Viewpoint on “NASA satellite images: Which are the most polluted countries in the world?”

What I think about CNN NEWS “NASA satellite images: Which are the most polluted countries in the world?”

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/16/world/nasa-air-quality-maps/index.html

http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12094

 Using global satellite maps, NASA scientists examined air pollution trends over the last decade in various regions and 195 cities on the earth. In this research, nitrogen dioxide hotspots are used as an indicator of general air quality. Because nitrogen dioxide can quickly transform into ground-level ozone, a major respiratory pollutant in urban smog. According to HASA research findings, the United States, Europe and Japan have improved air quality thanks to emission control regulations, while China, India and the Middle East, with their fast-growing economies and expanding industry, have seen more air pollution.

 We can understand what factors cause this outcome. The difference between the developed nations and the developing areas is what the priority is. In the developed countries, consumer needs are security, safety, health, sustainable environment, and others, while people in the developing regions are still interested in pursuit of material affluence and convenience.

 However, even though nitrogen dioxide level is decreasing, in Syria, the civil war has reduced economic activities.

Above map is the trend of the Middle East which shows the change in nitrogen dioxide concentrations from 2005 to 2014. Blue indicated an observed decrease in nitrogen dioxide.

 Fortunately or unfortunately, new, high-resolution global satellite maps of air quality indicators tell us human brutality, stupidity and cruelty of war as well as the environmental problems objectively. Conversely, I think that human beings are great to develop that science technology like the satellite. Whether we make the best of the warning or not is also up to us. We must keep it firmly in our mind.

 By the way, using the map of satellite, who can see truly about the title of this news?

 “Which are the most polluted countries in the world?”

Viewpoint on “5 crazy, innovative concept vehicles at Tokyo Motor Show”

My opinion on “5 crazy, innovative concept vehicles at Tokyo Motor Show”

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https://www.techinasia.com/5-crazy-innovative-concept-vehicles-tokyo-motor-show-2015

 What type of car did we imagine to hear of an electric car in a single phrase several years ago? Sure, I knew “Toyota’s hybrid Prius”, but what the first thing I can thought of an electric car was the rechargeable battery powered electric car.

I don’t think I was the only one who thought so. In fact, quite a few people said like the following. The automobile will also become one of the digital consumer products and the battery will be a similar positioning of the integrated circuit chip of PC. Therefore, Developing countries including China can catch up and overtake advanced countries in the automobile industry like the PC industry. Because they can purchase a battery and assemble a vehicle by low labor cost.

 However, this time around, I feel like that the point of view and the circumstance are apparently different from a few years ago. It sees that hydrogen fuel cell technology instead of rechargeable battery technology has become the mainstream. Furthermore, labor cost in China is also less competitive than before.

 On the other hand, consumer needs has changed recently. It probably changed after around the Great East Japan Earthquake. We have become to buy what we really need, want, and desire. However cheap or it might be, we don’t buy what we don’t need. Most of us seek something more useful, healthy, environment-friendly, and valuable. For example, to be specific, we have feelings of resistance to what is cheap but not healthy.

 What I think after reading this article is that Toyota’s concept must win the hearts and minds of more consumers. It’s more useful, healthy, environment-friendly, and valuable for consumers. Toyota released as follows.

 “Clean generation of hydrogen from a wide range of primary energy sources will make local, self-sufficient power generation a global reality, and fuel cell vehicles will take on a new role as power sources within their communities. Toyota’s aim is to add an all-new sense of purpose to the automobile by turning fuel cell vehicles from eco-cars into energy-cars.”

 I believe that its realization and dissemination of the concept would contribute to resolution of the environmental issues and make our work and daily life creative and independent. The improvement of energy issue and environmental problems could help us address other challenges, - food shortage, poverty and development, human rights and global security.

Viewpoint on “Arizona State announces free MBA program, seeks to increase diversity”

I would like to write about my impression after I read this article.

http://college.usatoday.com/2015/10/21/arizona-state-free-mba/

http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2140391913080109401

http://10rank.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-256.html

 I am kind of surprised at this article. Even though it is tentative, is it true? - “Its new price tag on a master’s of business administration degree? That would be $0. ….. The full-tuition scholarship will be worth between $54,000 and $90,000, depending on the student’s residence.” William Polk Carey donated $50 million to Arizona State University (ASU). How many students are bale to be helped pursue a MBA degree? The answer is “Hillman says the school will offer the scholarships to a maximum of 120 students in the fall.” I have heard many American stories like this.

In Japan, Atsugiri Jason from America is popular nowadays and he shouts in a loud voice, “Why Japanese people? Why?” Conversely, I want to shout like this, “Why American people? Why?” The questions are as follows.

1 Why do they own that great deal of money as an individual?

2 Why are they so generous?

3 Why do they feel a sense of unfairness?

I guess that answers are different in respective cases. However, I think that this must be ‘Transcendence needs of Maslow’s Hierarchy - helping others to achieve self-actualization’.

