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Category: Resolutions
Posted on September 3, 2020 October 24, 2021
War with China: A Propaganda Delusion
A dangerous delusion has taken hold in US political and media circles regarding the prospect of a war with China. In order to avoid the calamitous outcome that would ensue from such a war, the public should be aware of the historic and technical facts that argue against such folly. The following discussion will provide this information and explain the perverse incentives motivating US business, political, military, and media elites in their efforts to present China as a hostile power that must be confronted militarily.
China emerged as a powerful modern state after a long period of suffering at the hands of exploitative foreign powers (1840-1945) followed by a bitter civil war (1937-1949), and a major war against the US in Korea (1950-1953). Adding to the challenges of repeated warfare were the internal political turmoil of Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). Only after the death of Mao in 1976 did China adopt a political system that enabled rapid modernization and economic growth, resulting in China's emergence as a major world power.
Unlike the United States, which has not experienced the suffering of war on its own soil since 1865, the Chinese have a long history of episodic bloody conflict, external and internal, covering the last century, including border wars with Russia, India, and Vietnam. China is not a nation that backs down from war if its vital interests are threatened.
The large and rapidly growing Chinese economy, which is on course to surpass the GDP of the United States within the next 10 years, has enabled China to modernize its armed forces. China has a small but potent nuclear deterrent, a Navy with more ships than the US, and a large, well-equipped standing army double the size of that of the US. Although the US military has many high-tech advantages, such as stealth technology and naval aviation, the Chinese have developed offsetting advanced weapons systems, such as precision-guided ballistic missiles capable of sinking warships.
Chinese DF-26 "Carrier Killer" missiles – Est. unit Cost: $10 million
China views the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland as the most important unfinished business of the restoration of China to its historic position as the dominant power in Asia. US support of Taiwan, the break-away state established by the defeated faction in the Chinese Civil war, is a major point of contention between the two nations, and a possible cause of armed conflict. The other likely cause of conflict is territorial claims over the waters of the South China Sea, an area encompassing strategic waterways and rich with natural resources. Forcible attempts by the US to block Chinese unification with Taiwan or occupy islands claimed by China in the South China Sea would likely trigger a war. What would this war look like?
The Realities of War with China
Americans have grown accustomed to swift initial victory in warfare against weak adversaries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, but the US has not fought a war with a peer power armed with equivalent weaponry since 1945. Thus, the US risks encountering serious unfavorable technical and operational surprises should it undertake a war with China. Although military planners make estimates of adversary capabilities in simulations and exercises, the test of combat is the final determinant of outcomes. No one in the US military knows if the Chinese missiles designed to sink US aircraft carriers can do so in a shooting war, and no one knows if the complex logistics infrastructure required by US high-tech weapons deployed in the Western Pacific can survive in a high-tempo combat environment. Why, then would US leaders contemplate such a war?
USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier – Est. cost: $13 Billion
There have been many historical instances of outdated military thinking leading to catastrophe. Perhaps the most terrible is that of WWI, a conflict that resulted in far more carnage than political and military leaders expected. On the eve of WWI, there was enthusiasm on all sides for what was expected to be a short and decisive war. The opposing generals had clever plans for swiftly defeating their adversaries. What they failed to understand was the radical transformation of the battlefield that advances in antipersonnel weaponry would cause. The devastating effects of massed artillery and machine gun fire would result in infantry casualties in the millions and a bloody, exhausting war of attrition that left deep scars in European politics and created the conditions for WWII.
What is known about a potential war with China is that the logistical constraints imposed by geography overwhelmingly favor the Chinese in a war fought off their coast against an adversary from other side of the Pacific. In such a war, the US would be heavily reliant on a small number of Western Pacific bases such as Guam and Okinawa. These bases are likely to be attacked and destroyed in the early days of hostilities, leaving US naval forces stranded with uncertain prospects of support from nervous Asian allies. Long-range stealth bombers flying from the US could inflict some damage on China, but the sortie rate (the number of strike missions flown) would be too low to be decisive.
The Chinese, on the other hand, could swarm Taiwan and the South China Sea with naval and aviation assets, absorbing heavy losses and still sweep US forces out of the theater. At that point, escalation to a nuclear exchange would be the only remaining military option for the US, but the relatively small Chinese nuclear force would still be capable of destroying dozens of US cities, an unacceptable outcome for any sane US President.
The general public is poorly informed regarding the characteristics of modern missile warfare. Despite decades of costly efforts to develop missile interceptors, the US has not been able to overcome the basic problem of missile defense. The defender must protect all vulnerable assets with costly systems that can intercept a high percentage of incoming missiles, but the attacker can make concentrated attacks selectively, using surprise, decoys, and overwhelming numbers, to score precise hits that damage or destroy targets. (This imbalance was demonstrated recently in successful missile attacks on Saudi petroleum facilities and US airbases in Iraq.) The US simply lacks the resources to put an impenetrable missile defense umbrella over every vulnerable ship, airbase, and supply depot in the Western Pacific, and the Chinese have a lot of missiles to throw against these targets.
The damage to the US from defeat in a war with China would be far-reaching. Apart from the military casualties and material losses, the economic impact of disrupting trade and communications in Asia would be enormous, probably triggering a global recession. The diplomatic impact would likely be the destruction of long-standing US alliances with other Asian powers, including India, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philipines, and the Southeast Asian nations
The US Military has conducted many simulations of an armed conflict with China involving Taiwan and the South China Sea, and China wins (at a heavy cost) in most of these exercises, mainly because of geographical and logistical advantages. If war with China is a losing proposition from an analytical perspective, what sustains the delusion?
Cui Bono
The Latin expression "Cui Bono" (To whom is it a benefit?) is the name of a method that has been used since ancient times to analyze motives behind political actions. Consider who benefits from sustaining the propaganda delusion of war with China:
Defense Contractors benefit from the incessant arms purchases associated with preparations for war. Because the Chinese can afford to steadily modernize their armed forces, the US defense industry can successfully market new weapons to counter actual and perceived advantages in Chinese weaponry. The US defense industry has enormous political influence because of large campaign donations and support for institutions and academics promoting bellicose foreign policies.
Military Professionals benefit from improved opportunities for command and promotion in growing organizations, such as the newly established Space Force. More surface ships and aircraft squadrons require more officers and commanders. New high-tech weapons projects require military managers who can look forward to high-salaried jobs with defense contractors after taking early retirement.
Politicians benefit from Xenophobia and war fever, particularly if there is a racist component involved. In WWII, the US had no compunction in putting Japanese Americans into internment camps, while German Americans were left unmolested. By depicting the Chinese as totalitarian Communists bent on world domination, politicians can easily whip up war fever among a large segment of the electorate. President Trump has already begun building up anti-Chinese sentiment by referring to COVID-19 as the "China Virus."
Media Corporations benefit by generating Internet clicks and TV ratings from an audience excited by wars and rumors of wars. Danger and violence sell, and tensions threatening a major war are a sure winner for elevating viewership. The concentration of US media power in a handful of major corporations makes it easier for governments and arms makers to influence "news" coverage in a bellicose manner. Government-friendly US media companies now routinely employ ex-military and former intelligence agency personnel as commentators on foreign affairs, thus strengthening what is effectively a pro-war propaganda collaboration with the national security establishment.
The above players are engaged in an alliance of convenience to promote a war that cannot be waged successfully. Nevertheless, by keeping the danger of this delusional war before the public, they succeed in selling costly weapons, advancing military careers, winning elections, and earning media profits.
The rational arguments against the US engaging in a war with China are overwhelming, and it is only the power of the US political/media propaganda apparatus that has given this idea public credibility. Perverse incentives motivate arms makers, politicians, the military, and media leaders to sustain this delusion and run the risk of the accidental or intentional outbreak of a war which would have ruinous consequences for the US. Citizens should act to persuade their leaders to stop the drum beat of war before a propaganda delusion turns into a military disaster.
May 13, 2019 This memo is being sent to the US and Venezuela as well as members of our Collective and allies.
This is the 34th day of our living in the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, DC. We are prepared to stay another 34 days, or however long is needed to resolve the embassy dispute in a peaceful way consistent with international law.
This memo is being sent to the US and Venezuela as well as members of our Collective and allies. We are encouraging people to publish this memo as a transparent process is needed to prevent the US from making a unilateral decision that could impact the security of embassies around the world and lead to military conflict.
To: US State Department
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry
From: Embassy Protection Collective
Re: Exiting the Venezuelan Embassy
There are two ways to resolve the issues around the Venezuelan embassy in DC, which we will explain.
Before doing so, we reiterate that our collective is one of independent people and organizations not affiliated with any government. While we are all US citizens, we are not agents of the United States. While we are here with permission of the Venezuelan government, we are not their agents or representatives.
We are here in the embassy lawfully. We are breaking no laws. We did not unlawfully enter and we are not trespassing.
1. Exiting with a Protecting Power Agreement
The exit from the embassy that best resolves issues to the benefit of the United States and Venezuela is a mutual Protecting Power Agreement. The United States wants a Protecting Power for its embassy in Caracas. Venezuela wants a Protecting Power for its embassy in DC. Such agreements are not uncommon when diplomatic relations are severed.
A Protecting Power Agreement would avoid a military conflict that could lead to war. A war in Venezuela would be catastrophic for Venezuela, the United States, and for the region. It would lead to lives lost and mass migration from the chaos and conflict of war. It would cost the United States trillions of dollars and become a quagmire involving allied countries around the world.
We are serving as interim protectors in the hope that the two nations can negotiate this resolution. If this occurs we will take the banners off the building, pack our materials, and leave voluntarily. The electricity could be turned on and we will drive out.
We suggest a video walk-through with embassy officials to show that the Embassy Protection Collective did not damage the building. The only damage to the building has been inflicted by coup supporters in the course of their unprosecuted break-ins.
2. The United States violates the Vienna Convention, makes an illegal eviction and unlawful arrests
This approach will violate international law and is fraught with risks. The United States would have to cut the chains in the front door put up by embassy staff and violate the embassy. We have put up barriers there and at other entrances to protect us from constant break-ins and threats from the trespassers whom the police are permitting outside the embassy. The police's failure to protect the embassy and the US citizens inside has forced us to take these actions.
