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Europe on the Brink: Geopolitical Tensions and Strategic Shifts
Orbán Warns of Impending War Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has issued a dire warning, comparing Europe’s current trajectory towards war to a “train with a mad driver.” He stressed the need to prevent the EU and NATO from expanding the conflict in Ukraine and urged voters to support peace-advocating parties in the upcoming European Parliament elections.China-Russia Alliance In a bold…
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#Biden administration#China alliance#Chinese Defense Ministry#economic sovereignty#EU strategy#Europe#financial diversification#geopolitical tensions#global justice#gold reserves#Hungarian government#Medvedev#military escalation#NATO#non-Western central banks#nuclear threat#Russia#Sanctions#strategic shifts#Ukraine battlefield#Ukraine conflict#US weapons#Viktor Orbán#war#Western volunteers
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Four surprises in the global race for green technologies
France is absent from the world podiums in the field of disruptive innovations likely to guarantee its economic sovereignty, according to a study by Fabrique de l'industrie[1]. All is not lost, however. Explanations.
At the time of the first progress report on the France 2030 program aimed at making up for the French industrial delay, the Fabrique de l'Industrie publishes a report[2] that serves as a warning. The conclusions that emerge from its examination of how disruptive technologies have emerged over the past decade are indeed bleak for France and the EU as a whole.
The United States and Asia in the lead
“We are immersed in the illusion that the EU is leading the way in the energy transition and the decarbonization of the economy. But the gap between the stated strategic ambition and the reality of the figures is striking,” underlines Vincent Charlet, general delegate of the ideas laboratory and co-author of the report of more than 70 pages.
An examination of twelve disruptive innovations, eight of which are directly linked to climate, reveals that it is the United States, Japan, South Korea and China that hold the upper hand. They are consistently among the four countries with the highest number of patents filed across all technologies examined.
Germany saves European honour
In agrofuels for aviation, quantum computers and messenger RNA[3], the United States alone holds more than half of the world's patents. Japan, China and South Korea are doing the same in hydrogen for transport, batteries for electric vehicles, photovoltaics and spintronics, even nanoelectronics “within a percentage point”, specifies the report.
There remain four areas where European countries occupy the top spot: offshore wind turbines, recycling of strategic metals, low-carbon steel and biological recycling of plastics. They are also in the leading quartet in eight out of twelve cases. But this is in six cases thanks to Germany alone.
Denmark, Finland and Sweden certainly stand out in offshore wind power and sustainable fuels for the aviation sector. But these two technologies are the lightest weights of the sample in the sense of the total number of patent filings granted. France for its part does not appear on any podium, moving from 5th to 9th place in the world.
The size of the country is not decisive
All is not lost as the authors of the report emphasize that it is not a question of size but of determination. They point to South Korea as proof: the undisputed leader in the twelve technologies studied, it is only twelfth in the world in terms of GDP and its economy is 1.6 times smaller than that of France.
In the eyes of the authors, the latest investment plan (PIE4)[4] outlines this determination by adopting a logic called “directed innovation” towards sectors and technologies deemed priority. Focusing on the criterion of rapid job creation would, however, threaten to result in sterile scattering, he warns.
The myth of the start-up nation
This plan must also be based on the right actors. The opportunity for the authors to twist the neck of the popular start-up nation concept. “The idea that start-ups play a decisive role in the emergence of disruptive innovations is undermined by the data: they rarely appear among the main patent applicants” and never in South Korea, Japan or in Germany, they warn.
On the other hand, they point to the preponderance of large companies, except in France where the large public research laboratories are leading, undoubtedly due to past deindustrialization. “When large companies give up, the ecosystem becomes fragile and start-ups are the first to suffer,” they conclude.
