fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Authority
By: Oppal Amati
Tags: Power, Life, Respect, Authority

To be an authority is to command respect. That’s fine, I guess. To be an authority is to be in control of the narrative. Makes sense, considering that they added three little letters to the end of author.

See, I’ve been raised to respect those who are older than me because if life was like a video game, they would have more XP than me. Every time I decided that I wanted to make a change, to defy the plan they’ve decided for me, the authority figures in my life would dissuade me. “Heed my words, child. Don’t think you know more about the world than I do!”

But authority, the world has changed so much since you were my age. And I’ll save you, dear readers, the pity story of what it’s like to be a college student during the era of technology or to study when you don’t know who’ll be the next to succumb to a deadly virus. Life is so weird and I’m ready to have an adventure of my own: to drive across state lines in the wee hours of the morning with acquaintances, to write a story so insane and weird that would perfectly explain my feelings on life, or to just drop everything, cash out my life savings and start anew in a different country.

Ha! What a crazy story that would be! But that could never be me. I will say, however, that I belong to the Gryffindor House in the Harry Potter World, and one of the traits is courage, you know like a lion. I have done some courageous shit that did allow me to earn the respect of the higher ups on the XP scale. I’ve also done some embarrassing shit that make me never want to show my face ever again. Regardless, the authority pats me on the back and says “Huh, what a great trait to have!”

Yup! A great trait to have indeed! But through writing this, my slightly disturbed mind asks the question: if courage is a trait that will earn me some respect with the higher ups, then what’s stopping me from cussing the current authority to the wind and packing up? Couldn’t I stage a hypothetical coup d’etat and take control of the life I so desperately want to live? Or will I think that I’ve taken control but subconsciously imitate the authority before me? How will all that power affect who I am?*

*(let me know what you think)
The Power of Introverts
By: Arturo Perozo
Tags: Work Life Balance, Work, Power, Productivity, Introvert

“There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas”

Photo courtesy of inc.com

Many believe that the people who speak the most, are often the ones with the best ideas, the truth is that it is completely the other way around.

In fact, according to Susan Cain, who wrote the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” agrees with me.

Photo courtesy of ted.com

“There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas” says in one of her TED talks.

In earlier times, success was associated with an outgoing personality, the more a person attracted attention, the better. The better social and communication skills they had, the more likely they were to be successful in all areas of their life. The extroverts simply had the “upper hand” in every aspect.

Introversion was considered a weakness, it was judged in some cases as a disease and as a disease that it apparently was, people would have to go to therapy and take medicines to cure themselves.

But now, in this era of overexposure and hyper-consumerism, it is completely different, everyone is trying to win the most valuable asset, that asset does not come in metallic form, that valuable asset is called “attention”. The most precious asset of the 21st century.

And what happens when everyone tries to win something?

That in the end nobody succeeds.

That’s where the true power of introverts comes in, “inaction” has become the best way to act in today’s society. While everyone talks, introverts think, while most act, introverts conceptualize a plan and when everyone has finished acting, there and only then, introverts execute.

Now the roles have been reversed, introversion is not seen as a weakness, but as a “superpower”. Many of the great ideas of today have been the product of the minds of people that which in earlier times would not be paid attention or would be overshadowed by someone more outgoing (I would say noisy actually).

As Susan Cain herself says:
PC Restart VS Shutdown — So what’s the difference?
By: Vakrio Technologies
Tags: Windows, Power, PC, Electronics, Computers

When you restart a PC, it does not shut down completely.

Before going into technical details let’s use a metaphor for a chef to understand better. Shutting down completely would be like if the chef cleaned up and went home. Holding the power button down to shut down faster would be like if the chef didn’t clean up and just left a mess and went home.

Restarting the computer is telling the chef to clean up everything and then set everything back up without him leaving the building. So, it’s not totally “shut off” in that sense because the chef is still there to set things back up, and he knew that was the plan in advance!

There is additional story on software side of things.

For shutdown, Windows, for example, uses hibernation (save to disk) for a lot of kernel code instead of tearing it down, to speed-up next startup.

But for restart Windows makes complete tear-down and rebuild of all kernel structures, because you usually request restart for updates and configurations, it’s not a part of normal operation.

Restart and shutdown are different and there are separate power level commands implemented by each. When restarting your computer doesn’t shut down first.

When the computer is shutdown, the OS will send a shutdown command to the BIOS using the appropriate driver, the BIOS will then send a command to attached devices to place them in a safe working mode, hard drives will park their read write heads to avoid damage.

Once the devices report ready and everything is made safe the BIOS will send a signal to the power supply to terminate power to most attached devices and enter standby power mode. Even when shutdown ATX and above will maintain a standby power to the motherboard when plugged in. This allows external devices to power on the machine.

