Many people from birth are not happy with being born a girl or a boy. They do a sex-change operations to be in his element. These guys are born girls, then realized that wearing a skirt is not for them, and underwent surgery.
Feed: David Lim's posterous - AggScore: 94.3
Summary: Auckland Posterous
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Part-time position available now for baby-sitter...
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 7:15 am
Do you believe that these men are born girls?
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 7:09 am
Believing in your dreams...
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 7:04 am
Do you know anything about the oldest original Japanese castles?
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle was originally built on a nearby mountain in 1240 AD by Akiba Shigenobu. Takahashi Muneyasu constructed a castle on the modern site on Mount Gagyu in 1331, though the design of this castle differed from the one that stands on the site now. This fortification dates to 1683, when Mizunoya Sakyonosuke Katsumune built the castle that is on the site now. It is also a popular place to visit because it is the only yamashiro, or mountain castle, to have an original tenshu.
Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle is the most famous historical site in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. This Edo period castle traces its origin to 1603 when Ii Naokatsu, son of the former daimyo Ii Naomasa, ordered its construction. Hikone Castle’s three storied castle keep is relatively small but displays a unique design that combines multiple different architecture styles. This is one reason why the castle has been designated a national treasure.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 buildings with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period. For over 400 years, Himeji Castle has remained intact, even throughout the extensive bombing of Himeji in World War II, and natural disasters such as the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and it was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.
Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle is a castle town that has always played a major role in politics and economics in the region since Hirosaki Castle was built in the 17th century. There are many seasonal attractions in Hirosaki throughout the year. Two spectacular festivals in Hirosaki are the Hirosaki Sakura-matsuri (cherry blossom festival) and the Hirosaki Neputa-matsuri Festival held in summer.
Inuyama Castle
Inuyama Castle’s has never been destroyed since its construction in 1537 and it’s donjon is considered Japan’s oldest. The castle stands on top of a small hill next to the Kiso River and it is one of only four castles which are designated national treasures.
Kochi Castle
Kochi Castle construction was begun in 1601 and was completed in 1611. Much of the original fortress burned down in 1727 but it was reconstructed between 1729 and 1753 in the original style. The castle underwent major restoration from 1948 to 1959. Though no battles were fought at the castle, it is noteworthy because the castle is the original structure, and not a post-war replica. It is also the only castle in Japan to retain both its original tenshu, or keep, and its palace. In fact, it is the only castle to have all the original buildings in the honmaru, or innermost ring of defense, still standing.
Marugame Castle
Marugame Castle, also known as Kameyama Castle and Horai Castle, is a hirayamashiro (castle situated on a hill surrounded by a plain) located in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. The roots of the current castle lie in 1587, when Marugame Castle was the residence of the lord of the Sanuki Province, Ikoma Chikamasa.
Maruoka Castle
Maruoka Castle is located on a high hill above Maruoka Town, Fukui Prefecture, in central Japan. The castle is also known as Kasumiga Joh, Mist Castle, owing to a legend that a fog would descend to protect it in time of battle. Maruoka Castle was completed in 1576, and is the oldest one remaining of all the castles in Japan. In 1948 the structure was destroyed by an earthquake, but by 1955 it was reconstructed using 80% of the original building materials, and remains standing today. It is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle is the only one remaining in the Sanin region. This castle is the second largest, the third tallest (30m) and the sixth oldest amongst castles. It was built over a period of 5 years by the daimyo of the Izumo region, Yoshiharu Horio, and was completed in 1622. In 1875, all of the buildings within the castle were destroyed, with the exception of the castle tower itself, which was allowed to remain due to pressure from interest groups. The castle underwent a complete reconstruction between 1950 and 1955.
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle, originally called Fukashi Castle, is unusual among Japanese fortresses in that it is built on flat land beside a swamp, rather than being on a mountain or between rivers. The lack of natural defenses meant that this castle had to be extremely well-constructed in order to protect the people living inside. The keep, which was completed in the late 16th century, maintains its original wooden interiors and external stonework. It is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.