Source
Ninon Renaud, Quatre surprises dans la course mondiale aux technologies vertes, in: Les Echos,7-12-2023 ; https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/energie-environnement/quatre-revelations-sur-limpitoyable-course-mondiale-aux-technologies-vertes-2040016
[1] La Fabrique de l’industrie was created in October 2011 under an associative status under the 1901 law. Our board of directors brings together representatives of our financiers: the UIMM, France Industrie and the GIM. We also benefit from critical insights from the members of our orientation council: business leaders, representatives of trade unions and professional organizations, academic experts and media observers. They are the guarantors of the scientific quality, relevance and diversity of our work. https://www.la-fabrique.fr/fr/qui-sommes-nous/
[2] Sonia Bellit et Vincent Charlet : L’innovation de rupture, terrain de jeu exclusif des start-up ? L’industrie française face aux technologies-clés, Les Notes, 07/12/2023 ; https://www.la-fabrique.fr/fr/publication/linnovation-de-rupture-terrain-de-jeu-exclusif-des-start-up-lindustrie-francaise-face-aux-technologies-cles/
[3] In molecular biology, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is a single-stranded molecule of RNA that corresponds to the genetic sequence of a gene, and is read by a ribosome in the process of synthesizing a protein.
[4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/investment-plan/
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The morning’s farm activities include: milking the goats, carrying hay out to the horse, feeding the chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc. and collecting eggs, and tending the rabbits. Later on, gathering vegetables and flowers for market day, checking the fruit trees and associated beehives, tinkering with the tractor, preparing the baler for the last cutting of hay, etc., etc. All the familiar farm chores...only these are all being done in the heart of the City of Detroit, almost within sight of the smokestacks of the giant Ford complex. This farm is located on the converted playground of one of the city’s public schools, the Catherine Ferguson Academy (CFA).
And CFA is not the only farm in Detroit. By my count, there are now at least six micro-farms within the city limits ranging from about an acre to several acres. Even more important, there are now scores of productive community and school gardens, along with hundreds of family gardens, which are providing fresh fruits and vegetables for their neighborhoods and for sale at various farmers’ markets around town. And the urban farming movement is growing here faster each year, strengthening people with healthy produce, and re-energizing communities with shared planning, work, and celebration. It is becoming a movement of urban farmers worthy of linking up with the readers of Small Farmer’s Journal. But how did this movement come about?
Detroit, as everyone knows, was “The Motor City,” the auto capital of the world, home of the GM, Ford, and Chrysler. But in the mid-1970’s, the first of the oil crises hit Detroit like a tsunami. Plants downsized and closed, leaving tens of thousands of Detroiters out of work and neighborhoods devastated. People started leaving the city in droves. That exodus left broad swaths of open fields where vibrant neighborhoods stood a few years earlier. By some estimates there are now in total about 40 square miles of vacant land inside the city limits of Detroit. And as the people left, this new prairie land was rapidly repopulated by pheasants, rabbits, and raccoons, ’possums and songbirds, along with the occasional fox or coyote. But it also brought some determined new urban farmers. As a result, by the early 1990’s, the Detroit Agriculture Network (DAN) came into being to provide a forum for exchange of information, resources, seeds, etc., among these new farmers.
#detroit#small farm movement#food sovereignty#gardening#urban gardening#jon a miller#community building#practical anarchy#practical anarchism#anarchist society#practical#revolution#anarchism#daily posts#communism#anti capitalist#anti capitalism#late stage capitalism#organization#grassroots#grass roots#anarchists#libraries#leftism#social issues#economy#economics#climate change#climate crisis#climate
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Why we need Land Back
We should talk about current issues Indigenous people face.
In Canada at least there are many problems still happening.
Indigenous children are being ripped away from their loving families and put into foster care simply because the families are poor or the parents struggle with mental illness or something like that.
Women are being forcibly sterilized against their will.
Girls, women, and 2 spirit people are being kidnapped and sold into sex slavery and are also getting murdered and raped and their bodies are being thrown into the landfills.
The land that Indigenous communities need for their cultures and livelihoods is being destroyed by resource extraction companies that cut through the landscape and leave open wounds, that pollute the land, air, and water, and destroy the biodiversity and health of the ecosystems.
There is police brutality against Indigenous people, and people are killed by the police every day. There are hate crimes against Indigenous people.
