Post No. 1,055 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 174 - Part 1 of 2

Owing to the word count, I've split this week's Gnwmythr's News into two parts: the other part can be found here.

Information and Summary/Analysis:

Note: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias. Furthermore, I do not hold copyright to any of the articles I link to, nor do I claim authorship, except for those links to material I have written for this and my related blogs, and my commentary in these posts. (I try to make sure quotes are shown using quotation marks.)
The purpose of posting these news links is not only to inform; it is also to

   stimulate a connection to:
    - nonBPM units that need to be cleared, and
    - BPM units that need to be strengthened,
   so that you can do the clearing / strengthening that is required.

That only works if you don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this, so take it in small chunks if you need to, but remember to actively clear and heal! … including yourself.
As part of that, note that there are key uncooperatives to be cleared (rescued): you should ONLY address those that are within your ability – if you get a sense (e.g., through meditation) or are told by your BPM Guides/Higher Self to back off, do so, and content yourself with clearing the smaller nonBPM units within your capability – which will weaken those uncooperatives. More importantly, there are many people doing this sort of work, and others are quite likely to be able to clear the uncooperatives concerned.
That is also one of the many reasons it is OK to take a break or cut back this work if you need – in fact, doing so will help you deal with the next point, which is …
… the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events, so it pays to address those as well, to the extent that one can, or to at least stop oneself projecting them into the psychic soup.
The reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing are here;   see also here,   here,   here,   (here and also here and here are interesting),   here, here,   here,   and   this post reminds us to be patient and persistent, like a “speeding oak”.
There are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working.
Finally, one of the biggest concerns I have about spirituality in the world now is that the concept of agape type love has been perverted into both a quest for emotional warm fuzzies, and an excuse to avoid doing the hard work of improving oneself and all that one does. On that, it may help to consider the simplification that one cannot love perfectly until one has learned how to perfect. (And one of the concerns I have about those resisting change is that they are so shallow / superficial /stupid that they thing their actions have ONLY the meaning of their [limited] conscious intention … )

The themes that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are:

(a)   based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20^th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;

(b)   there is an enormous need to clear nonBPM energy – the thought forms, unattached energy and scars of the collective unconscious created by millennia of violence, including spirit rescue, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage created. Also, remember that:
           1. the counter to fear is genuine  EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech,
           2. where problems exist, advocating for BPM responses, and being as BPM as one can be, are constructive solutions,
           3. peace is powerful, but it is a process requiring patient, persistent and nuanced nurturing, and a blend of conventional spiritual work, clearing nonBPM units, and physical world activism;

(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need – again, Wolfsangle, on all levels;

(d)   dealing with the 45^th US CEO / President, for whom I use the alias Voldemort, requires:
           1. eroding (i.e., slow, patient and persistent clearing of the little bits one can SAFELY cope with – remember, you are but one of many) the nonBPM influences feeding his arrogance and mind-set, and strengthening Voldemort’s BPM Guides and giving them whatever BPM help they need to present a BPM alternative – for which my “changing the personality of oppressors” post is useful – with a view to promoting what would seem to be a change of heart,
           2. lifting the nonBPM influences from the shoulders of Voldemort’s marginal supporters, allowing them to “come to their senses”, which may result in them feeling bewilderment/shame, and simultaneously strengthening the BPM influences around them (e.g., their BPM Guides) to counter them backsliding,
           3. to address the others, physical world activism (especially education) is required. As well as doing what one can there, help those who are doing this work (e.g., sending them “positive vibes”) and look for nonBPM blockages that can be cleared (e.g., setting up a BPM vortex above meetings to draw away external nonBPM influences/energies/units, so that the audience can listen as they are, without any obsession/possession);

(e)   the major events this week are:   as attraction to violence continues to be inadequately addressed, there are risks of mass atrocities in Kenya, Venezuela and Iraq;   continuing chaos around the USA’s CEO;   ongoing abuses of power;

I also take this opportunity to emphasise that it is absolutely VITAL that this psychic / metaphysical / spiritual work be performed non-violently and as is for the Highest Spiritual Good – which is part of being BPM – on all levels and in all ways. Always remember (see here): Do you fight to change things, or to punish? See also here, here, here, here, here, and my comments about “authentic presence” in this post.

