366’2024 (2024-12-31) – New Year’s Eve

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Today, I learned about:

Almost two years ago, 113’2023 (2023-04-23) , I wrote about the ceremony when Air Force Coronel Geancarlo Jandre was sworn in as Commander of the Santos Air Force Base. Well, those days are gone, now he is moving on to another position within the Brazilan Air Force (FAB). My girlfriend Valéria and I had the pleasure of meeting him and his wife Fernanda on their very last day at the base.

Below are some photos taken during that encounter. On that very day, 356’2024 (2024-12-21), there had been concluded the upgrade of the base’s take-off and landing strip, and now there will start a procedure to qualify it as fit for also civilan passanger traffic. When the complete airport finally is inaugurated, it will be part of a multimode transportation system around Santos, for cargo and passengers. In fact, yesterday, the Brazilian President Lula da Silva sent the project for a tunnel between the two cities of Santos and Guraujá for analysis by the TCU (Tribunal de Contas da União), and once approved hopefully there will be construction of the tunnel starting alreday during 2025. Furthermore, there are plans of doubling the capacity of the whole region to receive and dispatch merchandise with a volume of a double size as compared to today. See also reference # 1 below.

The two pictures to the left, taken by Coronel Geancarlo, show the Command building of the Santos Air Force Base and a view from the jetty, where the base can be approached by boat. In the photo in the lower left, in the background you can also see a building where the Brazilian celulose producer Suzano and DP World Santos operate an intermediate customs warehouse for merchandise transiting through the port of Santos, see also reference #2 below. Also, for the first time you may see the concluded strip for take-off and landing of the future airport. Thanks to Geancarlo and Fernanda for receiving us on such a hectic day.

The following photo was taken on the same coast as the Santos Air Force Base, but 290 km further northeast, close to the historic city of Paraty, state of Rio de Janeiro. We had the opportunity of watching the full moon spreading its glow over the calm waters six days earlier.

A beautiful view of the full moon glittering in the South Atlantic Ocean on the beach Praia Grande, Paraty, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Picture on 350’2024 (2025-12-15).

Finally, after all my posts about this amazing athlete, was there any doubt that Armand “Mondo” Duplantis would be crowned the best male athlete of the year? See reference # 3 below.

That’s what I learned in school today! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ref.:

1: Governo envia projeto do túnel Santos-Guarujá ao TCU

2: Suzano inaugura obras de ampliação e modernização de terminais portuários em Santos (SP)

3: Armand Mondo Duplantis and Simone Biles crowned AIPS Champions of 2024: as voted by 518 journalists from 111 countries

*: What did you learn in school today?

335’2024 (2024-11-30) – Saturday

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Today, I learned about:

You may rember that back in 2016, in three different posts, 28’2016 (2016-01-28), 39’2016 (2016-02-08), and 101’2016 (2016-04-11) , I wrote about the different dangerous viruses that were spreading around the world. At that time, COVID-19 was not known, and we all know what damages it has caused. Here is a flyer from the Brazilian school FESC showing how to recognize four different types of viruses. I translated it from Brazilian Portuguese. The original document can be found in reference# 1 below.

With all the different viruses around, if you are doubtful, how do you recognize the symptoms? This handy guide from FESC, the municipal educational institution in the city of São Carlos, SP, Brazil, can be of good help.

Today’s header photo was taken by my friend Joyce Biermayr, who spent a fabulous vacation with her family on Ifuru Island in the Maldives in the beginning of August this year. For those of you who live on the Northern hemisphere, I want you to think of it as a reminder that within half a year from now, hopefully you also will have as nice weather as you can see in this photo.

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Saiba diferenciar os sintomas

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305’2024 (2024-10-31) – Thursday

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Today, I learned about:

Continuing my post of last month abount the armed conflicts in the world, there is an interesting theory called the Democratic peace theory, which states that there is a strong connection between peace and democracy. However, as with any such theory, there are different opinions about the reasons, does peace lead to democracy or vice-versa, etc. See also reference #1 below.

I think it would be interesting to dissicate that theory further and see if it may apply to the current situation in the world. So, through the Global Peace Index (GPI), we have a measure of the state of unrest today, but what we can say about the democratic situation in the world? Luckily, there is the Democracy Index, which is published by the British group the Economist.

The current Democracy Index 2023 was published on 46’2024 (2024-02-15) and you may find it commented in references # 2 and 3 below. Here is just an exercept:

The Democracy Index states that there are four types of regimes:

  1. Full democracies, 24 countries, 14,4 % of all countries covered in this study, with 7,8 % of the world’s population;
  2. Flawed democracies, 50 countries, 29,9 % of all countries covered in this study, with 37,6 % of the world’s population;
  3. Hybrid regimes, 34 countries, 20,4 % of all countries covered in this study, with 15,2 % of the world’s population; and
  4. Authoritarian regimes, 59 countries, 35,3 % of all countries covered in this study, with 39,4 % of the world’s population.