Social services on reserves, including education, healthcare, utilities, housing, etc, are horrifically underfunded, and are funded much less well than the same social services off of reserves.
There’s discrimination in employment, in healthcare, in pretty much everything. And Indigenous people are kept in poverty and homelessness by the discriminatory society.
We need Land Back.
Land Back will allow Indigenous people to stop their land from being destroyed. Their cultures and livelihoods and mental health and spiritual health and well-being is so deeply tied to the land/nature. And actually, having them be able to effectively protect the land helps all of us because all humans are dependant upon the land even if we don’t realize it.
It will also allow Indigenous communities to force the government to stop discriminating against them by giving them worse social services. It will allow them to force the government to give them the same social services everyone else gets.
It will also allow them to force the government to stop taking their children. All children deserve to be with the families who love them and they should not be ripped away from their families, because this causes deep and devastating lifelong trauma.
It would allow Indigenous communities to stop rapists and traffickers and murderers from entering their communities. It will allow them to force rapists and traffickers and murderers out of their communities. And it will allow them to make sure every case of people getting raped or kidnapped or trafficked or killed is properly investigated and the victims are saved and the perpetrators get justice. Same with other hate crimes.
It will allow Indigenous people to have the power necessary to push back on police brutality and build better models of law enforcement, including community-ventured models.
Indigenous communities will also likely get a flow of money that they can use to lift their people out of poverty. They’ll have the power to stop healthcare discrimination and forcible sterilization. And they’ll have the power to force us to give justice to unethical healthcare professionals and to force systemic change in the healthcare system so that medical mistreatment doesn’t happen.
Indigenous people would also have the opportunity to do more outreach to settler communities and teach them about Indigenous culture and values and stuff, so that people learn to be less racist and discriminatory.
Land Back will help pretty much every marginalized community because stopping racism and discrimination for one race usually leads to there being decreased racism and discrimination for other races too.
Ultimately Land Back is about giving Indigenous people and communities the power to keep themselves and each other safe in a society that is actively against them. It is also about keeping the ecosystems that we all rely upon safe, and about stopping discrimination and racism.
Giving Indigenous people power to protect themselves and their communities isn’t going to prevent any other community from protecting themselves. It will create more equality and social justice for everyone in Canada.
I support Land Back. I’m a settler girl and I support Land Back, and you should too.
#climate crisis#leftism#left#left wing#leftist#social justice#economic justice#equal rights#equality#racism#racial justice#discrimination#prejudice#racial prejudice#stop prejudice#bipoc lives matter#BIPOC lives matter#indigenous lives matter#indigenous rights#indigenous sovereignty#canadian#canada#canadian politics#cdnpoli#land back#genocide#colonization#colonialism#systemic oppression#systemic inequality
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STOP HELPING UKRAINE!
The war between Russia and Ukraine has dragged on for over a year now, and the West, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, has poured billions into military aid, equipment, and financial assistance for Ukraine. The argument has been that Ukraine needs our support to defend itself against Russian aggression, which, in theory, could pose a broader threat to Europe and even global security. But is this endless funding truly in the best interest of our nations? I argue that it is not.
Unintended Consequences: Economic Strain on the West
Let’s start with the practical issue: the economic toll on our countries. We are facing significant domestic challenges – from economic recessions and rising inflation to unemployment and energy crises. Yet, despite these struggles, billions of taxpayer dollars and pounds continue to flow out to fund a conflict halfway across the world.
Consider the impact on everyday citizens. Energy prices have skyrocketed, in part because of sanctions on Russian oil and gas, but also due to our funding of this seemingly never-ending conflict. Instead of investing in infrastructure, healthcare, or education at home, we’re propping up a country that, quite frankly, needs to take responsibility for its own survival.
What’s Really at Stake?
While it's easy to frame this war as a moral crusade against tyranny, it’s far more complex than that. Ukraine is not a perfect democracy, and its issues with corruption are well-documented. Are we truly supporting a nation based on democratic ideals, or are we merely caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war with Russia? Either way, the continued funneling of funds is draining resources that could be better spent elsewhere.
