NARA'S NOTEPAD
VOLUME 22
AUGUST 2025
NUMBER 8
Thursday, July 31, 2025
POLITICAL SYSTEMS
Let's start
off with the most well-known political system in the world - democracy.
Democracy is a form of government where power is held by the people, either
directly or through elected representatives. It's a system that values
individual freedom, equality, and representation. Countries like the United
States, Canada, and Australia are all democratic countries, and it's a system
that has been praised for its ability to promote civil liberties and respect
for human rights.
However,
democracy isn't perfect. One of the biggest criticisms of this system is that
it can lead to the tyranny of the majority. This means that the majority can
vote to enact laws or policies that can negatively impact minority groups.
Additionally, democracy is often slow-moving and bureaucratic, making it
difficult to get things done quickly.
On the other
end of the spectrum, we have totalitarianism. Totalitarianism is a political
system where the government has complete control over all aspects of citizens'
lives. This means that there are no free elections, no freedom of speech, and
no individual rights. Countries like North Korea and China are examples of
totalitarian states.
Totalitarianism
is often criticised for its lack of respect for human rights and its tendency
to disregard the needs and well-being of its citizens. However, it can also be
highly efficient in achieving its goals, as there are no checks and balances to
slow down or hinder progress.
Somewhere in
between democracy and totalitarianism lies communism. Communism is a political
system where all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid
according to their abilities and needs. This system values equality and the
elimination of class distinctions. Countries like Cuba and China are examples
of communist states.
Communism is
often praised for its ability to provide for the basic needs of its citizens,
such as healthcare and education. However, it can also lead to a lack of
innovation and limited economic growth due to the lack of incentives for
individual achievement. Lastly, we have fascism. Fascism is a political system
where the government is led by a strong leader who has complete control over
all aspects of life. This system values nationalism, hierarchy, and the
suppression of individual rights. Countries like Italy under Mussolini and
Germany under Hitler are examples of fascist regimes. Fascism is often
criticized for its tendency towards xenophobia and its disregard for individual
rights. However, it can also be highly efficient in achieving its goals, as
there is no opposition or dissent allowed.
In
conclusion, there are many different political systems in the world, each with
its pros and cons. While democracy is often praised for its promotion of civil
liberties and individual rights, other systems like totalitarianism and fascism
can be highly efficient in achieving their goals. It's important to understand
the strengths and weaknesses of each political system and to strive towards
creating a government that values equality, individual freedoms, and
representation.
NATIONAL PARKS AND THEIR USES
National parks are areas of special scenic,
historical, or scientific importance set aside and maintained by a national
government and, in some cases, by an act of Congress. They are usually intended
to preserve the natural environment and provide opportunities for public
recreation and enjoyment, or education. Most of the landscapes and their
accompanying plants and animals in a national park are kept in their natural
state.
National parks vary in size, location, and
purpose across different countries and regions. The first national park in the
world is widely considered to be Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA,
which was established in 1872. However, some sources claim that Bogd Khan
Mountain National Park in Mongolia, which may date from as early as 1778, was
the first national park. Since then, many other countries have followed the
example of creating national parks to protect their natural and cultural
heritage. Some of the most famous national parks include Yosemite National Park
in California, USA; Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada; Serengeti National
Park in Tanzania; Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia; and Galapagos
National Park in Ecuador.
National parks have many benefits for both
humans and nature. They can help conserve biodiversity, ecosystem services, and
geological features; they can provide recreational, educational, and scientific
opportunities for visitors; they can support local communities and economies
through tourism and employment; they can foster national pride and identity;
and they can inspire people to appreciate and respect nature. However, national
parks also face many challenges and threats, such as climate change, species, poaching, pollution, overdevelopment, overcrowding, and conflicts with
local people. Therefore, national parks need careful planning, management, and
monitoring to ensure their long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
PALMISTRY
Palmistry is the art of telling the future from the lines on the palms of your hands. The lines are unique to each person and are said to each person and are said to show the person’s character and what will happen in the future. Palmistry began in India thousands of years ago as a form of counselling. The heart, head and life lines are especially important. They are judged by their length and strength. The life line shows how healthy you are and how much you enjoy life. The head line shows how intelligent you are, and the heart line reveals the physical condition of the heart as well as a person’s sexual and emotional nature.
