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The Appeal of Fear in Media

Exodia04, 1 mon.
1 min read.
The growing sales of horror games such as the Resident Evil franchise, and the success of horror shows and movies indicate the appeal of the genre. The reasons behind this appeal have been investigated through many studies. First, we must distinguish between the terms “horror” and “terror”, which tend to be erroneously used interchangeably. According to Dani Cavallaro, horror is the fear linked to visible disruptions of the natural order, sudden appearances, and identifiable objects. Horror causes intense physical reactions and provides us with surprise and shock. On the other hand, terror is the fear of the unknown. It is the feelings of tension and unease proceeding a revelation [1]. “The difference between Terror and Horror is the difference between awful apprehension and sickening realization: between the smell of death and stumbling against a corpse… Terror thus creates an intangible atmosphere of spiritual psychic dread… Horror resorts to a cruder presentation of the macabre” [2]. While playing horror games or watching horror movies, we constantly oscillate between terror and horror. One is willing to endure the intense fear (horror) because of its less subtle modulations (terror). In fact, a study done by the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research at Osaka University reveals that players were more likely to experience intense fear when they were in a suspense state and then faced a surprising appearance [3]. From a biological perspective, once the human brain detects a potential threat, dopamine is released into the body, and once that threat is identified as false, the body feels pleasure and the person wants to repeat this cycle by seeking scary content [4]. Although one can aim for a long psychological experience by having a good combination of terror and horror, what causes terror and unease is individual and varies from one person to another. Individual characteristics, traumas, and phobias must be taken into consideration to assess the level of fear and manipulate future gameplay accordingly. [1] D. Cavallaro, The Gothic Vision: Three Centuries of Horror, Terror and Fear. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2002. [2] Varma, D. P. (1988) The Gothic Flame, Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Vico, G. [1725] (1968) The New Science, trans. T. Goddard and M. H. Fisch, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. [3] V. Vachiratamporn, R. Legaspi, K. Moriyama and M. Numao, "Towards the Design of Affective Survival Horror Games: An Investigation on Player Affect," 2013 Humaine Association Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction, 2013, pp. 576-581, doi: 10.1007/s12193-014-0153-4 [4] A. Damasio, Descartes error: emotion, reason and the human brain. New York: Avon Books, 1994.

Free people in a tapestry of rules

THEJEDI, 1 mon.
I quote Ralph Waldo Emerson's saying that "do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". In doing so, I am telling you that there are men no smatter and no dumber than us who have been here before and by the things they have said, they knew - in that time - that whatever rulebook and pattern that was written for life - go to school, learn our ways, speak our tongue, do this work, find a companion, have some fun, leave some kids behind, grow old, die - these rules were conjured by some persons before them. Steve Jobs in an interview (find link attached to this story), said that once you discover one simple fact that everything around you that you call life was made up by people that are no smarter than you, and you can change it, influence it, poke at it and something would actually pop out at the other side, then you would have discovered the most important thing in life. I have known the very lowest points of life. I have doubted about tomorrow. And I am not clear of life's tribulations. But it took these things for me "to shake off this erroneous notion that life is just there, and I am just going to live in it". Shun evil, be kind, be obedient, listen to reason and be humble. But never for once think that you are not free to carve a good path and lead others on it.
youtu.be/kYfNvmF0Bqw?si=xXxFwpCb...

All are abstractions

THEJEDI, 2 mon.
Some people take a lifetime to never have been able to see the real reasons of life. Time is a trickery. All what we live for is abstractions. Take heed of time.

The Sighs of Azemmour

Aziz Daouda, 2 mon.
4 min read.
As we were heading towards Walidia, just to enjoy its beautiful lagoon, oysters and fish, my daughter, my wife, and I decided to make a short stop in Azemmour. I had promised myself I woud show my daughter the city as soon as I had the chance. We are here a stone's throw from Casablanca, a handful of kilometers from El-Jadida and not far from Jorf Lasfar, a pride of the industrialization of modern Morocco. Personally, I am rather fond of this city. Few are so captivating. I cannot explain why. There, you can be at times a berber in short Jellaba, tchamir and rounded or pointed toe slippers; sometimes a Phoenician clad in white in the style of the Greeks in their time of glory; sometimes wearing the toga of a proud Roman citizen or the blue turban of a rough Berghouata. You can daydream about the Portuguese singing their triumph at the capture of the city. You hear, the sound of your steps on an aged pavement, evoking that of the Saadian army taking possession of the city walls. The noise and vociferations of the soldiers resound there again and again; but in silence. At the turn of an alley of the ancient city, you hear the distant and confused voice of Sidi Abderahman El Mejdoub, wailing his pain in front of evil, questioning the world and the universe. At the turn of a street, you are greeted by the whispering voice, barely audible, of Rabbi Abraham Moul Ness and his prayers at the rising of the sun and its setting Sidi Brahim for Muslims. Religions struggle to find boundaries here... Moreover, it is a sort of miracle that revealed to the two communities that Abraham was indeed a saint. The citizens had just installed a mill right in front of the cave where he spent his time meditating and praying. The animals that powered the mill quickly fell ill and died one after the other. It was then understood that Abraham did not want to be disturbed in his meditation. Since then, he is Rabbi Abraham for the Jews, Sidi Brahim for the Muslims, holy for both. Farther inside the city, you can see rather silent young people, looking sullen, crestfallen, who face you at the turn of a lane. Some of those who walk by you look haggard, as though they expressed weariness or disgust; perhaps even deep anger and repeated hurt. At the corner of neighbouring street, on a small shapeless square, it is the jerky sound of a loom that catches your ear. One of the last Deraz still in activity weaves silken or woolen scarves. Tourists like them but do not come often... He works, he loves his job and keeps doing it, waiting for better days to come; or at least hoping that the war in the Middle East stops. Deep down, he must wish that his Israeli friends return to reason and quickly drive out their current leaders; neurotics thirsty for blood more than other thing. He is waiting for the Moussem but does not know if the Jewish Moroccans who return annually for the pilgrimage will still be numerous. The Arts and Crafts House is silent and expectant too. It spends long spells of time waiting that a small group would pass by to finally enliven it for an hour or so. The master craftsmen who stay there seem to contemplate the passage of time. Their eyes are nostalgic for a recent past certainly idealized, and a more distant past loaded with wealth and power, forever gone. A lady of a certain age, without any discomfort, dressed in battered pajamas, is there in front of her home, sitting on an stool. The blue door of her modest house, is wide open. The lady is a bit too large for her stool. Her gaze is blank. She does not notice our silhouettes and seems not to hear our involuntarily light steps, as if not to disturb the history or stir the anger of abandoned walls, houses with walled doors, those that time has knocked down and those that passively wait for the signal of the tumbling of tired stones that no longer have anything to hold onto. Behind the heavy doors of ancient buildings - and there are still many thank God - and some houses not yet walled up or fallen into oblivion of time and humans, we can guess the presence of young girls busying themselves with embroidery. Few are those who still have a passion for this ancestral art specific to the city with its bright colours and dragons. What are dragons doing here, if not recall a past so distant that it fades into the background of history. Some say that it is a Portuguese merchant who introduced this art behind the walls of the city. At the corner of a small square, as there are many in the city, in front of a small and neglected grocery store, stand idle young men. One of them must look like Mustapha Azemmouri, also called Esteban the Moor or Estevanico. He may even carry his genes. Without Estevanico, North America would never have been what it is now. What a destiny. To leave one country and travel so far, and change the course of history on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Walking out through one of the gates of the ancient city, one only has one thought: Azemmour is looking for a present that does not come. It is dying and dying. Maybe it is already dead. Some time ago, Karim Boukhari wrote in an article « I have visited Azemmour. A friend, from the city, warned me: Watch out, he said, it is a dead city. » Go and walk the promenade around the city walls. An esplanade that my friend Zaki Semlali has laid out with the little he had to revive this special relationship that the city has with river Oum Rebi3. Today, plastic is unfortunately more abundant than fish. Gone are the shad and the beautiful, fleshy ambrines. Some sections of the wall and houses collapse and flow towards the oued like tears of agony. The nostalgic Azemmour peeks at the Atlantic Ocean and watches, helplessly, the waves smashing in the distance. I pray the Almighty that this piece of our precious history can finally benefit from the attention of our rulers. My daughter, my wife, and I left the place sad, wounded in the depths of our souls; but the sublime voice of Sanaa Marahati singing some poems written somewhere in the city makes us hope for a better future for Azemmour.
youtu.be/T4BIRCsXQWs?si=KmRqI3mq...

