Travel, Food, History and Life around Victoria BC, Canada.
Thursday, 2 November 2017
Hornby - Beach at Campsite - Part 1
The beach views at our campsite on Hornby never fail to relax my wife and I. Enjoy part 1.
The camp administrator's cat, enjoying the adventure of the beach.
View of our camp area from the beach.
Hornby - Campsite
Every year we try to camp on Hornby Island over the Labour day weekend (yes I know these posts are late). It is a way to get away to nature, peace, and tranquility.
We camp in a little cooperative facing Vancouver Island and South to the straights. Each camping area has a shelter like the one we booked, below. As you can see it has lots of shelves for storage, walls to keep out the wind, and with a tarp you can have shelter above from the sun and rain.
Here is the shelter all set up!
Of course you can't have camping without a good tent...ok you can but it is a little cold.
Having a spot by the beach means great views and calming sounds of the surf, birds, and sea lions.
We camp in a little cooperative facing Vancouver Island and South to the straights. Each camping area has a shelter like the one we booked, below. As you can see it has lots of shelves for storage, walls to keep out the wind, and with a tarp you can have shelter above from the sun and rain.
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Wisdom Without Zealotry - Chauvinism or Ultra-Nationalism
"There is a fuzzy but real distinction that can and I believe should be made, between patriotism, which is attachment to a way of life, and nationalism, which is the insistence that your way of life deserves to rule over other ways of life." Todd Gitlin
Due to recent ultra-nationalism, especially in the United States, I was agog as to why people were thinking the way they are. In particular, the protest by NFL players against racism, and unequal treatment due to race, in the United States. The action of taking a knee or linking arms is emotionally considered by some as a spit in the eye for the flag, country, veterans, military, president, government...fill in the blank. These offended persons also feel personally attacked by the NFL players, and demand action and justice.
I was researching a good word to describe the "offense" being taken by persons on the news and online. That is when I discovered the actual definition of the word "chauvinism" and please keep the below in mind during the rest of this post. The definition is:
1. Exaggerated or aggressive nationalism or,
2. Excessive patriotism or prejudiced loyalty or support for one's own group, cause, or gender.
Other words used to describe chauvinism are jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, sectarianism, flag-waiving, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, partisanship, bias, discrimination, bigotry, and sexism.
Back to the example of the NFL. Firstly, these "victims" fail to consider the NFL players are protected under the United States first amendment:
Secondly, they also do not consider why the NFL players are on the field during the United States anthem either, which only started in 2009 for primetime games but it existed for non-primetime games for decades before this. For primetime games, players used to do as they wished: in the locker rooms getting ready, receiving last minute tactics, getting pep talks...etc. There was no protests for not standing or being on the field for the anthem during primetime games before 2009. During 2009, the NFL received funds from the department of defense and at the same time the NFL told teams the players had to be on the field during the anthem during primetime games. A coincidence perhaps, but it does make it seem the teams and the NFL were paid to be patriotic, a foul thing.
Thirdly, some of the "victims" then say that the NFL players are employees, have to do what their bosses say, and should be told to stand for the National Anthem as good employees. In the public rulebook of the NFL, it says "should" not "shall" for the national anthem. Therefore this stance by the "victims" is otherwise known as the "do what I say and shut up" method of discourse by the "offended" because further thought from the "offended" would lead one to conclude that if the NFL or employees were told to stand, they could successfully sue using the first amendment as a defense.
Discourse is not what these "victims" want, as the quote alluded to at the beginning. They want "my country, right or wrong" mentality. Forcing others to be the people you want them to be is not democracy, and thinking you can is another form of zealotry. Be mindful of it. Confront it. Dispel it.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/sep/25/short-history-national-anthem-and-sports/
http://time.com/4955704/nfl-league-rulebook-a62-63-national-anthem-rule/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauvinism
Due to recent ultra-nationalism, especially in the United States, I was agog as to why people were thinking the way they are. In particular, the protest by NFL players against racism, and unequal treatment due to race, in the United States. The action of taking a knee or linking arms is emotionally considered by some as a spit in the eye for the flag, country, veterans, military, president, government...fill in the blank. These offended persons also feel personally attacked by the NFL players, and demand action and justice.
I was researching a good word to describe the "offense" being taken by persons on the news and online. That is when I discovered the actual definition of the word "chauvinism" and please keep the below in mind during the rest of this post. The definition is:
1. Exaggerated or aggressive nationalism or,
2. Excessive patriotism or prejudiced loyalty or support for one's own group, cause, or gender.
Other words used to describe chauvinism are jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, sectarianism, flag-waiving, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, partisanship, bias, discrimination, bigotry, and sexism.
