Zai Thinks Out Loud

Hello hello hello! This is what I’ve been reading today!

1) FT -  British MPs targeted by hackers in co-ordinated attack

Interestingly enough, it seems that Russia is apparently trying to discredit politicians in the Western world who they don’t like. Apparently this was seen in Britain before the General Election was announced with fewer than 10 MP’s and their political staff although no one in the cabinet was actually targeted so it does appear that although there could be a threat to meddling in the upcoming election, it doesn’t seem to be affecting us just yet.

The group identified in Russia was supposedly responsible for the discrediting of Hillary Clinton as well as Emmanuel Macron. Luckily for us it doesn’t always work its magic though!

2) BBC News - Brexit: Lib Dem manifesto pledges new EU referendum

This was an interesting one to read because I haven’t really looked into what the Liberal Democrats have decided to offer this time around having lost 50 seats in the 2015 general election after they backed up on many of their promises in their coalition with the Tories. One of these was the scrapping of tuition fees which clearly didn’t happen. 

This article shows that the main things they want to pledge are:

- free school meals - housing benefits for young people to help them up the housing ladder - 66% off of local transport for 16-21 year olds - Building 300,000 more houses a year (this will cost £3 billion by 2022).

The main thing they appear to want to do this time is to brighten the futures of the children of this country and although I don’t agree with Brexit, I don’t think people will buy the Lib Dem’s version of democracy, allowing it to be overturned, particularly the EU. 

3)  BBC Health - 'Fat but fit is a big fat myth' 

This is an interesting article that attempts to weigh up the risks of being obese but otherwise metabolically healthy and whether there is enough evidence for or against the claim that this is a state which can be maintained and is possible. The main point that I took away from the article is that simply being overweight, even if you’re well now can lead to you developing heart problems and blood pressure problems simply because of that fact. The other main point I took away is that often being overweight can suggest that your health could be improved generally by eating better and taking care of yourself.

I am wary of saying that because I know that’s a hard thing to do for various reasons but I am willing to bet that by ingraining good eating and well being habits into yourself as soon as you can is more likely to lead to you living a longer and healthier life generally. 

And to finish:

4) The Economist - Labour’s dangerous safe space

A short and brilliant article about how although it doesn’t seem as though the Tories are anywhere near as loud on social media as Labour, they are loud where it counts, quietly and targeting people who may have been either swing voters or perhaps less likely to vote overall. This worked for them in 2015 and could work for them again this year but there is not much to be done if Labour sticks to the online echo chamber that has been created. It needs to break out and breach new territories.

Ironically, on my first scour of the news websites I like, I found so many articles that I thought separate posts for separate countries would probably work better this time around xD Let’s go!

1) New Yorker - Why Emmanuel Macron’s Win is good for Theresa May

This article has a wonderful tone to it and mainly discusses Macron’s win and his character, what challenges he is likely to face in terms of the voters who are so far left or right and flat out refused to vote and how he is going to lower the unemployment rate for young people, which has just dipped under 24%. 

The main reason why this is a good thing for Theresa May is because Macron is likely to be more pragmatic about Brexit than anything else. Brexit isn’t the only fish he has to fry and it appears on the face of it that it should be a good relationship to work with to go through with Brexit. Let’s see what the world will come to!

2) BBC News - General election: Labour 'would axe NHS parking charges'

Before reading this, I had saved it because the general election overall will be something interesting to follow. The Conservatives seem set on breaking down the country in many ways, cutting here there and everywhere so the establishments in place no longer function but Labour are a big mess because Jeremy Corbyn is backed more by the people than his own party. 

After reading it, everyone argues that the others’ promises aren’t achievable. I have seen with my own eyes just how much money goes into parking itself and the pay of nurses has been capped for 7 years. That’s a long time! And with around £100 for staff to pay a month for it, as well as the sick and their anxious relatives, should Jeremy Corbyn not fight for it? He argues that the cost would be covered by taxing private health premiums. Could this work? I’ve got to say his opponents argue that he would not be able to manage the economy and they could be right but surely there must be a way to do the right thing?

3) FT -  Surge in applications for British passport from EU

Many people who will be hit hard by Brexit want to reserve their right to live and work in the UK, that is understandable. In the last year, it jumped more than a third. A rise of 28% from France and 60% from Germany between 2015-2016 figures. Interestingly enough many of these applications came from the parents of children who have one or more British parents but who were living away from Britain. The increase has also been seen in EU citizens living in the UK at the moment also applying for passports from within the UK. On top of that, applications for Irish passports were also up, as Ireland is part of the EU.

