Is the World your Oyster?

If you think that the world is your oyster

Think again 

It may be yours for a day or two

But

Remember that you are only a grain of sand and not even a shell

And

If you are honest and fair

You will turn into a pearl for all to admire

Hani Badawi 

July 3, 2013

Broken Toys

Imagine a child trying to understand how his/her toy was constructed.

Most of us will likely remember the day when we broke a toy in search of the secret of how it was assembled. We will also likely remember when a parent or an older sibling came to our rescue and attempted (sometimes successfully and other times in vain) to repair the broken toy.

Imagine no more.

Just look at the world and you will see that it is replete with rulers who have broken their countries as if they were toys. They are, however, like arrogant and irresponsible children who seek no help for re-assembling or repairing their toys!!

Hani Badawi
March 24, 2013

Computers, Humans and Robots

In the computer world (in the figurative and not literal sense), when people are confronted with problems, they may resort to one of the following remedies: 1) reboot their computer, 2) clean-up and defragment (in the Microsoft Windows world) their hard drive or, 3) seek help from friends and specialists in the software or hardware fields.

Isn't it surprising that, in the human world (again in the figurative sense), when problems arise, people often resort to one of the following: 1) boot-out or ignore the source, 2) soil-up and fragment relations with others, and 3) criticize and ignore help from friends and specialists in areas of relevance to their problems!

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why humans have been striving to develop a world where robots (or artificial intelligence) play a key role in their world.
Effectively they are seeking the best of two worlds!!

Hani Badawi
March 9, 2013

Mine your Mind

If you mine your mind you will feel fine,

If you close your mind you will feel morose,

Rewind your mind and don't leave it behind,

Most of all, do not bind your mind!

Hani Badawi

December 13, 2012

If

With apologies to Rudyard Kipling, here is my version of "If":

If you have a wish
and will not allow it to cause you anguish;

If you have a whim
and can subdue it by going for a swim;

If you have a prayer
and will not allow the outcome to make you swagger;

If you have a desire
and can make sure it doesn't lead you to a quagmire;

If you have a talent
and can use it without being flippant;

If you are caring
and are able to express it without yapping;

If you are facing a problem
and will not let it lead you to a bedlam;

If you are confused
and are able to remain unbruised;

If you are in love
and thank the Lord above;

If you are in need
and accept what you are dealt without greed;

If you are in a bind
and not cease to think about mankind;

If you are in frenzy
and not allow yourself to go crazy;

Then you will lead a life
without much strife!

 

Hani Badawi

October 6, 2012

Thoughts on Nations

If the question is : What is a simple description of the most important thing that defines the wealth of a nation? I would say: "It's people".  

 

If the question is:  What makes the leader of a nation succeed (or fail) in his/her mission to improve (or worsen) the living conditions of his/her nation? I would say: "It's people".

 

If the question is:  What makes people of one nation have an edge over people in other nations? I would say: "Education"!

Hani Badawi
September 30, 2012

Criticism

Whereas it is important to criticize what you don't like, it is more important to have an objective and responsible plan to demonstrate a process and action for overcoming what you are objecting to.

Subjective and irresponsible criticism is like a "hit and run" accident!

Hani Badawi
June 28, 2012