and aging population of that size.

(Via: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/how-to-invest-in-the-future-of-american-healthcare-cm887204)

However you look at it, the healthcare system in the country is beyond poor considering the US is one of the most progressive nations in the world. A large number of the population is also aging. The baby boomers are responsible for initiating the progress we are now enjoying. If at this rate we are already struggling in meeting the needs of the sick and the injured, what more if there will be more older people who won’t be able to attend to their personal needs and require professional medical help that is not only costly right now but the process is so complex and confusing too. Today, politics still dominate health care. The Republicans still do not rest in trying to abolish the existing Obamacare despite how many times of failing. Politicians are only interested in their own vested interests and until the time comes that the US can definitely unite once and for all even if they support different parties is perhaps the time when real healthcare reforms can be realized and implemented.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was originally published to The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/is-american-healthcare-any-better-or-not/

Climate Change Is Real

Wherever you live on the planet today, you cannot just ignore the reality of climate change. It is no longer just a prediction you’ve probably heard decades ago. It is now our reality. You can see it always in the news. The world is heating up. The ocean is rising. Natural calamities are getting stronger and more destructive. It is just bad news every single day. However, we can’t just close our eyes and pretend all these things are not happening. It is scary, indeed, but we have no one else to blame but ourselves. For the longest time, humans have been abusing Mother Nature. We use up most of the world’s resources without a care in the world not thinking if there will be enough left for the future generation. Just look around you and it is easy to see why climate change came sooner than expected. Our incessant use of technology requires energy to fuel it. We just keep increasing our demands on the planet and not realizing that all these will trigger something really nasty over time.

Since the whole world is already aware of the problem, the experts have been paying more attention to climate change to hopefully understand what is happening to the planet and if there is anything else we can do to slow it down if that is still possible at the moment. All the little changes in the world signal something and since it has already been a long time that we’ve been abusing and misusing the world’s resources, it makes sense that we are seeing changes at a global scale that all points to global warming and climate change. A fine example of which is what you are seeing outside your window like pollution of all sorts that are just at the tip of the iceberg.

The US Global Change Research Program recently released a Climate Science Special Report. It is clearly written – an authoritative summary of the science, and easy to understand.

The first main chapter deals with changes to the climate and focuses much attention on global temperatures. When most people think of climate change, they think of the global temperature – specifically the temperature of the air a few meters above the Earth surface. There are other (better) ways to measure climate change such as heat absorbed by the oceans, melting ice, sea level rise, or others. 

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/06/us-government-report-finds-steady-and-persistent-global-warming)

The planet continues to change. At the rate things are going now, the world may no longer be hospitable for the future generations if we don’t take drastic measures. Our little contributions go a long way but we need more in order to bridge the gap between the extent of the damage and our continued abuse of the planet, which is why efforts should be at a global scale as well. There is even the risk of losing island nations as sea level continues to rise. It is painful to visualize what may happen to all of us if we don’t do something about it today when we still have time. Our collective efforts in stopping climate change in its track are the only solution we can think of now.

"Climate change is happening right in front of our eyes," Fruean said this week on the sidelines of a meeting in Fiji of Civicus, a global civil society group.

Helen Clark - the former New Zealand prime minister and an ex-senior United Nations official - was also at the Suva gathering. Clark says she is not surprised by its central topic.

"You can't come to a meeting in the Pacific and not have climate change as the focus," Clark tells Fairfax Media. "Everybody talks about it because it's an existential threat to the Pacific."

(Via: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/existential-threat-climate-change-risks-finally-grab-australias-attention-20171206-h00am7.html)

Thousands have already died and displaced because of natural phenomenon that has gone berserk. Answering to the call of help of affected nations and individuals in the aftermath of a disaster isn’t the answer we have all been waiting for all along. They are just ban-aid solutions. What we need is a disaster management plan with long-term goals that also addresses the issue of climate change. While disasters are destructive on their own, they are just superficial manifestations of how much climate change has changed weather systems and will probably just get worse over time. And time isn’t a luxury we all have.

Even governments are not sure how to properly address the situation. Definitely, energy efficiency should be at the top of everyone’s list because it is the major contributor to the betterment or worsening of the state of our planet. Emissions make the planet hotter. Trapped heat in the atmosphere continues to melt glaciers and warm the planet and fuel climate change. Let’s help one another in conserving and preserving the Earth or lose the only home we know of in the entire universe.

The following blog post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was first published on The IPac Action Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/climate-change-is-real/

American Education In Peril

We all know that the key to becoming competitive on a global scale is through education. By knowing things, how they work, what makes them work, and their impact on our lives we are able to better ourselves and make life on Earth such a breeze. We have been living with this notion and it is why the global standards have also been set very high. Those with sterling academic credentials get chosen by the top companies and are more likely to go up the corporate ladder. If anybody will ever say that education is the same wherever school you graduated from is seriously delusional. It is not the reality of our times anywhere on this planet especially if you live in major cities where the population continues to explode and many people are competing for the same job.

If you live in the US, you also have an idea how expensive getting an education is. While you have the option of going to a private or public school in your primary and secondary years, the game changes once you step on college and the university. The tuition fee is seriously outrageous and only a handful can afford to pay it without making use of student loans to help them finish school. The downside is that they are already deep in debt by the time they graduate that most of their earnings go to paying off the student debt they have accumulated over the years. Even today’s government does not have an optimistic view on education and it’s spreading an either you make it or not the mindset to today’s youth that is clearly one of the problems why America seems to be stuck in a rut while the rest of the world keeps on pushing forward.

Education seems like a prime issue for non-zero sum politics and policies. Indeed, the core idea behind public education is inherently non-zero sum: We believe that enabling individuals to learn and fulfill their potential will not only benefit the individuals themselves, but also advance broader economic prosperity and civic well-being. Abundant research bears this out: Countries where students stay in school longer and learn more have higher economic growth. Education increases workers' productivity, allowing greater earnings; expands opportunity; and is correlated with improved health and longevity for both individuals and communities or societies. And improving educational outcomes for those at the bottom benefits everyone, by reducing crime, public dependency, and other social ills.

Public and policy debates about education, however, increasingly reflect the same zero-sum assumptions as our broader politics. At the individual level, affluent families treat their children's education and development as a competition – investing tremendous energy and money to ensure their children get the right grades, participate in the right enrichment activities and secure a scarce slot in the best colleges. 

(Via: https://www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/articles/2017-11-17/zero-sum-thinking-hinders-progress-of-american-education)

The sad thing about education right now is the fact that not everybody can afford it. Those who have the cash to burn can send their kids to prestigious skills and enroll them in various workshops so they become knowledgeable and skilled as well in other areas aside from what’s taught in the four corners of the classroom. Hence, it is no longer surprising that these affluent kids do better in exams at school or get hired right away in big companies soon after graduating because they have all the edge employers are looking for. If politicians are sincerely interested in the well-being of their younger constituents, they will stop wasting time tackling nonsense things and attacking one another but focus on issues that really matter to everyone.

The Trump administration has been widely criticised for its education policy, helmed by US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, which has pushed for the establishment of more privately-owned charter schools at the expense of public schools.

