People and Bees: A Natural Partnership

In current events, a half-million honey bees were killed in a vandalism spree that occurred at a beekeeper's enterprise in Sioux City, Iowa.  This incredible number might amount to around 14 bee hives at certain times of the year; but, because we're in winter, the damage could be more horrifying.

The winter bee hive naturally drops in population by about 30,000 bees each year, which  means that vandals in this case may have been responsible for the killings of what would be equal to approximately 100 productive bee hives. Shamefully, this amount of damage reflects only one aspect of the immediate violation and cumulative effect of the loss.

Short Primer on Bees

Bees are a productive, regenerative, necessity of our food chain on Earth-- when people aren't in their way. Bees "pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, which constitute one-third of everything we eat".

Bees' lives are short, relatively. Worker bees get about 40 days, during warm high-productivity summer months, to do their jobs, whereas a queen bee has a comparatively-long lifespan of 3-5 years. There is one  queen per hive.

Born sporadically in their hives, each bee has a first duty of cleaning their "cell". As the young bees age, their responsibilities change several times.

The Beekeeper

Beekeepers, aka apiarists, are a type of farmer. They provide edible and usable products (honey, beeswax) to communities through the work of their bees, either as a primary beekeeping commerce or as secondary commerce to another primary product or service goal of beekeeping.

Some beekeepers run a service of hive provision, to clientele in need of seasonal pollination of their crops and farms. This latter exercise has become necessary in the production of food crops that must feed an exponentially increasing number of people, as well as in the maintenance of floral industry crops.

Photo by Michael Gäbler

People and Bees

Some of us may see only a few bees throughout our entire lives, while others may be lucky enough to have a natural hive nearby. Bees may be frequently seen buzzing around wildflowers and gardens during temperate months, their fruitful existence possibly unrealized by them.

Bees can be pests, under either livable or problematic circumstances. Another service of professional beekeeping is to remove hives ethically . . . keeping bees safe and healthy during transit to new locations where they may be left to survive in nature's way, or supported and productive via farming.

Photo by Bob Peterson via Flickr

The relationship between humans and bees has long been one of great service to people, yet over time has become strained for bees. It's well worth our time (as a determining factor of outcome) to share our awareness of this industrious, pollinating creature-- a species that must be in production constantly to keep itself alive, then produces so much more for our benefit.

REF:

"File:Honey Bee on Willow Catkin (5419305106).jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 18 Dec 2017, 17:28 UTC. 30 Dec 2017, 21:43 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Honey_Bee_on_Willow_Catkin_(5419305106).jpg&oldid=272863936>. 

FURTHER READING:

Beekeeping New Year Resolutions via HoneybeeSuite
Top 60 Beekeeping Blogs via Feedspot
Learn about colony collapse and pollination crisis via PLOS

Quotes, Communication, Politics & Propaganda: How words and stories affect us

Fake quote?

Words have a way with us. Our chats are often misconstrued, and we're in general danger of words being fabricated into webs of propaganda intended to stir emotion and direct reactions. Our most fantastical displays of this human behavior are prominent in governmental, workplace and family politics.

Nuances of communication have always been important . . . critical, under certain circumstances. Yet, in our 'advanced' age of vetting and recordings, we still grapple with fake news and word of mouth (overrated) that flies at us from every direction. Such a problem with fake news propaganda has developed that the entirety of our media is suffering a form of association fallacy.

Via guilt-by-association and exacerbated by the claims of a sitting president, The Media battles itself for the trust of its subjects. Where media fails, people are left with a responsibility to set the record straight-- difficult or impossible as that may be. Take the following quote, for example:

There’s a plot in this country to enslave every man, woman, and child. Before I leave this high and noble office, I intend to expose this plot. - President John F. Kennedy, 7 days before his assassination 

It seems real. It feels like a statement that man could have penned, knowing what we do about the kind of equanimous morality he espoused. In fact, it seldom occurs to us who were (or, would have been) followers of his politics that we should question the veracity of this quote. The sentiment of the quote appears to be generally in line with the political awareness and responsibility to our nation that people grew to expect from John F. Kennedy, of the democratically-inclined Kennedy family dynasty.