Last but not least:

4) FT - Conservatives defend plans to cap UK energy bills

Oh the fun part of this policy is the fact that Labour had held it in the 2015 and even 2013 by Ed Miliband and had been labelled by the Tories to be ‘quasi-Marxist’ for it. However, the Tories claim that their policy is different because it is a cap rather than a freeze which will be reviewed every 6 months. 

The energy companies themselves are also not backing this stance because they argue it won’t be good for the consumers themselves. Excess regulation can backfire. Smaller companies aside from the “Big 6!” however, see it as an opportunity for them to gain ground and not be outcompeted. They argue that it will force the companies to be “innovative and more efficient”.

Research that has been done that has led to the idea that this needs to take place has found that 5/6 of the Big 6 have increased their bills by at least 10% just this year alone. The proposal of the Tories could knock £100 off of the energy bills of the average family; a policy aiming to make the party more popular with lower income families. 

This policy however, isn’t popular with every member of the party and in response, many of the Big 6 have withdrawn their cheaper energy options from the market. Overall, it is said that this could cause unintended consequences because competition would reduce as consumers would be much less likely to try and look elsewhere for better deals. 

As you can quite clearly see, it’s been quite the while since I wrote anything here but I think that’s because uni took over.

My last exam is next Tuesday, 16th May and after that I’m hoping to be back, writing about news stories I’ve read and other thoughts I’ve had and things I want to share and I’m very excited!

1. New Yorker -  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Imperfect Romance with The New Yorker

A quirky little article explaining the hits and misses between Fitzgerald during his time and the birth and growth of the New Yorker. It’s definitely amusing to see them both trying to figure out what sort of reputation each has. My favourite part was definitely where the New Yorker tries to figure out if Fitzgerald’s work was a product of the era of the 1920′s or chronicling it - the answer ‘obviously’ was both. Marvellous.

2. NYT -  A Lifeline for Troubled Veterans

This is quite the sad story but a hopeful one all the same because it talks about a huge number of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan being given less than honourable discharges, often because of their mental health issues resulting from their service. This was especially unprecedented because having a less than honourable discharge meant that these ex-veterans also weren’t given access to healthcare and therefore many of them turn to drugs and pain relief to try and continue living. A large number of veterans end up as drug addicts and/or homeless. According to the Veterans Agency, 20 veterans a day committed suicide last year. The hopeful part of this story is that emergency mental health care is being opened up for these veterans who can prove that their misconduct was related to their poor mental health from this summer. Their aim is simply “to save lives” and although it’s late for some, perhaps it will catch others in time.

3. BBC Health - Use pram covers ‘to protect babies from air pollution’

An interesting fact that this article shares is the fact that air pollution was found to be the highest at bus stops and traffic lights and also higher in the morning compared to the afternoon. The WHO released a report that attributed the deaths of 570,000 children to illness related to pollution. The article also urges parents to take special care with their children because of the fact they’re developing and because of the fact they have lower body masses, are therefore more susceptible to the effects that pollution can have. It is said that keeping a barrier between the children and the air is currently the best way of keeping the children as safe as possible from the iron, aluminium and silica that they could inhale. 

1. NYT - Why we believe obvious untruths This was such an interesting article because it expresses knowledge about humans at large to explain why we can believe ‘untruths’. This is all to do with how we as individuals don’t know everything but how we rely on our collective knowledge from sources we deem to be reliable in order to make our decisions. This means that whether you’re led down the right path or the wrong one can depend on the sources that the collective you belong to trusts and therefore the information you believe in, even if you can’t source it yourself. Irrationality comes from a place of rationality. It’s important for all of us to recognise this so that we can choose which issues we want to understand better ourselves rather than being led down paths towards superficial understanding.

2. NYT - Welcome Refugees, Churches say in a public challenge to Trump This was a grand article because it not only portrayed the truths of what it can mean being a Christian and agreeing or opposing the executive order but it also showed the lengths those who disagree with it will go to and why. Because Jesus preached to help those in need and they aren’t dangerous. Many churches and synagogues have opened their doors to refugees fearing deportation as part of their movement to stand up against Trump. An alarming amount of Christians who were surveyed however, agreed with the order.

