Understanding The Brain

More is being revealed about various regions of the brain these days than ever before.

According an article in a publication of American Association for the Advancement of Science, the amygdala is a small structure deep in the brain important for interpreting the social and emotional meaning of sensory input – from recognizing emotion in faces to interpreting fearful images that inform us about potential dangers in our surroundings.

It seems that an overgrowth in the amygdala of babies could be the cause for autism in later life.

Korean Gov't Slashed Gasoline Taxes Months Ago

Taxes account for the majority of the price of gasoline in Korea.

When gas prices rose, the Korean government temporarily cut the tax by around 20%, or so, to decrease the burden on consumers and the economy.

Think about it. Price goes up, more taxes. So, even with a tax cut, tax revenues will not decrease.

Koreans pay a lot for gas. These days, about 2,000 Korean Won per liter ($ 6.30 a gallon). Usually, it is around 1,600 Korean Won per liter. 

I doubt most Koreans recognize that gas prices are really high here.

There are many other countries with high gasoline prices, while there are a couple with ridiculously low prices.

Studio Apartments Still Vacant

Two five-story studio apartment buildings were completed about six months ago. Blocking my view of downtown Seoul.

The one room studios are very small. Bathroom, kitchenette, enough space for a bed, desk.

Advertised as slightly under $2,000 a month with about a $20,000 deposit. ALL of the studio apartments are still empty. 

Tons of commercial buildings with 'for rent' signs, but the rent prices have not come down at all.

Some have been vacant for a couple of years.

These Korean landlords are stubborn. Properties have been vacant for years, but they won't lower rent. 

Probably waiting to see if business picks up after the coronavirus pandemic weakens.

Let's see what happens after two years.

One vacancy was taken up by a cosmetic surgery clinic. Logical, they can certainly afford the rent.

Decades of Sanctions Against North Korea Didn't Work

China and Russia has and will keep supporting and trading with North Korea.

So?

China, Russia, North Korea, and other authoritarian states vs democratic countries?

Looks that way. 

Already cut them off from semiconductors, advanced software, and other technologies.

People in power need to have yearly mental checkups and removed from power if they are not logical, do not keep their word, or lie blatantly

Why do people vote for liars (Trump)? Many seem to be disenfranchised, feed up with the system, and are expressing it by voting for people who appear to be rebellious. 

Conservatives Barely Won Korean Presidential Election

Luckily, the liberal party holds a firm majority in the National Assembly. 

Lost by less than one percent. A lot of people don't believe what most media tell them. LOL.

From what the media was saying, I thought the liberal party candidate would lose by a much larger margin of about 7-8%.

If the liberal party can maintain a majority in the coming elections for the National Assembly, there is no way the conservative party candidate will be able to fulfill many of his promises.

Roles could be reversed now. But the liberal party doesn't block almost all of the opposing party's legislation and policies.

The younger 20-30 age bracket apparently believed what most media fed them. Hopefully, they will get wiser. 

Things are looking up. Almost all of the people above 60 years old are conservative. A small percentage die every year...

Hey, I am over 60.

Media Control In Countries?

North Korea, China, and Russia are well known for control of media.

Lesser known is the control of media in Japan, Korea, and other countries.

Though democratic, most media in many countries are controlled by conservatives or wealthy.

Many are owned outright by the wealthy, or are puppets to wealthy advertisers.

At least we have social media and the internet nowadays. Sort of counteracts the negative aspects of traditional media but has its faults. 

China, Mongols, Japan, North Korea. Throughout history, many have tried to take over Korea, which is just a very small 3-hour drive wide and 5-hour drive long peninsula.

When North Korea (supported by Russia) invaded South Korea (vice-versa in North Korean media and schoolbooks), the US and UN stepped in at the last moment when only the southern port city of Pusan was left. 

Thankfully, a lot of people from all over the world fought in the Korean War. Tragically, too many died. 

The USA, Great Britain, Canada, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Colombia, Ethiopia, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Philippines and Luxembourg sent armed forces to fight in the war. Many other countries sent medical supplies and aid. 

South Korea was extremely fortunate. Russia was boycotting the UN and China did not have any power in the UN. Otherwise, they definitely would have vetoed sending the UN forces to South Korea. 

Koreans say that we succeeded because of hard work and stuff, but I think it is mainly due to the relations and trade we have had with the US (even through trade frictions, mainly due to unfair Korean practices and large trade surpluses for Korea). 

Imagine if we were sanctioned... 

Another perspective. Lots of Christians in South Korea. Lots of Christians in the US. Lots of Christians in the Philippines. Lots of Christians in China, Japan, Indonesia, all over the place. 

Still, Christianity is less prevalent than before.

Donate for Ukraine Yet?

Company started a JustGiving page and is matching contributions, so I donated. 

Have donated monthly to UNHCR for years. Barbaric wars have gone on for ages. 

Imagine a world where everyone helps others, monetarily? 

Charity has steadily grown over the years, yes?

Have an aversion to negative things, even things like "I don't think, isn't it? don't you think? no?"

Avoiding negative things helps to expand mental and imaginary horizons.

Imparts a slightly different mental perspective, which can lead to unexpected thoughts, insights, and will/desires.

"I don't think that..." is nonsensical. It is commonly used to mean "I think that something is not", or "I think that something does not". I can understand a phrase like "you don't know if he did it", but phrases like "I don't think that he is smart." could lead to cognitive dissonance.

Next time, someone says "I don't think that is so", might be just living without any deep meaningful reflection.

Nowadays, punctuation marks are put before the ending quotation mark. Fifty years ago, that was not so. I guess it's a matter of style. 

"If the universe is only 14 billion years old, how can it be 92 billion light years wide?" is the title of a Youtube video. A widely accepted theory is that the universe suddenly expanded much faster than the speed of light at the very beginning and then slowed, but the expansion is continuing.

The universe could be larger than 92 billion light years wide, no one knows.

Recently changed mind about the brain, it could be responsible for consciousness, empathy, and more. 

Still uncertain about why 'good' and 'truth' are associated with mental wellness, wisdom, will/desire, and other things. Still think it has something to do with a dimension, force, metaphysical energy, or cause.

Bought a spin bike with an 18kg flywheel. Fantastic for easing into exercise right after waking up. 

Definitely helps to lose/maintain weight with the least effort when combined with some leg lifts and other exercises. 

Hurt back and got out of shape. Took about three weeks to regain fitness. 

Korean Presidential Election

Signs point to a win by the conservative party candidate in the Korean presidential elections next week. 

Just FYI, most of the presidents from the conservative party have been served jail time or are in jail for corruption. The conservative party changes its name for almost every election. Erasing associations with past scandals, maybe?

Amazing what money can buy these days...

Hoping the signs are wrong. Praying doesn't seem to be very effective. Wish it was.