Thinks I find along the way
Archival images from the last weeks of World War II, taken by an American Army combat photographer during a push across eastern France into southern Germany.
Source: Photographing the Final Days of World War II in Germany
“Statistical trends paint a clear picture: Marriage rates have steadily declined over the past few decades. In the United States, for example, the marriage rate has dropped by nearly 60% since the 1970s. Other developed nations report similar trends, with countries like Sweden and France seeing more people opting for long-term cohabitation over legal marriage. Even in traditionally marriage-centric cultures, such as Japan and South Korea, marriage rates are plummeting, and birth rates are following suit.
Several factors contribute to this decline, ranging from economic instability to shifting social values. Younger generations may be questioning the necessity of marriage, viewing it as an outdated institution that no longer serves a meaningful purpose in modern society.”
The Bucha massacre (Ukrainian: Бучанська різанина, romanized: Buchanska rizanyna; Russian: Резня в Буче, romanized: Reznya v Buche) was the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war[12] by the Russian Armed Forces during the fight for and occupation of the city of Bucha as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photographic and video evidence of the massacre emerged on 1 April 2022 after Russian forces withdrew from the city.[13][14]
Source: Bucha massacre – Wikipedia
“What luck, for governments, that the people are stupid!”
Adolf Hitler
He used the constitution to shatter the constitution. Source: How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days
#historyisrepeatingitself
Does your company punish you for clicking on fake phishing attempts?
“Three years ago, we made the case against phishing your own employees through simulated phishing campaigns. They do little to improve security: click rates tend to be reduced (temporarily) but not to zero – and each remaining click can enable an attack. They also have a hidden cost in terms of productivity – employees have to spend time processing more emails that are not relevant to their work, and then spend more time pondering whether to act on emails. In a recent paper, Melanie Volkamer and colleagues provided a detailed listing of the pros and cons from the perspectives of security, human factors and law. One of the legal risks was finding yourself in court with one of the 600-pound digital enterprise gorillas for trademark infringement – Facebook objected to their trademark and domain being impersonated. They also likely don’t want their brand to be used in attacks because, contrary to what some vendors tell you, being tricked by your employer is not a pleasant experience. Negative emotions experienced with an event often transfer to anyone or anything associated with it – and negative emotions are not what you want associated with your brand if your business depends on keeping billions of users engaging with your services as often as possible.” Source: Still treating users as the enemy: entrapment and the escalating nastiness of simulated phishing campaigns
Raffaello Palandri is one of my favorite bloggers. Articles like these are the reason why…
I am considering this information from Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Senior Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder at Harvard’s Mass General Brigham Hospital:
For your convenience, I’ve also added an AI summary of the article if you’d like the high notes in 30 seconds:
This episode of the Mel Robbins Podcast delves deep into the science and personal impacts of alcohol consumption. With expert insights from Dr. Sarah Wakeman, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how alcohol affects various aspects of health, the risks associated with different levels of drinking, and practical strategies for reducing or addressing problematic alcohol use. The conversation emphasizes empathy, informed decision-making, and the availability of effective treatments for alcohol use disorder.
Continue reading “Is it time to break up with alcohol?”
This song goes out to my friend Amy who loves James Taylor so much more than me…
Bonus JT song…
Nowadays, everyone needs to learn how to do their own fact-checking and content moderation. Just because something is repeated thousands of times does not mean it is true.
Source: 10 Questions for Fact-Checking Social Media and the News
Karl Duffy shares…
“There are two methods. One method is to obtain everything that we want and desire – all the money, houses, and cars; the perfect mate; and the perfect body. The Dalai Lama has already pointed out the disadvantage of this approach; if our wants and desires remain unchecked, sooner or later we will run up against something that we want but can’t have.
The second, and more reliable, method is not to have what we want but rather to want and appreciate what we have.“
Source: achieving contentment this year
“Intimacy is presence magnified by our vulnerability, magnified by increasing proximity to the fear that underlies that vulnerability.”
Read this great article in The Marginalian: The Wound Is the Gift: David Whyte on the Relationship Between Anxiety and Intimacy
One possible response to the American election…
“So, I shut it off
So, I shut it all off
So, I shut it off
So, I shut it all off
(Oh, oh, oh) It’s been a long way down (Oh, oh, oh)
It’s been a long way down
What you don’t know won’t hurt you, yeah
Ignorance is bliss
I’m a happy idiot, Waving at cars
I’m gonna bang my head to the wall
‘Til I feel like nothing at all
I’m a happy idiot”
The history of the Jewish community in Vienna is long and rich, dating back to at least the 12th century when Jews were first documented in the city. However, the era of the Nazis marks a profoundly tragic chapter in this history, characterized by persecution, displacement, and genocide.
