I never really thought about fat people burning hotter. Sounds morbid. In fact, I think thinking about the obese corpses of dead people burning defines "morbid."
My World Geography students keep journals. They scour English-language foreign newspapers for informational tidbits which can be tied to geography. Since we cannot take a field trip, we cannot get a true sense of life abroad. I want them to develop a nascent sense of geography in other places, and one way I've figured out how to do encourage them is to have them scrutinize the news of other countries.
My students write a 1-pg response and a hardcopy article is attached; perhaps I should have them author a blog...anyway.
A student recently presented me with an article from Der Spiegle (the Mirror), a German news source. In Germany, cremation of a loved-ones body is popular. Death is a growth industry in Germany, as the number of crematoriums has increased from 100 in 2000 to 159 in 2012, with more being planned.
Coupled with the increase in number of crematoriums is the increase in girth of modern Germans. Recently, in January 2012, a 400-lb corpse was cremated. The burning human fat increased temperatures in the crematorium so much flames shot from the 33-ft tall chimney, melting portions. Fire officials calculated the temperature of the chimney was in excess of 1,100F (600C).
German crematorium operators are concerned. As the German population grows heavier, and cremation gains in popularity, burning human fat is now an issue. Many furnaces are not capable of handling the burning fat of over-weight Germans. Furnaces are not capable of handing the plus-sized coffins, either.
Could Western diets be an issue? More specifically, are Germans eating more like U.S. citizens? More Big Macs, more Kentucky Fried Chicken, and more Taco Bell?
Obviously, the current furnaces were built with a smaller German in mind. The question then becomes, what has created the change in German physiques? Diets? Is the globalization of fast food to blame? Are German becoming more sedentary? Indigenous Germans are getting older, as a statement of fact. Are they not exercising as much?
Here is the article, for your reading enjoyment.
Showing posts with label germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label germany. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Privacy Concession: Facebook Agrees to Change 'Friend Finder' Feature - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International
Privacy Concession: Facebook Agrees to Change 'Friend Finder' Feature - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International:
The world grows "smaller" and "flatter" in bits, small chunks, each and every day.
Take this article from der Spiegel International Edition. Facebook (FB) is a global social phenomenon. Myself, I have FB friends all over the world. Some of my FB friends find using FB convenient to stay in contact while abroad. Others find that using FB is not particularly reliable all of the time because some governments control access to the global social network.
Facebook, a U.S.A. company, is an international player within the telecommunication industry. Due to its international presence, Facebook is susceptible to legal and cultural forces around the globe. Users in Germany, for example, startled that Facebook would use their email accounts to encourage non-users to join, petitioned the German government to work on their behalf to encourage Facebook to alter the sharing of non-Facebook friends.
Perhaps in the interest of being a benevolent benefactor of social networking, Facebook modified its sharing procedures, due to influence in Germany.
In some ways, particularly privacy, Europe is more conservative than the United States. United States citizens tend to believe that European countries are more liberal, socialists, where everything is "grey" and there are no simple "black & white" issues.
Not true. Much of Europe is conservative, particularly when it comes to privacy. They express those conservative views in ways that are quiet, subdued, and respectful. For the most part. People mind their own business.
When a company comes along and violates that privacy, populations act accordingly, through the government, to institute change. Microsoft has complied in the past; Facebook is simply the latest technology company to listen to its user base.
The world grows "smaller" and "flatter" in bits, small chunks, each and every day.
Take this article from der Spiegel International Edition. Facebook (FB) is a global social phenomenon. Myself, I have FB friends all over the world. Some of my FB friends find using FB convenient to stay in contact while abroad. Others find that using FB is not particularly reliable all of the time because some governments control access to the global social network.
Facebook, a U.S.A. company, is an international player within the telecommunication industry. Due to its international presence, Facebook is susceptible to legal and cultural forces around the globe. Users in Germany, for example, startled that Facebook would use their email accounts to encourage non-users to join, petitioned the German government to work on their behalf to encourage Facebook to alter the sharing of non-Facebook friends.
Perhaps in the interest of being a benevolent benefactor of social networking, Facebook modified its sharing procedures, due to influence in Germany.
In some ways, particularly privacy, Europe is more conservative than the United States. United States citizens tend to believe that European countries are more liberal, socialists, where everything is "grey" and there are no simple "black & white" issues.
Not true. Much of Europe is conservative, particularly when it comes to privacy. They express those conservative views in ways that are quiet, subdued, and respectful. For the most part. People mind their own business.
When a company comes along and violates that privacy, populations act accordingly, through the government, to institute change. Microsoft has complied in the past; Facebook is simply the latest technology company to listen to its user base.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A Country Called Europe
I like this title better than the original title, "It's the end of Britain as we know it". My title is not accurate, but neither is CSM's. However, we are both heading in the same direction.
The European Union is growing closer to becoming "a country" by my estimates. Europe has been evolving towards a "union" since 1950, when the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)was established. Later, in 1957, the Treaty of Rome would create the European Economic Community, otherwise known as the Common Market.
In 1973, an additional three countries would join the original six charter members of the ECSC. The ECSC would then become known as the European Union. Greece, Spain, and Portugal would soon follow.
I don't mean to provide a chronology here, and I am not going to. For these countries to cooperate serves all European countries. The issues that stand before them are numerous. The reality is that for each country to thrive, each must recognize interdependence on the others. How does a country then thrive in the face of differences? So many languages, different religions, different economic cultures and climates and stages or levels of development.
The European Union seeks to provide such a structure, to encourage growth, yet maintain fair and equitable practices across a diverse region.
In essence, it is almost as if a Federal Republic is evolving across Europe. Each province, e.g. Germany, has autonomy to conduct business, have local elections, etc., but must adhere to EU business rules in the process. Very analogous to our Federal system: our U.S. states are analogs to EU countries. Our states have given sovereignty over to our Federal government, in terms of defense, monetary policy, etc.
In many ways, Europe has been set forth as the 'grand old man' of the world. In regards to the EU, the United States has appeared to have been at the forefront.
The European Union is growing closer to becoming "a country" by my estimates. Europe has been evolving towards a "union" since 1950, when the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)was established. Later, in 1957, the Treaty of Rome would create the European Economic Community, otherwise known as the Common Market.
In 1973, an additional three countries would join the original six charter members of the ECSC. The ECSC would then become known as the European Union. Greece, Spain, and Portugal would soon follow.
I don't mean to provide a chronology here, and I am not going to. For these countries to cooperate serves all European countries. The issues that stand before them are numerous. The reality is that for each country to thrive, each must recognize interdependence on the others. How does a country then thrive in the face of differences? So many languages, different religions, different economic cultures and climates and stages or levels of development.
The European Union seeks to provide such a structure, to encourage growth, yet maintain fair and equitable practices across a diverse region.
In essence, it is almost as if a Federal Republic is evolving across Europe. Each province, e.g. Germany, has autonomy to conduct business, have local elections, etc., but must adhere to EU business rules in the process. Very analogous to our Federal system: our U.S. states are analogs to EU countries. Our states have given sovereignty over to our Federal government, in terms of defense, monetary policy, etc.
In many ways, Europe has been set forth as the 'grand old man' of the world. In regards to the EU, the United States has appeared to have been at the forefront.
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