Matsuyama Castle
Matsuyama Castle (Matsuyamajo) is one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles. It is located on Katsuyama (Mount Katsu), a steep hill in the city center, that provides visitors to the castle with a bird’s eye view of Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea. Matsuyamajo Castle was constructed between 1602 and 1628. In 1635, the castle was assigned to a branch of the Matsudaira family, relatives of the Tokugawa, and remained in their hands until the end of the feudal era. The current three storied castle tower was constructed in 1820 after the original five storied and one was destroyed by lightening.
Uwajima Castle
Uwajima Castle is a hirayamashiro (Japanese castle on a hill on a plain) in Uwajima, Ehime, Japan. An alternate name for this castle is Tsurushima-jo.This castle was constructed by Todo Takatora, a Daimyo, in 1596 after being given a small fiefdom by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1595. This castle experienced major repairs and expansion by Date Munetoshi in 1671.
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 7:01 am
Can someone please explain to us what these pictures are all about?
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 6:44 am
Sad Shortcuts To Eternity...
Over one million people commit suicide every year, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. It is a leading cause of death among teenagers and adults under 35. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year. The most common cause is a variety of underlying psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug abuse. The most common method is gunshot. This list will be examining some of the famous cases of suicide.
VIRGINIA WOLF
Virginia Wolf left a note for his husband before he wore her coat and filled her pockets with stones and drowned herself in the river near their house on March 28, 1941. “ I feel certain that I am going mad again… and I can’t recover this time”. It was after she published her last novel.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY
Hemingway killed himself through gunshot.
SYLVIA PLATH
Plath was a great American poet and novelist. She killed herself through gassing herself in the kitchen. She thrust her head into the gas oven.
RYUNOSUKE ATUTAGAWA
The Japanese writer of “Rashomon” who killed himself in 1927 by an overdose of barbiturates. “The world I am now in is one of diseased nerves, lucid as ice,” read part of his suicide note. “Such voluntary death must give us peace, if not happiness…”
JAMES ROBERT BAKER
American cult writer, author of “Fuel Injected Dreams” and an early pioneer in gay themed literature, killed himself in 1997.
JOHN BERRYMAN
American poet, jumped from a bridge in 1972.
JOHN GOULD FLETCHER
American Pulitzer Prize Winning Poet, like Woolf, drowned himself in a pond near his home.
SIGMUND FREUD
Sigmund Freud, the founder of modern psychoanalysis, believed we all had a “life drive” and “death drive”. Through his life, Freud used cocaine, which was legal in the late 19th century, and sought to open up peoples’ minds regarding the fundamentals of mental illness. Freud succumbed to his “death drive” in 1939, by taking an overdose of morphine.
YUKIO MISHIMA
Three-time Nobel Prize nominee for literature, committed ritual suicide, disemboweling himself with a sword in the traditional seppuku fashion.
JERZY KOSINSKI
On May 3, 1991, his wife found his body in a half-filled bathtub, a suffocating plastic bag wrapped around his head. “ I am going to put myself to sleep now for a bit longer than usual”, read Kosinski’s suicide note. “ Call it Eternity”.
HUNTER S. THOMPSON
Perhaps most famous for his 1972 novel “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, Thompson put a bullet through his brain and ended his life. “No More Games,” read a note delivered to his wife shortly before the incident. “ No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun — for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax — This wont hurt.”
ANNE SEXTON
On October 4, 1974, right after meeting with a close friend to
discuss her latest book of poetry (The Awful Rowing Toward
God),
Sexton went home, locked herself in the garage with the car
running, and succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 6:42 am
E.T. has not gone home yet! He is still around...
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 6:41 am
Sorry to destroy your believe: Some Popular Myths Busted!
Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves.
In fact, it freed little or no slaves. Why? Because the emancipation proclamation – 1862 – declared the freedom of all slaves in the confederate states – that is, the states over which Lincoln and the Union government had no control. Furthermore, it did not free slaves from any of the states that were already under union control. This would be like Australia trying to declare a law binding on New Zealanders, when they are two separate nations. The emancipation proclamation was, effectively, worthless. It was not until the Thirteenth Amendment, December 6, 1865, that slavery was officially abolished in full.
Goldfish have a memory of only three seconds.
