Sunny Hundal
Google Maps has (finally) added the ability to embed maps into blogs or web sites. All you do is click on the "link to this page" link, copy and paste, and you're all set. 
5 years ago
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Lightning Hits Plane - Cool Photos
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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Orphaned hedgehogs adopt cleaning brush as their mother
Four tiny orpahned hedgehogs are snuggling up to the bristles of a cleaning brush - because they think it's their mother.
I imagine the bristles feel a bit like their mum."
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15 Stunning Images Using Blur to Portray Movement
Talented photographers and very impressive photography.
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The rotten state of China
Hu Jintao faces his most difficult test as president: putting a stop to China's tainted exports also means undermining the country's political structure.
August 28, 2007 10:30 AM
First it was tainted pet food and poisoned toothpaste. Then it was lead-coated toys and catfish dosed with dangerous levels of antibiotics. Now it is mattresses and children's clothes treated with unsafe levels of chemicals.
To the long-running saga of China stealing jobs from more developed economies, add the safety factor. As Hillary Clinton put it when addressing a trade union conference: "I do not want to eat bad food from China or have my children having toys that are going to get them sick. So let's be tough on China going forward." Does Chelsea still play with lead-daubed Dora the Explorer dolls?
As always, things are somewhat more complicated than they appear. The 20m toys recalled by the Mattel company this month were, indeed, made in China, but most are being called back because of a design fault (a magnet) written into the specification handed out by the American firm. Already, some voices are saying that - as with China's terrible environmental record - it is really all the result of the West and Japan having foisted industrialisation on China, as if Deng Xiaoping was secretly in the pay of foreign companies seeking cheap labour or Chinese entrepreneurs did not sign up wholesale for plants burning brown coal or spewing poisonous waste into rivers.
In trade terms, the effect is small as yet, though it could become much more serious if the allegations of use of dangerous chemicals spread to textiles as a whole.
But, while insisting that 99% of its exports are safe, China has reacted by appointing its main trouble shooter, Wu Yi, to head a committee to look into safety standards and food quality. Officials now say that 85% of food meets standards - which is worrying for those who consume the other 15%.
Though it is the foreign alarm that catches the headlines, the effect is more serious at home where Chinese consumers have been subject to sub-standard and downright dangerous goods for years. In the latest case, reported in Shanghai recently, more than a tonne of dried seaweed was being soaked in vats of industrial dye and preservative containing sulphur dioxide to make it seem fresh. Other raids in the city discovered 13 tonnes of rice wine and five tonnes of vinegar containing ethyl alcohol and industrial salts.
Like China's huge environmental crisis, the safety issue is the result of headlong manufacturing development without accompanying regulation.Both are systemic problems that go to the heart of how China works, and how governance does not function at a level the economy requires. Of course, global demand for Chinese products lies behind the unregulated boom. But it cannot be blamed, in itself, for what is coming to light. The heart of the matter lies in the People's Republic, not with consumers in the developed world.
While big, modern manufacturing companies have emerged, like Bao Steel, Haier, and Lenovo, a major motor of Chinese growth remains the small and medium-sized enterprises which were given their head by Deng in the 1980s. Between them, they have as many workers as the entire US labour force.
Most are, in effect, outside any kind of control except that of the local authorities, which may well have a personal or institutional interest in their activities in return for having granted land and been otherwise helpful. How likely are those local authorities to rein in the village and township enterprises, or impose environmental or safety standards that would cost them all money, particularly when the abolition of land taxes leaves local government short of cash?
Equally, the major contractors with which American, European or Japanese brands deal generally sub-contract to a mass of small firms. The directors, sitting in Hong Kong or Shanghai or Guangzhou, proffer assurances that standards are being met, but have little control over the small plants in Zhejiang or in the sprawling hinterland of Guangdong.
Quality control takes place when the goods arrive at the export destination, not when they leave China. With tight margins, the modus operandi is to fill as many containers as possible without asking questions.
The system has worked like a charm in terms of growth. It has enabled China to by-pass the business procedures and standards of classical economics. With a tidal wave of liquidity flowing in from trade, the PRC has been able to follow its own path. Soon, the natural resources acquisitions of recent years will be followed by hundreds of billions of dollars aiming to buy foreign assets to fill China's technological and brand gaps.