The following world map, extracted from page 5 in the Democracy Index report for 2023 shows the situation in a nutshell. See also reference #4 below for the complete report.

This world map shows the troublesome situation today in our world

I am interested in trying to compare the information in the Global Peace Index report and the Democracy Index report and see if there is any real substance in the Democratic Peace Theory. It may take a while, but once I have it, you will be the first one to know, I promise!

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Democratic Peace Theory

2: The Economist Democracy Index

3: Conflict and polarisation drive a new low for global democracy

4: Democracy Index 2023, full report

*: What did you learn in school today?

274’2024 (2024-09-30) – Monday

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Today, I learned about:

My post today is unfortunately about a sad fact about our Earth. In 1982, when I was still living in Sweden, I learned about a young Canadian couple that was planning their family life ahead. One important thing was that they were looking for a very peaceful place where their children could grow up in all tranquility. So they spun the globe, closed their eyes and pointed jointly to a random spot on Earth. The outcome was a small archipelago in the South Atlantic ocean, in English called the Falkland Islands and in Spanish lslas Malvinas. Then in October, 1982, Argentina tried to invade the islands but was defeated by the UK joint forces.

The reason I mention this story is that currently we earthlings are seeing the worst situation since the end of the Second World War. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI) there are currently 56 wars which impact the lives of millions of people spread out over 92 different countries, almost half of all nations in the world.

So, if you like the Canadian couple would search for a peaceful place to settle down today, where would you go? GPI appoints the following top 5 countries in regards to security:

  1. Iceland
  2. Ireland
  3. Austria
  4. New Zealand
  5. Singapore

The following world map, extracted from pages 8 and 9 in the GPI report for 2024 shows the situation in a nutshell. See also reference #1 below for the complete report.

This world map shows the troublesome situation today in our world

If you are interested in what makes Iceland this secure place, I suggest that you start by reading my post from 17’2016 (2016-01-17).

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Global Peace Index 2024

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218’2024 (2024-08-05) – Monday

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Today, I learned about:

What I wrote yesterday in my updated blog needs yet another update today.

The reason is that the Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis has made it again. My latest post about him was in April, when he had just set yet another world record, 6,24 m, see 121’2024 (2024-04-30). And today, he raised that mark to an even higher level, 6,25 m, when he won the gold medal in the Paris Olympics 2024. Here is a picture of the exact moment when he surpasses the bar:

Armand Duplantis raises his own world record in pole vault to 6,25 m on 218’2024 (2024-08-05) to win the gold medal at Paris Olympics 2024. Photo taken by Martin Meissner/AP.

Armand and Sarah Sjöström were recently elected to be this years’s Swede of the Year by the organization Svenskar i världen (Swedes in the world) for their incredible performance over the years. How assertive they were when choosing this couple in an olympic year such as 2024. See also reference #1 below.

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Armand Duplantis och Sarah Sjöström utses till Årets Svensk i Världen 2024

*: What did you learn in school today?

213’2024 (2024-07-31) – Wednesday

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Today, I learned about:

During the ongoing Summer Olympics in Paris, the fabulous Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjöström once more showed why she, still active, is already considered a legend in the history of swimming. She first became known to the general public in 2008, when she was 14 years old and won the European Championship (for adults) in 100 m butterfly. Maybe you remember that she won the same distance also at the Summer Olympic in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and, although still recovering from a broken elbow, also managed to win a silver medal in 50 m freestyle at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.

And now she has done it again! In Paris, her main goal was to compete in and hopefully win the 50 m freestyle. But since there are a couple of days between the freestyle events of 100 m and 50 m, she decided to also venture into the 100 m event. That final was held today and, of course, Sarah won! Let’s see what 50 m freestyle has in store for us!

Read more about Sarah in reference # 1 below, and also in my earlier posts, 241’2016 (2016-08-28) and 271’2021 (2021-09-28).

Update on 217’2024 (2024-08-04)

As I already anticipated above, Sarah Sjöström won her favorite distance, 50 m freestyle, easily. In the semifinal yesterday, she swam on 23,66 s, only 0,05 s slower than her own world record, 23,61 s from 2023. Today, it was yet another 0,05 s slower, but her result, 23,71 s, was well ahead of all the competitors. Double gold medal to Sarah in the Paris Olympics!

Sarah Sjöström receives her second gold medal during the Paris Olympics 2024. Photo taken on 217’2024 (2024-08-04) by Jonas Ekströmer/TT.