The Embassy Protectors will not barricade ourselves, or hide in the embassy in the event of an unlawful entry by police. We will gather together and peacefully assert our rights to remain in the building and uphold international law.
Any order to vacate based on a request by coup conspirators that lack governing authority will not be a lawful order. The coup has failed multiple times in Venezuela. The elected government is recognized by the Venezuelan courts under Venezuelan law and by the United Nations under international law. An order by the US-appointed coup plotters would not be legal.
Such an entry would put embassies around the world and in the United States at risk. We are concerned about US embassies and personnel around the world if the Vienna Convention is violated at this embassy. It would set a dangerous precedent that would likely be used against US embassies.
If an illegal eviction and unlawful arrests are made, we will hold all decision-makers in the chain of command and all officers who enforce unlawful orders accountable.
If there is a notice that we are trespassing and need to vacate the premises, please provide it to our attorney Mara Verhayden-Hilliard, copied on this memo.
We have taken care of this embassy and request a video tour of the building before any arrests.
We hope a wise and calm solution to this issue can be achieved so escalation of this conflict can avoided.
There is no need for the United States and Venezuela to be enemies. Resolving this embassy dispute diplomatically should lead to negotiations over other issues between the nations.
The Embassy Protection Collective
Upcoming Peace Actions
The Green Party Peace Action Committee (GPAX) has endorsed back-to-back anti-war demonstrations in DC. (see below.) These actions are important and we would like to have a strong Green Party presence. There will also be local peace actions we need to support and help organize.
I have proposed that the party members help organize Anti-War Teach-Ins:
"From Yemen to Venezuela US Aggression Must End".
There is a great need for peace education and outreach. Most Americans have little understanding of why we are at war and are fatigued by how long these wars have been going on. The peace movement needs to reach out to new constituencies..
I propose that we encourage peace groups to organize anti-war teach-ins on college campuses and in communities in the coming months.
HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!
NATIONAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON
SATURDAY, MARCH 16: See below.
Mobilization to Oppose the North American Treaty Organization(NATO).
Lafayette Park (across from the White House)
Washington, DC1:00 PM ET
Historically, massive protests have taken place in major cities during NATO meetings and summits. 2019 will be no exception.
Additional actions will take place on April 4, 2019 at the opening of the NATO meeting. April 4th marks the 51st anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In a grotesque desecration of King's dedication to peace and his fight against racism, poverty and war, military leaders will gather and celebrate NATO's 70th anniversary at their annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
This is nothing short of a deliberate insult to King.
Since its founding, NATO has succeeded in being the world's deadliest military alliance. As the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. once correctly asserted, the U.S. government is "the greatest purveyor of violence in the world." Hundreds of thousands of people have died in U.S./NATO-led wars in places like Iraq, Libya, Somalia and Yugoslavia.
March on the Pentagon invites you to join us in opposing NATO with UNAC. As the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
So let's be loud. No to NATO. U.S. and NATO wars must end.
Learn more at No2NATO2019.org.
The Steering Committee for the March 30th Anti-NATO Mobilization:
Bahman Azad, Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases • Ajamu Baraka, Black Alliance for Peace • Leah Bolger, World Beyond War • Alison Bodine, Mobilization Against War and Occupation • Gerry Condon, Veterans For Peace • Miguel Figueroa, Canadian Peace Congress • Sara Flounders, International Action Center • Margaret Flowers, Popular Resistance • Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ • Madelyn Hoffman, U.S. Peace Council • Tarak Kauff, Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases, Veterans For Peace • Marilyn Levin, UNAC • Joe Lombardo, UNAC • Tamara Lorincz, Canadian Voice of Women for Peace • Jeff Mackler, West Coast UNAC • Alfred L. Marder, U.S. Peace Council • Sarah Martin, Women Against Military Madness • Nancy Price, WILPF-US Section • Paul Pumphrey, Friends of the Congo • Cindy Sheehan, March on the Pentagon• Paki Wieland, CODEPINK • Phil Wilayto, Virginia Defenders • Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace, CODEPINK • Rev. Bruce Wright, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign and Refuge Ministries • Kevin Zeese, Popular Resistance
NATIONAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON SATURDAY, MARCH 16:
HANDS OFF VENEZUELA
White House, Washington, D.C.
By Coalition of Signers, ANSWER Coalition
"People Of The U.S., I Ask For Your Support To Reject The Interference Of Donald Trump's Government In Making My Homeland A Vietnam In Latin America. Don't Allow It!" President Nicolas Maduro, January 31, 2017.
On Saturday, March 16, thousands of people will march in Washington, D.C. against the Trump administration's effort to engineer a coup in Venezuela and a new devastating war there. The aggressive policy against Venezuela repeats the ugly pattern of wars for regime change in the oil-rich countries of Iraq and Libya. National Security Advisor John Bolton is reading from the same script, declaring a "troika of tyranny" in Latin America (like the "axis of evil") as a precursor for regime change first in Venezuela, and then Cuba and Nicaragua. Trump has always said that the "mistake" of the Middle East wars was that the U.S. didn't "take the oil."
It is time to stand up and with a clear voice say NO to the newest example of the "Monroe Doctrine," which the U.S. government has used for over two centuries to repeatedly invade Latin America and Caribbean, control its politics and extract its resources.
The White House aims to overthrow the government of President Nicolás Maduro and replace him with Juan Guaidó. Guaidó is a U.S.-trained operative who was unknown to the vast majority of Venezuelans before he proclaimed himself president — at Vice President Mike Pence's urging. Although Guaidó has the backing of Trump, the CIA, and the Republican and Democratic Party leaderships alike, huge numbers of Venezuelans have marched to reject this coup and defend their independence.
On March 16, the people of the United States will come together to say:
U.S. hands off Venezuela!
NO to the coup — the U.S. does not have the right to select other country's leaders!
NO to the sanctions, oil embargo and economic war on Venezuela that aims to cause suffering for ordinary people in the country.
NO to intervention and war from the U..S. and their proxies in the region.
Initial signers:
ANSWER Coalition
CodePink
Black Alliance for Peace
Alliance for Global Justice
Popular Resistance
Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee
Haïti Liberté
International Support Haiti Network
Popular Education Project
Abby Martin, journalist, The Empire Files
Dr. Jill Stein, 2016 Green Party presidential candidate
Dr. Jared Ball, Prof. of Communication Studies, Morgan State Univ., imixwhatilike
Medea Benjamin, activist and author, CodePink
Cindy Sheehan, activist and author, Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox
Berthony Dupont, Director, Haïti Liberté
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, constitutional rights attorney
Max Blumenthal, journalist
Ajamu Baraka, National Organizer, Black Alliance for Peace
Mike Prysner, Iraq War veteran, producer, The Empire files
Dr. George Ciccariello-Maher, author
Dr. Anthony Monteiro, Saturday Free School
Dr. Jodi Dean, author, Prof. of Political Science, Hobart & William Smith Colleges
Gloria La Riva, National Coordinator, Cuba and Venezuela Solidarity Committee
Kim Ives, journalist
Anoa Changa, host, The Way With Anoa
Dan Cohen, journalist and filmmaker
Chuck Kaufman, National Co-Coordinator, Alliance for Global Justice
Eugene Puryear, Stop Police Terror Project
Jeanette Charles, International Solidarity Liaison, Venezuela Analysis
Lucas Koerner, Editor and Analyst, Venezuela Analysis
Margaret Flowers, Co-Coordinator, Popular Resistance
Kevin Zeese, Co-Coordinator, Popular Resistance
Dan Kovalik, author and human rights lawyer
Mahdi Bray, National Director, American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
Brian Becker, National Director, ANSWER Coalition
Allow Parents the Option to Protect Kids from Military Recruiters in High Schools
Parents in our state should be given the means to exercise their right to opt out of sending their kids' names and contact information to military recruiters.
Please click below to send this email to your state legislators and governor:
http://bit.ly/2lxc0fZ
"As a constituent, I urge you to follow the example set by Maryland. The federal "Every Student Succeeds Act" contains a provision that compels high schools to provide the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all students to any military recruiter who requests the information. The law also says that parents have the right to remove their kids' names from the lists being sent to the Pentagon, and that schools have the responsibility to tell parents that.
Only in Maryland are parents given an easy and directly presented means of opting out. The choice remains theirs, and they are empowered to make it. A right you do not learn about – or find any means to act on – is not a right at all!
Maryland is the only state thus far to pass a law that puts the military recruiter "opt-out" language on the school's mandatory emergency contact form. As a result, large numbers of Marylanders have exercised their right to opt out.
Please make our state the second to take this step."
AFL-CIO, War Is Not The Answer, 2017 Convention Res. 50
From Rich Whitney, GPAX Co-Chair
This received almost no corporate media coverage, but I think it is significant that the AFL-CIO now advocates that "workers and our unions promote a foreign policy independent of the political interests and foreign policy of Wall Street and corporate America . . . . that the AFL-CIO promotes and advocates for a foreign policy based on international solidarity of all workers, mutual respect of all nations and national sovereignty, and calls upon the president and Congress to make war truly the last resort in our country's foreign relations."
https://uslaboragainstwar.org/Article/78279/afl-cio-2017-convention-resolution-50-war-is-not-the-answer
Resolution 50: War Is Not the Answer
Adopted October 25, 2017
WHEREAS, in 2005, the AFL-CIO Convention passed a historic resolution calling for the rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and an end to the country's occupation; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, the AFL-CIO Executive Council declared that American troops must be brought home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the militarization of our foreign policy has proven to be a costly mistake; it is time to invest at home; and
WHEREAS, now 75% of Americans believe the "result of the war in Iraq was not worth the loss of American lives and other costs"; and
WHEREAS, the eventual cost to taxpayers for the Afghanistan and Iraq wars will top $4 trillion; and
WHEREAS, since 2001 the United States has used military force in numerous countries, leading to the death of an untold number of civilians, the destruction of infrastructure, a massive number of refugees and the destabilizing of sovereign nations–—there are now military threats directed against Iran and North Korea, with a potential death toll in either country in the millions and which, in the case of North Korea in particular, involve the threat of nuclear war; and
WHEREAS, while the United States ranks first by far in military spending, it ranks 7th in literacy, 20th in education, 25th in infrastructure quality, 37th in quality of health care, 31st in life expectancy, and 56th in infant mortality; and
WHEREAS, 6,831 United States military personnel have died in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and about one million have been injured. There are over 39,000 homeless military veterans; on any night, more than 1.4 million are at high risk of homelessness, of which 9% are women, and 20 military veterans/active duty military take their own lives each day; and
WHEREAS, it is vital that the workers and our unions promote a foreign policy independent of the political interests and foreign policy of Wall Street and corporate America;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO promotes and advocates for a foreign policy based on international solidarity of all workers, mutual respect of all nations and national sovereignty, and calls upon the president and Congress to make war truly the last resort in our country's foreign relations, and that we seek peace and reconciliation wherever possible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO calls upon the president and Congress to bring the war dollars home and make our priority as a nation rebuilding this country's crumbling infrastructure, creating millions of living wage jobs and addressing human needs such as education, health care, housing, retirement security and jobs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the AFL-CIO will advocate for the necessary federal funding to meet the needs of veterans by providing them comprehensive services for health care, housing, education and employment, and to establish outreach to at-risk veterans who may not be availing themselves of existing programs.


