Blood pressure measures the work capacity of the heart. It consists of two numbers: the upper number(the systolic blood pressure) represents how hard the heart has to work to push the blood out; the lower number (the diastolic blood pressure) represents the pressure in the heart when it is resting between contractions. Since blood pressure can vary during the day, one high reading does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is given when readings at different times remain consistently high.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and heart attack.
Hypertension increases with smoking, obesity, atherosclerosis, stress, lack of exercise, caffeine ingestion, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diet with lots of fat and meat.
Testing Blood Pressure:
<120/ <80 normal;
120-139/80-89 prehypertension;
140-159/90-99 hypertension stage 1; > or = 160/> or = 100 stage 2
Sources:
Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, 2003)
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith. Natural Choices for Women's Health (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005).
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Happiness
Everybody wants happiness, but few realize that it is a very relative concept. If happiness refers to a feeling, then happiness certainly does not last long, for human feelings and emotions are capricious. It comes and goes away. If happiness is a mental state in which a person achieves intellectual and emotional equilibrium, then it depends on the person's capability to maintain such a state in order for happiness to become constant and sustainable. In that sense, the state of happiness is also subject to change.
Some may define happiness as a state of well-being, physically, mentally and socially, which could be measured subjectively by individual persons,in terms of the quality of life, or personal and external/environmental factors that affect their life quality. In that sense, the spectrum of happiness varies on a wide range, depending on individual perception. It is true that one's wealth certainly does not guarantee one's happiness. However, living in unsafe environments such as war zones, or in poverty and unable to meet one's own basic needs only leads to unhappiness and sufferings.
Humans in the rat race are suffering from a lot of stress and worries. The rich and the poor alike all have their own problems, some of which they may get over, others they have to face in utmost distress. Besides getting caught up in the mundane turmoil, we also suffer from our own body with its demands and weaknesses, its unstable conditions from childhood to old age. We sometimes get confused while dealing with many issues and relationships in life, so confused that we may get tired of them all, and would like to find a way to escape, and get liberated from them.
Is liberation from daily life fetters happiness? Then those who denounce mundane life, such as monks and nuns, should be the happiest on earth. If you closely observe those who devote their lives to some spiritual or religious pursuit or ideals, and who are living and working in various religious sects or organizations, you may find the majority of them much happier than those in the secular world. The majority of them, but not all of them. Why? I believe happiness is a matter of the individual that demands the individual to look inward and discover it. After all, happiness is from within, not without.
Some may define happiness as a state of well-being, physically, mentally and socially, which could be measured subjectively by individual persons,in terms of the quality of life, or personal and external/environmental factors that affect their life quality. In that sense, the spectrum of happiness varies on a wide range, depending on individual perception. It is true that one's wealth certainly does not guarantee one's happiness. However, living in unsafe environments such as war zones, or in poverty and unable to meet one's own basic needs only leads to unhappiness and sufferings.
Humans in the rat race are suffering from a lot of stress and worries. The rich and the poor alike all have their own problems, some of which they may get over, others they have to face in utmost distress. Besides getting caught up in the mundane turmoil, we also suffer from our own body with its demands and weaknesses, its unstable conditions from childhood to old age. We sometimes get confused while dealing with many issues and relationships in life, so confused that we may get tired of them all, and would like to find a way to escape, and get liberated from them.
