The Knowledge Loft

Those who doubt that human activities have the ability to change the Earth’s climate should look to the melting Arctic, and shiver. There is no need to pore over records of Earth’s temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. The process is starkly visible in the shrinkage of the ice that covers the Arctic Ocean. In the past 30 years, the volume of ice present in the summer has fallen by three quarters…

“Out with the old, in with the new” is a common catchphrase that proponents of technological change proudly extol. Underlying this confident proclamation is the view that new is invariably better and the retail industry is one exciting battleground to observe this ongoing tussle between innovative technologies and the traditional way of life. Read all about it in the link below. https://www.theknowledgeloft.com/gp-es…

When the first TikTok star is elected president, one hopes she will save some room in her cabinet for older and more conventional bureaucrats, even if they do not have millions of followers, great hair or amazing dance moves. This is not a question of if’ but’when’. lt is increasingly obvious that the teenagers and 20-somethings who have mastered social media platforms – and who are often dismissed as shallow, preeni…

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once famously said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. This quote, though thousands of years old, is still applicable to modern day living and eating today. It underscores the importance of healthy eating, and how a diet with nutritional value can maintain good health and disease prevention. Hence, it is not surprising to see how some governments go to great – or …

From itifancy, we are constantly commanded to conform. We are programmed to integrate into our given cultures, which then enables society to function like clockwork. ln step we march, striving to keep pace with the beat, avoiding falling out of line. We shutfle along with the herd, unquestioningly trusting in its collective ‘wisdom’. Like insects in a hive of mass, coordinated thought and action, we find belonging, …

“In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed.” Abraham Lincoln’s verdict on the importance of public opinion remains as relevant now as it was when he mouthed these words two centuries ago. Read all about it in the link below. https://www.theknowledgeloft.com/society/gp-essay-64-do-you-agree-that-the-biggest-challenge-that-governments-curr…

Amanda Ruggeri examines the dangers of perfectionism. In one of my earlier memories, I was drawing. I cannot recall what the picture was supposed to be but I remember the mistake. My marker slipped, an unintentional line appeared and my lip trembled. The picture has long since disappeared, but that feeling of deep frustration has stayed with me. More often than I would like to admit, something inconsequential will tr…

“There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.” Thomas Jefferson’s words remain as relevant and provocative now as it was back in the 18th century when he articulated them. In view of how individuals from disadvantaged groups often unjustly face a higher risk of social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination than the general population, there have been widened calls for preferential treatm…

GP PAPER 2 COMPREHENSION PRACTICE #31 (‘SPORTS’)The hendiatris Citius, Altius, Fortius is the Olympic motto, which means ‘faster, higher, stronger’ in Latin. The motto is a challenge to all competing athletes to strive to push themselves to the limit of their endurance – reaching a point within the depths of their strength where there is almost nothing left for the mission at hand. At every Olympic Games, the world w…

GP ESSAY #62: TO WHAT EXTENT IS CHARITABLE GIVING DESIRABLE? When the Russian-Ukraine conflict broke out, many around the world were looking for ways to provide support to the beleaguered Ukrainian people. Interestingly, booking Airbnbs in major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv – without any intention of staying there – became popular . Read more about it in the link below. https://www.theknowledgeloft.com/economy/gp-essay…

GP PAPER 2 COMPREHENSION PRACTICE #30 (‘PARENTING’) Helicopter parenting, the practice of hovering anxiously near one’s children, monitoring their every activity, is so 20th century. Some affluent mothers and fathers now are more like snowplows: machines chugging ahead, clearing any obstacles in their child’s path to success, so they don’t have to encounter failure, frustration or lost opportunities. To read the res…

GP ESSAY #61: ‘ADVERTISING IS LARGELY ABOUT PERSUADING PEOPLE TO BUY WHAT THEY DO NOT NEED.’ HOW FAR DO YOU AGREE? “Just Do It”. Nike’s iconic slogan is certainly one of the most recognisable advertising phrases today and to promote the brand’s values of overcoming adversity or innovation, Nike relies heavily on storytelling with advertisements to tell inspiring stories and provoke positive emotions in users. Read mo…