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260 results for “srijit”
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Geopolitics extends beyond energy, minerals, arms and ammunition. It also acts through human vulnerability. Power seeks advantage from these weaknesses.
This pattern began with human civilization. Greed and the impulse to exploit weakness have always driven it. Little has changed. Human nature among elites remains much the same. The same vices endure: lust, vanity, fear and avarice. These continue to invite exploitation.
Digital surveillance now forms part of geopolitics. Weaponized cloud technologies add another dimension. Both operate at scale in the present era.
#GeoPolitics #HumanGreed #Surveillance -
Geopolitics extends beyond energy, minerals, arms and ammunition. It also acts through human vulnerability. Power seeks advantage from these weaknesses.
This pattern began with human civilization. Greed and the impulse to exploit weakness have always driven it. Little has changed. Human nature among elites remains much the same. The same vices endure: lust, vanity, fear and avarice. These continue to invite exploitation.
Digital surveillance now forms part of geopolitics. Weaponized cloud technologies add another dimension. Both operate at scale in the present era.
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I often express my anger. I look for a person to listen to my complaints. I do not seek solutions. I do not accept the situation. This action gives me temporary relief. I wondered about its long-term benefits.
Now a scientific study published in Clinical Psychological Review [1] offers a different view. Researchers found little evidence that venting helps upset people. The practice may increase anger. Dr. Speakman's team defined venting as expressing anger verbally or physically [2].
> Venting “doesn’t encourage things like problem-solving, taking a different view on things, and radical acceptance,” Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, assistant professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SELF. “It’s just continuing to fuel the anger and aggression,” he adds.
> Venting also tends to go hand-in-hand with rumination, which is when you keep going over the same negative thoughts, Dr. Bushman says. “That’s like using gasoline to try to put out a fire,” he says. “It’s a very ineffective and destructive way to manage anger. It’s the worst thing you can do.”
What is the solution?
According to Dr. Bushman [3], the primary objective after agitation is to achieve calm. He recommends practices like mindfulness meditation, breathing techniques, and yoga. These methods effectively alleviate stress and anger. One needs practice in these methods.
Dr. Gallagher [4] suggests one should first attain composure. A person must then reflect on their emotions. One can question the source of these feelings. The cause could be a present stressor. It could also be a memory from the past. I find this assertion largely true for me. Understanding the cause is essential [2].
For those who communicate verbally, she recommends constructive dialogue. With a friend, one can work towards a solution or acceptance. She notes that empathy allows for emotional exploration. This process is distinct from mere venting [2].
1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735824000357
2. https://www.self.com/story/venting-causes-anger-how-to-calm-down
3. https://comm.osu.edu/people/bushman.20
4. https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1003153511/thea-gallagher -
> Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show [1]. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’
> Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
> A cache of previously unreported documents reviewed by Reuters also shows that the social-media giant for at least three years failed to identify and stop an avalanche of ads that exposed Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s billions of users to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products.
> On average, one December 2024 document notes, the company shows its platforms’ users an estimated 15 billion “higher risk” scam advertisements – those that show clear signs of being fraudulent – every day. Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue from this category of scam ads each year, another late 2024 document states.Due to network effects, I am largely constrained to using Meta's product WhatsApp. Unlike WhatsApp, I do not have the Facebook or Instagram app installed on my mobile devices.
1. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06 -
> Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show [1]. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’
> Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
> A cache of previously unreported documents reviewed by Reuters also shows that the social-media giant for at least three years failed to identify and stop an avalanche of ads that exposed Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s billions of users to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products.
> On average, one December 2024 document notes, the company shows its platforms’ users an estimated 15 billion “higher risk” scam advertisements – those that show clear signs of being fraudulent – every day. Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue from this category of scam ads each year, another late 2024 document states.Due to network effects, I am largely constrained to using Meta's product WhatsApp. Unlike WhatsApp, I do not have the Facebook or Instagram app installed on my mobile devices.
1. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06 -
> Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show [1]. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’
> Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
> A cache of previously unreported documents reviewed by Reuters also shows that the social-media giant for at least three years failed to identify and stop an avalanche of ads that exposed Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s billions of users to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products.
