Monday OT: 01/04/21 is World Braille Day

Today is day 4 of the Gregorian Calendar year,
Prickle-Prickle, Chaos 4, 3187 YOLD
And let us not forget 13.0.8.2.16 mlc (the Mayan Long Count)

FSU student learning the campus with Braille map

Reading a Braille Map

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They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Even in Braille, it seems.  The inventor of Braille, Louis Braille, was born January 1, 1809.  Though there are many technological advances in use today, Braille literacy is till a very important tool all over the world for performing everything from very simple to very complex tasks..  Being able to read about things is arguably far more important to those who cannot see them.

It is also Ogoni Day. The Ogoni people live in the River State of Nigeria.  They have been hammered by colonialism, extremely rapid modernization, the contamination and pollution of their environment and their food sources by Shell Oil and attacks, and human rights violations including assassinations and murders by the Nigerian Government in Support of Shell Oil.  The Movement of the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) was formed by Ken Saro-Wiwa and others to seek redress from the government, but he and other leaders were executed by the government.

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On this day in history:

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1836 – Spain recognized the independence of Mexico with the signing of the Santa María–Calatrava Treaty.

1895 – Wilhelm Röntgen publishes a paper detailing his discovery of a new type of radiation, later known as x-rays.

1912 – The first municipally owned streetcars hit the streets in San Francisco.

1918 – Constance Markievicz, while detained in Holloway prison, became the first woman to be elected MP to the British House of Commons.

1973 – The United States Endangered Species Act was signed into law by Pres. Richard Nixon.

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Born this day in:

Access to communication in the widest sense is access to knowledge, and that is vitally important for us if we are not to go on being despised or patronized by condescending sighted people. We do not need pity, nor do we need to be reminded that we are vulnerable. We must be treated as equals — and communication is the way we can bring this about.

~~ Louis Braille

1643 – Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist
1710 – Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, composer, violinist, and organist
1785 – Jacob Grimm, philologist and mythologist
1809 – Louis Braille, educator, invented Braille 
1813 – Isaac Pitman, linguist and educator
1839 – Carl Humann, archaeologist, architect, and engineer
1864 – Clara Emilia Smitt, doctor, author, and activist
1883 – Max Eastman, author, poet, and activist
1900 – James Bond, ornithologist and zoologist 
1916 – Lionel Newman, pianist and composer
1937 – Grace Bumbry, operatic soprano
1940 – Gao Xingjian, novelist, playwright, and critic
1940 – Brian Josephson, physicist and academic
1942 – John McLaughlin, guitarist and songwriter
1946 – Arthur Conley, singer and songwriter
1947 – Chris Cutler, percussionist, lyricist and music theorist
1956 – Bernard Sumner, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer
1957 – Patty Loveless, singer, songwriter, and guitarist
1960 – Michael Stipe, singer, songwriter ,and producer
1966 – Deana Carter, singer, songwriter, and guitarist

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.

~~ Henri Bergson

1782 – Ange-Jacques Gabriel, architect
1804 – Charlotte Lennox, author and poet
1882 – John William Draper, physician, chemist, and photographer
1904 – Anna Winlock, astronomer and academic
1925 – Nellie Cashman, nurse, restaurateur, entrepreneur, and gold prospector
1941 – Henri Bergson, philosopher and academic,
1960 – Albert Camus, novelist, philosopher, and journalist
1961 – Erwin Schrödinger, physicist and academic
1965 – T. S. Eliot, poet, playwright, and critic
1969 – Paul Chambers, bassist and composer
1975 – Carlo Levi, painter, author, and activist
1986 – Christopher Isherwood, author and academic
1986 – Phil Lynott, singer, songwriter, bass player, and producer
1988 – Lily Laskine, harp player
2001 – Les Brown, bandleader and composer
2005 – Frank Harary, mathematician and academic
2005 – Robert Heilbroner, economist and historian
2011 – Gerry Rafferty, singer and songwriter

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Holidays, Holy Days, Festivals, Feast Days, Days of Recognition, and such:

Ogoni Day (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People)
World Braille Day
National Spaghetti Day
Free Flower Basket Day

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Music goes here, iirc, well, With apologies Wink

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi,

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Lionel Newman

Brian Josephson

John McLaughlin

Arthur Conley

Michael Stipe

Paul Chambers

Phil Lynott

Lily Laskine

Les Brown

Gerry Rafferty

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It's an open thread, so do your thing

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Comments

lotlizard's picture

Computer Braille code (North America)
 
⠀⠁⠃⠉⠙⠑⠋⠛⠓⠊⠚⠈⠘   (space) A B C D E F G H I J @ ^
⠄⠅⠇⠍⠝⠕⠏⠟⠗⠎⠞⠌⠜   ' K L M N O P Q R S T / >
⠤⠥⠧⠭⠽⠵⠯⠿⠷⠮⠾⠬⠼   - U V X Y Z & = ( ! ) + #
⠠⠡⠣⠩⠹⠱⠫⠻⠳⠪⠺⠨⠸   , * < % ? : $ ] \ [ W . _
⠀⠂⠆⠒⠲⠢⠖⠶⠦⠔⠴⠐⠰   (space) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 " ;

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enhydra lutris's picture

@lotlizard

thanks for the computer Braille sample.

be well and have a good one

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3 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Lookout's picture

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f10i0UV95o]

What a surprise! Best news I've heard in a long time. The US currently plans to appeal but they think he will be released on bail within the week.

Celebrate the day and have a good one everyone!

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11 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout

Now let's hope the CIA spooks don't knock him off.

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7 users have voted.

@Lookout Oh my! Such wonderful news.

Julian free. Fingers crossed this goes quickly and smoothly.

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8 users have voted.

