Almond slices are so versatile: Need an angel but don't have an angel cookie cutter?

Almond slices are so versatile: Need an angel but don't have an angel cookie cutter? No problem! Want to give your elephant ears big enough that he could fly? Easy!

When students get bored...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

When students get bored: hippos with wings and hippo dinosaurs...

When students get bored: hippos with wings and hippo dinosaurs...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

During my most recent baking activity with students we made gingerbread.

During my most recent baking activity with students we made gingerbread. Interestingly, all students who joined this time did so for the first time, it had taken them a little over a year to finally notice my announcements (written only in German, evil as I am).

When they had to wait for the oven to release the ready cookies, they got bored - and creative, so we got hippos with wings and hippos transformed into dinosaurs etc. I guess next time the limited participant slots for the activity (Our department kitchen is not the TARDIS.) will be gone quickly...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Only two weeks left until our fourth year will perform their graduation theatre, students start getting nervous.

Only two weeks left until our fourth year will perform their graduation theatre, students start getting nervous. I was really surprised by this year's stage decorations. The group working on those started in summer and has been on it almost every day - and it shows.

This year they also plan meticulously who will when move which items from where to where, the photo showing such planning. That leaves me with some more pronunciation training...

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

More fallout from yesterday's elections and referendums.

More fallout from yesterday's elections and referendums. The millions US$ invested in their campaign have paid for conservatives, same-sex marriage must now be governed by a special law and is not quite equal. Another reason for this turn may be the pressure exercised from abroad on progressive parties and movements:

Beijing has intensified pressure on Taiwan under Tsai, upping military drills, poaching diplomatic allies and successfully convincing international businesses to list the island as part of China on their websites.

The DPP is traditionally pro-independence and Tsai has refused to acknowledge Beijing’s stance that Taiwan is part of “one China”, unlike her KMT predecessor Ma Ying-jeou.

Ahead of the vote, Tsai and DPP officials repeatedly accused China of meddling in the lead-up to the elections by operating a “fake news” campaign. Beijing has denied the allegations.


https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/24/anti-gay-marriage-groups-win-taiwan-referendum-battle

Taiwan had huge elections ("9 in 1") yesterday, coupled with a number of referendums and it looks like Taiwan is...

Taiwan had huge elections ("9 in 1") yesterday, coupled with a number of referendums and it looks like Taiwan is turning more conservative, partially due to pressure by the big neighbour claiming to own the place. One fallout from the referendums is the reinstallation of nuclear power.

A Trend Survey Research poll commissioned by pro-nuclear activists before the vote found that one of the strongest arguments for nuclear was, “Solar and wind are not stable, and are expensive,” attracting 71% agreement.

Unfortunately it's easy to give people the impression that renewables are "expensive" by simply showing them how much solar panels cost, compared to their bi-monthly bill. Of course that's comparing apples with oranges and panel makers these days give warranties of 25 or more years, not two months, but simple people are easily swayed by simple numbers.

Talking of simple numbers: I still haven't seen a cost estimate from any country for nuclear waste storage. Could it be because none has been found so far?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2018/11/24/pro-nuclear-activists-win-landslide-electoral-victory-in-taiwan/

Just two years ago, Donald Trump made some remarks that are "remarkable" when seen again today:

Just two years ago, Donald Trump made some remarks that are "remarkable" when seen again today:

Trump last week accused Clinton of turning the State Department “into her private hedge fund.” “The Russians, the Saudis, the Chinese all gave money to Bill and Hillary and got favorable treatment in return,” he said then. “It's a sad day in America when foreign governments with deep pockets have more influence in our own country than our great citizens.”

Well said...

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/trump-clinton-foundation-224287

Via João Rita


Originally shared by Eduardo Ramirez

Surprise, Mr.

Surprise, Mr. Bannon! Not every country has monetized politics to the same degree as the US, where anyone with enough money may buy as many politicians as they can...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/21/steve-bannons-rightwing-europe-operation-undermined-by-election-laws

Arrest her, she's making sense!

Arrest her, she's making sense! Who knows, next she might want to make voting equally easy for everyone. Heresy! If she gets through with that, the US might one day actually become a democracy, how strange a thought is that!
http://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-wants-replace-columbus-day-holiday-election-day-1221904

It's the tropics, obviously...

It's the tropics, obviously...

This is the "Long Life Pavilion" on Mt. Shoushan in Kaohsiung, in Taiwan's south. Many monkeys around...

This is the "Long Life Pavilion" on Mt. Shoushan in Kaohsiung, in Taiwan's south. Many monkeys around...

Title

Good point...

Good point...

Originally shared by Dan J. Wilcox

Oh, burn!

👊

There we go again.

There we go again. The publishers have lobbied for their money printing machine for quite some time. They got one in Germany, but then noticed that when they use it, they will stab themselves in the back.

The ideal legislation would guarantee them an income, no matter what happens and what other people may want to do. But just like they can't come up with a satisfiable business model in this era, they can't find how to write such legislation. If they do ask Google (The relevant law in Germany has the nickname Lex Google, because it was clearly aimed at Google, while also hurting others.) to pay for news snippets, Google will simply terminate news and the publishers will see an immense drop in visitors, which leads to an equal drop in ad revenue.