About symbols and sigils

Tupan, 2 mon.
Symbols play a crucial role in our daily lives, shaping how we communicate and interpret the world around us. A symbol can be defined as an image, mark, or word that represents an object, concept, or abstraction. Carl Jung offers a profound exploration of this concept in his theory of aesthetics, emphasizing the psychological significance of symbols in our collective unconscious. Names are powerful symbols that engrave our identity in society. They carry personal history, culture, and meaning, helping us connect with others. Signatures serve a similar purpose, representing not just our names but also our intentions and agreements on various documents, from contracts to checks. Pins and passwords, too, can be viewed as symbols. They are abstractions we create to access personal or confidential information, representing trust and security in our digital interactions. Each type of symbol functions as a key to unlocking different facets of our identity and intentions. In essence, symbols can be categorized into two main types: disclosed and undisclosed. Disclosed symbols, like names and logos, are public and widely recognized, while undisclosed symbols, such as passwords and personal codes, are private and hold significance only for their creators. Sigils, a specific type of symbol, are often used in magical practices to invoke particular intentions or extradimensional entities. Traditionally, these symbols acted like a “telephone” to connect with these entities, serving as a means to channel one’s desires into the universe. In modern contexts, particularly within chaos magic, sigils are used to anchor one’s will to manifest specific goals, such as personal success or emotional healing. Interestingly, we encounter sigils daily, often without realizing it. Our names serve as disclosed sigils, necessary for identification in various activities—from registering for events to establishing online identities. Pins and passwords act as undisclosed sigils, known only to us and provide access to our personal digital realms, such as social media accounts or banking information. We are constantly surrounded by both created and absorbed sigils. From the brands we encounter to the symbols we personally create (like affirmations or vision boards), these sigils influence our thoughts and actions on both conscious and unconscious levels. Grant Morrison’s observation that "corporate sigils are super-breeders; they invade unbranded imaginative space" speaks to how commercial symbols can shape our desires and identities, often without our awareness. This brings us to a question: Do we unknowingly practice magick in our everyday lives? The rituals we perform—whether it’s setting intentions for the day or using symbols to navigate our environments—suggest that there may be more to our actions than mere routine. Ancient practitioners of magick often blurred the lines between what we now categorize as science and spiritual practice. They observed natural phenomena, conducted experiments, and created systems of understanding that predate modern scientific terminology. By examining the interplay between symbols, sigils, and our daily actions, we can appreciate the deeper meanings and influences that shape our lives. Symbols are not just marks or images; they are powerful tools that connect us to our identities, intentions, and the world around us.

Emotions and knowing oneself

Tupan, 2 mon.
How can our emotions affect our thoughts and attitudes? That is easy to answer. We are emotional beings, and as such, many of us are guided by feelings rather than reason. For example, when someone annoys us, our immediate reaction is often frustration or anger. On the other hand, when someone treats us kindly, we typically feel gratitude and warmth. These emotional responses create a cycle in our daily lives that we often don't perceive. How can we start notice these patterns? Remember the "know thyself"? It is crucial. gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves is challenging, but it helps identify what triggers our strongest emotions and how we respond to them. By recognizing our emotional responses, we can take steps to manage, and eventually controlling, them and even transform our environment. A significant barrier to self-awareness is the masks we wear. Many of us tries to present a curated version of ourselves, shaped by cultural expectations and past experiences. This creates layers of "costumes" that can obscure our true identity. We often assert, "I am this" or "I am that", but have we truly examined who we are beneath those labels? We tend to showcase only our positive traits, hiding our flaws because they are seen as undesirable. It is essential to acknowledge that we all have imperfections. Rather than making excuses for our "dark side", we should recognize it and seek ways to improve. Just as we aim to enhance our strengths, we should also commit to learning from our challenges. The path to understanding our true selves -accepting both our strengths and weaknesses- guides us toward mastering our emotions. This self-awareness, along with a balanced self-acceptance (without justifying negative behaviors), enables us to respond more thoughtfully to the world around us. To conclude, here are three quotations that encapsulate my thoughts: - "Self-knowledge is the beginning of self-improvement." - Unknown - "Emotions are like waves. We can't stop the waves, but we can learn to surf." - Jon Kabat-Zinn - "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude". William James

Thoughts and co-creation

Tupan, 2 mon.
1 min read.
There is an ancient knowledge that says - "all is mind, the universe is mental". This statement, if we think using a more theistic view, suggests that all things in the universe are a manifestation of a primordial thought, a primeval consciousness. To put it differently, there is a primary intelligence behind creation. As human beings we are part of this universe, this so-called creation. Given this premise, would it be wrong to assume that we could do the same? In other words, couldn't we be co-creators in this all? In my previous writing I discussed how we could use the principles of quantum physics to reshape our reality using our thoughts. Well, if all is mind, for sure we are co-creators! We already engage in co-creations every day. Through our thoughts we change the world when create art, to engineer new technologies, or express novel ideas. Could we take this further? Could we use our minds alone to modify the reality around us? I believe we can. Our minds don't think in words, these are mere abstractions created for communication. Instead, we think in images and mental pictures. For instance, when we feel thirsty, we don't simply think of the word "water" but envision a glass or a bottle. In other words, we use symbols to express our ideas. These symbols can be incredibly powerful in guiding and influencing us at every moment - just look at why companies invest so heavily in their logos and show them as much as they can. In summary, we think using symbols, and the most effective way to access them is through mental imagery or representations. Now, could we leverage these mental pictures and our concentrated will to alter the reality around us? Could our thought, when generated and guided with strong intention, be powerful enough to vibrate particles around us and initiate co-creations? We do that on a daily basis but, often unconsciously. "Know thyself" like some ancients advised, is the first step toward mastering our thoughts and consciously using them to our benefit.

Travel diary #1: Tanzania

Antoine, 2 mon.
1 min read.
To kick off our long family trip, we started with Tanzania. It's the first time we've set foot in sub-Saharan Africa. And what a wonderful introduction! We began with a 7-day organized safari with an exceptional driver and guide. His knowledge of geology, biology, botanics and ethology was impressive. Not to mention his driving skills on the trails of the parks we visited: Taranguire, Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. The 6 to 10 hours of daily driving didn't seem so long, between discussions, breathtaking views and animal watching. Non-exhaustive list: zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, leopards, cheetahs, ostriches, bustards, baboons, vervet monkeys, egrets, yellow-headed king cranes, vultures, marabous, crocodiles, antelopes and gazelles of all kinds. I have to admit that we didn't manage to retain everything Mahmoud tried to teach us. A bit of Swahili, a bit of geology on the formation of the Rift Valley, a bit of history on the migration of the Maasais to the Serengeti Park and a bit of biology on recognizing the flora and fauna. We then spent a week in Dar es Salaam to complete our visit and immerse ourselves in Tanzanian city life. Once again, a wonderful experience. We stayed in a modest but adequate airbnb. We discovered a new mode of transport, very fun and at a very affordable price: the bajaji (local tuk tuk). We visited the Kariakoo market (a flea market that stretches for miles), had a lazy day on Bongoyo Island, and the Village Museum (Swahili name) with a guide who told us about the customs and habitations of some of the more than 100 tribes present in Tanzania. It's an outdoor museum with houses illustrating the way of life of some of the tribes. I'll always remember Tanzania as a country with very welcoming and relaxed people. Despite a few pushy people trying to sell us trinkets, act as guides or even bodyguards, we never felt in danger. This country, whose population is divided between different cultures and religions, where Muslims, Christians, Maasais and others live together, seems to me to be a good example of tolerance. Next post in about a month about our next step: a road trip.