And also today, the Swedish table tennis player Truls Möregård tried his best to win the gold medal, but the Chinese player Fan Zhendong exhibited once more the Chinese superiority in this sport, in a final that really captured the audience. At the end of the fifth game, when Fan was close to conclude his victory, Truls pulled a very nice trick. He saved the ball when it almost hit the ground, returned it in such a way that it bounced on the Chinese half of the table and came back towards Truls’ side, impossible for Fan to reach it. Here are screenshots from the exact moments when Truls picks up the ball and when it is returning to the Swedish side. In reference #2 below, you can find the complete video capture of the feat.

Swedish table tennis player Truls Möregård surprises his opponent. the Chinese player Fan Zhendong, with a very nice trick during the final in Paris Olympics 2024, held on 217’2024 (2024-08-04).

Today’s header photo of the port of Santorini was taken on 194’2024 (2024-07-12) by my friend Anne Clementino during a visit to this Greek island, also named Thira by the locals. It is located in the South Aegean sea and is a very popular turist destination. Besides enjoying the outstanding weather conditions of the Mediterranean sea, they also go there for the Greek hospitality and the famous Greek cuisine. Thank you, Anne, for this marvellous view!

More about Santorini and its explosive past can be found in reference # 3 below.

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Sarah Sjöström

2: Swedish silver-medalist Truls Möregårdh with a neat trick shot after the game was basically already lost

3: Santorini

*: What did you learn in school today?

177’2024 (2024-06-25) – Tuesday

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Today, I learned about:

In the midst of hearing about new stuff, there are also old things that come back and remind us of what the world used to be, for good and for bad. Today, I read an article in the New York Times, where the term ‘slop’ is being introduced. So what is slop then? It is basically AI generated spam. It was bound to happen, with so much computer power lying around, why should we use it only for good? You can read more about slop in the reference #1 below.

Since we are on the track of AI and computers, how about an interesting master’s thesis about machine translations? They were made by Google Translate from English to Portuguese about news of the riots in Washington DC on 6’2021 (2021-01-06) when pro-Trump supporters invaded the Capitol to impede that the US Congress would confirm Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election. The thesis was written by a Brazilian linguist, Luana Fleury, during her master’s course at the Stockholm University’s Centre for Research on Bilingualism in spring 2023. Her work was recently awarded the Swedish Association for Applied Linguistics’ 2024 Prize for best master’s thesis, as you can see in reference #2 below. The complete thesis is in reference # 3. Thank you, Luana, for sharing your thoughts with us!

Finally, last Sunday I listened to the Swedish artist, comedian, … Lasse Åberg remembering some interesting and funny moments in his life. (According to him, the only thing that he has not tried in his life is artistic swimming!) It happened in the traditional Summer program at Radio Sweden, where, mostly, famous people give us a peep into their personal lives and play some music that they like. I already published a post about him on 84’2016 (2016-03-24) about when I met Lasse on my first trip to Brazil. If you understand Swedish, then you must listen to this hilarious program, see reference # 4 below.

Lasse Åberg in a photo taken by Mattias Ahlm.

Lasse finished his program by reading a prayer from the 17th century, found in Wells Cathedral, England. It contains so much wisdom from a humble person that it is worth being considered by most of the people still alive. The entire prayer can be found in reference # 5 below.

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Slop

2: ASLA’s 2024 prize for best master’s thesis

*: What did you learn in school today?

5: Old nun’s prayer

*: What did you learn in school today?

4: Sommar med Lasse Åberg

5: Old nun’s prayer

*: What did you learn in school today?

3: Can algorithms translate the world?

4: Sommar med Lasse Åberg

5: Old nun’s prayer

*: What did you learn in school today?

147’2024 (2024-05-26) – Sunday

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Today, I learned about:

Continuing my post from last month, today I want to explain how the modularity concept can be applied to documents. Imagine the following situation: You are the owner of a non-European company, which develops and produces machines, in various models, all belonging to the same product series. They are used in the manufacturing of popular consumer products around the world.

But if you want to sell and install those machines to countries within the European Union (EU), then there is a restriction within EU that demands that the user documentation needs to be written in the local language of the country where the machines are used. See details in reference # 1 below. How do you solve that problem?

Your company already uses the modularity concept when developing both the hardware and software for the machines, which make is it easy to make new variants, both regarding capacity and features. So the natural thought is to apply modularity also to the documentation of the machines. Luckily, there is a markup language and file format for storing, transmitting, and reconstructing arbitrary data. It is named Extensible Markup Language (XML), and has been developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), as an extension to the well-known HTML, used in web sites. The first version of XML was introduced in 1998 and is now available in its 5th edition. See also reference #2 below.