> On average, one December 2024 document notes, the company shows its platforms’ users an estimated 15 billion “higher risk” scam advertisements – those that show clear signs of being fraudulent – every day. Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue from this category of scam ads each year, another late 2024 document states.Due to network effects, I am largely constrained to using Meta's product WhatsApp. Unlike WhatsApp, I do not have the Facebook or Instagram app installed on my mobile devices.
1. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06 -
> Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show [1]. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’
> Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
> A cache of previously unreported documents reviewed by Reuters also shows that the social-media giant for at least three years failed to identify and stop an avalanche of ads that exposed Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s billions of users to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products.
> On average, one December 2024 document notes, the company shows its platforms’ users an estimated 15 billion “higher risk” scam advertisements – those that show clear signs of being fraudulent – every day. Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue from this category of scam ads each year, another late 2024 document states.Due to network effects, I am largely constrained to using Meta's product WhatsApp. Unlike WhatsApp, I do not have the Facebook or Instagram app installed on my mobile devices.
1. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06 -
> Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show [1]. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’
> Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
> A cache of previously unreported documents reviewed by Reuters also shows that the social-media giant for at least three years failed to identify and stop an avalanche of ads that exposed Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s billions of users to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and the sale of banned medical products.
> On average, one December 2024 document notes, the company shows its platforms’ users an estimated 15 billion “higher risk” scam advertisements – those that show clear signs of being fraudulent – every day. Meta earns about $7 billion in annualized revenue from this category of scam ads each year, another late 2024 document states.Due to network effects, I am largely constrained to using Meta's product WhatsApp. Unlike WhatsApp, I do not have the Facebook or Instagram app installed on my mobile devices.
1. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06 -
Many thanks to the excellent people who manage Hachyderm.
Is there a specific reason why Hachyderm has not been upgraded to the current Mastodon version, 4.4.5, which was released on September 23, 2025?
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Economic Systems and Human Welfare
A Layman's Perspective[Part 2/2]
Major economic systems [4] such as capitalism, socialism, and communism - that can be strongly correlated to political systems [5] predominantly function to sustain power equations. Power, whether manifested in military, economic, or administrative forms, inherently prioritizes self-preservation, influence, or control. Surveillance systems, while often justified as instruments for security or efficiency, may systematically infringe upon individual rights when deemed necessary. Capitalism frequently results in the concentration of wealth and influence among a select few, as evidenced by India's escalating income disparity [6]. Socialism and communism, despite their ideological commitment to equity, have historically been appropriated by authoritarian regimes to consolidate power. Nevertheless, it would be inaccurate to assert that such systems entirely lack of welfare motivations, which may emerge from political strategies or vote-bank considerations. Welfare programs, even when politically motivated, can positively impact millions of lives; India's Ujjwala scheme, for instance, has provided cooking gas connections to nearly 100 million households [7], notwithstanding its electoral significance. Similarly, international aid programs from powerful nations often carry strategic conditions that remain unknown to the general populace.
In conclusion, those occupying positions of governance and administrative authority rarely implement welfare measures purely out of benevolence, compassion, or kindness, independent of electoral considerations and political strategies. Rather, such initiatives are typically designed to secure their own future prospects. As with most generalizations, exceptions to this pattern do exist.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_system
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system
6. https://www.businesstoday.in/personal-finance/investment/story/top-1-rule-indias-total-wealth-expert-breaks-down-on-what-it-really-takes-to-join-the-club-492796-2025-09-05
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-raises-ujjwala-subsidy-for-96mn-households-by-100-101696444453311.html#HumanWelfare #HumanRights #EconomicSystems #Capitalism #Socialism #Communism
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Economic Systems and Human Welfare
A Layman's Perspective[Part 2/2]
Major economic systems [4] such as capitalism, socialism, and communism - that can be strongly correlated to political systems [5] predominantly function to sustain power equations. Power, whether manifested in military, economic, or administrative forms, inherently prioritizes self-preservation, influence, or control. Surveillance systems, while often justified as instruments for security or efficiency, may systematically infringe upon individual rights when deemed necessary. Capitalism frequently results in the concentration of wealth and influence among a select few, as evidenced by India's escalating income disparity [6]. Socialism and communism, despite their ideological commitment to equity, have historically been appropriated by authoritarian regimes to consolidate power. Nevertheless, it would be inaccurate to assert that such systems entirely lack of welfare motivations, which may emerge from political strategies or vote-bank considerations. Welfare programs, even when politically motivated, can positively impact millions of lives; India's Ujjwala scheme, for instance, has provided cooking gas connections to nearly 100 million households [7], notwithstanding its electoral significance. Similarly, international aid programs from powerful nations often carry strategic conditions that remain unknown to the general populace.