Travel Diary #0: An experiment against the flow

Antoine, 2 mon.
1 min read.
We're off for several months of family travel. A trip that will take us to Africa, Asia and Oceania. I wanted to find a way to share a few things about the trip, but in a more private way than publishing photos and videos for the whole world to see. That kind of content is reserved for family and friends. What better way to do this than with Bluwr! As co-founder I'm obviously biased, but I find Bluwr ideal for this exercise for several reasons: 1. I can share the experience with a large number of people without getting into what I consider too intimate or private. 2. I don't want to spend hours editing videos and creating photo albums, formatting text. I want to make the most of this trip, which is the project of a lifetime. 3. I find the idea of sharing this experience without images or video interesting in the age of instagram, youtube and smileys. Perhaps a little spirit of contrariness? My nearest and dearest have the answer to that question. 4. I'm far from a writer. My highschool grades on the literrary side were pretty disastrous, so I'm stepping out of my comfort zone. It doesn't hurt once in a while. So I'm going to write an article for each part of our journey, to share the highlights and some of my feelings. If any of you are interested in details about accommodation, budget etc., feel free to write to me privately. Let the challenge begin.

Quantum Physics and our thoughts

Tupan, 2 mon.
1 min read.
Quantum physics, one the most innovative fields of knowledge of modern science, tells us about a phenomenon known as the observer effect. It states that particles, in their potential state, do not have defined characteristics -such as movement or position- until they are observed. What implications does this have for our daily lives? Our conscious attention shapes the reality around us. When we focus on something, we align our thoughts and emotions with specific energies, influencing what we manifest into our lives. I guess a good analogy would be when are tuning into a radio station that is playing our favorite song. The problem is that it works when we have either positive or negative thoughts. The more we concentrate on something, the more the neural pathways associated with that thought become reinforced. Similarly, another intriguing concept found in quantum physics is the quantum entanglement, where two or more particles become linked in such a way that the state of one influence the state of another, independently of how far apart they are. With that information in mind, let's examine our thoughts. They are the result of several biochemical processes in our brains, which brings us to a question - Could it be that our thoughts or emotions impact the world around us? If so, is it possible we can influence reality simply through our thoughts? If the answer to both questions is yes, then could it be so far-fetched to think that we could use our will to change the environment for the better? I firmly believe we can! This phenomenon, known by many names - such as magnetism, mental power, faith or magick- invites us to recognize its existence. Quantum physics may provide, in my opinion, really good insights into its mechanisms. As an eccentric Englishman said once, "do what thou wilt...".

Why can't we accept other forms of science?

Tupan, 2 mon.
1 min read.
What is science according to the "modern definition"? It would be the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained. Long and somewhat well put definition, however, there are sciences that could fit with the aforementioned explanation yet with some twists. One great example is metaphysics. What? Metaphysics?! Yes, indeed. The great problem with this "persecuted" and old science is the part where we cannot test it. What if say we can? Some will say that we can't test in a laboratory environment with our modern instruments and, because of this, it is untestable. I beg to differ. Several scientific phenomena we can test nowadays were untestable not so long ago. Some would say that they were metaphysical, even though they were observed. That brings me to the big question: why is the so called magick deemed as metaphysics? It happens, is observed and can be tested, however, not using the current technology. Or, isn't it? First, I think we should define what magick is. I guess we could say that is the practice of influencing events or outcomes through the power of one's will. Depending on who you ask the definition will be a different but, that's the most synthetic way I could define it. Of course there are several distinct schools and traditions of magick but it could be a topic for some other day. For now I just want to talk about some ideas. The superstring theory tells us that there is a possibility of several universes (a multiverse) and I would like to use it for a much smaller scale. What if, by the power of one's will we could make little portals within our own universe open? One would say that is only theory. What if I say that is has been done (on a huge scale!) by the scientific community, and it is right in front of our eyes? I won't say directly what it is now but I will give a hint - look at Switzerland, New York and California. I know that I still sound unconventional (even crazy) but it's only the beginning...

To be a good Father !

Reogine, 2 mon.
1 min read.
To be a good Father! That's the biggest achievement, that I'll ever achieve in life. I dream of that moment of holding my child to my chest and starting to recite the Adhan. in his or her little soft ear. Whispering as if exporting a part of my soul into it. But to be a good father is difficult. I see it as going through stages to achieve a well-respected position, you should start by being a good servant to Allah. then you start to learn how to be a good son, After that if you are blessed enough you'll learn to be a good brother and a good relative that was an easy one for me. Passing to be a good part of the population, a good man. For some, this one had no mercy and they got trampled by it. I know a lot who couldn't survive this stage. What an agony to see yourself helping in this destruction whether you meant it or not. I always feel sorry for those whom I made life harder. Yet it's better than feeling sorry about myself. this stage gets you ready to be a good husband. You make all the effort. that you had learned to put in everyone and devote it to one person. whether he or she deserves it or not but there's no way for you to know, Until you know. perhaps you would never know. these thoughts as much as they delight me, they whisper a diving fear. in my soul, fear of Allah ... the prayers that I missed the lies that. I've told, seeking pleasure. the natural pleasure always makes me laugh. Its relation with pain makes me acknowledge why some of the most pleasurable things in life are classified as Haram ...

Summer's On Your (WIP)

M.D. Alex (Lauren), 2 mon.
1 min read.
Writing spoken words/lyrics to "A Moment Apart" By Odesza. -Spoken word- "In the beginning, we fought to be worthy of life day after day, we strived to survive. We didn't know what it meant to be alive. Now we've grown, and now we know with God on our side and the Lords sacrifice, we are clean and we are free. So lets use it to be good, to be the best we can be. Cause baby, you can run the farthest and fastest that you've ever seen..." -Lyrics- In my head you still exist, My mind made of love and bliss Thoughts fly by and butterflies in my chest. When my heart felt only defeat, you came running with blisters on your feet _ All that we've worked for All that we've loved was now redeemed for all to come _ From Alpha to Omega Beginning to The End Keep on running cause it's not over yet _ May, June, July, Summers on your side Live and love is why I stride "It's see ya later", never "goodbye" Cause we are here to love and not to die.
youtube.com/watch?v=xarC5jAiO7w&...