The notion that goldfish have a memory of only
three seconds is completely false
They have been trained to navigate mazes and can recognize their
owners after an exposure of a few months.
Jihad is an “Islamic war on the western world”
Jihad is not an “Islamic war on the western
world” but rather a verb meaning to struggle or to strive. One can
have an internal jihad, family jihad, or religious jihad, which may
or may not include violence towards non-Muslims
A comparison may be made with the term “crusade”, which is
sometimes considered by Muslims to mean Western violence against
Islam, when it is more often used as a metaphorical struggle; for
example, “a crusade against drugs”.
You can extend your penis or widen its girth with special devices or medications
This is patently untrue and the source of millions of spam emails sent around the world every day. Vacuum pumps, pills, stretching techniques: none of them make one iota of difference to the size of your manhood (and consequently the engine size of your car). The only way to enlarge your penis is to have enhancement surgery. This is, obviously, extremely expensive, extremely painful, and extremely gruesome.
The Fruit eaten by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was an apple
Nowhere in the Bible is the fruit eaten by Adam
and Eve in the Garden of Eden referred to as an apple. The fruit is
called the “fruit of the tree” (that is, the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil), and neither the fruit nor the tree is identified by
species. In Middle English, as late
as the 17th century “apple” was a generic term for all
fruit other than berries but
including nuts
However, in continental European art from that period
representing the Fall of
Man the fruit is often depicted as an apple. The
apple myth comes from a Latin word likeness: Latin mălus = “bad”,
mălum = “an evil”, mālus = “apple tree” and “mast of a ship”,
mālum = “apple (fruit)”.
Elephants are the only mammal that can’t jump
First of all, just so you know, it is true that adult elephants can’t jump – if by jumping we mean the state of having no feet on the ground at the same time after propelling oneself from a stationary position. But contrary to the popular myth that it is is the only mammal that can’t, it is joined by a few others. Firstly, the sloth is unable to jump which suits its lazy lifestyle rather well. Also, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses also cannot jump, though unlike elephants, when they run it is possible for them to have all four feet off the ground.
Shaving cause hair to grow back thicker or coarser or darker
Shaving does not cause hair to grow back thicker or coarser or darker. This belief is due to the fact that hair that has never been cut has a tapered end, whereas, after cutting, there is no taper. Thus, it appears thicker, and feels coarser due to the sharper, unworn edges. Hair can also appear darker after it grows back because hair that has never been cut is often lighter due to sun exposure.
Sugar cause hyperactivity in children
Sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children double blind trials have shown no difference in behavior between children given sugar full or sugar-free diets, even in studies specifically looking at children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or those considered “sensitive” to sugar. In fact, it was found that the difference in the children’s behavior was all in the parents’ minds
There is a dark side of the Moon
There is no dark side of the Moon; every part of the Moon’s surface (except perhaps deep craters near the poles) is illuminated by the Sun roughly half of the time. The phrase uses the word “dark” in the less-frequent sense of “unknown” or “obscure” to refer to the far side of the Moon, which because of tidal locking is never visible from Earth.
The Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space.
It is commonly claimed that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible from the Moon. This is false. None of the Apollo astronauts reported seeing any man-made object from the Moon. The misconception is believed to have been popularized by Richard Halliburton decades before the first moon landing
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 6:34 am
You are lucky because these people are not your siblings or family members!
Extreme Piercing. Lot of people just want to be noticed. Others just want to represent any kind of an idea, movement, want to belong. For some it’s their way of culture, tradition. For you, their is a slideshow of pictures of the people who wont go unnoticed. If they are not loud enough, their actions are.
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 6:05 am
Do you what is the level of human stupidity?
These guys definitely have a different definition of
safety. Epic failures and unbelievable
stupidness.
http://davidinauckland.blogspot.co.nz
http://davidinauckland.blogspot.co.nz
Police? What Police?
http://davidinauckland.blogspot.co.nz
http://davidinauckland.blogspot.co.nz
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 6:01 am
Some pictures of FAILED couples, husbands and wives!
This is a loving and caring husband!
Cheating sign.
Flagrant.
