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  • Courses in Holistic Medicine

    Courses in Holistic Medicine

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    Earn your professional diploma in the healing arts when you enroll in courses in holistic medicine. Among the subject matter in these holistic medicine programs are in-depth studies in anatomy and physiology, pathology and disease, detoxification methods, energy healing, herbal medicine (both Eastern and Western modalities), homeopathy, orthomolecular nutrition/holistic nutrition, flower essences and remedies, holistic counseling, iridology, and other natural medicine.

    There are also courses in holistic medicine that are both degreed and non-degreed. For those seeking a more comprehensive natural healing career, degreed courses in holistic medicine are the best options. In addition to gaining a four-year Naturopathic Medical Degree (N.D.), there are other academic routes that can be taken like programs that offer Doctorate degrees in chiropractic, herbal medicine, and acupuncture and Oriental medicine, among others.

    Before applying to any holistic medicine programs, it is important to determine which prerequisites are necessary for enrollment. In many cases, degree courses in holistic medicine often require a standard education in a variety of studies including biology, chemistry, English, humanities, physics, and psychology.

    Non-degree courses in holistic medicine are also available to professionals who want to brush up skills through continuing education, or for those who would like an introduction to the wide array of natural health programs. Today, there are a number of natural healing schools that provide basic holistic workshops and seminars to the general public; which may include beginner classes in self-massage, home herbal remedies, holistic nutrition (including vitamins and supplements), iridology, reflexology, and other natural health specialties.

    If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about these or other healing arts programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore courses in holistic medicine near you.

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    Source by CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd

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  • What Is Affiliate Marketing In A Nutshell?

    What Is Affiliate Marketing In A Nutshell?

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    Affiliate marketing in a nutshell is you promoting other people's products and services in exchange of a share of commissions.

    It can be digital products such as e-learning programs – which comprised of e-books in PDF, video courses, software tools and website templates – and physical goods as in things that people like you and me buy everyday from shops for consumer and entertainment purposes.

    To sign up as affiliate is very simple. Simply do a Google search for affiliate programs and you will find dozens in the result listings. But from my 10 years of internet marketing experience, Amazon, ClickBank, Market Health and JVZoo are by far the most popular. While Amazon deals with consumer products, ClickBank and JVZoo specialize in digital ones I just mentioned above. Market Health – as its name implies – mainly focuses on healthcare products. Besides these, you can also promote services as well like autoresponder, domains registration and web hosting that most marketers need as their online tools to start their own online businesses.

    While those companies focuses on rewarding you with commissions for every sale you generated for them, there are others who paid you for every lead you get for them whether or not that prospect buys. This comes under the term of Cost Per Action or CPA marketing. Never Blue and Peerfly are 2 most popular networks that stand out while you can also scout for others via Offer Vault and O'Digger CPA search platforms.

    Upon signing up, you will be given a choice of whether you want to receive your commissions via checks or direct bank deposit depending on where you live. For ClickBank, you need to generate at least 5 sales before being issued a check and option of whether you want to continue receiving checks or direct deposits. For Amazon, you need to generate at least $ 100 in commissions before receiving a check if you are living outside US or have those same 2 options if you are American.

    Once you are approved, you can start promoting their products and services. Because most of my 10 years has been spent on promoting Amazon and ClickBank, I will touch upon them. Now as much as it is important to learn and earn, you need to focus on who your target prospects are and how you can help them with their needs and wants. For Amazon, the answers are very obvious. I normally look for the best sellers, hot releases and products with at least 4-5 star ratings. But for ClickBank, I will look for those who pay commissions of at least $ 30 and with high gravity as in most affiliates promoting before I considered whether I should do the same as well.

    Upon deciding on what to promote, I simply placed ads first through classified websites like Adlandpro, Adpost, Backpage, Craigslist and Gumtree for quick cash for a start. Then I focused on creating content for long-term passive income such as writing articles, blogging, e-books, press releases and videos.

    For information products, I normally link them to my squeeze page and over time once they become my subscribers, I followed up with them on not just email promotions but content and links to my blog posts.

    For physical products, that will be my affiliate sites I am sending my visitors to. But I do my best not to make my site look like an affiliate site but a really professional-looking e-commerce site using WordPress, Ink Themes and WooCommerce. So far I have promoted air purifiers, digital cameras, guitars, kindles, robot toys and seasonal gifts like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chinese New Year.

    Now with emergence of Facebook as an all-in-one social media and marketing platform, I now channeled my time and efforts towrds it. Such as fanpages, groups and ads which enable me to target my ideal prospects on based on their age, gender, interests and earning potential based on their occupations.

    On the whole, affiliate marketing is like referral marketing but done mostly online and can still earn you a great long-term passive income if you know how and what to do correctly and regularly. It is not a get rich quick scheme but a plan that helps you to earn long-term passively.

    Even without meeting and even talking to people as compared to traditional marketing like direct sales and telemarketing.

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    Source by Amuro Wesley

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  • What Pet is the Easiest to Take Care Of

    Harmful Canine Treats: What To Know Earlier than You Deal with Your Pup

    What pooch doesn’t love getting a deal with or two at times? Canine homeowners additionally love giving their canine’s treats. When you have a canine, then you might have a good suggestion of what your canine likes to nibble on. There are such a lot of treats obtainable as of late and so they all are available all completely different shapes, sizes, colours, and consistencies. For each nice canine deal with, there are these in the marketplace that aren’t so good. These treats can hurt your pet by being lodged in your canine’s throat or intestines. This may trigger choking or worse. In case you love treating your canine buddy, then you’ll want to concentrate on these treats that may be doubtlessly dangerous. Even with treats that aren’t often harmful, you have to supervise your canine once they eat.

    Greenies: Most canines actually get pleasure from these treats. They’re marketed as treats that assist clear your canine’s enamel. Nonetheless, you have to remember that “greenies” could cause choking. It is because canines eat these in a short time causes massive chunks to lodge within the throat. Younger puppies shouldn’t eat this deal with and canines which are liable to “scarfing” meals. In case your canine eats these treats, concentrate on potential vomiting, bloody stools, and problem respiratory. In case you discover any of those signs after your canine has eaten this deal with, search medical consideration.

    Rawhide Chews: What canine doesn’t love snacking on these chewy treats? Rawhides are good as a result of it cleans your canine’s enamel and retains your canine occupied. Nonetheless, rawhides are harmful, as properly. Some rawhides that originate exterior of america may very well be preserved with arsenic-based chemical compounds that shall be ingested by your doggie when she or he chews. For that reason, make sure that any rawhide treats you buy is processed in america the place this preservative is forbidden. In case you can not inform the place a deal with originated don’t purchase it! As well as, you continue to want to observe your canine when she is munching on rawhides to assist stop choking. Be sure you purchase rawhides which are the precise measurement to your canine, too. A small canine wants the smaller sized rawhide treats.

    Chocolate: Chocolate is a horrible factor to permit canines to eat. In fact, typically canines get into sweet and cake with out your information. Chocolate is poisonous to each canines and cats, so that you want to concentrate on your canine sneaking chocolate nibbles, particularly across the holidays. Chocolate accommodates an ingredient known as theobromine. This acts within the canine about the identical manner caffeine acts within the human. Just a little will make the doggie hyperactive, however an enormous dose could also be deadly. In case your canine has gotten into chocolate, you have to search for vomiting, shallow respiratory, and irregular heartbeat. A go to to the emergency vet unusually outcomes.