Look Up

M.D. Alex (Lauren), 2 mon.
0 min read.
Look up at the sky and what do you see? Think about the present and let your mind be free... WHO are you? What do you think of me? When do you want to start living? And where do you want to be? Why were you put on this Earth? What can you do with what you have? to change the game, to make a new path Accept the new fate Accept the rebirth You're the champion of your life now -From the Universe

A Masterpiece Called You

M.D. Alex (Lauren), 2 mon.
1 min read.
My life began 300 thousands years ago And through history I live forever more, Because I lived and will live *I always exist * My handprint not only continues, But contributes To the collage we call the history of man *WALK WITH PRIDE* Your structure shows the evolution of our motion Your features represents your genealogy Your fashion represents the you in the NOW *YOU ARE A WALKING IMAGE OF HISTORY* And footprint of how it came to be And a step toward how it will end *THE PAST. THE PRESENT. THE FUTURE* Meets here, with you and me We walked from the ocean to the moon, Your destiny was foretold, weaved, long before your body lived, Walk cautiously my dear…. Everything you do creates, Continues, And writes the history OF YOU And leaves marks somewhere where it counts *For all is written in stone* But mistakes make things okay! Prophets were not perfect, People are not perfect, History is not perfect, But it is a masterpiece <3

Lauren P. ( A Poem About Me)

M.D. Alex (Lauren), 2 mon.
0 min read.
Hi! My name is Lauren And this poem is about me I was born in little Harlingen, Tx Of Armando and Julie ~~~~~~~~ I’m born of the Earth, I live a simple life, What more can I ask, Then the chance to brightly shine? ~~~~~~~~ I believe we are people of gold, And I’m a Christian at heart, I live to do my best, And to do my part~ ~~~~~~~~ I fall short, I’m a sleepy bum, I hear random voices, But I still want to run~ ~~~~~~~~ Run with the big, The legends, the free, Those who made a name And foundation for you and me ~~~~~~~~ I am as little as a grain on the golden beach, Where you can hear God’s voice roar as the sea, I live to change the world, But for now, I am just me

My Crocheted Heart

M.D. Alex (Lauren), 2 mon.
0 min read.
Your elderly hands that knew this form of art And with it and your heart Stitch you and me together Crochet friends forever, You’ve passed down a skill that you would have never known will Create me an interest and trade A piece of me that wont easily fade, You came from Chiapas to the RGV Then were taught from your best friends mother Down to your granddaughter, AKA me! My Grandma, mi abuelita, Mi corazon, my Mamita, You have looped, stitch, and chained Our family, our foundation, And to me, most importantly, my crocheted heartland forever that way it remain

Vinicius'Jr. paving stone: moving World Cup form Spain...

Aziz Daouda, 2 mon.
2 min read.
The recent statement by Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid's best player, concerning the awarding of the World Cup to Spain continues to provoke strong reactions. He basically said that the 2030 World Cup should be played in another country if things don't improve, and that he is often the victim of racial insults in Spain. ‘I hope that Spain will learn not to insult people because of their skin colour. If things don't change by 2030, the World Cup should move on. ‘If the players don't feel safe from racism, it's hard to play,’ he told CNN in essence. The power of the chosen media is well interwoven with that of the word of one of the best-known players on the planet. He has thus embarrassed the whole Spain, aware of the star power he enjoys and knowing full well that the opinions of top sportsmen and women have an impact and can affect institutions and countries. Has he thought carefully about the possible or probable consequences of his remarks before embarking on such an adventure: the consequences for his club, which is working with FIFA to make the renovated Santiago Bernabeu the venue for the World Cup Final? This statement sounds like a warning that black sportsmen in Spain are fed up, and perhaps even a sign of revenge. Venicius Jr. surely knows that his comments will not be well received by fans of sport and Spanish football in particular, but he is making it clear that in Spain you can be insulted in a racist way in sport as well as in everyday life... It's a real problem for society. Vinicius Jr. took the precaution of qualifying his remarks by not saying explicitly and categorically that Spain was a racist country, but rather ‘a country where you can suffer from racism’. Nevertheless. Everyone understood that he simply meant that Spain is a racist country where players of colour do not necessarily feel very comfortable; otherwise why did he go so far as to ask FIFA, in a barely attenuated manner, to think before awarding the 2030 World Cup to Spain? Spain is in a three-way bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the centenary edition of the World Cup. It won't be long before comments like these create a rift between those who will rise up and reject them out of hand and those who will rally behind Vini... Let's bet there won't be many of the latter. One thing is certain: this will not be without consequences... even for Real Madrid, who will no doubt be thinking about how to calm things down before taking a decision on the player's future with the club... Some people have already gone ahead and dismissed the Brazilian's comments, pointing out that the most adored players in Spain at the moment, and particularly in the Spanish national team, are LAMINE YAMAL AND NICO WILLIAMS, and they are not white... Isn't this a way of discrediting Vinicius Jr. with a touch of irony? Will the Madrid striker's comments have helped to silence insults and unpleasant and inappropriate comments in the stands of football stadiums in the future? Only time will tell. What is certain is that it has sparked a real debate throughout a Spain that breathes nothing but football... It will have made some people ask serious questions about their behavior in tolerating or participating in acts of a racist nature in Spain and beyond. The player's words spread like wildfire across Spain and the world in the space of a few hours, demonstrating the power of the voice of top sportsmen and women. FIFA will no doubt be hearing about this, but not to the extent of going along with the player's idea of not giving Spain the World Cup if the situation does not change before 2030. Let's hope that things really do change. Every one will then say Thanks Vini.
music.youtube.com/watch?v=-E1N_k...

Underwater

Fatima Zahra EL hajji (Tima EL), 2 mon.
0 min read.
He dreams of it but has never seen its face. He wonders what it would be like to be close to it, to bask in its warmth and light. As he drifts in the middle of the ocean, he hopes to catch a glimpse or hear a sound. While floating on the water, a beautiful voice emanates from below. He dives beneath the surface and discovers a myriad of enchanting faces, each adorned with a captivating smile. Everything seems wonderful, but he feels out of place. The empty cup begins to fill, masks start to fall, beautiful faces disappear, and darkness appears. Unable to hold his breath underwater, the path becomes unclear. The rhythmic pulsing he hears compels him to the surface, where he finds a beautiful heart waiting for him.

Africa's inescapable awakening must be taken into account as a matter of urgency.

Aziz Daouda, 2 mon.
Is the world truly aware of the great changes taking place before our eyes? Probably yes. But then what does he do to anticipate them, accompany them, prepare and above all to make them assets of development, peace, harmony and coexistence. What do we do to combine them in efforts to understand each other, in common strategies, while geopolitics is impacted and is evolving, a little freewheeling anyway? The answer is unequivocal: not much. Instead, some are trying to save time, some pushing the dust under the carpet and or are just resisting. For what reason and until’ when? It is clear that the "dominant powers" do not want to see things evolve differently, no desire to see contexts move other than in the consolidation of their historical, economic and political gains. For « The up’ until when », the answer is even more complex. Depending on whether one is located north or south, the perspective is different. The youth of the south, is now more and more qualified, better and better trained, more and more ambitious. It no longer understands things with the defeatist and resigned logic of their elders. The populations of the south, especially those of ’Afrique, are no longer sensitive to the hollow discourse of revolutionary ideologies, formerly served as a poultice to coax them, or even silence them, while waiting for better days. Napoleon is attributed in 1816 : « So Let China sleep, because when China S’awaken, the whole world will tremble ». We know since that China is very much awake... and in what way. Alain Peyrefitte predicted it well, in turn. Funny story, no one has ever said such a thing with regard to Africa.. And yet,’Africa is well out of its sleep... So wait for to get rid of a little. China, is not much’ in front of’Africa, if not the resurrected legacy of Confucius skillfully combined with a communist pragmatism that nobody’ had imagined. Africa is much larger, with a larger and constantly growing population. Its young people are lively and enthusiastic. It's the world's largest island, compared with all the other continents. The so-called ‘dark continent’ has many assets, but it probably also has a few disadvantages that could block or slow down the momentum. We can list them in no particular order: the subservience of certain leaders, a number of failing political regimes, toxic borders inherited from colonialism, endemic corruption encouraged and supported by multinationals and certain Western regimes and their services, and a deeply rooted fatalism. But Africa is also determinedly dynamic. Travel to the east, west, north or south of the continent and you will see that Africa is in turmoil. Young people are talking, acting, working, innovating; they are doing politics differently and they want to change things. Their aspirations are growing, if not limitless. Of course, there are still some fools who swear by immigration, but that will soon fade. Growth prospects and the rates already achieved in some countries will change the situation. Overall, the 54 African countries have understood what is at stake and are increasingly aware of the possibility of imposing themselves and their point of view for the benefit of their young people. Remember the altercation between the President of the DRC and President Macron, or the historic speech by King Mohammed VI on the occasion of Morocco's return to African Unity. (you can find the link to the speech below) The ambitious ZLEKAF is undoubtedly the most daring response, as are the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, the fertilizer manufacturing platforms, the tunnel project between Morocco and Spain, and the Giga factories that are being set up there, to name but a few. Two factors determine these trends: geography and demography. Both are in Africa's favor. In this changing context, there are two ways to act: either integrate the continent into a process of recognition, esteem, respect for dignity and co-development; or risk the most bitter confrontations and clashes. France has been aware of this during recent time... and this is only the beginning. The one and a half billion inhabitants, i.e. more than a quarter of the members of the United Nations, must be taken into account as a matter of urgency. So shouldn't Africa be integrated into global governance as soon as possible? Should we not heed Africa's solemn appeal to be given seats on the Security Council as soon as possible in place of the three non-permanent members? Should we not start paying a fair price for what the West is pumping into Africa? These are all questions that urgently need to be answered sensibly and pragmatically, because the normal course of history is as Ibn Khaldun already observed... Either evolution is controlled and channeled to the benefit of all, or change is going to come with pain... to the benefit of the most numerous, whom neither weapons, borders nor migratory blockade policies will be able to curb or stop. Africa is in the process of cleaning itself up, but not for long before its great awakening. An inevitable resurrection.
youtu.be/17gPwhdXIc8?si=Ysd6BekN...