Flicking the switch or removing the power cord will remove all power but the power supply itself remains charged with residual current so never open it up.

During a restart devices such as the hard drive will not park and will continue to be active, certain POST operations may be skipped.

There is a special ATX power signal used to move from standby to full power. The cases switch is wired into a molex connector onto the motherboard, when you press the switch it operates the pins that generate this power signal.
Just Start your Goal!
By: Hafiza Fatima Asad
Tags: Power, Achievement, Goal Setting, Allah, Inspiration

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”

― Mark Twain

We human beings get excited about making goals. But least we know that the real strength lies in accomplishing them. No doubt, we all take a start in our life at some point, either after watching an inspirational video or just listening to someone else’s story. But still, we end up being a failure. Why? (This Why is very crucial.) Because we were using the wrong approach. Our goals might not be SMART.

SMART means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Now, I hope that next time you make a goal, you will make it SMART by keeping in mind the terms mentioned above.

“The beginning is always NOW.”

― Roy Bennett

Now, we shall discuss the main topic. What is meant by Just Start the Goal? It means we need to push ourselves to accomplish our goals. We need to accept the fact that we need to change our bad habits. Stop blaming the situation or timing to get rid of your echoing conscience. When your goals are SMART, you enjoy working on them. Because you have already set a time limit, and hardly you go astray from your path. You realize that you don’t need to work on your goal 24/7. You do not need to be bound in your home. In fact, you can actually watch a movie, enjoy a party, go outside: have fun and sleep as well.

Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it. -Eileen Caddy

Enough with advising and come to the experiment!

I also made a SMART goal just today (SMART goals can split up into mini-goals). It says, “I want to be more self-disciplinary and focused.” To accomplish this goal, I need to follow 3Cs, i.e., Confidence, Conviction, and Consistency. I am working on my consistency because I am terrible at it. I hardly end things that I begin. So, I decided to make a start by offering prayers five times a day. It’s been a long time since I become punctual in my prayers. My connection with my Allah s.w.t has also become very weak. And I feel this is the reason why I sometimes feel an emptiness in me.

Lord says, “I am near; I accept the prayers of those who pray.”

Along with my prayers, I will recite five ayahs of the Qur’an daily and seek his forgiveness by doing Dhikr. For this purpose, I have downloaded a PDF book of Daily Adhkar by Ummah Welfare Trust and Athan application to check on my daily prayer routine.

Moreover, I will set my alarm for Tahajud prayer daily. And push myself to the point where this Nafl ibadah becomes my habit and an essential part of my life.

I believe that one should work hard to build a strong connection with Allah s.w.t. For, in the end, we shall return to Him. We should live a life of immersion. We should work on ourselves for a better cause. We all know that the world we live in is temporary, but only a few of us eventually realize it. And I hope that one day all of us will know the reason behind the creation of this world.

I have already started my journey. When will you?
Rubaba Iffat Archi- The Powerhouse of Talent!
By: Zaqa Zeeshan Saif
Tags: Power, Talent, Nsu, Dance

Presenting Rubaba Iffat Archi, an 8th-semester student of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at North South University. And this is her story!

Usually, the earliest memory of a person dates back to some good quality time with their family. For me, it is on the dance floor running around and on the regional radio centre, reciting. Even before starting my journey of school, I began reciting poems and attending dance classes since my parents wanted me to grow up being connected to the cultural roots of our country. And from what I have heard from them, those classes used to put a massive smile on my face, and I loved them since day one. For a long time, I used to treat my education as an extracurricular activity because I dived so deep into my passion. Dancing and reciting had always been my escape from the real world. I always tell everyone that ‘You haven’t seen all of Rubaba until you have seen her perform’. It had been a long journey of around 20 years with dance and recitation by my side. The love blossomed under the encouragement of my parents, who had always been very supportive of my passion till this day. My dad even told me not to pursue engineering so that I can focus on my passion even better- now that I entered another stage of shaping myself to a better human being. I had been with dance and recitation since I was three years old. The dedication and hours I put in practice can sometimes feel hectic, but the end rewards are the ones that make every trouble worthwhile. And what are the rewards you might be thinking? It is the peace that comes from within when I perform; it is the smile on the faces of others when my performance brings them joy, it is the national and international recognitions that I have bagged since I entered the competitions. Dance and recitation is an inevitable part of me that I have nurtured with so much of love and care. Each and every form of art brings the peace of mind and gives solace to the soul. You can find an escape from the earthly puzzles very easily with the help of art. Each and every person has an artist within them; be in dancer, musician, painter and so on. And it is never too late to find the artist within you!!

NSU Talks wishes her luck with all her future competitions.
GROUND POWER GENERATOR
By: Alex Sebitama
Tags: Power, Power Supply, Ground Power Generator, Electricity, Bills

This news is spreading like wild fire and it is taking the energy world by storm.