    Bones: It appears that it’s the proper of each canine to have the ability to crunch on an actual bone infrequently. Canines love bones of every type. Nonetheless, some bones will be harmful. Each rooster and turkey bones are particularly harmful as a result of they’re brittle. When your canine chews on them, they will simply splinter and trigger choking. Some pork and beef bones also can trigger the identical drawback. Veterinarians agree that one of many most secure bones you can provide your canine is a shinbone. In case you should give your canine a bone, ensure you supervise your pooch and if she or he reveals indicators of bleeding, then it is best to name your vet instantly for some recommendation.

    This isn’t to say that you simply can not give your canine an occasional deal with. That is likely one of the enjoyable elements of proudly owning a canine. You do want to observe your canine and be sure that your canine is secure when snacking. All the time take note of what sort of deal with you give your canine in case of a recall.


    Home Cat Breeds

    Have you ever at all times wished a cat, however heard some breeds make higher pets than others? Possibly you might have at all times wished a cat, however have no idea something about them? There are many methods to find out about cats and what breeds suit your persona. The selection can come from having an indoor, outside or indoor and outside cat. The robust and sensible survive within the outside. Small cats are sometimes praying for birds and different wildlife and ought to be saved indoors. Tomcats, a blended breed, are nice at surviving outdoor and mousers. So allow us to have a look at a number of breeds of cats after which it is possible for you to to decide on which one could also be proper to your life-style.

    Siamese: The Siamese cat is usually a fickle creature. They usually require plenty of consideration once they decide it’s needed. They have a tendency to meow fairly a bit and may tear up a house if left alone for too lengthy. These are the downsides. Siamese will be nice pets, particularly when raised from infancy. They’re usually white with brown ears and blue eyes. It’s possible you’ll acknowledge them from Woman and the Tramp. These two had been a bit imply and never the everyday portrayal of a Siamese. Siamese is mostly very affectionate. They’re additionally one of the crucial clever of the cat species. They are typically very social, which is why they meow or “discuss” lots. An indication of consideration is often a really vocal meow very similar to a infants cry. Siamese sometimes bond to at least one individual very strongly and are territorial of that individual.

    Persian: The Persian cat breed is likely one of the oldest cats round. They’re longhaired cats with lovely shiny coats. They’re very smooth and pleasant; nevertheless, they’re liable to well being issues corresponding to allergy symptoms. The Persian doesn’t at all times play as a lot as different breeds, however they do get pleasure from a little bit of enjoyable for train particularly in a social scenario. They like to produce other cats round to play with in addition to have a lap obtainable when they’re in want of a lap. Persians are a wide range of colours from stable black, white or a mixture of white and browns across the face. A preferred Persian is the Himalayan.

    Manx: The Manx is understood for its stubby tail, or having no tail. The draw back to Manx cats is the shortage of tail. Typically a Manx can endure from worms and different parasites as a result of improper cleansing and never having the safety of a tail. This doesn’t imply it is best to low cost the Manx as a breed. The Manx breed is extraordinarily clever and playful. They’re lots like canines within the play space as a result of they will fetch once you by way of toys and produce them again to you. They’re very social animals and rely on human care. They don’t prefer to be left alone for too lengthy, so it’s sensible to produce other cats to play with if you find yourself gone throughout the day. One of the best residence for a Manx is one full of kids.

    These are simply three of the extra fashionable breeds of cats. There are over a dozen cat breeds to select from and discovering the one to suit your life-style is necessary. Cats are very social and clever, however some breeds will be loners. Most frequently, a cat chooses when the time is true and what kind of consideration they need on the time. The phrase “you don’t personal a cat it owns you” could be very true.


    Fascinating and Novel Pets: The Turtle

    Do you bear in mind studying kids’s books with turtles as the primary pet? Youngsters adore turtles as pets. They’re very attention-grabbing creatures and there are a lot of species. Once you determine to have a turtle for a pet, you will have to know the precise species for the right care. Allow us to have a look at some turtle species you may personal. There are two forms of turtles, the terrestrial and the aquatic. This implies the primary kind of turtle spends extra time on the land, whereas the aquatic turtle must have an excessive amount of water.

    Field and dust turtles are the terrestrial turtles. They require land to hibernate throughout the winter and solar on throughout the day. Most terrestrial turtles want 12 hours of daylight, which will be supplied by a UV lamp. Turtles are very vulnerable to temperature modifications usually dwelling in 80 levels throughout the day and 70 levels throughout the evening. Terrestrial turtles additionally want water not solely to drink but in addition to swim round in.

    Aquatic turtles are sliders and painted turtles. Sliders sometimes stay in swampy areas or close to lakes with plenty of mud. They have a tendency to primary within the solar throughout the day in addition to swim to chill off. The painted turtle just like the slider is usually aquatic in order that they spend extra time within the water than out sunning themselves. The painted turtle is essentially the most complicate turtle to care for as a result of they require particular care.

    After getting selected the kind of turtle you want you’ll then know what measurement tank you want. Most turtles require a 40-gallon tank or bigger to have room for land and water. It would be best to have crops within the tank, however make certain they aren’t toxic to your turtle as a result of they’ll eat them. Your pet store ought to have the ability to let you know the precise kind of crops to have. Wooden chips and bark usually are not a good suggestion, not solely do they harbor micro organism and molds, however the turtle can eat them. A turtle doesn’t have a big digestive tract and due to this fact wooden chips usually trigger blockages. Sure turtles may even have small rocks to burrow underneath together with the filth.

    Some correct meals for turtles is usually lettuce, goldfish, particular feed sticks, berries, and bugs relying on the species of turtle you personal. Water is essential to your turtle. You by no means wish to give them faucet water to drink. It’s also greatest to provide them pure spring water or non- chlorinated water for swimming in. Chlorine and different chemical compounds of faucet water could cause micro organism of their digestive techniques.

    Turtles could make nice pets if you understand a bit about their habitat wants. Turtles are wondrous creatures that you will discover in most heat climates strolling alongside the roads or basking within the solar, so what higher manner than to provide your little one a fantastic pet than to personal a turtle. Needless to say turtles are delicate and you’ll not wish to deal with them lots. They do must hibernate to stay an extended life requiring you to maintain the turtle someplace little kids can not disturb them throughout the fall interval. Turtles are each fascinating and novel pets for youngsters.


    Ferrets A Pleasant Playful Pet

    Ferrets, usually thought-about a uncommon pet to personal. Most people select canines, cats, birds, or fish to finish their household, nevertheless, a choose few flip to the ferret for its social, playful, curious qualities. Ferrets like to play and discover not solely with others and their homeowners but in addition on their very own. For that reason, you have to know a number of issues on care for a ferret.

    First, you’ll want to ferret-proof your house earlier than you introduce them as pets. They are going to crawl into partitions, furnishings, and wherever they will get their little our bodies. It’s very similar to childproofing a house for a child. It would be best to make certain all the risks are eradicated once you permit them out of their cages for playtime.