Note: This photo is part of one Russian online community members which enjoy making some staged photos with creepy plot. Spawned from an Internet community called Encounter Urban Games, the rules of the Russian online phenomenon known as PhotoExtreme are simple: Someone comes up with a random, oddly specific scenario. Then everyone else acts it out and takes photographs.
I hope her husband isn't good at maths.
Getting nasty via Facebook.
We hear you, man!
If you are going to cheat, please don't be
stupid.
Twilight fan's husband.
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 5:58 am
2012 Smartphone Tech News Update: Samsung Galaxy Y Duos S6102
It got around the block quickly enough that entry-level Androids are big money earners. Not that Samsung needed the heads-up. They've had a foot in that door for as long as we can remember. As of late, their Galaxy Y series have taken over from the likes of the Galaxy Gio, Mini and the Fit to offer affordable smartphones for youths and emerging markets.
Samsung Galaxy Y Duos
At one point an almost exclusive Nokia territory, the low-end market is now fair game for cheap smartphones and the Galaxy Y Duos doesn't have to try hard to make itself comfortable.
The Galaxy Y Duos builds on the single-SIM Galaxy Y with a slightly larger screen, a higher-resolution camera, larger capacity battery and, most importantly, an extra SIM slot. The latter will, of course, be its key selling point in emerging markets, but here's what else is on offer.
Key Features
- Dual-SIM (dual stand-by)
- Quad-Band GSM and dual-band 3G support
- 7.2 Mbps HSDPA
- SIM switch in notification area
- 3.14" 256K-color QVGA TFT touchscreen
- 832MHz ARMv6 processor, 290MB of RAM
- Android OS v2.3.5 (Gingerbread) with TouchWiz UI
- 160MB of internal storage, hot-swappable MicroSD slot, 2GB card included
- 3.15 MP fixed-focus camera with geotagging
- GPS receiver with A-GPS
- Stereo FM radio with RDS
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Document viewer
- Accelerometer and proximity sensor
- Swype text input
- MicroUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth 3.0
- Social network integration
Main disadvantages
- Low screen resolution limits choice of apps
- Fixed focus camera
- No secondary camera
- No camera flash, no dedicated camera key
- QVGA video recording @24fps is pretty low
- No Adobe Flash support
The Galaxy Y Duos is aimed at entry level smartphone enthusiasts who want to make the best out of a limited budget. This dual-SIM droid is based on the original Galaxy Y - which in turn was a cut above the usual dumbphone.
We guess the two won't directly compete with each other: the dual-SIM smartphone will probably reach a different demographic. A package like the Galaxy Y (single SIM) is a more short-term affair - a phone to learn the basics with before moving on to something more advanced.
A dual-SIM phone on the other hand is the sensible choice for the budget-conscious - a typically older audience that's not as keen to upgrade ever so often. On the other hand, teens too will probably enjoy the flexibility of mobile plans that two SIM cards provide.
Anyway, Samsung have a solid dual-SIM track record but what we're interested in is how two phone lines are managed and operated in an Android environment. The first thing you'd notice is the lack of dedicated SIM management key and hot-swappable SIM cards. On the other hand, a handy SIM switch is integrated in the Android notification area and a SIM manager tops the settings menu. Quad-band support on both SIM cards and dual-band 3G are of course more than welcome.
The Galaxy Y Duos at HQ
But enough spoilers - let's see how the Galaxy Y Duos handles its two jobs, a smartphone and a dual-SIM phone.
Retail package
The modest retail package of the Samsung Galaxy Y Duos is hardly a surprise considering the low price. You do get a standard microUSB cable and charger, along with a 2GB microSD card complete with an SD adapter.
What the package omits is a set of headphones - you'll have to get them elsewhere if you want to enjoy the music player or the FM Radio on the phone. This may be a region-specific thing though, judging by user feedback to our original Galaxy Y review.
Design and build quality
The styling is the usual Samsung, there are minor differences to the single-SIM Galaxy Y. The most notable is an elongated Home button, as opposed to the square Home key of the original. The chrome-like front frame is more prominent but it doesn't fit so well with the rest of the phone's design - particularly the rubbery rear. On a positive note, the build is quite good.