Learning Hypovolemic Shock in a Hard Way (or so I Thought)

SilverSworntoWrite, 2 mon.
A few days ago, I suddenly felt cold after losing quite an amount of blood in the bathroom. I thought it was nothing unusual, but then I noticed the blood came out like water running down a faucet. I was not sure how much fluids I had lost, but a few seconds long was enough to know how bad it was. Before bed, I decided to search the web to satisfy my curiosity about my condition. Assuming to find common medical issues, I found out about a serious medical condition called "Hypovolemic Shock." The details are shocking and, without a doubt, mortified me. Thankfully my case was not severe (if not unrelated at all). I recovered in about 22 hours, although I had some headaches and numbness that went away by the next night. After recovering from the frightening experience, I was compelled to learn more about the condition, which led me to some surprising discoveries about hypovolemic shock. Disclaimer: This is just an overview of the topic I wrote for fun. If you want validation about your condition, please contact professional medical help. After reading several medical articles through the internet, I learned that hypovolemic shock is a serious condition caused by losing quite amount of blood or fluids within your body, and it is wise to quickly contact medical emergency as the condition poses a life-threatening risk. Hypovolemic shock can be divided to hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic type. Hemorrhagic shock happens when you lose fluids through serious blood loss, such as open wounds, internal bleeding, and childbirth. Meanwhile, non-hemorrhagic shock results from losing body fluids through other means, such as dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting. Regardless of the difference, losing a lot of fluids can prevent the heart from sending blood through your body to function, which can lead to organ failure. Surprisingly, hypovolemic shock is the second most common shock, following distributive shock, and it commonly happens to children in developing countries, often due to diarrhea. Now, losing blood and other fluids is normal in everyday life without causing big side effect. Small losses, like from a small cut, nosebleed, or brief diarrhea, usually resolve on their own without causing bad effects. Generally, a person can lose about 14% of blood with no major side effects except perhaps for slight dizziness. And speaking of which, on average, men have more blood compared to women, while children, who have much less, are more vulnerable to the negative effects of blood loss. Since each individual has different amount of blood in them, it is important to measure the blood loss using percentage of the total blood volume in your body. One of the function of blood is to control body temperature (thermoregulation.) The body regulates the heat distribution by controlling the speed of the blood flow to and within the skin, either by narrowing or widening the blood vessels. When it is hot, the body widens the blood vessel (vasodilation) to cool down and release heat faster from the skin. Meanwhile, when it is cold, the body narrows the blood vessel (vasoconstriction) to keep the heat. When the amount of fluids is low, the body automatically narrows the blood vessels to keep the pressure normal and focus on distributing the blood to vital organs. What will happen when you lose more than 14% of blood? The quick answer is; you will start to experience the effect of blood loss. Depending on how fast you lose the fluids, you may feel tired and weak, with rapid breathing and pale skin, to more serious symptoms such as the decreased amount or no urine output, hypothermia, and unconsciousness. When the blood loss reaches more than 14%, hypovolemic shock will set in. Depending on how much blood percentage you have lost, hypovolemic shock can be separated into 4 stages: - The 1st stage: when you lose about 15% of your blood (around 750 mL.) At this stage, the symptoms have not occurred yet, and your heart rate and blood pressure may stay normal. - The 2nd stage: when you lose about 15% to 30% of your blood (around 750 mL to1,500 mL.) During this stage, the heart rate increases and breathing quickens as the blood vessels narrow to stabilize the pressure. - The 3rd stage: when you lose about 30% to 40% of your blood (around 1,500 mL to 2,000 mL.) At this stage, your blood pressure drops while your heart rate and breathing are getting faster. You begin to produce less to no urine output as the body tries to reserve the remaining fluids. - The 4th stage: when you lose about 40% or more of your blood (around 2,000 mL or more.) At this stage, your condition is at its critical and immediate professional attention provide slight survival chance. Your blood pressure is severely low, heart rate and breathing are high, urine output is absent, and organ failure is likely to happen and can become fatal. Hypovolemic shock is dangerous and needs immediate medical attention. In treating hypovolemic shock, medical help will try to replace the fluids you have lost using one or more IV (intravenous) lines, which is that long tube with a needle injected into your vein, and seal up the source of the fluid loss, such as open wound. Recovery time also takes some time and it is varied for each individual, depending on age, condition, and the severity of the shock. During recovery, you should listen to your health provider, and tell them your recovery progress so that they know your treatment goes to the right way. To sum it up, hypovolemic shock is a dangerous medical condition that we should never ignore, but understanding the signs can make a great difference. When blood or fluids loss persists longer than it should, contacting medical help can prevent unwanted experience to happen. And for my experience, I am grateful that my condition was not that alarming to demand me get out of bed in the middle of the night and call for an ambulance. This event, however, became a warning to keep an eye on my fiber intake more carefully and how important it is to take care of myself. For now, it is safe to say that I have survived my recklessness and ignorance for another day. Cheers. -Silver-

About nothing

Taha Mrichi, 2 mon.
0 min read.
Sitting down in the wet sand. The last light of day turns the horizon into an agitated pool of fire that spreads from east to west. Has god ever had a question for anyone? No wonder babies come crying into the world. Why is air an acquired taste? Sure your mom is sweet, but who was she at 17? Everyone’s thought of murder once or twice. Shouldn’t an empty canvas be black instead of white? Either way, who’s to say what a cat really thinks?

Bluwr: My Experience with an SEO-Optimized Platform That Knows Me Better Than I Do

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
When I first started writing on Bluwr, I didn't think much about how well the platform was optimized for SEO. Like most writers, my primary focus was on crafting engaging content, sharing my thoughts, and hoping my articles would find their way to the right audience. But recently, I decided to conduct a funny little experiment that opened my eyes to just how effective Bluwr's SEO capabilities truly are. Curiosity struck me one evening as I was thinking about the digital footprint I’ve been leaving behind with my articles. With AI becoming increasingly sophisticated, I wondered just how much information was out there about me, pieced together from my work. So, I turned to GPT, and asked it a simple question: "What do you know about me?" The results were both fascinating and a little uncanny. GPT didn’t just know general facts; it provided a detailed account of my work, interests, and even some insights that I hadn’t explicitly mentioned in any one article but had implied across several. The source of all this information? My articles on Bluwr. This experience highlighted one major thing for me: Bluwr is incredibly well-optimized for SEO. Every article I had written, every topic I had explored, and every opinion I had shared was indexed and made easily accessible by search engines. Bluwr’s backend is clearly designed with SEO in mind. From the way articles are structured to how tags and keywords are used, everything seems to be geared towards making sure that each piece of content is easily discoverable. What struck me the most during my experiment was how Bluwr enabled GPT to aggregate and synthesize data about me. Individually, my articles were just that—individual pieces of content. But together, they created a comprehensive narrative that GPT could easily tap into. This got me thinking about the broader implications of writing on a platform like Bluwr. While my little experiment with GPT started as a bit of fun, it ended up being an insightful look into how powerful SEO can be when done right. Feel free to try a similar experiment yourself. You might be surprised at what you learn...