“We must protect parents’ access to a wide range of high-quality educational choices, including strong public, charter, magnet, private, online, parochial, and homeschool options,” said Trump’s statement over the weekend.

A recent study from the American Federation of Teachers and Badass Teachers Association found that teachers were reporting higher stress levels and lower job satisfaction under the leadership of Trump and DeVos.

(Via: https://www.studyinternational.com/news/trump-proclaims-american-education-week/)

Whether you are a pro or anti-Trump, we can no longer change the fact that he is the one leading the nation, to where we can only guess. His radical mind is not something for the masses and he clearly is still second-guessing how best to realize his dream of making America great again. One of his obvious major mistakes is appointing the wrong person for the job and it was obvious from the beginning the disapproval from the majority once the news has been released. Rapid globalization shows how other nations are doing their best to produce world-class workers and if the US doesn’t get its act straight, then we may lose our edge over the others and it can have a drastic impact to our economy.

The following post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is available on The IPac Action Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/american-education-in-peril/

It Is Never Too Late To Start A Business

Most of us have that perception that it is difficult to open a business. Well, that is partly true. Of course, with any business, you have to put in your time, effort, resources, and being into whatever business endeavor you decide to take on. You don’t just open the next thing business you think of without proper planning or it will be bound to fail sooner rather than later. But do not let these fears and worries stop you from going out of your comfort zone and realizing your dreams because you will never really know unless you try, no matter how cliché it seems. Sometimes, a little common sense can go a long way and it is something you should never lose regardless of whatever stage you are in planning or implementing your business goals.

You have to extra careful if you are a novice in the field. Experience can definitely help you trudge on this unfamiliar path more confidently. If it is your first time to start any sort of business, you can always learn from other people’s experience and spare yourself from all the misfortune of costly business mistakes. And now that the holidays are almost here, it is the perfect opportunity to dabble in the field of business. People have more cash to burn and they are definitely in a more generous mood. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit can easily make lots of money. You can sell stuff for gifts, sell food, or whatever you can think of that will be a likely hit this holiday season. A big capital is not even mandatory. You can start with whatever money you have on hand and take it from there.

We all dream of having a better life for ourselves and our loved ones. To do this, we can either find a job or start our own business. 

Working for a company is how most people support themselves. But people should also try their hand at building a business. 

If you want to get into business, there’s no better time than now. Take advantage of the Christmas season. 

We are just a few days away from Christmas and the holiday season provides lots of opportunities for enterprising individuals to earn extra, from making kakanin, crafts, Christmas decorations to children’s toys. Dozens of bazaars are all over the place these days. 

As I have often said, you don’t need to start big, especially if you don’t have enough capital to start with. 

(Via: http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/09/17/business-mentor-this-christmas-give-business-a-try)

You don’t even have to give up your current work in order to be able to do business although, for some who intends to do it full-time, you may need to focus solely on making money by selling or doing business and resign from your job altogether. There are risks but it is yours to take. It depends on how well you think your business will fare that you would risk losing your main source of bread and butter for something that may very well be temporary. One thing you should bear in mind is not to give your all unless you are 100% sure that success will soon be in your hands. So, why not give it a test-try this Christmas and enjoy not just the holiday cheer but profits from all the sales you have made.

And no starting point is too small, either. Starting a business is easier than ever thanks to technology and social media. Long gone are the days of an entrepreneur having to rent out a brick and mortar store and advertise in the Yellow Pages. Now, folks can set up shop by creating a mobile-friendly website and snapping a few pictures of their products, and social media allows entrepreneurs to reach more people than ever before. There are websites and apps dedicated to linking small business owners to new clients, such as the Official Black Wall Street app, which helps Black-owned businesses gain exposure to over 116 million users.

(Via: https://www.bustle.com/p/why-you-should-start-a-business-in-2018-if-youre-looking-for-ambitious-new-years-resolution-7524744)

You don’t need to create something extraordinary to enjoy a slice of today’s market. Just know who your target market is and whether that void has already been filled in your community. Even if there is already an existing business that offers what you want to do, you can still provide something else that they don’t like more affordable products or services, better customer service, or some freebies of sorts. There is always a chance for your business to shine if you just know how to look outside of the box, find the right associations, and come up with more ingenious ideas that can crack your target customers into switching to your business instead. Don’t wait for next year to take the first steps. Now is the best time to start planning so you start the year right and you can still take advantage of the holiday rush to make the initial profits you might need in backing up your business.

The following blog post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was first published on https://ipaction.org

source https://ipaction.org/blog/it-is-never-too-late-to-start-a-business/

Parenting Is Not Always An Easy Thing

Being a parent is never easy because you have the lifelong obligation to love and care for a child until your last breath. Your children will always be your babies no matter how old they get. Then come grandchildren. Unlike parents, grandparents love to spoil their grandkids with treats because they don’t feel that obligated for their well-being or their future anymore. Well, don’t take it wrong but it’s that way for ages and grandparents love to spoil the young ones while the parents worry themselves over providing for their kids’ needs and what the future holds for all of them. If you look at it a little closer, though, you’d notice that parenting today has drastically changed in just about every aspect. Even kids themselves have changed a lot too and our environment probably has to do with it too.

For starters, there is too much technology in the world today. Even kids have their own smart devices. It is often the parents’ fault why their kids are hooked to gadgets because they just give it to them so they can entertain themselves while their harassed parents multitask on work and many other stuff that characterize modern living. And kids’ don’t just play games because they also have access to the Internet, which isn’t always a good thing with social media full of so many dangers even to adults. If parents aren’t distracted, they are hovering like helicopters making them fully-dependent on adults to do almost everything for them.

Parenting today is even more different and difficult than I realized. Every generation is a bit different from the last because the world changes. But the rapidity of change has never been greater nor its effects more potentially troubling.

As I have said before, my parents’ modest home was truly a castle that protected their values. No outside influence could cross the figurative moat. Today? The world…with all its violence and vulgarity…enters our homes through numerous screens that are all over the place, relatively cheap, easy to use, extremely attractive (and even addictive) to our young.

(Via: http://tucson.com/lifestyles/parenting/a-grandparents-view-of-modern-day-parenting/article_d72c8a1a-b435-52bb-b6f1-ac654632d81e.html)

Aside from the tech distractions we have to deal with constantly that catches the young ones’ attention so they choose to ignore ours, the noise is undoubtedly glaring too. Whether it is from your devices or the sounds emitted by your surroundings, silence comes far in between. Even boredom is virtually non-existent and it is not good for kids as they become more impatient. They want everything done in an instant. Kids lose patience and complain a lot because they never had to deal with boredom before. Although not all of these are directly the parents’ fault, them allowing their children to indulge in these modern tech gadgets is something they can be held accountable for and have contributed why parenting is so difficult these days.

Interestingly, by the time a baby chick hatches out of its shell, the hen has incubated the egg and rotated it several times a day. As the egg reaches maturity, the hen pecks a small hole in the end so the chick can breathe. When its time to hatch, the chick pecks small holes all the way around the inside of the egg, and then spends hours pushing against it to break free. It’s mother watches and waits. Her job is done. In the end, the chick is tired and exhausted, but able to walk, see, hear, and feed itself. Intervening in that natural process can kill the chick.