News and other matters from this past week follows:

   news items are presented in the following sections (there is overlap, and items may appear more than once):
    - Permanent and Thematically Arranged News,

    - Location Based News,

    - From a Range of Other Sites;

   opportunities/good news are shown in green;

   comments are shown in purple; and

   WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc.

Permanent Issues and Thematically Arranged News:

• Permanent issue: may all actual and potential BPM Leaders be kept BPM safe, including keeping them undetectable to the nonBPM and keeping all their Significant Others inviolable against being used for indirect  psychic attack, and may they have all the BPM resources (including an assured income, given the power that nonBPM forces have in the structures of the material world), opportunities and assistance (including so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at influencing the world’s direction, development and unfoldment, all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
• Permanent issue: may all humans recognise, irrespective of the appearance of difference, the essential shared humanness of other people, the inherent resilience, the dynamic power, the strength of BPM collaboration, and the opportunities of having a diverse, inclusive and welcoming population, and may all people choose fairness, when such decisions are before them;
• Permanent issue: may all actual and potential BPM Violence Interrupters (and Interrupters of hate / fear / anger) of be kept BPM safe, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at containing and stopping – along the lines of the Cure Violence model - the spread of violence (and hate / fear / anger), all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
• Permanent issue: may all humans choose to live modestly – to forgo outdoing others, or trying to have more than they need - for the sake of an easier, more manageable life, if they cannot do it for the sake of the planet;
• Permanent issue: may all humans be in better communication with the better parts of their nature;
• Matters warranting particular attention:
     -      growing fear amongst Muslims in India;
     -   an interview with author Rusty Young, author of “Marching Powder” and “Colombiano”, has reinforced my view that drug users need to think about what they are funding – i.e., in many cases, the ongoing drug wars in Central and South America, complete with child soldiers (the interview covers one such who was in three groups on both sides of the war, and has now been rehabilitated – which is where the author is putting his efforts) and groups perverted by mistaking the means for an end … ;
     -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Kenya, Venezuela and Iraq;
• With regard to democracy (which requires  protection of minorities and the vulnerable – and remember Gandhi’s question about whether one is fighting to change things, or to punish, and the list of 198 methods of nonviolent action), freedom and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here, and see also here):
  Note: I have a section specifically for the 45^th US President below
     -   analyses this week include:   an examination of the ways that far right groups in the USA are “winning the social media battle”;   some people in the USA want to learn from global experience;   examination of why and when some corrupt leaders support anti-corruption;   a warning that online activism is far more than “slacktivism”;
     -   for other analyses see: Africa, PNG/Indonesia;
     -   of concern this week:   some of the highly questionable human beings (and yes, this is a judgemental, personal description, but the article was written by good journalists) nominating for a Republican seat in the USA;   more sexist media reporting (and interviewing) on a politician;   staggering excuses from an Australian far right party for breaking electoral laws;   three former ALP Ministers have been found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct, and charges have been recommended (I get – er, shall we say “cranky” about police who abuse their authority [in other words, don’t deserve to wear the uniform]: with a birth father who was ex-Navy, and an uncle who left the water police because he thought efforts to remove corruption were inadequate, perhaps one could joke that such is “in my blood”. I have a similar reaction when elected representatives abuse their position and the community’s trust … Mind you, in this instance, they are entitled to a presumption of innocence until found guilty, and that is important in preventing our society turning into a dictatorship);   a data harvesting company founded by a right wing businessman that is claimed to have helped the USA's CEO get elected, and is being investigated by the UK's privacy watchdog, is now active in Kenya, and may be moving into Mexico ... ;   a former mayor facing corruption charges will also be charged with attempting top pervert the course of justice (remember: innocent until proven guilty, which is to stop lynchings and dictatorships);   a possible conflict of interest in an aged care enquiry;
     -   other concerning events have occurred or are developing in: Venezuela, Kenya, China, Kurdistan, Kenya (2^nd), Zambia;
     -   in the grey/mixed [good and bad aspects] or neutral area this week:   : Brazil;
     -   good news this week includes:   “for the first time, millennials and Gen Xers outvoted their elders in 2016” in the USA – and that, in my view, will ultimately be a good thing, leading to more progressive policies;   more Democratic party activists are being trained in the USA;