In conclusion, those occupying positions of governance and administrative authority rarely implement welfare measures purely out of benevolence, compassion, or kindness, independent of electoral considerations and political strategies. Rather, such initiatives are typically designed to secure their own future prospects. As with most generalizations, exceptions to this pattern do exist.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_system
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system
6. https://www.businesstoday.in/personal-finance/investment/story/top-1-rule-indias-total-wealth-expert-breaks-down-on-what-it-really-takes-to-join-the-club-492796-2025-09-05
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-raises-ujjwala-subsidy-for-96mn-households-by-100-101696444453311.html#HumanWelfare #HumanRights #EconomicSystems #Capitalism #Socialism #Communism
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Economic Systems and Human Welfare
A Layman's Perspective[Part 2/2]
Major economic systems [4] such as capitalism, socialism, and communism - that can be strongly correlated to political systems [5] predominantly function to sustain power equations. Power, whether manifested in military, economic, or administrative forms, inherently prioritizes self-preservation, influence, or control. Surveillance systems, while often justified as instruments for security or efficiency, may systematically infringe upon individual rights when deemed necessary. Capitalism frequently results in the concentration of wealth and influence among a select few, as evidenced by India's escalating income disparity [6]. Socialism and communism, despite their ideological commitment to equity, have historically been appropriated by authoritarian regimes to consolidate power. Nevertheless, it would be inaccurate to assert that such systems entirely lack of welfare motivations, which may emerge from political strategies or vote-bank considerations. Welfare programs, even when politically motivated, can positively impact millions of lives; India's Ujjwala scheme, for instance, has provided cooking gas connections to nearly 100 million households [7], notwithstanding its electoral significance. Similarly, international aid programs from powerful nations often carry strategic conditions that remain unknown to the general populace.
In conclusion, those occupying positions of governance and administrative authority rarely implement welfare measures purely out of benevolence, compassion, or kindness, independent of electoral considerations and political strategies. Rather, such initiatives are typically designed to secure their own future prospects. As with most generalizations, exceptions to this pattern do exist.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_system
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system
6. https://www.businesstoday.in/personal-finance/investment/story/top-1-rule-indias-total-wealth-expert-breaks-down-on-what-it-really-takes-to-join-the-club-492796-2025-09-05
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-raises-ujjwala-subsidy-for-96mn-households-by-100-101696444453311.html#HumanWelfare #HumanRights #EconomicSystems #Capitalism #Socialism #Communism
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Economic Systems and Human Welfare
A Layman's Perspective[Part 2/2]
Major economic systems [4] such as capitalism, socialism, and communism - that can be strongly correlated to political systems [5] predominantly function to sustain power equations. Power, whether manifested in military, economic, or administrative forms, inherently prioritizes self-preservation, influence, or control. Surveillance systems, while often justified as instruments for security or efficiency, may systematically infringe upon individual rights when deemed necessary. Capitalism frequently results in the concentration of wealth and influence among a select few, as evidenced by India's escalating income disparity [6]. Socialism and communism, despite their ideological commitment to equity, have historically been appropriated by authoritarian regimes to consolidate power. Nevertheless, it would be inaccurate to assert that such systems entirely lack of welfare motivations, which may emerge from political strategies or vote-bank considerations. Welfare programs, even when politically motivated, can positively impact millions of lives; India's Ujjwala scheme, for instance, has provided cooking gas connections to nearly 100 million households [7], notwithstanding its electoral significance. Similarly, international aid programs from powerful nations often carry strategic conditions that remain unknown to the general populace.
