UN Data is one of these websites that look REALLY boring, but offer a HUGE amount of interesting data - at least for people who want to know more details.
These official numbers are certainly not perfect - I am pretty sure some governments feed the UN crappy data. But at least it’s a global repository for important facts about our planet, the current state of human affairs and our societies.
Believe it or not: the UN has called 2008 the International Year of the Potato. Sounds ridiculous? But it isn’t!
The potato is one of the worlds leading crops - just behind wheat, rice and maize. But compared to the other three the potato is easier to grow and sprouts in a wider range of climates. And the potato delivers more calories on a smaller patch of land. Especially important these days, because of overpopulation we need to squeeze as much calories out of the ground as we can.
Here are some more interesting facts. Personally I think the potato is the best thing that came from South America - ever!
More? The official International Year of the Potato site
The Security Council was and still is a good idea - but it no longer reflects the global status. After WW2 the US, Soviet Union, France, Britain and China reflected the world’s powers at that time.
But not today.
India und Brazil have been lobbying hard for a permanent seat - so did Germany and Japan as big spenders for the UN.
Europe is already over represented by France and Britain. I think ONE seat for the whole of the EU would be enough. Africa should also get it’s own permanent seat. Since India and China represented such a huge slice of the population - they also should get a seat each. Although I must say that neither China nor India have been big supporters of international progress - they have been too busy to get their own countries ahead. Although India has sent many troops to international missions.
It would be great progress if this important international forum would reflect the realities of 2008 and not 1950.
More? Wikipedia entry and a BBC discussion if India should get a permanent seat - some nice comments in there.
China, America and Europe are trying hard to keep their influence in Africa. But the continent itself seems at war with itself. While many backwards Asian countries have made the leap into the 21st century - Africa seems plagued by it’s own old problems: superstition, backward social concepts, corruption, tribalism and slavery. Africa loved to complain about the white man fucking the continent. These days Africa abuses itself.
But cultural and political evolution is painful. It was painful for Europe and why should Africa be any different. It is of course very nauseating to watch progress from a "higher" and richer point of view.
Should richer democratic countries intervene? Or has our intervention really made a GOOD difference? To be honest - I think we should trade and deal with Africa like with any other nation, we should respect their sovereign status (as stupid and bloody as it might get with Zimbabwe, Darfur or Rwanda). Africa has to stand up for itself.
The real trick question: how do we keep others from no longer interfering? Like in the case of China and their protection of the killer government?
Thanks to edosan for sending me this one.