WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXVIII): Christmas and Teaching

Yes, Christmas was celebrated differently in the Philippines than in Germany. We had got used to it over the years. Our family adopted some of our German traditions too - as much as possible.

As in many other Christian countries, Christmas is the most special time of the year in Germany. Though the most important ingredients of Christmas across the world are the same – festive cheer, family time and delicious food – each country has its own special way of celebrating this magical festival. There are some  Christmas traditions and rituals that are quintessentially German.

St Nicholas Day is a favorite holiday with German children. On the night of December 5, children clean and polish their boots and leave them outside the door before going to sleep. Next morning, they find their shoes filled with nuts, candy, and small gifts from St Nicholas. He also makes an appearance in shopping malls and children’s clubs. Though Santa Claus has also become popular in Germany, St Nicholas is much more important than his American counterpart. 

The Advent calendar is an important countdown to Christmas for German children. Everyday for four weeks preceding Christmas, a window in the advent calendar is opened to reveal a poem, parts of a story, candy or a small gift. Advent calendars flood shops across Germany during this season, while many parents prefer to make their own.

The tradition of Advent wreaths was started by German Lutherans in the 16th century, and today the wreath is still an icon of Christmas in Germany. The wreath consists of four candles in a bed of pine cones, berries, dried flowers and Christmas ornaments. Different families have different traditions when it comes to Adventskranz. Some will bring it out during the first week of December and burn one candle every Sunday in the lead up to Christmas. Others will display the advent wreath on the last Sunday before Christmas and have the entire family sit around it, munching on Christmas delicacies, singing Christmas songs and watching Christmas movies.

Granted, the magic of Christmas markets has spread to many other countries and continents, but the origins of Christmas markets can be traced back to the German-speaking part of Europe in the Middle Ages. A few thousand Christmas markets are held all over Germany each year. The next time your heart warms at the sight of twinkling lights adorning the adorable Christmas market in your part of the world, remember that you have the Germans to thank for it. Of course, Christmas Markets with mugs of steaming hot Glühwein, and the Feuerzangenbowle, which is an immensely potent German Christmas beverage that is as much a feast for the taste buds as for the eyes. Rum with a high alcohol level is added generously to mulled wine, and the concoction is set in flames. Memories that faded over time in the Philippines. Freezing temperatures and lots of snow on the way to the Christmas Mass - only possible in Germany.

One day I got a call from the University of Southeastern Philippines, Institute of Languages and Cultural Arts. in Davao City. There had been a large number of inquiries regarding German Language Classes. "Well, I have never been a teacher before", I replied Dr. Patricia Elbanbuena, the then Director of the institute. "But you are a journalist, and I think your German is perfect to be a German language teacher", she tried to allay my fears.

I taught German at USEP for almost 12 years. 

(To be continued!)

How is the rest of the Philippines different from Manila or Metro Manila?

 

By: Joy Gutierrez

I understand that Manila is distinct in that it is an economic (and cultural) hub and population center, but how is it different from the average Philippines and Filipinos?

I grew up in Cebu City. So my impressions of Manila are that of a Filipino living outside of it. Metro Manila is huge. It is composed of 16 cities or municipalities in a 620 sq. km. land area. Cebu City is tiny by comparison. Life in Manila is very different from life in other provinces.

I find that life in Manila is very fast paced. Like any metropolitan city, everything is far away. Your daily commute eats up a lot of the time in your day. When we think of Manila, we would always have that in mind: everything is far away. Of course Manileños will probably disagree with me but you asked how the rest of the Philippines differs from Manila.

Life outside of Manila is more slow-paced where hanging out at the mall is actually a thing (usually it is to have coffee with friends among other things), the beach with crystal clear water is less than an hour’s drive, and freshly caught seafood is widely available daily.

The cost of living in Manila is also higher. Wages are higher too but if you factor in the cost of living, I doubt they would end up with more disposable income.

Air pollution is a bigger problem in Manila than it is comparatively, to the rest of the country.