In conclusion, those occupying positions of governance and administrative authority rarely implement welfare measures purely out of benevolence, compassion, or kindness, independent of electoral considerations and political strategies. Rather, such initiatives are typically designed to secure their own future prospects. As with most generalizations, exceptions to this pattern do exist.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_system
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system
6. https://www.businesstoday.in/personal-finance/investment/story/top-1-rule-indias-total-wealth-expert-breaks-down-on-what-it-really-takes-to-join-the-club-492796-2025-09-05
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-raises-ujjwala-subsidy-for-96mn-households-by-100-101696444453311.html#HumanWelfare #HumanRights #EconomicSystems #Capitalism #Socialism #Communism
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Economic Systems and Human Welfare
A Layman's Perspective[Part 2/2]
Major economic systems [4] such as capitalism, socialism, and communism - that can be strongly correlated to political systems [5] predominantly function to sustain power equations. Power, whether manifested in military, economic, or administrative forms, inherently prioritizes self-preservation, influence, or control. Surveillance systems, while often justified as instruments for security or efficiency, may systematically infringe upon individual rights when deemed necessary. Capitalism frequently results in the concentration of wealth and influence among a select few, as evidenced by India's escalating income disparity [6]. Socialism and communism, despite their ideological commitment to equity, have historically been appropriated by authoritarian regimes to consolidate power. Nevertheless, it would be inaccurate to assert that such systems entirely lack of welfare motivations, which may emerge from political strategies or vote-bank considerations. Welfare programs, even when politically motivated, can positively impact millions of lives; India's Ujjwala scheme, for instance, has provided cooking gas connections to nearly 100 million households [7], notwithstanding its electoral significance. Similarly, international aid programs from powerful nations often carry strategic conditions that remain unknown to the general populace.
In conclusion, those occupying positions of governance and administrative authority rarely implement welfare measures purely out of benevolence, compassion, or kindness, independent of electoral considerations and political strategies. Rather, such initiatives are typically designed to secure their own future prospects. As with most generalizations, exceptions to this pattern do exist.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_system
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system
6. https://www.businesstoday.in/personal-finance/investment/story/top-1-rule-indias-total-wealth-expert-breaks-down-on-what-it-really-takes-to-join-the-club-492796-2025-09-05
7. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-raises-ujjwala-subsidy-for-96mn-households-by-100-101696444453311.html#HumanWelfare #HumanRights #EconomicSystems #Capitalism #Socialism #Communism
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This continues to remain an unfortunate reality in Bengaluru today. Traditional Indian kirana stores face significant challenges in competing with quick-commerce app based platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Flipkart Minutes etc. which offer steep discounts and promise deliveries within as little as ten minutes.
Even now, I observe small, family-run shops in my neighbourhood either shutting down or on the brink of closure. These are typically local grocery outlets or fresh fruit and vegetable vendors.
#MastodonIndians #MastIndia #India #QuickCommerce #ONDC #MomAndPopStores -
I understand and acknowledge your perspective. I too believed that reduction in consumption of fossil fuel is the only sustainable option to address climate change.
Unfortunately, I do not see a significant trend towards burning less fossil fuel in countries such as India.
Last year I did not procure an electric car due to various infrastructural issues in Bengaluru and they were beyond my control. Now, I recently learnt that electric vehicles cannot lower overall oil demand [1].
As an Indian, my optimism is dwindling as I witness environmental calamities in India. The Supreme Court of India issued a strong warning about Himachal Pradesh's environmental degradation, noting that if immediate action is not taken, the state will "vanish in thin air" as a result of continued ecological harm [2].
> “We want to impress upon the state government and the Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of environment and ecology," the court said.
Trees drawing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it as calcium carbonate 'rocks' in the surrounding soil is a recent scientific discovery. I agree that such an approach may not have any large scale impact. In the current situation I value any untapped opportunity, no matter how modest, to help reduce CO2 emissions.
1. https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/why-electric-vehicles-wont-reduce
2. https://www.news18.com/india/himachal-pradesh-may-vanish-from-indias-map-sc-warns-of-climate-change-threat-to-state-9479333.html#ClimateChange #Sustainability #CarbonEmission #ClimateCrisis #Ecologicalcrisis
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I understand and acknowledge your perspective. I too believed that reduction in consumption of fossil fuel is the only sustainable option to address climate change.
Unfortunately, I do not see a significant trend towards burning less fossil fuel in countries such as India.
Last year I did not procure an electric car due to various infrastructural issues in Bengaluru and they were beyond my control. Now, I recently learnt that electric vehicles cannot lower overall oil demand [1].
