Social Studies https://talkks.com Best of the Web Fri, 16 Aug 2024 04:46:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://talkks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/TalkKs-Favicon-150x150.png Social Studies https://talkks.com 32 32 The Tradition of Marrying within the Family in European Royalties https://talkks.com/inbreeding-in-european-royalties/ https://talkks.com/inbreeding-in-european-royalties/#respond Sat, 22 Jul 2023 04:13:16 +0000 https://talkks.com/the-tradition-of-marrying-within-the-family-in-european-royalties/

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  1. King Charles and Wife : 2 votes
  2. The King of Spain : 1 vote

Royalty has long been associated with power, wealth, and prestige. Throughout history, royal families have intermarried to strengthen alliances, preserve bloodlines, and consolidate their reigns. However, this practice of consanguineous marriages has also led to a lesser-known consequence: increased levels of inbreeding within royal lineages. Inbreeding, the act of mating between close relatives, can result in a higher risk of genetic disorders and health complications.

A Historical Perspective of Royal Marriages

Looking back on history, royal intermarriage was a common practice driven by the desire to maintain power and wealth within a select group. Kings and queens would often marry into other powerful families as a way to strengthen their political positions or preserve their social status. This often resulted in marriages between close relatives, such as cousins or even uncles and nieces.

European royal families, in particular, were known for engaging in these practices. The Habsburgs, a powerful dynasty that ruled over various countries, including Spain, took intermarriage to an extreme. Their goal of keeping power within their own bloodline eventually led to fertility issues and the eventual disappearance of the Spanish branch of the family.

The Habsburg jaw, also known as mandibular prognathism, is a physical condition characterized by an extended lower jaw, a result of the common practice of intermarriage among the Habsburgs. This genetic disorder, passed through generations, became a distinguishing feature of the Habsburgs and is a classic example of the potential consequences of inbreeding.

Habsburg jaw

Similarly, the British Royal Family also had its share of cousin marriages throughout history. Queen Victoria, for example, married her first cousin, Prince Albert, and King George V married his cousin, Princess Mary of Teck. These unions were seen as a way to maintain bloodline purity and strengthen family ties.

Extreme Inbreeding among the UK Population

A recent study highlighting the prevalence of extreme inbreeding in the UK population adds another layer of understanding to the historical phenomenon of inbreeding among royal families and early European society at large. The study’s findings of thousands of individuals in the UK being the result of extreme inbreeding between close relatives echo the patterns observed within royal lineages. This has led some individuals to form derogatory stereotypes such as “Britain is a nation full of inbreds”. Please note that this harmful overgeneralization lacks substantial factual backing.

This research analyzed DNA samples stored in the UK Biobank and found evidence that a fraction of the participants had been conceived by parents who were either first or second-degree relatives. First-degree relatives share 50% of an individual’s genes, such as parents or children, while second-degree relatives share 25% of the same DNA, including uncles, grandparents, and half-siblings. Extrapolating these findings to the wider population in England and Wales suggests an estimate of 13,200 individuals born as a result of inbreeding, although the researchers cautioned that the actual figure could be even higher.

Subsequently, the researchers analyzed the medical records of those individuals and drew comparisons with the broader population. Their findings indicate that these individuals faced a slightly elevated risk of experiencing various health effects. On average, they exhibited a slight decrease in height, lower cognitive abilities, and reduced fertility. Additionally, they had a higher likelihood of encountering lung function issues and contracting diseases compared to the average person.

Modern times have witnessed a shift away from such marriages and an increased focus on understanding and mitigating genetic risks. As society continues to evolve and genetic research advances, it is crucial that we remain cognizant of our history while striving for healthier futures for all families – royal or otherwise.

Genetic Consequences of Inbreeding

When close relatives have children together, there is an increased risk of their offspring inheriting two copies of a recessive gene associated with health issues or genetic disorders. This happens when both parents carry a mutated gene, and because they are closely related, there is a higher chance that they share common ancestors who also carried these genes.

Consanguineous marriages, where the spouses are closely related, have been linked to several well-known genetic disorders. Some examples include hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and Tay-Sachs disease. Hemophilia, a rare genetic condition that affects the blood’s ability to clot properly, in particular, was quite common among European royalty and earned the nickname “the Royal Disease”. Queen Victoria, a carrier of the hemophilia gene, passed it on to several of her descendants, resulting in them suffering from the disorder. Her son Prince Leopold and her grandson Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert (later known as Kaiser Wilhelm II), were among those affected. The prevalence of hemophilia among European royalty can be attributed to these marriages within the family. Even the recently deceased Queen Elizabeth II suffered from this disease.

Other Health Risks

In addition to genetic disorders, inbreeding can also result in lower fertility rates. The increased likelihood of congenital abnormalities or genetic defects in inbred individuals can negatively impact their ability to reproduce.

Furthermore, inbred offspring may have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections and diseases. Their compromised immune systems are a result of inheriting multiple harmful genes from closely related parents.

Extreme cases of inbreeding can even lead to physical deformities. For example, Charles II of Spain, a historical figure, exhibited a pronounced Habsburg jaw, which is a protruding lower jaw. This physical deformity was a result of generations of royal intermarriage within his family.

However, modern awareness of the potential risks of inbreeding has led to a decline in consanguineous relationships among royalty. The British Royal Family, for instance, is now more diverse than its predecessors. Members of the royal family marry partners from various backgrounds without any family connections, reducing the likelihood of inbreeding.

Moreover, advances in genetic screening and counseling have provided couples who are related with the knowledge to make informed decisions about having children. This has significantly decreased the prevalence of inherited disorders caused by consanguinity, as couples can now understand and manage the potential risks associated with their genetic background.

In this article, we delve into the intriguing world of royalty and explore the most inbred royals throughout history. From European monarchies to Pacific island kingdoms, these individuals bear the burden of a lineage characterized by close blood relationships.

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  1. 1 King Charles and Wife

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    2

    Prince Charles and Camilla are likely second cousins. Camilla's great-grandmother, Alice Keppel, was the mistress to Edward VII of England, and together they produced a daughter, Sonia. Camilla, the current wife of Prince Charles, is the granddaughter of Sonia. Charles and Camilla are second cousins once removed, so they are the product of a second-cousin marriage.

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  2. 2 The King of Spain

    A woman in a purple suit standing next to a man in a suit.
    1

    The royal family of Spain is a good example of inbreeding. The current King's parents, Juan Carlos and Sophia of Greece, both have issues with inbreeding. On Juan Carlos's side, we see the remnants of hemophilia passed down due to the intermarriage chronicled by Queen Victoria. Juan Carlos's uncles, Alfonso and Gonzalo, both died from a lack of blood clotting believed to have been caused by their mild inbreeding.

    The King's mother, Sophia, arguably has one of the worst cases of modern-day inbreeding. Two of her great-grandparents were brother and sister, and what's even worse is the fact that her great-grandparents are also her great-great-grandparents because the German royal family intermarried.

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  3. 3 Prince Philip

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    Prince Philip, late Queen Elizabeth's husband, is also a product of royal inbreeding. Prince Philip, like the Queen, is the unfortunate product of intermarriage that wrapped European royal marriages in the 19th century.