     -   and other matters in my home nation this week:   discussion over how far any bans on political donations in Australia should go;   Australia’s Parliament could finally vote on Equal Marriage … if the neoliberals implode … ;   the Australian Tax Office website has experienced more outages, leading to calls for compensation and concerns about staff cuts;   there are far fewer “ordinary” Australians than thought, owing to growing diversity;   a call for government protection/assistance to be directed towards more job-producing industries;
• With regard to the 45^th US President (who I consider seriously dangerous, even if his administration looks like a Schoolyard Squabble Squad) this week:
  I deliberately avoid using the 45^th US President’s name for valid psychic reasons: however, to both simplify my typing and remind people that he is dangerous (actually, I consider him evil), I will use either “the USA’s CEO” or “Voldemort” (or a combination) or a variation thereof – in this section, at least - as an alias.
     -   the potentially dangerous fall out from leaking transcripts of calls with international leaders;
     -   an assessment that “the Gulf crisis may serve not only as an object lesson in the risks of Trump’s unpredictable approach, but the seeds of disorder and chaos it sews”;   transcripts have been released of Voldemort’s phone conversations with other world leaders – and show a staggering lack of understanding of people (see also here);-   the USA’s CEO Chaos N. Churn has now fired his recently hired media communications director – after just ten days … ;   if the USA's CEO was performing as badly in the private industry as he is in government, he would be sacked;   there seems to be a growing consensus that Voldemort is trying to disengage with the establishment - which, ultimately, could make impeaching him more likely;   criticism of a Republicans impeachment-free call to resist Voldemort, and what such people could do;
     -   the USA’s CEO Chaos N. Churn has reluctantly signed sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea into law (a bill which also removes his power to weaken those sanctions), making wild accusations along the way;
     -   as a US Senator warns that the US Senate is now too divided to get anywhere, Voldemort is now going after health insurance companies in his latest attempt to remove health care from millions of US residents – although the US Senate will fight to stabilise insurance payments;   a call for better, universal health care in the USA;
     -   a former US sheriff who ignored legal advice that he could not detain immigrants simply because they lacked legal status to continue to do so for 18 months has been found guilty of criminal contempt, and could be fined or jailed (this is vigilantism – the fact that it was committed by an officer of the law makes it WORSE);   more appalling abuse of power by the US ICE - this time against a US citizen;   the US White House is proposing a new immigration approach based, in part, on Canada's system and Australia's (covertly and, at times, overtly, racist and described by Voldemort as worse than his) system;   Voldemort has moved to make tougher vetting for visas permanent;   unless US cities move their investigation of crime away from a balanced approach to one focus on crimes from illegal immigrants, they will be shut out of future justice programmes;   dozens of Yemenis and Iranians whose legal visas were blocked have launched legal action against the USA;   the last time the USA – unsuccessfully - tried merit-based immigration;
     -   Christopher Wray has been confirmed by US Senate as the new FBI Director;   the US Drug Enforcement Administration's acting director, feeling compelled to speak out when "something is wrong", sent an agency-wide email urging DEA agents to show "respect and compassion" (noting that incidents of police brutality and killings have created deep divisions in the USA), one day after the US President told law enforcement officers not to be "too nice" to suspects - the first head of a federal agency to challenge US President;   a grand jury has been impanelled for the enquiry into alleged Russian influence – and subpoenas have been issued;   “Republican and Democratic senators [have] introduced two pieces of legislation … seeking to block [the USA’s] President … from firing the special counsel probing his ties to Russia, as Congress increasingly seeks to assert its authority on policy”;
     -   the US Department of Homeland Security will waive environmental requirements on border wall projects;
     -   one of Voldemort's advisors, whilst wrong on other matters (in my view - including the current meaning of this Statue), was correct about the history of the Statue of Liberty (it was conceived as a celebration of freedom) and the timing of the sonnet on it (it was added later, but it IS about immigration);
     -   a critique of Voldemort’s inappropriate speech to US boy scouts – noting that Presidential wisdom, albeit from George Washington, was also available;
     -      an interesting suggestion – from one of Voldemort’s most controversial supporters – to treat social media giants like public utilities;
     -   an NSC conspiracy believer (“they’re out to get Voldemort”) has been let go;
     -   other matters relating to US CEO Voldemort: Universities;
• With regard to violent extremism (VE) (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism are actively doing the work of violent extremists. This will be countered, in part, by the sort of approach advocated by “Cure Violence”, and, in part, by addressing real and perceived disempowerment and acknowledging the variety in what provides genuine, BPM fulfilment as a counter to fanaticism as a source of meaning. I am deliberately avoiding the use of specific names of violent extremist groups as much as possible to reduce the publicity they get – I’m not a primary news source, and thus consider I can do so):
