Journey to the center of...Europe?

Apparently, for years, geographers have been trying to decide where the exact center of Europe is so that a monument could be established in the central town. I find this humorous because it seems like there could be better things to do with the time spent on finding the center of Europe- not to mention the heavy debate over the topic. The country still has not come to a conclusion of where the exact center is.

This map shows 7 towns and cities that have at one point been thought of as the center of Europe. Monuments have been established in each of them and the citizens of each province believe that they are the most central town in Europe. The only trouble is that Europe has acquired different countries over the years and some of their "current countries" are not sure if they want to be a part of Europe. Do you count Turkey...or not? Armenia?

If I had a vote, I would vote for the center to be in Dilove, Ukraine because I have always found Ukrainians friendly and hilarious. I think that they deserve to have a monument in their country. I mean, can you think of the amount of tourism that would bring in!?

African Aid: On the Way to Self-sufficiency or Foreign Dependency?

Have you ever been to a national park where there was a sign against feeding the animals? What is the purpose for those signs? No, they aren't there to be a buzz kill, but they are there to keep the animals from being fed by humans and becoming dependent on humans for food. If that were to happen, the animals would no longer be self-sufficient and they wouldn't work for their food. That might be the case for animals, but is it the same for humans? Let me ask you, if you were getting paid to sit at home and watch TV or crochet would you give that up to go and find a job? Probably not because you are already getting paid to do nothing!

This is what is happening in Africa. Countries like the U.S. are giving financial aid to help break the bond of poverty and, while the intentions are good, this is creating a dependency in Africa. In 2001, the U.S. increased their giving to African Aid to $4.3 billion. This money is given to various African countries and is meant to help the nation become more independent. Besides the dependency issue, political corruption has had a huge impact on what the money is spent on. Some examples of what corrupt politicians spend the money on are: defense ministry, buying luxury vehicles for ministers and meeting the salaries of resident district commissioners. Are these all bad things? No, but there are more important things that this money should go towards such as agricultural research to make Africa more efficient at farming?

The key to this problem is to stop throwing money at Africa expecting things to change. There are only three countries (Uganda, Lesotho and Nigeria) that are ON THE WAY to meeting the goals set up by the U.N. for African countries to become more self-reliant. Out of 53 countries, I would not call this a success story. We need to stop treating them as a charity case and help them become more independent and self-sufficient. We should stop giving money to their governments because that has proven to be ineffective in reaching the people who really need the aid and instead, we should find ways to fund their private sector (temporarily). If Africa could develop a free-market system this would be their best option at breaking the bondage of foreign dependency and they would become more and more independent.

Lastly, we do need to realize that Africa is different than the U.S. just as France is different from the U.S. They have different customs, traditions and lifestyles than us and that is okay. We must not seek to make them more like the U.S. but rather support the things that are, in fact, working in their nation(s). Also, we need to realize that money can only do so much. As Christians, we need to pray for Africa and send our people to be the hands and feet of Jesus to spread the Gospel and fight injustices there. This is where we, as the church, come in. God's people can and will be the most effective difference-maker in Africa. 

Price Protests in Algeria

In early February riots broke out in Algeria, one of Africa's largest and most oil-rich countries. The riots were spurred by the rise in prices of sugar and cooking oil. Pro-democratic civilians went up against Algerian police with riot shields and 5 people were killed while at least 800 people were wounded.

The protesters main goal was to remove President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. He has been in power for 12 years and has kept his country under a strict authoritarian rule. The protesters did not get their wish and Bouteflika still remains in power.

Since the riots in February, Bouteflika has promised to use the country's oil and gas wealth to lower the cost of key foods such as sugar and cooking oil. This has brought about a proverbial "calm" within the country. Whether it's a calm before the storm, I am uncertain. I do know that all of the other unrest in the middle east will not help Algeria remain peaceful within its borders.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/11/algeria-prepares-day-of-protests

Northern Flights

It was really weird for me to look at a map from this point of view. So much of the time I see a map of the world and I gloss over the Antarctic region. It seems like there should be another world when you flip the map over and that would be the Antarctic. Looking at it from this angle, this region doesn't look very big at all. It is funny to see how close North America actually is to Asia. In fact, it's only about 80 miles from Alaska's west peninsula to Russia's eastern-most point. If you wanted to travel from Alaska to Sweden it is only 2,700 miles which might be a 9 or 10 hour plane ride instead of traveling all the way across the U.S. to Western Europe and then to Sweden which would be about 9,000 miles and a 1-2 day flight. Looking at the world from a different perspective really helps you get a better handle on how small it actually is and how globalization is becoming more and more easier.