The 3.14" TFT display of QVGA (240 x 320) resolution is at the bottom of the food chain in terms of specs, and, we're afraid, the real-life image quality reflects that too.
The Galaxy Y Duos up front
Images are highly pixelated, while the low contrast and inadequate brightness make it uncomfortable to use on a bright sunny day. Here's the full rundown below.
| Display test | 50% brightness | 100% brightness | ||||
| Black, cd/m2 | White, cd/m2 | Contrast ratio | Black, cd/m2 | White, cd/m2 | Contrast ratio | |
| HTC Sensation XE | 0.23 | 172 | 761 | 0.64 | 484 | 752 |
| Nokia 701 | 0.64 | 619 | 964 | 1.12 | 1022 | 905 |
| LG Prada 3.0 | 0.19 | 184 | 993 | 0.81 | 835 | 1031 |
| Samsung S7500 Galaxy Ace Plus | 0.27 | 239 | 873 | 0.6 | 528 | 888 |
| Samsung Galaxy Y Duos | 0.34 | 272 | 808 | 0.64 | 538 | 842 |
| Samsung Galaxy Y | 0.40 | 247 | 624 | 0.72 | 471 | 625 |
| Apple iPhone 4S | 0.14 | 205 | 1463 | 0.52 | 654 | 1261 |
| Samsung Galaxy Nexus | 0 | 112 | ∞ | 0 | 247 | ∞ |
| Motorola RAZR XT910 | 0 | 215 | ∞ | 0 | 361 | ∞ |
| Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II | 0 | 231 | ∞ | 0 | 362 | ∞ |
| Samsung Galaxy Note | 0 | 287 | ∞ | 0 | 429 | ∞ |
Below the screen is the usual arrangement of a physical Home button and two capacitive Menu and Back keys. They light up only when touched and otherwise stay out of the way. Above the display there's an earpiece and a proximity sensor to disable the touchscreen during calls. What the phone lacks is a front-facing video-call camera.
Controls and sensor around the display
Near the top, on the right side of the Galaxy Y Duos, which is the usual place in Samsung phones, is the power/lock button.
On the right side of the device
The left side features a lanyard eyelet and a single-piece volume rocker with good feedback.
The left side
At the bottom of the Galaxy Y Duos you'll find the microUSB port for charging and data transfers and the microphone pinhole.
Bottom of the phone
There's a 3.5 mm headphone jack at the top.
At the top
The battery cover is plastic (as is the case with most Samsung phones these days) but looks durable and feels nice to the touch. The rubbery finish ensures good grip.
The 3.15 MP camera lens is centrally placed at the top and there's a loudspeaker grille on its right. A Samsung logo is stamped underneath the camera lens and grille.
The rubbery back has good grip
Removing the back panel is easy enough and reveals the 1300mAh Li-Ion battery, which is quoted at 360h of stand-by and up to 9h of calls in 3G. The Galaxy Y seems to easily go through a day and a half of heavy testing with the two SIM cards always on stand-by. We'll be back with a detailed battery test over the next few days so keep watching this space.
Under the hood
The Samsung Galaxy Y Duos S6102 proved to be a capable runner in our battery race. Considering people looking at a dual-SIM phone will likely use it mainly for talking, the Y Duos will easily last for a couple of days on a charge. We didn't test the video playback battery life as our test videos wouldn't run (the Y Duos supports only low-res videos and it wouldn't be fair) and it's not a phone likely to be used for movie watching.
You can read more about the battery life on the Galaxy Y Duos over at our blog.
Placing both SIM slots inside the battery compartment, Samsung must've thought the Galaxy Y Duos users won't need to often change SIM cards. By comparison, Nokia's recent dual-SIM devices have a hot-swappable side-mounted SIM slot, but these are basic feature phones for markets where handset sharing isn't unusual.
The Samsung Galaxy Y Duos held in hand
While not extravagant or necessarily pretty, the Samsung Galaxy Y Duos is a compact and straight-forward device. It costs little and looks durable enough to survive the occasional knock and drop.
It's easily pocketable and makes single-handed operation trouble free. Considering you get two phones in such a friendly shape and size, there's little to complain of.