Is liberation from daily life fetters happiness? Then those who denounce mundane life, such as monks and nuns, should be the happiest on earth. If you closely observe those who devote their lives to some spiritual or religious pursuit or ideals, and who are living and working in various religious sects or organizations, you may find the majority of them much happier than those in the secular world. The majority of them, but not all of them. Why? I believe happiness is a matter of the individual that demands the individual to look inward and discover it. After all, happiness is from within, not without.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by your liver and found in some of the food you eat. Although cholesterol plays a critical role in the development of problems in your heart and blood vessels, your body needs it, because it is part of your cell membrane. Cholesterol is required to build and maintain membranes. It modulates membrane fluidity over the range of physiological temperatures. Within the cell membrane, cholesterol also functions in intracellular transport, cell signaling and nerve conduction. Within cells, cholesterol is the precursor molecule in several biochemical pathways. In the liver, cholesterol is converted to bile, which is then stored in the gallbladder. Bile contains bile salts, which solubilize fats in the digestive tract and aid in the intestinal absorption of fat molecules as well as the fat-soluble vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for the synthesis of Vitamin D. Moreover, cholesterol level is linked to your hormones-- the steroid hormones, including the adrenal gland hormones cortisol and aldosterone as well as the sex hormones progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone, and their derivatives. Some research indicates that cholesterol may act as an antioxidant.
It is important to keep your total cholesterol level at less than 200 mg per deciliter of blood, and maintain a favorable ratio of good (HDL) to bad (LDL) cholesterol. Your LDL should be low (less than 100), and your HDL should be high (60 or higher). Exercise and a balanced diet can increase your HDL .
We should know sources of cholesterol, and maintain our optimal cholesterol level. Foods with animal fat contain cholesterol to varying extents. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Human breast milk also contains significant quantities of cholesterol. The amount of cholesterol present in plant-based food sources is generally much lower than animal based sources. In addition, plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts contain cholesterol-like compounds called phytosterols, which are suggested to help lower serum cholesterol levels.
Total fat intake, especially saturated fat and trans fat, plays a larger role in blood cholesterol than intake of cholesterol itself. Saturated fat is present in full fat dairy products, animal fats, several types of oil and chocolate. Trans fats are typically derived from the partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats, and do not occur in significant amounts in nature. Trans fat is most often encountered in margarine and hydrogenated vegetable fat, and consequently in many fast foods, snack foods, and fried or baked goods.
What is the optimal cholesterol level? How can we reduce blood cholesterol?
In the 1987 report of National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panels suggested the total blood cholesterol level should be less than 200 mg/dL (normal blood cholesterol). 200–239 mg/dL is borderline-high, and more than 240 mg/dL is very high cholesterol.
However, as today's testing methods determine LDL ("bad") and HDL ("good") cholesterol separately, this simplistic view has become somewhat outdated. The desirable LDL level is considered to be less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L), although a newer upper limit of 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) can be considered in higher risk individuals based on some of the above-mentioned trials. A ratio of total cholesterol to HDL—another useful measure—of far less than 5:1 is thought to be healthier. Of note, typical LDL values for children before fatty streaks begin to develop is 35 mg/dL.
A change in diet in addition to other lifestyle modifications may help reduce blood cholesterol. Avoiding animal products may decrease the cholesterol levels in the body not only by reducing the quantity of cholesterol consumed but also by reducing the quantity of cholesterol synthesized. Those wishing to reduce their cholesterol through a change in diet should aim to consume less than 7% of their daily calories from saturated fat and fewer than 200 mg of cholesterol per day. The view that a change in diet (to be specific, a reduction in dietary fat and cholesterol) can lower blood cholesterol levels, and thus reduce the likelihood of development of, among others, coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to coronary heart disease (CHD) has been challenged. An alternative view is that any reductions to dietary cholesterol intake are counteracted by the organs such as the liver, which will increase or decrease production of cholesterol to keep blood cholesterol levels constant. Another view is that although saturated fat and dietary cholesterol also raise blood cholesterol, these nutrients are not as effective at doing this as is animal protein.
What is HDL?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoprotein which enable lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides to be transported within the water-based bloodstream. In healthy individuals, about thirty percent of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. High concentrations of HDL (over 60 mg/dL) have protective value against cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Low concentrations of HDL (below 40 mg/dL for men, below 50 mg/dL for women) increase the risk for atherosclerotic diseases.
How can we raise our HDL ?
A link has been shown between level of HDL and onset of dementia. Those with high HDL were less likely to have dementia. Low HDL-C in late-middle age has also been associated with memory loss.