    To delve into the specifics, Prince Philip's maternal great-grandparents were Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. They were first cousins, sharing the same set of grandparents. This close familial relationship highlights the practice of intermarriage within the Victorian era and its impact on subsequent generations.

    Additionally, both of Prince Philip's great-grandfathers played roles in perpetuating the pattern of inbreeding. His maternal great-grandfather, King Christian IX of Denmark, was a prominent figure in European royal circles. King Christian's daughter, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, married Queen Victoria's son, Edward VII, further consolidating the interconnections between royal families.

    Prince Philip's other great-grandfather was Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse and by Rhine. He married Queen Victoria's second daughter, Princess Alice, making them Prince Philip's maternal great-grandparents. What makes this connection particularly notable is that Grand Duke Louis IV was the uncle of Prince Philip's paternal great-grandfather, Grand Duke Ludwig III of Hesse and by Rhine. The marriage of Prince Philip's great-grandparents, Princess Alice and Grand Duke Louis IV, effectively made their children both first cousins and second cousins.

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  4. 4 King and Queen of Greece

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    The King and Queen of Greece, Constantine II and Anne-Marie of Denmark, are cousins twice over, just like Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. They are both descendants of Queen Victoria and King Christian, the 9th of Denmark. However, unlike the Queen and Prince of England, the King and Queen of Greece are triply related. They share the exact same consanguinity coefficient, which means the exact same amount of inbreeding.

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  5. 5 Empress Napoleon

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    Empress Napoleon, also known as Mary Louise of Austria, was part of an incredibly inbred family. When Napoleon struggled to provide an heir with his first wife, Josephine, he forced Josephine's daughter to marry his brother. This meant that his stepson was also his brother. However, the most inbred member of the Napoleonic family was Napoleon's second wife, Empress Napoleon. Born as Maria Ludovica Leopoldina Franziska Therese Josepha Lucia, Mary Louise hailed from the House of Habsburg, a family known for its extensive history of intermarriage and consanguinity. In the case of Mary Louise, her parents were double first cousins, intensifying the level of shared ancestry within her immediate family.

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  6. 6 Alfonso, the Prince of Spain

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    Alfonso, the Prince of Spain, was the heir to the Spanish throne in the 1920s, during a highly unstable time in Spanish politics. Like Edward VIII of England, Alfonso renounced his rights to the Spanish throne to marry a commoner. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1938 due to a car accident. His hemophilia, a condition that prevents blood clotting, caused him to bleed to death. Inbreeding within the Spanish royal family played a role in the occurrence of recessive genes inherited by Alfonso. As the great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, who carried hemophilia in her family, Alfonso faced increased risk. The Spanish royal family has a history of marrying close relatives, as mentioned before. Ultimately, Alfonso suffered due to the inbreeding of his ancestors and Queen Victoria's ambition to solidify her reputation as the grandmother of Europe.

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  7. 7 Archduchess Gizella of Austria

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    Archduchess Gizella of Austria, daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth, is a lesser-known figure in history. She was the neglected daughter of her parents, who were first cousins. The intense strain caused by their inbreeding affected their children's health. For example, their eldest daughter Sophie died in infancy, likely due to the effects of inbreeding. Another child, Rudolf, suffered from genetic abnormalities and chronic depression, eventually taking his own life. Recent studies have shown a common occurrence of depression within the Habsburg dynasty, suggesting a genetic link. Gizella herself became a figurehead for the consequences of Habsburg inbreeding. She was forced to marry her own cousin at the request of her mother, resulting in physical and emotional suffering for her children. Among her four children, all of them shared eight great-grandparents, who, unfortunately, were not genetically diverse. This situation further compounded the issues caused by inbreeding.

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  8. 8 Ludwig, the Mad King of Bavaria

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    Ludwig II, the Mad King of Bavaria, was a beloved cousin of Empress Elizabeth of Austria. He had a strong appreciation for the arts and commissioned the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle in the 1800s. However, Ludwig suffered from intense feelings of depression, and his inbreeding is believed to be a significant contributing factor to his mental health struggles. Despite his artistic achievements, Ludwig was eventually dethroned, with his counselors claiming he was insane. Modern studies suggest that Ludwig's depression stemmed from intense guilt over his homosexuality. Nevertheless, inbreeding likely played a role in the intensity of his depression. Interestingly, Ludwig's successor was even more mentally unstable than he was.

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  9. 9 Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii

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    Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, also had a high degree of inbreeding in her ancestry. It is important to note that there is an unfortunate stereotype about Hawaii having rampant inbreeding, which was not necessarily true in the modern period. However, Liliuokalani's family had close blood relationships. Her grandfather, High Chief Kamehameha, was her great-grandfather twice over because both of her grandfathers were brothers.

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  10. 10 King Harald V of Norway

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    King Harald V of Norway holds the distinction of being one of the most inbred royals currently alive. His parents were first cousins, which significantly limited the number of unique great-grandparents he had. While most people have eight unique great-grandparents, Harald only has six. His grandmother and grandfather were not only siblings but also first cousins to each other. Further back in his ancestry, his great-grandmother, who appears twice, was the niece of his great-grandfather. This extensive inbreeding within Harald's lineage makes him the most inbred royal of the present time.

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Exploring the Similarities and Differences between Buddhism and Stoicism https://talkks.com/stoicism-buddhism-similarities-and-differences/ https://talkks.com/stoicism-buddhism-similarities-and-differences/#respond Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:15:49 +0000 https://talkks.com/?p=57965 Buddhism and Stoicism are two ancient philosophical traditions that have attracted widespread attention for their practical approach to achieving a happy and fulfilling life. Both these traditions offer unique perspectives on how to find inner peace and meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world. While there are significant differences between the two, such as their cultural and historical contexts, there are also many striking similarities in their principles and practices. In this article, we will compare Buddhism and Stoicism, and exploring some of the key similarities and differences between them and how they can inform our own search for personal growth and enlightenment.

The Founders of Stoicism and Buddhism

Stoicism and Buddhism originated on other sides of the globe centuries apart. Stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens around 300 BCE, while Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama in modern-day Nepal around 600 BCE.

Zeno of Citium

Zeno, a wealthy merchant, lost his fortune in a shipwreck that left him stranded in Athens, Greece. Despite his misfortune, he is quoted to have remarked, “I made a prosperous voyage when I was shipwrecked.” With no material possessions, he stumbled upon a bookstore and discovered Xenophon’s Memorabilia, which introduced him to the philosophers of Greece. Zeno was greatly inspired by Socrates and inquired with a bookseller about the whereabouts of otherwise individuals like him. The bookseller directed him to the cynic philosopher Crates of Thebes. After a decade of learning, Zeno diverged from cynicism and eventually founded his own school of Stoicism.

Zeno of Citium

The Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was also born into a wealthy family as the son of a king and queen. His birth was accompanied by prophecies of his greatness; some believed he would become a powerful emperor, while others saw him as a potential spiritual leader, provided he left the palace. However, his parents decided to keep him sheltered from the outside world, so they locked him inside the palace. To ensure their son was never exposed to any form of suffering, the king ordered that he be kept away from anything that withered or died. The young prince grew up in a world where all his desires were fulfilled, completely unaware of the existence of pain and suffering.