Moreover, the West has already armed Ukraine to the teeth, providing advanced weaponry and training. The Ukrainian military is now well-equipped to hold its own. So why are we still providing an endless cash flow? At what point do we say, "Enough is enough"?
Ukraine's Responsibility to Defend Itself
At some point, we must allow Ukraine to stand on its own two feet. Nations throughout history have had to fend for themselves in times of crisis, and Ukraine should be no exception. This is their fight, after all. If they wish to preserve their sovereignty and independence, it’s their duty to do so.
One might argue that cutting off funding would be abandoning Ukraine to a Russian takeover. But that's an oversimplified view. Ukraine has proven its resilience time and time again. They have the will to fight; what they now need is the determination to do so without relying on endless Western support. The question isn't whether they can defend themselves – it's whether they will if left to their own devices.
Western Nations Need to Prioritize Their Own Citizens
The well-being of our own citizens should always be our primary concern. Our governments are elected to serve ourinterests, not to act as the world's police force or charity. With millions struggling to make ends meet, is it really fair to continue sending our hard-earned money to a foreign conflict?
We need to refocus on issues that matter at home: rebuilding our economies, strengthening national security, and addressing the energy crisis. Instead of being distracted by far-off wars, let’s direct our efforts toward solving our domestic problems.
The Risk of Prolonging the Conflict
Finally, there's the risk that by continuing to fund Ukraine, we are merely prolonging the conflict. If both sides know that Western money and weapons will keep flowing, where's the incentive for peace? By stepping back, we encourage diplomatic solutions rather than an endless military stalemate.
It’s time for the West to rethink its role in the Russia-Ukraine war. While supporting Ukraine was initially seen as a moral and strategic necessity, the continued funding is proving to be more of a burden than a benefit. Ukraine has the means to defend itself. Now it must find the resolve to do so independently. Our priorities should shift back to addressing the needs of our citizens, and it's high time we let Ukraine face Russia on its own terms.
After all, every nation must ultimately be responsible for its own survival.
#Ukraine War#Russia-Ukraine Conflict#Stop Funding Ukraine#Western Aid#Russia#Ukrainian Sovereignty#Economic Crisis#Military Aid#Foreign Policy#Self-Reliance#National Priorities#Energy Crisis#Taxpayer Money#Western Interests#Diplomacy vs War#Conservative Politics#Global Security#Geopolitics#Ukraine Defense#Western Economies#new blog#today on tumblr
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Kyle Mantyla at RWW:
Right-wing activists and members of Congress are currently spreading a conspiracy theory that the Biden administration is preparing to hand over American sovereignty to the World Health Organization. It’s not true, but among those sounding the alarm is Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers, a far-right pastor and unabashed Christian nationalist who literally wants to see this nation taken back to the 1600s. On Tuesday, Deevers joined other far-right activists like Frank Gaffney, John Bennett, and Paul Blair at a rally demanding that the Oklahoma legislature pass a bill that “would deny the WHO, WEF and UN any jurisdiction in Oklahoma.” In keeping with Deevers’ rabidly Christian nationalist approach to governing, the speech he delivered spent little time discussing the legislation so that he could focus primarily on making the case for theocracy.
Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers (R), a Christian nationalist fave, joined up with other far-right cranks on Tuesday night a rally against the nonexistent erosion of “health sovereignty” in support of SB426.
#Dusty Deevers#Christian Nationalism#Conspiracy Theories#Biden Administration#World Economic Forum#United Nations#WHO#World Health Organization#Frank Gaffney#Paul Blair#John Bennett#Oklahoma SB426#Health Sovereignty#WHO Pandemic Agreement#Pandemics
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I mean it's not just a tourist destination, though the problems that come from tourism are what's in the news the most and is their largest industry.
It's a military base. It's why we colonized Hawaii in the first place, among other current and former US colonies in the Pacific. The article acts like it was just for better access to trade (which that was part of it), but it was formally annexed during the Spanish-American War due to its strategic placement.
