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from
mefi
Listen, can you
hear them talk? They might be soft spoken, and not easy to get along with, but they can still
command (previously) our respect.
Read how they are looked after around the world, and the
stories which affect their daily lives. Also,
here (pdf) is a comprehensive study of their living conditions in different kinds of societies across the globe.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 9:39 AM on July 18, 2008
(9 comments)
It was called the
Great Hurricane of
1938. The tradition of
naming Cyclones had yet not begun, and not since
1869 had a storm of such ferocity hit the US mainland. What had made it unusally unique was the
speed with which it had hit landfall, and the
damage that it caused in its wake. (
60 years on, and people can still recall the
frightening grip that it had on their lives for those few days.)
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 3:31 AM on July 12, 2008
(20 comments)
The
25 Greatest
Electronic Albums of the 20th Century. From the
instrument that was created by
Leon Theremin, to the
Moog Guitar that's been named after the legendary
Bob Moog (the inventor of the
Moog Synthesizer),
Electronic music has come a
long way since
its early days. YouTube [
a,
b,
(extreme caution advised: graphic images of death, destruction and 9/11 c),
d,
e,
f,
g,
h,
i,
j,
k,
l,
m,
n,
o,
p,
q,
r,
s,
t,
u,
v,
w,
x,
y]
(Previously mentioned here, here, here, here, here and here)
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 10:36 AM on June 29, 2008
(84 comments)
Come, take a
ride and
look at some of the
Islamic Art of the past. Or, you could call it
Art of the
Islamic World if you're so inclined. If not, then how about taking into account some of the
major milestones of
Islam throughout the
centuries, from
past till
present (
more examples here), including the
art of
Calligraphy and
Architecture. Not to mention the
Arab world's contribution to
music, both
old and
new. [
Previously mentioned,
here,
here,
here, and
here, with a
wonderful comment from
nickyskye as usual]
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 10:03 PM on May 29, 2008
(29 comments)
Before the advent of Cellular phones and the internet,
cities around the world were entwined with a series of
webs hanging precariously overhead. Their function: to
relay messages from one part of town to the
next. And the pioneers who were put in charge of this arduous task--the
Switchboard Operators. The first choice for this new source of employment was a
disappointing failure, not surprisingly, but then a new breed of
worker emerged on the scene. These
hardworking individuals were the epitome of
good behaviour and
gritty determination. Patient and understanding, they were always expected to
fulfill their tasks, no matter what the cost. And, to their credit--they are
still remembered today for the
unique place they held in some peoples hearts.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 5:10 AM on May 14, 2008
(19 comments)
You are seated amongst
thousands of your compatriots waiting for the
spectacle to begin. Inside, two
bodies prepare for the inevitable fight to the
death, for your pleasure. They know it won't be easy, but they are prepared to
pay the price. Some are
condemned to die, others are
slaves fighting for their freedom, and yet others (
Christians and Jews) branded as heretics;
deserters who have fled the field of battle; and some who are even of
noble blood are amongst the many who find themselves in the
arena. But, there is one more addition yet, and it has been the subject of much controversy.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 10:03 PM on April 25, 2008
(41 comments)
The wolf
Is shaved so neat and trim
Red Riding Hood
Is chasing him
BURMA-SHAVE
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 12:21 AM on April 23, 2008
(33 comments)
- "Please don't beat me. I'm having my period." ~ Mama Wangari
- "It is being both black and gay [which is problematic]." ~ Zanele Muholi (Nehanda Nyakasikana) [NSFW]
- "Sisters at heart, these women are: from Kibera to Loresho." ~ WM
- "My vagina wants an Uzi" ~ Larissa Klazinga (Amanda Atwood)
- "You are from Kenya? So are you Kikuyu or Luo?" ~ Wangui
Blogs of women from Africa. That is all.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 6:29 AM on April 17, 2008
(29 comments)
If you've ever been to Bangkok you might've run into
one of them and not even known it. They are a ubiquitous fixture on the
bar scene and can be found in the
Nana Plaza area. If you're asking yourself the same question that I was then
this maybe your answer. Although they enjoy a certain amount of acceptance, they still have a
long way to go to be recognized as full citizens with equal rights. Of course, this hasn't
stopped them from staking their claim to the
spotlight, and trying to become as much of the
mainstream as they can. But, if you thought that they were pushovers, well then,
think again.
[previously mentioned here]
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 6:47 AM on April 13, 2008
(24 comments)
Do you remember those days when mom and dad used to pack you up in the back of the station wagon and drive you to
grandma's and grandpa's? Or when you were a dreamer with nothing else on your mind but to escape from the
one street town to the big city? Have you ever dreamed of
going back, maybe to settle down, get in touch with your roots, and start a new life for yourself. Well,
here's your chance. Why not just
get up and do it this time. Sure, it's not going to be easy, but maybe it's the change you've been
looking for. On the other hand, maybe not, so be advised. But whatever you decide, it sure does look like a
way of life that does hold a lot of potential.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 8:40 AM on April 11, 2008
(42 comments)
So, you're planning to take a trip around the world, are you? Well, in that case--you'll need to know a couple of things before you leave (in order not to offend the sensibilities of the local population). Let's see--suppose you're making your way through
Azerbaijan for example, and your host happens to be a businessman who is about to embark on a journey to the city: what would you do to give him the appropriate send off? Would you:
- a) Bid him farewell and shake his hand.