It is easier to commune with nature when you live outside of Manila where beaches, rivers, waterfalls and lakes are in abundance. I also find that the further you are from the cities, the friendlier the people are.

EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF

 

And of course: every woman for herself. It's used for saying that everyone needs to look after themselves and not worry about anyone else. Everyone looks out for his or her best interest. Originally this phrase expressed approval. It appeared in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale (“Ech man for him-self, ther is non other”), implying that if one did not look out for oneself no one else would.

Yes, each person does what is best for himself or herself. Yes, times are getting tougher. I think you, my dear readers, know what I am talking about. No reason to list everything again. Sometimes, there is no team spirit in this office; it’s definitely every man for himself. Neighbors would tell each other: mind your own business. The tone between us humans is becoming more and more harsher.

Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them. Important helpline is Psalm 27:10 for them. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.” 

And solitary survivors like Robinson Crusoe, or the hero in the movie Castaway, fascinate. But the loner is someone who purposely holds himself aloof, like the Unabomber, Mathematician Ted Kaczynski. People doggedly moving ever farther away from one another constitute hell in C.S. Lewis’ book, The Great Divorce.

Fact is  -  Proverbs 18:1 says:  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment. 

Living in community and helping one another is foundational for all who wish to follow Christ. We know from Acts 2 that the early church took this seriously, seeing many examples of believers helping one another, including materially, so that there would be no one in need within their group.

Much has been written about the benefits of strong relationships. I wrote about it at this corner several years ago. People are healthier, live longer, and are generally happier if they have strong friendships beneficial for helping and encouraging each other. And let me repeat it - especially during these tough times ... .

Jim Mathis , a writer, photographer and small business owner in Overland Park, Kansas, got it to the point last year, when the pandemic started: "Personally, one big change that took place when I decided to follow Christ was shifting from a self-centered existence to community-centered living. My life changed dramatically for the better when I stopped looking out only for myself and started finding ways to help others with a sense of community. Life went from an individual sport like a race to a team sport, working toward our mutual benefit".

The other pandemic

 

Editorial Manila Bulletin

Early this month, the Department of Health reported that the National Center for Mental Health had been receiving more calls from adolescents. The report, however, included that such distress calls had been on the rise from all age brackets since the beginning of the pandemic.

It’s the same all over the world. In the US, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, based on data released in June 2021, “63 percent of young people reported experiencing substantial symptoms of anxiety and depression.” In Europe, a Cambridge University-published study has shown that these symptoms are more observable among the older populations, although it is disheartening that, increasingly, young adults, even students, are also falling prey to loneliness, which can lead, as the research has pointed out, to “a six- to 10-fold increase in risk for worsened depressed mood, anxiety symptoms, and sleep problems.”

It’s all par for the course during a pandemic when physical distancing, social isolation, mobility restrictions, and constant media exposure to COVID-19 are normal and even necessary. Along with the elderly and those who live alone, older teens and young adults are the hardest hit because, just as they are beginning to build a world outside of their families, that world and its many possibilities are indefinitely on hold.

There’s a call for governments in many countries to intervene with social care policies to mitigate the long-term consequences of increased loneliness, such as worsened mental health problems. A Harvard Graduate School of Education-led research recommends a robust social infrastructure, including national, local, and community campaigns to increase awareness of the importance of social ties. Even here in the Philippines, there are more government, non-government, and private organizations addressing mental health than ever before.

Alas, there is not enough help in this world for lonely people. While it is not considered a specific mental health condition, loneliness does, especially when prolonged, affect general health—physical, mental, and emotional.

On your own, there are many ways to address loneliness, such as keeping active or engaging in meaningful causes.

But sometimes it’s all in the disposition.

Train yourself to find joy in as many ordinary things as possible, to see the silver lining in every dark cloud, to see the friend in everyone, even in yourself.

Learn to accept that many things in life are 100 percent beyond your control. Just as it is in you as a human to succumb to the worst of circumstances, as happens to the best of us, it is also in you as a human to soar above them.