Our children need to break out of their own shells. They’ve got to flex their muscles to gain strength, and find out what they are capable of doing. Sometimes they’re more surprised than we are. That’s the best part.

(Via: https://goodmenproject.com/families/parenting-gets-harder-if-youre-doing-it-right-dg/)

What parents need to realize is that the essence of parenting never changes despite the passing of time or modern advances we are now enjoying. We may do everything for them as kids but that should change as they grow older. Instead of babying them, they should be taught how to do things on their own so they won’t have a hard time adulting later on. Parents can shower their kids with love and adoration but they should also give them a chance to soar high on their own by teaching them life skills as soon as they are ready and enable them to have a better and brighter disposition in life. It is not easy doing that but a parent’s role is to prepare their kids for adult life and not chart the course they are supposed to take. Allow your children to make their own choices and experience what life is all about. You can’t always spare them from the pain, hurt, and dangers of the outside world but you can assure them that you would be there for them no matter what.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is available on IPAB

source https://ipaction.org/blog/parenting-is-not-always-an-easy-thing/

The US Embraces KPop Music

For the longest time, it has been difficult for Asian artists to penetrate the Western world. Success in America, for instance, continues to elude them as Americans, in general, won’t give them the time of day or have no appreciation for their music or artistry at all. But that was before. Thanks to technology and rapid globalization, diversity is more widely accepted now and people start to appreciate other cultures than people did in the past. If there is one particular trend that is taking the US by storm, that is KPop. If you look at the numbers, they’ve been making waves in music charts, radio plays, and even digital and actual album sales in various US states.

South Korea, in general, did very well in importing the Hallyu wave a.k.a. the growing globalization of KPop. There are KPop fans now all over America and in other parts of the world. Fandoms grow in number each year as KPop idols gradually become household names outside of Korea. Even the Billboard has been overtaken by KPop idols with BTS in the forefront having stayed in the HOT 100 for a month where they even won the Top Social Artist this year beating Justin Bieber and Selene Gomez who are undeniably among the top superstars in the US today. BTS also recently released their recent comeback with a mini-album “Her” that hit #1 on the iTunes chart in 73 countries. It is a feat that not all Western performers are actually capable of doing but something that the group has been known to do more often now. They keep on making and breaking records. The music video for their recent title track “DNA” was viewed over 20 million times during its first 24 hours of release.

When people talk about America’s impact on K-pop, they’re usually talking about the music. From boy bands to hip-hop to rock, the origin of K-pop’s sound is thoroughly American. But it’s also likely that American TV largely influenced the multi-medium’s emphasis on visuals, whereby dance, fashion and “concepts” are inextricably tied to the definition of K-pop.

According to Dr. Suk-Young Kim, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, MTV was first imported to Korea around the same time as the birth of K-pop. “In the mid-'90s when [father of modern K-pop] Seo Taiji and the Boys became sensational hits, that's when music videos also started gaining traction in the Korean consumer market,” she explains to Billboard over the phone. (Notably, one of the Boys, Yang Hyun-suk, later founded YG Entertainment, the Big 3 company that jump-started the careers of chart-topping K-pop acts like Psy, BIGBANGand 2NE1.)

(Via: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7990486/korean-music-shows-mtv-trl-bts-history)

Many Americans join different fandoms of their idols and even got enamored with KDrama as well. In turn, this becomes a newfound obsession where fans can’t help but purchase related merchandise to make them feel closer to their idols. It is very clear now that Kpop has finally made it to US shores and they can only grow bigger and rise in popularity as they continue to break into the mainstream American entertainment scene.

BTS is once again proving their power as the top social artist; this time on Google. 

For the month of September, BTS ranked #7 on Google's most searched musical artist in the United States. Not only is BTS the only K-Pop act to make it on the top 20, but they've also ranked above popular Western artists such as Drake, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, and more. 

The boy group's phenomenal comeback with the new album 'Love Yourself: Her' and title track "DNA" are the suspected factors that led to their domination on the worldwide search engine. 

(Via: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2017/10/bts-enters-the-top-10-most-searched-musical-artist-on-google)

KPop’s popularity and influence can be seen everywhere and this is most apparent in social media where they have proven to be tech-savvy and followed by millions of their most loyal fans. Indeed, their striking visuals and multitude of talents have captured the heart of many Americans and it only kept them wanting for more. An annual KCon or Korean Convention is done yearly now where Korean idols are brought to the US to perform and engage in various activities with their US-based fans. Without a doubt, nothing is stopping the Hallyu wave and the US will definitely be seeing more of these Korean acts mainstream as the cultural boundaries have long since been broken.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was first published to IPAction.org Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-us-embraces-kpop-music/

Recover Lost Data Of Android Users

There are generally just two types of the people in the world today, the few who are iOS users and the rest who uses Android gadgets. Apple fanatics would always say they deserve only the best and that iOS is the best there is in the land today but users loyal to Android might disagree. The latter says that iOS is too rigid whereas Android offers them the flexibility they want. Whether you are an iOS or Android user, you basically face the same issues all smartphone users do. The most notable of all has to do with data loss especially now that these handy smart devices can work just as good as any regular computer does and suffer from the usual tech glitches.

Admit it, losing your data is one of your biggest fears as a tech user. Even smartphones aren’t immune to this problem. You can easily lose all the files: contacts, messages, photos, and other multimedia files stored in your smartphone device because of problems you didn’t expect for like the device getting broken after a terrible drop, submerged in water, reformatted, etc. Imagine the feeling of losing months, or possibly years, of memories stored as digital files in that tiny sleek device. Then, you might also lose track of the people you know especially if all these data won’t be recovered at all.

To most people, one of the most crucial subsets of data is business and personal contacts. By default, Android syncs all the stored contacts in Google Drive, and even the ones you delete will not be permanently removed from the device’s memory.

To retrieve your contacts, just go to the Google Contacts website, click ‘More’ and then the option named ‘Restore Contacts.’ A list of options will be provided to you. Choose the timeline to which you like to roll back, and all contacts saved in that period will be restored on your phone.

While most Android users rely on the Windows operating system for their everyday computing needs, Mac OS X users can use Disk Drill 3 developed by Clever Files, which is fully compatible with Apple machines. The recovery process involves scanning your phone’s memory and SD card for deleted files to retrieve.

Android data recovery software programs are easy to use and simplified for most users. Plus, the desktop versions work much better when compared to apps.

(Via: http://www.tgdaily.com/web/audience/7-tools-that-help-you-retrieve-deleted-data-from-your-android-phone)

If you ever encounter or found yourself in this unfortunate situation, the best way to deal with this issue is to seek the assistance of a professional to ensure you don’t do more damage and still be able to salvage your now missing files. If you can’t afford to pay for one and you think you somehow have the technical know-how to remedy the situation, you can try any of those apps that are considered the most in-demand android phone data recovery tool because they are the most user-friendly.

Recovering deleted or lost data from an Android device is not something difficult to be done. You just need to follow the right steps and you will end up getting back all the files that you lost.