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Caratteristiche tecniche
È un centrocampista difensivo.

Carriera

Nazionale
Nel 2011 è stato convocato dal Brasile Under-17 per disputare il Campionato sudamericano ed il Campionato mondiale

Nel 2013 è stato convocato dal Brasile Under-20 per disputare il Campionato sudamericano, collezionando 4 presenze.

Palmarès
Campionato Sudamericano Under-17: 1
Ecuador 2011

Note

Collegamenti esterni

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


In the three months I've been an iTTL member, I've gotten more business through it than I'd been able to generate on my own.
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I Take The Lead does understand that networking, for many people, is not a natural skill. But it can be a learned skill and we hope our people will be all they can be. While we encourage people to meet outside their respective group to 'get-to-know' each other, in our hectic schedules, this is difficult. Yet, networking is a relationship business. The better we know each other, the easier it is to do business with each other, and a greater level of trust is established. During the first meeting of each month within our B2C group meetings, we offer an opportunity to facilitate and foster this process and do the same at various times within our B2B group meetings.
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Q: Why does the lowering operator applied to lowest state have to be 0? When solving a problem in QM with raising and lowering operators ($\hat{a},\hat{a}^\dagger,L_{\pm},..$) it is often assumed that:
$$ L_-|\Omega>=0 $$
Why is this assumed?
Couldn't the result of applying the lowering operator to the lowest eigenstate give a mathematical function without physical meaning?
Or the same for applying the raising operator to the eigenstate with the highest eigenvalue (say energy, angular momentum, etc) ?
I am looking for a formal way of thinking about this.

A: Harmonic oscillator
For the harmonic oscillator ladder operators the reason is the following:
A physical system where there is no lower bound on the energy is unstable.${}^{1}$ This is why in QM we always assume that there is one state which attains the smallest values of the energy: $|\Omega\rangle$.
As a consequence of the commutation relations, the energy of $\hat{a}|\Omega\rangle$ is one unit of $\omega \hbar$ less than that of $|\Omega\rangle$.
$$
H \,\hat{a}|\Omega\rangle = (E_{\mathrm{min}} -\hbar\omega)\,\hat{a}|\Omega\rangle\,.
$$
So the only way out is that $\hat{a}|\Omega\rangle$ is not an eigenstate, therefore it has to be the zero state (not $0$ as a number but the null element of the Hilbert space).
Angular momentum
For the angular momentum the reason is the following:
We want to build finite dimensional representations. For the same reasoning as above the eigenvalue under $\hat{L}_z$ of $\hat{L}_-|\Omega\rangle$ is $\hbar$ less than that of $|\Omega\rangle$. Since we are diagonalizing an Hermitian operator ($\hat{L}_z$), then $\hat{L}_-|\Omega\rangle$ is orthogonal to $|\Omega\rangle$, so it's either a new state or the zero state.
If it's not the zero state then this procedure never ends and the representation becomes infinite dimensional. There is nothing wrong with infinite dimensional representations (they do exist), but particles typically transform under finite dimensional ones.

Note: the two arguments are really the same argument, but I wanted to emphasize the fact that the crucial point (boundedness of energies vs. finite dimension) is different.

$\quad{}^1$ Having negative energies is not problematic per se. The theory is fine as long as there is a lower bound. Naturally we can always change the offset so that this lower bound is zero

A:
Couldn't the result of applying the lowering operator to the lowest
  eigenstate give a mathematical function without physical meaning?

No. Why would someone be interested in mathematics that is physically meaningless when doing physics?
Though you may already know, the reasoning is that we cannot repeatedly apply the lowering operator because at some point we will reach a state with, say, negative energy -- a state which does not physically exist.  And thus $a_- \psi_0 = 0$ is required.

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John Daly talks about some of his hobbies outside of golf.
Not the Masters, but John Daly selling hats, shirts, pants, towels, pin flags — you name it — out of his luxury bus in the Hooters parking lot.
The chain-smoking, grip-it-and-rip-it, everyman golf hero has been selling his logo-bearing merchandise at tournaments for at least 25 years, including when he was a rock star on the PGA Tour and had fresh victories in the British Open (1995) and PGA Championship (1991) to his name.
"It says, he's us," said Daly pal Dave Saracino, vice president of field sales for Bic, which makes the pens and lighters. He said he brings about 40 clients to the Masters every year, and the first stop they want to make is to see Daly.
And Daly is happy to make a deal. He doesn't charge for photos with fans or autographs — "I don't play in the NBA," he said –-- and his stuff is reasonably priced. For instance, one of his more popular T-shirts — which reads "Daly Daly" in a style reminiscent of Bud Light's "Dilly Dilly," — goes for $20.
Belts, ball markers, even cans of his "Grip It and Sip It" drink ... Daly runs a wall-to-wall mart, assisted by his girlfriend, Anna Cladakis, and others. He declined to say how lucrative the business is, only that it's bustling from the moment he opens around 10 a.m. to the evening when he shuts it down for the night.
The booth is set up about a mile from Augusta National Golf Club, many of the golf spectators choosing to find parking in the area.
He said fans will knock on the door of his bus at all hours, with some even trying to wander in.
"I've found people knocking on the bus, beating all the bus — all good stuff," said Cory Moore, his linebacker-looking bodyguard. "I just talk to them. They're just having fun, and they're excited to see him. Because nobody else comes and does this.
Golf fan John Duke of Eufaula, Okla., made the pilgrimage to Augusta to watch a practice round this week. First stop: Daly's bus.
"Our buddy that went to Arkansas [Daly's alma mater], our whole drive here he was talking about John Daly and wanting to see him," Duke said. "That's all he cared about. So we made our way to Hooters and bought a towel. Got it signed and [Daly] took a picture with us. He was really cool.
Daly said various celebrities stop by from time to time too, among them Dallas coach Jason Garrett and Cowboys legend Ed "Too Tall" Jones, and Eric Trump, the president's son.
He said he'd love to return to competitive golf but he's got a bum knee that gives out after five or six holes.
Daly said the Hooters where he parks is so supportive that he's written into the restaurant's lease. He plans to maintain his personal Masters week tradition for the foreseeable future. If the fans keep coming, so will he.