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Bill Clinton is a prominent political figure who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He was a member of the Democratic Party, and his presidency was marked by economic prosperity, social progress and international leadership. Clinton was born in Arkansas in 1946 and showed an early interest in politics. He went on to attend Georgetown University, and then Yale Law School. After completing his education, Clinton returned to Arkansas where he became the youngest governor in the history of the state. Clinton's tenure as governor was notable for his progressive policies, including his emphasis on education reform and health care. In 1992, Clinton announced his candidacy for the presidency and he went on to win the election, defeating incumbent George H. W. Bush. During his presidency, Clinton worked to reduce the budget deficit and oversaw the longest period of economic growth in U.S. history. He also signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), advocating for free trade and workers' rights. Clinton also sought to promote democracy and peace around the world, intervening in conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo and negotiating the Oslo Accords for peace in the Middle East. However, Clinton's presidency was marked with controversy and scandal. In 1998, he was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on charges of perjury, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power related to his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. However, he was acquitted of the charges by the Senate. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Clinton remains a respected and influential figure in American politics. He has continued to be active in public life, campaigning for various political causes and serving as a global advocate for HIV/AIDS and climate change. He has also authored several books, including his autobiography "My Life" and "The President Is Missing," a collaboration with James Patterson.
Overall, Bill Clinton's presidency was a
transformative period in American politics, marked by both successes and controversies. His leadership and legacy
continue to be studied and debated today.
WHAT IS AGEING? WHY IT HAPPENS?
Ageing is simply the process of becoming older. Superficially, as we age, we appear to have more wrinkles and blemishes in the skin, and perhaps grayer hair. We don’t have the same strength, endurance, and even body shape as we did when we were younger. But on a molecular and cellular level in the body, what is driving these changes?
Cells are the building blocks that form all
our tissues. As we age, our cells age too. Stem cells, which are cells that are
capable of becoming a range of different tissues (bone, muscle, blood, etc.),
lose the capacity to undergo differentiation—the ability to change from one
cell type to another. This is problematic because stem cells are responsible
for replenishing damaged tissue, for example, damaged cartilage in joints. So,
the body cannot regenerate as effectively.
Unlike the cells in young bodies, cells in
the older person’s body also lose some of their metabolic capacity and start to
accumulate waste proteins, resulting in malfunction. This is thought to occur
because of several different reasons:
DNA
damage arising from exposure to free radicals (free radicals are high-energy
molecules in the body
capable of destroying or damaging
other molecules). Shortening of
telomeres (telomeres are structures on the end of your DNA that protect it from
degradation). Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) (destructive molecules
created from sugar) abnormally bond with other normal proteins and fat
molecules, and over time, these altered molecules accumulate. Our cells may be
intrinsically programmed genetically to age and stop working.
Thus, the body loses its ability to replace
old or damaged cells, and those older cells start to malfunction. This disrupts
the complex biological processes in the body. Cellular aging processes affect
the musculoskeletal system, and we know that three things happen:
Bones lose
density, becoming weaker and more brittle (aka osteoporosis and osteopenia)
Muscle mass and density decreases (a.k.a. sarcopenia)
The smooth cartilage which covers our joints wears down. In the spine, all three of these processes occur in addition to degeneration of the intervertebral discs—the structures which are responsible for linking our vertebrae together.
TO QUOTE
We see that some people do not want to have a child, while others have one, and that’s it. However, they often have dogs and cats that take the place of children. This may seem amusing, but it is a reality. – Pope Francis
JUST TO LAUGH
An Italian businessman goes to Indonesia for a business trip. He hates Indonesian food, so he asked the concierge in his hotel, "Is there any restaurant where I can find Italian food here?" The concierge says, "You're lucky, sir, a new pizza restaurant just opened and they deliver." The businessman asks for the restaurant's number, goes back to his room, and orders the pizza.
Thirty minutes later, the delivery person arrives with the pizza. He takes the
pizza and eats it. Suddenly, he's sneezing uncontrollably and shouting to the
delivery person, "What did you put on this pizza?!" The delivery man
bows deeply and says, "We put exactly what you ordered on the phone, sir.