First of all, you will need to install a reputed data recovery application on your Android device. This is the most crucial steps because the app you select would determine whether you are going to end up with positive results or negative results. Therefore, you should carefully go through the online reviews and determine an app to be used. If you don’t have time to conduct a research for an Android data recovery tool, you can simply go ahead with the app that we suggested above.

When you have an Android data recovery tool installed on your device, the process of getting back your deleted files is pretty much self-explanatory. To begin the data recovery process, you will need to run a scan. Time taken for the scan would vary based on the amount of data to be browsed and the overall performance specs of your Android device. However, you will be provided with a list of all files that can be recovered at the end of the day.

(Via: http://www.tgdaily.com/technology/mobile/how-to-recover-deleted-videos-on-android)

Sometimes, common sense can go a long way when recovering lost data from your Android smartphone. Just don’t do anything rashly until you have enough time to analyze the situation and think about your next steps. Don’t make the situation more complex by causing more damage to your already lost files. Follow the indicated data recovery steps for your device and there is a big possibility you can get them back after some time. Just make sure to do your research well and choose the best recovery app you can get your hands on. The apps included in this article have good reviews too, so you may eventually use them when the situation calls for it, which is hopefully not soon.

The following blog article de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is courtesy of The IPac Action Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/recover-lost-data-of-android-users/

Medical Marijuana: The New Painkiller

Not all types of pain are the same. Just like everyone has a varying level of pain tolerance, different health conditions trigger different types and intensity of pain as well. Simple cuts and bruises do not necessarily require you to take a painkiller but some do depend on how big and deep the affected area is. Bur for chronic pain that just won’t go away, patients often get hooked on the painkillers they are taking. The sad part here aside from the obvious addiction is that the dosage of their medicine had to be constantly increased as they become used to its effect and their tolerance to it likewise increases.

Here comes medical marijuana to the rescue. For quite some time now, people have been raving about the positive impact of medical cannabis to patients suffering from certain medical conditions especially the ones who suffer from chronic pain. Since medical marijuana became famous and have even been legalized in certain states, more people want to give it a try and it has consequently resulted in a decline in painkiller use.

Legalizing medical marijuana is controversial. Physicians have not always prescribed controlled substances wisely, as a look at our narcotic epidemic confirms. But marijuana is much safer than narcotics and, according to a recent study, might even save us money, by reducing people’s need for other, often more expensive medications.

Most notably, marijuana can be an effective part of comprehensive pain management. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain, caused by a wide range of disorders — inflammatory arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and metastatic cancer, to name a few. Many medications that are used to manage such pain are expensive and carry substantial risk of substantial side effects. Marijuana can help alleviate pain, thereby reducing the need for those other medications.

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterubel/2017/10/24/more-medical-marijuana-less-narcotics/#7837830078e2)

In a way, the reduction in painkiller use means fewer people are relying on these drugs in the management of their pain and they now have a more organic alternative to pain management that delivers the same result minus the adverse reactions. Unfortunately, the problem with marijuana use it is still a bit challenging to monitor usage and medical experts may not always tell who uses it properly and when does abuse begin. Remember that there are generally two types of marijuana, the ones loaded with THC and the other with CBD. The latter is used in medical cannabis preparations but there are still some variants that mix both compounds inside one preparation. THC is common on recreational marijuana and induces the natural high weed is known for.

Some medical marijuana patients in Illinois say the drug has allowed them to reduce or eliminate their use of other prescription medication, a new study reports.

The study by DePaul and Rush universities was small, with 30 participants, and involved only those who volunteered to respond to the topic, so researchers conceded the results might be biased in favor of marijuana. But it's believed to be the first peer-reviewed, published research of medical marijuana patients in Illinois.

And it provides direct anecdotal evidence of what has been suggested by previous studies, that marijuana may contribute to reduced use of opioid drugs, lead author Douglas Bruce said.

"One of the most compelling things to come out of this is that people are taking control of their own health, and most providers would agree that's a good thing,"

(Via: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-medical-marijuana-illinois-study-painkillers-met-20171008-story.html)

There is no point in downplaying or ignoring the beneficial effects of medical marijuana because we all know it is good for our health when used properly. Nowadays, weed growers breed CBD-rich marijuana to meet the rising demands for medical cannabis as more and more states and countries outside of the United States recognize the potential of marijuana in promoting health and wellness.

There are different forms available in the market today. Some are sold as pills while there are cute gummy bear types that one can easily mistake for a sweet treat. Along with its growing popularity, the demand and sales for marijuana smoking related accessories spike up and many individuals learn the different ways marijuana can be used depending on the need.

The following blog article de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was originally published to https://ipaction.org

source https://ipaction.org/blog/medical-marijuana-the-new-painkiller/

Towards The Direction Of Personalized Healthcare

There have been many breakthroughs and innovations in the field of medicine. The healthcare system that we know of today is incomparable to the medical practices observed and practiced decades to centuries ago. But let’s admit it, things are better the way it is now than it was before. If you watch old films or documentaries that show the medical practices in the past, you’d be shaken at the agony patients had to endure in the name of science.

Some think that the science of medicine that we know of today will be here for good but we are badly mistaken. We only have room for progress and at the rate things are going, technology has a lot to do with the direction medicine is taking and we can only aspire for better things to come our way.The medical practice today all boils down to patient assessment through the symptoms exhibited by patients, which may be interpreted differently depending on the physician and sometimes, underlying conditions can trigger different symptoms that will lead to misdiagnosis. Then, personalized healthcare will definitely be a welcome reprieve for all of us. In fact, it may also be the key to reducing morbidity and mortality rates that are constantly going up because of our unhealthy modern lifestyle.

Imagine a future in which, rather than using symptoms to identify a disease, your genes, metabolism, and gut microbiome inform how your individual health is managed. This is the vision of precision medicine.

Traditional medicine uses symptoms to diagnose diseases, and drugs to treat these symptoms. But precision medicine aims to turn this concept on its head.

By identifying the factors that predispose a person to a particular disease and the molecular mechanisms that cause the condition, treatment and prevention strategies can be tailored to each individual. 

So, how do we get from traditional to precision medicine? Advances in genetics and molecular analysis techniques have been a deciding factor, as has getting patients involved with managing their own health.

(Via: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319875.php)

Treatment will no longer be based on a patient’s symptoms but take a more tailor-fit approach that analyzes your genes, metabolism, and essentially the biomolecular makeup of your body. It is what precision medicine is all about and this can be turned into a reality with the help of the right technology. Eventually, it will empower patients to manage their own health. The question now is whether everyone can afford to enjoy this more tailor-fit approach to healthcare or will this be a privilege that only a select (rich and affluent) few can only afford?

Whether offering tips on basic genomic facts or exploring the practical implications of precision techniques for hospitals and health system, the MINC toolkit is meant as a "starting point for healthcare providers who want to promote genomic integration into practice to benefit their patients,” said Laura Lyman Rodriguez, director of the division of policy, communication and education at NHGRI.

It can help nursing leaders care for patients who are undergoing genomic testing and treatment and better prepare their workforce for fast-emerging clinical applications, she said.