    Ferrets are additionally biters. The kits, child ferrets, are inclined to chunk extra. You’ll be able to remove the issue or tone it down with frequent dealing with. It’s a signal of their conduct as mock preventing or sparring. The youthful ferrets are inclined to chunk extra when they’re teething and don’t imply any hurt. For that reason, you’ll want to deal with the ferret or ferrets as usually as attainable to assist scale back the biting conduct. Typically those that don’t take the time or persistence to coach their ferret find yourself leaving the animal in its cage and thus it has a shorter lifespan. Please ensure you are as much as the duty of coaching a ferret earlier than bringing one into your house. Skilled correctly they are often as nice a pet as cats or canines.

    A ferret’s lifespan is often six to 10 years, nevertheless, correct care and feeding can result in a bit longer life. Ferrets are carnivores in order that they require a excessive protein weight-reduction plan. Most homeowners determine to feed their ferret’s mice, rats, rabbit, and different uncooked meats corresponding to rooster. Shops carried different forms of ferret meals that many homeowners select over the stay meals. Fastidiously studying the label will let you know if it has the right excessive protein weight-reduction plan. Most kitten meals can be utilized for instance as a result of it’s designed to be excessive protein and fats for rising cats.

    Whereas enjoying is a crucial a part of your ferret’s life so is sleep. Most ferrets spend fourteen to eighteen hours a day sleeping. A part of sleeping is to rejuvenate them from the lively play life they’ve. They like to discover and to play with toys. Many pet shops have toys for ferrets, otherwise you may need one thing round the home that your ferret will discover interesting.

    The kind of cage is necessary. Ferrets are typically very sensible so you will have a cage they will get loads of air, however sufficiently small bars they can not break free. Additionally, you will wish to clear the cage a couple of times per week relying upon the variety of ferrets you might have, how soiled the cage appears. They’re additionally burrows so some kind of bedding is required.

    Ferrets are little balls of fur that like to play and work together with people and one another. Whereas there are some particular concessions you have to make to have a ferret the outcomes are price it. Correct coaching as a equipment offers you much more pleasure once they attain maturity.


    Getting Your Pet By means of An Animal Rescue Group

    Animal rescue organizations or teams give you a fantastic place to get your subsequent household pet. These teams are all completely different, however they do have frequent targets. These teams work exhausting to find a everlasting loving residence for undesirable or misplaced cats and canines. Many of those rescue teams depend on volunteers and donations to look after these pets whereas they’re between houses.

    Once you start on the lookout for a rescue group to work with, you can see that almost all of those teams do depend on their hard-working volunteers and assist from the area people to function. Additionally, you will discover all kinds of animals obtainable by way of these rescue teams. Many of those teams deal with all forms of animals and you can see kittens, puppies, and even older pets obtainable for adoption. You could be stunned to study that some teams even supply unique pets corresponding to reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, and even guinea pigs.

    As you start taking a look at pets obtainable by way of rescue teams, have in mind a few of these animals have had very exhausting lives. It’s possible you’ll discover a canine that was abused by its proprietor. It’s possible you’ll discover a feminine cat that has simply given start. Their homeowners have relinquished most of the animals supplied by rescue teams as a result of they’re transferring or can not look after them. As well as, a few of these teams take animals that stay in kill shelters or as strays dwelling on the streets. Some packages additionally supply spay and neuter launch program for feral cats.

    Rescue teams do an excellent job of screening animals earlier than adopting them out to new houses. Additionally they display potential pet homeowners. In case you discover a pet supplied by way of a pet rescue group, you may be requested to signal a contract saying that you simply conform to look after the pet long run. Additionally, you will be requested a number of questions on your house, your kids and different pets you will have. This isn’t to be nosey—it’s merely to assist match an proprietor with the precise pet. If the animal suffers from a medical situation, corresponding to diabetes, the brand new homeowners know this up entrance earlier than adopting. Having the animal’s well being historical past on the time of adoption helps the animal discover a everlasting residence.

    You’ll be able to achieve plenty of private satisfaction by adopting your subsequent pet by way of an animal rescue group. you might have performed one thing to assist and your new pet will present its appreciation. If you’re enthusiastic about adopting by way of one of many many rescue group, it’s straightforward to seek out one in your space. Your vet can provide the contact info for organizations close to you. More often than not, these pets are saved in personal houses (foster houses) till they’re adopted. This offers the animal time to be socialized with different pets, kids and time to get used to dwelling in a house. Typically, animal rescue teams will deliver their animals that want houses to pet shops or different areas for folks to see and meet the animals on sure weekends.

    Once you select a pet in a rescue program, be ready to undergo an interview and utility course of. The group desires to know these pets shall be properly cared for the long run. You’ll most likely be requested about different pets you will have, the age of your kids, the scale of your yard and your ideas on a cat with claws in case you are taking a look at a cat. That is to assist match the pet with the precise proprietor. Adoption charges differ by every group, however you may count on to pay $100-$200 for a rescued animal. These teams don’t make a revenue. These charges cowl the price of the animal whereas it was within the care of the group. This adoption payment often covers vaccinations, medical exams, spaying, and neutering.

    Getting your subsequent pet by way of an animal rescue group is a accountable approach to get your subsequent member of the family. You can too discover many volunteer alternatives by way of these organizations.

     

    Hamsters Fuzzy Balls Of Enjoyable

    As a toddler, most of us grew up with hamsters or mates who had hamsters. Even our youngsters are fascinated with the small fuzzy creatures. There are numerous forms of hamsters, dwarf, Syrian, Russian, Chinese language, and hybrid. The hamster is a burrower so they like to have a lot of bedding to cover underneath in addition to tubes to create little nests in. Probably the most tough side of hamsters is telling if they’re feminine or male and being incorrect. Who has purchased two hamsters considering they had been the identical gender and ending up with ten hamsters? I actually have.

    A number of biologists and geneticists use hamsters and different rodents to point out genetic prospects. In genetics, we regularly talk about the genome and the way genes are dispersed in relation to eye coloration, hair coloration, and different traits. When you might have hamsters as pets you might be seeing this primary hand. I had one gold hamster and one white hamster. Once they bred I ended up with a number of coloration traits from gold, white, black, white and black to many extra. Half the enjoyable for teenagers is seeing the child hamsters develop up with completely different colours. It may be a fantastic science undertaking for varsity in addition to having an exquisite pet.

    Hamsters are comparatively straightforward to care for. You’ll be able to feed them hamster meals, greens, and little hamster treats to provide them an excellent life. The bedding ought to be modified weekly or twice per week relying upon what number of hamsters you might have. The draw back to hamsters is their quick lives. Most stay solely a 12 months or two making it tough on the youthful kids.

    There are many hamster equipment from tubes to wheels. Hamsters like different pets must have train, so giving them wheels to run on or having a hamster ball to run round the home it’s good for them. The tubing and cages are available a wide range of colours so as to add to a toddler’s enjoyable. You’ll be able to create straight pathways to different bigger residence areas or curve them round to reenter the identical cage. A lot of the caging is plastic and your hamster will attempt to chew or claw there manner free. It would be best to monitor their exercise once you clear the cage to verify they aren’t producing a gap. Some hamster homeowners go along with a steel wire cage with tiny slits to keep away from the chewing escape. Your desire will decide the kind of equipment you buy.