If you hate this and you hate that, if the only things that make you happy are things you can’t do every day, like weekends or vacations or the company of friends, it’s only logical you will be miserable most of the time. Protect yourself from yourself by keeping fear, helplessness, hopelessness, resentment, envy, anger on a leash and replace them with a sense of hope, a sense of wonder, and positivity.

Allow everyday things to make you feel alive and you may be happy, sometimes worried and saddled with troubles—that’s life — but still capable of being at peace and full of hope.

If all else fails, call a mental health professional.

Why in Manila there is no underground transport like in London?

 

By: Steven Haddock

Compliance Officer

Insufferable know-it-all, mostly law, science, politics and Canadian football

Prior to World War II, Manila had the largest tram system in Asia.

However, the battle for Manila at the end of the World War II devastated the city, and the tram network couldn’t be salvaged.

Luckily, when the Americans left, it turned out to be too expensive to take their Jeeps with them. They were sold for $1 apiece to the locals who cut them in half and put a top on them, thus was born…..

The Jeepney!

Privately operated Jeepneys, together with municipal buses and motorcycle taxis, form the backbone of Greater Manila’s transportation system. As most of the vehicles are privately operated, there’s massive political opposition to doing away with them and replacing them with a fully municipal system.

One of the problems is that Greater Manila is so big, but has lot of old narrow roads, there’s a massive “last mile” problem. Even Jeepneys have trouble navigating some of Manila’s neighbourhoods, which makes motorcycle taxis perfect for the job.

It would be nice if Manila could do something about it. It’s traffic is terrible and Jeepneys and motorcycle taxis are one of the reasons why. They run short routes, are always on the road, and stop at random places wherever they can pick up or drop off passengers. However, they’re also tremendously cheap - an auto taxi can cost ten times what a similar journey by motorcycle taxi and Jeepney will.

The people of Manila aren’t thrilled with the system despite its low cost. Only municipal buses make really long trips (more than 10 km) so a typical trip is motorcycle taxi to a Jeepney route, then Jeepney to a bus, take the bus to another Jeepney route, then take another motorcycle taxi to your destination. It’s insane.

The good (or bad) news is that Jeepneys can no longer be replaced - they’re brightly painted but usually patched together as best as possible.

IS ANGER BAD?

One should not lose one's temper unless one is certain of getting more and more angry to the end. Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame. There are hundreds of quotations. Not all are very helpful.

Have you ever been really angry? I was. And that's okay.

We all hear a lot about letting go of anger, curbing our temper, and learning anger management techniques. On the spiritual path, sages and gurus remind us that everyone and everything is to be forgiven and that peace and tranquility is what we all need to strive for. Anger is deemed counterproductive, useless or even destructive to our spiritual well-being and happiness. It is considered a “negative emotion” that we should reject in others and deny in ourselves. With such advice, it is no wonder that most of us shrink with guilt after our feathers get ruffled and we speak out in anger at someone we love.

Well,  in truth, a little anger is good and has a function that benefits human consciousness. Used positively, anger makes us healthy, wealthy and wise and is one key to happiness. As you read this my dear readers, I can see your incredulous faces and your eyes wide open.

When we feel angry about a situation we are facing or at a person who is challenging us in some way, our anger is a signal and warning that something is out of balance. As a warning, anger saves us the grief of sitting still and doing nothing about a situation or when circumstances require a positive change. 

By witnessing and understanding anger in others we can see how destructive it can be, but we can also see its merits in many situations. I learned that anger turned to passion helps me achieve my dreams and even how it can champion the lives of others. At least that's how it was for me in the past. Anger teaches us to develop a stronger personality so that we succeed in life and develop spiritual muscles to truly contribute something meaningful to the world.

Maybe, you are under a verbal attack: believe me,  a healthy response is anger. Rather than cowering in fear or retracting and feeling even more vulnerable, a little anger can push to yell out a resounding “Stop”. Remember, I said little anger.