But, while the quote is an example of idealistic equanimity in itself, so is the responsibility of vetting it! It doesn't matter which slice of political pie we prefer. What matters, is that it's a supposed quote from a specific person used to bolster not only the idealistic nature of equanimity but also to bolster a feeling of dread in those who read it.

Is there a foundation that would support that fear? Maybe. Beyond that, is the claim true? This should be our most sought-after answer.

Greater than espousing the need for equanimity is the responsibility of exposing a damaging lie when it occurs. In this example, what could have been an innocuous statement by any of a number of politicians (or, no statement at all) ends up being a dishonest, indirect dismantling of the processes of a democratic society . . . no more or less than a lie told in furtherance of a plot to win a party battle-- aka, propaganda.

Ultimately, it's likely that JFK never said it. It's at least as likely that he didn't as that he did. The only thing we know for sure, is that we don't know. The only thing we know, is that it's not verifiable, and as such shouldn't be recirculated as truth or has a JFK quote. Unfortunately, this known, dated meme's deconstruction bears repeating.

* * * 

If you know of a quote that has been attributed incorrectly yet still sees wide distribution, let everyone know about it in comments.

Writing on, and Finding, Restrooms and Bath Facilities: an English vocabulary study

The effect of realism in any story is supported by the use of the same vocabulary as applies in scenarios that unfold in life, in such scenes at the locations of their 'origin' thus regionally unique in dialect as well as vocabulary.

Along this line, one could say that the quickest way to a bathroom might be obscured when we use terms unfamiliar to those with whom we communicate need of toilet facilities. This is because the vocabulary of a region or social group may differ from our expectations, to a greater degree than we might expect. 

Shower - a basic need

Over time, many euphemistic terms for such places where we relieve ourselves have come, gone and come again to regular usage. They vary according to local dialect and class distinction. One example, as told by an American seeking a "restroom" while visiting a museum in the United Kingdom:

Many years ago in a museum in the UK I asked a guard for directions to the "restroom". He said "There's no place here for you to lay down, sir."

We see here that, while traveling, we may need to provide some specificity with our query, or risk be taken differently than intended. But then, visits with familiars and some business scenarios present a greater need to be polite first . . . and knowledgeable. Hence, the common expectation to undertake some type of education in the local language(s) or culture(s) associated with a job.

The way we refer to common rooms, like restrooms, varies, as in the quote above. Traditional American English would often designate "washrooms" in areas where travelers could find a faucet, at least, whereas "bathroom" is commonly heard across the states today. A bathroom is traditionally distinct from a restroom,  where one might find only chairs (or other lounge furniture). Yet, commonly in American English we refer specifically to public restrooms when all we expect is toilets and a sink to wash our hands. We then add "shower room" when in need of that extended washroom facility. English-speaking Canadians today can find "washrooms" listed on maps, which include toilets.

Again, when a need for clarity arises . . . say, a shower is needed. . . then "washroom" doesn't necessarily convey that need. Still, in editing for an audience, where the establishment of scene is paramount, "washroom" may be the best term for the type of room or clean-up needed.

Depending on a number of factors, language should fit a scene; otherwise, it could be off-the-mark enough to trigger irrelevant questions in observers, possibly distracting them from the place they need to be.

 ***

In comments, tell us how you refer to a room fitting the traditional American English usage of "washroom":

washroom - a room with sinks (washbasins, traditionally), toilets, and sometimes other wash facilities

Find more information about the linguistics of basic facilities via links below.