    Dealing with hamsters ought to be saved to a minimal and it is best to at all times wash your hand earlier than and after. Hamsters can generally tend to chunk if they aren’t dealt with at the least as soon as a day or in the event that they develop into scared. Be cautious with little kids.

    Hamsters are plenty of enjoyable for all ages whether or not you might have a budding scientist or simply need a simple pet your little one can look after. It would be best to ensure you feed your hamster correctly by not overfeeding them whereas sustaining correct train. When your hamsters procreate, you’ll want to separate out the mom and kids from the remainder of the crew. A cautionary observe earlier than concluding this text: Dwarf hamsters are very vulnerable to infections with cedar chips as a result of it may well tear holes of their tiny mouths.


    Useful Hermit Crab Fundamentals

    Hermit crabs are enjoyable pets to look after in your house. They was once reserved for souvenirs from seaside holidays, however now they are often purchased virtually wherever. They make fantastic starter pets for teenagers. They make a fantastic various to the extra conventional gerbils or hamsters, and so they have a for much longer lifespan than goldfish! Opposite to what you would possibly count on in case you are new to hermit crabs, it’s attainable to play with them, and so they do have little personalities of their very own. Do you suppose hermit crabs might make a fantastic pet for you? Listed below are some useful hints to get you began.

    Earlier than you get your crab, you have to get the essential tools and provides in place. First, they’ll want an aquarium for his or her home. Neglect these teeny, tiny cages you see on the retailers by the seaside; hermit crabs actually need a ten-gallon aquarium to be comfy. If you’re getting a couple of crab, clearly you may be an even bigger aquarium. A pet store will have the ability to advise you on the perfect measurement for the variety of crabs you may be housing. Make sure that the aquarium has a cosy becoming lid so your little mates don’t make a run for it! Place a heating pad underneath the tank to maintain your crabs feeling good and tropical.

    You will want one thing to cowl the ground of the tank, as properly. Three to 4 inches of sand works greatest, however you may as well use crushed coral or reptile fiber bedding. In case you use one thing apart from sand, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to cowl a portion of the ground with sand, so the crabs may have someplace comfy to go once they molt.

    Now that you’ve the home and the flooring lined, you will have to get two shallow water dishes and a meals dish. Shallow shells work properly for this job. In a single water dish, it is best to hold contemporary water, and within the different, hold salt water, made with a marine aquarium salt resolution. The dishes must be shallow sufficient for the crabs to crawl into. A pure sea sponge is a pleasant addition to the freshwater dish, your crab will like to pinch it, and it’ll assist hold the humidity ranges up the aquarium.

    The very last thing you will have to gussy up your hermit crab residence is a few ornamental wooden items for the crabs to climb on. Coral and coconut shells additionally make nice additions that your crab will like to play with.

    When you get your crab, to feed it, you will have to get some business hermit crab meals. You’ll be able to complement that meals with small items of fruit, meat, cereal, or fish. Moreover, make certain your crab will get crushed eggshells or oyster shells to spice up their calcium stage; it is very important hold their fragile skeletons robust. Cuttlebone is an alternative choice for this function.

    To care to your crab, clear their water and meals dishes each day, and spot the clear the tank when needed. It would be best to present loads of additional shells, in more and more bigger sizes, so your crab can change houses as they develop. Shells with extensive openings are greatest. When your crab molts, take away the pores and skin they’ve shed as quickly as attainable.

    One optionally available, however a helpful accent to get is a tank thermometer and humidity-measuring instrument. Your hermit crab shall be most comfy when the temperature is saved round 72°F – 80°F and the humidity stage is between 70% and 80%.

    With these useful hints, you might be able to get your hermit crab. All that’s left to do now’s give you a reputation to your new pet!


    Indoors Or Outside: What’s Finest For Your Pet

    Earlier than you tackle the duty of proudly owning a cat or canine, you have to take the time to contemplate the dwelling preparations to your pet. Many individuals undertake pets with the concept that they are going to be elevating an out of doors animal. How many individuals in your neighborhood hold their canines or cat’s outdoor always? The actual fact of the matter is, exterior just isn’t a secure place for a cat or a canine. Once you undertake a pet, you have to just remember to are prepared to permit your pet into your house.

    Pets Love Being Outdoors

    It’s true that cats and canines each will love being exterior, it’s their pure surroundings. Cats enjoyment of chasing birds, climbing timber, and hiding in shrubs. Canines adore barking on the neighbors, chasing squirrels, and digging. Nonetheless, there are a lot of risks to maintaining your pet exterior always. Canines are inclined to get extra exterior time in cats. House owners take their canines out for walks, and in some instances permit their canines, unsupervised entry to the yard infrequently. Cats are often both indoor pets or outside pets.

    It’s extra frequent these days, for homeowners to maintain their cats indoors as they start to understand the hazards of permitting their cat to stay outdoor in any respect time. It’s extremely beneficial that you simply hold your cats and canines inside. For cats, you may assist them discover their pure instincts inside by giving them loads of locations to run and play inside your house. Purchase your cat an excellent scratching publish with a excessive perch and set up a window seat to allow them to gaze on the birds outdoor.

    Risks of Outdoors

    The primary hazard to your pets once they go exterior is different animals. You by no means know when your canine or cat will encounter a stray or unusual cat or canine from down the road. that your pet is correctly vaccinated, however you have no idea that the well being situation of different animals exterior. As well as, in case your canine or cat will get right into a combat with one other animal. Your pet will be severely injured or harmed. Except you supervise your pet always when they’re exterior, you by no means know when your cat or canine will encounter a wierd animal.

    Different risks of permitting your pet to stay exterior are automobiles and different folks. A cat darting throughout the road late at evening is a recipe for catastrophe. What in case your canine will get unfastened out of your yard and encounters a toddler? How will your canine react? You hope that your canine shall be good and keep pleasant. Nonetheless, what occurs if the kid begins to taunt or tease your canine or poke a stick at him? In case your canine bites or scratches one other individual, likelihood is, you may be chargeable for your pet’s actions. Many pet homeowners have discovered themselves in a severe scenario when their canine or cat has acted aggressively when outdoor.

    When your cat or canine stays indoors, you may as well assist management fleas, ticks, and the publicity to heartworms. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t deal with an indoor pet for these issues. All canines, whether or not the occasion indoors or outdoor, ought to be on a month-to-month heartworm preventative. Each cats and canines also needs to be handled with month-to-month preventative. You will need to bear in mind although, in case your cat or canine lives outdoor, you’ll have many extra issues in relation to fleas and ticks.

    As you may see, there are a lot of the explanation why it is best to hold your canine or cat indoors. Pets which are indoor pets stay longer and more healthy lives than pets that stay exterior. This contains all pets, when you make them an indoor animal; you have to shield them from something that may occur in the event that they get outdoor, they now rely on you to offer a house for them.

