Linda's Blogspot

Reflections on the chaos of war and the toll it takes on humanity: 'No Sides' (A woman stands center stage, her posture steady, but her voice filled with sorrow and conviction. The stage is dimly lit, casting long shadows, as if reflecting the tension and darkness in the world.) Woman: (Softly, almost to herself) It’s in the air. You can feel it… buzzing. Like a storm waiting to break open the sky. Wars, threats of war, and all that hurls up… energy. Explosive energy. It’s like the very air we breathe is filled with sparks, ready to ignite. And whether you’re on this side of the planet or the other, you feel it. Every. Single. Day. (She pauses, looking out into the distance) I’ve lived long enough to see a lot of things, but never, never have I felt a tangle of energy like this since the second World War. The world back then... It was torn apart. It felt like the earth itself was breaking at the seams. And here we are again, dancing on the same knife's edge, making the same...

Sometimes, I feel like the chocolate chip that got into the vanilla ice cream. In my eight years as a volunteer Wikipedian, I've made it my mission to shed light on people and places that often slip through the cracks of mainstream documentation.  Many of the individuals I've come across are remarkably notable in their own right, yet their stories remain untold. As a marginalized person myself, I find purpose in documenting the marginalized. It's disheartening to see that African American rappers and those involved in crime garner more media coverage, perpetuating skewed narratives. But amidst the noise, discovering these hidden gems who've achieved so much fills me with gratitude and inspiration. Yet, even in the realm of Wikipedia, and now in the world of AI chatbots and machine learning apps, the old criteria persist, leaving out voices from African American, Caribbean, and African communities. It's a systemic issue that needs addressing.

I want to learn how to use Wikimedia Commons to create a slide presentation.   How to upload photos as a group. Uploading Photos as a Group on Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons is a great resource for finding free, high-quality images for your presentations. Here's how to upload a group of photos: 1. Create a Wikimedia Commons Account: If you don't have one already, go to [invalid URL removed]: and create an account. 2. Navigate to the Upload Wizard: Once logged in, click on the "Upload file" link in the left-hand sidebar. This will take you to the upload wizard. 3. Select Your Files: Click on the "Select media files to share" button. Locate the folder on your computer where your photos are stored. Use the Shift or Ctrl (or Command on Mac) keys to select multiple photos at once. Click "Open" to upload the selected files. 4. Provide Metadata: Title: Give each photo a clear and descriptive title. Description: Provide a detailed description of the p...

Wikimedia Commons is a massive online repository of freely licensed images, sounds, videos, and other media files. It's a collaborative project of the Wikimedia Foundation, the same organization behind Wikipedia.    Key features of Wikimedia Commons: Free to use: All content on Commons is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute.    Diverse content: It contains a vast collection of media, ranging from historical photographs to modern artwork, scientific illustrations, and more.    Collaborative: It's a community-driven project where anyone can contribute and improve the content.    Accessible: The media files can be easily accessed and used in various projects, such as websites, presentations, or educational materials.    Why is Wikimedia Commons important? Accessibility: It provides a central hub for freely licensed media, making it easier for people to find and use high-quality content.    Education: It's a ...

In today’s digital world, protecting privacy, especially when it comes to sensitive information like bank details and identification, is a crucial concern. Many activities, from booking flights to paying for hotels, have moved online, making it nearly impossible to avoid sharing personal information. Here are ways to protect your privacy and reduce risks, particularly in regard to banking information and personal identification: Protecting Bank Information: 1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords:    - Ensure that your bank accounts, email, and other sensitive services have strong passwords. Avoid using easily guessed information like birthdates or names.    - Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely. 2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):    - Set up 2FA for your banking and financial accounts, which requires a second step (usually a code sent to your phone) in addition to your password. This makes it harder for someon...

Learning as a grand exploration.   Fellow travelers in the boundless realm of existence, let us embark on a plea—a heartfelt call to arms in the name of learning, reading, and knowledge. Imagine learning not as a task, but as a grand exploration—a journey through the corridors of wisdom, each page a map leading to undiscovered territories of understanding. Let our minds be the vessels navigating the vast oceans of knowledge, setting sail with curiosity as our compass. In the vast library of life, reading becomes the lantern guiding us through the shadows of ignorance. Let us not see it as a chore but as a lantern illuminating the path, revealing the treasures hidden in the narratives of others and the chronicles of ages past. Knowledge, dear companions, is not a burden but a ship on which we sail through the seas of discovery. It is a tool for navigating the complexities of existence, an anchor grounding us in the storms of uncertainty. Let us embrace it not out of obligation ...