text:
Q: How to measure high-voltage and high-frequency ripple? I have a ferrite transformer outputting 1.2kV RMS on it's secondary. I have added a diode to do half-wave rectification, and have added a sufficient capacitor (10nF) in parallel to deal with ripple. It's more than enough, according to the formula \$dV = \frac{i}{fC}\$
I'm using 32kHz on the transformer, and I plan to draw at most 500 µA. This should give me a very small ripple.
However, to measure ripple, I tried using a 1000:1 high-voltage probe. It has 1GΩ  impedance, and it's rated for 60Hz only. Measuring my rectified / filtered voltage shows a lot of gargabe and a huge ripple, around 800V, but I suspect this is false, given the probe's inability to deal with higher frequencies, probably.
I also tried a voltage divider using 10MΩ  and 100kΩ  regular 1/8W resistors and a regular scope probe on the 100kΩ  resistor, but results are quite similar.
Changing the capacitor or removing it completely changes the ripple just a little, about 10% better or worse.
So, my question: is it normal to get false results with those probes (or voltage dividers) on high-frequency voltages?
Is there a safe and reliable way to measure ripple on this particular scenario?
UPDATE:
Here is the distortion I got on the secondary, after rectification and filtering, to illustrate the question a little better:

After reading the suggestions of everyone, I decided to do a test I didn't do before: I made another transformer, with a secondary of about 170V. That way I could use a regular 10x probe (without any voltage divider), and compare it's performance with the 1/1000 voltage divider, but keeping the 32kHz frequency. 170V is good because it's not too high for a 10x probe, but not too low for a 1000x divider.
Here's the result. First, the secondary after rectification and filtering, measured with the regular 1/10 probe. A very acceptable DC signal:

However, here's the same signal measured with the divider. If we ignore the heavy noise, we can see the same pattern seem on the first picture:

I don't know it this is the only problem with my circuit, but it's clear the measuring method is the biggest one. I will build a 1/1000 probe, using high voltage resistors and compensation capacitors shielded from noise. I can't rely on simple voltage dividers for this thing.

A:
is it normal to get false results with those probes (or voltage dividers) on high-frequency voltages?

Yes, without a proper frequency compensation. It happens because resistors have small parasitic capacitance, which can be modelled as a capacitor in parallel with a resistor. These parasitic capacitors form a capacitive voltage divider for high-frequency signals. If the ratio of the parasitic divider differs from the ratio at DC, you will get wrong measurements, since the overall ratio becomes frequency-dependent.
Usually this is not a problem at kHz range. But not in the case of high voltage, which implies high-value resistors. The capacitance of a typical resistor is approximately 1.5 pF, which gives 3.3 MΩ at 32 kHz for a pure sine wave. Because you are using high-value resistors, the parasitic capacitance becomes the dominant factor even at kHz-range frequencies. If a signal is not a pure sine wave, i.e. it contains high-frequency harmonics, the parasitic capacitance dominates even more.
Do deal with the problem, add a compensating capacitor (typically, it is a variable capacitor). To get a frequency compensation the following condition must be met
$$\frac{R_2}{R_1 + R_2} = \frac{C_1}{C_1 + C_2}$$
This can derived from the ratio for a capacitive divider
$$\frac{\frac{1}{j\omega C_2}}{{\frac{1}{j\omega C_1} + \frac{1}{j\omega C_2}}}$$
The easiest way to test a divider is to look at a divided square wave signal via an oscilloscope. With the right compensation, the square wave looks like the scaled square wave. Without the right compensation, your will see a signal with a strange shape. That's because the ratio of uncompensated divider depends on a harmonic number, and after the division the harmonics do not sum up to the square wave.
I'm not sure that the frequency compensation is the only problem; probably there are other issues related to a noise in the measurement circuit.
Also, typical 1/8W resistors are not suitable for 1.2 kV RMS. The maximum allowed voltage for such resistors does not exceed 100 V RMS, if I remember correctly. Consult the datasheet for the exact value.
edit
One way to get proper division is to use 10 nF capacitor as a part of the divider

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
Note that
$$\frac{100\,\text{kΩ}}{10000\,\text{kΩ} + 100\,\text{kΩ}} =
\frac{10\,\text{nF}}{10\,\text{nF} + 1000\,\text{nF}}$$

A: Your voltage dividers, assuming these resistors are safe for these voltages (yes, resistors have maximum operating voltages, too, simply because you can "arc" through/around them), should be correct. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't. 32kHz is really not that high, so parasitic effects (capacitance of the resistor and traces) should be pretty much irrelevant, and since you're not running a couple hundred meters of wire, you probably also don't have a significant radiation of power.
I'd thorougly measure all the individual signals involved here – is the current going into the low-voltage side of your transformer really shaped like you expect it? If you don't do the rectification, what does the output voltage look like?

A: Scope probes are easy to use but cant always be trusted .I use a capacitively coupled 1:1 high frequency pulse transformer .Then I run RG58U coax to the BNC connector on the scope .This means that I dont need to use the probe . I terminate the coax with 50 ohms when the scope does not have a 50 ohm button .The errors of scope probes are much worse on the 1:1 setting so people generally use the 10:1 setting .The pulse transformer setup is 1:1 so you have better measurement sensitivity and it is safer .


Like many churches across the country, we are gearing up for this year's Christian Aid Week. It will take place from Sunday 9 May to Saturday 15 May. Churches Working Together in Didsbury will hold a United Service of Worship to launch Christian Aid Week. It will take place at Christ Church United Reformed Church, Parrs Wood Road, on Sunday 9 May at 6.30 p.m. It will be preceded by a bring-and-share meal at 5.30. Please feel free to join us all for one or both events.
Kat Brealey, a member of our congregation, is also part of the Harmony Gospel Choir. They will be performing at St Peter's Chaplaincy, Manchester on Saturday 15 May at 7.30 p.m. Tickets (from Kat or on the door): £5.


The Cyber-Duck team was thrilled to win a UX UK Award for the 'Best Transactional Experience' for our work with mydlc! Rewarding those who take pride in offering the best possible experience for users, UX UK even made the project a finalist for a further award, the 'Best Effect on Business Goals'. Our win showcases the success of mydlc, a bespoke customer payment portal that simplifies a complex transaction to great effect for their users.
The User Experience (UX) UK Awards is the only scheme to celebrate agencies that excel in user-focused digital design, rewarding projects that create the best experiences for the end user. Following comprehensive review with lengthy criteria, the distinguished panel of judges even determines the categories that best fit each entry. So, the original shortlist was undivided by award category, leaving both the finalists and winners a complete surprise for the night—which made it even more exciting.
The team was thrilled to win this award for our work with dlc, the UK's leading independent debt recovery firm. They needed a powerful, bespoke customer payment portal, where users could easily manage and pay towards their debt online. Following dlc's customer-centric ethos, we were passionate about providing a highly personalised, user-friendly experience to improve what can be a tricky situation. This inspired the portal's name, mydlc.
Drawing on meticulous research, the needs of dlc's audience were at the forefront of each design and development decision, checked with real user testing. Of course, the transaction experience was the key to this project—UX UK attributed our win to offering a "simple service for a complex problem". Focused on empowering the user, mydlc offers as many simple, effective options to resolve debt as possible: from making quick payments (without even creating an account) to returning personalised payment or settlement plans, making users feel secure about repayment over a longer period. Using a responsive web design (RWD), mydlc is optimised for display and performance across devices.
The mydlc portal has achieved some great results, recognised by our second achievement as UX UK finalists for the 'Best Effect on Business Goals', such as a roughly 75% rise in online transactions for the first seven months.
Catching up with the best UX creatives in a great atmosphere at Microsoft's contemporary offices, we were happy to see our winning work for mydlc alongside the likes of BBC Sport, Nationwide, Tesco and WaterAid. We had a fantastic time and congratulate all the other winners and nominees—it's great to see focused award schemes that reward the value of good UX.


Rodger Thomas loves old relics. He loves antiques, artifacts, anything rusted or aged. "Artifacts seem to speak to me when I see them, " says Rodger. He envisions the abandoned object's reincarnation as a light fixture and relishes the chance to get his hands on them...or in the above case, his hands on mannequin hands.
Rodger hopes his pieces convey an appreciation for our collective past. They certainly make you feel in awe of what he has accomplished. He can bring light to just about anything, including an old school rotary phone, a vintage pencil sharpener, a Japanese made 'Winged Wheel' kerosene lantern, or a used and abused wooden hub found inside a Texas barn.
Rodger is his biggest fan of this steam shovel lamp. As he shared, "As a child, my favorite Tonka trucks were the rusty ones. I would find them discarded in the woods and those would be my favorite 'play in the dirt' trucks." So when he found this rusty toy, he knew immediately that he wanted the cab to be lit with a radio bulb. He added, "I was compelled to do it."
Rodger sources his materials from all over the South, explaining, "I go to antique malls, junk shops, thrift stores, barns, sheds, estate sales, junk piles, old dump sites..." Sounds like he could have his own tv show.
When I asked Rodger what type of decor his pieces worked well with, he replied, "Shabby chic, eclectic, man cave, dorm room, coffee house, industrial." It seems like every manly space could benefit from one of his charming, conversation pieces. This light fixture is especially fun, inspired by a Maxwell House tin from the 1930's.
This piece is steeped in nostalgia. Looking at this old relic, Rodger recalls, "fishing trips with my dad, mowing lawns for the neighbors, 4th of July, cutting down trees for firewood, being forced to work in the garden all day..." It's an old JC Higgins Picnic Jug that Rodger fixed up and illuminated for your home decor pleasure. As Rodger suggests, "It's perfect for a summer home, cabin or mountain retreat."
I like how Rodger is updating his pieces for the modern home, adding outlets for the all too important cell phone or your favorite tech gadget. Click to learn more about the coffee cup lamp or the upcycled desk lamp.
I especially like his pendant lights that utilize vintage farm pulleys. You'll notice that Rodger uses the Edison filament bulbs in many of his fixtures, which really complements the old time look and feel of each piece.


text:
Der Horecký rybník, auch Vodní nádrž Horka (deutsch Groß Horka-Teich), ist ein Stausee in Nordböhmen.