Before the rise of the Nazi regime, Vienna was home to one of the largest and most vibrant Jewish communities in Europe. By the early 20th century, approximately 200,000 Jews lived in Vienna, contributing significantly to the cultural, political, and economic life of the city. They played prominent roles in various fields, including science, the arts, and politics. This community was known for its rich cultural legacy, symbolized by figures such as Sigmund Freud and Theodor Herzl.
Continue reading “The Jews of Vienna during the Nazi Era”
“Your new life is going to cost you your old one. It’s going to cost you your comfort zone and your sense of direction. It’s going to cost you relationships and friends. It’s going to cost you being liked and understood. It doesn’t matter. The people who are meant for you are going to meet you on the other side. You’re going to build a new comfort zone around the things that actually move you forward. Instead of being liked, you’re going to be loved. Instead of being understood, you’re going to be seen. All you’re going to lose is what was built for a person you no longer are.” Brianna Wiest
Source: 5 Unexpected Ways to Find the Right Mate – Tiny Buddha
The “Ben Franklin method” for making a choice involves creating a list of pros and cons for each option, then carefully weighing each factor against the other to determine the best course of action, essentially creating a balanced view to make an informed decision.
Continue reading “The Ben Franklin Method for Making a Choice”
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city rich in history and culture, and one of its most iconic landmarks is the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, known locally as Stefansdom. This stunning Gothic structure is not only a symbol of the city but also a remarkable piece of architecture that tells the story of Vienna’s past.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral stands tall in the heart of Vienna, with its origins dating back to the 12th century. The cathedral has seen numerous transformations over the centuries, evolving from a Romanesque church to the magnificent Gothic edifice we admire today. The most significant changes occurred in the 15th century when the cathedral was remodeled to feature intricate stone carvings and expansive stained glass windows.
Throughout its history, Stefansdom has witnessed various crucial events, including royal weddings, funerals, and even battles. It survived near destruction during World War II, and restoration efforts have ensured that it continues to stand as a testament to Vienna’s resilience.
Continue reading “Exploring the Majestic St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stefansdom) in Vienna, Austria”
“Rock Me Amadeus” is a song recorded by Austrian musician Falco for his third studio album, Falco 3 (1985). The single was made available for physical sale in 1985 in German-speaking Europe, through A&M. “Rock Me Amadeus” was written by Falco along with Dutch music producers Bolland & Bolland. To date, the single is the only German language song to peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, which it did on 29 March 1986.[5]
It topped the singles charts on both sides of the Atlantic. It was Falco’s only number one hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, despite the artist’s popularity in his native Austria and much of Europe.
Continue reading “Rock Me Amadeus”
I love staying at German hotels like the H2 Hotel Wien Schönbrunn where they serve a full German breakfast buffet. It’s a great way to start a day of heavy tourism!
“A typical German Breakfast is coffee and various juices, German crusty rolls, jam, jelly, wurst and cheese platter and soft boiled eggs.”
Source: Frühstück, a German breakfast feast • European Cuisine, Culture & Travel©
In general, we noticed that Austrians (and Europeans) in general eat more whole foods and are fitter than Americans — yes, I know that’s a gross overgeneralization but I think we have a lot to learn in the US.
Who can go to Vienna without sampling some classical music in the city where so much great music has been born?
Some of my favorite parts are included here:
Yes, I know if you’re a classical music aficionado these are very basic pieces, but it was perfect for someone who just wanted the opportunity to experience classical music, dressed casually, in a beautiful setting. You can have the same experience by booking through Tripadvisor here.
National Black Cat Day is celebrated annually on October 27th. The day was created in 2011 by Cats Protection to celebrate black cats and to dispel the myths and prejudices surrounding them. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here are some ways to celebrate National Black Cat Day: [1]
Black cats have been associated with witchcraft, the supernatural, and bad luck for centuries. This has led to some studies finding that black cats are not adopted as quickly as cats of other colors. National Black Cat Day aims to help dispel these myths and encourage people to give black cats the care and attention they deserve. [2, 5]
The superstitions surrounding black cats vary from culture to culture, and black cats have positive associations in the Celtic nations and England, where a black cat crossing your path is considered good luck.[5] In 2014, the animal welfare organisation RSPCA stated that “in UK folklore, black cats symbolise good luck”.[6] Scottish lore holds that a black cat’s arrival at a new home signifies prosperity, while Welsh lore states that a black cat brings good health…
[1] https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-black-cat-day-2024/
[2] https://www.fourpawsusa.org/campaigns-topics/topics/companion-animals/national-black-cat-day
[3] https://www.cats.org.uk/support-us/events/black-cats
[4] https://uk.news.yahoo.com/national-black-cat-day-sparks-000000876.html
Bright, shiny objects! 
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