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 5:53 am
Turning Of The Bones of Famadihana Festival (people, culture, event and tradition)
According to Malagasy belief, people are not made from mud, but from the bodies of the ancestors. Hence they hold their forefathers in high regard. They also believe that unless the bodies decompose completely, the dead do not leave permanently and are able to communicate with the living. So until they are gone forever, love and affection is showered on them through theFamadihana festival. Famadihana, also known as ‘turning of the bones’ is a festival celebrated every 2 to 7 years. The main motive behind the festival originated from the belief of the local people that the dead return to God and are again reborn. Dead people are highly respected in the local communities as they are considered to be directly related to God. It is interesting to note that the festival is not an ancient practice of Madagascar. Its origins cannot be traced beyond the seventeenth century.
The party begins even before the exhumation, with the attendees (“mourners” does not seem to be the right word) gathering to drink and dance to a live band that will continue to play for almost the entire ritual. Music is a very important part of the ceremony. The jaunty sound of the mainly brass instruments has been described by one observer as “distinctly reminiscent of the ragtime music that was the precursor to jazz in New Orleans.”
During the dry bones festival, the corpses are removed from the tombs and re-wrapped in new shrouds, to prevent the deceased from feeling cold in their resting place. This kind of re-dressing takes place after dreams of the departed are recounted by some of the members of the family and thanks given for the blessings they have bestowed from the spirit world.
The burial tomb is constructed with much care and it is considered to act as the link between the dead and the living. The relatives of the dead dress themselves well and go to the tomb to see the remains of the deceased. Relatives, friends and other near and dear ones are invited to the event.
Before the re-dressed bones are put back to their respective burial places, they are carried several times around the tomb. This is to make the souls of the departed familiar with their eternal residence, otherwise there are beliefs they may roam and terrorize the villagers afterwards.
The festival also consists of animal sacrifices and various traditional forms of celebration. The meat of the slain animal is distributed among the relatives and the friends. There are traditional song and dance performances which are performed by the family members or from the favorites of the razana (the dead).
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 5:43 am
2012 Google Android smartphone update: Galaxy S III gets 9 million pre-orders
Korea Economic Daily is reporting
that the Samsung Galaxy S III has received over 9 million
pre-orders from 100 carriers around the world. This information
comes courtesy of a Samsung official who remains anonymous.
Whichever way you look at it, that's an impressive figure. We knew the Galaxy S III was going to sell big but these numbers are much higher than what we would have bet on. It's predecessor, the Galaxy S II, took 10 months to ship 20 million units and the Galaxy S III took two weeks to reach almost half of that. Also, these are pre-order figures, not shipments, and are almost as good as actual sales figures.
Looks like Samsung has another winner on their hands. Obviously, this does not bode well for rivals such as HTC and LG. And even though this figure is nowhere close to the iPhone 4S pre-orders, Apple should be feeling the heat as well, especially considering the 9 million figure excludes Apple's key market, the US of A.
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Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 5:42 am
The World's Top 10 Highly Developed Countries: Who are they?
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite
statistic used to rank countries according to their development
levels from “very high” to “low.” Countries are placed based on
life expectancy, education, standard of living, child welfare,
health care, economic welfare, and population happiness. Formulas
are used to factor all the variables and determine the scores of
countries. Critics have cited the HDI as inaccurate or vague, but
coming up with top ten highly developed countries list on my own
opinion would have been very subjective and probably badly
ranked. Thus, I have simply listed the first ten countries on the
HDI and displayed their scores, while providing explanations.
Enjoy.
10. Sweden
Score: 0.904
Score: 0.904
The socialist and largely liberal European country of
Sweden (officially the Kingdom of Sweden) is led by Prime
Minister Fredrick Reinfeldt and is about the size of the US state
of California (or Spain if unfamiliar with the CA) and has an
approximate population of 9.3 million with the capital and
largest city being Stockholm. The Swedish people are rated as one
of the happiest in the world and have high marks in income
($35,876 GDP per capita, and a regular GDP of $485 billion), life
expectancy (80.9 years), and education. In addition, the country
has very low unemployment and poverty rates, has equal and free
access to health care, and has been one of the most active
supporters of environmental sustainability today and pushes for
other countries to “Go green.” Sweden also serves as a major
tourist destination for millions of international travelers, as
the country has a long and rich history.