Er liegt am östlichen Stadtrand von Stráž pod Ralskem oberhalb der Einmündung des Ještědský potok (Jeschkenbach) in die von Hamr na Jezeře zufließende Ploučnice. Gestautes Gewässer ist die Ploučnice.

Der ursprüngliche herrschaftliche Fischteich wurde in den Jahren 1912 bis 1915 zu einem Stausee ausgebaut. Er hat eine Wasserfläche von 75,5 Hektar wird im Norden durch einen 5,25 Meter hohen Damm gestaut. Die Dammkrone hat eine Länge von 950 m und eine Breite von 5 m.

Zwischen 1996 und 2001 wurde der Teich rekonstruiert. Er wird zu Erholungszwecken genutzt.

Weblinks

 Wasserwerk Stráž

Horecky rybnik
Horecky rybnik
SHorecky rybnik
Geographie (Okres Česká Lípa)
Stráž pod Ralskem


Questions we must ask ourselves…am I giving God the priority in my day? Am I starting my day (first fruits) with God by reading His Word – the Bible? What are my goals for each day? Am I seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness in my life? Do I design time with God like I do family, work and play?
God promises that if you seek Him first, food, shelter and clothing will be provided to you; thus eliminating the need or the excuse to place work or the idea of working to survive ahead of seeking God first. If our basic needs will be taken care of, what would be our reasoning for placing our priority for day to day living not on Him? It would simply be to put our own personal desires for prosperity, pleasure and authority ahead of God…thus we are not putting God first.
This is difficult on a daily basis, especially when first starting, since most of us have grown up (especially in the American culture) thinking of me, me, me. For me, I know that scheduling time on my calendar first thing in the morning and being consistent with it is the only way to overcome years of habit.
If we are honest with ourselves, we would say that the reason God is not placed first in our lives is because we have other priorities. These priorities are not the same as God's priorities for our life. When I look at my priorities, it is easy for me to say they are based on providing for my family and doing the right thing. In reality, if I was just trying to provide for my family, my day would look remarkably different. My time, emotion and energy spent with my family would be just as intentional (love that word from my good friend Pastor Joe LaCognata) as it was in the time, emotion and energy I place in work and personal pleasure.
As people, we tend to be goal or outcome oriented; we strive for things or an outcome we desire. Things like wealth, status, familiarity and comfort. Putting God first would necessitate that we change what we strive for and go after things that are of God's kingdom; thus, not what we consider our treasures.
19Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When we attempt to do this, it feels like a war in some ways. Most of us would acknowledge that we want to put God first; however, it is a struggle to do so as we often do that which we do not want to do. I have come to love this battle, as for me it is concrete proof of the war that wages inside of me; that of my spirit which desires God, and that of my flesh which desires self or sin. I am so grateful for Paul's words in the book of Romans 7 that describes this battle in detail.
14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
There is a clear reason for this battle and it comes from the two natures that live inside us. It is not possible to serve or follow both.
24No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
The idea of putting God first means that nothing comes before Him. For me, and I believe most people agree, that means giving God the first part of my day. I look at it as the first fruits of each day – after all, every day is really a gift from God.


text:
Q: Nvidia Driver update problems I have been using ubuntu for mining with T-rex miner and overclocking with GreenWithEnvy which give me a hashrate of 43.9 for ethereum. This was with nvidia 470 driver whole system was very very stable. Yesterday I upgraded my nvidia drivers to 510 which is the latest. With this upgrade, GreenWithEnvy app has stopped working and so I reverted back to 470 but the stability of my system has been lost. I think it could be because of some parts of 510 which are retained. Is there a way to completely roll back the 510 upgrade?

A: To remove all the proprietary nvidia packages run the following commands.
sudo apt update
sudo apt-get remove '^nvidia'
sudo apt autoremove
sudo reboot

nvidia-driver-470 can be installed from the default Ubuntu repositories in Ubuntu 18.04 and later. To reinstall the nvidia-driver-470 metapackage which depends on the NVIDIA binary driver and on all of its libraries run the following commands.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nvidia-driver-470
sudo reboot


As an AirWatch® customer, enjoy the same great capabilities of PrinterOn with the added app security and management capabilities provided by the AirWatch platform. The PrinterOn mobile printing apps for iOS printing and Android printing are compatible with AirWatch AppShield and were built leveraging the AirWatch Software Development Kit.
PrinterOn and AirWatch work as logical extensions of each other with AirWatch managing devices on the network and PrinterOn layering secure print workflows on top, connecting networks and enabling secure print for mobile users.
Many organizations find that it is difficult to offer users a native iOS printing experience because of the fundamental limitations of how iOS mobile printing works in combination with their network architecture. With PrinterOn Native iOS Printing support for AirWatch, enterprise administrators can not only turn any printer into a native iOS-capable printer, they can finely control which printers users can access through AirWatch configuration push. With PrinterOn Native iOS Printing for AirWatch, everyone gets what they want: users get the native iOS printing experience they are looking for and administrators get the control and secure print they need.


Jackie says: Don't let the location or warehouse structure fool you – this place makes the most incredible pizza and pasta – I think it may be the best pizza I've ever eaten. They now have a liquor license (Hallelujah!) and are serving a nice selection of wine and beer! You have no more excuses.


Delayed ... gratification or disappointment?
RIGHT: Franklin County infielder Makaylee Woods throws over to first base during warm-ups, prior to FC's Class 3A Sectional 29 quarterfinal game against Greensburg on Monday night. The game was called, due to bad weather, in the sixth inning, with the two teams tied 0-0.
Franklin County hurler Kamryn McCool fires a pitch to the plate in quarterfinal action of the Class 3A Sectional 27 tournament, against Greensburg on Monday night. McCool and GHS pitcher Rose Morrison gave fans a pitcher's duel through six innings, the game scoreless when it was called in the sixth inning due to weather.
ABOVE: Franklin County senior Maggie Wendel hits a foul ball against Greensburg, in the opening round of the Class 3A Sectional 29 tournament at FCHS on Monday night. Wendel and the Lady Wildcats wound up facing a 0-0 tie, when the game was called in the sixth inning, due to inclement weather.
BROOKVILLE — Thunder storms and rain have had their way with spring sport schedules throughout the past two months, sending athletic directors scrambling to find open dates to re-schedule postponed events.
Why should the postseason be any different?
Monday ushered in the opening round of the Class 3A Sectional 29 softball tournament, played at Franklin County High School, the night featuring a pair of quarterfinal games — Franklin County vs. Greensburg, and Lawrenceburg vs. Batesville.
Neither of those games reached a conclusion.
With clouds gathering, the Lady Wildcats and Lady Pirates turned the tournament opener into a classic pitcher's duel, as Kamryn McCool and Rose Morrison took turns, leaving opponents in the batter's box scratching their heads.
Through six innings, the two hurlers spun their gems. McCool surrendered the only two hits of the game, harmless singles in the first and third innings. The FC pitcher also registered 10 strikeouts, her final one to Taylor Cooney.
Mother Nature then delivered her pitch.
A lightning flash, with Greensburg bringing its second batter to the plate in the sixth, forced stoppage of the game. Heavy rains followed, and both quarterfinals were postponed until Tuesday night.
Fortunately for the Franklin County sectional, Tuesday was scheduled as a night off, anyway. So the remainder of the tournament has not been affected ... yet. More storms were called for on Tuesday evening.
The Class 2A Sectional 41 tournament, hosted by Union County, wasn't so lucky.
Only one game was scheduled on Monday night, Winchester set to play Centerville in the tourney's lone quarterfinal contest.
That game was washed out mid-sentence, as well.
In that case, however, Tuesday was not an open day, as both semifinals were scheduled to take place.
With the remainder of the Winchester and Centerville game set to reach its conclusion on Tuesday (no results available), both semifinal tilts were moved to Wednesday. That adjustment, in turn, forced organizers to push the championship game, originally set for Wednesday, to Thursday night.
It's a dance that athletic directors have grown accustomed to, from one Indiana spring to the next. But some have said that the weather uncertainty the past two months have placed the 2018 spring campaign in a class all its own.
There was some good news in the area on Monday, as the Class 3A Sectional 27 tournament in New Palestine was able to get its lone quarterfinal game in the books, Beech Grove defeating Rushville, 8-7.
That set up two semifinal contests on Tuesday, one between the host Lady Dragons and Connersville, and the other pitting Indian Creek against Beech Grove.
The winners of those two games (results not available at press time) will face one another tonight for the sectional championship. That game is set for a 6 p.m. start.
If the weather allows, of course.
Championship: Today — Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Today's games — Franklin County/Greensburg winner vs. Lawrenceburg/Batesville winner, 5:30 p.m.; Madison vs. South Dearborn, 7:30 p.m.
Championship: Friday — Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Today's games — Northeastern vs. Union County, 5 p.m.; Hagerstown vs Winchester/Centerville winner, 6:30 p.m.
Championship: Thursday — Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
Today's games — Union City/Cambridge City Lincoln winner vs. Tri-High/Randolph Southern winner, 5 p.m.; Blue River Valley vs. Seton Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
Championship: Thursday — Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.


