Tag: Asia

Reflections on Borders: Empire, Cold War and Covid19

by maximos62, posted in Asia, Australia, Borders, Nation States, Vietnam

For a wide review of these themes lookout for my latest collection of short stories, Beyond Borders.For some, the notion of borders is that of a hard border, one clearly defined and assertively maintained. Certainly, in the Covid19 era borders reflect this standard, yet borders are by no means constant, or definite, whatever the political … Continue reading Reflections on Borders: Empire, Cold War and Covid19

#Peatland and forest burning for palm oil production continues, but at what cost?

by maximos62, posted in Asia, economics, environment, geography, Health, Malaysia, population, Singapore

Harvard and Columbia University researchers have used air pollution readings to calculate exposure to the toxic smoke haze that drifted across Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, last year. Their research suggests 100,000 premature deaths in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, arising from this event.

#Indonesian #peatlands are torched again as the #burning season gets underway

by maximos62, posted in environment, geography, Health, Indonesia, Singapore

I wasn't expecting things to deteriorate quite as quickly as they have today.   Just in case readers aren't familiar with this Air Quality Index scale, readings are based on several factors but the figure 248 refers to parts per million of particles 2.5 microns in size.  These have a capacity to enter the lungs … Continue reading #Indonesian #peatlands are torched again as the #burning season gets underway

‘Magic, Polygamy & Triangles’, a story from “Seen & Unseen: a century of stories from Asia & the Pacific”

by maximos62, posted in Indonesia, religion, sociology

  This is just an introduction to the 'Magic Polygamy and Triangles". After this brief introduction the story segues into the intrigue of a love triangle and magic. In all this is a tale of duplicity, intrigue, fear and accusations of witchcraft.

The author on “Seen and Unseen: a century of stories from #Asia and the #Pacific”

by maximos62, posted in Australia, environment, geography, history, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, religion, sociology, travel

Common views of Asia and the Pacific, from the outside, often confer undue prominence to such things as typhoons, tsunami, earthquakes, malaria or even magic. While these can be confronting realities in the Asia-Pacific region beyond such differences even more remains unseen and misunderstood. Frequently unacknowledged are the influences Asian and Pacific cultures exert far beyond their borders. … Continue reading The author on “Seen and Unseen: a century of stories from #Asia and the #Pacific”