Death Valley

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1890243,00.html

http://restrepothemovie.com/story/

It's a 6-mile wide, isolated mountainous region of caves and canyons with lushly forested areas of trees and little agricultural land. No, I am not talking about Death Valley in California but, rather, the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. In the documentary, "Restrepo," Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, take us inside the battle of the Korengal Valley by spending an entire year with a platoon of American Soldiers there.

Nicknamed the "Valley of Death" by American Soldiers, the Korengal Valley has been a key battleground in the War in Afghanistan. It's rugged terrain makes for the perfect insurgent hideout. 

The U.S. went into Afghanistan in 2001, however we did not enter the Korengal Valley until 2006. From the time we went into the Korengal, until the time we pulled our troops out in 2009, we lost Forty-two American service men, many Afghan soldiers and hundreds were also wounded there. 

It's hard to look at the war in Afghanistan from a non-partisan view. Everyone has their own opinions about whether we should be there or not and each party, Republican and Democrat, have their pros and cons about whether we should stay. But, when it all comes down to it- these are American soldiers over there at the end of the day and they are fighting for our freedoms here in the states. That is why I like Restrepo so much. Because they capture what is truly going on in Afghanistan; in the Korengal in particular, and they aren't worried about stressing either side of the argument of whether we should be there or not. 

Regardless of what your opinion is about the war going on, remember to thank our troops for serving us and keep them in your prayers!

Rabbit Revolutionaries

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/innovation/2011/0225/1224290375860.html



As you may know, China has one of the largest and most strict internet filters of any country. The government can block and filter any content it views as inappropriate for it's citizens. This makes the concept of democracy and any other ideas other than communism virtually impossible to spread.

People are finding ways around the firewall, however. One way, people are getting around the firewall is by producing comics made to look like innocent children's stories. But, when viewed in further detail there are political undertones speaking out against the tyrannical rule of communism and encouraging revolution.

This being the year of the rabbit, one such comic is called "Little Rabbit, Be Good." While this video is a little too graphic for children, it was able to get over the firewall. This video begins with a popular Chinese kids' song and little bunnies in what must be China. The government is portrayed as vicious tigers that could care less about the rabbits' hardships. In one scene, the tigers (government) drop off milk for the new bunny babies and the milk causes the babies' heads to explode. In another scene, the tigers knock down the rabbits houses, run over some rabbits with their cars and kill anyone who shows disdain for their system of government.

In the final scenes of the comic, the rabbits rebel against the tigers and overtake them by biting and killing them. The video displays, "Even rabbits will bite when pushed" hinting at an ensuing revolt if the oppression continues. Then, the kid wakes from what must have been a dream about the bunnies and goes back to his life of oppression.

Since February, this video has received a lot of attention and has since been banned from viewing in China. There are others like it that have hurdled the firewall and it is good to know that the government cannot block everything online. In my opinion this leaves hope for the people of China to spread the word of democracy and to revolt if necessary.

Suicide among the nations

Suicide is a hard subject for anyone that has lost a loved one to it. This map shows the world and the proportions of suicide globally. Eastern Europe contains 7 of the top 10 countries while China and India show the biggest area of self-inflicted death.





The main cause of suicide is depression; but, what is causing people in Eastern Europe and Asia to be so depressed? Could it be government? Economy? Whatever it is, we must not be experiencing it as heavily here in North America.


My theory is that it has to do with a lack of Christianity. When you look at this map of Christianity, you see that most of the major countries on it are minor countires on the suicide cartograph. Is this coincidence? I don't think so. 





The hope of Jesus Christ is unlike any other hope on earth. It gives you a reason to live because you know that God has purpose for you and that you are a chosen child of God. Religions like Budism and Hinduism don't have that. There is no divine purpose for your life, there is only fear of the gods they claim to have. This can be so opressive that I can see how it would lead to suicide.