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  • History of Educational Technology

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    There is no written evidence which can tell us exactly who has coined the phrase educational technology. Different educationists, scientists and philosophers at different time intervals have put forwarded different definitions of Educational Technology. Educational technology is a multifaceted and integrated process involving people, procedure, ideas, devices, and organization, where technology from different fields of science is borrowed as per the need and requirement of education for implementing, evaluating, and managing solutions to those problems involved in all aspects of human learning.

    Educational technology, broadly speaking, has passed through five stages.

    The first stage of educational technology is coupled with the use of aids like charts, maps, symbols, models, specimens and concrete materials. The term educational technology was used as synonyms to audio-visual aids.

    The second stage of educational technology is associated with the ‘electronic revolution’ with the introduction and establishment of sophisticated hardware and software. Use of various audio-visual aids like projector, magic lanterns, tape-recorder, radio and television brought a revolutionary change in the educational scenario. Accordingly, educational technology concept was taken in terms of these sophisticated instruments and equipments for effective presentation of instructional materials.

    The third stage of educational technology is linked with the development of mass media which in turn led to ‘communication revolution’ for instructional purposes. Computer-assisted Instruction (CAI) used for education since 1950s also became popular during this era.

    The fourth stage of educational technology is discernible by the individualized process of instruction. The invention of programmed learning and programmed instruction provided a new dimension to educational technology. A system of self-learning based on self-instructional materials and teaching machines emerged.

    The latest concept of educational technology is influenced by the concept of system engineering or system approach which focuses on language laboratories, teaching machines, programmed instruction, multimedia technologies and the use of the computer in instruction. According to it, educational technology is a systematic way of designing, carrying out and evaluating the total process of teaching and learning in terms of specific objectives based on research.

    Educational technology during the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age

    Educational technology, despite the uncertainty of the origin of the term, can be traced back to the time of the three-age system periodization of human prehistory; namely the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age.

    Duringthe Stone Age, ignition of fire by rubbing stones, manufacture of various handmade weapon and utensils from stones and clothing practice were some of the simple technological developments of utmost importance. A fraction of Stone Age people developed ocean-worthy outrigger canoe ship technology to migrate from one place to another across the Ocean, by which they developed their first informal education of knowledge of the ocean currents, weather conditions, sailing practice, astronavigation, and star maps. During the later Stone Age period (Neolithic period),for agricultural practice, polished stone tools were made from a variety of hard rocks largely by digging underground tunnels, which can be considered as the first steps in mining technology. The polished axes were so effective that even after appearance of bronze and iron; people used it for clearing forest and the establishment of crop farming.

    Although Stone Age cultures left no written records, but archaeological evidences proved their shift from nomadic life to agricultural settlement. Ancient tools conserved in different museums, cave paintings like Altamira Cave in Spain, and other prehistoric art, such as the Venus of Willendorf, Mother Goddess from Laussel, France etc. are some of the evidences in favour of their cultures.

    Neolithic Revolution of Stone Age resulted into the appearance of Bronze Age with development of agriculture, animal domestication, and the adoption of permanent settlements. For these practices Bronze Age people further developed metal smelting, with copper and later bronze, an alloy of tin and copper, being the materials of their choice.

    The Iron Age people replaced bronze and developed the knowledge of iron smelting technology to lower the cost of living since iron utensils were stronger and cheaper than bronze equivalents. In many Eurasian cultures, the Iron Age was the last period before the development of written scripts.

    Educational technology during the period of Ancient civilizations

    According to Paul Saettler, 2004, Educational technology can be traced back to the time when tribal priests systematized bodies of knowledge and ancient cultures invented pictographs or sign writing to record and transmit information. In every stage of human civilization, one can find an instructional technique or set of procedures intended to implement a particular culture which were also supported by number of investigations and evidences. The more advanced the culture, the more complex became the technology of instruction designed to reflect particular ways of individual and social behaviour intended to run an educated society. Over centuries, each significant shift in educational values, goals or objectives led to diverse technologies of instruction.

    The greatest advances in technology and engineering came with the rise of the ancient civilizations. These advances stimulated and educated other societies in the world to adopt new ways of living and governance.

    The Indus Valley Civilization was an early Bronze Age civilization which was located in the northwestern region of the Indian Subcontinent. The civilization was primarily flourished around the Indus River basin of the Indus and the Punjab region, extending upto the Ghaggar-Hakra River valley and the Ganges-Yamuna Doab, (most of the part is under today’s Pakistan and the western states of modern-day India as well as some part of the civilization extending upto southeastern Afghanistan, and the easternmost part of Balochistan, Iran).

    There is a long term controversy to be sure about the language that the Harappan people spoke. It is assumed that their writing was at least seems to be or a pictographic script. The script appears to have had about 400 basic signs, with lots of variations. People write their script with the direction generally from right to left. Most of the writing was found on seals and sealings which were probably used in trade and official & administrative work.

    Harappan people had the knowledge of the measuring tools of length, mass, and time. They were the first in the world to develop a system of uniform weights and measures.

    In a study carried out by P. N. Rao et al. in 2009, published in Science, computer scientists found that the Indus script’s pattern is closer to that of spoken words, which supported the proposed hypothesis that it codes for an as-yet-unknown language.

    According to the Chinese Civilization, some of the major techno-offerings from China include paper, early seismological detectors, toilet paper, matches, iron plough, the multi-tube seed drill, the suspension bridge, the wheelbarrow, the parachute, natural gas as fuel, the magnetic compass, the raised-relief map, the blast furnace, the propeller, the crossbow, the South Pointing Chariot, and gun powder. With the invent of paper they have given their first step towards developments of educational technology by further culturing different handmade products of paper as means of visual aids.

    Ancient Egyptian language was at one point one of the longest surviving and used languages in the world. Their script was made up of pictures of the real things like birds, animals, different tools, etc. These pictures are popularly called hieroglyph. Their language was made up of above 500 hieroglyphs which are known as hieroglyphics. On the stone monuments or tombs which were discovered and rescued latter on provides the evidence of existence of many forms of artistic hieroglyphics in ancient Egypt.

    Educational technology during Medieval and Modern Period

    Paper and the pulp papermaking process which was developed in China during the early 2nd century AD, was carried to the Middle East and was spread to Mediterranean by the Muslim conquests. Evidences support that a paper mill was also established in Sicily in the 12th century. The discovery of spinning wheel increased the productivity of thread making process to a great extent and when Lynn White added the spinning wheel with increasing supply of rags, this led to the production of cheap paper, which was a prime factor in the development of printing technology.

    The invention of the printing press was taken place in approximately 1450 AD, by Johannes Gutenburg, a German inventor. The invention of printing press was a prime developmental factor in the history of educational technology to convey the instruction as per the need of the complex and advanced-technology cultured society.

    In the pre-industrial phases, while industry was simply the handwork at artisan level, the instructional processes were relied heavily upon simple things like the slate, the horn book, the blackboard, and chalk. It was limited to a single text book with a few illustrations. Educational technology was considered synonymous to simple aids like charts and pictures.

    The year 1873 may be considered a landmark in the early history of technology of education or audio-visual education. An exhibition was held in Vienna at international level in which an American school won the admiration of the educators for the exhibition of maps, charts, textbooks and other equipments.