Believe me, the  "I don't care attitude" is not always the right decision. "Bahala na - bahala -ka"? When we get riled up when confronted with circumstances that just seem unfair, our anger moves us deeply and points out what matters most to us. 

If you stop to think about it, anger has likely been the great motivator of change in your life. Maybe you finally ended a toxic relationship after years of putting up with someone who discouraged you or who even abused you. You probably were angry with yourself for putting up with their remarks for so long, clinging to them hoping they would change. When you finally were fed up enough to let your anger win, it gave you the potent power of courage to end it. Only when we get mad enough to change the direction of our lives can we earn self-respect.

Allow me to mention the following in 2014 published story: A 2005 study by professor of psychology, Jennifer Lerner, at Carnegie Mellon University, showed that people who responded to stress producing situations with short-term anger possessed a sense of control and optimism that was lacking with those who responded with fear. The more fear individuals in the study displayed in response to the stressors, the higher their biological responses to stress. “By contrast, the more anger and indignation individuals displayed in response to the same stressors, the lower their responses,” said Lerner. Just about everyone knows a little temper tantrum can be invigorating and a relief. But anger can be deadly when it is simmers over time and no steam is allowed to escape.

Anger is in itself neither good nor bad—it's what you do with it that matters. ... Research overwhelmingly indicates that feeling angry increases optimism, creativity, effective performance—and research suggests that expressing anger can lead to more successful negotiations, in life or on the job.

Das Auswärtige Amt gibt bekannt: Philippinen - Einstufung zum Hochrisikogebiet ab 8.8.2021

Letzte Änderung: Aktuelles (Einstufung zum Hochrisikogebiet und COVID-19 bedingte Reisewarnung mit Wirkung vom 8.8.2021; redaktionelle Änderungen)

Lagen können sich schnell verändern und entwickeln. Wir empfehlen Ihnen:

- Verfolgen Sie Nachrichten und Wetterberichte

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- Registrieren Sie sich in unserer Krisenvorsorgeliste https://elefand.diplo.de/elefandextern/home/login!form.action 

Aktuelles
Die Ausbreitung von COVID-19 https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-gesundheit/gesundheit-fachinformationen/reisemedizinische-hinweise/Coronavirus/-/2309820 kann weiterhin zu Einschränkungen im internationalen Luft- und Reiseverkehr und Beeinträchtigungen des öffentlichen Lebens führen.

Mit Wirkung vom 8. August 2021 wird vor nicht notwendigen, touristischen Reisen in die Philippinen gewarnt.

Epidemiologische Lage
Die Philippinen sind von COVID-19 stark betroffen, wobei von einer hohen Dunkelziffer bei den Infektionszahlen auszugehen ist. Das Gesundheitssystem ist sehr belastet. Regionaler Schwerpunkt ist die Hauptstadtregion Metro Manila. Die Philippinen sind mit Wirkung vom 8. August 2021 als Hochrisikogebiet https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete_neu.html eingestuft.

Aktuelle und detaillierte Zahlen bieten das philippinische Gesundheitsministerium https://www.doh.gov.ph/ und die Weltgesundheitsorganisation WHO https://covid19.who.int/.