Maybe for the first time in the history, the little man takes revenge on big energy corporations, and spit in their face by selling back to the grid a “somehow-free” energy that he’s harvesting from the backyard without using any solar panels.

(Note — this article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase anything after clicking an affiliate link, i may receive some compensation)

What is Ground Power Generator System?

Ground Power Generator System is a step-by-step video program that assists with building a Ground Power Generator to receive an instant supply of power.

With each passing year, the rate at which electricity is being sold across the Northern Hemisphere (especially across North America and Europe) is rising rapidly. Furthermore, due to the widespread financial destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people worldwide have reported experiencing economic distress caused by their rising power bills.

Ground Power Generator System Review

High energy costs and frequent power supply demand tend people to prefer for an alternative source of power. The source that we depend may help you to support powering your house but it might lead you to spend on many other costs like maintenance, fuel, hardware parts and noisy environment. Variety of energy source-based generators could help you in certain case only. So, to overcome this hectic case here is the review about Ground Power Generator System that will help in constant power supply.

That being said, over the past decade, several researchers have found that there currently exist several novel ways through which people can not only save money on their monthly/annual electricity bills but even produce surplus power, which they can then sell back to their local governments, thus making a sizeable profit in the process.

In its most basic sense, the Ground Power Generator can be thought of as a device that provides users with some novel ways through which they can not only save anywhere between 50%-75% on their monthly power bills but also avoid having to install various natural power harvesting units such as solar panels (that can sometimes cost more than $20,000) with a system they called, “set and forget.”

You can save up to 75% of money.

You can minimize spending on the electricity bills.

You can power up various appliances.

You can enjoy electricity in wilderness.

You can have power back up while your neighbours suffer with power shut down.

It can be assembled by anyone, anytime and anywhere.

Lastly, The Ground Power Generator is a digital blueprint guide, and the images are for visualization only; and the manufacturer claims that by making use of the techniques outlined in the Ground Power Generator system — such as ‘power scaling’ — users may even be able to eliminate their monthly power costs (thereby enabling them to accumulate wealth as well as other monetary assets)
I really didn’t care for the Hulu Christmas movie A Merry Liddell Christmas Wedding; this is not a…
By: Toni Crowe
Tags: Review, Power, Black Women, Weddings, Christmas

I really didn’t care for the Hulu Christmas movie A Merry Liddell Christmas Wedding; this is not a review; it is a rant. I enjoyed the previous 2019 Christmas movie about the Liddell family. The 2020 version rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t like the family’s portrayal as meddling busybodies that didn’t care for anything except their own Christmas traditions. I didn’t like the kids’ definition as little bastards who did whatever they wanted with minimum consequences. Everyone was out for themself: making unthinking and stupid mistakes. And while the producers thought it might be cute, my head spun as they drop kicked the planning for a dream wedding to have a “spontaneous” wedding…which had our heroine turn into a mush mouse for a man. Ugly. My Christmas spirit wasn’t uplifted, it was stomped unconscious. Avoid this film. No more sequels, please.
Good read.
Tags: Power, Philosophy, Strategy, Psychology

Good read. Power structures are pivotal in any society. Best believe the power you fail to acquire, will most likely be used against you.

In light of this, it isn’t a factor of “if you want to play the power game”, it is more of “if you want to lose the game without playing”.
The Secret to Lasting Power and Happiness
By: Stanley Macharia
Tags: Power, Happiness, Philosophy, Consciousness, Psychology

The Secret to Lasting Power and Happiness

Happiness is a feeling of deep satisfaction with yourself and your life in general. This satisfaction comes from having power over otherwise difficult situations. Powerlessness brings unhappiness.

Although it's impractical to have power over every challenge reducing overwhelming situations is empowering. This is where your power lies since it's something you can work on.

Firstly, identify the areas in your life that make you feel powerless. If you examine these areas you'll see that they are your greatest source of fear, anxiety and unhappiness.

Secondly arrange these struggles in the order of importance. Start with those areas that would make the biggest difference in your life.

Lastly, decide what needs to be done and start immediately especially those tasks that don't depend on others. Start with what you have. It helps to break down the tasks into small manageable tasks. Celebrate every little success.

Commit to a life of constantly empowering yourself in everything that you do and take charge of your ever increasing happiness. No one can take this power from you, but also don't do anything that takes away your power and happiness.
Easy power profiling with Nordic Semiconductor’s Power Profiler Kit II (PPK2) and Python
By: Institute Irnas
Tags: Power, Analysis, Nordic Semiconductor, Python

Power consumption optimization is at the heart of IRNAS’ development of advanced applied IoT solutions. As such, we are always working actively to optimize our workflows and automate testing with continuous integration. Following our guiding principles and the active development of solutions, based on Nordic Semiconductor products, we were very excited to learn about the newly introduced Power Profiler Kit II (PPK2).

