The Sunday Brew #75
In this brew - Indian Election in a picture | Ubuntu & Omoluwabi | US TikTok ban saga continues, Bitcoin halving, and Google fires employees protesting project Nimbus
Welcome to The Sunday Brew, weekly 1-2-3 newsletter by The Percolator. Every Sunday we drop in your inbox 1 story in a picture, 2 concepts, ideas or frameworks to expand your horizons and 3 news from the week, to keep you updated.
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ONE STORY IN A PICTURE
TWO IDEAS, FRAMEWORKS OR CONCEPTS
This week we bring to you two concepts from African philosophy - Ubuntu & Omoluwabi
Ubuntu
The philosophy of Ubuntu is deeply rooted in African thought and culture, particularly in Southern Africa. Ubuntu can be translated as "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others." At its core, Ubuntu emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and stresses the importance of community, compassion, and relationships.
Here are some key principles of Ubuntu philosophy:
Interconnectedness: Ubuntu recognizes that individuals are interconnected and interdependent. It emphasizes the idea that one's actions and well-being are tied to the well-being of others within the community.
Compassion and Empathy: Central to Ubuntu is the concept of empathy and compassion towards others. It encourages individuals to treat each other with kindness, respect, and dignity.
Collective Identity: Ubuntu promotes a sense of collective identity, where individuals see themselves as part of a larger community rather than focusing solely on individual interests.
Sharing and Cooperation: Ubuntu values sharing resources and cooperating for the greater good of the community. It emphasizes collaboration and mutual support among community members.
Restorative Justice: In Ubuntu philosophy, there is an emphasis on restorative justice rather than punitive measures. It prioritizes reconciliation and healing over punishment.
Humility: Ubuntu encourages humility and discourages arrogance or superiority. It recognizes the contributions of others and values humility as a virtue.
Ubuntu philosophy emphasizes the importance of relationships, community, and humanity. It offers a holistic approach to life that prioritizes the well-being of individuals within the context of their communities.
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Omoluwabi
Omoluwabi is a concept deeply rooted in Yoruba culture and philosophy, particularly among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and neighbouring regions. The word "Omoluwabi" is derived from the Yoruba language, with "Omo" meaning child and "oluwabi" referring to a person of character, integrity, and virtue. Therefore, Omoluwabi can be translated as "child of character" or "person of integrity."
The concept of Omoluwabi encompasses a set of moral and ethical values that guide individual behaviour and interactions within the community. Some key principles of Omoluwabi include:
Integrity: Omoluwabi places a strong emphasis on honesty, truthfulness, and moral uprightness. Individuals are expected to act with integrity in all aspects of their lives, maintaining a high standard of ethical conduct.
Respect: Respect for oneself and others is fundamental in the concept of Omoluwabi. This includes respect for elders, authority figures, and members of the community, as well as respect for cultural norms and traditions.
Responsibility: Omoluwabi emphasizes personal responsibility and accountability. Individuals are encouraged to take ownership of their actions and decisions, and to fulfil their obligations to family, community, and society.
Courage: Courage is valued as an essential trait of the Omoluwabi. This includes the courage to stand up for what is right, to confront injustice, and to overcome challenges and adversity.
Generosity: Generosity and compassion towards others are also important aspects of Omoluwabi. Individuals are encouraged to share resources, offer assistance to those in need, and contribute to the well-being of the community.
Humility: Humility is considered a virtue in Omoluwabi philosophy. Individuals are expected to be modest and unassuming, avoiding arrogance or self-importance.
Omoluwabi represents a holistic approach to life that values moral character, ethical behaviour, and social responsibility. It serves as a guiding principle for personal conduct and communal harmony within Yoruba society.
THREE NEWS FROM THE WEEK
House Moves Toward Potential TikTok Ban, But Questions Remain
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Saturday, 360 to 58, that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States. Now it will move to senate.
The divest-or-ban bill, attached to a larger foreign aid package, would require the popular social media app's owner, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations within one year. If a sale isn't completed, TikTok would be banned.
This is the latest development in a saga fuelled by national security concerns. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed worries that user data collected by TikTok could be accessed by the Chinese government. ByteDance has denied these claims, insisting that user data is stored outside of China.
The bill faces an uncertain path forward. A similar, standalone bill with a shorter deadline passed the House in March, but stalled in the Senate. The inclusion in a critical foreign aid package could expedite its passage there, but it still needs Senate approval and President Biden's signature.
Even if the bill becomes law, a ban isn't guaranteed. Negotiations between ByteDance and the U.S. government could lead to an alternative solution, such as increased data security measures. Additionally, legal challenges are likely.
The potential ban has sparked debate. Supporters argue it's necessary to protect national security. Opponents argue it's an unnecessary restriction on free speech and would harm millions of American users and businesses that rely on the platform.
The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains unclear. The House's action adds another chapter to the story, but the final outcome is yet to be determined.
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Bitcoin Halving Cuts Miner Rewards in Half, Ushering in New Era
The much-anticipated Bitcoin halving event occurred on Friday, April 19th, 2024. This pre-programmed function in Bitcoin's code cuts the block reward for miners by 50%. As a result, miners now receive 3.125 bitcoins instead of the previous 6.25 bitcoins for verifying transactions on the blockchain network.
Bitcoin halvings take place roughly every four years, with the specific timing tied to the creation of 210,000 new blocks. This mechanism was designed by Bitcoin's pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to gradually reduce the rate at which new bitcoins enter circulation. The total supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, and around 19 million have already been mined.
The impact of halvings on Bitcoin's price is a subject of debate. Proponents argue that the reduced supply, coupled with increasing demand, could drive the price upwards. Sceptics believe the halving is already priced into the market and may not have a substantial effect.
Only time will tell how this latest halving will influence Bitcoin's price. However, one thing is certain: the event marks a significant milestone in Bitcoin's history, as the mining reward continues its descent towards zero and the total supply nears its finite limit.
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Google Fires Employees After Protests Erupt Over Project Nimbus Contract
Tensions are high at Google following the dismissal of 28 employees and the arrest of nine others after a series of protests erupted at the company's offices in New York City and Sunnyvale, California. The demonstrations targeted Project Nimbus, a controversial $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government that grants access to Google's cloud computing services, including potentially sensitive artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The employees, affiliated with the activist group "No Tech for Apartheid," voiced strong objections to Project Nimbus. They expressed concerns that Google's technology could be used for surveillance or military operations in Gaza, actions they see as enabling an apartheid state and potentially contributing to human rights abuses.
The protests involved sit-ins that disrupted operations at Google offices. Nine employees were arrested on trespassing charges, while Google terminated the employment of 28 others who participated in the demonstrations. This action by Google has ignited a debate on employee activism and the boundaries of protest within the workplace.
The controversy surrounding Project Nimbus is not new. The contract, awarded to Google and Amazon in 2021, has drawn criticism from human rights groups who argue that it legitimizes Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Israeli government maintains that the technology will be used for defensive purposes.
The Sunday Brew by The Percolator brings to you curated news on tech, business & entrepreneurship, from across the internet to give your week a perfect start.
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