As an Indian, my optimism is dwindling as I witness environmental calamities in India. The Supreme Court of India issued a strong warning about Himachal Pradesh's environmental degradation, noting that if immediate action is not taken, the state will "vanish in thin air" as a result of continued ecological harm [2].
> “We want to impress upon the state government and the Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of environment and ecology," the court said.
Trees drawing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it as calcium carbonate 'rocks' in the surrounding soil is a recent scientific discovery. I agree that such an approach may not have any large scale impact. In the current situation I value any untapped opportunity, no matter how modest, to help reduce CO2 emissions.
1. https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/why-electric-vehicles-wont-reduce
2. https://www.news18.com/india/himachal-pradesh-may-vanish-from-indias-map-sc-warns-of-climate-change-threat-to-state-9479333.html#ClimateChange #Sustainability #CarbonEmission #ClimateCrisis #Ecologicalcrisis
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I understand and acknowledge your perspective. I too believed that reduction in consumption of fossil fuel is the only sustainable option to address climate change.
Unfortunately, I do not see a significant trend towards burning less fossil fuel in countries such as India.
Last year I did not procure an electric car due to various infrastructural issues in Bengaluru and they were beyond my control. Now, I recently learnt that electric vehicles cannot lower overall oil demand [1].
As an Indian, my optimism is dwindling as I witness environmental calamities in India. The Supreme Court of India issued a strong warning about Himachal Pradesh's environmental degradation, noting that if immediate action is not taken, the state will "vanish in thin air" as a result of continued ecological harm [2].
> “We want to impress upon the state government and the Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of environment and ecology," the court said.
Trees drawing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it as calcium carbonate 'rocks' in the surrounding soil is a recent scientific discovery. I agree that such an approach may not have any large scale impact. In the current situation I value any untapped opportunity, no matter how modest, to help reduce CO2 emissions.
1. https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/why-electric-vehicles-wont-reduce
2. https://www.news18.com/india/himachal-pradesh-may-vanish-from-indias-map-sc-warns-of-climate-change-threat-to-state-9479333.html#ClimateChange #Sustainability #CarbonEmission #ClimateCrisis #Ecologicalcrisis
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I understand and acknowledge your perspective. I too believed that reduction in consumption of fossil fuel is the only sustainable option to address climate change.
Unfortunately, I do not see a significant trend towards burning less fossil fuel in countries such as India.
Last year I did not procure an electric car due to various infrastructural issues in Bengaluru and they were beyond my control. Now, I recently learnt that electric vehicles cannot lower overall oil demand [1].
As an Indian, my optimism is dwindling as I witness environmental calamities in India. The Supreme Court of India issued a strong warning about Himachal Pradesh's environmental degradation, noting that if immediate action is not taken, the state will "vanish in thin air" as a result of continued ecological harm [2].
> “We want to impress upon the state government and the Union of India that earning revenue is not everything. Revenue cannot be earned at the cost of environment and ecology," the court said.
Trees drawing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it as calcium carbonate 'rocks' in the surrounding soil is a recent scientific discovery. I agree that such an approach may not have any large scale impact. In the current situation I value any untapped opportunity, no matter how modest, to help reduce CO2 emissions.
1. https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/why-electric-vehicles-wont-reduce
2. https://www.news18.com/india/himachal-pradesh-may-vanish-from-indias-map-sc-warns-of-climate-change-threat-to-state-9479333.html#ClimateChange #Sustainability #CarbonEmission #ClimateCrisis #Ecologicalcrisis
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A very interesting and promising find to naturally sequester CO2 as calcium carbonate [1]. This suggests that the oxalate-carbonate approach could be an important and underutilized potential to help reduce CO2 emissions as we plant trees.
> Some species of fig trees store calcium carbonate in their trunks—essentially turning themselves (partially) into stone, new research has found. The trees—native to Kenya—are one of the first fruit trees shown to have this ability, known as the oxalate carbonate pathway. All trees use photosynthesis to turn CO2 into organic carbon, which forms their trunk, branches, roots and leaves; this is why planting trees is seen as a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions. Certain trees also use CO2 to create calcium oxalate crystals. When parts of the tree decay, these crystals are converted by specialized bacteria or fungi into calcium carbonate—the same mineral as limestone or chalk. This increases the soil pH around the tree, while also increasing the availability of certain nutrients. The inorganic carbon in calcium carbonate typically has a much longer lifetime in the soil than organic carbon, making it a more effective method of CO2 sequestration.
1. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-fig-trees-atmospheric-stone-reveals.amp
#ClimateChange #Sustainability #CarbonEmission #ClimateCrisis
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A new wave of budget hotels is changing affordable travel in India. These hotels focus on the basics. They make sure guests have a comfortable stay without extra costs. You will find clean, well-furnished rooms with reliable Wi-Fi, good air conditioning, and modern bathrooms - all for under ₹2,500 (excluding taxes) a night. By not having in-house restaurants, they keep costs low. This lets guests explore local cuisine through apps like Zomato and Swiggy. I like this approach. I can order anything from spicy street chaat to delicious meals right to my room. To make things even easier, these hotels provide free cups, plates, and spoons in every room. This makes enjoying a simple meal hassle-free. Plus, many small, unbranded hotels and homestays are rising to compete with larger names like Treebo and Oyo. This friendly competition brings fresh ideas and better deals for travellers like me.
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One of the most difficult scenarios of Bengaluru traffic that must be managed or avoided at all times is two-wheeler drivers using their phones while driving. I have previously posted here [1] that
two-wheeler drivers who drive with one hand while using a mobile phone with the other are becoming serious risks on Bengaluru roadways.
There are more serious variants of the prior scenario. Nowadays, I see two-wheeler drivers driving with both hands on the handlebars and their cell phones nestled between their jaws and shoulders.They may be unaware that their sight of the road has been dangerously compromised, making them high-risk drivers on the road.
I asked ChatGPT to generate an image depicting the following scenarios.
a. Vehicles moving in one direction on a busy main road in Bengaluru. There are buses, four wheelers and two wheelers on the road. People are walking on the side of the road.
b. Vehicles parked on one side of the road and are oriented in the same direction the vehicles are moving. There are shops on the side of the road where vehicles are parked.
c. An electric two wheeler coming from the opposite direction and is very close to the vehicles parked on the road. This means that the orientation of the two wheeler is opposite to that of the parked vehicles.
d. The two wheeler driver is driving with both the hands on the two wheeler while talking on the mobile phone.
e. The mobile phone is set between the left jaw and the left shoulder of the two wheeler driver with the head of the two wheeler driver bent on the left of the driver to balance the mobile phone while talking on the phone. The two wheeler driver is not wearing a helmet.
The graphic generated by ChatGPT conveys the message to some extent, but it is far from what I wanted.
1. https://fedi.social/notes/a72ng5c01m2r01jf
#MastodonIndians #MastIndia #India #Bengaluru #BangaloreTraffic #DrivingWithMobilePhone -
An image, generated by ChatGPT, depicts the typical scenario of four-wheelers parked on both sides of a narrow residential lane in Bengaluru during a holiday. This could be true even on a workday. To get here, one should only take an auto-rickshaw.
#MastodonIndians #MastIndia #India #Bengaluru #BangaloreTraffic -
Code readability is important because it improves maintainability, promotes collaboration, reduces errors, and leads to robust, long-lasting codebases. Well-written code should strive to be self-explanatory through clear naming, structure, and idiomatic practices, with comments used sparingly to increase understanding (i.e. adding context that is not immediately obvious from the code itself), rather than to compensate for poor design.
I equate readability of code with beautiful code which can be efficient or optimized or both.
#BeautifulCode #ReadableCode #Programming #Code #Haskell #Python
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Code readability is important because it improves maintainability, promotes collaboration, reduces errors, and leads to robust, long-lasting codebases. Well-written code should strive to be self-explanatory through clear naming, structure, and idiomatic practices, with comments used sparingly to increase understanding (i.e. adding context that is not immediately obvious from the code itself), rather than to compensate for poor design.
I equate readability of code with beautiful code which can be efficient or optimized or both.