How does this relate to globalization? Well, globalization is the increasing inerconnectedness of people and places throughout the world through converging processes of economic, political and cultural change. If we "globalize" Christ (take the Gospel throughout the earth), we can make a huge impact for the kingdom and give people the hope that we have. 


1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 

Railways of India

Railway travel in India has become very popular since the late 1800's. The first railway in India was established in 1843 and was a 21-mile stretch, connecting the cities of Bombay (modern-day Mumbai) and Thane. This was a very popular route traveled by many Indians, mostly by foot prior to the railways. (http://www.indianrail.gov.in)


In Southern India, the first railway was established by the Madras Railway Company and was a 63 mile long route from Veyasarpandy to Arcot. This took place in 1856 and this railway is still used today. By 1880, India had roughly 9,000 miles of railway and it was continuing to grow. (http://www.indianrail.gov.in/)


Today, tourists can travel to major cities over a period of 10-20 days and see all India has to offer and the rich history of India as well. For example, if you would like to tour South India, you could take a short 14-day trip beginning in Chennai, then travel through Madurai, Periyar, Trivandram, Cochin, Bangalore and end your tour in Mysore. Sound fun? Visit http://www.india-travel-agents.com/railway-tourism-in-india/south-india-train-tour.html if you're interested.

Losing Color

Southeast Asia contains some of the most beautiful coral reefs on earth. These reefs have millions of different species dwelling among them and they are some of the most colorful spectacles on the planet. Unfortunately, these reefs are in danger.

In Thailand, especially, these coral reefs are struggling. They are slowly being bleached and losing their beautiful colors. This is caused by growing algae that competes with the coral for nutrients and by a rise in temperature. As more and more tourists come to Thailand's inlands, the waste that enters the water grows. As the amount of waste grows, the amount of nutrients that are added to the water grows. This produces algae and the problem of bleaching becomes a reality.

Awareness is being raised by various conservation groups research is being done as to see what can be done about the bleaching. Multiple dive sites have been cloesed indefinitely until the problem is controlled. If you would like to help, visit www.saltrockdivers.org 

Happy (Late) Australia Day

Music

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/sydney-opera-house/technology-links-musicians-around-the-world-20101018-16qhv.html

I found this article on the Sydney Morning Herald website. Apparently, You tube is launching a online orchestra directed by Tilson Thomas, a grammy award winning conductor. Anyone from anywhere may audition online to participate in this ensemble and people can vote on the semi-finalists. The final group will perform at the Sydney Opera House in March 2011.

This ties in with Australia's increasing urbanization. Australia is becoming more and more "Westernized" and they seem to be reaching out more for diversity in their nation. On page 640 and 641 it discusses Australia's influence of North American and European culture. The fact that they are hosting a classical music symphony shows that they are truly becoming more Urbanized and Westernized as classical music began in the West.
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Economy


http://www.news.com.au/business/rising-wages-a-worry-for-businesses/story-e6frfm1i-1226001874892

Australia's economy is booming now more than ever. Tourism is becoming more and more popular and revenue for most businesses are expected to grow rapidly this year.

The down side to Australia's booming economy is that wage increases are becoming expected by workers due to unemployment rates dropping and the demand for workers rising. If this happens though, most businesses expect the wage increase to affect their business growth (or lack there of) by more than 2 percentage points, peaking toward the middle of the year.

I thought that this article tied into pg. 657 on "The Australian Economy." In the book it talked about the growing tourism sector of the economy and I expect that, in those companies, workers will look for more money due to the growing demand. If this happens, we could see a rise in tourism prices and a decline in the amount of visitors to Australia.

Global Goods

I love this picture because I believe it captures the very essence of globalization. The horse drawn carriage suggests to me the past, while the multi-billion dollar corporations behind it suggest change. In India, people have traveled by horse drawn carriage for many years. Still today, this is a major form of transportation in this country.   In 1996, McDonald's opened it's first restaurant in India and many other corporations have followed such as Pizza Hut and KFC (listed above). This picture brings the past and the present into view, ultimately proving Globalization is very much active today.

"It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity." -Kofi Annan