 Actually, this is not my first time to think of something like this. In my junior high school days, I read ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ as an English side reader. Back then, I was kind of interested in this book. The literature was published in 1912, so it was about a century ago. Therefore, at least, for more than 100 years, they have had a mind to contribute to education traditionally in the U.S.

 Come to think of it, in 2012, in America, the amount of donation was $316.23 billion (30 chou-yen) and 19.4 times than Japan’s. Furthermore, the rate of individual donation was 72% of all. That’s not all. The employees in NPO accounted for 10% of all in America. One of the centerpiece of President Obama’s politics is also ‘social innovation fund’. Though I don’t have enough money to be able to donate and I don’t know that we will live in the similar social trend in the near future in Japan, I’m also able to have the motivation like the following sentences. They are the last part of my essay - What I think about TED "The puzzle of motivation by Daniel H. Pink". I want to write the same conclusion.

While looking at my children’s smiles, I sometimes think about what I can do for them and what can be a goal for us. I think that this type of thinking process is also one of the transcendent needs and intrinsic motivators. When we work on this kind of theme, needless to say, obviously, we must work creatively, passionately, and effectively. Because at that time, we can play the role of a hero like in American movies. They can risk their lives and do a really good job for love and others, not for money. If we can find this sort of motivator, we will be able to grow stronger, do a better job, and live life more fully.

Viewpoint on “Computer glitch caused delays at U.S. airports”

What I think about the news is that they are not terrorisms.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/10/14/Computer-glitch-caused-delays-at-US-airports/3081444871534/

To put it simply, passengers flying were delayed across different U.S. airports including JFK airport on October. According to this article, a glitch of customs computers led to outrages at several U.S. airports, causing traveler lines and problems. The glitch affected computers used to screen for terror suspects. More than 400 flights were reported to have been delayed because of the incident.

This raised fears that the system had been hacked. However, the department of Homeland Security stated that there was no evidence for this. What truly caused the glitch has not yet been identified.

So, did the airport management handle the glitch well? I think that the answer is no. Actually, the airport management couldn’t handle the glitch well.

There is the criticism, “People wondered why the staff did not do manual checks instead of stopping operations”. But I guess that labor-intensive method has its limits since there isn’t always excess manpower in every company. I guess that half manual checks cause second accident. However, it goes without saying that the training for the employees might be needed to deal with every unpredictable contingency.

However, not only the airport management but also other business managements depend on computer systems and can’t take perfect measures in preparation for all those kinds of incidents. I think that the best way to be done is developing an alternative computer system which can work at the same time. But it is very expensive and it will be reflected in airfare or airport fee. Maybe, computer system like this is supposed to have an alternative system. This time around, at least, they might not have such a system to screen terror suspect.

While all the world has been working on strengthening security systems against terrorism lately, Japan’s organization related must check security systems including computer systems. And also, in case that a glitch occurs suddenly, authorities should prepare multiple measures to be taken , regardless of whether they are owned by publicly or privately.

Viewpoint on "Salary Budget Planning Report - Asia Pacific (Third Quarter)"

My viewpoint on  "アジア太平洋地域の2016年の昇給率が高インフレの影響で低下"

～ タワーズワトソン昇給率調査 ～

https://www.towerswatson.com/ja-JP/Press/2015/10/Rising-Inflation-Set-to-Trim-2016-Salary-Raises-in-Asia-Pacific

 Asian employees’ reaction to increase of salary depends on other surrounding status. In respective countries, regions, and companies, additionally, in political and economic matters, there must be different reactions between them, so we can’t imagine their feelings and thinking easily. However, as long as their real wage is increasing, they must think that tomorrow will be better than today in everything and they can have a dream. In this way, they may be happy, even though they experience a certain level of inflation and their needs are not still met in daily life. Real wage increasing can be sufficient motivation.

 On the other hand, Japan gets only lower increase of 2.4%. Considering inflation and others, it is not increase but just status quo. Under the circumstance, we have to find our motivations. And so, I think that autonomy, mastery, and purpose in Daniel Pink’s speech are significant for us. That is to say, they are the 21st century motivators. In a way, finding this type of motivator is tougher than pursuit of material affluence.

 I thought the following when I listened to Daniel Pink’s speech of TED. “We can say that the products and services for social contribution would increase, leading to sales and profits for the company. Business managers and workers need to keep this in mind. I think that this type of thinking process is also one of the transcendent needs and intrinsic motivators. When we work on this kind of theme, needless to say, obviously, we must work creatively, passionately, and effectively. Because at that time, we can play the role as if he/she were a hero like in American movies. To put it strongly, they can risk their lives and do a really good job for love and others, not for money. If we can find this sort of motivator, we will be able to grow stronger, do a better job, and live life more fully.

 In order to live like this, we need to hone our vision, competency, and perseverance. First, we should start things which we can do easily. Next, we may expand range of our activity. And then, we can study harder. Eventually, we may contribute to people around us. This way lead to our motivation and deserved reward.