Einreise

Bis auf weiteres ist Ausländern die Einreise für touristische Zwecke in die Philippinen verboten. Erteilte philippinische Einreise-Visa wurden für ungültig erklärt, neue touristische Visa werden derzeit grundsätzlich nicht ausgestellt. Ausnahmen gelten ausschließlich für Flugzeug- und Schiffsbesatzungen, für Familienangehörige (Ehegatten, Kinder, Eltern) von philippinischen Staatsangehörigen, für Diplomaten und Angehörige internationaler Organisationen, die in den Philippinen akkreditiert sind, sowie für Ausländer, die bereits im Besitz von Langzeitvisa sind. Reisende unterliegen nach Einreise einer 14-tägigen Quarantänepflicht, während derer am siebten Tag ein PCR-Test durchgeführt werden muss. Alle Einreisenden, mit Ausnahme von Diplomaten und Angehörigen internationaler Organisationen, müssen eine Buchung für eine akkreditierte Quarantäne-Einrichtung für mindestens 10 Tage vorlegen. Die Quarantäne wird auf 7 Tage verkürzt, wenn ein Impfnachweis über eine in den Philippinen erfolgte vollständige Impfung, oder bei im Ausland erfolgter Impfung, ein von den nationalen Gesundheitsbehörden ausgestellter Impfnachweis vorgelegt wird, der von den philippinischen Behörden überprüft und akzeptiert werden kann, und der Aufenthalt in den letzten 14 Tagen vor der Einreise in einem der vom Gesundheitsministerium definierten „Green Countries" https://iatf.doh.gov.ph/?page_id=77 war. Deutschland gehört bislang nicht zu diesen Ländern. Diplomaten und Angehörige internationaler Organisationen müssen bei Einreise einen negativen PCR-Test vorlegen, der nicht älter als 72 Stunden ist.

Zur Eindämmung der Virusvariante B.1.617, die zuerst in Indien nachgewiesen wurde, wird bis auf weiteres Flugpassagieren, die aus Indien, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesch, Oman, den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten, Indonesien und aus Malaysia und Thailand kommen oder sich dort während der letzten 14 Tage aufgehalten haben, die Einreise in die Philippinen verweigert. Reisende, die ausschließlich Flugtransitpassagiere in diesen Ländern waren, sind von diesem Einreiseverbot ausgenommen. 

Durch- und Weiterreise
Reisen zwischen den Provinzen sind eingeschränkt möglich. Es müssen Gesundheitszeugnisse, gegebenenfalls ein negativer PCR-Test oder philippinische Impfnachweise vorgelegt und in der Zielprovinz im Einzelfall Quarantäne abgeleistet werden.
Die Ausreise ist Ausländern, die sich im Land aufhalten, jederzeit erlaubt. Viele Fluggesellschaften verlangen für den Reiseantritt in den Philippinen einen negativen PCR-Test oder einen Impfnachweis.

Reiseverbindungen
Für die Einreise über den Flughafen in Manila bestehen Kontingente. Fluggesellschaften erhalten ihre Kontingente mit geringem zeitlichen Vorlauf, was zu kurzfristigen Umbuchungen oder Flugstornierungen führen kann.

Beschränkungen im Land
Die Quarantänemaßnahmen sind regional unterschiedlich. Derzeit gilt im Großraum Manila eine Quarantänestufe mit umfangreichen Einschränkungen in der Versorgung und der Bewegungsfreiheit sowie eine nächtliche Ausgangssperre. Stadtbezirke können diese Einschränkungen eigenständig verschärfen.
Die zwischenzeitlich unterbrochenen regulären Verkehrsverbindungen zwischen den Inseln des Landes wurden wiederaufgenommen, können jedoch jederzeit kurzfristig wiedereingestellt werden. Inlandsflüge nach Manila finden nur unzuverlässig statt.
Die touristische Infrastruktur ist stark eingeschränkt, zahlreiche Hotels und Resorts sind geschlossen.

Hygieneregeln
Im öffentlichen Raum (in Gebäuden, aber auch im Freien) gilt die Pflicht, einen Mund-Nasen-Schutz sowie zusätzlich einen Gesichtsschutz (face-shield) zu tragen. Es gibt das Gebot, sozialen Abstand zu wahren. Massenansammlungen sind verboten. Verstöße sind mit Geld- bis hin zu Gefängnisstrafen bewehrt. Im Fall einer Infektion erfolgt die Isolierung in staatlicher Unterbringung.

