The Global Jigsaw $5 / month

The Global Jigsaw explores diverse themes, including global travel, cultural understanding, environmental concerns, and the human condition through various lenses like language learning, tourism impacts, societal issues, technology, and health. It delves into personal growth, societal changes, geopolitics, and ethical considerations in a globalized world.

Global Travel Cultural Understanding Environmental Concerns Human Condition Personal Growth Societal Changes Geopolitics Technology and AI Health and Wellness

The hottest Substack posts of The Global Jigsaw

And their main takeaways

Japan's "untouchables"

235 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌐 International Society History Culture Discrimination Identity
  1. Japan has a marginalized group called Burakumin, similar to India's untouchables, with a history of discrimination and social exclusion.
  2. Japanese belief in racial purity and homogeneity is rooted in historical constructs and national identity myths.
  3. Despite efforts to eliminate discrimination, Burakumin still face societal stigma and prejudice in Japan, impacting aspects like marriage and social status.

Reading more

275 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Reading is a valuable activity that offers a stillness of mind hard to replicate with screens.
  2. Habit stacking is a technique that can help establish new habits by linking them to existing ones.
  3. Creating ritualistic habits around reading, like tea and candles before bedtime, can foster a love for books.

The English writer who colonized young Indian readers

137 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Children's literature Cultural influence Childhood Globalization
  1. Enid Blyton's books were popular in India because they were easily available in English during a time when options were limited.
  2. Reading Blyton's stories allowed Indian children to imagine a different world and travel to distant places without leaving their homes.
  3. Younger generations today may not connect with Blyton's tales due to different experiences, preferences, and access to diverse reading materials.

The poetry of the cosmos in two books

196 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📚 Literature Poetry Books Philosophy Science fiction
  1. 2023 was a year of introspection, focusing on what makes a life well lived and the beauty in the mundane.
  2. The rise of AI prompts questions about what it means to be human, highlighting the significance of emotional experiences and characteristics.
  3. Books by Maria Popova and Ted Chiang fuse science with poetry, exploring the beauty of the cosmos and the blend of rationality and emotionality.
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To breast or not to breast

137 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Surgery Body Image Women's Health Emotional Well-being
  1. There is societal pressure and fetishization surrounding female breasts, impacting personal decisions and experiences.
  2. Breast reconstruction procedures post-mastectomy can have high rates of complications, but are aggressively promoted by doctors and society.
  3. Patients should be informed and have autonomy in decisions regarding reconstructive surgery, being respected even if they opt out.

What's in a name?

137 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture
  1. Names can be challenging in different cultures - sometimes altering a name can make things simpler.
  2. Naming conventions vary widely around the world, from westernized sequences to lengthy ancestral titles.
  3. Some countries face issues with name diversity due to popular surnames and naming fashions.

Move over democracy

78 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Democracy AI Politics Governance Elections
  1. People are losing trust in traditional democratic systems and are open to the idea of rule by artificial intelligence.
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as potentially more efficient than human decision-making, especially in complex situations like policy-making.
  3. The concept of rule by algorithm (algocracy) or AI is gaining traction, with some believing that it could lead to better outcomes than traditional democratic processes.

Bandung travelogue

157 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🏝 Travel History Culture Politics Art Journey
  1. Bandung, Indonesia has a rich historical significance as the birthplace of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1955.
  2. The trip to Bandung is a journey into history, with echoes of the past seen in its architecture and landmarks.
  3. Bandung's unique blend of colonial and traditional Javanese influences is a fascinating backdrop for exploring the city's rich history.

In Delhi it's the season to choke

98 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Air Pollution Public Health Comparison Progress
  1. In Delhi, the air pollution season is a serious health concern causing significant reductions in life expectancy.
  2. Both Beijing and Delhi face severe air pollution issues due to a combination of factors like geography, industrial sources, and weather.
  3. China has made significant progress in addressing air pollution through coordinated efforts including monitoring, pollution abatement, and restrictions on industries like coal-fired power plants.