Back to the example of the NFL. Firstly, these "victims" fail to consider the NFL players are protected under the United States first amendment:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Secondly, they also do not consider why the NFL players are on the field during the United States anthem either, which only started in 2009 for primetime games but it existed for non-primetime games for decades before this. For primetime games, players used to do as they wished: in the locker rooms getting ready, receiving last minute tactics, getting pep talks...etc. There was no protests for not standing or being on the field for the anthem during primetime games before 2009. During 2009, the NFL received funds from the department of defense and at the same time the NFL told teams the players had to be on the field during the anthem during primetime games. A coincidence perhaps, but it does make it seem the teams and the NFL were paid to be patriotic, a foul thing.
Thirdly, some of the "victims" then say that the NFL players are employees, have to do what their bosses say, and should be told to stand for the National Anthem as good employees. In the public rulebook of the NFL, it says "should" not "shall" for the national anthem. Therefore this stance by the "victims" is otherwise known as the "do what I say and shut up" method of discourse by the "offended" because further thought from the "offended" would lead one to conclude that if the NFL or employees were told to stand, they could successfully sue using the first amendment as a defense.
Discourse is not what these "victims" want, as the quote alluded to at the beginning. They want "my country, right or wrong" mentality. Forcing others to be the people you want them to be is not democracy, and thinking you can is another form of zealotry. Be mindful of it. Confront it. Dispel it.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/sep/25/short-history-national-anthem-and-sports/
http://time.com/4955704/nfl-league-rulebook-a62-63-national-anthem-rule/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauvinism
Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Postcard of the Interwebs - 18 October 2017
Bacteria Eating Cancer Drugs: Apparently there exists bacteria that feed off of some cancer fighting drugs. Analysis of a person to determine if they have this bacteria could lead to providing antibiotics to help the healing.
Hyperloop from Montreal to Toronto in 39 minutes!: 640 kilometers in 39 minutes while surrounded by vacuum? Sign me up!
Sunlight to Make CO2 Into Fuel: Berkley labs has been able to use photosynthesis to make ethanol and ethylene. Another way to help the planet!
Babies Try Harder when they see Adults Try Harder: Apparently if children, as information absorbing organisms, see a person do something with ease they get frustrated if they cannot do the same. Yet if they see an adult struggling and then succeed they are more willing to continue trying. Even more impetus for us to learn how to do new things with our children.
Quantum Computing Development: The University of Tokyo has developed a new way to conduct quantum computing by utilizing a light loop system. They just need to come up with a way to correct errors.
Life Started because of Collapsing Bubbles: Apparently the conditions inside bubbles, extreme temperatures and pressure, could have been just the right push for microorganisms to start chemical reactions and then multi-cellular life.
Magic Mushrooms help Depression: Another study that indicates the psilocybin in magic mushrooms help those who suffer from depression by "rebooting" the brain...for weeks after one dose.
Hyperloop from Montreal to Toronto in 39 minutes!: 640 kilometers in 39 minutes while surrounded by vacuum? Sign me up!
Sunlight to Make CO2 Into Fuel: Berkley labs has been able to use photosynthesis to make ethanol and ethylene. Another way to help the planet!
Babies Try Harder when they see Adults Try Harder: Apparently if children, as information absorbing organisms, see a person do something with ease they get frustrated if they cannot do the same. Yet if they see an adult struggling and then succeed they are more willing to continue trying. Even more impetus for us to learn how to do new things with our children.
Quantum Computing Development: The University of Tokyo has developed a new way to conduct quantum computing by utilizing a light loop system. They just need to come up with a way to correct errors.
Life Started because of Collapsing Bubbles: Apparently the conditions inside bubbles, extreme temperatures and pressure, could have been just the right push for microorganisms to start chemical reactions and then multi-cellular life.
Magic Mushrooms help Depression: Another study that indicates the psilocybin in magic mushrooms help those who suffer from depression by "rebooting" the brain...for weeks after one dose.
Monday, 16 October 2017
Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
I have not read many of the Victorian era novels let alone a sensationalist one. I will applaud "The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins for not only is it one of the first mystery novels but also one of the first sensation ones.
I will also give applause for the superb pacing and engagement of the writer with the audience. Several parts of the book are way too teary and some of the characters reactions are frustrating but it is a novel that has stood the test of time with its strengths, in spite of these minor flaws.
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