    Maria Montessori (1870-1952), internationally renowned child educator and the originator of Montessori Method exerted a dynamic impact on educational technology through her development of graded materials designed to provide for the proper sequencing of subject matter for each individual learner. Modern educational technology suggests many extension of Montessori’s idea of prepared child centered environment.

    In1833, Charles Babbage’s design of a general purpose computing device laid the foundation of the modern computer and in 1943, the first computing machine as per hi design was constructed by International Business Machines Corporation in USA. The Computer Assisted instruction (CAI) in which the computer functions essentially as a tutor as well as the Talking Type writer was developed by O.K. Moore in 1966. Since 1974, computers are interestingly used in education in schools, colleges and universities.

    In the beginning of the 19th century, there were noteworthy changes in the field of education. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), right from its start of school broadcasts in 1920 had maintained rapid pace in making sound contribution to formal education. In the USA, by 1952, 20 states had the provision for educational broadcasting. Parallel to this time about 98% of the schools in United Kingdom were equipped with radios and there were regular daily programmes.

    Sidney L. Pressey, a psychologist of Ohio state university developed a self-teaching machine called ‘Drum Tutor’ in 1920. Professor Skinner, however, in his famous article ‘Science of Learning and art of Teaching’ published in 1945 pleaded for the application of the knowledge derived from behavioral psychology to classroom procedures and suggested automated teaching devices as means of doing so.

    Although the first practical use of Regular television broadcasts was in Germany in 1929 and in 1936 the Olympic Games in Berlin were broadcasted through television stations in Berlin, Open circuit television began to be used primarily for broadcasting programmes for entertainment in 1950. Since 1960, television is used for educational purposes.

    In 1950, Brynmor, in England, used educational technological steps for the first time. It is to be cared that in 1960, as a result of industrial revolution in America and Russia, other countries also started progressing in the filed of educational technology. In this way, the beginning of educational technology took place in 1960 from America and Russia and now it has reached England, Europe and India.

    During the time of around 1950s, new technocracy was turning it attraction to educations when there was a steep shortage of teachers in America and therefore an urgent need of educational technology was felt. Dr. Alvin C. Eurich and a little later his associate, Dr. Alexander J. Stoddard introduced mass production technology in America.

    Team teaching had its origin in America in the mid of 1950’s and was first started in the year 1955 at Harvard University as a part of internship plan.

    In the year 1956, Benjamin Bloom from USA introduced the taxonomy of educational objectives through his publication, “The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, The Classification of Educational Goals, Handbook I: Cognitive Domain”.

    In 1961, Micro teaching technique was first adopted by Dwight W. Allen and his co-workers at Stanford University in USA.

    Electronics is the main technology being developed in the beginning of 21st century. Broadband Internet access became popular and occupied almost all the important offices and educational places and even in common places in developed countries with the advantage of connecting home computers with music libraries and mobile phones.

    Today’s classroom is more likely to be a technology lab, a room with rows of students using internet connected or Wi-Fi enabled laptops, palmtops, notepad, or perhaps students are attending a video conferencing or virtual classroom or may have been listening to a podcast or taking in a video lecture. Rapid technological changes in the field of educational have created new ways to teach and to learn. Technological changes also motivated the teachers to access a variety of information on a global scale via the Internet, to enhance their lessons as well as to make them competent professional in their area of concern. At the same time, students can utilize vast resources of the Internet to enrich their learning experience to cope up with changing trend of the society. Now a days students as well teachers are attending seminars, conferences, workshops at national and international level by using the multimedia techno-resources like PowerPoint and even they pursue a variety of important courses of their choice in distance mode via online learning ways. Online learning facility has opened infinite number of doors of opportunities for today’s learner to make their life happier than ever before.

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    Source by Sanjoy Deka

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  • History and Clothing in Ancient Japan

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    Japanese history includes alternating periods of isolation and revolutionary influences from the rest of the world. As early as the Jomon period from about 14000BC to 300 BC, Japan had a hunter-gatherer lifestyle; wooden stilt houses, pit dwelling, and agriculture. Weaving was still unknown and the ancient Japanese clothing consisted of fur. However, some of the world’s oldest pottery is found in Japan, along with daggers, jade, combs made form shell and clay figures.

    The period thereafter to 250 BC saw the influx of new practices like weaving, rice sowing, iron and bronze making influenced by china and Korea. Chinese travelers describe the men ‘with braided hair, tattooing and women with large, single-piece clothing.’ Initially ancient Japanese clothing consisted of single piece clothing. The ancient and classical Japan begins from the middle of the 3rd century to 710. An advanced agricultural and militaristic culture defines this period. By 645, Japan rapidly adopted Chinese practices and reorganized its penal code.

    The peak period of ancient Japan and its imperial court is from 794 to 1185. Art, poetry, literature and trade expeditions continued with vigor. Warlords and powerful regional families ruled ancient Japan from 1185 to 1333 and the emperor was just a figure head. By the Japanese Middle Ages, Portugal had introduced firearms by a chance landing of their ship at Japanese coast; samurai charging ranks were cut down; trade with Netherlands, England and Spain had opened up new avenues. Several missionaries had entered Japan as well.

    Distinct features of the lifestyle, ancient Japanese clothing and women is difficult to decipher for the simple reason that it is super-imposed by the Chinese culture. Ancient Japan readily adopted other cultures and practices and most of its own culture is lost among these adaptations.

    Ancient Japanese clothing was mostly unisex, with differences being in colors, length and sleeves. A Kimono tied with an Obi or a sash around the waist was the general clothing and with the advent of western clothing are now mostly worn at home or special occasions. Women’s obi in ancient Japanese clothing would mostly be elaborate and decorative. Some would be as long as 4meters and tied as a flower or a butterfly. Though a Yukata means a ‘bath clothing’, these were often worn in the summers as morning and evening gowns. Ancient Japanese clothing consisted of mena and women wearing Haori or narrow paneled jacket for special occasions such as marriages and feasts. These are worn over a kimono and tied with strings at the breast level.

    The most interesting piece of ancient Japanese clothing is the ju-ni-hitoe or the ‘twelve layers’ adorned by ladies at the imperial court. It is multi-layered and very heavy and worn on a daily basis for centuries! The only change would be the thickness of the fabric and the number of layers depending on the season. Princesses still wear these on weddings.

    Since the Japanese people don’t wear footwear inside their homes, tabi is still worn. These are split -toe socks woven out of non-stretch materials with thick soles. Clogs have been worn for centuries in ancient Japan and were known as Geta. These were made of wood with two straps and were unisexual. Zori was footwear made of softer materials like straw and fabric with a flat sole.

    Ancient Japanese clothes, culture and footwear are slowly regaining their popularity with the western world. There is an honest curiosity in knowing more, wearing kimonos or using silk fabrics with beautiful floral prints from the ‘land of the rising sun’.

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    Source by Christopher Schwebius

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  • Cherry Blossom Tattoos – What Do They Mean

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    Cherry blossom tattoos are some of the most popular tattoo designs for women currently. The beauty and delicate nature of a cherry blossom can’t be denied. In both Japanese and Chinese cultures the cherry blossom is full of symbolic meaning and significance. Before deciding to get a cherry blossom tattoo design it makes sense to understand the symbolism and deep cultural connections and meaning that this tattoo might hold. After all the best tattoo designs are ones that hold a great deal of symbolic significance. Typically the tattoo that is universally regretted is the one that was gotten while out with a bunch of friends just because they were getting one. So don’t fall into the trap and regret your tattoo later in life. Instead if you are planning on getting a tattoo at least take the time to research the symbolism and meaning behind it and see if it speaks to you and if the ideas are significant in your life.