It's pepper.
LINES I LIKED
Ø A crowd isn’t just a large number of people – it’s a mass in which members identify with one another.
Ø
A letter is a
communication written by one person to another, to convey a message or ideas.
Ø
A slow and steady
approach to wealth creation is always safer and more sustainable.
Ø
A small part of your
life is decided by completely uncontrollable circumstances, while the vast
majority of your life is decided by your responses.
A lack of self-confidence leads people to be afraid of the present and
the future.
Meet you next month – 2025
Professor A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO:
E-mail: arumugakannu@gmail.com
Ph: 0422 4393017 Mobile: 75399 15614
(NARA’S
NOTEPAD)
Monday, June 30, 2025
THE ART OF ATTENTION
Attention is the ability to actively process specific information
in the environment while tuning out other details. It is a vital skill that
allows us to learn new things, solve problems, and survive in a complex world.
However, attention is not a simple or static phenomenon. It is influenced by
many factors and has various effects on our perception and memory. In this
essay, I will explore the different types of attention, the factors that affect
attention, and the effects of attention on perception and memory. I will also
provide some suggestions on how to improve attention in different situations.
One of the aspects of attention is the type of attention that we
use in different situations. There are four main types of attention: sustained,
selective, divided, and alternating. Sustained attention is the ability to
focus on one thing for a continuous period. For example, when we read a book or
watch a movie, we use sustained attention to follow the plot and characters.
Selective attention is the ability to focus on one thing while ignoring other
things. For example, when we listen to a lecture or a conversation, we use
selective attention to filter out background noises and distractions. Divided
attention is the ability to perform two or more tasks at the same time. For
example, when we drive a car and talk on the phone, we use divided attention to
coordinate our actions and words. Alternating attention is the ability to
switch between different tasks that require different levels of focus. For
example, when we study for an exam, we use alternating attention to review
different topics and materials.
Each type of attention has its benefits and challenges. Sustained
attention helps us to maintain concentration and avoid errors. However, it can
also be exhausting and boring if the task is too long or difficult. Selective
attention helps us to avoid information overload and focus on what is
important. However, it can also make us miss some
relevant or interesting details that are not in our focus. Divided attention
helps us to multitask and save time. However, it can also reduce our
performance and increase our stress if the tasks are too complex or demanding.
Alternating attention helps us to adapt to changing demands and goals. However,
it can also cause confusion and interference if the tasks are too similar or
unrelated.
For example, when we are aroused by a
stimulus or a situation, we pay more attention to it and react faster to it.
Fatigue is the degree to which we are tired or sleepy. For example, when we are
fatigued by lack of sleep or stress, we pay less attention to anything and make
more mistakes. Distraction is the degree to which we are exposed to irrelevant
or competing stimuli. For example, when we are distracted by noises or
notifications, we pay less attention to our main task and lose our focus.
Emotion is the degree to which we feel positive or negative feelings. For
example, when we are emotional by happiness or sadness, we pay more attention
to the sources of our emotions and less attention to other things.
Each factor can have positive or negative
effects on our attention depending on the context and the intensity. Interest
and motivation can increase our attention and learning if they are aligned with
our goals and values. However, they can also decrease our attention and
learning if they are too strong or too weak. Arousal and emotion can increase
our attention and performance if they are optimal and appropriate. However,
they can also decrease our attention and performance if they are too high or
too low. Fatigue and distraction can decrease our attention and performance if
they are frequent and severe. However, they can also increase our attention and
performance if they are occasional and mild.
A third aspect of attention is the effects of
attention on perception and memory. Perception is the process of interpreting
and organising sensory information. Memory is the process of encoding, storing,
and retrieving information. Attention plays a critical role in both processes,
as it determines what we perceive and what we remember. Attention can alter our
perception of reality and influence our memory formation and retrieval. For
example, when we pay attention to a stimulus or a situation, we perceive it
more accurately and vividly. We also encode it more deeply and store it more
securely in our memory. When we retrieve it later, we recall it more easily and
confidently. However, when we do not pay attention to a stimulus or a
situation, we perceive it less accurately and vividly. We also encode it less
deeply and store it less securely in our memory. When we retrieve it later, we
recall it less easily and confidently.