9. Germany
Score: 0.905 Score
Score: 0.905 Score
The Federal Republic of Germany, or Germany, has
the largest economy in the European Union, and one of the largest
populations at 82.2 million, as well as its bustling capital and
economic center of Berlin. Chancellor Angela Merkel is the head
of a government with a people of very high education standards,
with a nearly 100% attendance rate and 99% literacy rate. Germany
thrives in industry and manufacturing and is a major exporter of
electrical and engineering products, such as cars (Volkswagen
anyone?), and are renowned globally for their skilled work force.
The GDP is $3.5 trillion and GDP per capita is $40,631, and
poverty rates are low, although the unemployment rate is about
7%. Germany also, like Sweden, is a prime tourist destination for
its historic beauty, and the wonderful people (aside from Adolf
and the Nazis back in the 1930-40s) have a life expectancy of
79.4 years.
8.
Liechtenstein
Score: 0.905
Score: 0.905
The Principality of Liechtenstein is one of the
smallest and least populated countries in the world, with a
landmass of just 160 square kilometers (62 sq miles, about the
size of Washington, US) and a population of 35,000. Even so, this
parliamentary democracy manages to have one of highest GDP per
capita’s in the worlds ($141,000) and has virtually zero debt,
poverty, and unemployment rates, while having prominent literary
and education ratings. Liechtenstein has very low taxes imposed
on its citizens and is a center of investment from countries and
the wealthy. If ever feeling the desire to travel to this rather
interesting country, visit the capital of Vaduz, where you can
view the huge Vaduz castle, home to the prince and his family,
while also getting acquainted with the city’s 5,100
inhabitants.
7. Ireland
Score: 0.908
Score: 0.908
The Republic of Ireland has a relatively small
population of 4.5 million, is a parliamentary democracy, and its
capital is Dublin. Ireland has a very high literacy rate of 99%
and high education standards, as well as a strong life expectancy
of 78.9 years. It also has a well balanced infrastructure, with a
GDP of $203.89 billion and a GDP per capita rate of $45,497. The
country is ranked #7 for its press freedom, economic freedom, and
political freedom it offers to the public. Ireland was in the
process of rapid economic growth and development when the global
recession began in 2008. Ireland than experienced negative GDP
and accumulated massive debt, being rated as one of the five
European “P.I.I.G.S.” (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and
Spain) and losing two points on the Human Development Index
Scale. Still, the Taoiseach (or Prime Minister) Enda Kenney is
collaborating with EU leaders (France and Germany) to relieve
this problem and continue developing forward.
6. Canada
Score: 0.908
Score: 0.908
Canada is, geographically, the second largest
country next to Russia and shares the longest international
border in the world with the United States. Canada is governed by
a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy and keeps
it ties with the United Kingdom close, being one of the few
countries with two anthems (“O Canada,” the national anthem, and
“God Save the Queen,” the Royal Anthem) with Queen Elizabeth II
being the Head of State. The country is very economically
advanced with a GDP $1.758 trillion and GDP per capita of
$51,147. It has an intelligent population with high education and
literacy rates, and a large percentage of the population is even
bilingual or trilingual (English and French are the official
languages, but Spanish doesn’t hurt). Canada is known for its
free health care system (on top of an 80.7 life expectancy) and
poses minimal taxes on the 34.7 million inhabitants. And of
course, it is a great tourist destination, as you can visit the
world-renowned waterfall of Niagara Falls, or the capital of
Ottawa, or maybe even the historical landmarks at the largely
French-rooted city of Quebec.
