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Ettiquette

Understanding Memory

Ettiquette
by: Carol Dorman
Etiquette

Etiquette – such a pretty word. The very sound of it is classy – the kind of word you’d take home to meet Mother for a spot of tea and scones! Even its look, when written down is so “haute chic”. It must be good.

There are many forms of etiquette. Here are just a few I prepared earlier.

Wedding Etiquette: Don’t tell the bride your invitation never came – just assume she already knows and turn up anyway.

Restaurant Etiquette: USE THE SILVERWARE – DON’T STASH IT and strive to give the impression that French/Italian/Chinese/ whatever the cuisine speciality is/ is actually your first language (so never, I repeat, NEVER act surprised when your ordered dish arrives)

Table Etiquette: As above, except for the language bit. It should be noted, however, that “At-home-table Etiquette” allows for relaxing the silverware principle whenever the cricket’s on telly.

Dating Etiquette: “Yes” means "Yes", “No” means "No" and “Maybe” means "Possibly, but really, well…. No.”

(“I’ll call you” and “Let me think about it” both mean “HELL, NO!”)

Teenage Etiquette: Whatever Thorpie does because…Like, you know, it’s coz it’s really sick and stuff but don’t say anything coz that’d be really gay. Got me?

Ah, etiquette. Unpretentious, yet so powerful. One can sense when Etiquette enters the room. Heads turn, faces smile and all seems right with the world.

Extend that hand, embrace that small talk, master the subtle topic change and breathe again.

Understanding Memory
by: Paul Hegarty

It needs very little argument to convince the average thinking person of the great magnitude of memory, although even then very few begin to realize just how important is the function of the mind that has to do with the retention of mental impressions. The first thought of the average person when he is asked to consider the importance of memory, is its use in the affairs of every-day life, along developed and cultivated lines, as contrasted with the lesser degrees of its development. In short, one generally thinks of memory in its phase of “a good memory'' as contrasted with the opposite phase of " a poor memory.'' But there is a much broader and fuller meaning of the term than that of even this important phase.

It is true that the success of the individual in his every-day business, profession, trade or other occupation depends very materially upon the possession of a good memory. His value in any walk in life depends to a great extent upon the degree of memory he may have developed. His memory of faces, names, facts, events, circumstances and other things concerning his every-day work is the measure of his ability to accomplish his task. And in the social intercourse of men and women, the possession of a retentive memory, well stocked with available facts, renders its possessor a desirable member of society. And in the higher activities of thought, the memory comes as an invaluable aid to the individual in marshalling the bits and sections of knowledge he may have acquired, and passing them in review before his cognitive faculties —thus does the soul review its mental possessions.

As Alexander Smith has said: "A man's real possession is his memory; in nothing else is he rich; in nothing else is he poor." Richter has said: "Memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be driven away. Grant but memory to us, and we can lose nothing by death.'' Lactantius says: '' Memory tempers prosperity, mitigates adversity, controls youth, and delights old age."

But even the above phases of memory represent but a small segment of its complete circle. Memory is more than "a good memory"—it is the means whereby we perform the largest share of our mental work.

What Motivates a Terrorist?
Terrorism existed for thousands of years before the word entered European languages after the French Revolution in the late 18th century. The violent and random tactics of terror have been used by groups on the political left and right, by religious fanatics of various faiths, by the rich and poor, by nationalists and revolutionaries.

Terrorist Mohammed Atta was motivated out of hatred for America to fly an airplane into a New York City skyscraper. Ulrike Meinhof waged a terror campaign against West Germany in the 1970s out of disenchantment with its society. Former Israeli Prime Minister Menachim Begin was driven by a vision of an independent Jewish homeland to bomb a hotel in Jerusalem.

A common perception of a terrorist is that of a poor and ignorant individual who acts out of desperation. But the Red Brigades, which terrorized Italy in the 1970s and '80s are but one example of organizations created by educated members of the middle class.

Bard O'Neill, Director of Insurgency Studies at the National War College in Washington, says another such group is al-Qaida, which launched the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States. "Al-Qaida people come from middle class backgrounds," says O'Neill. "And when you begin to look at that, you find out that their motivation is very much psychological. People who are searching for a sense of identity, a sense of respect, searching to address humiliation -- these are the kinds of things that tend to motivate them rather than poverty."

Religious Motives

Another powerful motivating force is religion. The RAND Corporation's Bruce Hoffman says Islamic terrorist organizations that recruit members who are willing to die redefine self-destruction as a social good. "It becomes positive in the sense that if it's a religious context, the bomber is rewarded with a glorious ascent to heaven. But there are also financial and material incentives for the bomber's family that transcend both religious and secular groups. The families themselves are often well taken care of and looked after," says Hoffman.