As time passed, Siddhartha began to hear stories of the world beyond the palace walls. One day, a musician came to the palace and sang about all the wonders of the world, inspiring Siddhartha to embark on a journey to see the kingdom he would one day rule. At the age of 29, he ventured into the world on a chariot accompanied by his charioteer Channa.

According to different versions of the story, Siddhartha’s journey consisted of either four separate journeys or one long journey. Regardless, all versions agree that the young prince underwent a profound transformation after seeing what are called “the foresights.” The first sight was that of an old man, which made Siddhartha realize that all beings eventually age. The second sight was that of a sick person, shocking him, but he soon realized that all beings are subject to sickness and suffering. The third sight was that of a dead body, which overwhelmed Siddhartha with sorrow and sadness. Chana explained to him that death is inevitable and that all living things eventually pass away.

The fourth sight was that of an ascetic who had dedicated himself to finding the cause of human suffering. This gave Siddhartha hope that there was a way out of suffering and a means to be reborn. He embarked on a life of asceticism, depriving himself of all Earthly pleasures.

In his pursuit of enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama practiced extreme asceticism, which included minimal food intake, different forms of breath control, and forceful mind control. The early texts describe how he became so emaciated that his bones became visible through his skin. However, Siddhartha eventually realized that this extreme form of self-denial was not helping him reach enlightenment.

It was then that he remembered a previous meditative experience he had as a child, sitting under a tree while his father worked. In other versions of the story, he recalls seeing a homeless man meditating. This memory led him to understand that meditation was the path to enlightenment. According to the texts, the Buddha achieved all four meditations, followed by the three higher knowledge, culminating in his enlightenment.

Buddha Meditating

The Magic of Four: The Four Stoic Virtues vs The Four Noble Truths

The Stoics formulated a set of values that embodied the essence of their philosophy, which aimed to help individuals lead meaningful life. These values included four cardinal virtues that served as a guide for living a virtuous life.

  1. Wisdom – acting rationally and seeing the world with objectivity.
  2. Justice – treating others with fairness and kindness.
  3. Courage – being brave when confronted with adversity and understanding that fear can often cause more harm than the thing we are afraid of.
  4. Temperance – resisting temptations and choosing virtuous actions over vice.

The Stoics believed that living in accordance with these values was equivalent to living in accordance with nature. Just as nature is rational and well-ordered, so are human beings. Therefore, living a virtuous life meant living in harmony with the natural order of the universe.

Epictetus, a prominent Stoic philosopher, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between things we can control and things we cannot. According to him, focusing on the former and letting go of the latter is the key to living a good life.

On the other hand, Buddhists sought to achieve enlightenment or Nirvana by letting go of all attachments and living in the present moment. Unlike the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism, Buddhism promoted the Four Noble Truths developed by the Buddha.

  1. Dukkha – Life is suffering
  2. Samudaya – Suffering is caused by attachment and desire
  3. Nirodha – It is possible to escape the cycle of suffering
  4. Marga – The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to end suffering

The Eightfold Path is not a straight linear line but rather a middle way, which refers to the way of life between excess and deficiency, also known as moderation. The Noble Eightfold Path includes the following steps:

  • Right View: Understanding the Four Noble Truths and the nature of reality.
  • Right Intention/Resolve: Developing the intention of non-harming and goodwill towards all beings.
  • Right Speech: Speaking truthfully and kindly, avoiding lies, slander, and harmful speech.
  • Right Action/Conduct: Acting ethically and avoiding actions that cause harm to oneself or others.
  • Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that is not harmful to oneself or others.
  • Right Effort: Cultivating wholesome states of mind and abandoning unwholesome ones.
  • Right Mindfulness: Cultivating awareness and attention to the present moment and avoiding distraction.
  • Right Concentration/Samadhi: Developing the ability to concentrate the mind through meditation, leading to deeper insight and understanding.
Noble Eightfold Path

Nirvana is the ultimate state one reaches when following the Noble Eightfold Path. Nirvana is the state of having no desires and the cessation of suffering. In Sanskrit, Nirvana means “the blowing out,” and it refers to the extinguishing of the flame of personal desire and the quenching of the fire of life. Nirvana is considered the ultimate refuge, providing safety, emancipation, peace, and freedom.

Similarities Between Buddhism and Stoicism

The quest to alleviate suffering lies at the heart of both philosophies, given the harshness of life in the ancient world due to war, famine, and lack of technology. Consequently, ancient thinkers sought ways to reduce suffering and attain a state of calmness and stability. While the Stoics aimed to be like resilient rocks standing firm against the waves of life’s ordeals, Buddha taught resisting carnal desires and pursuing Nirvana, where attachments are severed and suffering extinguished.

After alleviating suffering, how does one attain happiness? Both schools advocate for moderation as the path to happiness. By eliminating excess and focusing on the essential aspects of life, one can experience true satisfaction and harmony.

Buddha expressed this idea by saying, “Temperance is a tree which has for its root very little contentment, and for its fruit calm and peace.”

Both philosophies recognize that happiness is not dependent on pleasure or material possessions. Anxiety, a common source of suffering, is often caused by our obsession with the past or fear of the future. The stoics encourage us to stay in the present moment and tame our minds, while the Buddhists recommend meditation as a way to stay grounded in the present and avoid anxiety. As a famous stoic saying goes, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” By letting go of our attachments and focusing on the present, we can find inner calm and peace.

Differences Between Stoicism and Buddhism

At first glance, it may appear that Stoicism and Buddhism share many practical teachings and a similar understanding of the human mind. However, one notable difference is that Buddhism is widely recognized as a religion, while Stoicism is regarded as a philosophy. Around 8% of the world’s population practices Buddhism, but it doesn’t conform to the traditional definition of a religion or a philosophy. Buddhism is non-dogmatic and doesn’t require its followers to worship any supreme deity or creator. Its primary aim is to seek the truth. Unlike Christianity, Buddhism doesn’t have a savior figure, and individuals must find their own path and use the Buddha as a guide rather than blindly following him. Unlike Buddhism, Stoicism is not an organized religion but a philosophical school of thought that anyone can adopt and apply to their own lives. Stoics do not gather in shrines to pray or participate in communal worship, but instead, they share a common bond of spirit and ideology.

Stoicism is widely taught and studied as a philosophy in many universities across the West, while Buddhism has a stronger presence in the East, particularly in countries like India, Japan, China, Myanmar, and others. However, it’s worth noting that many Buddhists also reside in the West, just as stoic ideas are becoming increasingly popular in the East. Despite this, Stoicism remains primarily a Western philosophy, while Buddhism is an Eastern teaching.

Benefits of Living According to Buddhist and Stoic Principles

Living according to either Buddhist or Stoic principles can result in significant psychological benefits. Both practices can lead to a calmer and more serene state of mind and promote spiritual refinement and inner peace.

Stoicism, in particular, emphasizes the importance of personal well-being and a harmonious relationship with society. The philosophy encourages individuals to do the right thing for themselves and for the world at large without expecting any external rewards or validation. Stoics believe that true satisfaction cannot come from external sources and that wisdom and self-improvement are their own rewards. This honest and truthful approach to living can make Stoicism more appealing and attainable in contemporary society. As the world becomes increasingly materialistic and focused on external rewards, the stoic philosophy offers a refreshing alternative that focuses on inner peace and self-improvement.

Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors of the Roman Empire (Aurelius column), was a Stoic philosopher whose teachings have endured for centuries. His personal diary later published as ‘The Meditations‘ is considered one of the most influential works of philosophy and spirituality. He wrote these personal notes to himself during battles against germanic armies while also suffering from a deadly plague. In these writings, Aurelius offers his stoic views on how to live a good and meaningful life no matter what life throws at you.

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The central concept of all Buddhist teachings is Dharma, which can be translated as truth, reality, or law. The ultimate goal of life is to achieve nobility of the spirit, a form of purity that stems not from a God but from oneself. Dharma exists both in the minds of individuals and as a universal law of righteousness imbued in every aspect of the universe, from the tides of the seas to the changing of the seasons.

Living in accordance with Dharma allows individuals to escape mystery and reach Nirvana, the ultimate release from all suffering. Buddhists believe that through meditation, yoga, and concentration, individuals can train their memory to see their rebirth as a succession of links, even gaining insight into their previous lives.

Furthermore, Buddhism teaches that through enlightenment and true wisdom, individuals can attain Nirvana in this life and eventually arrive at the end of the chain of rebirths.

The Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is one of the most iconic rulers of India’s ancient past. A powerful and ambitious ruler, Ashoka was also a great patron of Buddhism. He converted to the religion following his conquest of Kalinga and went on to become one of its most influential supporters. Ashoka is remembered today for his reforms and the patronage he showed towards Buddhism and its spread across India and beyond. His legacy of peaceful rule stands as an example to the world.

I have enforced the law against killing certain animals and many others, but the greatest progress of righteousness among men comes from the exhortation in favor of non-injury to life and abstention from killing living beings.

Ashoka The Great

Conclusion

Although separated by continents and through Time, Buddhism and Stoicism are remarkably similar as much as they are different. As one Japanese anecdote narrates, Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), once welcomed a Western university professor to his temple. The guest was interested in learning about Buddhist practices and sharing his views on the matter. Nan-in served tea to the professor and as he poured, he continued well after the cup was full. The professor grew puzzled at first and then frustrated as he watched the overflow; unable to contain himself any longer, he yelled, “But the cup is overfull and cannot take any more tea!” Nan-in replied, “Like this cup, you too are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I teach you Buddhism unless you first empty your own cup?” The professor fell silent, and thus his training began.

This story highlights the importance of emptying one’s mind of prejudices and opinions when learning a philosophy, whether from the East or West. It emphasizes the need to focus on the essentials and cultivate dedication to the teachings to become a master of philosophy. However, it also reminds us that everything in life is impermanent, and we should keep this in mind even as we strive to deepen our understanding of philosophy.

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Major Accomplishments China Has Achieved Under Xi Jinping’s Presidency https://talkks.com/china-accomplishments-under-xi-jinping-presidency/ https://talkks.com/china-accomplishments-under-xi-jinping-presidency/#respond Thu, 10 Nov 2022 05:04:08 +0000 https://talkks.com/major-accomplishments-china-has-achieved-under-xi-jinpings-presidency/

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  1. China Has Solidified Itself As The Manufacturing Hub Of The World : 1 vote
  2. China's Successful Efforts in Poverty Alleviation : 1 vote

In October 2022, Xi Jinping secured his status as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). With this achievement, he continues as the Republic of China’s president for an unprecedented third term. Western media is often negative about Xi Jinping and portray him as an authoritarian dictator on a quest to take over the world. But how objective is this view? Does Xi Jinping genuinely just want the best for his country?

Xi Jinping was born in 1953 in Fuping county, Shaanxi province, China. His father, Xi Zhongxun, was a Chinese Communist veteran and an early comrade of Mao Zedong, but he was purged and went out of favor by his party and government during the Cultural Revolution. Xi Jinping has had a long political career in the Communist Party. After completing his studies in chemical engineering at Tsinghua University, Xi Jinping served for three years as secretary to Geng Biao, who was the vice premier of the central Chinese government at the time. From 1999 to 2002, he served as the governor of Fujian. In 2002, he became the party secretary and governor of Zhejiang. Then, in 2007, he became the first secretary of the Central Secretariat and, in 2008, was assigned as Hu Jintao’s (the then-president’s) presumed successor. Subsequently, he was designated the vice president of China and vice chairman of the CMC (Central Military Commission).

When Xi Jinping came into Power 10 years ago, in 2012, when both China and the Communist party were in a massive crisis. Corruption was rampant, and there were hundreds of thousands of protests from citizens. There was also infighting at the top of the Communist party. As the country’s premier, Xi Jinping, responded to this crisis by launching an anti-corruption campaign that completely changed how government officials at every level conducted business. He also ramped up ideological discipline within the party. Overall, Xi Jinping re-energize China’s social development, sustainable development, international relations, economic development, and revival of Chinese culture.

But this Chinese leader has also faced numerous challenges in making the Chinese society a prosperous one. The COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge that China faced in recent years. As of this writing, China has a strict zero-COVID policy to ensure the prevention of the spread of the disease. This is why China’s borders were closed to international visitors for a period. Recently Xi Jinping was elected as president of China for the third time. He outlined the plans to gradually end China’s zero COVID policy. But he has stated there will be no change from the policy pursuing zero COVID, which will no doubt save lives, but it will also come with an opportunity cost and be felt in the contracting Chinese economy.

Apart from Covid and the real estate crisis that has spilled over to Chinese stock market the major challenge the Chinese society is facing is its aging population. By 2035, China will have over 400 million citizens above the age of 60 and be defined as a severely aging country. Fewer workers will be available, and there will be huge challenges in providing enough public health facilities. In addition, China has one of the fastest-declining birth rates in the world. Chinese married couples dropped to a record low in 2021, with only 7.6 million marriages, the lowest since 1986. In addition, China’s fertility rate of 1.16 in 2021 is far below the average of 2.1 needed for a stable population. At its core, a country’s population is its national strength and economic strength. Combined with the aging population, these declining fertility rates are completely going to be a major risk for the future of the Chinese nation.

As controversial as Xi Jinping is in the west, he has changed China tremendously in the past 10 years. Xi’s main objective is to resurrect China from its ‘100 years of national humiliation’ as resurgent superpower. Let’s now look at major accomplishments China has achieved since Xi Jinping has come into power.

Use Up/Down vote buttons and comment section under each list item to tell us your opinion and rank these based on your preference.

  1. 1 China Has Solidified Itself As The Manufacturing Hub Of The World

    China is the Global Manufacturing Hub
    1

    So much of what we consume in our everyday lives comes directly from factories in China. Its fair to say that the Chinese economic growth has helped lifted living standards of low middle income earners globally. China used to be known for making cheap toys, clothes, and cheap electronics, but with the 'Made in China 2025' Vision, China has shifted to becoming the world leader in developing some of the most advanced technologies in the world. Made in China 2025 is a strategic plan and policy to develop the manufacturing sector of the country and to move away from its reputation for producing cheap goods with low production costs.

