Brazzil

this is really rambling , i dont get it at all...

if there was some idiot dealing coke and confronting people, this is where it ends up

and this article leaves way too many loose ends...

I may very well appreciate your lack of appreciation. To encapsulate the reasons, exhaustively, for why a situation like this occurs, is something beyond my capacity, or my willingness, to complete. It's something to touch on, as honestly and thoroughly as is credible, and then walk away.

thanks for replying....i had to google it up . a description of the details might have given me a better insight as to what you were writing about.

the circumstances were a little differant from what i thought but still,in any big city in the world, coke dealing and being confrontational well get you into trouble for sure

i wish my last visit to lapa had as much action as you described, but, it was a rainy night

Well, the only real point was to demystify the situation, because there literally was no one, or no entity, that I encountered that was saying what needed to be said, no matter how uncomfortable or unpopular. Thanks for taking to time to read the article and comment, I do appreciate it.

I'm glad some gringo finally had the courage to say what needed to be said: "John" was a loud, aggressive guy who liked picking fights. I can't think of a worse place for him to have lived than Lapa. He's an object lesson to any gringo who thinks "anything goes" in Rio. As I hear it, John started beating a street kid who stole his girlfriend's purse. An off-duty cop told him to stop, showed him his gun and identified himself as a cop. John then got in the cop's face and shoevd him and thus ended up dead.

Bad call. I think the author hit the problem right on the head. John's death wasn't the result of Rio's violence: it was the result of his own death wish. He just came to Brazil to have a convenient place to act it out.

He was an American after all, and no son of a whore filthy Brazilian could shoot an American, could they?!

David, what do you think would happen to, say, a Brazilian immigrant if they did this to a New York cop? Hell, let's not be hypothetical. "Unique brand of evolutionary justice"? What happened, then, to Jean Charles, shot down in the London metro simply because he "looked foreign"? We're talking England, here: not the U.S. or Britain.

Seems to me that while you want to tell the true story of what happened that night, you just can't stay away from sensationalistic descriptions of Brazilian violence.

And dude, seriously, from one writer to another: lose half of the adjectives. Your trying way too hard to be stylish and it makes your story effectively opaque.

What a waste of time and effort spent describing the despicable affairs of so loathsome an underclass! Instead of analyzing and describing these appalling creatures, one might perhaps consider contacting, encouraging and engaging “apt elements” – the holders of “appropriate connections & authority” in (a few) governmental & (all) military circles – with the objective of eliminating the very anarchy which unquestionably rules supreme and remains ubiquitous in the sordid, filthy streets of Rio de Janeiro.

At one point in time a rather beautiful city, which inspired poets and musicians, the former Brazilian capital has been transformed during the past three decades (of so-called “freedom”) into a vile alley of terrorists, drug dealers, pimps and prostitutes, thereby rendering the city of Kinshasa (Congo) appear as if it were either Lausanne or Düsseldorf, by sheer comparison, in terms of violence and murder per-capita.

Given this unfortunate condition, which seems to be completely insurmountable – given the concealed support which the Labor Administration provides to Colombian FARC and receives from (all Brazilian cities’) slum dwellers – the only alternative appears to be nothing short of a radical, complete overhaul of the country socio-political structure by the Strong Hand of the nation’s Armed Forces (hopefully inspired by Honduras).

Immediately after a theoretical “Coup-d’état” were to become, in essence, a “fait accomplit”, and following a series of instant, necessary deeds (such as 1) the summary execution of the criminals who have contributed to the denigration of this nation while pretending to be politicians; 2) the exile of minor leftists; and 3) the restoration of “order”), the overall state of affairs would then finally permit the authorities (duly appointed by the new governing elite) to deal with the riffraff accordingly: the FARC elements could be captured and readily extradited to Bogota while the well armed federal police could “deal with the riffraff” accordingly.

Once the scum has been disposed, and the blood washed from the streets, perhaps LAPA could again reclaim its old aura thereby enabling it to be equated with Montmartre, Greenwich Village or any other major World city area where poets, musicians and “decent” libertines may wish to reside.

Please follow the link below for an alternate, and more detailed account.

http://latinik.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html

when will they start
i will buy a ticket to see this will they kill them all in the soccor staudim or where they stand .will have to deal with the bodies quick
so make them dig there own graves .at least they will get burried not like there victims they just dumped on the streets like so much huaman grabage.

as far as brasilian politicans not worth the gun power to kill them how about pushing them to live in the government houses and feed off the boxes of food they say is such a grate thing they did for the poor

I bid you a long-absent salutation, good Thaddeus. After reading the article again I to wish I had pared it some more. In trying to do the subject matter justice, I can see how it might come across as tedious. And yes, I was just reflecting on the notion the other day... I don't know how it would go down in the burroughs New York; I avoid that place. But where I am from here in the US, if someone had talked and behaved the way that our culprit here did, it would have gotten his face bashed in or worse, cop or no cop. One learns to mind their manners.