This new generation of a very useful tool enables our developers to have a power consumption analysis tool handy at all times. While the graphical interface through nRF Connect application is very nice, we also like to use equipment in fully automated workflows. Given the source of the beforementioned application is public, and the presence of the unofficial python api for the previous generation of the PPK, we have decided to create a similar solution ourselves.

https://www.irnas.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1_IRNAS_PPK2.gif

The first alpha release of the solution is available today, implementing the basic features to control PPK2 and control it. You are invited to try it out and explore it, we are working actively to integrate this into the next generation of devops tools on our end.
The power of a label -
By: Pastor Matthew Best
Tags: Power, Labels, Privilege, Christianity

Labels tell us many things. When it comes to a product, a label can give us important information — like what the product is, who made it, what is contained in it, and what caution we should have with the item. Labels like that can be helpful.

Labels on people can do the same thing.

The question is who gets to put labels on people — especially other people?

Ideally, the only labels that exist on someone are the self-imposed ones. That’s the healthiest labels anyway.

But society has been labeling people for a long time — maybe as long as organized society has existed. That’s because there is great power in labeling someone else.

I’ve have it happen to me, as I’m sure you have too. I’ve been labeled many things over the years. Often the labels that others try to attach to me are either exaggerations or just plain wrong.

I’ve had people go so far as to label me and when I protest the label they insist that they are right and I am wrong. As if they get to determine how I should be labeled. Sorry, (not sorry), but you don’t get to label me without my permission. I’ve been labeled when it comes to politics, religion, and more. I usually will push back on such labels, because the power to label someone is the power over someone else.

There are many segments of society that have had to deal with being labeled for a long time. Think of any group of people who have been on the margins of society. They get labeled all the time. And usually in unflattering ways that highlights some kind of danger or threat that people in that group have to others — mostly people in groups that have power and influence in society.

Labeling is powerful. And destructive.

The only label that matters though, and is most accurate, is this label — Image of God. You bear the Image of God, dear reader. That’s the label I’m sticking on you. I hope it is a label that you can embrace.
Generator Sales Industry Scenario
By: Prathmesh Patil
Tags: Power, Trends, Energy, Energy And Power, Generator

The market is set to grow due to the rising demand for uninterrupted and reliable power from all end-users, as some of the best power grids are also subject to downtime.

The generator sales market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 22.3 billion in 2019 to USD 29.3 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 5.60% during the forecast period.

The diesel segment is expected to dominate the generator sales market during the forecast period. Long running life, easy parts and fuel availability, capacity to handle varying loads, and quick response time have helped the diesel generator market to acquire the largest share. This segment is primarily driven by the increased demand for standby power from data centers, IT facilities, and healthcare infrastructure.

The industrial segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2019 to 2024. The market is primarily driven by the increased need for generators from oil & gas, power generation, and chemical industries. The growth of the industrial end-user segment can be attributed to the rapid industrialization in developing countries such as India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Algeria, and Nigeria. Moreover, increased investments in natural gas exploration and refineries are likely to boost the generator sales market. Also, the rising development of infrastructure in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Algeria are likely to impact the industrial segment during the forecast period positively.

In this report, the generator sales market has been analyzed with respect to 5 regions, namely, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to lead the generator sales market, by region, during the forecast period. Asia Pacific consists of developing countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Taiwan. The growing manufacturing sectors in these countries is expected to be the main driver. Also, the growth of the IT and healthcare sectors in China, Australia, India, Singapore, and South Korea has played a significant role in the growth of the generator sales market in Asia Pacific. Nearly all the countries in the region are augmenting their oil & production capacity. China and India are investing heavily in their offshore projects. This has led to a rise in investments in the oil & gas sector which is expected to drive the growth of the Asia Pacific generator sales market.

To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the top players in the generator sales market. The key players include Caterpillar (US), Cummins (US), Rolls-Royce (UK), Mitsubishi (Japan), Yanmar (Japan), and Kohler (US). The leading players are adopting various strategies to increase their share in the generator sales market.
Power! The name of Jesus
By: Small Voice Today
Tags: Power, Designed2encourage, Bible, Jesus, Devotional

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God. — John 1:12

The name of Jesus is powerful!

In the name of Jesus there is healing (Acts 3:6) and power over evil spirits (Acts 16:18). The whole universe and everything in it will worship the name of Jesus, and His name is greater than all other names (Philippians 2:9–10). But the most wonderful thing is that His name brings our salvation and gives us the assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13).