The law the Guardian talks about has been pushed by Axel Voss, a CDU MEP who emphasized how all those poor artists and content creators need to be protected.
https://qz.com/1389385/article-11-and-article-13-axel-voss-is-surprised-by-eu-copyright-law/

Not surprisingly, all those articles that actually meant to protect artists etc were weakened or eliminated behind closed doors as soon as the European Parliament had voted for this law. Publishers won again and Mr. Voss will very likely receive a nice Christmas bonus from his masters.
https://netzpolitik.org/2018/urheberrecht-aerger-im-eu-parlament-ueber-verwaesserten-schutz-fuer-kuenstler/
(German only, sorry)

Unfortunately, history needs to repeat again and again. Btw, the Guardian article mentions something the publishers always distort in their arguments: Google is not making money from news, there are no ads. And if learn-resistant publishers get their way, soon it will be hard to find news - at least in Europe...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/nov/18/google-news-may-shut-over-eu-plans-to-charge-tax-for-links

This must be the latest fashion around here...

This must be the latest fashion around here...

I seem to have a really bad influence on our students: When I started to teach here, they would play really boring...

I seem to have a really bad influence on our students: When I started to teach here, they would play really boring music during activities.

These days, when they for example like in the photo advertise their graduation theatre, I can hear from far away either "Die Toten Hosen" oder "Die Ärzte", my two favourite German bands.

That's when I have to think of Louis Armstrong: "And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..."

#nkust #ifad #高科大 #應德系

Coming from General Bone Spurs, those words have an immense weight...

Coming from General Bone Spurs, those words have an immense weight...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/13/trump-macron-eu-army-german-second-world-war

Makes sense.

Makes sense.

Via Kristian Köhntopp

Originally shared by Irreverent Monk

Today's motivational thought:

No sense in being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway.

Gigi, Guardian of the Gingerbread

Gigi, Guardian of the Gingerbread

Behold! The power of German!

Behold! The power of German!

Originally shared by Joerg Fliege

Efficiency, bitches.

Amazing Ukrainian democratic freedom fighters - OK, they carry Nazi symbols.

Amazing Ukrainian democratic freedom fighters - OK, they carry Nazi symbols. OK, they do the Nazi salute. But they can't be Nazis, no (living) Ukrainian politician sees any Nazis around...

Via Neesee M Clément

Originally shared by Graham Phillips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dAS3VZCZ_E&feature=autoshare

Never happens when I send a message...

Never happens when I send a message...

Originally shared by H George Tavakoli

Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your service!

Fits right in with people taking money from child cancer charities...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/09/matthew-whitaker-acting-attorney-general-wpm-scam

Title

Originally shared by H George Tavakoli

This is how data visualization should look like.

This is how data visualization should look like. Now I know where I need to move if I don't want too many people around me...

Via Jürgen Christoffel

Originally shared by Wolfgang Stief (stiefkind)

Visualisierung von Population. Als dynamische Karte zum rein zoomen. Und Vergleich von 1975 zu heute. Ein gelungenes Beispiel für Datenvisualisierung.
https://pudding.cool/2018/10/city_3d/

I guess they didn't see that one coming...

I guess they didn't see that one coming...

Originally shared by João Rita

Town votes in favour of Brexit.
Town looses jobs because of Brexit
#brexit

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/live-updates-250-jobs-axed-15377458

Well, we are off to a good start: Ingress Prime does not like my tablet. Well done.

Well, we are off to a good start: Ingress Prime does not like my tablet. Well done.
#ingress

Mmm, yessss!

Mmm, yessss!

I'd like to make a prediction: After the elections, the investigation will be ended finding nothing.

I'd like to make a prediction: After the elections, the investigation will be ended finding nothing. Anyone betting against?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/04/georgia-brian-kemp-investigation-alleged-cybercrime-democratic-party

You can't make this up:

You can't make this up:

But police and a grand jury have now concluded the men were lying about the incident, and actually shot each other.

Investigators believe that Mr Daughtery became paranoid that illegal immigrants were inside a vehicle with Mr Roberts and his wife and attempted to get inside without saying anything, prompting Mr Roberts to shoot at the door.

Mr Daughtery then ran back to his cabin to grab his gun and to get backup from Mr Bryant, and together they opened fire on the truck.

Mr Daughtery and Mr Roberts were both struck by bullets, to the chest and to the arm respectively. It is believed that Mr Daughtery shot Mr Roberts, his client, and Mr Bryant shot Mr Daughtery, his colleague.

So they shot each other, then blamed it on "illegal immigrants", including on the GoFundMe for Mr. Daugherty, because (another interesting bit) he had guns, but no health insurance. Also, one hunter shot the other - professionals at work. Luckily their sheriff seems to be a calm person.


Originally shared by Dan Weese

Ah, Texas. Land of Big Surprises.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/texas-hunters-blamed-immigrants-after-accidentally-shooting-each-other-a7591471.html