You can raise your HDL with healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle
Certain changes in lifestyle can have a positive impact on raising HDL levels:
· Aerobic exercise
· Weight loss
· Smoking cessation
· Removing trans fatty acids from the diet
· Mild to moderate alcohol intake
· Adding soluble fiber to diet
· Using supplements such as omega 3 fish oil or flax oil
· Increasing intake of cis-unsaturated fats and cholesterol.
What is LDL?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoproteins that enable lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides to be transported within the water-based bloodstream.
Because LDL particles can also transport cholesterol into the artery wall, retained there by arterial proteoglycans and attract macrophages which engulf the LDL particles and start the formation of plaques, increased levels are associated with atherosclerosis. Over time vulnerable plaques rupture, activate blood clotting and produce arterial stenosis, which if severe enough results in heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease symptoms and major debilitating events.
How can we lower our LDL?
In the USA, the American Heart Association, NIH, and NCEP provide a set of guidelines for fasting LDL-Cholesterol levels, estimated or measured, and risk for heart disease. As of about 2005, these guidelines were based on a goal of presumably decreasing death rates from cardiovascular disease to less than 2% to 3% per year or less than 20% to 30% every 10 years. Note that 100 is not considered optimal; less than 100 is optimal, though it is unspecified how much less.
Sources:
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith. Natural Choices for Women’s Health (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_lipoprotein
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD
It is important to keep your total cholesterol level at less than 200 mg per deciliter of blood, and maintain a favorable ratio of good (HDL) to bad (LDL) cholesterol. Your LDL should be low (less than 100), and your HDL should be high (60 or higher). Exercise and a balanced diet can increase your HDL .
We should know sources of cholesterol, and maintain our optimal cholesterol level. Foods with animal fat contain cholesterol to varying extents. Major dietary sources of cholesterol include cheese, egg yolks, beef, pork, poultry, and shrimp. Human breast milk also contains significant quantities of cholesterol. The amount of cholesterol present in plant-based food sources is generally much lower than animal based sources. In addition, plant products such as flax seeds and peanuts contain cholesterol-like compounds called phytosterols, which are suggested to help lower serum cholesterol levels.
Total fat intake, especially saturated fat and trans fat, plays a larger role in blood cholesterol than intake of cholesterol itself. Saturated fat is present in full fat dairy products, animal fats, several types of oil and chocolate. Trans fats are typically derived from the partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats, and do not occur in significant amounts in nature. Trans fat is most often encountered in margarine and hydrogenated vegetable fat, and consequently in many fast foods, snack foods, and fried or baked goods.
What is the optimal cholesterol level? How can we reduce blood cholesterol?
In the 1987 report of National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panels suggested the total blood cholesterol level should be less than 200 mg/dL (normal blood cholesterol). 200–239 mg/dL is borderline-high, and more than 240 mg/dL is very high cholesterol.
However, as today's testing methods determine LDL ("bad") and HDL ("good") cholesterol separately, this simplistic view has become somewhat outdated. The desirable LDL level is considered to be less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L), although a newer upper limit of 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) can be considered in higher risk individuals based on some of the above-mentioned trials. A ratio of total cholesterol to HDL—another useful measure—of far less than 5:1 is thought to be healthier. Of note, typical LDL values for children before fatty streaks begin to develop is 35 mg/dL.
A change in diet in addition to other lifestyle modifications may help reduce blood cholesterol. Avoiding animal products may decrease the cholesterol levels in the body not only by reducing the quantity of cholesterol consumed but also by reducing the quantity of cholesterol synthesized. Those wishing to reduce their cholesterol through a change in diet should aim to consume less than 7% of their daily calories from saturated fat and fewer than 200 mg of cholesterol per day. The view that a change in diet (to be specific, a reduction in dietary fat and cholesterol) can lower blood cholesterol levels, and thus reduce the likelihood of development of, among others, coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to coronary heart disease (CHD) has been challenged. An alternative view is that any reductions to dietary cholesterol intake are counteracted by the organs such as the liver, which will increase or decrease production of cholesterol to keep blood cholesterol levels constant. Another view is that although saturated fat and dietary cholesterol also raise blood cholesterol, these nutrients are not as effective at doing this as is animal protein.