As far as resolving Rio's criminal element, I have no idea, nor would I pretend to, except to say rather broadly that crime is a component of economic opportunity: the two are opposed in a quotient of mutually exclusive ratios. As substantial, viable economic opportunity flourishes, so the enticements and bounty of a criminal lifestyle wanes, and vice versa. Feel free to contradict with anecdotal examples, but I think generally the formula is practiceable, when reinforced with JUST law enforcement, as much as is possible. From there ecomomic and social policy can follow.

Though presumably more "secure" countries like Argentina and Chile have seen these kinds of military exorcisms, I could never, especially as a foreigner, in good conscience, endorse them.

Obrigado Macunaima,

This gringo gladly accepts your compliments.

Some of these comments are obviously meant as jokes, or if not are written by complete retards. I refer, of course, to that of Epsilon Eridani, who clearly has never been to Lapa, and if has, saw it through the eyes of a scared, uncultured and sad if not boring half-wit. Were you walking around with your head in a guide book? Did you get robbed by a 5 year old? No wait, let me guess, you couldn't muster up the courage to talk to one of the masses of beautiful women. Or perhaps you had earplugs in so missed the whole point completely. Quite obviously, you lacked the savvy to engage in the rich and diverse Carioca culture, which still bursts out of every street corner in the forms of art, music and a love of life which people like you take for granted. Rio is and always will be A Cidade Maravilhosa, no armed forces, CIA funded Coup-d’état or drug dealers will change that. Far right ideals such as your own belong in the dirty archives of your blood-stained administration, and I am assuming you are a North-American.

As already quoted for like-minded "soot", elsewhere, "Recognition that one’s conceit represents and implies an extended metaphor for tangible triviality, is seldom seen or acknowledged, like a jewel in the mist or a viper in the bush"

Futhermore, given the current circumstances, on might take the libery of Paraphrasing remarkable individuals from this planet's history:

Borowing the thoughs of Benjamin Franklin (as quoted from “in Poor Richard's Almanack” 1741:

b]Beauty, like supreme dominion
Is but supported by opinion

Proceeding with another equivalent quote from David Hume's Essays, Moral and Political, 1742:

"Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them."

Finally, I shall take the liberty of utilizing a brief excerpt from ‘A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning’, by Donne

Yet some, who all this while did weep and sing,
And sing, and weep, soar'd up into the ring ;
But most would use no wing.
O fools—said I—thus to prefer dark night
Before true light !

Presumption = "taking liberties unduly; arrogant; insolent"

The origin of any given writer at times can hardly be detected; yet, the rash, unwarranted over-confidence of foolhardy souls - tainted by nationalistic proclivities – frequently compels reckless observations containing false, injudicious conclusions.

In effect, locals of any given region, should bear in mind that the utter inability, which their nation may have retaining capable, honest, and competent resources, which in turn represent an unwieldy and disheartening chore within societies where ineptitude, fraud, and carelessness runs amok.

As a result, whereas principled and logical individuals are scarcely astounded by factual analysis by third parties, the imprudent and arrogant natives remain entrenched in vile dismay, whereas heaving bile and presuming the “origins” of holders of opposing views.

Nik, I think what Epsilon means to say is, "that's your opinion, and I think it's hooey."

I, of course, don't personally agree.

But I can't say I think he's N. American. Probably British. Nobody here quotes John Dunne, David Hume, or god forbid, Ben Franklin!

"Nationalistic proclivities" - A little presumptuous too are we not?

First of all, congratulations for the quotations and rant; again you demonstrate your detachment from reality and ability to completely contradict yourself. I especially enjoyed the unintentional oxymoron "decent libertines" (PRESUMABLY coined by your erudite self) - being that the definition of Libertine is: "a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained." I might ask, without presuming, do you consider yourself to be "decent libertine" and if so, what exactly defines you as a "decent libertine" as oppose to the sub-class you wish to dispose of? Or perhaps you believe the military to be a better judge of character when deciding on who qualifies as 'scum' and who a "decent libertine" because we all know military institutions are famous for their supporting the arts and intellectualism. I can really see 'The pen is mightier than the sword' used as a military motto.

"Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity." - An extract from John Hume's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.