     -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in Afghanistan (attack on Iraqi Embassy), Afghanistan (mosque), Afghanistan (3^rd), Afghanistan (4^th), Yemen, Libya, Kenya, Somalia, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 26 attacks in Iraq, 10 attacks in Afghanistan, and 3 attacks in Syria (out of a total of 43);   violent extremist threats are or may be developing in some Indonesian mosques, some Indonesian maids;   and actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media I read) have occurred this week against violent extremists in Yemen, Yemen (2^nd), Somalia;
     -   following some recent preventative arrests (see also here), a warning that "human intelligence" is the best way to stop air travel threats – the rest is security  theatre for weak-minded (but voting) sheeple, along with legitimation of bigotry and bullying. There may be a need for better monitoring of ground staff, however;   "The lawyer for a man arrested over an alleged plot to attack a plane — then released without charge — has said he wants to know why police arrested his client, adding that it had 'caused a lot of damage to him' " There are questions to be answered, and possibly compensation owed, but I think it is too early for any judgements about either guilt or innocence – two of the four men have been charged;   the former deputy director of the US National Security Agency has opined that the Australian government's bid to force tech companies to break encryptions – which exceeds what even the US government wants - could be unachievable;   questions over a violent extremist was able to infiltrate the UK military;   the USA has lost a key CVE figure;
     -   a former chief investigator at the USA’s Camp X Ray at Guantanamo has accused the US military of blocking his book on the methods used there, which the author says included torture;   an examination of the history and changes of a violent extremist group;   “a spending and policy imbalance” in my nation;
     -   other violent extremist matters have also occurred in: Cameroon;
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
     -   the experiences of refugees in Australia, including disrespect;   more violent assaults on refugees in Australia’s refuge gulag;   the transcript of the hostile call between the USA’s CEO and Australian Prime Minister “Trumbell” has been leaked – and shows a staggering amount of duplicity, lies and presumption about refugees – see also here;   an article on the abuses of child, family and other refugees;   confrontations in Australia's refugee gulag;   Italy has seized a German NGO’s boat for allegedly helping illegal migration;
     -   other refugee-related matters have also occurred in: Lebanon (good news), Australia, LGBTI refugees, the Netherlands, Greece, Libya/Italy;
• With regard to human (and other) rights and discrimination (incidentally, I consider it vital to identify people who are bigots as they clearly have flaws in their powers of observation and thinking – shown by the fact that NOT all people act hatefully without education/lobbying/the restraint of laws):
     -   on homophobia/transphobia this week (noting that trans kids are the same as cis kids of the trans kids’ true gender) :   Australia's longest-running annual lifestyle survey has shown support is growing – “there has been a profound shift” – in favour of Equal Marriage. However, political control and dominance are more important to some politicians than treating people decently … but other MPs are refusing to be intimidated, and are angry at “veiled threats” in the media. The neoliberals will discuss this next week … (the debate shows an extraordinarily selective definition of what changes constitute a “breach of trust”) – and more on the neoliberals implosion over Equal Marriage;   the need for protection for LGBTI refugees (translation);
     -   other homophobic/transphobic matters have also occurred in Russia;
     -   on racism this week:   racism appears to have had a role in concerning convictions of four Indian men in the 90s;   an indigenous community has taken alcohol policy into its own hands, using elders as bouncers and breath testing everyone when they enter;   three Indigenous health workers from a remote island community will leave Australia for the first time to speak at a hepatitis B conference in Alaska;   the Garma  festival has inspired some reflection on achieving rights and reconciliation, and the history of Australia's indigenous people since whites came here;   caution over a constitutional voice, based on historical failures;   the USA is planning on reinstituting indirect racism in University applications;
     -   other racism problems have also occurred in the USA;
     -   on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):   some historical letters of rejection to former would-be engineering students read by current women engineers show that some progress has occurred over the last century;   a female Mongolian wrestler is trying to break in to the sexist world of sumo;   an examination of how gender stereotypes get attached to jobs;   more sexist media reporting (and interviewing) on a politician;   a US "federal judge in Alabama has struck down portions of a state abortion law" that had made abortions for minors substantially harder (including a lawyer for the foetus);   an article on financial abuse;   a Fact check confirms that women have become better educated whilst the gender pay gap hasn't budged;   the problem of male rape, focusing on Africa;   an online tool is available to stop sexist words in job ads;   a call to let go of the sexist "weather girl" tag;   men still want mothers to stay at home … ;   the UK will ban gender stereotypes;