    Smartphones, computers, high-tech gear - most of it is now made in China. In 2011, China officially overtook the United States as the largest global manufacturer, and it has been steadily increasing every year, even with the pandemic and continuous lockdowns. China's market share continued to accelerate, and it now holds a 30% market share of global manufacturing.

    Image source: YouTube

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  2. 2 China's Successful Efforts in Poverty Alleviation

    China Poverty Elimination
    1

    At the start of 2012, nearly 100 million Chinese citizens lived in absolute poverty. Here, we define absolute poverty as those who earn less than 4000 RMB per year. In the last decade, absolute poverty has been completely eliminated in China, and more and more Chinese citizens have reached the middle class. However, the work against poverty in China isn't over. Even China's Premier Li Keqiang said in May 2020 that 40% of Chinese people earn an average of 1000 Renminbi per month.

    Image source: YouTube

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  3. 3 China's GDP Has Doubled

    China GDP Graph
    0

    The GDP (gross domestic product) of a country is an indicator of the size and performance of its economy. It represents the total market value of finished goods and services produced within the country.

    In 2012, when Xi Jinping became the president, China's GDP was 8.53 trillion. By 2021, it has grown to a staggering 17.7 trillion, representing an increase of 107% over the last decade. In fact, when considering its GDP, China is the second richest country in the world, second only to the US. While US is a service based economy that rely heavily on its dollar reserve currency status, China has a manufacturing based economy that is known as the the world's factory.

    A growing Chinese economy has helped hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens enter the middle class (the middle class population in China is bigger than the entire population in the US), and it remains one of the major priorities of Xi Jinping to further decrease number of low income households in China.

    Image source: YouTube

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  4. 4 China Has an Incredible High-Tech Industry

    Tiktok
    0

    In 2012, China had very little presence in the high-tech industry involving smartphones, solar panels, electric cars, and state-of-the-art telecommunication. But fast forward to modern times, China is dominating most of these industries. Chinese Brands like Alibaba, WeChat, Huawei, and DJI have all become successful brands with massive appeal in major countries over the world.

    Let's not forget that China has created the world's fastest-growing social media app TikTok. TikTok has become so successful that Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube have had to shift their business models to catch up with TikTok's success. Did you know that these popular social media apps added their short video segments to compete with the popularity of short TikTok videos?

    “TikTok” by Cottonbro studio (CC0) via Pexels

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  5. 5 China is Leading The World In Pollution Reduction

    China Clean Energy
    0

    By the early 2,000s, the skies in China were full of smog, and pollution was a real challenge for everyone living in major cities. But in the past decade, China has become the world's largest investor, producer, and consumer of renewable energy worldwide by manufacturing state-of-the-art solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric energy facilities, as well as becoming the world's largest producer of electric cars and buses. Xi Jinping has also pledged that China will be carbon neutral by 2060.

    Image source: YouTube

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  6. 6 China Has Built The World's Largest Trade Network

    China BRI Plan
    0

    When the 19th party congress met in 2017, China's government stated their main goal for the next five years was to expand the Belt and Road initiative and make it the most valuable Trade Network in the world. Belt and Road Initiative or BRI is a global infrastructure development strategy to create a trans-continental passage linking China with South Asia, South East Asia, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe and a maritime route connecting coastal regions of China with South Asia, South East Asia, the South Pacific, Middle East, East Africa, and Europe. The five major aims of this project are policy coordination, unimpeded trade, infrastructure connectivity, financial integration, and connecting people.

    The BRI is the centerpiece of XI Jinping's foreign policy, and as of August 2022, 149 countries have signed up to participate in the project. Today, the Belt and Road Project affects more than 60% of the world's population and 35% of the world's economy.

    Image source: YouTube

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  7. 7 China Has Become A Military Superpower

    China Military
    0

    Many westerners worry about China becoming a strong Military. But are these worries justified? Well, according to General Milley, the highest-ranking U.S military official, it's not. According to the American General, China is a superpower, and this is what all superpowers do - build a strong military. When we look at this from the Chinese perspective, it's easy to understand why China's strong military is a source of national pride. With the world's largest navy and one of the most powerful militaries in the world, China has guaranteed that no country will ever invade its land again. In terms of their military power, there is a remarkable similarity between the U.S. and China. Both countries' citizens are extremely proud of their nation's armed forces, which is a major source of strength, and believe they are in a position where no country in the world would want to engage directly in direct conflict with them. This is true for both China and the United States.

    Image source: YouTube

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  8. 8 China Has Built The World's Best Transportation Network

    China Transportation Network
    0

    When China hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, the country had a handful of high-speed rail lines. But in the past decade, China has covered every province and connected one of the biggest countries in the world via high-speed Rail. China has also invested heavily in urban transportation. Of the world's 200 Metro systems, over half of them are in China. Finally, China is testing the world's fastest commercial train, the CRRC 600, which will travel over 600 kilometers an hour and make its debut in 2025.

    Image source: YouTube

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  9. 9 China Will Dominate The Future Of Space

    China Tiangong Space Station
    0

    China is the third country in the world to send astronauts to space and build a space station (after Russia and the US). Tiangong (meaning ‘Heavenly Palace’ in Chinese) is China’s new space station. America has always been the key player in space exploration but with the International Space Station planning to be decommissioned in 2031, China has seized an incredible opportunity and is building its own space station in less than a decade. By then, the only functioning space station in the universe will be Chinese, giving China an incredible edge to be the most dominant nation in space exploration. By 2030, China also hopes to reach the Moon and Mars, which would make them a superpower in space exploration.

    Image source: YouTube

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  10. 10 China is Producing More Educated Citizens

    China Graduates Graph
    0

    In the past decade, China's general enrollment ratio in universities doubled from 29% to 58%. In addition, China is currently producing the largest amount of STEM graduates in the world and leading the world in A.I. research, publishing 27% of all A.I. Journal articles worldwide.

    The higher education system in China, as well as Chinese colleges and universities, are internationally recognized. In fact, more and more international students show an interest in completing their higher education in China. As of 2018, China is the main destination for Asian students pursuing their tertiary education.

    Image source: YouTube

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30 Common Types of Scams That You Need to Look Out For https://talkks.com/30-common-types-of-scams-to-look-out-for/ https://talkks.com/30-common-types-of-scams-to-look-out-for/#respond Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:40:55 +0000 https://talkks.com/?p=26862

We were always trying to deceit one another for millennia. The first-ever fraud is reported from 300 B. C.

Fraud is treated as an act of illicit or unlawful deception meant to induce financial or personal gain. A considerable fraction of humans is typically fraudulent. In 1796, just 16 years after the Declaration of Independence, the United States experienced its first fraud.

Even though things have changed rapidly in the last few decades, some of the earliest used scams and frauds are still used today by many people. There are numerous old cases of fraud still practiced today, adversely affecting families and individuals, financially and psychologically, all around the world.

Here are our picks for ‘30 Common Types of Scams That You Need to Look Out For’ with little snippets of their origins and meanings for you to understand how these are committed in real world. Use vote buttons and comment section under each list item to tell us your opinion about these scams!