Since Deng Xiaoping lead the Communist Party into business after 1978 - although it is easy to forget how long it took him to vanquish the conservatives - the Chinese Communist party has had to maintain growth. That further diminishes its already circumscribed ability to influence the economy. Provincial governments may be told to pay more attention to environmental standards, but they are still marked on their ability to produce growth. Thus, Beijing decrees a slowdown in the steel sector and makes tax changes to deter exports, but output and exports go on increasing.
The irony of a Leninist system with a weak centre is not that surprising, given China's history, particularly in the pre-Communist era. But the result is a line that leads directly from President Hu Jintao having to scrabble for support in the politburo standing committee, down to sub-contractors daubing lead paint on toys.
Wu Yi will bang the table, and China will take counter-measures against allegedly unsafe imports - a list that already includes American soybeans, turbines, pacemakers and orange juice concentrate. But, so long as the peculiar hybrid Chinese politico-economic system continues, with the country posting such large trade surpluses, meaningful change may be impossible, if only because it would threaten the structure on which the regime rests.
In the end, Beijing has to decide what kind of economy it wants, and how it moves to the second stage of global integration. What has happened since 1978 has been easy given the strength of the global economy in which China has evolved. The second term for Hu Jintao, starting in the autumn, may be the more difficult test. Is China's unreconstructed Communist system up to it?
What is the point of blogging?
Forget original reporting, the beauty of blogging is its completely biased nature.
Why do we blog? Does it serve any purpose? Is it "killing our culture" as some say, is it a "parasitic" medium as others do, or is it the promised land? It is the latter of course; allow me to explain why.
I'm pontificating on this because journalism lecturer Andrew Grant-Adamson points to the eruption of an online row in America over this article in the LA Times by Michael Skube. His view can be summarised as: bloggers don't do original reporting so they're rubbish. In response an American journalism professor, Jay Rosen, wrote this DailyKos post and a reply in the LA Times pointing to several examples where bloggers did original reporting or broke stories.
End of discussion? I think this somewhat misses the point of blogging.
I think blogs like Firedoglake who do original reporting (it had unparalleled coverage of the Scooter Libby trial) are to be admired and I've half-done some reporting myself [cough]. But generally I think we can leave that to the paid professionals. Unless of course when they choose to ignore a story.
Where blogging can play an important role is two-fold.
1) Partisan political commentary
I have absolutely no problems with biased political bloggers doing their best to pick at the opposite side and expose their stupidity. Honestly, I think it's great for democracy and free speech, even if I think most conservative bloggers, especially in the US, are mad (I'm only half-joking). Because they are biased and want to score ideological points, bloggers are more likely to keep the paid professionals on their toes and get their readers to think beyond the inane (and sometimes misinformed) political commentary of the pros.
In other words I'm completely for bloggers organising themselves to pick holes at the arguments of others and the mass media because there will always be slip-ups or hidden agendas and we are here to try and expose them.
More importantly, we are also here to develop ideas and arguments in a biased way that the national media cannot or does not do.
2) Campaigning
Robert Sharp calls it Open Source Campaigning, but the point is the same. The web, and more specifically blogs, allows us to campaign for initiatives such as the plight of Iraqi Employees and get MPs to do something about it. Without this platform I'd be complaining over my morning muesli and hoping one of the papers started it. And what if they didn't?
There is a great deal of navel-gazing in the media world over blogs because: (a) everyone is losing audiences to the web; (b) media companies haven't figured out how to make money online yet; and (c) because bloggers can frequently be quite vitriolic (and idiotic, granted) at journalists and politicians. On the last point however, it's not that difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.
I believe money is a side issue here because eventually some commercially viable models will turn up and media companies will be able to earn money online.
The real reason I think why newspaper columnists hate bloggers is because power is gradually shifting to the hands of the well-organised masses.
While newspapers have always been about talking to readers, blogs have been about talking with readers. And though CIF is a hybrid, too many of the writers still don't get it.
Blogging is a different culture.
You have to ask yourself why critics are wary of blogging. It's not just about blogging, it's about a change in the organizational culture of newspapers. If you understand that a newspaper is not a lecturing instrument, but rather an engagement with an opinionated audience, you understand blogging right away.
