What have you learned from the pandemic?

The pandemic has reminded us of how valuable all life is, while both reconfirming our teachings regarding the celebration of it, as well as our belief that at the core of any definition of personal health must lay a consideration for the Earth’s health and all of the living creatures on it (and vice versa) – humans, chickens, water, trees, bees, cows, air, and land included. Here is why.

Thus our…

From the Business Day (Link)

"THE merger between seed breeders Pannar Seed and DuPont Pioneer will go ahead, several months after the prohibition by the Competition Tribunal was overturned by the Competition Appeal Court, Pioneer said at the weekend.

The Supreme Court of Appeal rejected an application by the Competition Commission, which sought leave to appeal the decision by the Competition Appeal Court to overturn the prohibition.

Pioneer president Paul Schickler said last week the company was committed to long-term investment in SA to enhance productivity and food security for SA and the continent.

The merged entity has committed R62m by 2017 for the development of a regional centre that will bring advanced research and development technologies to Africa. Another R20m has been earmarked for the assistance of small-scale and developing farmers in SA.

The commission and the tribunal prohibited the merger last year, stating that it would take Pannar out of the seed market, leaving only two international players, Pioneer and Monsanto. However, the merging parties appealed to the Competition Appeal Court, which overturned the tribunal’s prohibition.

some important ink splashed in the liberal media lately. don't let that stop you.

sobering and frightening data coming back on fructose/sucrose standoff, obesity, diabetes and, possibly, cancer. is sugar toxic? - nyt

nah, it's cool, eric. i'm totally an elitist. somebody has to be. why being a foodie isn't 'elitist' - wp

remember that period in time from, say, 1996 to 2000, when the u.s. had a budget surplus? but then some stuff happened, hard to recall what, exactly... anyway, must be obama's fault. or not... - wp

wonderful take on the profession of teaching by dave eggers, who is not a dumb man. the high cost of low teacher salaries - nyt

i disagree with the lede (fat is fat, regardless of feel-good labels) and it's scary how unaware people are about what they consume, but still a good, quick read on "halo bias." 'organic' foods pack on the pounds - good