  1. 1 Credit Card Fraud

    0

    Credit card fraud is currently a trendy type of scam that refers to the unauthorized access or use of credit cards or debit cards to purchasing goods or services or making money transfers. Standard methods of doing credit card fraud are stealing or losing someone’s card, stealing card information (card number, pin, CVV, passcodes, etc.), or stealing from unsecured websites.

    One can avoid credit card fraud by enabling SMS alerts and online banking to closely monitor unauthorized usages. Then if you notice any activity not done by you, you can disable your credit or debit card by contacting your bank.

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  2. 2 Health Care Fraud

    0

    Health fraud occurs when an individual, insurance agent, or medical office misuses insurance details for their own personal benefit. This will have a massive effect on the victim if a suspect has access to and uses your health insurance records for their own health benefits. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association records that health care fraud costs the industry tens of billions of dollars each year.

    To prevent health care fraud, you should give more attention to medical bills, and insurance claims, checking if there are any services listed that you did not receive.

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  3. 3 Voter Fraud

    0

    There have been many accusations of voter fraud in both the 2016 and 2020 Presidential Elections of the USA. Voter fraud is any type of illegal meddling with the voting process of an election. For example, cases such as voting using a false identity, voting twice, and buying or selling their vote can be given.

    Many governments worldwide now have many tight regulations and independent regulatory bodies to stop these kinds of fraud. Yet still, there are some people and even governments themselves engage in voter fraud.

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  4. 4 Bank Account Takeover Fraud

    0

    One of the worst types of fraud is when a scammer gets access to someone’s bank account. There are many ways that it can happen just by stealing a cheque from the post-box, scamming the e-mail to get account information, or some expert scammer will use malware or hacking tools to gain personal information.

    If the victim does not have good attention to the bank account, scammers will drain all the money before they know it. Checking bank statements on at least a monthly basis will minimize the risk of these types of frauds.

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  5. 5 Driving License Fraud

    0

    You can do many things with your driving license, including boarding a plane, opening a bank account, and also you can drive. Therefore, if your driving license gets stolen, the thief can do those things with your name. An imposter will present your driving license at a traffic stop when they have violated the traffic rules, and you will have to pay the fine.

    Scammers will even use it to do illegal activities, and you will have to go through a lot of trouble if authorities come for you.

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  6. 6 Bogus Dry-Cleaning Bill Scam

    0

    Dry-cleaning operations became more common in the early 1940s due to oil shortages during the Second World War. Scammers took advantage of the businesses by taking the bill from legal dry cleaners and making 1,000 copies of it.

    They will then send these bills to fancy hotels and restaurants, alleging that the victim's restaurant had spilled food, coffee, or champagne on a guest's luxurious suit. Although the dry-cleaning costs were often modest, restaurants and hotels would typically pay for it without asking any questions.

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  7. 7 Horse Trading

    0

    In the 1800s, horses were more than a magnificent animal. They were used for combat, shipping, agricultural work, mail distribution, hunting, and sport. Horses were also the most precious possession of their holders.

    In 1889, a handsome man turned up at a farm promising to purchase a fine horse. He vowed that he would send $10 for the horse that day and $25 more a week later.

    The next day, another gentleman walked up asking for the same horse but promised to pay an additional $25. The farmer accepted. When the first man returned to the horse, the farmer gave his money to the first gentlemen, plus an additional $10 for his troubles.

    The second gentleman had never returned for the horse, and the two gentlemen had divided the defrauded money.

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  8. 8 Inheritance Notices

    0

    It's incredibly unusual for someone to have a distant relative they have never heard of, leaving them a huge amount of money. The inheritance scam initially comes with an e-mail or letter delivered via mail.

    The document usually assures the individual that they will obtain a substantial inheritance; however, they must first give a sum of money to pay the administrative costs.

    The individual who gets scammed sees the charge as a small payment relative to the vast amount of money they are going to get. Over the years, thousands of families and individuals have been scammed by false inheritance notices.

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  9. 9 Anti-Aging Products

    0

    People have always been craving to look young. With the rapid growth of the means of socialization in the past few decades, society has put an enormous weight on their appearance. There are many famous instances where people have ruined their lives financially just to look attractive and young.

    Scammers target the elder and relatively wealthy people by selling products with very little to no effect in concealing their age. Those anti-aging products are most of the time harmful and completely worthless.

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  10. 10 Pyramid Schemes

    0

    Pyramid schemes are a widespread form of scam where members make money by enrolling more people to buy-in. Normally, the originator advises an initial group of people to buy in and advertise for the scheme. They are then persuaded to enroll others and guaranteed part of the money those people invest, while the founder also takes a share.

    Most of the time, more than 80% of the participants of the schemes lose all their money. Even though pyramid schemes are illegal in most countries, they are hard to detect. Victims are often embarrassed at the end and do not report the fraud.

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  11. 11 Fortune-Telling

    0

    Fortune-telling has been in practice for thousands of years in various cultures all around the world, and still, they are very popular in Asian countries. But now, many people consider fortune-telling to be fraudulent activity.

    Modern fortune-telling scam employs cold-reading abilities to detect the problems of the client. Fortune-tellers mostly refer to them as curses and charge money in order to diminish them. Once the client pays, these scammers do something fake, which will also convince them they are broken free from the curse.

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  12. 12 Identity Theft

    0

    Identity theft is done for many purposes by scammers, and it is reported that more than 9 million Americans have their identities robbed each year. They obtain the personal and financial information of other persons, and they use that information to do illegal and illicit transactions or purchases. Victims often face the consequences like damages to their finances, credit, and personal reputation.

    Most of the time, these scammers pretend to be government or reputable authorities (e.g., IRS) to collect personal data. Ordinary people who have little knowledge of formal matters tend to fall victim to this type of fraud.

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  13. 13 Investments

    0

    Even though many people have retirement plans, most of them mess things up with their savings after they finish working. The majority of the elderly population in the United States uses their Social Security cheques for their spending.

    Scammers victimize those elderly people by pretending to be financial advisors to get into their retirement funds and savings. Finally, when they gain access to the funds, they disappear without a trace.

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  14. 14 Salting the Mine

    0

    This was a popular scam during the Gold Rush in the 1800s in states like Arizona. The seller takes ore from a profitable mine and carefully disperse it on its non-productive mine, hoping to close the sale of the claim. Some scammers use shotguns, fill the load with gold dust, and blow the walls of the shaft, soaking them with gold particles. Gold was malleable and would imbue itself with a rock, giving worthless mine a heavily mineralized façade.

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  15. 15 Fake Lottery Winnings

    0

    The lottery is a type of gambling that became popular in the United States in the 19th century. Still, later all gambling, including lotteries were banned at the beginning of the 20th century.

    This type of scam usually begins with an unexpected e-mail stating that the victim has won the lottery and needs to pay a small amount as a processing fee, administrative fee, or transfer charges in order to claim the prize. When the victim pays the money, the scammer will not respond to e-mails and disappear without a trace.

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  16. 16 Internet Fraud

    0

    The present-day internet that we know of was initially developed in the early 1970s. However, it was not available to ordinary people until 1983. Since then, people have been using the internet to gain knowledge and socialize with other individuals.

    Unfortunately, it is also used to scam other people. In 2017, the FBI got more than 300,000 complaints regarding internet scams. FBI further mentions that the victims have lost over US$ 1.4 billion to online fraud.