    While many people tend to blend and confuse the Japanese and Chinese culture together from lack of knowledge the two are very different in many ways. Therefore the meaning and symbolism that the cherry blossom holds is different in each culture.

    Chinese Cherry Blossom

    For the Chinese the cherry blossom is a very significant symbol of power. Typically it represent a feminine beauty and sexuality and often holds an idea of power or feminine dominance. Within the language of herbs and herbal lore of the Chinese the cherry blossom is often the symbol of love.

    Japanese Cherry Blossom

    For the Japanese the cherry blossom holds very different meaning. The cherry blossom is a very delicate flower that blooms for a very short time. For the Japanese this represents the transience of life. This concept ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that state all life is suffering and transitory. The Japanese have long held strong to the Buddhist belief of the transitory nature of life and it is very noble to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.

    The fallen cherry blossom is not taken lightly in Japanese symbolism either. It often represents the beauty of snow and there are many connections made in Japanese literature or poetry to a fallen cherry blossom and snow. This also has been extended to the life of a warrior whose life was ended early in battle.

    As you can see in both cultures the symbolism and meaning behind the cherry blossom is very significant and powerful at the same time. It is important to think about these symbols and connect this with what your personally believe the cherry blossom represents. If you still want to get a cherry blossom tattoo and the above meaning from the Japanese culture or the Chinese culture do not speak to you or you’re somehow view the cherry blossom in a very different way then it is okay to still get a cherry blossom tattoo. However, it is always important to know the symbolism before getting a tattoo permanently done.

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    Source by Chris Ryerson

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  • Africa: A Case of Flogging Dead Horses?

    On pure economic indicators and all other indicators of development Africa is a dismal picture. Life expectancy has declined; mortality rates increase; heavily indebted, with over half the countries having debt that exceeds their GNP; GDP growth fallen; GDP per capita fallen as population growth gets out of control; health care is collapsing and so and so on. What has gone wrong with what after all is continent rich in mineral and material resources?

    Too much medicine

    There are several factors. First and probably most simple is that Africa after independence was not allowed to chart its own course. With good or bad intentions too many ” aid ” agencies have prescribed,subscribed and proscribed all sorts of panacea for Africa’s ” that they destroyed any capacity for that continent to solve its own ills. Africa has simply become a vegetable or as some say a huge experimental waste ground. This is really not far from the truth.

    Another factor is that African governments after independence failed to formulate clear mission and objectives that could be translated into sound economic policies. Corruption and mismanagement took hold of almost every strata of society. This was further assisted by the aid agencies. Marginal benefits were put as further evidence for aid while government excesses on grand scale were overlooked.

    For political reasons, Western governments supported dictatorships and turned a blind eye to corruption and mismanagement. Cold war politics meant that the major powers had to have a balance not only in armaments but also in allies. The drive to prevent communist influence in Africa meant keeping regimes in power that supported Western interests.

    All too often these regimes were despots and perpetrators of the most sadist human rights abuses. Moreover aid agencies ignored every basic economic or social criteria for development assistance in favor of this higher political goal. This problem was further complicated by the fact that often the aid agencies will differ with their own governments. Thus vast sums were squandered on irrelevant constructions, large sums made their way into private accounts without so much as a whisper. What I call the “guilt” factor came in handy when others dare to complain of such corruption.

    The “guilt” factor argument is” oh well, we are giving and that is the most important thing. Whatever, the President choose to do with it is his business. After all they are an independent and sovereign nation”.

    The result is that today despite several billions poured, Africa is still underdeveloped and conditions are even worse than when they were at independence. My argument seems to point to the thesis that aid can work. Yes, I believe aid can work to alleviate poverty or change the society overnight. However, it cannot bring about economic development.

    Rather it should be used to ease the pain of the unpleasant side effects of harsh monetary and fiscal policy which is precisely what was needed at this point. For example due to the cyclical nature of the markets that face Africa main exports, there often severe variations in earnings. These can be very damaging especially given the fact that some countries depend on just one commodity. What aid should do is to bridge the gap between these shortfalls in earnings.

    Poverty can never be eradicated in a country; the aim should be to distribute wealth in a manner that ensures that the gap between the rich and the poor does not create social tensions.

    Counter-productive

    What “Aid” did to Africa was to exacerbate and indeed encourage irresponsible fiscal and monetary policy on the part of governments. There was some positive aspects of aid, but these were at the margin and as far as the big picture is concerned, too insignificant to alter the present argument. Look at how much money Norway has pumped into Tanzania and what condition that country is in today!

    I seem to have pointed the blame at the aid agencies and the Africa politicians. My belief is that the development agencies had good intentions. The explanation for their failures stems from the fact that the Africans that they encountered were not educated enough to challenge their assumption. Thus very soon these agencies began to get the view that the African does not know what is good for them. In effect their mission was not simply to give aid, but to make decisions for them!

    Bad Governments

    To say that “people deserve the government they get” is a little too harsh on Africans. In many parts of Africa, after independence there were too few university graduates or technocrats to replace the white administrators. Political rhetoric and nationalism prevented any form of expatriates assistance from former colonial administrators. Those that saw themselves in power had got there on a platform of”we can do it ourselves”. Thus any notion of keeping the very people you have been fighting against was nonsensical. The truth was many nations could not” do it themselves”.

    Governments ministers and officials with half-baked educational background suddenly saw themselves in power. They had little in the way of program or policy document. What matters was the trappings that the office brought and the personal gains one could get out of the office. Of course there some educated people. However, these quickly fell out with the government or sacrificed their principles for survival. The result of course was gross mismanagement, incompetence, corruption, graft on a scale that saw millions of Africans reduced to the lowest stage of survival.

    Is it any wonder that if things have to change, we have to start with ensuring well educated take the reins of power. There is little doubt that part of the success of the Asian countries lies in pool of well educated politicians and planners in the 1960s. These individuals not only set a strategic orientation for their nations, but they continuously surveyed their environments to see new opportunities.

    Education became a central plank of development policy. Not so in Africa- resources geared for such efforts were not used- Bad economic planning could be partly explained by such poorly educated civil servants. Take the case of monetary policy. At independence, most African countries inherit a monetary system based on the English pound, the French Franc or the Portuguese escudo. However in time nationalistic pride got in the way of financial practicalities and one country after another cut itself from the backing European currency and began turning out a spectacular array of non-convertible currencies. As one commentator note ” If nothing else the President got a chance to put their picture on the note”. And in the early and late sixties, since Presidents were short- lived it was inevitable that the currencies were too.

    Many of these currencies were worthless and not even accepted in neighboring countries or in the international banking system for that matter. As the currency weakened, the general response was to print more money. In Nigeria, between 1975-1977 the money supply increased by 180%. And this was pretty much the case elsewhere.