     -   other sexism matters have also occurred in: Universities, Australia, Jordan, South Sudan, India;
     -   on religious rights (including Islamophobia) this week:   an idiotic court (and Council?) in my nation have banned a synagogue on the grounds it would lead to violent extremism (so you give up? Actually, most of the problems are hate crimes, not violent extremism, so you’re letting criminal thugs win by this ban);
     -   on workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human (and other – e.g., animal) rights this week:   the Electronic Privacy Information Center “has filed a complaint with the [USA’s Federal Trade Commission] over [an internet company’s] system for tracking purchases internet users make in person, at physical store locations”;  a site promoting work flexibility;   publicity on the need for a Modern Anti-Slavery Act;   “a coroner has identified a series of failings in the care provided to a 16-year-old girl who died of a drug overdose while in the custody of Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services”;   “the former owner of a Melbourne fruit shop has been handed a record fine for underpaying an Afghani refugee who went weeks without wages”;   “accusations of bullying have been levelled at the managing director of one of Australia's biggest nursing home chains” (in my opinion, this industry shows the dangers of privatisation);   a photo of bus seats that look like burqas has shown the biases of some people;   jobseekers are increasingly becoming 'trapped' in a cycle of casual employment because of employer biases;   a staffer’s mistake has revealed the strategies used to circumvent decency at the World Bank;  classism is keeping public housing stigma alive;
     -   other workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human or other rights matters have also occurred in: Australia, the data harvesting world, Iraq, Qatar (opportunity);
   I have added the following to the heading of this section: “incidentally, I consider it vital to identify people who are bigots as they clearly have flaws in their powers of observation and thinking – shown by the fact that NOT all people act hatefully without education/lobbying/the restraint of laws”;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
     -   weeks after the problem occurred, police in my home state are finally investigating oil patches that have been left on bike paths – and have cause serious injuries;   the Coroner has found that police acted appropriately when they killed a young man who attacked them with a knife;   the “third party billing” scam on so-called “smart” phones;   possible collusion amongst German car manufacturers;   mandatory reporting of possible child abuse includes religious organisations in my home state;   what to do about phone billing scams – which are reported by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network to have affected 1.9 million Australians;   a group of serial murderers (who used car ambushes) on their way to trial in Moscow escaped and forced a gunfight, leading to the death of three and the recapture of the others;   "trade on several of the dark web's illegal markets has boomed since two major players were shut by the authorities last month ... to prevent the sale of drugs, weapons and malware. ... 'There is growing evidence that when one illegal dark web marketplace is closed, the illicit business quickly starts to be redirected to other sites which are still active' ";   how police catch criminals using drones;   "a Melbourne woman believes she was shot in the stomach as payback for giving evidence against [her son], who was sent to jail for arson attacks on the homes of the family of [a] notorious gangland figure";   in the USA, "lawmakers are asking the Department of Homeland Security to improve training in response to the 2013 death of a Mexican teenager who drank liquid methamphetamine at the alleged request of customs officers";   an anti-pornography group which claims to be seeking protection for children is proposing a measure which would – in my opinion -put legal users at risk of criminal financial activity – and may well shut down such sites (violence based pornography is wrong and offensive, but consensual, non-violent activity is NOT);   an internal investigation has cleared police officers in an Australian state of any wrongdoing over allegations of brutality claimed to have left a man shaking in his final months of life (this shows the inherent weakness of using internal investigations – I’m certainly not convinced by the reported clearing [particularly given historical racism], and the failure to tell anyone of the result doesn’t help anything either);   criminals are using new techniques to commit credit card fraud;   more police have been suspended in a US city for planting drugs during a traffic stop;  a US bank has admitted signing car loan customers to unnecessary insurance WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION - leading to repossessions, damaged credit histories, etc (apart from the possible criminal aspects, this is an abuse of power ... it reminds me a little of the way superannuation accounts in Australia suddenly had death and disability insurance for employees - at the employees expense, rather than companies being responsible ... );   the failures of the legal system – and the stupidity of some police (rape is rape, and don’t dismiss stuff glibly) - is leading some women who have been raped to “go vigilante” on social media (I can understand that, because the existing systems are often grossly flawed on such matters, but it is, as police