3. Vox - The “Day Without a Woman” Strike Explained

For International Women’s Day, 8th March, women in 30 countries across the world aren’t just going to raise awareness of women’s rights but are going to strike. The most interesting thing about this action is that we don’t know how the impact will be measured because of the fact that it’s not as open as a rally where you can count heads and so on. People will be taking action where they are and this is much more quiet. 

Women on that day are being encouraged to take days off from paid and unpaid work, not shop if at all possible and wear red in solidarity with the movement. The red, if anything, as well as the social media surrounding the strike will probably give the best indication of the impact of the strike. 

All of this said, the strike is also about showing what society looks like when women aren’t present. And that’s immense. The whole point of the feminist movement is to highlight the SOCIAL as well as economic rights that women have and that they should be treated well with. There are so many women who are in unfair and lousy situations which don’t take care of them and don’t allow them to take proper care of their of their families either, which is such a huge part of the role of women in society also. 

1. Economist - Emmanuel Macron is edging closer to French Presidency

This I found immensely interesting because of the kind of politician that Macron is. He appeals to those who are educated because that’s the kind of character he is himself and at the moment, he’s calling for change but not anything defined so to speak. There are a few things he’s going to have to do if he’s going to beat Marine le Pen but from what he’s written in the past, he could be quite the revolutionary! It’ll be interesting to see if he can defeat her for sure.

2. Economist - Why governments should introduce gender budgeting

This was such an interesting read because it talks about how governments who have taken into account ways to make sure that both halves (roughly) of their populations are taken care of have found that they are much more successful in being efficient. For example, in countries where women would have otherwise spent a lot of time walking backwards and forwards collecting water, running water has been instated which has helped keep more of them in education. This article is a fascinating read because of all of the examples you can see across the globe and how much sense it makes. 

3. NYT - Colon and Rectal Cancers Rising in Young People

This is quite the worrying article about the fact that because we don’t expect to see these cancers in the younger population, they’re not tested for and therefore when they are found, they’re at quite advanced stages. Luckily it seems that in most cases the patients tend to go onto a full recovery but regardless, living with cancer without even realising it.... 

The worst part of this story is the fact that researchers can’t figure out why it’s happening. The numbers of these cases is definitely on the rise but only in the younger population; it’s actually decreasing in the older generations! Here’s hoping they find an answer or at the least begin checking worrying signs when they first present themselves. 

4. BBC - Early warning signs of heart attacks ‘being missed’

This is quite worrying too because it means that weeks or so before the event happens, signs that indicate that a heart attack is imminent are being missed. This is generally because they can be mistakenly lumped with other causes. 

1. New Yorker - A New Trumpist Magazine Debuts at the Harvard Club

This is such an interesting article because it explores the ways a magazine could be ‘not unsympathetic’ with Trump - not mention him explicitly but still support his policies in a more detailed manner with regards to his stances on major issues in more detail than perhaps the President himself! On the opening night of the magazine, the founder held a debate with one who supported his stance and one who didn’t and apparently it was one of the liveliest political conversations - but get this - never once did they mention Trump.

Their discussion about why immigration is also an interesting one to read because it explores why we need immigration has changed. In the 1980′s and 90′s, it was necessary for globalisation simply because the more people you had, the more you would progress. Arguably today, as most of the progress has been made, immigration is more about how you would divide up the pie you have rather than make the pie bigger so everyone can earn their share.

It’s so interesting because it talks about how because Trump is outside of the political world, the way that he thinks may actually be good for the ‘political community’ - that is the people. Because he’s not bound to convention or to any politicians so to speak. The funny thing that has been said about this journal, which is called ‘American Affairs’ is that it sounds so unlike anything that Trump himself may say but the awesome thing about it is that it may help people from all political backgrounds to understand why Trump does what he does.

2) NYT - Why I Will Not Leave

This article is a short summary of the powerful story of Jeanette Vizguerra who talks about how she will not be forced out of the country of her children and how hard she has fought for the better futures of her children. At the moment, she has found sanctuary in a church but why should she leave when just the thought of her leaving has caused her three children to have to be treated for depression and anxiety? Is that right?

3) NYT - ‘I Hope to Have My Mind Boggled a Few More Times’

This article is something I haven’t actually experienced before - but basically a compilation of highly rated comments to some of the week’s news.