Using XML, your company can create the documentation based upon the earlier versions of products, add new content, that can also be used in future products, and delete contents that not apply to this particular product. The system you would use is called CCMS, which stands for component content management system. See also reference # 3 below.

So now, you have produced the complete documentation in your own language, but in order to sell the product to a country within EU, you need to comply with the EU translation requirements. Of course you can do it in-house, but I would recommend that you let that task be executed by a translation agency which is experienced in this kind of projects.

There is also a competing language to XML called JSON, derived from JavaScript. Based on my experience, I would recommend that you adopt XML for your product documentation. More about JSON in reference #4 below.

Today’s header photo shows an interesting view of balloons participating in the 13th edition of the São Paulo state campionship in ballooning, held in São Carlos. It started last Thursday, 144’2024 (2024-05-26) and ends today.

Balloons competing in the state championship of São Paulo. The event was held in São Carlos, SP, Brazil and this picture was taken on 144’2024 (2024-05-23).

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: EU translation requirements

2: XML

*: What did you learn in school today?

4: JSON

*: What did you learn in school today?

3: CCMS

4: JSON

*: What did you learn in school today?

121’2024 (2024-04-30) – Tuesday

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Today, I learned about:

This month there will be interesting updates to earlier blog posts. In the previous post, 91’2024 (2024-03-31), I wrote about the fantastic pole vaulter, Armand Duplantis. In the first Diamond League competition for 2024, on 111’2024 (2024-04-20) in Xiamen, China, he continued his routine of raising the world record with yet another centimeter, to 6,24 m. The photo below shows that remarkable event. See the jump in reference #1 below.

One centimeter at the time! Mondo ajusted his own world record to 6,24 m during Diamond League in Xiamen, China on 111’2024 (2024-04-20).

And also in last month’s post, I wrote about how Lucas Braathen now will use his alpine skills to try and bring an Olympic medal also to Brazil. But he may have to fight for it with another skier who also is changing the country for which he competes. I am talking about Marcel Hirscher, who already had won various Olympic and World Championship medals for Austria before retiring in 2019. Now, he intends to return to challenge Lucas and others, but this time competing for the Netherlands. His mother is Dutch and now he also has acquired that citizenship. More about Marcel Hirscher can be found in reference #2 below.

Finally, in my posts about modularity, I only mentioned hardware and software items, but what about the necessary documentation, can it also be modular? Yes, it can, next month I will explain how!

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Mondo and 6,24 m

2: Marcel Hirscher

*: What did you learn in school today?

91’2024 (2024-03-31) – Easter Sunday

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Today, I learned about:

It is so interesting when something that earlier was the privilege of a few countries is suddenly spread out also to those who you cannot think about in that context. One good example is the Swedish pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis, currently the world’s undisputed champion, who has raised the world record in 1 cm increments from 6,17 to 6,23 m, with more to come. He was born in the USA, but thanks to his Swedish mother, he also has a Swedish citizenship. More about him can be found here: 212’2022 (2022-07-29).

Something similar is about to happen in winter sports. As you may remember from my earlier posts of 240’2022 (2022-08-28), 304’2022 (2022-10-31), 334’2022 (2022-11-30), 31’2023 (2023-01-31), and 272’2023 (2023-09-29), I wrote about the growing interest in Brazil for winter sports.

Earlier this month, CBDN (Brazilian Confederation of Snow Sport) had the pleasure of presenting to the world its newest affiliate, the Norwegian slalom skier Lucas Braathen, who also has a Brazilian mother and thus also a Brazilian citizenship. He spent much of his youth in Brazil, where he learned how to love sports and, among other things, support the São Paulo FC football team! He has already won both Olympic gold medals and the World Cup in alpine skiing, and now the Brazilians are hopeful that he will repeat it for his “new” country. More about Lucas can be found in the following photo and in reference #1 below. 

In last month’s post, I wrote about something that I would present now. My friend Neide visited recently the South West corner of Brazil, where there is an amazing water fall. Far from being so well known as the Iguaçu falls, but not very far away, there lies Salto do Yucumã (Yucumã falls), Derrubadas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In these water falls, water from one side of Rio Uruguay falls into the other side of the river. However, this can only be seen when the water level in the main river is low, if not it will be hidden under the surface. You have to be lucky to see the falls because the water level depends on what is liberated from the hydroelectric plant in Chapecó, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, that is located upstream. These falls are considered to be the widest longitudional falls in the world, 1800 m wide. More about this can be found in reference #2 below.

Here are some nice pictures from Salto do Yucumã:

These photos were taken on 57’2024 (2024-02-26) at Salto do Yucumã (Yucumã falls), Derrubadas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, by Neide Martins de Aguiar.

That’s what I learned in school today!

Ref.:

1: Lucas Braathen

2: Turvo state park

*: What did you learn in school today?