have said, dangerous – although, in the example written about, their warnings are clearly irrelevant. The use of social media to warn friends about people/places/organisations to avoid is, I consider, perfectly legitimate – people have ALWAYS talked to their friends about such things [I’ll give such a warning now: be wary of any such that are nonBPM] … the problem is when it leaks into an unintended public circulation);   “former [Australian] High Court judge Michael Kirby says it is time for Australia to introduce online civil courts to make access to justice more affordable for Australians” (as someone who has been unable to act on recommendations to take legal action several times, I heartily concur);   details of a case against an Australian bank which was duped into money laundering are emerging - see also here;   police abuse of an arrested and restrained teenager in the USA;  1.5 tonnes of drugs on a yacht has been intercepted;   some US police who have been fired for abuses of power (including sexual assaults) have been forced to be rehired over procedural problems – despite the misconduct being undisputed;
    -    other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: Universities, USA (vigilantism by law officer), the USA, Australia, Jordan, India;
• With regard to press aka the media, and freedom of expression (keeping in mind that claims of presenting “both sides” of a debate can be WRONG if the other side is RUBBISH –as is the case on LGBTIQ issues: having an “equal say”, or a “right to respond” MUST be assessed in the context of what is happening overall in society – NOT solely in one limited incident. Also, funding is an issue … ):
     -   concerns over a planned UK TV documentary on Princess Diana;   some rural media in my home state are doing well – “bucking the trend” of print decline (whether this is good or not depends on whether they are promoting the small minded bigotry that is endemic to too many such regions);   sexist and anti-Semitic bigotry has marred the reputation of an Irish newspaper;
     -   other media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in: China (internet / censorship), Australia, China (2^nd), US military (censorship), reporting on past activism;
• With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour? [IT manufacturers are making some effort in on those – in response to activist pressure.] Do you suffer from FOMO or addiction? Are you having second thoughts about technology? Is your social media making you miserable or envious? Are you being duped by modern mantras? Are you “failing” at being well? Does your AI use ethics? Does your corporation misuse mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions? Are you afflicted by management  fads? Do you understand embedded emissions? Do you want a bigger, flashier home/car than people had 50 years ago – which means you are actively abusing the environment and society’s cohesion and contributing to the problem of financialisation?):
     -   on climate change and other environmental matters this week:   Colombia has been taking progressively stronger action against plastic bags;   a large geo-exchange system for a major building, with good discussion and advantages and disadvantages (I want a simpler, shallower system for houses);   as a wastewater treatment engineer, I question why this discharge near Niagara Falls was allowed to occur, and why it has been considered in any way, shape or form “routine” – the material needs to be captured, and treated as a sludge;   an interview with billionaire, philanthropist and former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, who has become a climate change activist (for public health reasons);   “An overhaul of [Australia’s] climate research system has been recommended … after a review found a critical lack of staff in key areas like climate modelling” – which is a criticism of the neoliberal government’s cut backs;   climate change will lead to dangerous increases in humidity, particularly in Asia, where such events have already killed thousands;   NASA wants to hire a "planetary protection officer";   "Earth Overshoot Day", the day our consumption of resources exceeds what the Earth can regenerate in a year, is the earliest ever this year: 12^th August;   rising CO₂ may decrease nutrients in food crops;   more vegie burgers are being consumed in the USA;   the problem of nuclear waste;   an energy efficiency programme in my home state has saved nearly half a billion dollars on energy bills this year;   a US State’s attempts to remove protections for public lands has cost it $45 million annually;   local action against climate change;   the need to have healthy microbes in soil;   the benefits of farming kelp;   another key figure has left the US EPA;
     -   other environmental matters have occurred in: China (good news), the USA, PNG, Egypt;
     -   on technology and science matters this week:   a US Congressional committee has invited internet companies to comment on proposed changes which could end net neutrality;   a place has finally banned using a mobile phone while crossing the street - as a pedestrian;   social and personal insights from internet search data;   50% of the world uses the internet - which means 50% doesn't;   some workers have been microchipped in the USA - I hope voluntarily ... ;   a step (in a lab) towards curing inherited diseases has raised fears of "designer babies";   identity theft on social media;   the nuances of science, anti-science and politics;   an interesting suggestion – from one of Voldemort’s most controversial supporters – to treat social media giants like public utilities;
     -   other technology and science matters have occurred in: Australia, USA/the internet, the data harvesting world;