In the vast expanse of the digital realm, I am  a wiki auntie, a mentor forged in the crucible of eight years.  A journey, not just of time but of wisdom, where each step echoes with the resonance of shared experiences. Picture the canvas of WikiCommons, where dreams take flight like elusive butterflies.  There, in the symphony of Wikiversity, I conduct the orchestra of knowledge, each note a revelation, each crescendo a celebration.  Wiki voyage becomes our ship, navigating uncharted waters, discovering the treasures of wisdom that await. In the intricate threads of the web, we weave a tapestry of understanding. Knowledge, a flower blooming in every ebb and flow, is a tool for creation—a stream that flows through the veins of Wikis.  A heartbeat that echoes, a shared dream resonating through the corridors of learning. As the sun rises over WikiCommons and sets in the grace of the classroom, curriculums take shape, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of e...

 Verse 1) I'm like a chocolate chip in vanilla cream, Being a Wikipedian for eight years, chasing a dream. Documenting the stories untold, Shining light on the marginalized, breaking the mold. (Chorus) In a world of headlines, I'm searching for truth, African American rappers, they're stealing the booth. But I'll keep on diggin', uncovering gold, In the forgotten tales, where the real stories unfold. (Verse 2) From the streets of Harlem to the Caribbean shores, I find the gems that the media ignores. Their achievements are vast, their struggles profound, Yet their voices are muted, nowhere to be found. (Chorus) In a world of headlines, I'm searching for truth, African American rappers, they're stealing the booth. But I'll keep on diggin', uncovering gold, In the forgotten tales, where the real stories unfold. (Bridge) In the AI world, the bias is clear, Excluding voices that we need to hear. But I won't back down, I'll keep fighting the fight...

 In the realm of words, I wander, Seeking tales buried deep, yonder. For eight years, a Wikipedian's quest, To unveil stories, long suppressed. Like a chocolate chip in vanilla's embrace, I sift through narratives, find my place. Documenting the marginalized few, Whose voices echo, strong and true. African American rappers, crimes in headlines glare, But quieter stories, equally rare, Of triumph, resilience, against all odds, Inspire my soul, defy the façade. In AI's realm, biases persist, Excluding voices, their tales dismissed. Yet, in my heart, a flame still burns, For each untold story, my soul yearns. In the tapestry of knowledge, I weave, Uncovering truths, ready to believe. For every voice, every tale, Adds depth and richness, to our grand scale. So onward I journey, with purpose clear, To amplify voices, banish fear. For in the chorus of the silenced, I find, The power to heal, the ties that bind.

Facilitating Knowledge: A Wikipedian's Journey.  I have come to realize that leadership, at least the way it’s commonly used, is often just a label—a badge people wear at events and conferences. The word is thrown around, but when I look around, I only sees individuals, not the people they are supposedly leading. For me leadership isn’t  something I seek. Instead, I  focus on facilitation, helping groups accomplish tasks rather than getting caught up in titles or roles. After years of working with AfroCrowd  Wikipedia user group, I  understand how difficult it can be to work with large groups, especially when the conversation veers away from the task at hand. I have learned that in groups of 2, 3, or even 8 people, keeping opinions that are not aligned with the objective should be avoided as much as possible.   In 2020, during COVID-19 lockdown I started Alkebulan Wiki Edit and Study Group on Zoom to share my knowledge as a Wikipedian and help others ...

Wanting to be right all the time or most of the time can be damaging to your health.  That sounds like an interesting observation, and it's a concept that has been discussed in various fields, particularly in psychology and emotional health. The idea that constantly needing to be "right" can have negative effects on mental and physical health stems from the stress it causes. When people stay in a perpetual "fight" mode, they activate their sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to chronic stress and the release of stress hormones like cortisol.  Over time, this can result in anxiety, high blood pressure, weakened immune function, and other health problems. Additionally, individuals who focus on being right all the time may resist new perspectives, refuse to speculate, and reject ambiguity. This rigidity can damage relationships and reduce their ability to engage in constructive dialogue, ultimately isolating them socially. While I can't pinpoint the exac...

The Secret Path: A Story About the Underground Railroad Eight-year-old Malia looked up at her grandfather as they strolled through Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. The tall trees swayed gently, and the cemetery was quiet, except for the soft crunch of their footsteps on the gravel path. “Grandpa, why are we here? I thought cemeteries were for visiting people who’ve passed away,” Malia asked, holding his hand. Grandpa smiled and knelt beside her. “This place holds more than graves, Malia. It holds history. Did you know that some of the people buried here helped others find their freedom long ago?” Malia's eyes widened. “Freedom? Like how?” “Let me tell you a story,” Grandpa began. “More than 150 years ago, there was something called the Underground Railroad. It wasn’t a real railroad with trains, though. It was a secret network of people who helped those who were enslaved escape to freedom, far away in the North or even Canada.” Malia nodded, her imagination already running wild...