Empfehlungen

• Seien Sie bei allen Reisen weiterhin besonders vorsichtig und beachten Sie unsere fortlaufend aktualisierte Infobox zu COVID-19/Coronavirus.
• Achten Sie bei Einreise nach Deutschland auf die geltenden Einreisevoraussetzungen zu Anmelde-, Quarantäne- und Nachweisregelungen (vollständige Impfung oder Genesenennachweis oder aktueller negativer COVID-19-Test).
• Achten Sie auf die Einhaltung der AHA-Vorschriften und befolgen Sie zusätzlich die Hinweise lokaler Behörden. Bei Verstößen gegen die Hygienevorschriften können hohe Geldstrafen oder Gefängnisstrafen verhängt werden.
• Informieren Sie sich über detaillierte Maßnahmen und ergänzende Informationen der philippinischen Regierung.
• Falls Sie im Besitz eines Langzeitvisums sind oder eine Sondereinreisegenehmigung mit Touristenvisum beantragen möchten, erkundigen Sie sich bei den philippinischen Behörden, in Deutschland z.B. bei der Philippinischen Botschaft, ob Sie zur Gruppe derjenigen gehören, für die eine Einreise möglich ist.
• Erkundigen Sie sich bei Ihrer Fluggesellschaft über die genauen Vorgaben.
• Bei COVID-19 Symptomen oder Kontakt mit Infizierten kontaktieren Sie das lokale Gesundheitsamt.

WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (XXVI): "Who dares wins" and Philippine Family Life

Tom Anthony and I met again and again. For lunch, for dinner, just for a talk between very close friends. He really had written this great story entitled "Sabine". I was amazed being with him and with the script writer of a movie,  shot in the Philippines especially in Davao City. Who dares wins! Yes, and everyone was ready. At the moment, his book has been published. During that time, as columnist of Mindanao Daily Mirror, I wrote: "Emotional and breathtaking. Heartily told and with unlimited elbow room. A novel about misery, poverty, distress, love and forgiveness".

The premiere night was getting closer and closer. Something was clear. It was originally planned that I would appear in this movie as well. It was eliminated by a sore throat infection. Well ... .

Rossana was thrilled being in another world while meeting actor James Monson from the U.S.

SABINE - as a movie and as a book became an awesome success. I was overwhelmed being a closed friend of Tom and being introduced to the international film economy.

It was time for me to learn that a life in the movie world is different from a real original family world. My radio fans kept on waiting for me every time I left the studio after my show.

"Sabine" became an awesome success. Even without me. But with an outstanding cast - especially with Davao Celebrity Bangs Garcia  in her main role "Sabine". And well, yes with Felix Roco, James Monson, VIVA hot babe Gwen Garci and many more. The unique and awesome movie director was friend Ian del Carmen. 

Did I forget my own family? No.

I learned within the following years that happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life.

Over the years, the Philippines ranked as one of the top happiest countries in the world, making the Filipinos become a trademark in fulfilling happiness. While they are naturally drawn happy, some say the vitamins from the sun brings them more joy every day. Wonder why? Because sunlight triggers the release of a hormone in the brain called serotonin that boosts people’s mood and promotes happiness.

Happiness in Filipino culture is habitual and a trait most of them possess. If you have visited the Philippines, whether it’s for travel or business, you can tell that Filipinos are amazing people. The way they politely greet, smile, and interact with others shows the lightheartedness in them despite the chaos and difficulty of life. Being from a country with being more sad and lonely or self-reliant people, the Filipinos surprised me. 

Many beliefs and studies on why Filipinos are naturally happy but listed below are the main reasons for it. Number 1 is  love of food and eating. Oh yes, I strongly agree.

Close family ties are another very important reason. As a German expat in the Philippines, I do experience it really daily. Despite the differences in religions and beliefs in the Philippines, the Filipino people are truly religious and spiritual. You can see it by how they value Sunday as a day of praising the Lord and going to church. One of the most significant religious traditions in the Philippines is the parade of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo church, where many Filipinos devoted their vows every year. This tradition showcases the high place of religion for most Filipinos, and they believe that spirituality develops positive emotions and feelings to make them happier in life.

Of course, I felt much at home as member of a Philippine family. I forgot more and more Germany. Really sad to say.

