All posts by chivacongelado

en español

La maldición mexicana

Es interesante ver que algunas de las semillas de la presente situación en México fueron plantadas durante el llamado “milagro mexicano” de 1940-1971.  Clientelismo, monopolios y falta de valor agregado en las actividades económicas  son vicios que se hicieron fuertes durante esa época.  Algunos otros se fortalecieron más tarde, especialmente el narcotráfico, el descuido del sistema educativo y el enfoque exclusivo en Estados Unidos.

En las últimas semanas han llamado mi atención una serie de artículos en los que se manifiesta la preocupación de algunos sectores dada la situación actual de México, especialmente en comparación con nuestros vecinos latinoamericanos.  La diferencia nace, a mi parecer, de la decidia de la clase política y de la falta de una cultura democrática en la sociedad que complemente nuestro sistema político.  Somos buenísimos para quejarnos y para asistir a manifestaciones, pero díganme quién le ha llamado a su diputado o senador para pedirle que rinda cuentas.

Viendo desde fuera el número de oportunidades perdidas en los últimos 10 años por el exceso de politiqueros y la falta de verdaderos estadistas, y el estado de nuestra inversión en el desarrollo de recursos humanos a través de la educación, por desgracia no me sorprende el estado del país.

Por desgracia, como es más fácil armar mitotes que ponerse a trabajar, no soy tan optimista como quisiera. Espero estar equivocado.

in english

Singular singularity thoughts

After a very interesting presentation by Dr. José Luis Cordeiro of Singularity University, I was left with a few interesting ideas about the coming accelerating technological and social progress.

  • Genetic testing is becoming faster and cheaper.  In 3 years full sequencing will only cost 100 bucks and take 5 days, with a huge impact in ancestry and medicine (think about genetically-tailored preventive medicine). Imagine 23andme going mass market.
  • We will go back to the moon, especially now that it is found that there’s water.
  • World relationships are changing. For thousands of years the important body of water was the Mediterranean, and until recently the Atlantic.  We are now entering the age of the Pacific.
  • Robot rights are already under discussion in Korea and Europe.
  • Economic, telecommunications and energy source evolution is accelerating.
  • The death of death: The Methuselah Foundation.
  • Nano, bio, info and cognitive sciences are converging. Everything is information.
  • Marvin Minsky (MIT): “Will robots inherit the earth? Yes, but they will be us!”
  • Transhumanism as a possibility, not only a science fiction conjecture.

in english

Finnish-Mexican fusion cuisine, part II

2 Comments

In many cultures it is common to take advantage of all parts of an animal, not only the average meat.  As I had been missing beef tongue tacos (a Mexican delicacy) for some time, I decided to try the same with reindeer when I found it sold in my local supermarket.  The taste was very good, if a little gamy.

Tacos de lengua de reno

Salad, rice, reindeer tongue taco

Ingredients (serves 2)

  • 500 g of reindeer tongue (2-3 tongues)
  • 1 full head of garlic
  • 1 white onion
  • Couple of stems and leaves of hierba buena (or spearmint)
  • Couple of stems of dill (or dried dill where available)

Peel the garlic. Cut the onion in 4 parts. Add the hierba buena, dill, and the tongues and boil everything in water for 1.5 hours. Peel the tongues and cut in small cubes.

Serve with warm tortillas.  Salad and rice as good optional sides.  Don’t forget a good sauce (a taco without sauce is a sad taco), we had some salsa taquera but I’m sure some pico de gallo would also work great.

in english

Remembrance Day

Armistice Day Poppy
I came across Remembrance Day in my last stay in London. While I find the tradition very moving (especially given the current servicemen situation in Afghanistan), I am also slightly disturbed by its militaristic overtones.  There’s nothing wrong with remembering your dead, but shouldn’t be used as a justification for hating others.  After all, the First and Second World Wars were already some time ago.

in english

Finnish citizenship test

2 Comments

Flags at work
If Finland were to apply tests for citizenship applicants, would you be able to pass it? Helsingin Sanomat created one.

I got 85%, while natural-born Finns I know got 30 points less. Doesn’t seem to make me or any other foreigner any more or less of a Finn in the eyes of society to know for example how people in Rauma speak, as the more I explore suomalaisuus it looks that it is an ethnic rather than cultural concept.

in english

Singapore

Wikipedia has a better overview of the place.  I’ll just give you my observations in pictures (the rest, as usual, here).

Chilli crab dinner
Long-time foreign residents (and good friends) say there's only 3 things to do in Singapore: eat, shop and visit the rest of Southeast Asia. I wouldn't really mind, especially given their awesome weather.
Singapore skyline at night
The place looks absolutely stunning at night.
En México y en Singapur, la cerveza es... Corona
In Singapore and the rest of the world you can find Corona
Raffles Place
Their Financial district didn't appear to have suffered the recession too much. Furthermore, everywhere is spotless.
Art Noveau building
There is very, very interesting architecture.
4 languages in Singapore
The place is almost a textbook case study of multiculturalism. Not surprising given that it was forced on them by the government a few generations ago.
All new casino
The economy is still going strong.
Singapore doesn't believe in climate change
The place seems to be slightly constrained on the political freedoms front, juding by the level of discourse in the country's media.

in english

Singapore Airlines

Flight route

I recently flew with Singapore Airlines and have to say the experience was very pleasant.  Even in economy class there was more than enough legroom, every seat had a good in-flight entertainment system, the movie selection was both varied and recent, the service was flawless every time and the meals were excellent in both flavour and presentation.  So unlike the state of airline travel in Europe or, worse, the US.

A special mention is warranted to the on-air personnel and their uniforms.  Unlike Western male-originated attire, their stewardesses actually look like women.  The picture below doesn’t do them justice at all.

Singapore airlines stewardesses