Digital Memory - Wikipedia!  Digital Memory refers to the ways in which the internet and digital platforms store, share, and shape our collective understanding of the past. Unlike traditional memory-keeping, which was often controlled by institutions such as governments, archives, or publishers, digital memory is more participatory and decentralized.  Platforms like Wikipedia, social media, and digital archives enable individuals and communities to actively contribute to the preservation and construction of memory, allowing for a broader and more inclusive representation of history. Wikipedia and Digital Memory Wikipedia plays a pivotal role in the creation of digital memory, operating as one of the largest and most comprehensive repositories of human knowledge. It differs from traditional encyclopedias in that it is openly editable by anyone with internet access, making it a key player in the democratization of memory and history. Here’s how Wikipedia, specifically, contribut...

 Memory and identity in a globalized world is a complex and evolving topic, as globalization brings significant shifts in how societies remember their pasts and construct collective identities. Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness of nations through technology, trade, migration, and cultural exchange.  It can challenge traditional notions of national identity, which are often rooted in shared histories and collective memories, while also offering opportunities for new forms of identity formation that are more inclusive, hybrid, and transnational.  1. The Impact of Globalization on Collective Memory Globalization affects how collective memory is shaped, shared, and preserved in several important ways: - Multiple Histories and Narratives: In a globalized world, nations are exposed to multiple perspectives on history. This diversity can challenge dominant national narratives that were once accepted without question. For example, post-colonial and minorit...

Collective memory and national identity are deeply intertwined concepts, especially in the context of a society emerging from conflict, such as post-World War II Holland.  Collective memory refers to the shared memories of a group, often a nation, which are passed down through generations. These memories shape how a society views its past, informs its present values, and influences its future actions.  National identity, on the other hand, is the sense of belonging to a nation, characterized by shared culture, language, history, and often a sense of collective destiny. In the aftermath of war or occupation, how a nation remembers its past becomes critical to shaping its national identity moving forward. Key Aspects of Collective Memory and National Identity: 1. Constructing a National Narrative Collective memory helps to construct a national narrative, which is the overarching story a nation tells about itself. This narrative often focuses on defining moments in history, such ...

The role of memory and identity in the aftermath of war, particularly in an occupied nation like Holland during World War II, is deeply complex and multifaceted. After a traumatic event like a military occupation, both individuals and societies must grapple with the lasting effects of their experiences, and memory plays a key role in shaping identity during and after such crises.  For a psychologist observing post-war Holland, the interplay between memory and identity would offer profound insights into the healing process and the reformation of personal and collective identity. Let’s break this down further: 1. Individual Memory and Identity Reconstruction At an individual level, survivors of occupation must process their experiences and integrate them into their sense of self. This is a difficult and often painful process, involving the following: - Trauma Processing: Individuals who lived through the occupation may have memories of violence, fear, deprivation, and loss. These mem...

Diving deeper into the five aspects of _Total War and the Human Mind: A Psychologist's Experience in Occupied Holland_ provides a fuller understanding of how war affects the psyche. Here’s an expanded exploration: 1. The Trauma of Occupation During Nazi occupation, the Dutch people lived under a regime of fear and violence. For a psychologist observing this environment, the daily trauma would have been apparent in the form of:   - Constant Fear and Uncertainty: Citizens feared raids, forced labor, arrests, and deportations. Jewish citizens, resistance fighters, and even ordinary families had to hide or face persecution. This persistent fear created a state of hypervigilance, anxiety, and paranoia.  Over time, the nervous system becomes overwhelmed, leading to psychological conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), though it was not formally recognized at the time.  - Emotional Numbness: As a coping mechanism, many people in occupied Holland would have beco...

Delusion and Mass Delusion: Joost A. M. Meerloo’s Profound Study of Psychological Manipulation and Collective Behavior In his groundbreaking 1949 book Delusion and Mass Delusion*, Dutch psychiatrist Joost A. M. Meerloo delves deep into the mechanisms by which both individuals and entire societies can fall prey to manipulation and false beliefs. Drawing from his own experiences during World War II and his observations of Nazi propaganda, Meerloo presents a psychological framework that explains how seemingly rational people can embrace irrational behaviors and beliefs on a massive scale. Meerloo’s work remains a seminal study in understanding the nature of mass delusions and the forces that manipulate human psychology. He explains how techniques like fear-mongering, propaganda, and emotional coercion can erode critical thinking and lead to collective irrationality.  In today’s era, marked by the rise of misinformation, political polarization, and mass media influence, Meerloo’s insig...