God knows that we are lacking, and even our ability to believe is feeble. But He tells us it isn’t about the quantity of our faith. In fact, Jesus says our faith can be as small as a mustard seed, something so tiny we can barely see it. All we need is one speck of faith!

Our faith can be tiny, because who we believe in is so vast and magnificent. God makes up for our weakness by His power and strength. The power of faith is not the amount we have, but who we believe in: the Maker of everything.

We are the children of God, even though our faith is small. That is power. The name of Jesus!
The secret to getting things done
By: Nishtha Gehija
Tags: Positive Thinking, Kids, Power, Getting Things Done, Success

Remember the first time you came on this planet?

Of course you don’t, because that is the game of memory that never lasts for so long.

That is where the remembrance comes in.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

When you came on this planet, you had no flaw.

When you came on this planet, you had no problems.

When you came on this planet, everything was easy for you.

When you came on this planet, everything just flowed.

When you came on this planet, you were never inclined towards anything that takes your energy away.

This is the remembrance of who you are.

Even before you watch extra Netflix, even when you are sitting long hours, even when you are procrastinating on something you should have done last week, you have one tinge of thought from the background not to do that.

That is who you are.

If you want to get things done, the secret is to remember who you were, and chip off all the acquired habits and behaviours that aren’t serving you.

Because guess what?

They aren’t serving you!
Power and Self-Control
By: Josh Black
Tags: Bullying, Power, Leadership, Self Control, Psychology

Why is it that when many people, often good people, come into positions of power they transform into egotistical jerks- or worse. We continually act surprised when a high-powered name in politics, Hollywood, or business is exposed to be a cantankerous schmuck. We act shocked and label the offenders as permanently repugnant and cancelled instead of developing a more nuanced judgement. The truth about human nature may not be so black and white, especially when people are put in positions of power over others.

There’s an interesting study titled “Power Corrupts but Control Doesn’t” by Cislak et. al., that tries to address this sensitive issue. As the paper notes, perceived power over others has been correlated to traits such as anti-social tendencies, inflated ego, unrealistic self-assuredness, unwillingness to maintain close relationships, tendency to undervalue and objectify others, reduced compassion, and harm to others through aggression — just to name a few.

Being in a position of power is a motivator for some people to advance in the workplace, politics, and entertainment, and we should be weary of such motivation, but clearly it is not the only driver for ambitious people.

The study goes on to point out that there is also a high correlation among people in positions of power with high levels of personal control. Being in control of oneself, mastering oneself, is also a powerful and innate motivator for people to grow and advance into positions of power as well. High levels of personal control are correlated with positive traits such such as being more social, having more secure social groups, having higher goal attainment, greater overall well-being, being more organized, and conforming less. Although there can also be negative traits of being ‘too’ in control, the right level of control can seemingly counteract the corrupting effects of power. It is an antidote.

So, how can we better judge, promote, and elect leaders with less likelihood of becoming drunk on power? By being very diligent and ensuring that they have a solid foundation of good values and the self-control to stick by them even when the whims of power lead towards more opportunity for poor behavior. Although it may be hard to determine someone’s desire for power, we can determine if they are organized, conscientious, punctual, put-together, and have the ability to control themselves in tough times. That is, if they exhibit self-control. If so, they will be more likely to withstand the vagaries of life in power and we should more readily trust them. With great power comes great responsibility- and the need for self-control to manage it.
Midnight Blue
By: Lois Kelly
Tags: Neighborhoods, Power, Storms, Night, Electricity

The power has blown out.

Rain is pelting the roof, the windows, the driveway.

The new $12,000 generator sits sadly against the garage, not yet hooked up. The two propane gas tanks distance themselves from the generator. “Not yet, big boy,” they say.

The rain turns to sleet, angry and hard. A branch falls off the maple tree landing in a soggy spot in the yard.

The house is so quiet.

No furnace, no heat.

The pump that runs the septic system is out.

No humming from the refrigerator.

TV’s computers, iPads out of juice.

The utility outage app says no crews have been assigned.

Across the pond and up the hill I see streetlights. Why do the people on the hill keep their power? Storm after storm we black out.

The rain lets up and I take the dog for a walk up the street.

Every other house on the water growls and is lit by a generator. The smaller houses are mostly dark.

A young, newlywed couple has candles lit on their fireplace mantle. The big family across the street has a battery-powered lantern on the dining room table. It’s like a fluorescent in-house lighthouse.

Branches are all over everyone’s lawns, not caring if you’re rich or poor, powered or out, candled or battery ready.

A gust blows up and there’s an eerie, high-pitched howl, like how an oncoming tornado might sound. Except I’ve never heard a tornado except in horror films. Nor-Easters are our windy villains.

I note who has a generator running and who might be willing to make me a cup of coffee in the morning, COVID be damned.