     -   on economic and financial matters this week:   mortgage and childcare costs are contributing the financial strains on young Australian families, and stagnating incomes aren’t helping;
     -   on affordable housing and homelessness matters this week:   Australian superannuation companies are investing in “affordable housing” in the USA – but not Australia … ;   options ("shared equity") to improve house affordability (I posted an article on this topic recently, but it’s not, in my view a proper solution – more of a stop gap. How about building smaller, simpler and less expensive [but more solid!] houses as a first start? How about an ethical builder decides to stop trying to gouge the market for whatever they can get, and charges only a fair profit?);   in one Australian state, defaults on investment mortgages now exceed residential mortgages … (the collapse of the mining boom means there is no rental market … );   “one in seven Australian households is in a state of housing need”;   the reasons older people need to be wary about downsizing;
     -   on other matters in the category this week:   “Australian girls are hitting puberty as young as eight, sparking concern about the social and physical ramifications [“poorer psychosocial adjustment from early childhood through to early adolescence “, and "developmental readiness theory suggests that early-maturing adolescents are more likely to have psychological and behavioural problems because these individuals are not emotionally or cognitively ready for the physical and social changes accompanying puberty”] and ‘baffling’ lack of sex education in schools” – and how many other nations is this occurring in? It’s not the first time I’ve heard of this);   Australia's longest-running annual lifestyle survey has revealed women are having second thoughts about whether a husband is for life’;   “a ‘switch’ in the brain that regulates the way the body converts food into energy or stores it as fat may not work in some people with obesity, indicating losing weight is not as simple as changing your diet” (and again, science catches up with reality … );   a boxing gym is tackling crime and homelessness;   one of the cases a group aiming to prevent youth suicides is working with is an 11 year old boy who, after his father committed suicide, wants to do the same;   city planners know little about their effect on mental health - and the loss of backyards is NOT helping;   “depression is a modern health epidemic that is also culture-specific” – and possibly is because we are expected NOT to be (I agree with that – I’ve mad e appoint of being open about being cranky/grumpy in response to pressure – particularly in New Age groups – to be happy and upbeat, and consider such glib stupidity to be responsible for a lot of other problems, including worker abuse an unrestrained political abuses);
• With regard to education:
     -   a warning that the scale of sexual assaults is so large – the problem is endemic in society – that Universities may be unable to address it effectively on their own;   the thoughts of students and others on the recent report on rates of sexual assaults at and near Universities, which showed half of university students nationwide have been sexually harassed and 1.6% have been assaulted (sadly, over 2% in my home state);   after ten years, NAPLAN testing has made little difference in the performance of school students;   research into humans’ innate mathematical skills (apparently animals also have some such skills) may improve teaching;   a school has been fined $50,000 after a student was killed in a tug-of-war-style game with a four-wheel drive;
• With regard to war, violence and hate generally:
     a criticism of the recent nuclear ban treaty – which, although the article promotes the deterrence aspect (a short to medium term issue at best, and one that overlooks the problems that go with having that deterrence – although the issue of unilateral disarmament is, given Russia’s President, unwise at the moment), has a few other points worth considering;   a US city plagued by murders has organised a grassroots ceasefire;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
     a 40 year old forestry aid project is helping the rebuilding in Nepal;   the ongoing legacy of suffering – after 20 years – of a landslide disaster in Australia (that ongoing suffering occurs after all such disasters);   H1N1 flu in Burma;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, development (in an end poverty/thirst/hunger sense) and the occasional nice story (are you crippled by the fear of being single or asexual or off-grid or in any other way a rebel / innovator / non-conformist / true to yourself, or believe in management  fads and fashions? Do you distract yourself and fill your time to avoid finding real meaning? If so, you have a spiritual problem, and a need to constructively remedy that):
     growing division within Judaism over the issue of marriage with non-Jews;   applications are now open for grants from my home state’s Community Harmony Program and the Multicultural; Excellence Awards;   now that I've been able to buy the DVDs in my nation (thank you for nothing, geoblocking – and I still can’t access all the special features), I've been catching up on Season Five of the TV series Grimm, and Episode 16 "The Believer" was interesting for a number of reasons: in particular, the notion of taking away people's sense of guilt to give them a sense of hope - which I think has advantages and disadvantages … ;   a UN agency has developed new guidelines to better manage forest resources;   an updated “manual” for activists;   the erasure of past, successful protests – and the lessons their successes show.