The first was in reaction to NASA discovering the 7 Earth like planets. The writer expresses hopes that we will be able to continue to see these discoveries by talented scientists as a benefit to mankind. :D

The second was in response to Trump removing the right for gender neutral bathrooms across schools in the US. It’s a heart wrenching short comment; for those of us who don’t struggle with gender, that we shouldn’t assume that our narrow knowledge of gender is the end of all there is to know. Also, some of us fear what we don’t know but that shouldn’t cause us to make those we don’t understand have even harder lives than the hardship they already face. And that means, like anyone else, it’s not anyone else’s business what they do in the toilet.

The third comment is in response to the same issue and for me, I read it with a pinch of salt and a bagful of hope because it explores the idea that there shouldn’t need to be a federal ruling about these bathrooms. That perhaps they would be better dealt with on a local level. I’m just hoping that it is implemented as widely as humanly possible regardless of if there is a federal ruling or not. Culture shouldn’t make it hard.

The fourth and fifth reacted to the deportation of immigrants, the first saying it’s about time we clamped down and the second talking about how Irish immigrants are so well integrated because they’re white that they’re not even questioned. Is this right?

The sixth and seventh are both in reaction to the allegations of Uber being a homophobic and misogynistic workplace. It’s interesting because some haven’t experienced any of this but others are actively calling on those who have to come forward and let the law take its course because without the law being used, it cannot be of use.

The eighth is about the reality of the American working class and I love it because it talks about how old fashioned work, without the idea of a career or a vocation should still be respected, no matter which form it takes and how that is very American in itself. Brilliant!

The main thing I read yesterday was this article:

Atlantic - A Case For Shyness

The funniest thing about this article was how it made me realise that being shy isn’t actually advantageous for most of us. We deviate from the norm of being the social creatures that humans are renowned for being. It’s odd because it shows perhaps a propensity for showing our insecurities, or so it may seem, which isn’t necessarily the way to go up in the world. It’s the kind of thing that would normally be hidden behind closed doors, seemingly being brought wide into the open. And yet why does it happen? Do we actually know why?

I loved this article because it approached the subject from shyness from so many angles which was hilarious and also, subjectively, downright truthful. 

1. BBC Health - ‘10,000 steps a day is a meaningless fitness goal’

An interesting point about how the amount of walking you do doesn’t necessarily equate to weight loss. It’s also a bit of an arbitrary number because it’s a figure pulled out from a study which found that a Japanese person who walked around 10,000 steps a day burned around 3,000 calories which is around what a person should consume. 

That I think is quite clearly not the case in our society today because if walking 10,000 steps meant you burned all your calories for the day, it would be quite dangerous! So perhaps health and fitness apps aren’t necessarily always best at giving you targets that will make a meaningful difference. 

2. New Yorker -  In a Hospital Room, with Trump Near and Far Away

This article is heart-breaking in a sense, because it shows that both the President and the immigrants whose lives he is dismantling without much thought are both ignorant to one another in different ways. Not all immigrants, let alone US citizens, have a good enough understanding of the political system to be able to understand what difference they should ask for, that will stop their lives from tumbling from view around them.

Much of the effects that politicians have on the lives of others they simplify. I remember reading an article about what perhaps would happen to David Cameron if he understood the true implications of his policies. It takes empathy and without that, well, who knows.

3. Vox -  Why South Koreans now live longer than Americans

There have been numerous studies to show the main reasons why other wealthy and developed countries are speeding past the US in this respect, namely the access to healthcare for all which is a clear sector where the US is faltering. Changes such as the repeal of Obamacare will take away healthcare from 20 million US citizens and contributes to more deaths than gun homicides, HIV and skin cancer. Not having healthcare for everyone means that some people get left behind and the average gets pulled down. 

Not only is their healthcare faltering but right now, they also have the lowest life expectancy at birth amongst all developed countries.To top it off, ‘The US also has some of the highest obesity, homicide, and infant and maternal mortality rates in the developed world.’ Some of the reasons why South Korea is so much better and has made so much progress is because they have taken the time to target ‘reductions in infant mortality and cardiovascular diseases (particularly stroke), as well as declines in stomach cancers.’

1. NYT - California getting so much rain in such a long time!

This is such a wonderful story but also one which raises questions; it is practically indisputable that the 5 year drought cannot be said to be actual anymore, but the effects of the rain and how much impact they have had on the long lasting ground impacts of the drought are yet to be seen. The part about this article that shocked me the most was the fact that in those years, 10 million trees have died due to the drought. This rain probably can't fix that.

2. Guardian - Organic food sales are soaring

So compared to their non-organic counterparts, organic food and other products have seen their sales soaring simply because they have been able to find a way to keep them affordable and good quality all year around. It's awesome!