What is HDL?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoprotein which enable lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides to be transported within the water-based bloodstream. In healthy individuals, about thirty percent of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. High concentrations of HDL (over 60 mg/dL) have protective value against cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Low concentrations of HDL (below 40 mg/dL for men, below 50 mg/dL for women) increase the risk for atherosclerotic diseases.
How can we raise our HDL ?
A link has been shown between level of HDL and onset of dementia. Those with high HDL were less likely to have dementia. Low HDL-C in late-middle age has also been associated with memory loss.
You can raise your HDL with healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle
Certain changes in lifestyle can have a positive impact on raising HDL levels:
· Aerobic exercise
· Weight loss
· Smoking cessation
· Removing trans fatty acids from the diet
· Mild to moderate alcohol intake
· Adding soluble fiber to diet
· Using supplements such as omega 3 fish oil or flax oil
· Increasing intake of cis-unsaturated fats and cholesterol.
What is LDL?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoproteins that enable lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides to be transported within the water-based bloodstream.
Because LDL particles can also transport cholesterol into the artery wall, retained there by arterial proteoglycans and attract macrophages which engulf the LDL particles and start the formation of plaques, increased levels are associated with atherosclerosis. Over time vulnerable plaques rupture, activate blood clotting and produce arterial stenosis, which if severe enough results in heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease symptoms and major debilitating events.
How can we lower our LDL?
In the USA, the American Heart Association, NIH, and NCEP provide a set of guidelines for fasting LDL-Cholesterol levels, estimated or measured, and risk for heart disease. As of about 2005, these guidelines were based on a goal of presumably decreasing death rates from cardiovascular disease to less than 2% to 3% per year or less than 20% to 30% every 10 years. Note that 100 is not considered optimal; less than 100 is optimal, though it is unspecified how much less.
Sources:
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith. Natural Choices for Women’s Health (New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-density_lipoprotein
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LD
Friday, February 25, 2011
Mercury in Fish
Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals. Fish and seafood caught closer to industrial areas are more likely to have higher levels of mercury and other contaminants. Adults wigh levels of mercury in their tissues experience symptoms of muscle weakness, fatigue, headaches,irritability, hair loss, inability to concentrate, numbness and tigling around lips, fingers and toes, problems with vision, hearing, speaking, and balance. High levels of mercury increase risk for heart disease, while decreases one's level of selenium, an important antioxidant. Selenium is also important to recycle glutathione, a critical antioxidant to the liver's ability to neutralize many toxins. In extreme cases, mercury toxicity can lead to tremors, coma, and even death.
Fish absorb mercury from the organisms they feed on. The older and the larger a fish, the higher the level of mercury it contains. Nearly all fish contain some mercury, but predator fish and large-sized species, for example tuna, are usually high in methyl mercury, a highly toxic form. Nursing mothers, and young children should avoid eating high-mercury fish such as swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel, and select small ocean or farm-raised fish. From 8 to 16 servings (a serving of fish is 3 to 6 ounces) of fish that are not high in mercury per month. Pregnant women should avoid fish and sea food, for mercury can easily cross the placenta, and disrupt the development of the baby's brain and nervous system.
Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Seafood
As measured in maximum parts per million (ppm)
Shark 4.54ppm
Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico) 3.73
Swordfish 3.22
King Mackerel 1.67
Halibut 1.52
Snapper 1.37
Lobster 1.31
Tuna (Fresh/Frozen) 1.30
Grouper 1.21
Monkfish 1.02
Bass (Salt water) 0.96
Marlin 0.92
Tuna (Canned) 0.85
Orange Roughy 0.80
Pollock 0.78
Spanish Mackerel (S. Atlantic) 0.73
Bluefish 0.63
Crab 0.61
Tilefish (Atlantic) 0.53
Cod 0.42
White Croaker (Pacific) 0.41
Squid 0.40
Butterfish 0.36
Anchovies 0.34
Perch (Freshwater) 0.31
Whitefish 0.31
Catfish 0.31
Spiny Lobster 0.27
Oyster 0.25
Scallops 0.22
Salmon (Fresh/Frozen) 0.19
Mackerel (N. Atlantic) 0.16
Herring 0.14
Mullet 0.13
Trout (Fresh Water) 0.13
Talapia 0.07
Pickerel 0.06
Shrimp 0.05
Crawfish 0.05
Haddock 0.04
Sardine 0.04
Perch (Ocean) 0.03
Sources:
US Department of Health and Human Services
and US Environmental Protection Agency
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith. Natural Choices for Women's Health(New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005, pp. 25-29).
Fish absorb mercury from the organisms they feed on. The older and the larger a fish, the higher the level of mercury it contains. Nearly all fish contain some mercury, but predator fish and large-sized species, for example tuna, are usually high in methyl mercury, a highly toxic form. Nursing mothers, and young children should avoid eating high-mercury fish such as swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel, and select small ocean or farm-raised fish. From 8 to 16 servings (a serving of fish is 3 to 6 ounces) of fish that are not high in mercury per month. Pregnant women should avoid fish and sea food, for mercury can easily cross the placenta, and disrupt the development of the baby's brain and nervous system.
Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Seafood
As measured in maximum parts per million (ppm)
Shark 4.54ppm
Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico) 3.73
Swordfish 3.22
King Mackerel 1.67
Halibut 1.52
Snapper 1.37
Lobster 1.31
Tuna (Fresh/Frozen) 1.30
Grouper 1.21
Monkfish 1.02
Bass (Salt water) 0.96
Marlin 0.92
Tuna (Canned) 0.85
Orange Roughy 0.80
Pollock 0.78
Spanish Mackerel (S. Atlantic) 0.73
Bluefish 0.63
Crab 0.61
Tilefish (Atlantic) 0.53
Cod 0.42
White Croaker (Pacific) 0.41
Squid 0.40
Butterfish 0.36
Anchovies 0.34
Perch (Freshwater) 0.31
Whitefish 0.31
Catfish 0.31
Spiny Lobster 0.27
Oyster 0.25
Scallops 0.22
Salmon (Fresh/Frozen) 0.19
Mackerel (N. Atlantic) 0.16
Herring 0.14
Mullet 0.13
Trout (Fresh Water) 0.13
Talapia 0.07
Pickerel 0.06
Shrimp 0.05
Crawfish 0.05
Haddock 0.04
Sardine 0.04
Perch (Ocean) 0.03
Sources:
US Department of Health and Human Services
and US Environmental Protection Agency
Dr. Laurie Steelsmith. Natural Choices for Women's Health(New York: Three Rivers Press, 2005, pp. 25-29).
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Relationship
There are many types of human relationship in various settings --in a family, at school, at work, and in society. Some are close and last long; others, superficial and transient. Some remain smooth, steady and stable like a huge rock, or a stagnant pool; others, tumultuous and unpredictable like stormy weather. It all depends on the parties involved in the relationship, and, to some extent, on the environment or the situations in which the relationship exists and evolves.
I think only two human relationships worth discussing: mother love, and the first love between a man and a woman.
Mother love is usually unconditioned and one way. The mother never expects much from her child's love for her. She just loves the child, and wants to care for him/her. It usually happens that the child scarcely appreciates the mother's love, even when the child has become a grown-up, and has his/her own children. Taking care of old parents is sometimes considered a burden to the son or the daughter.
The first love between a man and a woman is the first blueprint in one's heart and mind. It is not easy to fade away with time. It is often genuine in the sense that it is not based on any calculations or any other kind of economic, social, or political interference. It is pure and innocent, like a piece of white paper without any traces of pen or pencil on it.
