Author: Josh
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Economics: Tariffs
Tariffs, a form of tax levied on imported goods, are frequently employed by governments with the intention of shielding domestic industries from foreign competition. By increasing the cost of imported products, tariffs aim to give local producers a competitive edge, allowing them to capture a larger share of the market and, theoretically, preserve jobs and…
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Physics: Flat Universe
The concept of a “flat universe” is a pivotal idea in modern cosmology, emerging from the interplay between Einstein’s theory of general relativity and the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) metric. General relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein in 1915, revolutionized our understanding of gravity by describing it as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. The…
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Physics: Varying Speed of Light
The speed of light in a vacuum, precisely measured at approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, stands as one of the most pivotal and unshakeable constants in the realm of physics. This value, often rounded to 300,000 kilometers per second for simplicity, is far more than a mere numerical curiosity—it is a foundational pillar that supports…
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Physics: Symmetry
The Profound Role of Symmetry in Physics Symmetry in physics is a profound and unifying concept that has fundamentally shaped our understanding of the universe. At its essence, symmetry refers to the invariance of physical systems under specific transformations—be they spatial shifts, temporal changes, or more abstract internal alterations. This principle, when expressed through the…
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Physics: Making the Cosmic Microwave Background and new scientific quests
The Cosmic Microwave Background: Standard Model and Beyond The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is widely regarded as a snapshot of the oldest light in our universe, dating back to the Big Bang approximately 13.8 billion years ago. In the standard cosmological model, the CMB represents the thermal radiation left over from a hot, dense phase…
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Facts-about: Blue
Blue is a color that seems to stretch across the infinite expanse of human experience, from the serene depths of the ocean to the boundless vault of the sky, weaving a tapestry of history, controversy, and enlightenment that demands a deep and thorough exploration. Its story is not merely one of aesthetics but a profound…
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Facts-about: Paperclips
Key Points History and Everyday Use Paperclips are simple yet essential, typically made of steel wire bent into loops to hold papers together. The modern Gem paperclip, likely developed in the 1870s in Britain, became the most common due to its efficiency, though it was never patented Wikipedia – Paper Clip. Americans buy about 11…
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World-in-View: Ecuador and the rights of nature
Key Points Overview Recognizing nature as having legal rights is a novel way to protect ecosystems, giving them a voice in legal systems similar to humans or corporations. This approach, seen in Ecuador’s recent legislation for coastal marine ecosystems, aims to ensure nature can exist and flourish. While it shows promise, such as stopping harmful…
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USA: Isolationism
Key Points Historical Overview U.S. isolationism began with the nation’s founding, emphasizing non-involvement in foreign conflicts, as seen in George Washington’s Farewell Address (American Isolationism in the 1930s). It peaked in the 1920s and 1930s, with policies like the Neutrality Acts reflecting a focus on domestic issues during the Great Depression. This stance shifted after…
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USA: Recent Detentions
Rebecca Burke: British Graphic Artist Background: Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old from Portskewett, Monmouthshire, UK, was on a four-month backpacking trip across North America when her journey derailed on February 26, 2025. After being denied entry into Canada from Washington state due to her plan to perform domestic chores for a host family (deemed work requiring…