Back at our dark house I take off my school-guard fluorescent vest. Undo the dog’s leash. Put the poop bag in the trash. Pull down the heavy garage door.

The flashlight lights the way into the kitchen, across the living room, into the bathroom.

When I place the flashlight on the bathroom counter, I see billions of dust mites and tiny bits of toothpaste. How have I missed those in cleaning?

I go back into the kitchen and lay the flashlight on those counters. It’s a microbe mess. In the dark I get out the white vinegar and start wiping things down. Then I bring out the bleach.

The neighbor’s generator sputters, like it’s exhausted, but catches its breath and goes on.

I undress by the windows in the dark and look out at the pond. Clouds are moving fast, blowing away the storm and letting the stars through.

Now I see how midnight blue got its name.

I want to keep watching the sky.

I want to check the outage app to see if the repair crew has been assigned.

But this house with no lights and no heat is getting cold.

I climb into bed to wait.

For light.

For heat.

For morning coffee.

For the neighborhood equalizer that is electricity.
I found myself asking this question yesterday
By: Christine Mcdougall
Tags: Politics, Power, Democracy, Syntropic World, Syntropic Enterprise

Do the elected leaders of my country, Australia, and of the USA, and the UK, actually want democracy? There is a form of capitalism that sees any restraint on accumulation of capital, be that through taxes, regulation, public ownership of commons assets and essential services, as illegitimate. The purpose is profit over everything.

Democracy interferes with this level of accumulation.

This type of capitalism has become main stream as governments under our watch said, gradually then quickly, yes to corporate money in politics, to media being owned by one family, to the accumulation elites holding the reigns of power, many as elected officials with too many conflicts of interest to be able to hold any form of ethics.

The people with the accumulated financial power (and to be clear this is the only power they have — history has revealed time and again that the real power rests with the masses of people who are awakened to revolution) have little to no interest in democracy.

When a member of parliament votes to allow a country to own a strategic port in our nation, and six months later resigns to be given an $800,000 a year salaried job with the company that manages the port…and no one raises this as a violation of ethics, we have reached the point where revolution is near. When an election that was clearly legal is propagated as fraudulent by an entire party, we are nearing revolution. When lies and hypocrisy are common currency, we are near our ‘let them eat cake,‘ moment.

Democracy says people have rights and responsibilities. But as I have written before, we want our rights but are slow in taking responsibility.

Citizenship is an act, not a spectator sport. Each of us, we the people, are responsible for speaking for democracy.

To begin, our children need to be taught citizenship, stewardship, what it means to have healthy commons, how we take care of our democracy, our home planet, the future.

If we want to live in a democracy, then it is up to us to be a stand for that. To not subjugate our power to the politicians in some naive hope that they will do the right thing.

It is up to us to hold them to account. To break down the Murdocracy. To demand the separation of corporate money in politics. To insist on an integrity commission. To be sure every human can vote.

Or wake up one day and find that democracy died, on our watch.

Photo taken December 15th 2020

#worldwithafuture #businessreimagined #syntropicworld #syntropicenterprise
Is racism still racism if it is against white people?
By: Greg M Wells
Tags: Reverse Discrimination, Power, Sophistry, Racism, Systemic Racism

Photo by Dorothea OLDANI on Unsplash

Racism is about Power.

I read an article that defined Racism as the social norms, policies, and laws that result in one race being disadvantaged. It made me reconsider my feeling on the social discussion on race that is going on in America today. This definition is a different definition than I read in the dictionary, which said racism is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits.

Racism in America does not disadvantage white people. There are plenty of racial statements that are made against white people. All white people are racist is a good example. It is natural to generalize, indeed it is a characteristic of intelligence. We ask children to group things that are alike to teach this.

But grouping is not the same as racism.

All kittens are cute is different from all black people cannot be trusted. In America today, racial statements against white people are not Racism because they do not affect the power dynamics of race in our society. If there were no disadvantages to being black in America, then comments about race would be no more significant than comments about kittens.

Racism is a problem in America because it causes the black segment of our population to live shorter lives, to be treated differently by our justice system, our medical system, our education system, and plenty of other systems.

To say racism against white people is racism is to miss the point. It is sophistry. Racism is a problem in America, one that has existed for too long. It is a colossal problem, one without simple remedies. It is a disease like cancer, and as difficult to eradicate as cancer. It shows up in different places, causes different harms, and needs to be battled just like our battle against cancer.
How Your Inner Power is Activated THROUGH Powerlessness
By: Serena V Amoroso
Tags: Courage, Empowering Women, Power, Spirituality, Resilience

It is THROUGH the contrast of feeling so so small that you realize how big you actually are.

Do you remember the last time you felt powerless?

Maybe it was losing your job because of a pandemic.