    It is pitiful that the internet is one of the most prominent media for these scams. The FBI was receiving more than 300,000 complaints on internet fraud solely in 2017, and they further stated that those victims lost more than US$ 1.4 billion in online scams.

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  17. 17 Real Estate Fraud

    0

    One of the most ambitious things of every person or a family is to have their own house, and they spend a good proportion of their life’s earning on that. Due to that, real state frauds are dreadful to the sufferers. FBI has reported that they have received 11,300 complaints on real estate fraud with more than US$ 149 million in losses in 2018.

    Fake real estate agents say that they hold the money until the deal is done and disappear afterward with the money. It is reported that people do not file complaints about these types of scams due to embarrassment.

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  18. 18 Funerals

    0

    The death of a close family member or a friend is traumatizing and sentimental time. In these types of conditions, people can be easily deceived, and it is very dismal to even consider swindling a mourning family.

    Sadly, many cases were reported of scammers preying at funerals. Scammers mostly claim that the deceased person had an overdue debt that should be repaid urgently or exaggerate funeral costs and sell irrelevant services.

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  19. 19 Disappearing Act

    0

    The Disappearing Act became a common fraud in the 1880s. A team consisting of two women and one man stole things such as lace, dresses, accessories, and other high-quality products. The women ordered the merchant to send the goods to their parlor, but they would vanish with the goods, leaving the messenger eagerly waiting for his reward.

    In modern days, the Disappearing Act could be perceived to be some kind of retail theft. About $35 million worth of retail merchandise is robbed from stores last year, according to NASP.

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  20. 20 Job Offers

    0

    People who look for work are also ambitious and naive more than ever now. Actually, there are about as many scams as there is actual online work. Before the internet, though, people can use a newspaper job listing column to trick people out of money.

    Some work scammers are asking their victims to pay for their background reports or training, while others are merely asking to get money sent to them or to ask for their credit card numbers.

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  21. 21 Man of Cloth

    0

    In the 20th century, it was very common for criminals to impersonate another person for self-gain. For example, there have been reports of bank robbers dressed up as bank managers to steal money.

    In 1888, a man presented himself as Father McCarthy of Montreal to the chief priest in Washington, D. C. Later that day, McCarthy went to the nearest jewelry shop to look for a present for the Cardinal. He ordered a merchant to deliver a couple of diamonds to the chapel where he was living.

    When the merchant had arrived with the merchandise, McCarthy wondered whether he could take the diamonds to some other room to display other priests. Instead, he slipped out of the back entrance, never to be seen again.

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  22. 22 Mortgages

    0

    A home is every family’s most valuable commodity. Scammers tend to use this when thinking of a way to earn quick money. There have been thousands of reports from all over the country of receipt of counterfeit letters pretending to be mortgage companies in the past few decades.

    These fraudulent company people force homeowners to take out equity to use as payments for renovations or other costs for the house.

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  23. 23 Romance Scams

    0

    Romance scams just don't affect a person both financially but emotionally as well. Victims of relationship scams are led to believe that the person they talk to really likes and cares for them.

    Criminals usually locate their prey on dating sites or social media. Once they have a bond and are familiar with their victims, they normally start asking for money. They would also complain that they need money for medical bills or to help them get out of a challenging situation.

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  24. 24 Coin-Matching Game

    0

    Coin-matching is played all over the world and can be played legitimately. Anyway, some people use it for the unfair benefit of themselves by scamming others.

    The scheme is normally run by two controllers. The first controller, along with the victim, enters the game. Then the second controller enters soon afterward and continues to lose the game.

    After pretending to call the police, they persuade the victim to give them hush money, and the two controllers then broke up.

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  25. 25 Grandparent Scam

    0

    This is rather a cruel type of scam where a grandparent gets an e-mail or a call from someone claiming to be his/her grandchild stating that they are entangled in some trouble. As an example, the scammer may say that he is arrested or kidnapped and needs bail money or ransom to be free and asks not to tell the grandchild’s parents, claiming that they will be upset over this. Most of the time, the scammer will ask to send money in a media which is not traceable.

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  26. 26 Green Goods

    0

    The United States saw an abundance of counterfeit currency in the 19th century. Historians later dubbed the ‘Green Goods Game’ in this era. Scammers will post flyers all over the world pretending to sell ‘genuine’ counterfeit money for sale.

    Victims will always respond to the flyers and drive to the place to conclude the transaction. Upon delivery, a bag of real money will be shown to the victim. However, while the victim was busy, the bag of money would be exchanged for a bag of sawdust, green paper, or other useless objects.

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  27. 27 Strip Club Scams

    0

    Scams happening in strip clubs or clip joints are a very often thing seen over many years. These institutes provide adult entertainment and open bars to attract various customers for various ranges of prices.

    Then these customers have been deluded into paying for overpriced services or significantly lower quality services. And sometimes, customers are manipulated to pay for services that they will never receive. Some of these open bars have been accused of diluting the alcohol level or selling overpriced liquor.

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  28. 28 Three-Card Monte

    0

    Three-Card Monte is a gambling-type card game that is prohibited from playing for money. There are many compelling stories related to this game in folklore. The game was popular in the United States in the early 1800s.

    The game is based on a plain sleight of hand. The controller throws either of the two cards held in one hand. The illusion established is that only the bottom card is thrown at all times. Even so, the top card can be dropped in an identical way to alter the outcome.

    People who gamble have been losing money to Three-Card Monte swindles for more than a hundred years.

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  29. 29 Financial Legal Help

    0

    Financial legal frauds very much go ignored, or worst, unreported. They can be hard to convict in such a way that they are regarded as a low-risk felony. However, it doesn't mean that they are not devastating to the victims.

    With these financial legal scams, an individual will act as a lawyer and sell services that are not licensed to provide. After the deal is signed, the client will be compelled to pay whatever the lawyer demands.

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  30. 30 Mail Fraud

    0

    Mail fraud is a criminal offense in the US that includes mailing or electronically transferring something related to fraud. Surprisingly, the US Congress imposed the death penalty for those who do mail fraud in 1792. Many types of mail fraud exist, such as financial fraud, employment fraud, fraud against older Americans, and telemarketing fraud.

    Although there have been many attempts by authorities to prevent mail fraud, unfortunately, scammers still use the mail to do their illicit work, sometimes working from thousands of miles away.

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What are the top slang words used in year 2020? https://talkks.com/top-slang-words-used-in-year-2020/ https://talkks.com/top-slang-words-used-in-year-2020/#respond Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:23:20 +0000 https://talkks.com/what-are-the-top-slang-words-used-in-year-2020/

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  2. GOAT : 1 vote
  3. Curve : 1 vote

Have you ever felt ‘what the heck are they talking about?’ after reading a comments section of a Instagram or Facebook post or a Twitter thread? Most probably you would have, and you are not alone. The language is very much connected to the technology these days. Since teens are mostly hang out in online they have created easy and fun new words to express ideas. We call these very informal English as slang language. The world of slang is huge and in this article we are going to explore some of the more interesting slang terms highlighted in 2020.