There's 14 military bases in Hawaii. Like 15% of the population of Hawaii is military, former military, or their families and it's the second largest industry in the state. Incredibly important to remember when talking about Hawaiian liberation.
I don't think it's a radical ideal for the want of Hawai'i to become their own independent country. It should have never been taken over by the US in the first place. For a country whose entire foundation is based upon "separation from a colonial country" it's laughable that they made an entire population that was self governed into a state. It's insulting. It's already blatantly obvious that this whole country was based on lies and blood, and it only continues to perpetuate that. I'm shocked that the Hawai'ian sovereignty movement isn't mainstream even though they have been fighting for it since 1997. Fuck the American government.
#like i think the original overthrow was likely around trade considering who did the coup (white planters and shit) but like it actually#becoming a us colony was bc of the war#also interesting that the article makes it sound like it got annexed bc cleveland said lol congress can do what it wants#when mckinely is the one who annexed again in part bc of the war#anyway! im not an expert in this topic and theres plenty of conflicting info online with numbers and such#but it was just wild to me people werent talking about the military angle on this post acting like it was just tourism#like its not!#hawaii#tourism obvi is a big issue probably even the bigger issue economically and with bulldozing like sacred places and shit#but if we wanna talk about how the government reacts to the hawaii sovereignty movement you have to consider the military#side of it
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Technological Competition: The New Cold War in AI Development
Introduction: The Global AI Race
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a technological advancement—it is a tool for geopolitical dominance. The race to lead in AI development has quickly become the new "Cold War" for technological superiority, with countries vying for global influence through innovation. India and China, two rising powers in the global AI race, are engaged in this competition, not just for technological advancement, but for broader geopolitical positioning. The winner of this race will hold significant leverage in global markets, cybersecurity, and military might, reshaping the international order.
India and China’s AI Race: Strategic Motivations and Differing Paths
China’s approach to AI development is aggressive and expansive, driven by its ambition to become the global leader in AI by 2030, as outlined in its "New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan" (2017). China sees AI as a key to enhancing its global competitiveness, strengthening its military, and asserting its dominance in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and national security. Its significant investments in AI infrastructure, research, and development underscore its commitment to becoming an AI superpower.
India, on the other hand, has taken a more measured approach, focusing on AI for social inclusion, economic growth, and democratic governance. India's AI strategy, outlined by NITI Aayog in 2018, emphasizes "AI for All," aiming to harness AI's potential to address societal challenges in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education. While India’s strategy focuses on leveraging AI for inclusive growth, its efforts to scale AI innovations to compete globally are still in their nascent stages.
The contrasting motivations behind India and China’s AI policies—China’s for global dominance and India’s for societal benefit—reflect their broader geopolitical aspirations. However, the divergence in their AI strategies also highlights the technological gap between the two nations, which has significant implications for global power dynamics.
AI and Economic Competitiveness
AI is poised to reshape the global economy by enhancing productivity, automating processes, and fostering innovation. China’s early adoption and massive investments have given it a significant edge in AI-driven economic competitiveness. Chinese companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu have integrated AI into various industries, creating a robust AI ecosystem that fuels their global expansion. China’s AI investments in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare have not only boosted its domestic economy but also positioned it as a critical player in global supply chains.
India, while progressing in AI research and development, faces challenges in scaling AI applications across industries. Although India has a growing start-up ecosystem and a strong IT sector, it lacks the infrastructural investments and comprehensive AI strategies seen in China. Nevertheless, India's potential to become an AI hub for the developing world cannot be overlooked. The Indian government’s focus on creating AI solutions for its vast and diverse population provides a unique model of AI deployment, one that prioritizes inclusivity and social welfare over sheer economic dominance.
Global Influence and Geopolitical Consequences
The AI race between India and China extends beyond economic competition; it is also about gaining geopolitical influence. China's AI strategy is intrinsically linked to its geopolitical ambitions. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its growing investments in AI research, China is exporting its AI technologies to developing countries, influencing the global AI standards and creating dependencies on Chinese technology. This raises concerns about digital sovereignty and the spread of authoritarian AI governance models, particularly in surveillance and data control, which China uses to maintain its own domestic security.