Maybe it was during an argument with your partner.

Maybe it was someone you love getting sick & dying.

Your inner voice screaming, “Why me? This is so unfair. I don’t know what to do. It’s hopeless.”

Let me tell you the truth:

Your power is CREATED in how you RESPOND to these experiences.

Do you crumble onto the floor & give up? NO.

You respond by TRUSTING your INTUITION & the Divine plan.

You respond by saying, “Thank you. Thank you for this gift & opportunity to showcase just how powerful I am.”

You respond by activating your power.

THIS is when your confidence is awakened.

THIS is when you have the courage to create boundaries.

THIS is when you have the strength to start your own business.

THIS is when you choose to keep your heart open & feel the juiciness of life flow through you.

Are you ready to transmute powerlessness into empowerment?

x Serena

@serenavamoroso
Loneliness
By: Iqra Mukhtar
Tags: Health, Self, Self Improvement, Power, Loneliness

Image from pexel.com

loneliness is harmful…

And it is addicting.

Once you have tasted

how peaceful & ravishing it is,

you don't need to deal with people anymore…..

you are just felicitous, by yourself….

Because, every time,

you did connect with people

they proved that;

the connection only devastates you

at the end

Just because no one saw

how gentle you treated them- may be harsh for some time just because of circumstances & behavior of others

how unique your love was….

how hard you tried

how you cared for them

how you made them feel happy- by bearing/absorbing every pain

just because they took you as ordinary as others….!

and it’s better to be left alone

than to be treated wrong
Noise to Presence
By: Dave Larocque
Tags: Emotions, Power, Blue Insights, Flow, Presence

The wisdom daily

The noise used to really bother me,

This gripping issue no longer holds tightly,

Focus is high and many things don’t annoy,

Is this the flow people talk about deployed?

Fight or Flight from an intellectual perspective,

This was my EGO and not how I want to live,

Constantly triggered, is this a thing of the past?

I don’t want to go there, no more overcast,

I believe I had power confused with control,

Everyone had a piece of me I’ve been told,

My power or presence given completely away,

The EGO’s defense mechanisms was at play,

I don’t really want to figure it out anymore,

For what I need comes up for when it’s needed for
The Power Within Me
By: Sabine Vekemans
Tags: Power, Poems On Medium, Scribe, Desires, Poetry

The Power Within Me

Foto door Phil Kallahar via Pexels

The power

within me

brewing under

the surface

Stirring up

the fire

of desires

felt so deeply

seeded there

far too long

Building up

momentum

to erupt

into the world

Like a volcano

Being carried

by the wind

until its ashes

whirl down

on fertile fields

Am I brave

enough

this time

to move ahead

To fully own

what’s calling

to blend in

with living

Out of

my comfort zone
The Waking Crow
By: Calvin Lassiter
Tags: Life, Power, Spirituality, Enlightenment, Inspiration

Wherefore art thou second chance?

I have search for you to and fro.

I borrowed wings from an eagle to fly high,

and used a treasure hunter’s old shovel to dig low.

So, I thought to ask a wise man,

but for reasons unknown he did not know.

It seems to be a task at hand,

where should I look? Where should I go?

That when it burned me like a fire,

This thought projected from a crow.

A way to find a second chance was not to search for its sudden glow,

Or wait on it from the ground to grow.

But to understand I have that power,

a power within to create my own.
What is Power?
By: Melania Sarah Aseng
Tags: Politics, Power, President University, Political Science, International Womens Day

Power is an abstract concept. If there were two people getting ready to attack a building, where the giant one has got a gun fully loaded, and the skinny one is accessible to the building through a computer, we would tend to believe that the big one is more powerful than the other one. In fact, they both have their own kind of powers.

So, how is power in a political concept?

Power exists on every person, but it will only work between two or more people. So in this case when we talk about power we tend to be talking about hierarchy, there are people that are equal in terms of power, it could be physical power or non-physical power. There are people who are more powerful and there are people who are less powerful.

Steven Lukes' dimensions of power

Power over an issue — Power is the ability to make someone else do something they do not want to(by forcing, persuading, physical attacking, ect.) E.g. I want some nuggets for my lunch, but my mother tells me to eat vegetables, therefore, I have to obey my mother. Power of an agenda — The person with power can set the boundaries of a discussion. E.g. In an organization, the members may report their agenda, but the chairperson gets to set and decide the agenda. Manipulation — Control over other’s perceptions by persuading them to do something. E.g. A girl is on diet, then a good seller of a diet supplement persuades her to buy the product, by manipulating her that if she consumes it, she is going to lose weight faster.

So where does power come from?

Strength - Physical appearance

Wealth - Money

Numbers - Majority

State Action - Rules/Laws

Norms - Standard of behaviors

Ideas - Ideas

How is power distributed?