3. Vox - Why Planet Earth II couldn't avoid human impact in their stories

I think the part that struck me the most about this article was the fact that so much has happened in the past 10 years that this tone felt natural to include in the series without destroying the narrative. Can't not forget just how big an impact we are having without even blinking on these fragile habitats.

4. New Yorker - The Shameful Republican Assault on Medicaid

This was sad because it showed that the cheapest and most efficient option isn't viable' simply because of the way it works. And the fact that by removing Obamacare, the people that are most likely to be hard hit are actually Trump voters. Trump isn't doing anyone favours by taking away this healthcare that covers people who need it.

1. NYT - Is the Two-State Solution Dead

This was both an enlightening and saddening article because it showed clearly why things are going in the direction that they are. Or perhaps suggested a theory but in essence, until a plan that both parties can agree on can be implemented and kept in place long term, I’m not sure there can be much progress. Although it is always arguable whether that is even possible which makes the situation somewhat worse. 

2. BBC Health - Autism Detected in Brain way before symptoms

This is so interesting and quite exciting because it should hopefully mean that parents of children with autism will be able to learn earlier on the best ways of understanding and helping their child be the best that they can be. That’s on top of becoming aware of all that could happen before it does which is quite amazing! Not perfect technology yet but quite awesome 

3. Atlantic - On Not Saying His Name

This was such an interesting short piece to read because it explored how the US President has become such a synonymous figure that no one who decides to reference him without using his name, just using his characteristics and actions to identify him is misunderstood. The lack of usage of his name is a kind of power but it also shows just how strong his image is, that not even Barack Obama during his presidential campaign could have been identified in a similar manner. Quite thought provoking!

On Thursday I finished reading an article entitled ‘When Things Go Missing’ from the New Yorker and it was a beautiful read. 

To summarise it, it explored why we lose things on a daily basis and why that frustrates us so much and how that loss compares to the deeper loss of things that can’t ever be found again, such as losing loved ones. In the article, two seasons of loss are explored. The season of losing belongings and the season of losing her father and the differences and similarities and depths that have been explored between them.

Just for some context, I really want to keep up to date with the news better, so in an effort to keep a record of what I’ve been reading that day, I’m going to write what I learn every day in a post :D

1. BBC - Air pollution is too high in many places in the UK

This was according to the EU regulations but the question that came out of it for me was the question of how we’re going to be reducing it. Also, how we’re going to be holding ourselves accountable once we leave the EU.

‘The commission said more than 400,000 people died prematurely in the EU every year as a result of poor air quality and that millions more suffered respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.’  We don’t want this here, but what are we going to do to stop it?

2. FT - Things are looking up for the UK employment/unemployment rates!

There are the highest amount of people since records began in employment and unemployment at its lowest since 2005 with 45,000 people in work in the last quarter of 2016 although 7,000 people did drop out of full time work.

However, overall, it looks like things are looking up!

3. FT - US abandoning the support for a two state solution between Palestine and Israel

This isn’t being seen as a good thing because it’s been pushed for so long and the alternative seems so vague. It’s not looking certain for the Palestinians who have been occupied in what’s left of their country for so long. I guess we’ll have to see what happens :/

4. NYT - DigniCap - Helping women going through chemotherapy for breast cancer retain some/most of their hair through wearing a cooling cap!

This is such a cool development and has been showing in studies to help those with breast cancer who are currently undergoing treatment to feel less psychological side effects because they are able to look less ill than they are. It’s being trialled at the moment for women who are in early stage breast cancer treatment but it is being recommended for women in later stages too. The women simply have to wear the caps before, during and about 90 minutes after each session of chemotherapy - cooling the head stops as much blood flowing to the scalp and therefore helps reduce the metabolism of the hair. 

5. Atlantic - What is the effect of living near one’s parents on your career?

Broadly speaking, studies have found that younger people from the age of 25-35 tend to be able to bounce back much better after a job loss if they live closer to their parents. Those who don’t, often see a significant drop in their salary too (with parents $10,000, without $15,000) but they are also much less likely to be able to return to their old salary over the course of their career, in comparison to those who live closer to their parents. However, what hasn’t been explored is whether this is to do with the type of work that’s being done - perhaps if you had a less well paid job then it would be easy to regain that. That said, living near your parents can also offer other benefits that could explain this trend such as not having to pay for housing, or childcare and also having connections in the neighbourhood that could help find a job again. Pretty interesting!