#BeautifulCode #ReadableCode #Programming #Code #Haskell #Python
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Code readability is important because it improves maintainability, promotes collaboration, reduces errors, and leads to robust, long-lasting codebases. Well-written code should strive to be self-explanatory through clear naming, structure, and idiomatic practices, with comments used sparingly to increase understanding (i.e. adding context that is not immediately obvious from the code itself), rather than to compensate for poor design.
I equate readability of code with beautiful code which can be efficient or optimized or both.
#BeautifulCode #ReadableCode #Programming #Code #Haskell #Python
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Code readability is important because it improves maintainability, promotes collaboration, reduces errors, and leads to robust, long-lasting codebases. Well-written code should strive to be self-explanatory through clear naming, structure, and idiomatic practices, with comments used sparingly to increase understanding (i.e. adding context that is not immediately obvious from the code itself), rather than to compensate for poor design.
I equate readability of code with beautiful code which can be efficient or optimized or both.
#BeautifulCode #ReadableCode #Programming #Code #Haskell #Python
-
Code readability is important because it improves maintainability, promotes collaboration, reduces errors, and leads to robust, long-lasting codebases. Well-written code should strive to be self-explanatory through clear naming, structure, and idiomatic practices, with comments used sparingly to increase understanding (i.e. adding context that is not immediately obvious from the code itself), rather than to compensate for poor design.
I equate readability of code with beautiful code which can be efficient or optimized or both.
#BeautifulCode #ReadableCode #Programming #Code #Haskell #Python
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Driving in Bengaluru is difficult, whether on a two or four-wheeler. Because of the development of metro rail and flyovers throughout Bengaluru, traffic density on the narrow roads is extremely high during peak hours. In bumper to bumper traffic, one can only drive at snail speeds. Also, driving rage appears to be on the rise. While driving, one must use extreme caution to avoid colliding with a person, an automobile, or a two-wheeler. Nobody knows which event will serve as a spark, transforming the situation into an aggressive battleground on the road.
If I have an appointment with a doctor, I prefer to use an auto-rickshaw to get to the clinic on time. The auto rickshaw's size and flexible design allow it to be easily maneuvered on narrow roads with heavy traffic. Auto-rickshaw drivers usually make their best efforts while remaining cautious in order to avoid an adverse incidence.
Already, Bengaluru's roads are known for potholes, road rage, faulty speed-breakers, intoxicated driving, over-speeding, and under-construction flyovers, all of which contribute to accidents. Over-speeding can happen on flyovers and vacant roads in the early morning or late at night. In addition to these, two-wheeler drivers who drive with one hand while using a mobile phone with the other are becoming serious risks on Bengaluru roadways. For two-wheeler riders, who lack the protective framework of a car, this distraction is more dangerous, as even minor incidents can result in major injuries or fatalities.
The underlying issue is the combined impact of all of these things in a city with overcrowded infrastructure and often slack enforcement.
Please note that ChatGPT generated the two images shown in this post.
#MastodonIndians #MastIndia #India #Bengaluru #BangaloreTraffic #DrivingWithMobilePhone -
[Part 3/3]
I am not sure how encryption issues will be addressed without jeopardising platform security. Also, I lack the legal knowledge to determine if overriding end-to-end encrypted communication is similar to breaking the lock of any door, box, locker, safe, or almirah. Dhruv Garg, a technology lawyer, elaborates on my concerns regarding data privacy under the impending Income Tax Bill [1].> He explained that the bill defines "virtual digital space" broadly, encompassing both digital elements and physical infrastructure like servers. This, he noted, blurs the boundary between the virtual and physical world, raising potential privacy issues. "This has the potential to challenge the existing paradigm of privacy in India," Garg warned. He explained that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) is designed to avoid conflicts with other laws.
I hope that the scope of the proposed tax law will not expand in future. Under the current circumstances, the extent of my privacy due to end-to-end encrypted communication in India, appears to be limited largely with respect to my neighbours and colleagues. I get a similar feeling when I share my personal details through soft copies or xerox copies of my Aadhaar [2] to individuals of various small and big organizations as proof of my identity and address.
1. https://www.boomlive.in/explainers/new-tax-bill-lets-officials-snoop-on-emails-social-media-what-does-it-really-mean-28003
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aadhaar#MastodonIndians #MastIndia #India #Privacy #Encryption #CyberSecurity #Digital #IncomeTaxIndia