The beauty of the two functions above is that they engage people in a way that the national media can never really do. And for our political culture and democracy, that can only be a good thing. No? Well, let's hear your opinion then.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Google Maps: adds ability to embed maps into blogs & websites
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Personal Development List
reposted from http://www.blog.7breaths.co.uk/
Monday, August 27, 2007
Priscilla Palmer is collating a list of personal development web sites and amongst those she has included is 7breaths - Thanks. The list is growing rapidly - 2 sites I think worthy of addition are
Jason Womack at Fit and Effective
Stephen at HD BizBlog
Here is the rest of the list, I'm sure you will find some useful new sites here:
Aaron Potts at Today is That Day
Adam Kayce at Monk at Work
Al at 7pproductions.com
Alan Torres at Made to Be Great
Alex Shalman at AlexShalman.com
Alexander Kjerulf at The Chief Happiness Officer
Alexys at Unraveling The Spiritual Mystique
Albert Foong at urbanmonk.net
Amy Hedin at There is no Maximum to Human Potential
Andrea J. Lee at Money, Meaning, and Beyond
Andy Wibbels at AndyWibbels.com
Anita Pathik Law at Power of four Way
Anna Farmery at The Engaging Brand
Antonio Thornton at AntonioThornton.com
Ask Lucid at Ask Lucid Spiritual Development
Belle Wong at Abundance Journal
Blogfuse at LifeDev
Brad Isaac at Achieve It
Brian Clark at Copyblogger
Brian Kim at briankim.net
Bob at everyeveryminute
Carlon Haas at Possess Less Exist More
Chris Marshall at Martial Devlopment
Christine Kane at ChristineKane.com
Clyde at Feeling Good
Conceive, Believe, Achieve at Conceive, Believe, Achieve
Craig Harper at Motivational Speaker
Curt Rosengren at Occupational Adventure
Damian Carr at Soul Terminal
Daniel Sitter at Idea Sellers
Dave Schoof at Engaging the Disquiet
Davers at Language Trainers Blog
David Allen at The David Allen Company
David Bohl at Reflections on Balance
David Rogers at How to Have Great Self Confidence
David Seah at David Seah.com
Dawud Miracle at dmiracle.com
Dean Lacono at Law of Attraction for Beginners
Debbie Call at Spirit In Gear
Debra Moorhead at Debra Moorhead.com
Des Walsh at Thinking Home Business
Dick Richards at Come Gather Round
Don Simkovich at Hey Don
Donald Latumahina at Life Optimizer
Donna Karlin at Perspectives
Dr. Charles Parker at The Core Psych Blog
Dr. Hal at Northstar Mental fitness blog
Drew Rozell at Drew Rozell.com
Edward Mills at Evolving Times
Ellen Weber at Brain Based Business
Emmanuel Lopez at The Adventures of Motivatorman
Ellesse at Goal Setting College
Elly Jolly at Jolly Life Coaching
Enoch Tan at Mind Reality
Eric Napier at Quotation Collection
Frank Kanu at Frank Uncovers Excellence in Leadership
Frank Roche at KnowHR Blog
Galba Bright at Tune Up Your EQ
Guy Kawasaki at How to Change the World
Gleb Reys at Personal Development Ideas
Grayson at Modern Worker Blog
Gretchen Rubin at Happiness Project
Gustav at Success-is-in-you.com
Gyanish at Diethack
Hilda Carroll at Living Out Loud
Henrik Edberg at The Positivity Blog
Honman at Open Your Mind to Prosperity
Inkedmn at The Cranking Widgets Blog
Itzy Sabo at Email Overloaded
Jacklyn Ker at Inspiring and Empowing Lives
Jason and Michael at Black Belt Productivity
Jason Ivers at A Miracle a Day
Jay White at dumb little man tips for life
Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Power and Cheerful Monk
Jeff Lilly at Druid Journal
Jeffrey Phillips at Think Faster
Jennifer at Goodness Graciousness
Jeremiah Owyang at Web Strategy by Jeremiah
Jerry Hart at Blue Print to emarketing
Jerry Lopper at Personal Growth
Jim Walton at Black In Business
Joanna Young at Coaching Wizardry
John Pratt at John Pratt International
John Place at John Place Online
John Wesley at Pick The Brain
Josh Bickford at Reach For Magnificence and Reach for Magnificence
Julia Rogers Hamrick at Julia’s Blog: Journal of the Journey Home to Eden
Julie Bonner at Declutter It
Kailani at An Island Review
Kammie Kobyleski at Passion Meets Purpose
Karen at Journey with Water Learner
Karen Lynch at Live The Power
Karen Wallace at The Clearing Space
Karl Staib at Karl Staib.com
Kevin Kinchen at Creative Power of Thought
Killeris at Attitude, The Ultimate Power
Kim and Jason at Escape Adulthood