Other remaining types of relationships are often temporary or transient, and subject to environmental changes. Hence, they are vicarious, and usually do not have lasting values.
Of course, there are always exceptions. Some mothers treat their children badly, and some first loves have turned into nightmares for both lovers! You should not be surprised, for humans are diverse and their emotions, whimsical and erratic.
I think only two human relationships worth discussing: mother love, and the first love between a man and a woman.
Mother love is usually unconditioned and one way. The mother never expects much from her child's love for her. She just loves the child, and wants to care for him/her. It usually happens that the child scarcely appreciates the mother's love, even when the child has become a grown-up, and has his/her own children. Taking care of old parents is sometimes considered a burden to the son or the daughter.
The first love between a man and a woman is the first blueprint in one's heart and mind. It is not easy to fade away with time. It is often genuine in the sense that it is not based on any calculations or any other kind of economic, social, or political interference. It is pure and innocent, like a piece of white paper without any traces of pen or pencil on it.
Other remaining types of relationships are often temporary or transient, and subject to environmental changes. Hence, they are vicarious, and usually do not have lasting values.
Of course, there are always exceptions. Some mothers treat their children badly, and some first loves have turned into nightmares for both lovers! You should not be surprised, for humans are diverse and their emotions, whimsical and erratic.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Privacy on the Internet
According to Article 12 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
What about privacy on the Internet?
How much should one reveal or share one's personal life virtually? What are the consequences of having personal information exposed and vulnerable in cyberspace without knowing it? Individuals and organizations that have sensitive data now face many concerns and challenges. Information privacy or data privacy is the relationship between collection and dissemination of data, technology, the public expectation of privacy, and the legal and political issues surrounding them. When sharing data, we also face the challenge of data or information security.
Privacy software can help to protect the privacy of its users. The software works in conjunction with Internet usage to control or limit the amount of information made available to third-parties by applying encryption or filtering of various kinds. There are two different types of protection the software can provide: 1.Protecting a user's Internet privacy from the World Wide Web. Some software products can mask or hide a user's IP address from the outside world in order to protect the user from identity theft. 2.Hiding or deleting the users Internet traces that are left on their PC after they have been surfing the Internet. There is software that will erase all the users Internet traces and there is software that will hide and encrypt a user's traces so that others using their PC will not know where they have been surfing. Using encryption and anonymizers may help.
Encryption uses algorithm to make information unreadable to those who do not have knowledge about the "key." The encrypted information (or "cyphertext")can be unencrypted or made readable again (a process called "decryption"). Encryption helps secure data both at rest and in transit from physical security failure, and from unauthorized use or reproduction. It also helps to protect confidentiality and authenticity of messages. However, encryption application and products may not work properly in every case.
Anonymizer is a proxy server computer that acts as an intermediary shielding a client computer from the rest of the Internet. Anonymizers serve many purposes, from minimizing risks (e.g., identity thefts)to bypassing web technology (to get access to prohibited sites). Anonymizers can be implemented with one specific protocol, through connection with an independent protocol, or through relays in a network (e.g., the Tor network)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_privacy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encryption
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymizer
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
What about privacy on the Internet?
How much should one reveal or share one's personal life virtually? What are the consequences of having personal information exposed and vulnerable in cyberspace without knowing it? Individuals and organizations that have sensitive data now face many concerns and challenges. Information privacy or data privacy is the relationship between collection and dissemination of data, technology, the public expectation of privacy, and the legal and political issues surrounding them. When sharing data, we also face the challenge of data or information security.
Privacy software can help to protect the privacy of its users. The software works in conjunction with Internet usage to control or limit the amount of information made available to third-parties by applying encryption or filtering of various kinds. There are two different types of protection the software can provide: 1.Protecting a user's Internet privacy from the World Wide Web. Some software products can mask or hide a user's IP address from the outside world in order to protect the user from identity theft. 2.Hiding or deleting the users Internet traces that are left on their PC after they have been surfing the Internet. There is software that will erase all the users Internet traces and there is software that will hide and encrypt a user's traces so that others using their PC will not know where they have been surfing. Using encryption and anonymizers may help.