    As money supplies rose, inflation soared and in time rates of over 100% were not uncommon. In early post independence period as the public discontent grew, the greater the social control that was exerted by leaders. The greater the national debt, the greater the reliance grew of foreign grants to keep regimes in power.

    Tribalism

    Tribalism has been put forward by many writers as the root of Africa’s problems. Tribalism was made to look exclusively African. Events in the former Yugoslavia have shown that tribalism and ethnicity are not African preserves. Colonialism brought ethnic groups(tribes if you refer to Africa) that had nothing to hold them together except force and a colonial policy of divide and rule.

    When people talk about tribal problems in Africa, I put the question on how they would feel, because of some historical error, you had to live with people that you have no desire to. The second World War in Europe created a Europe that fell into the East(Communist Bloc) and West(Capitalist Bloc). The countries of the East under Soviet hegemony manage to hold the different diverse groups found within these countries. As the Empire collapse, so has the desire for self government risen or some form of regional autonomy.

    Yugoslavia has even manage to coin a new vocabulary, -“Ethnic cleansing”. What is very African about Tribalism is the way Africans choose to solve the problem. But even these atrocities cannot match the systematic methods of say Hitler or present day”Hitler’s” in Bosnia and Croatia.

    More to the point, economically, tribalism in some countries has crippled the economy by diverting resources to unproductive efforts. It has also meant in some places governments did not capitalize on their best talents simply because they belong to the wrong group. Vast numbers of refugees have been created which has meant whole populations have been displaced, their economic productivity unrealized.

    The Future

    The collapse of the old order has created new economic partnerships, shift resources and emphasis, which has pushed Africa further into economic uncertainty and regression. The fall of Communism has opened up new areas in the world that are far more immediately attractive than Africa for investment purposes.

    Eastern Europe provide valuable investment opportunities that are fast attracting capital. One of the legacies of the Communist era are the large numbers of scientist. These are fast becoming partners with establish Western companies for research into new fields.

    Western Governments face constituencies that are increasingly frustrated with their governments wasting money on corrupt and hopeless leaders.

    This is combined with the fact that domestic social problems are getting acute. Today Europe faces difficult social problems. Unemployment, lack of growth and increasing refugee problems from Eastern Europe. Indeed many experts believe that unemployment will become a more structural problem. What this indicates is that social services budget will become bigger. These factors make it all the more difficult for governments in the West to hand over large sums as they had done in the past. Finally, we see a new economic phenomenon or to be more precise, trade phenomenon-trade blocs.

    lready in place is the European Community EC. The North Americans are working out with Mexico -NAFTA North American Free Trade Area. In South East Asia,we see increasing Japans activity in the region. This is made doubly so with the expanding Chinese economy. It is my belief that as Japan makes efforts to address her war past and apologize, this will clear the way for some kind of trade area.

    Given this new world order, what does the future hold for Africa. It is my belief that some parts may never move from the traditional society that describe earlier on. War, famine and disease are the main preoccupation that any notion of social investment is ridiculous. The leadership is some cases actually perpetuate the situation thus guaranteeing their hold on power. However, there are a few that have the potential for spectacular development. Most impressive is Botswana. Botswana apart from South Africa is the fastest growing economy in Black Africa. This economy is characterize by a work ethic, skilled and an industrious labor force.

    Namibia is also an impressive case. However that country has only been independent since 1990. Nevertheless its institutions and policies are on the right track.

    The other group is lead by Kenya, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Gabon and to some extent Senegal and Zaire. There is another group that have all the ingredients but have yet to make any social investments. Some of these are actually at the bottom of UN list of poor quality of life. This group is led by Sierra Leone, followed by Uganda and Angola.

    Multinational Corporations

    In an increasingly global economic environment the role of the Multinational Enterprise (MNE), more commonly known as Multinational Corporations (MNCs), in fostering economic development is going to become increasingly important. Capital that is needed for domestic investment in the poor countries will come largely from investment by these organisations.

    Western governments are going to find it increasingly hard to justify flows to African governments. In another respect there will be increasing demand in African countries that the private sector plays a more central role. These will need the resources and expertise of MNCs. This will be helped by the fact Aid agencies favor joint ventures between foreign firms and local companies as a viable path to development.

    MNEs have much to offer the region in terms of capital, technology, innovation, managerial expertise, and access to world markets. It is important that the investment by MNEs is direct and not portfolio, for direct investment brings more than just financial resources. Further, it is important that MNEs source most of the materials locally so as to develop local skills and enterprises.

    It has been suggested that the target sectors for encouragement of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are the

    (a) wood and paper products, (linked to forestry)

    (b) textiles and clothing, (linked to textile fibers) and

    c) metal products or food processing( linked to the extractive sector).

    The objectives for African governments is to both attract the downstream diversification of multinationals already in the relevant extractive sector, and new the investment of multinationals whose operations in the more develop countries are tending to move downstream and may wish to relocate what for them are now upstream activities.

    Dead Horses?

    Africa is not like flogging dead horses. African countries are on a life support machine or as the world bank puts it, its in a state of transition. It needs it own doctors and experts to bring her back to life. To cure the ills of Africa is to understand its environment and no one can better Africa except Africans. The bottom line is you can take the horse to the stream but it she does not want to drink there is not much you can do. In the meantime you have wasted time. Africa is rich in mineral resources and has the potential for development.

    It has the market potential to provide people in the industrialized countries with employment through its demand for unmet needs.

    The growth potentials of the developed world are limited but in Africa there is a huge demand for food, clothing, shelter and consumer goods. What is needed as Philip Kotler points out is that the west puts purchasing power in the hands of these consumers. If this is not done the west will be saddled with over capacity and slow growth. On the other hand, there is body of opinion that believes that modernization goes through stages and that Africa is going through the same process. As such trying to speed up the process by interfering with its dynamics, merely causes cross-cultural and domestic conflicts. Evidence from South East Asian countries however indicates that this process does not necessarily have to follow a linear path. With the right set of policies, governments can make rapid development or even a leap.

    What is urgently needed are several things. In the first place governments should try to recruit their well educated citizens who arc presently abroad. These individuals could be put in special ministries responsible for charting a future for the country. This stems from the fact that Africans that are capable of generating the kinds of ideas and policies that it would take to turn what Africa is today into a modern society or at least developing nations are all abroad. We must also encourage the African entrepreneur as in many parts of South East Asia.

    What is needed in Africa is a system that propels the right people to power. Leaders that could respond to the needs of their peoples. Africa needs leaders that have the foresight for long-term constructive economic and industrial policy. Above all its needs leaders that recognized the need for social economic investments, without them, no sound economic or industrial policy will yield positive results.

    Francis Stevens George

    December 1993

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8060638

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  • Chinese culture in South Africa: Views from a teen and a kung fu master

    Chinese culture in South Africa: Views from a teen and a kung fu master

    More South Africans are becoming interested in learning Chinese language and martial arts, influenced by the Belt and Road

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  • E01: Three Generations – A Chinese Family in South Africa

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biak57TEt4g

    E01: Three Generations – A Chinese Family in South Africa

    Upon retirement, Ni and his wife came to visit their Johannesburg-based son, Jimmy, who moved to South Africa to sell computers….

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