Kim George at Doing What You Can Do
Kirsten Harrell at Ipopin
K.L. Masina at Be Conscious Now
Leah Maclean at Working Solo
Laura Young at The Dragon Slayer’s Guide to Life
Lee Nutter at bmindful
Leo Baruta at Zen Habits
Life Reflection at Universe in a Single Atom
Lisa Gates at Design Your Writing Life
Liz Strauss at Successful Blog
Lola Fayemi at Real World Spiritual and Personal Development
Lorraine Cohen at Powerfull Living
Lucid at Spiritual Suggestions
Lyman Reed at Creating a Better Life
Maddy at Illuminated Minds Want to Know
Maria Palma at The Good Life
Mark at The Naked Soul
Mark Forster at Get Everything Done
Mark McManus at Build Your Life To Order
Mark W Shead at Productivity 501
Martin Avis at Kickstart Daily
Matthew Cornell at Matt’s Idea Blog
Merlin Mann at 43 Folders
Michelle Moore at Happiness Blog
Michael Port at The Think Big Revolution
My Everyday Planner at My Everyday Planner
Nancy Tierney at Unconditional Confidence
Neil Patel at Quick Sprout
Nick Smith at Life 2.0
Nneka at Balanced Life Center
Organize-It at Organize-It
Pamala Slim at Escape From Cubicle Nation
Pamm Larry at My Spiritual Dance
Patricia Singleton at Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker
Paul at Paul’s Tips
Peter at I Will Change Your Life
Peter Aldin at Great Circle
Phil Gerbyshak at Make It Great
Priscilla Palmer at Personal Development Demands Success
Raymond Salas at Zenchill Powertools
Reg Adkins at ElementalTruths
Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness
Rick Cooper at The PDA Pro
Ririan at Ririanproject
Rob at 7Breaths
Rob Cooke at Leave the Office
Robert at Compassionate Council
Robyn McMaster at Brain Based Biz
Rosa Say at Managing With Aloha Coaching
Ryan Marle at The Alpha Project
S.J. Yee at Personal Development for the Book Smart
Sam at Aquire Wisdom and Live with Passion
Scott Adams at The Dilbert Blog
Scott Bernadot at Keeping The Secret
Scott Ginsberg at Hello, My Name Is Blog
Scott H Young at Scott H Young
Self Pursuit at Self Pursuit
Shauna Arthurs at Breathing Prosperity and Follow Your Path
Shaheen Lakhan at GNIF Brain Blogger
Simone and Mandy at Outfit Inspirations
Slade Roberson at Shift Your Spirits
Sleeping Dude at How to Wake Up Early
Spike at Organize It
Stephanie and Jeffrey at Brains on Purpose
Steve Olson at Steve-Olson.com
Steve Pavlina at stevepavlina.com
Steve Roessler at All Things Workplace
Steven Aitchison at Change Your Thoughts
Surjit at Gurushabad
Susan Sabo at Productivity Cafe
Ted Demopoulos at Blogging For Business
Thom Quinn at Qlog
Tim Ferris at 4-Hour Workweek and Lifestyle Design Blog
Tom Spanton at TRCoach
Tim Taylor at My Agapic Life
Tony D Clark at Success From The Nest
Torlink at You Create Reality
Travis Wright at Cultivate Greatness
Trizoko at Trizoko.com
Trevor Gay at Simplicity is the Key
Troy Worman at Orbit Now!
Tupelo Kenyon at Tupelokenyon.com
Vickie at Contemplate This
Wan Qi at Meditation Forum Mantras
WildBill at PassionateBlogger
and these collaborated sites:
Burst Blog
Daily PlanIt
Did I Get Things Done
GTD Wannabe
Life Coaches Blog Stratagies for a Greater Life
Lifehack.org
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Daniel Dennett: Can We Know Our Own Minds?
Another outstanding TED talk and Dennett's best, in my opinion. Dennett demonstrates convincingly that if you think you know what's going on with your own perception and consciousness, you're mistaken.
Philosopher Dan Dennett makes a compelling argument that not only don't we understand our own consciousness, but that half the time our brains are actively fooling us. As he puts it, our bodies are made up of 100 trillion little robots, none of them with an individual consciousness. So what makes us feel we have one? Or that we're in control of it? Dennett's hope is to show his audience that "Your consciousness is not quite as marvelous as you may have thought it is." He uses thought experiments and optical illusions to demonstrate to the TED audience that even very big brains are capable of playing tricks on their owners.(I was lucky enough to see him give an earlier version in person when he visited my college and got to meet the man afterwards for a bit.)
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Top 10 physically modified people
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