India, on the other hand, is positioning itself as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence. By advocating for responsible AI development, India promotes a more ethical and democratic approach to AI governance. India’s participation in international forums, such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), signals its intent to influence global AI standards while safeguarding democratic values.
However, to truly challenge China’s dominance, India must increase its investment in AI infrastructure, foster international collaborations, and scale up its AI research efforts. The challenge for India is to compete with China while adhering to its principles of transparency, data privacy, and ethical AI development.
The New Cold War: AI and Future Power Dynamics
As AI becomes the backbone of economic and military power, the competition between India and China will shape the future balance of power in Asia and beyond. China’s rapid progress in autonomous systems, AI-driven cybersecurity, and military applications presents a formidable challenge to India’s national security and sovereignty. India’s response must involve not only bolstering its AI capabilities but also forming strategic alliances with like-minded countries to resist China’s growing influence in AI governance and technology standards.
Conclusion
The AI race between India and China is more than just a competition for technological superiority—it is a battle for global influence and economic power. China’s aggressive push for AI dominance threatens to reshape the global order, while India’s democratic and inclusive AI model offers an alternative path. However, the technological gap between the two nations poses a significant challenge for India. As the new Cold War of AI intensifies, India must accelerate its AI investments and forge international collaborations to protect its interests and promote a more responsible and ethical AI-driven future.
#AI competition#New Cold War#AI race#India China rivalry#Global AI dominance#AI and geopolitics#Technological competition#AI for global power#China AI strategy#India AI strategy#AI in economics#AI and national security#Belt and Road Initiative#Responsible AI#AI for social good#Geopolitical influence#AI infrastructure#AI standards#Digital sovereignty#AI and global governance
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The Global Monetary Landscape: BRICS Nations Set to Challenge the Dominance of the Dollar
The global monetary landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. The American dollar, which has been the world’s dominant reserve currency for decades, is facing challenges from emerging economies. As geopolitical tensions rise and the U.S. implements aggressive economic policies, the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are working to reshape global finance. A…
#blockchain#BRICS Bridge#BRICS currency#BRICSCurrencyChallenge#BRICSEconomicRise#BRICSEconomies#BRICSvsDollar#DollarDominance#economic policies#economic power#EconomicPowerShift#financial sovereignty#FutureOfGlobalFinance#geopolitical tensions#global finance#global markets#GlobalCurrencyWar#GlobalMonetaryShift#MonetaryPolicy#U.S. dollar
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It doesn't have to be this way
#Larouche#Oasis Plan#economic development#physical economy#win-win#golden rule#Israel#Gaza#decolonization#sovereignty#multipolarity
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Europe on the Brink: Geopolitical Tensions and Strategic Shifts
Orbán Warns of Impending War Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has issued a dire warning, comparing Europe’s current trajectory towards war to a “train with a mad driver.” He stressed the need to prevent the EU and NATO from expanding the conflict in Ukraine and urged voters to support peace-advocating parties in the upcoming European Parliament elections.China-Russia Alliance In a bold…
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#Biden administration#China alliance#Chinese Defense Ministry#economic sovereignty#EU strategy#Europe#financial diversification#geopolitical tensions#global justice#gold reserves#Hungarian government#Medvedev#military escalation#NATO#non-Western central banks#nuclear threat#Russia#Sanctions#strategic shifts#Ukraine battlefield#Ukraine conflict#US weapons#Viktor Orbán#war#Western volunteers
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Feeding Soul, Freeing Soil
“...all of us will come back again to hoe in the ground... Or hand-adze a beam, or skin a pole, or scrape a hive — we’re never going to get away from that We’ve been living a dream that we’re going to get away from that. Put that out of our minds... That work is always going to be there.” — Gary Snyder, in The Real Work: Interviews and Talks, 1964–1979
In the pre-industrial world, food was the basis of human life. If not deserving of outright ceremonial worship, then certainty food was not something just taken for granted. Sure, this was probably out of pure necessity of survival, and due to technologies in our culture we have more of a margin of error. But I have to wonder when I consider the mindlessness with which so many of us purchase, prepare, consume, and dispose of food, if the “privileges” of convenience and effortlessness are really worth the consequences. On psychological and spiritual levels, the disconnect between our daily lives and the source of our very existence — the raw material that fuels our bodies and minds — has an effect that is both profoundly symbolic, and frighteningly real.