text:
Netflix expands to France, over 20 titles for 2020
In a move to expand its European presence, but with major implications for Francophone Africa, Netflix has entered France and now employs 40 staff at its France office.
Netflix has opened its new Paris office, in the heart of the 9th arrondissement. This new office is set to boost Netflix's presence among France's creative community, and it promises over 20 French productions in 2020.
Netflix France now employs 40 people, across films and series, partnerships and marketing.
"It is a real honour to be in France, with its rich culture and history of storytelling," said Reed Hastings, founding chairman and CEO of Netflix. "This office is a sign of our long-term commitment to the country, and will enable us to work even more closely with the French creative community on great shows and films that are made in France and watched all around the world."
Netflix has, since launching in France in 2014, developed 24 French titles, including 6 films, 9 series, 5 stand-up shows, 3 documentaries and 1 unscripted series. This is not only to serve France, but also the Francophone countries of the world, which include Belgium, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Canada.
2019 was a year of great success for original stories in France, with the horror and young adult sci-fi series Marianne and Mortel, comedies Plan Coeur and Family Business, the film Banlieusards, and Grégory, the documentary series about a case that touched France.
The French content executives have unveiled several original shows to be produced by Netflix over the coming years, as well as a range of series and films made by production partners for Netflix.
"We are incredibly proud of the productions we're currently filming, the ones we are developing and the ones we've unveiled today," says Damien Couvreur, Netflix's director of series in France. "The establishment of a new French creative hub brings new opportunities for us to work with the best and most exciting creative talent in France and to bring diverse genres and content to everyone who loves French storytelling."
Related Topics:Netflixproduct of the day
Nissan showcases Leaf Nismo electric racing car
Leak reveals Huawei P40 Pro

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Amazing and long-awaited (and not even rumored, as far as I knew): Columbia finally releasing the entire fabled Basement Tapes, recorded on a small tape recorder around Woodstock in 1969 by Bob Dylan and the just-forming The Band--on six discs to hold the many dozens of songs. Not only that but they have been "restored" by none other than the Band's Garth Hudson, who recorded most of them himself back at Big Pink (my photo above).
The official Columbia release in the mid-1970s had some instrumentation--and Band tunes--added by Robbie Robertson. Listen to the version of "Odds and Ends" coming on new album, quite different than the one we heard in '75. Full, astounding track listing here, with most of the covers leading off. I count about 28 cuts not on the best five-disc bootleg (most of disc six here is "new"), some of which, they say, were found fairly recently.
The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11. Compiled from meticulously restored original tapes — many found only recently — this historic six-disc set is the definitive chronicle of the artist's legendary 1967 recording sessions with members of his touring ensemble who would later achieve their own fame as The Band. The Basement Tapes Complete brings together, for the first time ever, every salvageable recording from the tapes, including recently discovered early gems recorded in the "Red Room" of Dylan's home in upstate New York. Garth Hudson worked closely with Canadian music archivist and producer Jan Haust to restore the deteriorating tapes to pristine sound, with much of this music preserved digitally for the first time. The decision was made to present The Basement Tapes Complete as intact as possible. Also, unlike the official 1975 release, these performances are presented as close as possible to the way they were originally recorded and sounded back in the summer of 1967.
Now, go "slap that drummer with a pie that smells."


text:
class AddLayoutOptionForUsers < ActiveRecord::Migration
  def change
    add_column :users, :layout, :integer, default: 0
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Lois Evelyn Detwiler
Monday, December 28, 2020 - 15:24
Lois Evelyn Detwiler — whose work, her family says "was as varied and as unusual as her personality" — died on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. She was 89.
She was born on March 29, 1931 to L.Edgar Detwiler and Evelyn Madeline (née Platt) Detwiler of New York City. Her mother later married Dr. Ritter Amsel. Her early childhood was spent in New York City, with summers on Long Island and visits to Jones Beach. Later, her family moved to San Luis Obispo and then to Los Angeles, California.
She married Roger McElhone Smith Jr. of Douglaston, New York.
"Lois had an interesting and active life," her family wrote in a tribute. "Her earliest career was as a child model for a New York City newspaper column on children's etiquette titled "The Correct Thing." However, on her refrigerator is the quote 'Well-behaved women rarely make history!'
"Lois worked as an alcohol and drug counselor and helped establish the alcohol and drug counseling program in New York State prisons. Before this, her work was as varied and as unusual as her personality. She taught English to nurses in Iran and worked at the Hartman Theater in Stamford, Connecticut. She was an intake counselor at Heights Psychiatric Hospital, a gemologist at Cartier's, an office manager for an obstetrics and gynaecology practice in Stamford, Connecticut, an administrative assistant at New York Graphic Art Publishers and Jet Party Favors International, and a customer-service representative at LaPosada Hotel in Sante Fe, to name a few.
"Lois was very proud to earn a Bachelor of University Studies Degree at the University of New Mexico in 1985. She gained much personal insight and wisdom through her participation in 12-step programs. Lois remained active in retirement, traveling to Turkey, Portugal, France, and Spain. She continued to study languages and participated in the wonderful lectures at Oasis in Albuquerque.
"Lois was an avid reader. Her favorite authors were Orhan Pamuk and José Saramago. She loved theater, the opera, and classical music. Lois appreciated nature and hiked in all of the beautiful places she lived."
Lois Evelyn Detwiler is survived by her younger daughter, Kimberley Anne Smith, who lives in Berne with her husband, James Swint. She loved her grandchildren, Abigail Swint (Sam Meigs), Matthew Edge (Lizette Edge), and her mother, Alema Castillo.
Her elder daughter, Kristina Robin, died before her as did her brothers, Edgar Amsel and Lee Detwiler, and her former husband, Allen T. Wedvick.
"Her cat, Aggie, was a great companion, as was her beloved dog, Tobie,"her family wrote. "She felt loved and had much gratitude for the care and concern of her neighbors and friends, Ramon, Rosa, Sherri, and Debbie. Lois so enjoyed her many years of correspondence with David, Bill, Dwyer, Mark, and Gail, and many others."
Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of her love of animals, nature, and education to the Sierra Club, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or K.I.N.D. (Kids in Need of Desks).
"Due to COVID, no services are scheduled at this time, but we ask that you celebrate life with your loved ones," her family wrote.
Ernest Rau
GUILDERLAND — Ernest "Ernie" Rau — who was proud of his children and taught them the value of hard work — died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. He was 71.
"Ernie had farming in his blood and loved working with animals and being in nature," his family wrote in a tribute.
Carl H. Burnham Sr.
SCHOHARIE — Carl H. Burnham Sr., a Korean War veteran who worked as an equipment operator and loved animals, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. He was 75.
Philip K. Willsie
EAST BERNE — Philip K. Willsie skillfully moved earth for a living, and moved heaven and earth for his family. He died on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. He was 84.


text:
How to protect yourself We ❤ online delivery KFC's 🎮 console Talking Tech
Apple unveils first major projects as part of $100M Racial Equity and Justice Initiative
Brett Molina
Apple will help launch a global innovation and learning hub for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, the company announced Wednesday.
The Propel Center will offer support to students and faculty at HBCUs through virtual platforms, a physical campus at Atlanta University Center and on-campus activities.
Apple will contribute $25 million toward the center, which will offer educational tracks such as AI and machine learning, app development and augmented reality.
"We are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world – and these new projects send a clear signal of Apple's enduring commitment," said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.
CES 2021:Masks, air purifiers and other gadgets trying to protect us from COVID-19
YouTube ban:Google blocks new uploads to Donald Trump's channel after Capitol riots
Apple also plans to open the first U.S. developer academy in Detroit.
The academy will offer two programs: The first is a 30-day introductory program aimed at helping participants better understand what it means to be a developer. The other is a 10- to 12-month intensive program that will give them the skills to become a developer and possibly start their own business.
"Detroit has 50,000 small businesses that are owned by Black and Brown owners, and we thought this would match very well with that entrepreneurial spirit and the kind of folks who are rebuilding and building in Detroit," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.
As part of the announcement, Apple said it will invest $10 million with Harlem Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm, to support investments in companies with diverse founders. It will also invest $25 million in the Clear Vision Impact Fund, which provides capital to small and medium-size businesses, with a focus on minority-owned companies.
Apple announced their Racial Equity and Justice Initiative in June, one of several companies to reveal donations and commitments following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis. Last year, YouTube announced it was investing $100 million in an initiative for Black creators, while PayPal unveiled a $530 million plan to support Black-owned businesses and battle economic inequality.
Other companies outside tech have revealed similar commitments. Last month, a coalition of CEOs from 37 companies pledged to hire, train and promote 1 million Black Americans to jobs over 10 years.
However, companies in and out of the tech sector have been scrutinized for a lack in diversity both in their workforces and upper-level management. A USA TODAY analysis last August found less than 2% of top executives at the 50 largest companies are Black.
At Apple, only 9% of its employees are Black, according to diversity data from 2018. Google says 3.7% of its workforce is Black. According to 2019 diversity data from Amazon, more than 26% of its global workforce is black, but only 8.3% at the managerial level.
Contributing: Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.