Let's look at Lapa once more for example. The problem with your 'clean' Lapa, is that like beauty, the 'scum' in things merely exists in the mind which contemplates them. Scum must too be supported by opinion. Lapa isn't clean, it never was clean and it's griminess is what gives it character and its edginess. CHARACTER and EDGINESS. Something you clearly lack.

I wonder how you would do if placed in a slum and left to your own devices, forgotten by your government and fellow citizens. Would you steal eat or would you starve? Or is that thought so far away from your existence that you deem the very question preposterous? It is circumstance that determines all human nature. As they say one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.

I will leave you with a quote from a famous Jewish mathematician, considered sub-human scum by some and an idiot during his school days by his teachers, he was later diagnosed with dyslexia.

"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." Albert Einstein

David - no Briton would spell 'utilising' with a 'z'

But I can't say I think he's N. American. Probably British. Nobody here quotes John Dunne, David Hume, or god forbid, Ben Franklin!

David - no Briton would spell 'utilising' with a 'z'

He is a Hungarian.

Summary:

John went to Rio, thought himself too important. Challenged an armed Brazilian cop, got shot twice and died.

The End.

Hungarian. Fair enough. Do Hungarians and Serbs get along? If so, perhaps the likes of Elvis might provide like-minded company.

They get along pretty well according to History. The Hungarians encouraged mass Serbian immigration into the Hungarian controlled region of Vojvodina during times where Serbs were fleeing Ottoman invasions. They lived peacefully together for hundreds of years up until the 1700's when Vienna started paying an interest. Eventually Vienna sponsored the Hungarian installed Serbian militia to overthrow Hungarian rule of the region. Vojvodina is part of Serbia to this day.

This guy - who interestingly names himself after a planet - isn't Hungarian, he does however have severe delusions of grandeur very much like the Elvis Kojcic. Yes, they would certainly get along great; perhaps even fall in love. Sadly it would almost certainly end in tragedy probably with a bout of 'Kojcic Roidrage' resulting in Epsilon being 'chaired' in the head.

"Kojcic Roidrage"; that's rich.... Perhaps they could "co-chair" a council on mass eradication of the "indecent". I smell the whiff of a Monty Python skit. Or perhaps Eddie Izzard.

A sticking point, and perhaps familiar bone of contention: I understand the fashionableness of loathing the US in Europe and elsewhere round the globe, however despite what may be popularly bandied about, most Americans are very tolerant people, almost to the point of being dullards. Tolerant, yes, but insulated... does not make for a particularly rivetting brew. However to wish war or death upon the heads of millions is something that has been specifically practiced, most recently, in a) Europe b) Russia c) the Middle East. Simply because our gov't sits atop the dominant war machine does not mean that Americans (N. Americans, scuze me) actively have a stake, or a hand in it. As countries go, our citizenry is the most lilly-livered, I can assure you. We have our fanatics, to be sure, but to encounter one of these persons in day to day life, in a single lifetime, is almost like winning the lottery AND being struck by lightening. The news amplifies the absolute worst, for commercial and sensationalistic reasons, of course.

(N. Americans, scuze me)

Please do remember that N.Americans include Mexicans and Canadians. However, I partially agree with your statement that "most Americans are very tolerant people, almost to the point of being dullards". Tolerant, yes. Dullards? Not totally agree with you. Not all the Americans can be judged by your standards.

Wow.

And here I thought that spewing pseudo-intellectual bulls**t was a leftist specialty.

Good to see that the fascist far-right's ranks are also full of verbose fools.

And here I thought that spewing pseudo-intellectual bulls**t was a leftist specialty.

Good and refreshing comment.

Good to see that the fascist far-right's ranks are also full of verbose fools.

They are as bad as the Commies. We, the honorable folks are the fools.

Which Commies would they be? The red ones hiding under under your beds?

It is not Americans that most people hate (that is, most people with half a brain) It is your warmongering administration, and far-right Christian fundamentalist hawks who the shots.

I hardly think any country in the Middle East, Europe, Russia or lets face it, in the world, can match the US's impressive portfolio of bombing campaigns since the second world war.

China 1945-46
Korea 1950-53
China 1950-53
Guatemala 1954
Indonesia 1958
Cuba 1959-60
Guatemala 1960
Belgian Congo 1964
Guatemala 1964
Dominican Republic 1965-66
Peru 1965
Laos 1964-73
Vietnam 1961-73
Cambodia 1969-70
Guatemala 1967-69
Lebanon 1982-84
Grenada 1983-84
Libya 1986
El Salvador 1981-92
Nicaragua 1981-90
Libya 1986
Iran 1987-88
Libya 1989
Panama 1989-90
Iraq 1991-2002
Kuwait 1991
Somalia 1992-94
Croatia 1994 (of Serbs at Krajina)
Bosnia 1995
Iran 1998 (airliner)
Sudan 1998
Afghanistan 1998
Yugoslavia 1999
Afghanistan 2001-02
Pakistan - 2006-09
Iraq 2002-09

Perhaps if your citizens were better informed of their government's actions they may not vote for them. Perhaps they couldn't give a f**k. I really can't say.