The distribution of power can be balanced or imbalanced, depending on the forms of government of a country or state.

Drip-down model

Government has power over the people (often authoritarian states) Bottom-up mode

People has power over the government (most democratic states)

How should power be distributed?

Elitist: Only people with proper capabilities(knowledge, skills, experience) should be trusted with power.

Egalitarian: Everyone in the system should have power(equal access).

At the end, power should be used in a just(justice) and legitimately(legal) manner.
HELLO NEPAL
By: Biren Bangdel
Tags: Irresponsible, Politics, Power, Corruption, Federalism

HELLO NEPAL

This is my personal blog where I use to share my professional experience. knowledge and skills related to development management, political issues, women empowerment, health, education, financial issues of Nepal. Please enjoy reading and write your comments and suggestions.

If you wish to publish any stories related to anything about Nepal, you are always welcome to do so. For that, you can send your articles to bbangdel@gmail.com

Blog Title : HELLO NEPAL

Blog Address: www.birenbangdel.com

NEPALI POLITICS

This is my another blog where I mostly write about politics, political leaders, corruption and other issues and concerns of general people of Nepal. I am sure you will like it and be tempted to continue looking for my blogs. STAY SAFE.

If you wish to publish any stories related to Nepal politics, you are always welcome to do so. For that, you can send your articles to bbangdel@gmail.com

Blog Title : NEPALI POLITICS

Blog Address: https://politicsnepali.blogspot.com
Practice What You Seek
By: Monique J. Aka Coach Namaste-Ready
Tags: Authentic, Practice, Power, Purpose, Commitment

Are you Committed to Practicing?

Do you place value in the art of practicing a skill inorder to perfect an action?

Have you considered the benefit of applying a practiced approach toward shifting your mindset and manifesting your deepest desires?

Here’s the Thing…a heightened state of awareness is not a random occurrence.

A heightened state of awareness is a choice reflected in the intentional practices of those who seek to grow, to heal and to achieve.

As we embrace the holiday season, remember to Practice the Art of Mindulness:

A. Center your thoughts and create a safe space within your Be-ing to envision and embrace what you desire most…

B. Avail your gifts and talents as opportunities to GLOW beyond your comfortzone(s)…

C. Meditate (take time to reflect in silence) on the experiences that you have encountered along your Authentic Journey, without judgement or criticism…

D. Affirm your Greatness…make a list of 5–10 “I Am” Statements to celebrate the FULL-ness of your Authentic Magic…

(ex. I Am a Black, Magic Unicorn Queen)

As Members of the Wellness Tribe aka Wellness Warriors, you know the power of practice as it pertains to cosigning the success of others and availing yourself for their WIN…now offer that intentional practice for Self.

Show up Committed…Put in that Practice…Trust the Process.

— Namaste
WRESTLE THE DIRT
By: Owulo Jonah
Tags: Beauty, Relevance, Power, Influence, Wrestle

The game of thrones is a game of influence powered on the fuel of relevance, the man that eventually win is that person who recognises that in life, we don’t win by fighting, we win by living. Your power begins to build the moment you begin tapping into your gifts, your abilities, your talents, the moment you let the singer in you come alive, the dancer, the writer, the speaker, whatever it is you do.
King of Wands: Vision and Leadership
By: Tarot Stories
Tags: Fire, Power, King, Leadership, Tarot Reading

I can’t believe it’s still Tuesday. Perhaps the four-day weekend doesn’t work because my short week feels at least seven years long. As I look at the King of Wands today, I struggle with gender roles within the Tarot. Masculinity in the Tarot has a lot of kinetic energy, fire and power connotations, where femininity is associated with meditative energy, water and nurturance.

As I move forward I feel like it suits me best to ignore the gender representation in the cards for now, and focus on the elements. I’m surprised at how hard that is for me, but I guess I have years of unconscious, learned bias and associations stuck with me. It does help that most of the figures in this deck look fairly androgynous though.

King of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck

What you see: The King sits on his throne enrobed in orange, his yellow cape covered in salamanders and wearing a crown of fire. He holds a wand in his right hand. The pillar behind his throne is also decorated in salamanders and lions, and a salamander sits near his feet.

What it means: The salamanders and lions represent energy and fire; a theme that is repeated in the colours of the King’s robes and his crown.

The story: The King of Wands represents energy and actualization; the implementation of a vision, not necessarily by the King but by others under his direction.

Reversed meaning: Reversed, the card represents ruthlessness and impulsiveness; a domineering or weak leader.

Reflection: This card symbolizes leadership — the “masculine” archetype. However, it’s important to mention that this isn’t the only or ultimate form of leadership, as the “feminine” archetype is equally as powerful. This version is full of fire energy; an active and straightforward personality.