(Via: http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/tool-helps-nurses-smaller-hospitals-start-practicing-precision-medicine)

Precision medicine is already here. While it is not generally practiced mainstream, there are certain smaller health institutions that practice it to help medical experts (the health team) gradually get used to this approach in the clinical setting as well as provide inputs to the medical experts who are still continuously improving this practice. After all, technology continues to innovate and introduce a better way for us to do things. You just need to keep an open mind because things will definitely change more often than we can keep up with these updates but if it means saving people lives, then we’ll just have to be flexible enough to accept these changes and enjoy a better quality life that isn’t always highlighted by sickness or death.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is courtesy of The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/towards-the-direction-of-personalized-healthcare/

The Frightful Five And Internet Innovation

The mere existence of the web has ended an era and started another; one that is defined by mindblowing technologies and a different way of life. Imagine what life in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s were. If you weren’t personally living through these times, it is quite hard to relate to, right? Even when you watch old TV shows and movies, seeing how people lived during these times will make you wonder how they survived without getting bored to death. Yes, boredom is something that the Internet has virtually rendered irrelevant. How can you even say that you are bored anymore when you can do lots of things on the web and you won’t mind the hours ticking by.

If you think about Internet innovation or the continued advancements on the web today, America is almost always at the top of people’s mind because most big tech companies are found here. However, experts have noticed how these very same big tech brands seem to be dampening the Internet’s progress, thereby preventing the growth of small startups from stealing a piece of their pie. After all, business comes first. We may have seen many of the major breakthroughs made their debut on American soil but big tech brands end up monopolizing the industry in general.

There are multiple reasons why countries like the U.S. have accounted for the bulk of the world’s internet innovation over the past few decades. Simply put, the U.S. is an attractive market with a common language, common currency and common regulatory policy supporting private infrastructure investment, including wireless and wireline networks delivering internet connection. This is not the case in the European Union, where innovators have to contend with 28 nations, 24 languages and 17 currencies.

The U.S. is indeed an innovation hub. However, it’s on the verge of losing this advantage if it continues on with overregulation and doesn’t guard against piecemeal internet policy frameworks.

(Via: https://www.aei.org/publication/ensure-internet-innovation/)

If you look at the World Wide Web today, there are five companies that stand out among the rest whose power and influence spans continents and we'll call them as the frightful five. In a world like ours today that is defined by technology, smart gadgets, and the Internet of Things, it is easy to easy how these companies have built their empires that even governments pale in comparison to the extent of their ability to dictate society, our way of life, and the future of mankind. What many of you are not aware of is that these companies also own a bunch of other businesses that roughly got everything else covered that matters in this planet making it doubly harder for other businesses to thrive.

So what makes them frightful, first of all, is that they are very, very big. And they play a huge role - they all play sort of huge roles in our lives kind of personally and at a kind of society-wide level. So if you live kind of a modern American life, it's impossible to, you know, to live without all of them for most people. And more than that, they sort of are being asked to do and they kind of know more about us than any corporations in history. They're more - they've become kind of more like governments than companies with the amount of money they have, with the kind of power they have over democracy in society.

We're seeing that with the way that, you know, news on Facebook and Google affected the election, with their impact on the economy, you know, the way they're disrupting kind of how retail works, with their impact on jobs and inequality. And eventually, you know, they're all working on artificial intelligence. And their technologies will affect probably most of our jobs. Most of the ways that people make money now are going to be changed by technologies that these companies make.

(Via: http://www.npr.org/2017/10/26/560136311/how-5-tech-giants-have-become-more-like-governments-than-companies)

How do they trump innovation then, one might ask. Well, by dominating the market, they limit the opportunity for small businesses to prosper or for them to even have a fighting chance to get their names out there. The irony here is that they make money every single time these smaller businesses use their online platforms while the average entrepreneurs struggle to make ends meet and rise above the endless competition. You don’t even have to look far to understand how this monopoly works. All you need is to simply check out the web. There are many smaller tech businesses in there, true, but they still need to get their business heard using any of the frightful five as platforms. They may make money but the five still makes the most money as they earn from other people’s success as well, thereby killing not only innovation but these businesses as well.

The article de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 Read more on: The IPac Action Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-frightful-five-and-internet-innovation/

The Dark Side Of Substance Abuse

People often associate substance abuse to the abuse of illegal drugs that give its users an unrealistically high that consequently messes up with their brain and over time with their life. Doing drugs is cool at first. After all, mostly cool people do it. It gives the user a false sense of belonging as they continue to have pot sessions with fellow drug addicts who have lost their sense of direction and reality. It might be fun at the beginning as you relish in the unnatural high these illegal substances bring you but wait until their undesired effects kick in and you’ll regret doing it at all. Drug users look terrible physically as they are no longer able to look after themselves and they look like wasted versions of who they once were.

For years, we have seen drug junkies ruin their lives as they can’t seem to break away from their nasty habit. Drug addiction does not discriminate. It will not spare you from its bad effects whether you are a famous personality or just an average Joe. Celebrities have fallen out of the limelight and weren't able to stage a successful comeback after succumbing to illegal substances. Some even died either by suicide or because of an accidental overdose as they may also take other prescribed medications in conjunction with their drug use that unknowingly became a lethal combination that took their lives away. (more…)

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was originally seen on The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-dark-side-of-substance-abuse/

Why You Need To Learn Coding Now

The world is changing. That cannot be denied. If you just look around you, you’d notice how more advanced our society has become and tech gadgets seem to be sprawled all across town, even in the comforts of our own homes. There is even one or two inside your pocket and your whole world probably revolves around the use of smart technology because that is likely what the rest of the population does. Everybody is so active online that it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for people whose technical expertise lies in the use of computers and anything tech-related.

If there is one skill that will prove handy in the years to come, it definitely has to be related to technology especially in the use of computers. Wherever you look, some sort of tech device is running a business, office, institution, or even in your own home. We need to learn to adapt to all these changes if we don’t want to be left behind because sooner or later, technology will run the world (as if it is not already doing it now). And if there is another skill you should master or at least know about, it is coding or computer programming. The possibilities are endless if you finally figure out how computers work from the inside and it can work to your advantage when expanding your career options.

A whole new tongue – the language of computers – will be what separates the educated from the ignorant masses of tomorrow. Understanding how to write code for computers is already becoming one of the most highly prized skill sets anyone can have in the global economy. Here’s why:

1. Code rules everything around me, cream get the money

All major tech companies, from Google to Facebook, aggressively compete to hire gifted young coders. In the Silicon Valley area, for example, some reports suggest engineering graduates from Stanford University expect their starting salary to be nothing less than $100,000-120,000.

“It’s fair to say that for school-leavers looking to maximise their potential income, few other skills open the door to as many well-paying and varied careers,” says Prof Rory O’Connor, head of the school of computing at Dublin City University.

(Via: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/coding-will-be-the-most-important-skill-in-the-future-1.3233019)

Learning the language of computers is no longer just a second-thought for many but a priority given that today’s world is highly reliant on these modern contrivances in getting things done. There are other reasons why coding makes for a great new skill to learn aside from its practical applications in life. For instance, it is that universal language spoken by all that knows no boundaries or prejudices. It’s what you know and is capable of doing that matters not who you are.