The Gods only forge the Great.

EL MONO MAS GRANDE, 3 mon.
One day in deep meditation the Biggest Ape met an unborn boy. The boy was alone, scared and deeply disturbed. When he saw the Biggest Ape he ran towards him, heavy tear drops running down his cheeks. - "I saw my future!" cried the boy, kneeling in front the Biggest Ape. - "And?" grunted the Biggest Ape. - "It's horrible!" screamed the child in terror. "It's all treasons a many, strife, pain and suffering, for 20 years from the moment I hit 5." - "What happens, after 25?" Inquired the Biggest Ape. - "I don't know, I was too scared to keep looking." - "Come." said the Biggest Ape. He took him to the top of a mountain, to a secret doorway that leads deep into the earth. For many hours they walked in silent darkness until they heard the sound of metal pouding against metal. They pressed on for a few minutes entering the biggest forge the boy has ever seen. At the center a solitary figure, a big burly man, shirtless, with a long grey beard was pounding a huge piece of metal with a gigantic hammer. He was very hairy, reminding the boy of the Biggest Ape. The man raised his eyes at the Biggest Ape and nodded, the Biggest Ape nodded back and motioned the boy to move closer. -"This is going to be a magnificent sword", whispered the Biggest Ape. "fit for a God". Then gesturing to his left he pointed to a heap of scrap metal. "There are all the metal pieces that could not withstand the hammering and the tempering. They broke, they *abandoned*" . The boy was fascinated. The Biggest Ape placed is right hand over the boys eyes, completely covering his face. The little man let a scream, opening his mouth in astonishment. -"What did you see?" -"I saw the most perfect man, the man beyond man. I saw temples, and statues erected of him centuries after his death. I saw his name on paper and walls for Millenia." -"That sword is being made for him. And that man is you". Then looking at the pile of scrap metal, the deep voice of the Biggest Ape echoed in the forge: == "The Gods test everybody, but only forge the Great." == -"I understand", replied the boy. Thus Spake Apathustra.

The Pruning Shears of Revision, Teshuvah, Metanomia and the two Repetances

Deep Neville Goddard, 3 mon.
Neville once said that Revision is his greatest contribution. The concept of revision is present in Kabbalah as *Teshuvah*. Teshuvah is often translated as *repentance*, in hebrew it literally means *going back in time*. Accomplishing a Teshuvah from a Kabbalistic point of view, means going back in time, in one's mind eye and *revise*, change the past event. Relive the event in imagination not as it happened, by how it ought to have happened. By doing so we are able to change the future, and avoid the negative consequences of past event. In other words what Neville calls *Revision*. Kabbalah is often a balance between *Judgement* and *Mercy*. Two words that are loaded with meaning in Kabbalah, They are not opposite concepts, but two separate axes or modes that the divine light appear to operate from in lower levels of consciousness. But for now let's consider that judgement is receiving the consequences of our actions, and as such Kabbalah is often concerned with the lessening of the severity of Judgement. Teshuvah appears then as a primary means to do so. It means going back to that moment right before the regretted event happened, understand the emotional setting that made one do what he did, and then change it. Both emotionally (once again emotions are of primary importance) and in actions. This results in *Metanomia*, the greek word in the bible that is also translated as repentance. Metanomia means a radical change of mind that must come with a new emotional setting. And this is where the brilliance of Neville shines, by tying these two concepts together Teshuvah and Metanomia, two very different words, both translated as repentance, he is able to explain deep Kabbalistic mysteries. Teshuvah is the method (or the technique) Metanomia is the sign and the seal. The sign of the successful Teshuvah and the end of the successful Teshuvah. Teshuvah is something to do whenever one begins to feel remorse or regret. As Neville said at the end of *The Pruning Shears of Revision*: == Don't blame, only resolve. ==

5 reasons why you should write on Bluwr

Bluwr | Contact, 3 mon.
**1- Exposure:** Bluwr is designed to give you the maximum exposure through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO is the most important thing for Blogs, allowing your works to be referenced by search engines such as *Google*. Most online publishing platforms either offer very low exposure or let you do most of the SEO. Bluwr is different, Bluwr works for you so you can concentrate on doing what you love. **2- Ease of use:** Bluwr is the easiest platform for writing and publishing fast. Thanks to the minimalist interface and automatic formating, you can go from idea to article in minutes. **3- Speed:** Not only you can write and publish fast on Bluwr. Bluwr is also extremely optimized to deliver in the most challenging internet situations. If part of your audience is located in places where internet speed is low, Bluwr is your best choice to deliver your messages. **4- A truly dedicated community:** Bluwr is invitation only. A platform for people like you, who truly love writing. It is a community of writers dedicated to high quality content. This is way beyond industry standards. By joining Bluwr, you will join a community passionate about writing. **5- No distractions:** No distraction for your audience. No ads, no pop-ups, no images, no videos. This means that your readers can devote their entire attention to your words. **-Bonus: Detailed analytics-** Bluwr offers you free detailed analytics about your articles. Know when your readers are connected, what performs best, and get information about where your readers are coming from.
bluwr.com

Jamal Berraoui has gone... to his resting place and the earth trembled.

Aziz Daouda, 3 mon.
Si Jamal Berraoui, you are no longer with us in this world, and country that you loved so much and for which you fought all your life. You fought for justice, progress, fairness, dignity and so many other values to which you gave your own meaning. Sometimes a philosopher, sometimes a philanthropist, you navigated between common sense and loyalty to an ideology that seized you at a young age but which you managed to tame in your own way. Your loyalty to your party did not blind you, and your selflessness gave you freedom of tone and time. You managed to tame time. Sometimes a writer, sometimes a columnist, sometimes a journalist, but never silent. Disappointment, discouragement and nihilism never got the better of you. Life was hard for you, but you loved it with tenderness. You were a renowned journalist and an outstanding political analyst. Your significant contributions to Moroccan journalism and your incisive analyses of the country's political, economic, social and sporting issues made you an influential voice on behalf of the silent majority. Your critical and informed perspective on current events has been passed on to everyone in an ‘Ach Waqe3’ that you have shaped in your own way. In this way, you brought politics back to its rightful place, within everyone's reach. In your own darija, you gave many people a taste for debate, a willingness to think and a desire to participate in politics. On your own, you did more than all the parties put together, more than all the media, more than all of us. Your weekly appearances on the Décryptage programme, every Sunday morning in the studios, from your hospital bed or simply from your home by telephone, were key moments, sublime moments of intelligence and humanism. I'll confide in you, my dear: even though I won't be seeing you again because God has decided it's best, How proud I was each time you quoted my name, one of my words or one of my positions! Sidi Jamal, how many journalists have you educated and trained? How many citizens have you made happy with your words? In your own safiote way, you have contributed to the evolution of the Moroccan media landscape. Your public appearances have always been closely followed, tackling complex subjects with simplicity, clarity and rigor. The large audience that Moroccans have reserved for you speaks volumes is telling more about the great respect they have for you among your peers. They saw themselves in you. You have always defended press freedom and your desire to see independent and rigorous journalism develop. You made a major contribution to ‘tamaghrabiyt’ in your own way, subtly referring to your hometown, your neighborhood in Casablanca, your neighbors, music, history, , the Raja, everything that links us to our rich culture, our largely ignored or despoiled history, our roots, our continent and the world. Rest in peace, my friend, after so many years of winning battles, of self-sacrifice and courage. You have finally beaten the disease. Your doctors, your family, your friends, your readers and listeners know it very well. It wasn't the disease that finally got you, it was you who decided to put an end to the disease and to your mission. I know you let out a long sigh and a charming little smile as you left us, because it's in your nature to always smile. In the end you decided to rest. We miss you already, Sidi Jamal. Si Abdelaziz Erromani will never again have to ask at the start of a show ‘Qi Bqat Shiha Si Jamal? No more of the ‘ana matafeqch m3a si Hadad’ that punctuated your contributions to Décryptage from time to time. Mission accomplished! You were a real treasure. And what a coincidence, even the earth shook that day... (On this sad occasion, let's listen to the song linked below, which I'm sure will please Si Jamal)
youtu.be/fbH7VJz2F2o?si=9MErGVWO...