Scholars say that Islamic terrorists who volunteer to die adhere to the concept of "istishad", or martyrdom, which promises entry into paradise for those who go to their deaths in an attack against an enemy. However, terrorism by definition targets innocent civilians, which violates Islamic teaching. As a result, the prospective martyr is faced with a contradiction.

In recent years, Osama bin Laden and other terrorist leaders have portrayed the West's presence in the Muslim world as an attack on Islam. Michael Scheuer, a former CIA officer who was involved in the hunt for bin Laden, says U.S. foreign policy often feeds that perception. "Whether it's our unqualified support for Israel, now our military presence in Afghanistan, in the Philippines and Iraq, our presence on the Arabian Peninsula, our physical presence is pushing that even further -- the idea that jihad needs to be waged in defense of Islam," says Scheuer.

Social Issues
Radwan Masmoudi of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy says there is widespread unemployment and corruption in Arab societies. He also points to the loss of Islam's position as a dominant culture centuries ago, adding that anger over such failures has driven some Arabs to terrorism. Masmoudi, however, warns that the anger should not be directed against innocents, but at ways of finding peaceful solutions to serious problems.

"As an Arab and a Muslim, I think -- we have to think -- 'Why are we in such a mess?' But we cannot let that anger control us. We have to control our anger. Anger is good because anger gives you energy, it gives you motivation, as long as you're still using your head to determine your reaction," says Masmoudi.

Experts recognize that terrorism often works on a tactical level by raising public awareness about particular goals or grievances. But they note that there are few examples of terrorists who gain and keep power without setting limits on violence and without an ability to peacefully engage in the art of politics.

What is avian flu?
Avian flu (H5N1) is a type of influenza A that mainly infects birds but occasionally affects humans. Avian flu can be transmitted from live birds to people, although transmission between humans is very inefficient. The initial symptoms of avian flu are similar to those of other influenza viruses, including fever, generalised muscle pain, cough and sore throat. However, it is more likely to result in high fever, chest infection, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death.

What is the difference between viruses causing human influenza and those causing avian influenza?
Human influenza and avian influenza are both caused by influenza viruses. In Hong Kong, human influenza is commonly caused by influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B viruses, while avian influenza is commonly caused by influenza A (H5N1) and influenza A (H9N2) viruses.

What are the symptoms of avian influenza?
The initial symptoms of avian influenza are similar to those of other influenza viruses, including fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, cough and sore throat. However, it is more likely to result in high fever, chest infection, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death.

How can I tell the difference between having avian influenza and SARS?
You cannot differentiate between avian influenza and SARS by symptoms alone. Confirmation of diagnosis will depend on laboratory tests on clinical samples from the patient.

How is avian influenza transmitted?
Avian influenza is transmitted from infected live birds to humans. Human-to-human transmission is inefficient. Outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry have recently been reported in some Asian and European countries, and some cases of human infection have been reported. Hong Kong has an effective surveillance system for influenza in birds and humans. The Department of Health has been closely monitoring the situation and has adopted appropriate preventive measures to guard against the disease.

Why bother if the H5N1 virus does not usually infect humans?
Avian influenza is transmitted from infected live birds to humans. Although human-to-human transmission is inefficient, all influenza viruses have the ability to change genetically, and scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one day be able to spread easily from one person to another. Because the virus does not commonly infect humans, there is little or no immune protection against it in the human population. If the H5N1 virus could spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic could occur. No one can predict when a pandemic might strike. However, experts from around the world are watching the H5N1 situation very closely and are preparing for the possibility that the virus may begin to spread more easily and widely from person to person.

Who is susceptible to contracting the disease?
People in close contact with poultry are more susceptible to contracting avian flu. The elderly, children and people with chronic illness have a higher risk of developing complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.



Who is susceptible to contracting the disease?
People in close contact with poultry are more susceptible to contracting avian flu. The elderly, children and people with chronic illness have a higher risk of developing complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

What can the general public do to prevent avian influenza?

The public can take the following measures to prevent avian influenza.
--Avoid touching live poultry or their droppings because they may carry the avian influenza virus.
--Wash your hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water immediately after contact with live poultry, birds or their droppings.
--Cook poultry and eggs thoroughly before eating.
--Develop good body resistance and have a healthy lifestyle. This can be achieved through a balance diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, reducing stress and no smoking.
--Observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
--Keep hands clean and wash hands properly.
--Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. Dispose sputum or secretions wrapped in tissue paper into rubbish bins with lids. Wash hands afterwards.
--Maintain good indoor ventilation.
--Avoid crowded places with poor ventilation if you are feeling unwell.
--If you have flu symptoms, consult a doctor and wear a mask to prevent spread of disease. Tell your doctor your travel history if you have been to a place with avian influenza outbreak reports.