“Slang word is an informal term that stands for or means something else than its literal meaning; a shorter way to say a word or phrase.
Slang is slang for short language.”

Teenage-Slangs.jpeg

Most probably what you have not grasped is the meaning of the slang words; which may or may not be a “real word” but has a meaning in today’s popular media. As today’s world is dominated by the social media with unparalleled traffic as the days roll, new such words come and go daily. The meme culture we are seeing is a result of this social media phenomenon. 2020 being the year which made hanging on the internet for most of the day the new norm, the traffic skyrocketed and so did the use of internet slangs.

So here are our picks for ‘Top 25 slang words used in 2020’ with little snippets of their origins and meanings along with an example each for you to understand their use in context. Use vote buttons and comment section under each list item to tell us how you feel about these new slangs!

  1. 1 Cap

    2

    This is not related to the usual cap that you put on your head. This word is referred to lying, while no cap means telling the truth. Typically, this term is used in the context of boasting. If someone is bragging too much about something it is possible that they are ‘capping’.

    Example: “No cap bruh, I really like that girl.”

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  2. 2 GOAT

    1

    This does not mean about the animal goat. It’s the acronym for ‘Greatest Of All Time’. Its pronounced in the same way as pronouncing the word for animal goat. Most of the time pops out when people start to argue about sports.

    Example: “Those cupcakes are GOAT”

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  3. 3 Curve

    1

    This means to reject someone. It is like rejecting a person from their romantic interests. There have been many slangs for the word curve including the shape of women’s body too. Now it is mostly used in modern dating and romance.

    Examples: “she curved me last week.”

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  4. 4 Salty

    0

    Originally this means containing salt or the taste of salt. But now this word is being used to describe a person’s emotional condition. When someone is angry or irritated over something they will be described as salty.

    Example: “He was salty after they roasted him.”

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  5. 5 Tea

    0

    When you read this word at ones you remember your cup of tea. But in slang tea is used to describe about a gossip or to refer to some interesting story or news. When someone says, “what’s your tea?” this means that person is interested and eagerly waiting to in hearing your story.

    Example: “I heard some tea about the party last night.”

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  6. 6 Stan

    0

    This word popped out in 2000 in a song released by the rapper Eminem. But now this is the slang for someone who is a serious die heart fan, specially of a celebrity or a music group. This is widely used in fandom culture.

    Example: “Don’t stan for that singer.”

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  7. 7 Hundo P

    0

    You can use this word when you totally agree on something. It is an abbreviation of 100%. If you are confirming something for absolutely for sure, then you can use the slang Hundo P.

    Example: “Are you going to the gym today?”
    “hundo p!”

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  8. 8 Periodt

    0

    This word is used at the end of a sentence. It is used to conclude a sentence. The extra “T” at the end is used to emphasis as well as mimic to some speech patterns. This word is used in the expression “and that’s on peridot”.

    Example: “Just because you hate me you don’t have to spill fake news about me.preiodt.

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  9. 9 Lit

    0

    Simply this gives the idea of cool, fun and excitement. Its used when something is turned up and when they are intensely excited. People has started to say “Lit AF” to mean extreme great.

    Example: “Oh boy that party was so damn lit.”

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  10. 10 Slay

    0

    Yes, the first meaning that came to your mind maybe of killing someone. But in today’s context this word is used so say someone that they look amazing or did an excellent work on something. It is a way of appreciating a person.

    Example: “Swift’s new album slayed.”

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  11. 11 Flex

    0

    This word has two meanings. It means to show off or to boast and at the same time it means to put on a fake, to fake something or to force it. This is mostly used in rap and hip hop.

    Example: “Don’t be flexing on me like that bro.”

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  12. 12 Clout

    0

    It is about having power or influence. This word is in famous in social media. It is used when a person plays the role of an influencer. It is more like a person who is after more followers and looking for more opportunities to clout.

    Example: “Paul, Mike and Jane have hella clout.”

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  13. 13 Fr

    0

    This is the shorten word of ‘for real’. It is like emphasizing that what you are saying is the truth and used when questioning about the accuracy of something that someone has said.

    Example: “Hey my crush asked me out today!”
    “fr?!”

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  14. 14 Ballin

    0

    This is used to refer to a person who is in a state of being a wealthy and living a very luxurious lifestyle.

    Example: “He is still ballin” (He is still living the luxury life)

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  15. 15 Ship

    0

    This word derived from the word relationship. It is the concept of a fictional couple. It is mostly used by fans who want two people to become couple and enter to a romantic or sexual relationship.

    Example: “I don’t ship them that much. I ship jane and Daniel to be honest.

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  16. 16 Turnt

    0

    This is a variation of the word ‘turned’ and its used to describe a person when he / she is excessively excited. This is also used to describe a person who is drunk.

    Example: “yeah this party is about to be turnt!”

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  17. 17 Woke

    0

    Getting called “woke” is a compliment. It means that you are aware about what is going on. It is mainly regarding the awareness of issues related to social and racial justice.

    Example: “I’m very happy because I attended to that meeting on crypto-genderism, now I’m really woke”

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  18. 18 Bae

    0

    Though this word is commonly referred as a short form of baby or babe, the letters of the word represent the phrase “before anyone else”.

    Example: “She is my bae!” (She comes before anyone else)

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  19. 19 Shade

    0

    Many people call their sunglasses ‘shades’. But here in its slang form this means suspicious or disrespectful behavior. It appears in the phrase “to throw shades”. It is the expression for disgust with a person.

    Example: Jane threw shades at Katty when she said, “There isn’t a guy in her course that Katty hadn’t dated”.

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  20. 20 Receipt

    0

    At first the image of a paper showing the proof of a purchase might come to your mind, but in the slang this means of proof or evidence. In modern day, these evidence means about videos, screenshots, or images that can come through social media.

    Examples: “I got all the receipts from their secrete chat they had last night.”

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  21. 21 Ghost

    0

    Originally this word was referred to the soul of a dead person. But now its meaning has expanded, and this term is used in relation to dating. It is used when you suddenly end all the contacts in a relationship without any explanations.

    Example: “I’m going to have to ghost him until he gets the point”

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  22. 22 Clap back

    0

    This means a strong criticism which can either be written or spoken. It is more like answering an opponent’s insult with a much stronger manner. This in usually done in the comment section in social media.

    Example: “That was so damn interesting. You should have heard the clapback, Oh Jesus.”

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  23. 23 Wig

    0

    The phrase ‘my wig flew”, “wig!” have surely caught your eye while going through your twitter or Instagram feed. This slang is a feeling of being so much shocked or enamored with any event.

    Example: “I got free tickets to Eminem’s show!”
    “No way omg WIG.”

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  24. 24 Big yikes

    0

    This has evolved from the word “yikes” to a severe type embarrassing or unfortunate moment. It can also be used to insult someone. This is the most suitable term to be used when a shout is the answer to something drastic.

    Example: “My crush heard me talking about her and now she thinks I’m crazy.”
    “Big yikes.”

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  25. 25 Snatched

    0

    Do not get worried if a teen says someone or something is snatched. It is a way of giving a compliment. It describes anything that looks good, very attractive or flawlessly styled.

    Example: “I always wanted to say you darling, your makeup snatched.”

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