Most of us would agree that food is a catalyst for family and community bonds. Without it, the very fabric of our cultures comes unraveled And we can see that happening today. We have no time to cook, and even less time to eat. Our culture’s fixation on efficiency and timesaving makes it impossible for us to appreciate what goes into producing it. In our ignorance, we demand produce that is not seasonal or bioregional, the transportation of which fills 4 million trucks a year, which use $5.5 billion worth of fuel, and spew 4 million tons of pollutants into the air. The average distance food travels from farm to fork is 1300 miles! (Rodale, 1981) We demand certain tastes at a snap of the fingers, even if it means transporting a spice thousands of miles, or using large amounts of oils pressed from genetically engineered seeds half a world away. We demand to be able to cook rice in ten minutes, which requires industrial processing that removes all the nutrients from the grain. Most meat-eaters in modern society don’t ever see the animal until it ends up packaged and in the grocery store. All these “conveniences” reinforce a dangerous sense of detachment and alienation.
One of the most revealing metaphors relating to modern society’s culinary dysfunction is in our dependence on processed foods. People would be more whole eating whole foods, not fragmented and refined commodities with isolated nutrients added back in. Food in its natural state evolved alongside human beings, and when obtained directly, it provides us with all we need. Food processing is an unnecessary obstacle to nutrition that benefits the long line of manufacturers, packagers and advertizers who take 90% of every food dollar, mediating our physical sustenance.
Lack of vitality is a major component of malnutrition from modern food sources. Grown in depleted soils with chemical fertilizers to mimic fertility, the plants become dependent on the chemicals to survive. Similarly, when we eat a lifetime of nutrient- depleted food our bodies become dependent on pharmaceuticals. Just like in the forest, agricultural soil health can be seen as an indicator of the health of the entire system, of which we are a part. If the soil is depleted of nutrients, so is the food that grows in it, and so are those who eat it.
#food sovereignty#gardening#small farms#solarpunk#small farm movement#community building#practical anarchy#practical anarchism#anarchist society#practical#revolution#anarchism#daily posts#communism#anti capitalist#anti capitalism#late stage capitalism#organization#grassroots#grass roots#anarchists#libraries#leftism#social issues#economy#economics#climate change#climate crisis#climate#ecology
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French Revolution Constitution
The French Revolution resulted in several significant constitutional changes, marking the transition from the Ancien Régime to a series of revolutionary governments. Here is a brief overview of the constitutions developed during the French Revolution:
1. The Constitution of 1791
The first constitution of France, adopted on September 3, 1791, established a constitutional monarchy.
Key Features:
Limited Monarchy: King Louis XVI retained the throne but his powers were considerably reduced.
Separation of Powers: The government was divided into three branches: the executive (the King), the legislative (the Legislative Assembly), and the judiciary.
Legislative Assembly: A single-chamber assembly with 745 members elected for two-year terms.
Voting Rights: Limited to "active citizens" who paid a certain amount of taxes, thus excluding a significant portion of the population.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: Incorporated into the preamble, asserting fundamental rights and freedoms.
2. The Constitution of 1793 (Year I)
Adopted on June 24, 1793, but never implemented due to the ongoing war and internal strife, this constitution was more radical and democratic.
Key Features:
Republican Government: Abolished the monarchy and established a French Republic.
Universal Male Suffrage: All male citizens aged 21 and over could vote.
Direct Democracy: Frequent referendums and primary assemblies where citizens could propose and vote on laws.