5. New
Zealand
Score: 0.908
Score: 0.908
New Zealand is a small and relatively remote group
of islands and was one of the last islands to be discovered and
settled by humans. Thus, it contains a beautiful landscape and
flourishing animal life and biodiversity that attracts flocks of
tourists annually. New Zealand is a parliamentary constitutional
monarchy that also recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State
and in their national anthem, while John Key is the Prime
Minister. New Zealand has one of the highest living standards and
happiness ratings in the world, and tends to be a strong advocate
for peace and environmental sustainability, banning nuclear
weapons and protecting its diverse wildlife. The country’s GDP is
$157.877 billion dollars, with a GDP per capita of $35,374 for
its population of about 4.3 million. Its education, literacy, and
health standards are all very high with a life expectancy of 80.2
years. Of course, New Zealand is a hot spot for travelers looking
for beautiful topography and biodiversity, and while you’re there
you can stop by the wonderful city where Jamie came from:
Wellington (pictured).
4. United States of
America
Score: 0.910
Score: 0.910
The United States came a long way from its
beginnings in 1776, beating the British in the American
Revolution (with a lot of help from the French) and declaring its
independence, and now, after removing the Native Americans,
fighting a Civil War, dealing with the Great Depression, and
engaging in two World Wars, the US has emerged as the most
powerful country in the world, with a GDP of $15 trillion (the
largest in the world) and a GDP per capita of $48,147. The US is
a representative democracy (republic) and a manufacturing giant
and a major importer and exporter of goods and a trading partner
with every major country. The US is one of the most ethnically
diverse countries in the world (the state I live in, California,
has a 50% Asian, Latin American, and African American population,
out of almost 40 million people.) However, all this aside, the US
loses points because, out of a population of nearly 315 million,
there is a 15% poverty rate, 9% unemployment average (and in some
states up to 14%), and international critics argue that American
education standards fall behind the rest of the world. Also, the
US loses points in health because, while life expectancy is
relatively high at 79 years, obesity rates are skyrocketing, with
up to 33% of adults at obese levels, and similar rates for
children. On top of all this, America is spiraling through
massive debt and dragging other countries down through the
decrease of trade caused by the global recession.
3.
Netherlands
Score: 0.910
Score: 0.910
Also known as the United Netherlands or Holland,
the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, while also being a
representative democracy. The Netherlands has very high
educational and literacy standards, while having low poverty and
unemployment rates, and is led by its Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Throughout its history, the Netherlands was one of the key
founders of the EU, NATO, OECD, AND WTO and is a called the
“world’s legal capital,” hosting five international court
systems. The country’s GDP is $832.160 billion and has a GDP per
capita of $49,950. In May of 2011, the Netherland’s 16.7 million
people were ranked as the happiest in the world, with a stable
economy, guileless government, low taxes, beautiful cities such
as the capital of Amsterdam, and a healthy life expectancy of
79.8 years.
2.
Australia
Score: 0.929
Score: 0.929
Officially the Commonwealth of Australia, this
island/continent has the world’s 13th largest economy, with a GDP
of $918.978 billion, and the 5th highest per capita of $40,836.
Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy with
some of the highest rankings in the world in the categories of
quality of life (the people are very happy), health, education
(nearly a 100% literacy rate and extremely high percentages of
enrollment and college graduates), economic freedom, and finally
civil liberties and protection of human rights. The 22.7 million
inhabitants enjoy a country striving for a stable government,
content citizens, peace, and sustainability and protection of
wildlife and biodiversity (of which Australia has a lot of), and
a life expectancy of 81.2 years. Of course, Australia is a
fantastic place to visit and experience its rustic wildlife and
beautiful cities such as Sydney.
1. Norway
Score: 0.943
Score: 0.943
And #1, crushing the runner up by almost double the
rating is Norway, or the Kingdom of Norway. This country of
almost 5 million is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with
extremely high education standards and a very low poverty and
unemployment rate, with a life expectancy of 80.2 years. Norway
was a pivotal founding member of NATO but rejected joining the
EU, but continues to have good relations with neighboring
European countries. Norway is also a founding member and now huge
donator to the United Nations as well as helping found the
Council of Europe, and is an active member of WTO and OECD.
Norway has one of the largest reserves of petroleum, natural gas,
minerals, lumber, seafood, freshwater, and hydro-power in the
world and is a major exporter of oil. Norway is internationally
recognized for its universal health care, advanced schooling
systems, and a distinguished social security system. For all
these reasons, the Kingdom of Norway ranks number one on the
United Nation’s Human Development Index.
Date Published: May 20, 2012 - 5:38 am
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