Viewpoint on "Sharp’s RoboHon and Monohm’s Runcible"

My viewpoint on the two types of smartphones.

https://robohon.com/special/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2893322/runcible-is-a-circular-smartphone-for-people-who-hate-smartphones.html

RoboHon

 Sharp’s RoboHon and Monohm’s Runcible are used in limited places and circumstances.

 Sharp’s RoboHon has both features of a smartphone and a robot. It is able to identify faces and voices, so it can call out the user’s name when taking a picture. RoboHon can also inform the user about certain updates, such as receiving a new message. It can also walk, talk, and dance.

I don’t think that we need that many functions in our normal everyday life. Conversely, when we encounter special circumstances, that features may be very useful. That is to say, since it has multiple functions, it can be used in limited situations. For example, the purposes are for something technical event, kind of entertainment, or supplementary roles.

 Monohm’s Runcible is based on Firefox OS, so you can use web apps for basic connectivity, but don’t expect a full-blown app store or a traditional smartphone interface.

 These days, I think that we can live conveniently with standard features as a smartphone. As people around us have a smartphone, most of us are obliged to live daily and work based on having a smartphone. Therefore, because it has only simple functions, it can be used for limited needs. For example, they are cases in which we can live refocusing on real people and the real world. Even though in this case, we will sometimes use PC for other full-blown app store or traditional smartphone functions.  Personally, I think that I may use Monohm’s Runcible except when I am busy. However, two or more people communicate with each other. In most cases, one of them is not busy, while the other is busy. There lies the problem. 

Runcible

Viewpoint on "Attack of the giant African land snails in Florida"

I would like to express my opinion on the article of the big problem in Florida, Attack of the giant African land snails (By Joe Sutton, CNN).

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/15/us/florida-giant-snails/

 The giant African land snails (GALS) that appeared in Miami, Florida, feed on plants including crops, and carry a disease-causing parasite that is harmful for both humans and animals. The GALS population has continued to increase and spread to different parts of Florida despite efforts to eradicate them.

 Once the non-native creatures come to other countries and areas, they tend to increase rapidly and it is difficult for human to get rid of the non-native creatures. Through news, we have known such cases recently. In Japan, there have been quite a few species from abroad. For example, racoon, turtle, crawfish from America, and also others from other areas. Most of them damage Japanese ecosystem, agriculture, and native species and their habitats. But we haven't been able to expel them completely, too.

I don’t know the reason why we can’t get rid of them exactly. However, I guess that several factors could be the reasons. First, their reproductive ability is too high compared to native species. Second, there are cases of them creating a new ecosystem. And then, our land is also too large to eradicate them. Additionally, personally, I am extremely reluctant to exterminate creatures even though they are called pests. And another point, the economic globalization also causes invasion of alien species to other areas and countries.

 For example, this year, 12 countries made an agreement about TPP. In the near future, the countries can import and export goods and services more freely than ever before. That is to say, they were brought to other parts of the world on purpose or by accident and local species in a local area can be transported to abroad. Consequently, they carry a disease-causing parasite and feed on plants, including crops and could devastate to agriculture industry.

 I think that we can’t get rid of creatures completely. Therefore, Florida also can’t eradicate GALS. I guess that they can get rid of them to protect produces from poor crop. We can't have perfect solution but we need to continue to pay attention and get rid of them on an as needed basis. In doing so, we must think that about harmony between man and nature. It is important for us to take the stance. And vice versa. Considering harmony will be leading to preserving ecosystem and won't change non-native creatures to pests. Once the non-native creatures come to other countries and areas, they tend to increase rapidly and it is difficult for human to get rid of the non-native creatures. Through news, we have known such cases recently. In Japan, there have been quite a few species from abroad. For example, racoon, turtle, crawfish from America, and others from other areas. Most of them damage Japanese ecosystem, agriculture, and native species. But we also can’t expel completely.

I don’t know the reason why we can’t get rid of them exactly. However, I guess that several factors could be the reasons. First, their reproductive ability is too high compared to native species. Second, there are cases of them creating a new ecosystem. And then, our land is also too large to eradicate them. The global climate has been certainly changing. Additionally, personally, I am extremely reluctant to exterminate creatures. 

 And another point, the economic globalization also causes the phenomena. For example, this year, 12 countries made an agreement about TPP. The countries can import and export goods and services more freely than ever before. That is to say, they were brought to other parts of the world on purpose or by accident and local species in a local area can be transported to abroad. Consequently, they carry a disease-causing parasite that is harmful for both humans and animals and feed on plants, including crops and could devastate to agriculture industry.

 I think that we can’t get rid of creatures completely. Therefore, Florida also can’t eradicate GALS. I guess that they can get rid of them to protect produces from poor crop. In doing so, we need to think that about harmony between man and nature. The concept of the co-existence and co-prosperity is important for us. And also, we should also take the stance of “85% Solution” in the case like this in order to go with global environment and improve ecosystem.