(Taken from #18. Kawah Ijen by night)

Just in before the holidays, I spam you with some links. This time of the year is really the only universal time where everybody slows their roll. Doesn’t matter what continent (although Asia the least), most people do take the time out to embrace the holiday spirit and spend time with their love ones. No more sappy BS.

Have a safe holiday everybody.

-Eugene

China Corner

#1. In Response To Concerns, More Universities Offering Luxury Brand Management Courses
I think there’s such a huge disparity in societal norms throughout all of China and its rich/poor which makes this such a big issue. Good quality service should be innate based on the structures created by society and culture but I think the lack of social infrastructure results in a lack of proper teachings.

#2. ***China’s Army of Graduates Struggle for Jobs
I hinted at this in a previous post… it’s paradoxical that educated citizens are finding it hard to find jobs but unskilled labor is in high demand.

#3. China Wins Wind Power By Its Own Rules | China Fund Breaks Rules
China is leading the way for green technology especially in the field of wind power. It’s undoubtedly a good thing to push eco-friendly technology and as Western countries adhere to Chinese protectionist rules, currently what’s the downfall? Western countries are developing in China cause the grounds are fertile, of course the largest piece of the pie does go to the Chinese companies in the end. Positve net benefit despite the mercantilist approach of the Chinese government?

#4. Chinese Tycoon Focuses on Green Construction
More green talk from a rich business man who seems intent on really helping the environment. Of course, he wants you to use his refrigeration technology.

China Corner/

#5. On a Hunt for What Makes Gamers Keep Gaming
You never hear about people engaging in work till they “die” a la World of Warcraft steez, but why is it that we have seen the same interaction with gaming? Researchers hope to find the root of this addictive quality and apply it to other tasks.

#6. Picture: She Say, I Hear
Couples often have a lot of issues about money, but ever wonder if your jumping to conclusions and she’s merely sharing a point of personal interest?

#7. Picture: Instant Gratification
Instant gratification and the inability to control it has wreaked havoc on the economy and society. The simple graph sums it up.

#8. ***Phys Ed: The Benefits of Exercising Before Breakfast
I’ve been working out relatively fasted for the last few months (10 grams of BCAA) and while I can’t say I’ve gotten super ripped cause I’m a fatty who really enjoys fasting and gorging, I haven’t exactly experienced any particular negative side effects.

#9. The Elusive Measure Known as the Square Foot
As you get to that point in your life where you start looking at settling down, this concept of square footage comes into play. But more often than not the inaccuracies are never on your side.

#10.***live and learn
My friend Josephine wrote this. For somebody who grew up with a pretty vanilla upbringing, the piece is inspirational. None of my actions in my youth really dug me a deep lasting hole I needed to overcome. But for some its all too easy to stay in a destructive path. We are all told to learn from our mistakes, but how many do?

#11. Seedorf’s Increasingly International Footprint
Celebrity status being put to good use.

#12. ***My Slave Stopped Paying My Rent
Eye-opening read of a guy that gets horny and then pays money to be humiliated.

#13. ***Feathered Cocaine
Cool read about falcons and their smuggling and trade. The bird has become highly sought after in Afghanistan as a symbol of power and money.

#14. Scientist Shows Link Between Diet and Onset of Mental Illness
The cause and effect of diet beyond obesity shows itself once again.

#15. Photos of a Girl Who Killed Herself
Chilling of photos involving a photographer and a depressed and suicidal girl. It’s the style of the photos and the relationship between the two that create a powerful narrative.

#16. Google Maps & Label Readability
Google’s tricks for squeezing more without into a map without looking cluttered.

#17. How the Sleeper Effect Persuades You Months After the Message
How lasting memories are created.

#18. ***Pictures: Kawah Ijen by night
A crazy Sulphur mine in Indonesia. It’s like out of some OG Star Trek shit.

#19. Are Depressed People Too Clean?
Bacteria, microbes and gut health, how it all factors in

#20. When a Career Path Leads Abroad
Some of the qualities required to be a suitable worker abroad.

#21. ***Gone in 60 Seconds: One Minute of Activity to Avoid Storing Calories of a Meal as Body Fat
If you do a quick workout, you can put your body in a state less likely to store calories as fat.