Rights and Welfare: Strong emphasis on social and economic rights, including the right to work and education.
3. The Constitution of 1795 (Year III)
Implemented on August 22, 1795, this constitution established the Directory, marking a shift to more conservative governance.
Key Features:
Bicameral Legislature: Consisting of the Council of Five Hundred and the Council of Ancients.
Directory: A five-member executive body chosen by the legislature.
Limited Suffrage: Voting rights were restricted to property-owning men, reversing the universal male suffrage of 1793.
Stability Measures: Designed to prevent the rise of another dictatorial power and address the chaos of the previous years.
The Constitution of 1791 (Excerpt Translation)
Here is an excerpt translation from the Constitution of 1791, focusing on key articles that outline the new political structure:
Preamble: The National Assembly, wishing to establish the French Constitution on the principles it has just recognized and declared, abolishes irrevocably the institutions which were harmful to liberty and the equality of rights.
Title III - Public Powers:
Article 1: The sovereignty is one, indivisible, inalienable, and imprescriptible. It belongs to the nation; no section of the people nor any individual may attribute to themselves the exercise thereof.
Article 2: The nation, from which alone emanates all powers, can exercise these powers only by delegation. The French Constitution is representative; the representatives are the Legislative Body and the King.
Article 3: The legislative power is delegated to a National Assembly composed of temporary representatives freely elected by the people to serve for a given period.
Article 4: The government is monarchical; the executive power is delegated to the King, to be exercised under his authority by ministers and other responsible agents, in the manner and to the extent determined by the legislative power.
These documents reflect the evolving political philosophies and tumultuous changes during the French Revolution, capturing the struggle between democratic ideals and practical governance.
#French Revolution#Constitution of 1791#Constitutional Monarchy#Legislative Assembly#Universal Suffrage#Rights of Man#French Republic#Declaration of Rights#Directory Government#Ancien Régime#Political Reform#Enlightenment Ideals#National Sovereignty#Republicanism#Direct Democracy#Social Rights#Economic Rights#Separation of Powers#Revolutionary France#Democratic Transition#today on tumblr#new blog
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Exposing The Hidden Truth: How The West Flourishes Through Exploitation of Non-Western Resources And Labor
Unlocking the Hidden Truth: West’s Economy Thrives on Non-Western Resources and Sweat Introduction In today’s globalized world, the economic might of Western nations often gives the impression of self-sufficiency and prosperity. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the historically rooted exploitation of non-Western countries’ resources and labor to fuel Western economic development. From the…
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#Africa#African Countries#African Sovereignty#Africans#Burkina Faso#Niger#Non-Western Resources#Non-Western Resources and Labor#Slave#Slavery#Slaves#West Economic Developments#West Flourishes Through Exploitation#Western Colonialism#Western Countries
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High-priority infrastructure projects to be financed by Maharlika Investment Fund
Just days after signing into law the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., stressed during his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the new law will finance the high-priority infrastructure projects of the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news…
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#Bongbong Marcos#business#Carlo Carrasco#economic dynamism#economic growth#economic recovery#economics#economy#Ferdinand Marcos#finance#infrastructure#investing#investments#jobs#Maharlika Investment Fund#Marcos#money#national sovereignty#news#Philippine News Agency (PNA)#Philippines#Philippines blog#PNA.gov.ph#President Marcos#sovereign wealth fund#State of the Nation Address (SONA)#WordPress#WordPress.com
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We did it for COVID. We did it for the Great Recession." Why can't we do it all the time?
We did it with the “Economic Stimulus Act 2008. The federal government simply sent people money. Generally, low and middle-income taxpayers received up to $300 per person or $600 per couple. The purpose was to stimulate economic growth and to cure the recession. It worked: As federal deficits (blue) declined, we fell into a deep recession, cured only by a robust increase in federal deficit…
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#debt ceiling#Economic Stimulus Act 2008#employment based healthcare insurance#healthcare insurance#medicare for all#monetary sovereignty#social security for all
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