INNERSCAPE - RELEASED

EL MONO MAS GRANDE, 3 mon.
0 min read.
The biggest ape has blessed us with a new audio release. INNERSCAPE takes the listener into a profond journey inward, beyond the veil of mundane consciousness: far into deep transcendental mysteries. This one is best appreciated with headphone and eyes closed. You will laugh, you will cry. And you will be grateful. == CHOKHMA - BINAH - GEBURAH - CHESED == Thus Spake Apathustra.
elmonomasgrande.bandcamp.com/alb...

What’s All This Buzz About Monkeypox?

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
2 min read.
Everyone’s talking about it. Monkeypox. It’s all over the news, and people are scared. But what is it, really? Should we be worried, or is this just another overhyped health scare? Monkeypox isn’t something new. It was first identified in 1958 in monkeys, which is how it got its name, but the first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For decades, it remained mostly confined to Central and West Africa, with only occasional cases elsewhere. But now, it’s spreading faster and wider than before. That’s why it’s making headlines and causing concern globally. Let’s be clear: monkeypox is not COVID-19. It spreads differently, and it’s generally less contagious. But it can still be serious, especially for certain groups like young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. So, how does one catch monkeypox? Mainly through close contact with an infected person or animal. This could mean direct skin-to-skin contact, being exposed to respiratory droplets, or touching contaminated objects like bedding or clothing. Unlike COVID-19, which can spread through the air over distances, monkeypox requires more direct contact. The symptoms can be unsettling. It usually starts with flu-like symptoms — fever, headaches, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Then, within a few days, a distinctive rash develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. These rashes turn into raised bumps that eventually fill with fluid, becoming painful blisters. In some cases, these lesions can leave scars. Despite these symptoms, most people recover within two to four weeks without the need for serious medical intervention. But complications can occur, especially in those with underlying health conditions. Here’s the silver lining: there are vaccines. If you’ve been vaccinated against smallpox, you might already have some level of protection against monkeypox. This is because the viruses that cause smallpox and monkeypox are closely related. In fact, the smallpox vaccine has been shown to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. For those without prior vaccination, newer vaccines specifically targeting monkeypox are now available. Now, let’s talk about the bigger picture. The resurgence of monkeypox outside of Africa raises questions about how well-prepared we are for emerging infectious diseases. With increased travel and global interconnectedness, diseases that were once localized can spread quickly across borders. This situation reminds us of the importance of strong public health systems and the need for global cooperation in disease surveillance and response. But let’s not panic. Monkeypox is serious, but it’s also manageable with the right precautions. For more detailed information, check out WHO’s page on monkeypox. So yes, monkeypox is something to be aware of, but with the right knowledge and precautions, there’s no need to panic. Stay safe, stay smart, and keep looking out for each other.
medium.com/@anasbedraoui

25 years of His Majesty Mohammed VI's reign, as far as sport is concerned...

Aziz Daouda, 3 mon.
4 min read.
It should be remembered that the reign of His Majesty Mohammed VI, may God glorify him, began with the greatest feat ever achieved by Moroccan athletics: placing 5th in the world championships held at the time in Seville, Spain. The country brought home an excellent haul of medals. The athletes felt it was the best present they could have given His Majesty on the occasion of his enthronement. In return, Her Majesty responded in the most beautiful way, with a royal solicitude that will remain with each and every one of us forever. From the outset, His Majesty gave a number of signals to make everyone understand the importance of sport in sustainable socio-economic development, the fulfilment of Moroccan citizens and, of course, the consolidation of the country's brand image. Having probably noticed a certain slowness in the fulfilment and implementation of the Royal vision, in 2008, on 24 October to be precise, His Majesty sent a historic letter to the various stakeholders in sporting life, who were brought together for a national conference. After leaving no doubt as to the King's lack of satisfaction, this letter mapped out the path and indicated the axes for the hoped-for development. The letter even went so far as to spell out how this could be achieved according to the enlightened vision of the august sovereign. This letter is still relevant today, and no one involved in sport can afford the luxury of ignoring its contents. To show the way and point the way, His Majesty personally inaugurated the Mohammed VI Football Academy and the Mohammed VI National Centre for the Disabled, where sport was seen as a cornerstone in the integration of people with special needs. In 2011, following the Royal initiative to revise the country's Constitution, the Moroccan people voted overwhelmingly in favour of the project, which for the first time in the country's history included sport and physical activity as a right for Moroccan citizens. There are few constitutions in the world that enshrine sport so explicitly and so clearly. This is how His Majesty's vision is being put into practice today, and this explains the major investment in sport, the qualitative change in infrastructure and the level of results achieved in certain sporting activities. Unfortunately, other disciplines are still slow to seize the opportunities offered to them to reach the desired level, no doubt due to a lack of foresight or skill. The royal vision has also proved to be very clear and ambitious for the country in terms of Morocco's place in the concert of countries capable of organising major sporting events. The country has organised numerous African championships in various sports. The Kingdom will make this vision a reality by hosting the All-Africa Games for the first time in its history. These are the biggest sporting event on the continent. All 54 African countries took part. At the instigation of His Majesty, may God assist him, Morocco did not give up when it came to defending its right to host the Football World Cup. The country has presented its bid six times without ever losing heart. With each bid, the country assured the FIFA authorities that its determination was strong and legitimate, and whatever happened, the bid was a real guarantee for the country and the projects included in it were going to be carried out in any case. On each occasion, Morocco has kept its word. It has always seen the Football World Cup as a catalyst for development, not as a one-off event. We must also remember the occasion and circumstances of the last presentation of the Moroccan bid. The African Football Congress was held in Kigali, Rwanda. Morocco was represented there, of course, by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, but also, at official level, by the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sport, Chakib Benmoussa. He was officially present to receive the Prize for Excellence awarded by CAF to the Moroccan sovereign and President Kagame. The minister then read the message that His Majesty had kindly addressed to the audience. In this message, His Majesty announced to Moroccans, Africans and citizens of the world, the news of the bid to organise the Football World Cup. This time, the bid is being made jointly with Spain and Portugal. The formula announced by the Sovereign is historically new: to organise the competitions on the two shores of the Western Mediterranean: a strong civilisational signal to FIFA and to the world. The primacy given to His Majesty in making this important announcement speaks volumes about the esteem in which the Sovereign is held in the region. Indeed, His Majesty made the announcement not only on behalf of the three countries, but also on behalf of the entire continent. On this occasion, the Football World Cup will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. In his message on the occasion of the presentation in Kigali of the CAF Excellence Award for 2022, just before the announcement of the tripartite bid for the World Cup, the Sovereign had said, ‘I remain faithful to the conviction I expressed in my speech on the occasion of the 29ᵉ African Union Summit in 2017: “Africa's future lies with its youth” and only “a proactive policy geared towards youth will channel the energy for development”.’ This demonstrates the royal conviction that Africa's development can only be achieved within the framework of his vision of the continent, namely the need for understanding, respect, complementarity and win-win cooperation. Taking care of young people and opening up the necessary opportunities for them in this process is essential and unavoidable. Everyone knows the role that football plays in the development of young people, which is why His Majesty said later in his message: ‘...In my country, the Kingdom of Morocco, I have made a point of making football a lever for success and sustainable human development’. A way of inviting the countries of the continent to do the same. Today, we Moroccans are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the reign of His Majesty Mohammed VI, may God help him. But it should be noted that almost all the peoples of Africa are also celebrating with us, given the radiance of the royal personality on the continent and the fact that Morocco is seen as a definite ally for the development and well-being of its citizens. Our country is seen as an example and an ally, and we should all work to consolidate this special place, built up by the many visits and royal solicitude in different parts of Africa.
youtu.be/1qG_z0g2xo4?si=8gO8c_6i...