Ladies & Gentlemen // Mesdames et Messieurs // Meine Damen und Herren
(attn: NIK - in particular)

Albeit the “pen” under consideration is hardly in a position to claim his/her “origins” from either the civilized lands pertaining to the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, nor the still existing British counterpart, given the actual (serious/significant) issues one attempted to deliberate (above), I fear that I must, therefore, consider the entire effort utterly “presumptuous” whereas the argument is “preposterous”. Perhaps it would suffice to mention that the views expressed hereunder were set forth by a fellow sentient being deriving from the same sector of the Galaxy curiously named “Milky Way”

Equally preposterous would be the infinitely improbable presumption that any given individual emanating from a certain “X” environment (bearing certain unavoidable, fundamental characteristics and specific social/educational background) would behave in the event he/she were to suddenly appear upon a rather implausible location – as if miraculous placed in locus by Jupiter or Minerva… A site of such ghastly qualifications (and bearing creatures whose vile brutality and lack of civility would ensure the very end of his/her existence), that I must unfortunately object to your honorable attempt to provide a clever analogy. One should perhaps consider, in its stead, setting forward yet another colorful scheme bearing perchance a somewhat more conceivable, credible substance.

As for the coining of the apparently litigious vernacular “Decent Libertine”, I must categorically state: “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa”. While one might conceivably comprehend the reasons for so stark a protestation, I fear that one ought to beg to differ; for a “Libertine” – even those whose personal so-called “vices” may be deemed highly objectionable by those who are rigorously prim or prudish – may so engage in his/her questionable inclinations and/or “persuasion” with civility, restrain, and – most importantly – without crossing the legal boundaries of his/her public site of preference… Alternatively, one might also conceivably argue that such “decent libertine” might otherwise elect to pursue his/her “degenerate proclivities” within the privacy of one’s dwelling.

Lastly, regarding the adoption of British, American, or even any other acceptable orthography (even in the event of accidental misuses), I daresay that I deem such matters equally irrelevant, “for all that truly matters” (and given the time and place) – as it simply represent the way letters and diacritic symbols were organized/selected for a given language or dialect.

Clearly the Gods appeared to have smiled upon you, dear Sir or Lady
for the "Origin Question" appears to have been accidentally disclosed...

Though their specific purpose is destructive, bombs don't by definition kill people, though they of course often will, incidentally. Genocide, specifically and by design, always does. I am certain that the British, noble colonizers that they are, never hurt a fly. Tally up the numer of dead from that bombing list and see how that compares to the combined efforts of say, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and most recently, Saddam Hussein. And hey, have you read the news? We elected a new President, left-winger in fact! What's the prob??

Of course there are interesting people in the US, and likewise dullards worldwide. The employment of gross generizations, for the purposes of making a point, will always tend to sweep up the individual exceptions unjustifiably. Mea culpa all interesting residents of the United States, you are hereby cordially invited over for c**ktails! Please leave the dullards at home.

Sorry, also add to that genocide list numerous recent incidences in Africa. Leave no stone unturned, no one uninvited to the party!

good point , adair

people are always looking close up at americas hemoroids without really putting it in a world perspective

there is a lot of dirty s**t going on in the world. who has started the most conflicts in the world since world war 2 is islamic fundimentalists (this is a fact i read but cant linc up , i wish i had saved that linc).

just look at the talaban.right now, they are raking pakistan over the coals with their special brand of suicide bombing. it hurts me to see that as much as when islamic fundimentalists bomb a western country. they are dirty scum , but can you beleive thier are actualy people who thought they were cool just because they were attacked by the usa after 9/11 for harboring bin laden and his cronies ?

yes , since world war two, the usa has worn the mantle of a leading super power badly.they have made horrible mistakes, and have had horrible leaders using military action to push their personal agendas

but, world war 2 is just too recent an event , with over 40,000,000 killed. tack on top of that the over 20,000,000 in china and over 20,000,000 in the soviet union who were eliminated in the name of the comunist ideologies and it makes any cold war losses in south america look like a drop in the bucket in comparison.

what americans learned from world war 2 is that , they have to be engaged in the world. a lot of mistakes have been made for this role, but, if people look at the reality of the world, its a very dirty , violent, hypocritacal , survival of the fittest, darwinian reality . the united states is just another dirty country among many,the whole world is diry.

yeah , just look at sub sahara africa. to fuel our computors and sound machines with coppper, there is a mini holocaust and slavery going on right now . nobody seems to really care about that

there is nothing wrong with pointing out where the states has gone wrong in its polocies, but, always with a perspective on the world and its true history

Epsilon Eridani - Ita vero, esne comoedus?