Computer science courses for children have proliferated rapidly in the past few years. A 2016 Gallup report found that 40% of American schools now offer coding classes – up from only 25% a few years ago. New York, with the largest public school system in the country, has pledged to offer computer science to all 1.1 million students by 2025. Los Angeles, with the second largest, plans to do the same by 2020. And Chicago, the fourth largest, has gone further, promising to make computer science a high school graduation requirement by 2018.

The rationale for this rapid curricular renovation is economic. Teaching kids how to code will help them land good jobs, the argument goes. In an era of flat and falling incomes, programming provides a new path to the middle class – a skill so widely demanded that anyone who acquires it can command a livable, even lucrative, wage.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/sep/21/coding-education-teaching-silicon-valley-wages)

There is a major downside, though, to the popularity of coding class/courses as it will eventually produce a large number of coders who’ll be looking for a job and we all know how the law of supply and demand works, right? The lucrative salary in this industry today may significantly go down if there is a surplus of skilled workers capable of doing the job at a lower income range.

If there is another positive note we can highlight about this aggressive initiative to educate the youth of computer technology is that it ensures they are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the demands of our modern world and survive no matter the odds.

The blog article Why You Need To Learn Coding Now is available on The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/why-you-need-to-learn-coding-now/

When Giving Becomes The Problem

People do not hesitate to give and share their blessings if they only have more than enough. We may say that the world is a harsh place to live in now but there is still hope for humanity as people still do random acts of kindness and become a brother or a sister to others especially to those who have nothing. While not everyone is blessed to have more than what they need, many still respond to the call of charity. We may think that this is the answer to many of the world’s current problems but it has barely scratched the surface.

Despite the many internal problems faced by most progressive nations, they are often the first ones to extend a helping hand to any country that has survived the wrath of Mother Nature or any terrible tragedy caused by man. Unfortunately, some poorer countries take advantage of the help they receive from other nations that the mere concept of charity has forced people to resort to fraudulent scams like orphanage tourism in order to continually enjoy the steady stream of outside financial help and keep it coming for a long time. While tourists who volunteer in orphanages do not see anything wrong in what they are doing, this action actually encourages families to give up their children for money, which is just awful no matter where you look at it.

However, just this month Australia pledged to cut federal support for such organisations amid mounting concerns over “orphanage tourism”, where children are trafficked and sometimes forced into slavery in order to fill establishments that turn a profit from well-intentioned volunteers.

Tourism Concern, a UK organisation that campaigns for ethical tourism, has warned: “The rise in the number of tourists volunteering in orphanages is actually fuelling the number of ‘orphans’, and  causing unnecessary separation of children from their families.

“While we appreciate that aspiring volunteers offer their services for the best of motives, our view is that looking after vulnerable children should be undertaken by local, full-time, professional staff and not by short-term volunteers, no matter how skilled or qualified.”

(Via: http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/charity-donations-uk-caf-aid-foundation-harm-a7944986.html)

Certain parts of the world may enjoy the good life but there are places that are bedrocks of poverty, conflict and political oppression. People living in these places can barely survive each day and often rely on outside help for support and survival. Most of the time, they see an opportunity in the generosity of Westerners and come up with various schemes to make money even at the expense of the young and vulnerable members of the family – children. Now, it makes you wonder whether we are really doing charity right?

On the auction block to raise money to carry out its mission of assisting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were yacht excursions, lunch with Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Miami” star Lea Black and a “power breakfast” during New York’s Fashion Week with a branding expert.

Why juxtapose calls to feed the hungry, house the homeless and cure cancer with champagne toasts and caviar hors d’oeuvres? As researchers who study charities, we understand why opulent bashes that raise money for good causes seem puzzling. These inherently contradictory events intended to help people in need double as vehicles for the rich and famous to show off their largesse.

(Via: http://wtop.com/business-finance/2017/09/let-them-eat-caviar-when-charity-galas-waste-money/)

Aside from the problems that arise because of charity among the recipients themselves, there are also countless issues pertaining to the lavish lifestyle lived by the people running most popular charitable organizations in the country and even in the world. Many of the charitable galas in the US are held at prestigious locations like 5-star hotels with lavish banquets full of delectable and pricey dishes like caviar. Considering that these organizations are trying to raise money hence the said event, the amount of money they spend on such galas is a big irony to the cause they are supposedly advocating for which is often more than what they actually raise during that occasion.

When Giving Becomes The Problem is republished from IPAction.org/blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/when-giving-becomes-the-problem/

Catalonia’s Struggle Continues

There are many places in the world that struggle with political strife for a long time now despite the many tech advancements we are now enjoying. It is such an irony that human beings still can’t reconcile many of their differences that end up in violence or even more violence. There really is no way out here without suffering many casualties. Freedom is often the cause that people are fighting for, which they can’t always get without bloodshed. Many countries in the Middle East suffered the same fate and are now but left in ashes and a picture of poverty and despair.

Even in Europe, a continent known for its power, affluence, and peace, conflict is still present and is a threat to the peace the region enjoys. Spain, for instance, faces the same problem faced by some countries that are politically oppressed and became battlegrounds of modern warfare. Catalonia has long since wanted to be independent of Spain but their pleas fell on deaf ears until now. European organizations appear to be at risk. Many protests escalate quickly and end up with street violence that disrupts the unity and stability enjoyed by most European nations.

The leader of Spain’s Catalonia region called Monday for help from European leaders in working out the region’s move to be independent.

The request comes a day after a violent crackdown by Spanish police trying to block Catalonians from voting on whether they wanted to separate from Spain.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said he would file a complaint against Spanish police after officers fired rubber bullets, smashed into polling stations Sunday and beat back protesters with batons. Puigdemont urged Spain’s national police reinforcements to leave the area.

Spanish authorities said police acted professionally. And Spain’s interior minister said that the 5,000 extra officers sent to Catalonia would stay as long as necessary.

(Via: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/catalonia-asks-europe-to-help-resolve-its-fight-with-spanish-government/2017/10/02/dcb44088-a788-11e7-850e-2bdd1236be5d_story.html?utm_term=.ada65dd62710)

Spain’s resolute attempt in preventing Catalonia from gaining its independence continues to earn the ire and disapproval of Catalonians to think that the majority of voters actually want to separate from Spain for good. And it is not just the Spanish government that agrees with this decision. Other European nations also support it since they want to prevent the same thing from happening in other places in the region, which is likely possible if they let the Catalans get what they want.

Catalonia's pro-independence regional government said Spain is "the shame of Europe" for the way it has cracked down on the region's bid to hold a secession referendum.

Government spokesman Jordi Turull says "what the police are doing is simply savage, it's an international scandal."

The Catalan government's health service says 465 people have been treated in hospitals following clashes Sunday with police who were ordered by a regional judge to prevent the independence referendum from taking place. Turull said two of the injured were in serious condition.

He said "Today, Spain is the shame of Europe."