You Graduated and Don’t Know What to Focus On for a PhD Position?

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
2 min read.
I assume you’ve just earned your master’s degree. You might be feeling a bit lost. You’ve started applying for opportunities — Industry or Academia — but you’re still waiting for that interview opportunity. No one is answering your emails. I get it. You might be feeling frustrated, maybe even battling imposter syndrome. You’re thinking about enrolling in new courses to acquire enough skills to be ready for any opportunity, but you still feel very lost. Let me tell you exactly what I would do if I were in your place three years ago. Please read this article until the end. You will enjoy it, and I made it especially for you as a source of motivation, giving you exactly what you should focus on. Let’s assume first that you want to enroll in a good PhD program. Whenever I apply for an opportunity, I put myself in the interviewer’s shoes — in this case, your future supervisor. What does your future supervisor want from you? What’s your added value to their lab? Why should they recruit you? Your supervisor wants you to be the greatest version of yourself, wants to be proud of you, and wants your success to be their success as well. First, they want you to avoid distractions and focus on your PhD, producing great, interesting results, and discoveries that lead to high-quality publications. They want you to step out of your comfort zone, present at international conferences, bring added value to the lab, be a great representative, and never outshine them. Control your ego, be easygoing with the team — not a toxic presence — and remember, they don’t expect perfection, but they do expect you to do your best. I know you can be like that, but there are a few things you can do to make your application stand out. When writing emails to potential supervisors, have you read some of their most interesting, highly cited articles? Did you do some research beforehand and address specific points within your email? What did you accomplish during your master’s degree? Were you just an average student who passed exams, or did you do something exceptional that made you unique compared to most students? If yes, then mention it, talk about it, and sell it to your supervisor in your application. Show that you are unique. When writing an email, motivation letter, or research proposal, stop using templates or AI-generated content. Your supervisor is smarter than you think, and they will spot that because they’ve seen a ton of applications. They want originality; they want to know who you are and what you can do. Be original. You don’t have to make it perfect, just be yourself. I want you to create a unique application that will impress any professor who reads it. Make it stand out. Use your own creativity — you’ve graduated, which means your brain is still fresh, and you are smart. SHOW THEM THAT! Don’t apply for just one position — make different plans. You gotta be smart about it. Reach out to your previous professors, especially those whose work you found impressive, and gently ask them for a recommendation letter. Use your contacts, and take your time to make different plans, because this step is a big one toward your future goals. Be wise about it. This isn’t just about getting one position; it’s about setting up a foundation for your future. Different plans give you options, and options give you control over your path. Last but not least, if I were you, I would focus on reading a bunch of review papers in the field I’m interested in. Start doing the things your future supervisor would expect you to do in your first year: identify the scientific question that interests you, find your unique approach, and start working on answering it. It’s your mission to find the gap in your field and fill it. You can begin working on that right now, while also doing the things I mentioned above. I’m not going to dig into the details here because I’ve kept this article a bit general, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask them directly.

Is PhD for you or not?

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
Why is a PhD so tough? If I still get the chance to do a PhD, should I still consider doing it? I get plenty of questions asking me, “Why should I apply for a PhD? What are the benefits? Where, in what field, and with which supervisor should I consider doing it?” I will answer all these common questions in this article and give a few pieces of advice for graduate students and anyone hesitating to enroll in a PhD program. First things first, if you ask any PhD candidate or someone with a PhD about their experience, we all share the same answer: “PhD is tough.” But why? A PhD program is meant to shape you personally and professionally. It’s a minimum of three years where you discover your weaknesses, build a strong foundation of expertise, focus, and social dynamics, and it takes you out of your comfort zone. I’ll explain everything in detail with examples. The idea I had about a PhD when I recently graduated is completely different from what I am experiencing right now. Before, I thought a PhD program was all about publishing papers, and back then, for me, a paper could be done in less than four months. I mean, indeed, but that’s only for a mediocre paper with no impact, which could be published in a normal to predatory journal. Now I realize that publishing a high-quality article takes years of hard work, consistency, collaboration with a team of experts, making mistakes, conducting experiments, re-conducting experiments, taking critical advice from your supervisors, and implementing it effectively. Even then, you may or may not get the expected results. You may feel frustrated and get a bit depressed since you spent at least a year working on an approach that now seems no longer promising. That’s one side. The other side is psychology. What I mean by that is how you can feel really down, but regardless of your feelings, you discover your passion that can boost you and give you the purpose to balance your PhD and personal life. Then there is a critical aspect, which is your supervisor. You and your supervisor are two different people. Your supervisor has more experience than you, and as you’re conducting your PhD, doing the experiments, once you get critical feedback from your supervisor, you may take it personally and start thinking negatively about your experience, assuming he’s not helping you but just criticizing your work. That’s not true. What you actually learn about a PhD is that your supervisor’s success is yours as well, and vice versa. Since he has more experience than you in publishing high-quality articles, you should definitely forget about your ego, start communicating with him, and learn from him, because at the end of the day, you are still a student, and that’s what’s great about the PhD experience. Besides publishing, which is just a small part of your PhD program, you learn how to communicate your research area and results in a smooth way that anyone with a different background, or even a 5-year-old kid, could understand. You also learn how to sell your research, which means that you can definitely be a great candidate for the industry in the future, not just academia. Public speaking is another important skill you learn in a PhD since it is required to present your work at international conferences and congresses in front of highly valued speakers. You start to appreciate criticism and see it as a new way to improve yourself. If your primary goal is to improve yourself, be self-aware, and be better, then a PhD program is for you. If you are not, just forget about a PhD program because you will struggle, start comparing yourself with others, or may stop comparing yourself with others in a bad way that may lead you to become a narcissistic psychopath who thinks his PhD thesis is going to change the world and that everything he does is what matters, while what others do is completely irrelevant. At the end of the day, a PhD program is just a way to reach your higher goals, and if you see it as it’s supposed to be, then you’re going to have an enjoyable experience, full of learning, and enjoy science as it’s supposed to be. My Advice for Future PhD Candidates: - Your Supervisor: The first thing you should look for is your supervisor rather than the subject of your thesis. Your supervisor is the one you will be working with every single day for at least four years. He should be a good human being, skilled, and inspirational because their words can be a great motivation for you. Otherwise, if not, your experience is just going to get worse and worse, and you may quit. - Self-Improvement: Consider if you really want to improve your weaknesses and become a better version of yourself. Are you ready for high criticism of work that you spent years on? Would you accept that? If yes, then go for a PhD. - Academia: Academia is super toxic. Are you ready to engage in what might be a toxic environment and learn how to get the good side from it? If yes, then trust me, you will be perfectly shaped after your PhD, and you will be a great fit for both academia and industry. - Financial Goals: If your goal is to get money rather than improving yourself, just forget about academia because it will simply slow down that process of getting money as soon as possible. ---- To answer the first question, if I get the chance to start my PhD with the same conditions, the same supervisor, and the same thesis director, I would definitely follow the same path. Hell yeah, I love it!
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