Photography with Joe

  Day 169: Echoes of Absence on Bloor Street Photo: A deserted storefront on Bloor Street, Toronto. Plywood boards, freshly nailed, cover the windows, obscuring what once lay within. A single, flickering fluorescent light casts an eerie glow on the dusty sidewalk. Through a gap in the boards, a jumble of clothing spills out, a silent testament to a hasty departure. Description: The boarded-up shop front on Bloor Street speaks volumes about the impact of the pandemic. The newness of the wood suggests a recent closure, a business unable to weather the economic storm. The haphazardly placed clothing hints at a hurried escape, the owners forced to abandon their dreams in the face of crisis. Emotions: This image evokes a sense of loss and uncertainty. The empty storefront represents a livelihood lost, a space that once buzzed with activity now a hollow shell. The scattered clothing adds a personal touch, a reminder of the human stories behind the economic hardship. Context: Toronto,...

 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a valuable resource for many people struggling with alcohol dependence, but it's not perfect, and it's not the only option. Here's a breakdown of why some consider it outdated, along with some sources: Limitations of AA: One-Size-Fits-All Approach: AA emphasizes a spiritual approach, which may not resonate with everyone. [Source: The New York Times - "Can There Be a More Scientific Approach to Alcoholism Treatment?"( https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/health/alcohol-health-guidelines.html )] Focus on Abstinence: AA promotes complete abstinence, which can be discouraging for those seeking moderation. [Source: The Washington Post - "Is AA the only answer for alcoholism?"( https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline )] Limited Professional Oversight: While AA provides support, it lacks the medical expertise often needed for successful recovery. [Source: Science Daily - "AA Alone May Not Be Enough for Alcohol ...

  Flash hotspots on windows or glass can be particularly challenging to correct, as they often exhibit a strong specular highlight or reflection. Here are some tips to help mitigate flash hotspots on windows or glass in DXO Lab: Use the "Glare" tool : In the "Details" tab, find the "Glare" tool and adjust the slider to reduce the intensity of the hotspot. Apply a "Graduated Filter" : In the "Exposure" tab, use a Graduated Filter to apply a gradual correction to the affected area. Utilize "Local Adjustments" : Select the "Local Adjustments" tool and paint a correction onto the hotspot area, adjusting exposure, contrast, and color as needed. Try "Selective Tone Mapping" : In the "Exposure" tab, use Selective Tone Mapping to apply a tone curve adjustment specifically to the hotspot area. Use the "Spot Weighted" mode with caution : While the Spot Weighted mode can help, be careful not to ove...

----------------------- It’s a question that we have undoubtedly asked ourselves at one point or another. Perhaps you have done it while staring up at the ceiling fan late at night, or perhaps while doodling on a cocktail napkin at some out-of-the-way dive bar. The prevailing notion in the modern Western world is that happiness is a subjective feeling we experience from day to day. Like the stock market, happiness goes up, then down, and nobody really knows where it will land next. We view happiness as something that can be augmented by a pill or a bottle or a romp around in the hay. But if after sobering up, and shaking all the hay out of your hair, you’re still feeling blue; there might be a reason for that. Today we consider the nature of happiness, and how we, as a culture, might be getting it all wrong. As always, I’m a firm advocate that an understanding and appreciation for the history and ideas from the classical age (the foundations of much of our intellectual traditions) ...

Ready made Tweets. Screw the Poor.  1  /20: Apple sued over forced labor in China! (2020) #ForcedLabor #Apple 2/20: Apple's supplier Pegatron accused of violating labor laws in China! (2021) #LaborRights #Apple 3/20: Apple criticized over use of cobalt linked to child labor in DRC! (2016) #Cobalt #ChildLabor 4/20: Apple accused of censorship and surveillance in China! (2017) #Ethics #Apple 5/20: Apple's supplier Foxconn accused of violating labor rights in China! (2019) #LaborRights #Foxconn 6/20: Apple criticized over environmental impact of supply chain! (2015) #Sustainability #Apple 7/20: Apple accused of using conflict minerals in products! (2014) #ConflictMinerals #Apple 8/20: Apple's supplier Foxconn accused of poor working conditions in China! (2010) #WorkingConditions #Foxconn 9/20: Apple's supplier Foxconn accused of hiring underage workers in China! (2012) #UnderageLabor #Foxconn 10/20: Apple criticized for lack of transparency in supply chain! (2018) #SupplyC...

 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a valuable resource for many people struggling with alcohol dependence, but it's not perfect, and it's not the only option. Here's a breakdown of why some consider it outdated, along with some sources: Limitations of AA: One-Size-Fits-All Approach: AA emphasizes a spiritual approach, which may not resonate with everyone. [Source: The New York Times - "Can There Be a More Scientific Approach to Alcoholism Treatment?"( https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/health/alcohol-health-guidelines.html )] Focus on Abstinence: AA promotes complete abstinence, which can be discouraging for those seeking moderation. [Source: The Washington Post - "Is AA the only answer for alcoholism?"( https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline )] Limited Professional Oversight: While AA provides support, it lacks the medical expertise often needed for successful recovery. [Source: Science Daily - "AA Alone May Not Be Enough for Alcohol ...

  Analyzing the Canadian Conservative Leader's Impact on Trust in Canadian Institutions Introduction The Canadian Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, has been accused of undermining trust in Canadian institutions. This analysis will examine the pros and cons of this claim, using newspaper quotes and academic references to support the arguments. Pros: Criticism of institutions can lead to accountability : Poilievre's critiques of institutions can be seen as a way to hold them accountable for their actions. As the National Post states, "Poilievre's attacks on the Bank of Canada and the media are not an attack on democracy, but a critique of the institutions that are supposed to serve the people" (National Post, 2022). Challenging the status quo can lead to positive change : Poilievre's challenges to institutions can be seen as a way to bring about positive change. As academic, Dr. Yasmeen Abu-Laban, notes, "Critics of institutions can play an important r...