(Via: https://www.dailysabah.com/europe/2017/10/01/catalan-government-says-spain-is-the-shame-of-europe)

The Catalonians continue to fight for their independence and even if they call foul on the Spanish government, they still won’t be able to earn the support of neighboring nations so as not to set a precedent that others can follow and mitigate other coups from happening. What the Catalonians are doing right now is actually considered as the first official coup in the European Union’s history and that is really a major thing. Dissent is not new but it is not welcome either.

As Catalonia struggles to get what they want, they would likely face bigger challenges and they do not even have an assurance they’d get what they wished for with only themselves on their side. However, the Catalonian’s aren’t even the aggrieved party here all the time since they are at fault too. Many times they have broken the law and caused chaos in Spain rather than lend a helping hand for its progress. They can only wish to pull off the same thing as Brexit because they are poles apart and Spain won’t likely just let them leave without putting up a good fight.

The following article Catalonia’s Struggle Continues was originally published to The IPac Action Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/catalonias-struggle-continues/

Will Most Religion Ever Approve Of Same-Sex Marriage?

We can’t deny how the world has changed over the past century. Looking back on old photos of the not-so-distant past, it is easy to tell how time has changed in the way people look and the surroundings itself. If there is one thing that has surpassed the test of time, though, it is the people’s faith in their religion. Religion has been the most enduring of all and today’s people still profess their faith and stay true to its teachings. But over the years, we have also witnessed the many changes in people’s perspective. And now, same-sex marriage is already practiced in many countries but does one’s religion really support it?

Most organized religions actually condone same-sex marriage. Just the very idea of a person legally marrying the opposite sex is a ludicrous idea and goes against the teachings of the Church. So, it is but understandable if the Church does not plan on ever giving its go signal and openly condemns those who get married to anyone from the same sex. However, advocates of the LGBTQ community are saying that not allowing same-sex marriage is essentially a violation of a person’s human right to get married even if society, in general, is mainly a heterosexual community.

Conservative religious organisations and politicians have played a major role in preventing the introduction of same-sex marriage in Australia and hope to do so again.

John Howard cited conservative religious views when he banned same-sex marriage. Labor’s fear of losing religious voters to the Liberals contributed to concessions to the religious right, and saw it oppose same-sex marriage until 2011. Even then, Labor MPs opposed to same-sex marriage were granted an initial moral conscience vote that contributed to a parliamentary vote being lost under the Gillard government.

Now, Malcolm Turnbull’s fear of alienating the religious right in the Coalition has seen him agree to a plebiscite he previously opposed.

(Via: https://theconversation.com/talk-of-same-sex-marriage-impinging-on-religious-freedom-is-misconceived-heres-why-82435)

However, religious groups are making a noise once more as the number of countries, states, and cities supporting same-sex marriage has considerably grown over the years. It’s not that easy to stop them now as the public seems to be okay with it and tolerant of the growing number of married homosexual couples. Even famous personalities take advantage of this growing public acceptance and openly flaunt their marriage for everyone to see.

One thing is certain. The issues surrounding religious freedom in a society which recognises same-sex marriage will not be fully resolved any time soon. Some argue that these issues should be resolved before the public votes in a compulsory plebiscite or voluntary postal survey. I can see that opponents of same-sex marriage might want to insist on this, and that supporters of same-sex marriage might regard this as a time delaying tactic. I could vote “yes” in a survey while hoping and demanding that the parliament do the hard work on religious freedoms when considering amendments to the Marriage Act. It is important to appreciate that the legal and policy changes needed to protect religious freedom would not appear in the Marriage Act but in other statutes such as the Sex Discrimination Act.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/17/religious-freedom-is-an-important-right-once-same-sex-marriage-is-legal-it-must-be-protected)

Different places follow different laws and they also have differing interpretations of the church’s teaching. It is a known fact how homophobic the Church is in general and how they can’t accept the very thought of someone marrying the same sex but not everyone agrees nowadays even if they belong to a religion that is not accepting of this novel idea. The law is full of loopholes itself and haven’t addressed certain aspects that remain the cause of debate today but only time can tell how the Church, the different governments all over the world, and the society at large will react and see same-sex marriage in the years to come – whether it will be part of the norm or something that will persist to be a source of conflict.

The following post Will Most Religion Ever Approve Of Same-Sex Marriage? Find more on: IPAction.org/blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/will-most-religion-ever-approve-of-same-sex-marriage/

Are Conferences Getting Old Yet Too Expensive?

You are never too old to learn something new. It can’t be any truer. It is even a requisite nowadays as the world becomes more globally interconnected and people from different parts of the world may even compete for the same job. Hence, education is the key to professional and financial success in later life. Even if you are a degree-holder, it is not often an assurance you’d be able to land the job of your dreams after graduating since many others take the same path too.

Attending academic conferences is a great way to boost your knowledge and skills and make you a more valuable asset to any company or organization. Fortunate for those who are sponsored by the academe or their offices for such lucrative post-graduate continuing education events but most individuals actually have to shell out a lot of (their personal) money in order for them to enhance their knowledge and stay updated on the latest news and trends in the competitive (and often changing) world of Academia.

Conferences have been held since the early days of academia. But their size has changed dramatically. The intimate gatherings of academics from a specific field have now been replaced with mega conferences, frequently featuring 1,000 participants or more. Stockholm World Water Week, which brings together scholars and practitioners, counts more than 3,000 participants.

These gatherings are fancier than ever. Academic conferences used to be in universities. Yet the last annual meeting of the American Association of Geographers, the world’s largest geography conference, was in the Sheraton Boston, a four-star venue. Many now also feature elaborate social programmes. Those who attend World Water Week must choose whether the cocktail reception on Monday night, the royal banquet on Wednesday night or the “mingle and dance” on Thursday night is the conference’s main see-and-be-seen event.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/aug/30/expensive-academic-conferences-give-us-old-ideas-and-no-new-faces)

What used to be the sharing of knowledge between a small number of people, academic conferences these days boasts of thousands of attendees and is proving to be a costly investment for those who want to further their education or career. When in the past the participants and the organizers didn’t care much about the venue themselves, today’s gatherings are often held in fancy hotel ballrooms or events hall that is equally expensive to lease themselves. No wonder people have to pay a hefty amount of money for registration just so they can attend these academic conferences.

I say that conferences are “relatively expensive” because alternative marketing mastermind groups are almost like retreats with a few dozen people and a handful of gurus and experts, and can run in the thousands. And while the conference attempts to cover absolutely everything you need under its roof, like breakfast/lunch and snacks in between, you’ll be footing your own dinner and any lodging for the duration of the conference.

Most conferences I’ve attended have been in the $800 to $1,200 range (and usually after using a promo code). Though much of the information you’ll pick up could be considered “invaluable,” I believe that there are times when conference costs are needlessly inflated. I’ve been to conferences that have had copious high-end snacks and drinks provided around the clock, and one that had an absolutely ridiculous flash mob in the middle of its networking happy hour. 