Freeholders Kathy DeFillippo and Deborah Smith, Marty Epstein, Freeholder Christine Myers, County Planning Director and Gran Fondo rider Christine Marion, and Freeholder Heather Darling.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders has proclaimed the weekend of September 8-9 as "2018 Gran Fondo NJ Weekend" in Morris County, to call attention to the eighth annual statewide and regional cycling event to be held on September 9 in Morristown.
The event is expected to draw more than 2,400 cyclists and many hundreds more families, friends, cycling enthusiasts and news media to Morris County.
The freeholders last night presented a proclamation to Marty Epstein, the owner of Marty's Reliable Cycle and host and founder of the event for his leadership in bringing this major cycling event to Morris County for an eighth consecutive year.
"The Gran Fondo NJ is now the biggest and most prestigious cycling event in New Jersey, and one of the best in the nation. It has become a fixture on the Morris County sports and fitness scene thanks to Marty Epstein, Executive Director Bill Ruddick and their team,'' said Morris County Deputy Freeholder Director Christine Myers.
The Gran Fondo draws thousands of people to Morris County, providing a $500,000 boost to the county's economy.
"It shows off the county as a tourism destination, and serves as a true advertisement for the quality of life in our county," added Freeholder Myers.
In addition to the biking, Gran Fondo NJ includes a weekend of festivals, expos and other activities offering entertainment culminating in the ride and post-ride celebration.
There also is an optional fundraising component to the New Jersey event, which has been used by riders to support local and national charities, and which has raised more than $1.1 million for local and regional charities over the past seven years.
The Gran Fondo, which originated in Italy, is to cyclists what a marathon is to runners. In recent years, Gran Fondos have become popular mass-participation cycling events for cycling enthusiasts across North America.
Gran Fondo NJ offers a choice of route lengths – 18, 42, 62, 75, and 107 miles — and timed hill segments that wind their way through some of New Jersey's best cycling roads.
Starting and ending in Morristown, this combination of bike touring and timed climbs attracts a wide range of cyclists from the casual weekend rider to the well-trained endurance athlete. Cyclists from 26 states outside of New Jersey and eight foreign countries (Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Great Britain, Guatemala and Israel) have signed up for the 2018 race.
Epstein told the freeholders that the ride organizers have to prepare 123 miles of roads in Morris and North Jersey for this year's ride, setting up police security, ride volunteers on the course, painting ride symbols on roads across the region, and many other details to be ready for Sunday's early morning start on the Morristown Green.
View videos of the 2017 Gran FondoNJ and other past Gran Fondos.
For more information on Gran Fondo NJ, click here.


Please find below brief details for positions currently open at Bath College. Click on the highlighted links to visit a page with downloadable documents relating to all positions. For help completing your job application watch this video.
Why work for Bath College?
Please note that we cannot accept curriculum vitae for positions, unless otherwise stated. Should you be successful in being shortlisted for an interview, you will be contacted via email and phone. Please be aware that these emails can sometimes be directed to candidate's spam folders, therefore you may need to check these folders. If you have not been contacted within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We welcome CVs from people who would like to be a trainer on our Love2learn or Adult Community Learning courses. If you have the skills to offer one of our planned courses or you could offer a course in an area we have not yet considered please get in touch by completing the online CV form.


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Q: Normal model matrix calculation for normal mapping in GLSL I need to calculate a normal model matrix for doing normal mapping in GLSL shader. I want to make sure I am right on this: When I multiply view (camera model) matrix with geometry model matrix, is the view matrix supposed to be already inverted? It is not clear from the online examples like those found here and here. Also, I see in some cases people also transpose the resulting matrix. Why? So what is the right way to build a normal model matrix in OpenGL?
Currently I do it this way:
glm::mat4 view = inverse(GetCameraModel());
glm::mat3 normalModelMatr= glm::mat3(view * mesh.GetModel());

Is this the way to go ?

A: The correct normal matrix is the inverse transpose of the model-view matrix. If you do not do any non-uniform scaling, that is scaling axises by different amounts, the inverse of the matrix is equal to its transpose because it is orthogonal.
Therefore, the two operations cancel out and it is just the original matrix.
If you do do non uniform scale, the matrix is not orthogonal and you must do the inverse transpose.
You take the top 3x3 matrix, because you only need to rotate and scale normals, not translate.
So your normal matrix is correct as long as you do not employ non-uniform scaling.


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Announcement: Nakagawa Hiroyuki Graduate Scholarship in Japanese Studies to be established 2019
Posted on November 8, 2018 by japanworldcam
The Japanese Studies section of Cambridge University is delighted to announce that we will soon be able to offer a brand new Japanese Studies graduate scholarship. Mr. Nakagawa Hiroyuki, CEO and founder of the Japanese NGA Group, will establish a new PhD scholarship in Japanese Studies. Founded in 1951, the NGA Group specialises in vocational colleges, driving schools and real-estate leasing across Japan.
The Nakagawa Hiroyuki Graduate Scholarship in Japanese Studies will provide a new source of funding for top-flight PhD applicants. It will be administered in collaboration with the Cambridge Trust and the Japanese Studies Section of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies to cover tuition fees and maintenance for one international graduate for three years starting in the fall of 2019.
The Faculty is deeply grateful to Mr. Nakagawa and the NGA group, and to all of our sponsors for their continued assistance and support. Our Japan and the World graduate programme is going from strength to strength and scholarships such as this allow us to continue to recruit to Cambridge the very best graduate students from around the world. For questions about our graduate programmes and our scholarships, please contact Professor Barak Kushner at bk284@cam.ac.uk.
John Nilsson-Wright discusses defence and foreign ministers meeting between Australia and Japan
Japanese Studies section sign new exchange agreement with Hitotsubashi University
Recent Posts: Japan and the World.org
Japan and the World Newsletter, Issue 16, June 2022
The latest issue of the Japan and the World Newsletter is now available to read here: https://japanandtheworld.org/newsletters/ We hope you enjoy reading about all the exciting things happening in the Japanese and Korean Studies subjects groups at the University of Cambridge. Feedback is always welcome, and if you have something you would like to share […]
Job Vacancy: Postdoctoral Research Training Associate
The Department of East Asian Studies, within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge, seeks to appoint a 3-year, fixed-term Postdoctoral Research Training Associate in Japanese Studies. The post will start in September 2022 and last until August 2025, due to the post being a traineeship. This position is […]


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Small Detailers Can Win Bigger Projects with Cloud Collaboration
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023 | 11:00 AM (CST)
As cloud technology continues to improve, it's opening doors for greater collaboration among detailers—and not just the biggest firms and fabrication shops. Small detailing companies like KMA, an Iowa-based company with employees around the world, are cashing in on collaborative detailing software to compete on larger, big-money projects while maintaining the low overhead and flexibility a small team provides.
Join SDS2's Josh Hawley and KMA's Brian Thompson in this webinar to learn how small detailers can take advantage of SDS2 on the cloud to collaborate with "in-house" and subcontract detailers from around the world, working in the same model at the same time. Learn how, with cloud technology and SDS2's unique live, multi-user modeling environment, KMA has built a competitive business model that allows for ultimate flexibility—and how you can, too.
See detailers from around the world can work in the same SDS2 model at the same time
Learn how to structure cloud-based workflows for in-house and subcontracted teams
Learn about the possibilities and limits of cloud-based collaboration for small detailing companies
Brian Thompson | Co-Owner and Drafting Manager, KMA
Brian has been in the steed industry for 25 years and graduated from the Structural Engineering Technology program at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa in 1998. Since that time he has been a detailer, checker and has managed the detailing staff. Brian works closely with modelers, detailers, checkers, PM's and Contractors to keep projects moving forward.
Josh Hawley | Solutions Consultant, SDS2
Josh has been in the steel industry for 16 years. During that time he has been a steel detailer, checker, project manager, trainer and a drafting instructor at a local community college. As the Solutions Consultant at SDS2, Josh is responsible for sales, customer satisfaction, and overall product awareness.
By signing up, I understand my information will be shared with partners and processed according to SDS2's privacy notice and I can unsubscribe at any time.
SDS2 is a leading provider of steel design software. A product of ALLPLAN, we support steel projects in the BIM cycle from design to construction and empower our users to deliver at the highest levels of quality and efficiency.
© SDS2 All rights reserved
SDS2 Blog


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NEDO defines five new topics for "smart cell industry" program
The "smart cell industry" program of NEDO (2016-2020) aims to produce industrial materials from plants and microorganisms in economically viable yields based on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. The five new topics (2019-2020) are Microbial production of...
High yield production of tetrahydropapaveroline, a pharmaceutical raw material, using synthetic biology and metabolic engineering
The group of Akihiko KONDO at Kobe University has used computer simulations, newly designed metabolic pathways and introduction of an engineered silkworm enzyme into E. coli to produce tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a precursor compound of various benzylisoquinoline...
New bio-strategy of government will focus support of private investment in 10 areas
As indicated by Koichi AKAISHI, Chief Policy officer of the Cabinet Office, the government's new bio-strategy will include support of company investments in the following 10 areas: (1) high-performance biomaterials (2) bioplastics (3) sustainable primary production...