Dynasty

98 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Elections Democracy Geopolitics Youth
  1. Indonesia's upcoming elections in 2024 reveal a potential political dynasty forming under President Jokowi, despite his image as an anti-dynast.
  2. The removal of age requirements for presidential candidates in Indonesia and familial ties influencing political decisions raise questions about democratic norms.
  3. Lessons from Indonesia's political landscape, where dynastic politics persist, serve as a reminder to other nations, like India, to consider broader changes in political structures and power sharing.

Recasting climate change as an ethical problem

78 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Ethics Global impact
  1. Climate change is an ethical issue, especially concerning the historical emissions of rich Western countries.
  2. Ethical considerations suggest equal per capita carbon emissions for a fair global policy, but this faces challenges.
  3. Climate change requires a global moral obligation beyond typical social circles and questions political interests over moral responsibility.

Iceland's new found popularity

117 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Tourism Economy Infrastructure Environment Sustainability
  1. Tourism is Iceland's biggest export industry, but there are concerns about the impact on the environment and culture.
  2. Tourism has played a significant role in Iceland's economy, especially in times of crisis like the financial crash and pandemic.
  3. The increase in tourism has led to infrastructure challenges and a debate on sustainable tourism practices in Iceland.

The tragic, forgotten story of Sita Valles

117 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture History Art
  1. Goa has a rich history with a diverse cultural influence over thousands of years.
  2. The region was a hub for an eclectic diaspora, including freedom fighters, that spread across the globe.
  3. Sita Valles, a Goan-origin Angolan communist revolutionary, has a remarkable and forgotten story.

#SeAcabó - "It's over" for sexist pigs in Spain

78 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Gender Equality Social Progress
  1. In Spain, there has been a strong societal pushback against sexist behavior, exemplified by the #SeAcabó movement.
  2. Spain has made significant progress towards gender equality over the years, with notable improvements in women's representation in politics and laws supporting women's rights.
  3. Despite advancements, there is still work to be done to achieve genuine gender equality, as seen in areas like sports and unintended consequences of certain legislation.

Chinese children remaking the European Grand Tour

98 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🏝 Travel Cultural Exchange Education Shopping Food Music
  1. Chinese children are remaking the traditional European Grand Tour according to their own consumer culture.
  2. Parents pay high fees to send their kids on whirlwind tours of Europe for education and experiences.
  3. Chinese children on these tours visit popular European destinations like France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy for shopping, cultural experiences, and skill development.

Japan's demographic doldrums

78 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Demographics Immigration Labor Culture Policy
  1. Japan is facing a demographic issue with a shrinking labor force and an aging population.
  2. The government is struggling to address this issue due to a declining birth rate and reluctance towards immigration.
  3. Immigrants in Japan face challenges such as xenophobia, administrative hurdles, and difficulty integrating into society.

Cricket from Flanders to Japan

117 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
  1. Cricket has a long history and has traveled from Flanders to Japan.
  2. The city of Sano in Japan used cricket to revitalize its economy and attract tourism.
  3. There is a global desire for cricket to be included in the Olympics, with the sport being considered for the 2028 Games.

What does it mean to be human in the age of intelligent machines?

19 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🚌 Education Technology Philosophy Emotions Curriculum Innovation
  1. Our educational system needs to adapt to the presence of AI and focus on nurturing human emotions and creativity
  2. Human uniqueness lies in emotional experiences, imagination, and empathy
  3. Schools should consider teaching courses in emotional intelligence, empathy, and situational awareness to prepare students for the age of intelligent machines

Public holidays as global travel guide

19 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Global Celebrations Traditions Cultural Diversity Demographics
  1. Public holidays around the world can provide insights into a country's culture, history, and societal values.
  2. In Japan, public holidays like 'Coming-of-Age Day' and 'Respect for the Elderly Day' reflect traditions, aging demographics, and societal changes.
  3. Celebrating diversity in public holidays can enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.

The most religious atheist country in the world

58 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
  1. Japan is known for being secular despite the prevalence of religious practices.
  2. Japanese combine aspects of Shintoism, Buddhism, and Christianity in their religious rituals.
  3. New religions in Japan, like the Unification Church, have had significant impacts on society and politics.