(To be continued!)

HURRAY, WE ARE STILL ALIVE!

 

I think so almost every day. Every day, when I wake up in the morning. Yes, what a miracle, we are still alive although the negative news is pouring down on us like the unexpected hailstorm somewhere in the desert.

Hurray, we are still alive! In the ears of many, those struggling with illness, death, business failure, natural disasters, and personal financial ruin have to fight, a not a very encouraging exclamation. Yes, I can feel it.

How strong are we? How much anxiety,  how much pressure can you and I bear? What did we not have to overcome? After low tight comes high tide. 

What the future might bring us? Human-powered wearables? Airports for drones and flying taxis? Smart sutures that detect infections? Self-healing ‘living concrete'? Crowd-sourced antibiotics? Self-driving trucks? Floating farms?

Every day, people around the world come up with new ways to make the future brighter.  A list of some of the most exciting advances in future technology that will change our world. Somehow it scares me. And you my dear reader?

Also this: The world population is expected to reach 8.5 billion people by 2030. India will overtake China as the most populated country on Earth. Nigeria will overtake the US as the third most populous country in the world. The fastest-growing demographic will be the elderly: 65+ people will hit one billion by 2030. 

Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer and thought leader in the fields of business and technology, with a passion for using technology for the good of humanity. Among other things, he provides that as the ripple of COVID-19 careens around the globe, it’s forcing humankind to innovate and change the way we work and live. The upside of where we find ourselves right now is that individuals and corporations will be more resilient in a post-COVID-19 world.

We have to deal with more contact less interfaces and interactions, strengthened digital infrastructure, tele medicine, more digital events - just to mention some. 

Yes, we are still alive now. Let's see what the future will bring.

EVERYTHING IS MEANINGLESS!

My column in Mindanao Daily News and Businessweek Mindanao 

OPINION

By KLAUS DORING

 August 1, 2021

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Especially nowadays we hear this expression more and more often. In a world with more and more natural disasters and never-ending pandemic, it's no wonder. I am sure, my dear readers, that you experience it in your surroundings too. 

 

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophia, is a peer-reviewed academic resource, where I often find answers to my questions.  I quote: "Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy". 

 

Nihilism is most often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche, who lived from 1844 until 1900. Nietzsche was a German philosopher, essayist, and cultural critic. His writings on truth, morality, language, aesthetics, cultural theory, history, nihilism, power, consciousness, and the meaning of existence have exerted an enormous influence on Western philosophy and intellectual history. Nietzsche argued that its corrosive effects would eventually destroy all moral, religious, and metaphysical convictions and precipitate the greatest crisis in human history. 

 

Interestingly, Nietzsche himself, a radical skeptic preoccupied with language, knowledge, and truth, anticipated many of the themes of postmodernity. It’s helpful to note, then, that he believed we could–at a terrible price–eventually work through nihilism. If we survived the process of destroying all interpretations of the world, we could then perhaps discover the correct course for humankind.

 

When I discover traveling around on social networks, the word boredom is being used more and more - especially by the young generation.  "Boredom occurs when our engagement with the framework is suspended, and we notice the change to our experience brought about by our newfound inability to provide different times with different ignificances according to their relevance to a future goal" - so described by  German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889–1976).

 

Guys, we cannot really  “make” our lives meaningful by just ignoring the fact that everything sooner or later vanishes into a deep and dark hole of time? I can't believe it.  I’m really a huge fan of existing. I love Woody Allen and his comment: “Cloquet hated reality but realized it was still the only place to get a good steak.” 

 

I think there’s plenty of fun to be had – at least for those of us not in tragically dire circumstances. Think about yourself. Moreover, siding with thinkers like David Hume, I think there's great contentment in seeing other people being helped, and great joy in behaving like a decent human being. Generally regarded as one of the most important philosophers to write in English, David Hume (1711–1776) was also well known in his own time as an historian and essayist.

 

I would even call myself an optimist. If you take time and check my previous columns at this corner, you will agree with me.