REF:

Contributors. "The difference between restrooms and washrooms". Diffen. 2 Dec. 2017. https://www.diffen.com/difference/Restroom_vs_Washroom

"Bathroom" in different languages. Indifferent Languages. https://www.indifferentlanguages.com/words/bathroom 

Contributors. 'How to say "Where is the bathroom" in several different languages'. Wikihow. 3 Dec. 2017. https://www.wikihow.com/Say-%22Where-Is-the-Bathroom%22-in-Several-Different-Languages

Major Publisher Stops New Self-Publishing Venture

Macmillan publishers announced earlier in November that it's closing a self-publishing platform it recently acquired. This ending for Pronoun, an experimental endeavor, hangs in the air like an odd teaser in the literary world.

While it's been suggested that Macmillan purchased the self-publisher in order to close it down, any financial interest in doing so for the sake of taking down a self publisher isn't apparent. Information seems to indicate that, despite a respectable effort at continuing to offer some form of the progressively-aimed publisher, readers just weren't expected to pick up on the new venture in a way that would support further investment.

Related Reads:

10 Reasons Why People Who Read are a Lot More Likely to Be Successful

The Decline of the American Book Lover

South Alabaman offers book about two families, the Great Depression and Geneva County, Alabama spanning from 1929-1981

Happy Birthday Mark Twain, born 1835 November 30

A favorite author to many, Mark Twain lived from 1835-1910.

Born and raised in Missouri when slavery was practiced openly both domestically and as a means of production in parts of the United States, much of his well-known written work reflects the cadence of Missourian lifestyles during that time. Some of that work has long been challenged, censored and banned under certain circumstances due to its politically challenging nature and offense to the sense of modern humanity. Racial content reflected in Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for example, has been determined by some as too uncomfortable to be appropriate for students.

Twain freely traveled often, and made his possible contributions to the world around him. Formal education had been cut short for him after his father's death at Twain's age eleven, when those around him still knew him as Samuel Clemens. Young Samuel gained employment instead, but was able to remain close to his talents and interests through work. He gained further education via public libraries in his spare time. Knowledge gained as well from a lifetime of travel (during a time of slow news and locally-curbed information) lent a great deal of perspective to his own unique brand of storytelling.

The particular experiences met by Samuel Clemens in a developing world ultimately led to his legendary status as a U.S. native, writer and author of valuable, telling, and impressionable works-- writings that collectively cast a reflective eye on human conduct in that world. Notably, Mark Twain's writing continues to echo memories of a younger nation, unified-yet-separate, as its inhabitants lived and toiled.

Apple ad "What's a computer?"- Some say 'brilliant', some "insulting"

Apple Inc. ad campaign rubs respondents the wrong way as it asks, "What's a computer?"

The ad, one of a themed group developed starting in 2016, represents and targets those familiar with iPads, tablets, smartphones and notebooks (and iPhone, Blackberry and Android) rather than Macs, PCs, or laptops . . . concepts more familiar to the aging population.

The former audience identifies with newer terminology more than any concept-- however advanced-- of 'computer adding machines', and Apple marketing seems to prompt everyone's interest with it's latest ads by stirring positive and negative emotions, the latter perhaps unwittingly. The messaging strikes chords melodic and flat, in those who approve and disapprove alike. A quick review of comments under the [original] video above quickly exposes a healthy dislike of the reference to disappearance of "computers".

The fact is that Apple is hot onto the marketing appeals of convenience, communication, and the downsize-trend of personal computer use. While, technically, the smaller, portable devices may be considered computers, they exist, and are classified, by completely different qualities.

Product focus article by Chance Miller details the ad focus, iPad Pro, and receives similar comments to those mentioned above: Apple Challenges definition of a PC . . .

Thanksgiving 2017

There are challenges in any year, but now's our time to recognize the positives of the last. We should celebrate ourselves and the places we've been and hold dear in this world. Recognize the exciting times we're in, and the possibilities of a future that's yet to arrive. Anything can happen. Have a happy Thanksgiving weekend.