What Royal Wedding tat mementoes will fittingly recall this glorious day in our nation's history? What will we bequeath to our children as priceless memorabilia? Will it be the Will 'n' Catherine fridge doors or the royal couple meerkats?
You nominated your favourites and voted. Can't contain your curiosity? Find out what topped our poll.


§19-9A-2. Permit required for feeding garbage to swine; renewal; fee; exception.
§19-9A-4. Refusal or revocation of permit.
§19-9A-5. Cooking or other treatment of garbage required.
§19-9A-6. Inspection and investigation; maintenance of records.
§19-9A-7. Administration and enforcement of article; rules and regulations.
The following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context otherwise requires or a different meaning is specifically prescribed.
(c) "Commissioner" means the state commissioner of agriculture or his authorized agents.
(a) No person shall feed garbage to swine without first securing a permit to do so from the commissioner. Such permits shall be renewed annually. The fee for obtaining such permit shall be $5.
(b) This article shall not apply to any person who feeds only his own household garbage to swine which are raised for such person's own use.
Any person desiring to obtain a permit to feed garbage to swine or to renew the same shall make written application therefor to the commissioner on forms provided by the commissioner. The commissioner shall take final action upon all completed permit applications within thirty days of receipt if the application is uncontested, or within ninety days if the application is contested.
Upon determination by the commissioner that any person holding such permit, or who has applied for a permit hereunder, has violated or failed to comply with any of the provisions of this article, or any of the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, the commissioner may revoke such permit or refuse to issue a permit to such applicant.
All garbage, regardless of previous processing, shall, before being fed to swine, be thoroughly heated to at least 212 degrees F for at least thirty minutes, unless treated in some other manner which shall be approved in writing by the commissioner as being equally effective for the protection of public health and control of livestock diseases.
(a) Any authorized representative of the commissioner shall have the power to enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions relating to the treating of garbage to be fed to swine.
(b) The commissioner may require maintenance of records relating to the operating of equipment for and procedure of treating garbage to be fed to swine and any authorized representative of the commissioner may examine any such records or memoranda pertaining to the feeding of garbage to swine. Copies of such records shall be submitted to the commissioner upon request.
The commissioner is hereby charged with administration and enforcement of the provisions of this article, and is authorized to make and enforce all rules and regulations which the commissioner may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of the article.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of, or who fails to perform any duty imposed by, this article, or who violates any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, may be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $300, or by imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition thereto, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation. Each day upon which such violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation of this article.


Akraya is looking for a Application developer or Software Developer for one of our clients. If the job description below is a fit, please apply directly or call Darshana at 408-907-6411. If this position is not quite what you' re looking for, visit akraya.Com and submit a copy of your resume. Our recruiters will get to work finding you a job that is a better match at one of our many clients.
Primary Skills: Software Development Using JAVA, Front end UI and Automation too.
Responsible for development, testing and maintenance of applications.Works with technical and business team members to create excellent software. Determines the best implementation that will meet the design, ensures that thorough unit and component testing is carried out. Adheres to software coding and style guides to ensure consistency.
Strong experience in test framework architecture, SQA methodologies.
Experience developing effective APIs and RESTful services for internal and external consumption.
Experience with Spring framework, Hibernate or any ORM framework.
Experience with database, rational, NoSql (Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB, etc).
Experience working with structured data a plus.


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Silk Road Tours & Trips
Discover the unique Silk Road culture that spans Central Asia and beyond.
A journey through time down this ancient trade route is a true adventure for travellers intrigued by less-frequented parts of the globe. You'll follow in the footsteps of generations of nomads, visiting some of the most important world heritage sites connected the East and West. Cross sprawling desert landscapes, visit glittering Islamic monuments and stop at small villages where you'll meet the locals and learn about traditional ways of life. Buckle up for the ride, this is no ordinary road trip.
Our Silk Road tours
Iran Adventure
Discover Iran on a two-week journey, beginning in bustling Tehran and travelling to...
Central Asia Explorer
Soak up Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on this 17-day tour that begins in Bishkek and visits...
Uzbekistan Adventure
This nine-day adventure in Uzbekistan takes you through some of Central Asia's most...
Bishkek to Ashgabat
Travel through dazzling Central Asia on a 26-day overland tour in Kyrgyzstan,...
Tashkent to Ashgabat
Follow the Silk Road from Tashkent to Ashgabat, stopping in Khiva, Darvaza, Yerbent and...
Iran Express
Uncover Iran in winter, avoiding the desert heat while you explore the treasures of...
Tajikistan Discovery
Discover a true adventure from Bishkek to Tashkent through rugged Tajikistan, stopping...
Kazakhstan Adventure
Travel through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Soak up the Silk Road's ancient history.
Iran: Women's Expedition
Discover culture and comradery on our 12-day Women's Expedition in Iran, travelling...
Highlights of the Silk Road
Registan Square
Registan Square is perhaps the most iconic site in Uzbekistan, a legacy of the legendary Timur's dynasty, the famous king who made Samarkand his capital city. Registan means Sandy Place in Tajik and was the city's trade centre, made up of many vibrant bazaars.
The rainbow-coloured sandstone mountains of Zhangye are a UNESCO protected landscape that formed over thousands of years. The churning red, brown, white and yellow colours of the rocks create are otherworldly, a fitting backdrop for the Silk Road and a photographer's dream.
Hanyangling Mausoleum
If you want to avoid the crowds, Xi'an's Hanyangling Mausoleum is a lesser-known place to see tens of thousands of famous terracotta warriors. They reflect the life and times of Emperor Jing who ruled in the Western Han dynasty, which ran from 206BC to 24AD.
Merv was a Silk Road centre of culture and royalty from the 11th and 12th centuries when it was the capital city of the region. Nowadays, you can marvel at the remains of some of Turkmenistan's greatest architectural feats, like Buddhist monasteries and the Erk Kala fortress.
What to see in 7-10 days on the Silk Road
If you only have a week or so in Central Asia, it might be best to pick one or two countries and really see them properly. Uzbekistan is a crowd favourite, with plenty of iconic Silk Road sites, bustling cities, small villages and desert landscapes to explore, even if you're tight on time. Visit the UNESCO world heritage town of Bukhara, where highlights include the medieval Ark Fortress that dates back to the 5th century, the Ulugbek Madrasah (named after the famous ruler and astronomer), and the glittering Kalon Mosque and Minaret. An overnight stay in a yurt is also a must – you'll never experience a sunset like the one you'll see from the top of the dunes in the Kyzlykum Desert. From here, head to Samarkand. The dazzling Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda are all some of the most incredible mosaiced monuments you'll likely ever see.
Start city
From EUR
What to see in 2 - 3 weeks on the Silk Road
With a few weeks up your sleeve you can pick a number of Central Asian countries to explore. Perhaps a trip through Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan would be appropriate? A visit to the iconic minaret called Burana Tower in Kyrgyzstan is a must-do, as is travelling the winding roads among mountains, appreciating the heights that the tradesman has to conquer when building the Silk Road. A stop in Uzbekistan's Khiva is almost the ultimate Silk Road experience – here you'll find the blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret, Kuhna Ark and many other important sites at this pilgrimage stop. In Turkmenistan, head to Merv for Silk Road culture and history – back in the 11th and 12th centuries it was the capital city of the region. While much of the city is now in ruins, nowadays you can marvel at the remains of some of Turkmenistan's greatest historical relics from empires past and architectural feats like the Erk Kala fortress.
What to see in 5 weeks or more on the Silk Road
If you're looking for a longer stint in Central Asia you should be able to tick off multiple 'Stans, and even some parts of China or Iran too. Begin in the East with a visit to the rainbow-coloured sandstone mountains of Zhangye. This UNESCO protected landscape is a sea of red, brown, white and yellow mountains – a true photographers dream. Before you leave China, you have to visit the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar in western Xinjiang. Since ancient times it's been a meeting place for locals, merchants and travellers looking to pick up local foods and goods along the Silk Road. A trip through the region wouldn't be complete without some pretty unique scenery and when you get to Kyrgzstan you'll have a chance to stay with the locals in a traditional yurt camp by Son-Köl, one of the largest lakes in the country. In Turkmenistan, make sure you visit the world heritage-listed city of Konye-Urgench, which was once a centre of the Islamic world.
Read more about the Silk Road
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