- b) Dance in front of him and do a traditional jig that everyone else is doing in order to ward off evil spirits.
- c) Throw a bowl of water in his wake.
Don't know, well, that's okay.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 9:17 AM on April 9, 2008
(25 comments)
How many times have you heard
this before. Who else can you imagine voicing that line except for the indomitable
Ruth Elizabeth Davis. A screen icon for more than
six decades,
Miss Davis (as she preferred to be called) was in a
league all by herself. The first
woman recipient of the American Film Institutes Life Time Achievement Award, she
minced no words and inspired the
next generation of actresses to come. (If you'd like, you can tune into
TCM and watch some of her most memorable performances that are being telecast this month, or if you're lucky enough to be in Britain, you can probably catch it at a
cinema near you.) Until then, here's the immortal
Bette Davis Eyes sung by Kim Carnes, which Bette Davis herself was a
fan of, and a
clip of the Academy Awards Radio Broadcast featuring Miss Davis for her role in Jezebel. In the end, she did do it the
hard way.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 3:57 AM on April 5, 2008
(16 comments)
Under the
Big Top: Shhhhhh! The Show's about to
start*... quick, take your
seat, sit down, and
don't make a move. It's been going on for
centuries, and now--lucky
you will be able to be a part of
it, if you haven't
already as a child
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Honestly, who hasn't thought of
running away from home and
joining the Circus (but I'd suggest you wait a couple of years, until you're a little
older, and a little
wiser, to make these
decisions). It is tempting though, when they
roll into town with their fancy wagons, and their loud music. Although, the circus may not be as
prevalent as it once was, there are
new acts being created to
entice crowds around the world.
[previously]
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 5:55 AM on March 31, 2008
(14 comments)
First, a bit of an
introduction to the game of
Cricket (youtube) for those of us who may not be
familiar with the
sport. Next, a few
clips (1, 2, 3, 4) on how
awesome the
Gentleman's Game can be (and you thought we didn't do anything but roam around in our white pants and cotton shirts...). But, if that wasn't enough for you, then here's a taste of
Twenty20 Cricket (the
fast,
fast paced version of the game), and the new
DLF Indian (pdf) Premier League. (This is in addition to the
One Day Matches, which were instituted to bring in a bit more excitement into the game during the 1970's, prior to which the match only consisted of
Tests. However, some purists still maintain that the game would've been better served had it not been
commercalized to the extent that it has, and still prefer the leisurely pace of the original format to its current incarnation.)
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 6:22 AM on March 20, 2008
(56 comments)
Ladies, have you ever dreamt of being
whisked away kidnapped by a dashing young Prince? Or being swept off your feet and losing your virginity to a dark and mysterious
stranger, who happens to be a Sheikh? Or how about being sold to an Arab aristocracy and living off the rest of your days in married
bliss. No? Then how about considering a Royal who is so
down-to-earth you won't meet anyone else quite like him? Much better than the alternative of marrying his
polar opposite, don't you think? Of course, you can always
try and keep it platonic if you wanted to. Welcome to the wonderful world of
Sheikhs and Desert Love, where all of your
fantasies can come true!
(via)
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 11:49 PM on March 15, 2008
(44 comments)
Oh, I say old chap--do you mind not going all "
immigrant" on me, and spitting all over the place? Thank you very
much.
(how Britain proposes to solve the problem of integrating its migrant population)
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 3:01 AM on February 6, 2008
(109 comments)
The Sound of
Music War
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 9:28 PM on February 2, 2008
(5 comments)
He's probably the
first person you'll see if you've ever been to an Indian Train Station. Not as
dramatic as has been immortalized on screen, but certainly no less
forgettable either. He is one of many who waits for his turn to carry your
luggage on his head, or his shoulders, and maybe even around his neck. He has
dreams and ambitions too, and just wants to earn a
decent enough living. But it can get
tedious at times, especially with the odds stacked against
him.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 2:50 AM on January 26, 2008
(14 comments)
Manipur, which has a population of
2,388,634, has the highest rate of
HIV in the country, which is also the reason why it has the most number of
NGOs working in the area. However, what is disturbing is that a day or two ago, one of these NGOs
bribed a group of children into getting their blood tested, so that they could increase their chances of
garnering more funds.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 3:12 AM on January 16, 2008
(37 comments)
“I will not let my country commit suicide,” says General
Pervez Musharraf in an
address to the nation, after declaring
Martial Law, in Pakistan, yesterday night.
Benazir Bhutto, who had earlier returned to the country to a large reception (and whose convoy was later
attacked) along with former Prime Minister
Nawaz Shariff, have condemned the act.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 10:53 PM on November 3, 2007
(61 comments)
How to use an
Indian Toilet
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 7:40 PM on October 2, 2007
(113 comments)
Meet
Uma Khurana, a government school teacher in Old Delhi, who was almost
lynched after rumours that she had forced her students into prostitution started doing the rounds, was vindicated when it was discovered that the sting operation to frame her was a
scam.
posted to MetaFilter by hadjiboy
at 3:59 AM on September 30, 2007
(4 comments)