NYCVG

@NYCVG , in my younger more idealistic days, that I would live in an era resembling the Inquisition. I want very much that our society rejects being one where Inquisition tactics are considered acceptable.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@NYCVG

comment to Lookout below. Arguably, this farce and wrongdoing can be repeated in any other country he moves to as well and repeatedly in the UK whenever the US decides to argue that his mental frame has improved to the point where it has become safe to extradite him. It's more like a stay of execution than a pardon, and certainly not a not guilty.

be well and have a good one

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4 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

enhydra lutris's picture

@Lookout

Before we celebrate too much, I thought I'd hit the highlights of the decision, because it was still terrible.

1) Julian Assange should be made to go the the US and answer the charges against him.
2) The actions he is accused of went beyond mere journalism
3) The actions he is accused of would be criminal in the UK if done there
4) The US can't guarantee his health and safety in a supermax, so he cannot be sent there.

Note that points 1-3 are terrible blows against a free press, anywhere in the world, as well as against journalists, anywhere in the world.

be well and have a good one.

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8 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Raggedy Ann's picture

The first time I watched the movie "The Miracle Worker," I was probably 10 or 11 and immediately went downstairs to our encyclopedias and taught myself the abc's of sign language. I've never forgotten them. Communication is key to life!

Enjoy the day! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

enhydra lutris's picture

@Raggedy Ann

effort to learn sign language, and periodically regret that fact. Good for you for doing that.

be well and have a good one

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4 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

“Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water.
Lay your bed where the cat sleeps.
Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm.
Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit.
Plant the tree where the mole digs.
Build your house where the snake sits to warm itself.
Dig your fountain where the birds hide from heat.
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days golden grains.
Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest.
Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in the water.
Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear.
Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.”

Saint Seraphim of Sarov

IMG_8819.jpg
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11 users have voted.

@QMS , and the advice sounds pretty solid as well. Smile

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enhydra lutris's picture

@QMS

good advice, thanks for posting it.

be well and have a good one

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4 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

was an interesting person. She was...

an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist, socialist, first woman elected to the Westminster Parliament, and was elected Minister for Labour in the First Dáil, becoming the first female cabinet minister in Europe.

She ran afoul with the Brits when she...

took part in the Easter Rising in 1916, when Irish republicans attempted to end British rule and establish an Irish Republic. She was sentenced to death but this was reduced on the grounds of her sex.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Markievicz

Thanks for highlighting her el, and tnks for the OT, have a good one.

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@randtntx

we need more of. Strong, progressive and feisty.
Thanks for the description!

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enhydra lutris's picture

@randtntx

and thanks for posting that summary here. As you no doubt noted, it is far too much for my one or two-line format, but she was quite a person.

be well and have a good one

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3 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Azazello's picture

Some interesting stuff in here, from the Pew Research Center: 20 striking findings from 2020
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98jNS8MmEqw width:500 height:300]

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4 users have voted.

We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.

enhydra lutris's picture

@Azazello

some are quite predictable when one stops to consider the subject. Thanks for posting them, I will be forwarding that link to friends.

Thanks for the video too.

be well and have a good one

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2 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Raggedy Ann's picture

Here's a discussion worth listening to - if you're so inclined...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih5a5x44rg0
Pleasantry

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2 users have voted.

"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

enhydra lutris's picture

@Raggedy Ann

be well and have a good one

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2 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

mimi's picture

to start the day with a little dummy comment, just seems fitting: I have changed my opinion of James Bond and my respect for him grew over the last minutes. Thanks for the education. Apparently I needed that one badly.

I add as well my deep kudos and respect for Louis Braille. The blind may sees much better than us blinded with our wide open eyes mostly closed.

Have all a good day and survive.

PS I try to figure out, if should think like a woman of action, but act like a woman of thought. It seems to be so difficult... Wink

PS1: I am a little drunk from a strong fruit vodka ... I just don't know if I am drunk out of being depressed or out of joy. I will figure it out when I am sober. Smile

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enhydra lutris's picture

@mimi

Glad that you picked up on James Bond, not too widely known. Louis Braille turns out to have been a very perceptive person with a really progressive outlook for his time.

I thought that it would be too easy to grab some quote from Camus and hence went with the enormously less well known Bergson. When I went looking, Voila, a perfect quote for a new year.

be well and have a good one.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

magiamma's picture

et al

Here's an online lecture that you might be interested in

The Antarctic and Climate Change: Exploration Above and Below the Surface.

https://calendar.ucsc.edu/event/the_antarctic_and_climate_change_explora...

Please join us for our second Kraw lecture focused on climate change. Dan Costa, distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, share how the changing climate is associated with a reduction in true Antarctic species like Adélie and emperor penguins and crabeater seals, while sub-antarctic species like elephant seals and chinstrap penguins are becoming more common. Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Slawek Tulaczyk will share with us how the Antarctic glaciological community is evaluating how much and how fast the Antarctic ice sheet will shrink in response to climate change, particularly the Thwaites Glacier. Join us as we learn more about the UCSC glaciology research group, which is leading one of the large research projects aimed at understanding the current behavior and projecting the future evolution of Thwaites Glacier.

Wednesday, January 27 at 5:30pm

Virtual Event

Take good care, everyone.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

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enhydra lutris's picture

@magiamma

Raining off and on here today - how 'bout down there?

be well and have a good one.

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1 user has voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

magiamma's picture

@enhydra lutris @enhydra lutris
all night and all day have a plethora off small birds at the bird feeder and a few Canadian sparrows that are back and who have overwintered here for years but are being pushed out by the plethora of small birds. Maybe a hundred.

zzz small birds.jpg

Bioswale has not much water in it. Not enough at one time to fill it and the ground is sooooo dry.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

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