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/08/09/are-marketing-conferences-worth-it/#1d0cf8a01851)

There are various conferences you can attend to not just in the academe. In the field of marketing and business, there are a multitude of conferences as well that are just as expensive as the academic ones if not even costs more. Like the problem with academic conferences, they are held in posh hotels and venues that cost an arm and leg already not to mention payments given to the speaker. It is mainly the primary obstacle as to why many can’t afford to go to these conferences even if it can take them up the corporate ladders or eventually free them financially. After all, you have to plant first before you can sow and at the rate these conferences are being priced right now, it’s either fewer people can attend them or the public is forced to shell out more money in order for them to reach their dreams.

The blog article Are Conferences Getting Old Yet Too Expensive? Find more on: https://ipaction.org/blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/are-conferences-getting-old-yet-too-expensive/

The Things That We Do To Protect Our Data

In life, we usually know our priorities. We meet our basic needs first before going after luxuries if we want to be well and healthy all the time. It is not only our basic needs and commodities that must be met but a new breed of necessity that we can’t afford to live without now. Data, big or small, is precious. It defines who we are and are often the product of our hard work. However, cybercriminals are always after it or you may also lose data because of a technical glitch in your system whether it was your own fault or that of nature.

And as such, computer users go to great lengths to ensure their data stays safe no matter what happens because these data are often irreplaceable especially when no duplicate copy was ever made. Not all the time, though, data can still be salvaged depending on the circumstances on how it was lost yet there are ways for you to get it back and it mainly involves data recovery services that are usually costly and as already mentioned, not 100% reliable due to a lot of factors.

The Village of Lindenhurst is creating a computer network recovery program to protect data from hackers and natural disasters.

The board of trustees voted to adopt the Disaster Recovery Program on the recommendation of Village Treasurer Louise Schrader. The program has five components: critical data recovery; off- and on-premise backup; third-party vendor remote access; password changes and deletion of users; and financial program access.

Adept Technology Consulting Inc. of Hauppauge, already under contract with the village for other work, will monitor backups, updates and firewalls, and the village will keep backups of the servers. Adept will also confirm off-premise backups, which will be done daily and stored in a secure site run by mozy.com. 

(Via: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/lindenhurst-program-to-protect-data-from-hackers-natural-disasters-1.14325957)

In today’s world, protecting your data should be everybody’s business like what the village of Lindenhurst is doing right now. While the rest of the world is procrastinating, they are doing something to protect one of their most valued possessions – their personal/ collective data. What they have come up with is actually a well-thought-out plan that has covered almost all the important aspects and may even be considered fool-proof whether the threat is manmade or brought about by Mother Nature.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK Facebook is reportedly developing its own take on Apple's Face ID tech to help users gain access to locked accounts.

Facebook doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to facial recognition, having previously been forced to suspend a mug-scanning feature for failing to comply with European Union data privacy laws.

Zuckerberg really wants access to your face, though, and is testing a new feature that will let users easily recover their accounts. 

Screenshots of the system have been posted to Twitter by The Next Web's Matt Navarra.

(Via: https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3018419/facebook-is-testing-face-id-style-tech-for-account-recovery)

Not only are individual people and small organizations working hard on data recovery measures to safeguard their data online or offline but even global brands like Facebook. It should not come out as a surprise either as they have the money and manpower to do initiatives like this and knowing how much data is stored and entrusted to them by the billions of Facebook users the world over, it makes perfect sense for the company to continually explore for and invest in solutions pertaining to all sorts of data issues.

With the advent of today’s current Apple technology involving facial recognition, Facebook is once again considering pursuing this project to help users unlock their locked accounts. It solves most challenges faced by users who forget passwords or whose account has been hacked by third parties. Two-factor authentication is becoming the norm today and it is proving to be a helpful tool for tech users to secure their devices and confirm their identity in case they end up unable to access their accounts whatever the reason may be.

The Things That We Do To Protect Our Data is courtesy of The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-things-that-we-do-to-protect-our-data/

The Dangers Of Traditional Medicine

It is inevitable for humans to get sick. We aren’t born superhumans after all, so we are susceptible to the myriad of diseases that plagues mankind for as long as we can remember. But because of our resiliency and creativity, we have managed to survive through the years. It is because we have developed what we now know as modern medicine and these medicinal concoctions have spared human life from morbidity and mortality over the ages.

Yet despite the many medicinal wonders that are now at our disposal, many still succumb to sickness and death. And as the number of chemical-based medicines abounds the market, people are looking for healthier and safer alternatives that can also deliver positive results. The resurgence of alternative medicine is growing in followers today and it is not entirely a bad thing as it gives people an option as to how they want to be treated. Some of these natural supplements, medications, and treatments are also effective, so it gives people even more reason to explore this aspect of medicine.

In many parts of the world, policymakers, health professionals and the public are wrestling with questions about culture and mental health services. Some have argued that African traditional medicine might be a more appropriate way to meet mental health needs in Africa. In some Asian countries like Pakistan, traditional healers are widely consulted for the treatment of depression.

One argument is that traditional medicine is more accessible and affordable than contemporary medicine. Patients find it easier to accept and this can be seen as an easy way out for governments in low and middle income countries that can’t provide other types of care.

But many Western medical professionals, even those in countries with a strong history of traditional medicine, have strong reservations. They don’t believe that such treatment has benefits.

(Via: https://theconversation.com/traditional-versus-contemporary-medicine-mental-illness-in-zimbabwe-82764)

People are also more inclined to try a more traditional approach to medicine especially when these practices are supported by their culture or religion. This is especially risky when dealing with mental health conditions as they aren’t easily treated by natural healing herbs or such. Others who are into holistic treatment also prefer alternative medicine since it encompasses the management of the mind, body, and spirit. It’s especially prevalent in nations or communities riddled with poverty, corruption, and violence where the majority are uneducated and don’t know any better.

Herbal medicines can cause kidney failure and liver damage in some consumers because they contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals, or react harmfully with other drugs, a study has found.

The finding comes from a paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia on Monday. Researchers led by the University of Adelaide reviewed the findings from 52 studies of herbal medicines and toxicology.

The lead author of the review, pathology professor Roger Byard, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) should require independent testing of herbal medicines before placing them on the market, and that legal action should be considered when products did not comply with regulations. The products should also be closely monitored once on the market, he said.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/06/herbal-medicines-can-have-dangerous-side-effects-research-reveals)

The very nature of it being unregulated is already a big red flag for would-be buyers as nobody can really tell the components of these herbal medicines or the extent of its effects. It isn’t supported by sufficient clinical trials and studies that can ease our worries over potential side effects or adverse reactions. Those are just some of the valid reasons raised by medical experts regarding the pros and cons of supporting traditional medicine.

It does not ignore the fact, though, that there are many herbs and herbal treatments that have proven to be effective in nurturing and supporting human health but many have been just as bad. It’s the same with modern-day treatments. It is really hard to choose between the two. It all boils down to how you understand both treatment options and their impact on your health or condition. And of course, as much as possible try to consult with a medical provider that can assess your current condition and give his/her recommendations on the best course of treatment for you and you take it from there.

The following post The Dangers Of Traditional Medicine was originally seen on The IPAC Blog

source https://ipaction.org/blog/the-dangers-of-traditional-medicine/