Therefore, it is important to improve our
perception and memory by paying attention to relevant details and avoiding
irrelevant ones. For example, when we read a text or listen to a speech, we
should pay attention to the main ideas and the supporting evidence. We should
also avoid distractions such as noises or thoughts that are not related to the
text or the speech. When we study for a test or prepare for a presentation, we
should pay attention to the key concepts and the examples. We should also avoid
fatigue, such as lack of sleep or stress, that can impair our attention and
memory.
BARACK OBAMA
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Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States, serving two terms from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to hold the position of President in the country and left a lasting impact on American politics and society. Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1961 and graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a degree in political science. After working as a community organiser in Chicago, he attended Harvard Law School, where he earned a law degree in 1991. Obama served in the Illinois State Senate from 1997 to 2004 before being elected to the United States Senate in 2004. In the 2008 presidential election, Obama defeated Republican nominee John McCain to become President of the United States. During his presidency, Obama implemented various policies, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare, which aimed to improve healthcare access for millions of Americans. He also worked to improve the economy, passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and implemented the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create jobs and improve infrastructure.
One of Obama's most significant foreign
policy accomplishments was the negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal. He also
improved relations between the United States and Cuba by reestablishing
diplomatic ties and easing travel restrictions. Obama was a strong advocate for
climate change action, and his Clean Power Plan sought to reduce carbon
emissions from power plants.
During his presidency, Obama faced
significant challenges, including the Great Recession, foreign policy crises in
the Middle East, and growing political polarisation in the United States.
However, he maintained high approval ratings throughout his presidency and is
regarded as one of the most influential and transformative presidents in modern
American history.
POLITICS AND RELIGION
Politics and religion have been intertwined for centuries, shaping the course of history and influencing the lives of millions of people around the world. Despite the fundamental differences between the two, they have often been used to legitimise each other and promote various agendas.
Religion has long been used as a tool for
political control, with rulers using it to justify their authority and shape
the values and beliefs of their subjects. This has led to the rise of religious
hierarchies, theocracy, and religious nationalism, which have caused conflicts
and divisions among people of different faiths. Furthermore, religious
institutions have often been used to impose moral and ethical codes that are
incompatible with modern secular values, such as gender equality, LGBTQ rights,
and social justice.
On the other hand, politics has also played a
significant role in shaping religious practices and beliefs, with governments
using their power to regulate or suppress religious activities they deem a
threat to their authority. This has led to the persecution of religious
minorities, the suppression of freedom of speech, and the subjugation of
religious institutions to state authority. In more recent times, the rise of
populism and nationalism has led to the politicisation of religion, with
religious groups being co-opted into various political movements and parties.
Despite the potential for conflict between
politics and religion, there is also the potential for synergy and
collaboration. Religious and political leaders can work together to promote
social welfare, promote human rights, and advance the common good. Furthermore,
religion can offer moral and ethical guidance to politicians and policymakers,
serving as a moral compass for society. At the same time, politics can also
provide a framework for religious pluralism and the protection of individual rights, ensuring that no one religion
or group dominates over others.
In conclusion, politics and religion are
complex and often contentious issues that require careful consideration and
dialogue. While they may seem incompatible at times, they both have the
potential to positively impact society when used wisely. It is up to leaders in both domains to
work together to ensure that their actions promote peace, justice, and mutual
respect between people of all faiths and backgrounds.
JUST TO LAUGH
At a workshop on dog temperament, the instructor noted that a test for a dog’s disposition was for an owner to fall down and act hurt. A dog with a poor temperament would try to bite the person, whereas a good dog would lick its owner’s face or show concern.
Once, while eating pizza in the living room, I tried this theory on my two dogs. I stood up, clutched my heart, let out a scream
and collapsed on the floor.
The dogs looked at me, glanced at each other and raced
to the coffee table for my pizza.
LINES I LIKED
Ø Although it’s easy to blame everyone and everything for our unhappiness, sometimes we just have to take a long look at ourselves, our habits and behaviours, and our personality.
Ø An excellent way to broaden your experience is to listen to someone who
has expertise in an area where you don’t.
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