Encryption uses algorithm to make information unreadable to those who do not have knowledge about the "key." The encrypted information (or "cyphertext")can be unencrypted or made readable again (a process called "decryption"). Encryption helps secure data both at rest and in transit from physical security failure, and from unauthorized use or reproduction. It also helps to protect confidentiality and authenticity of messages. However, encryption application and products may not work properly in every case.
Anonymizer is a proxy server computer that acts as an intermediary shielding a client computer from the rest of the Internet. Anonymizers serve many purposes, from minimizing risks (e.g., identity thefts)to bypassing web technology (to get access to prohibited sites). Anonymizers can be implemented with one specific protocol, through connection with an independent protocol, or through relays in a network (e.g., the Tor network)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_privacy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encryption
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymizer
Universal Responsibility
In our interconnected universe everybody must cultivate universal responsibility. What is universal responsibility? How can a person develop and practice it in his or her daily life?
Universal responsibility begins with a person's wholesome and profound recognition that s/he is connected with all others in society and with all objects and events in the universe. That awareness will lead the person to constructive ways of thinking, which in turn will influence his/her actions. The person gradually becomes more and more observant of his/her own thoughts, words, and deeds, for s/he knows that their consequences affect not only him-/herself but also other humans and objects.
Anyone with a good will can practice universal responsibility, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, wherever they are living or working. It does not demand large scale plans, but it sometimes reveals itself through very simple and little things or events. Turning off the light or the faucet when you don't need it; not wasting napkins, foods and beverages at the restaurants or cafeteria; using reusable bags instead of plastic ones; picking up trash and not dumping antibiotics into the toilet bowl.....Those are simple deeds, yet many ignore or neglect them, because they have an "I don't care" attitude.
We also need more useful and constructive words: "Let's improve this;" "There must be a better solution;" "Why don't we work together to overcome this obstacle?" "Let's cooperate;" "What can we do to help?" "What would happen if ...?"
The mind is fundamental for such nice words and good deeds to develop. Our conscious mind with a sincere wish to make everybody happy, and to make the world a better place to live in is fundamental to cultivate universal responsibility. It is a special mind which fosters the realization that there is no distinction between "You" and "I." We all are just one. The parts are the whole. Interconnectedness. Hence, universal responsibility.
Universal responsibility begins with a person's wholesome and profound recognition that s/he is connected with all others in society and with all objects and events in the universe. That awareness will lead the person to constructive ways of thinking, which in turn will influence his/her actions. The person gradually becomes more and more observant of his/her own thoughts, words, and deeds, for s/he knows that their consequences affect not only him-/herself but also other humans and objects.
Anyone with a good will can practice universal responsibility, the old and the young, the rich and the poor, wherever they are living or working. It does not demand large scale plans, but it sometimes reveals itself through very simple and little things or events. Turning off the light or the faucet when you don't need it; not wasting napkins, foods and beverages at the restaurants or cafeteria; using reusable bags instead of plastic ones; picking up trash and not dumping antibiotics into the toilet bowl.....Those are simple deeds, yet many ignore or neglect them, because they have an "I don't care" attitude.
We also need more useful and constructive words: "Let's improve this;" "There must be a better solution;" "Why don't we work together to overcome this obstacle?" "Let's cooperate;" "What can we do to help?" "What would happen if ...?"
The mind is fundamental for such nice words and good deeds to develop. Our conscious mind with a sincere wish to make everybody happy, and to make the world a better place to live in is fundamental to cultivate universal responsibility. It is a special mind which fosters the realization that there is no distinction between "You" and "I." We all are just one. The parts are the whole. Interconnectedness. Hence, universal responsibility.
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