It seems you are so intent on trying to prove a point - which ended up sound like incoherently gibberish when read aloud to my giggling colleagues - that you go as far as creating an alter-ego in the shape of an offended European Carioca; is this an effort to try and justify your weak and ignorant arguments? And, to top it off, you mysteriously comment on your own alter-ego's efforts! Bizarre but funny.

As for your 'Lastly' comment:

Lastly, regarding the adoption of British, American, or even any other acceptable orthography (even in the event of accidental misuses), I daresay that I deem such matters equally irrelevant, “for all that truly matters” (and given the time and place) – as it simply represent the way letters and diacritic symbols were organized/selected for a given language or dialect.

Perhaps it's the ironically terrible English that makes the comment ugly or comical at best, when read.

Calvo turpis est nihil compto

Aldair, you are aware the British Empire no longer exists right?

Asp - The bigger picture obviously takes some focus off the US. But the truth is, modern war is all about one thing: dinheiro. Not saving lives or liberation. In our global economic crisis, governments don't have the funds to waste on 'liberating the enslaved' with no capital gain. Like Stalin said:

One death is a tragedy, one million is just a statistic.

However, the important thing not to overlook is the global responsibilities of the worlds only superpower. There are atrocities and genocide being committed world-wide but it seems, and this be by and large the global consensus, the powers to be, whether this be considered, the arms manufactures, the puppet government or even the IMF, tend to overlook the 'irrelevant' loss of lives in favour of the strategically and economically viable wagers on foreign military intervention. This is obviously not solely North America's fault, however, the US remain the world most powerful and militarily dominant force. With an arms budget of $520 billion, (that's 3% of the US's GDP!) Next being a dwarfed UK with $50 odd billion. This kind of expenditure means only one thing, they are still largely to blame. I only hope that Obama's administration (although, I would hardly call it left-wing, David) might make a difference and slow the unfortunate continual spreading of hate felt towards the US. It is all very complicated and admittedly I live in a country which benefits from the dirty games but I am not the one trying to stick up for my country.

As you had already mentioned

As they say one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.=

Likewise one's "weak and ignorant arguments" may be perceived as "Understanding the filthy, egotistical foundations of Humanity"

Kindly convey my best wishes to all giggling hyenas in your midst…

Pode deixar.

There seems to be no question whatsoever in connection with the "national" origins of the blogger responsible for the previous entry whose brief remarks I quote

However, the important thing not to overlook is the global responsibilities of the worlds-(correction: world's)- only superpower

the US remain the world most powerful and militarily dominant forcethe US remain the world most powerful and militarily dominant force

In essence, the very same words could have been issued in London in the year 1909, when describing the existing condition of the British Empire which, at that time, would have represented an equally accurate proclamation… Nevertheless, such status was (equally) in fast declining gear, since, after less than a decade, the British predominant status was indubitably altered, as a result of the enormous socio-economic losses incurred during the course of the Great War (1914-191, after which event – in spite of its valiant Military Victory, the Empre was replaced by its former American colony.

Likewise, these United States of America today is unfortunately on the verge of being demoted in order to be substituted by the dangerous, totalitarian People’s Republic of China – which represents, potentially, a major troublesome predicament for most other civilized polities of this unfortunate, sordid planet.

As for the following passage:

I only hope that Obama's administration (although, I would hardly call it left-wing, David) might make a difference and slow the unfortunate continual spreading of hate felt towards the US.

Here, I must provide the author with my wholehearted concurrence - and in multiple counts - for not only I share the same idealistic expectation, and fear the interference of the dangerous members of the Republican Party, but also because of their boundless hypocrisy when admonishing Mr. Obama (whom I deem to be a rarity - one of the few decent current leaders on the face of this planet) regarding the expansive steps taken in order to rectify the blunders committed by his incompetent predecessor. It is quite clear that the overwhelming majority of the Republicans” would not hesitate to call nearly anyone in Washington a “leftist” for the sheer sake of pursuing their sordid agenda…

Passing Remarks

Another passing remark on my part:

For an ET, you are quite well informed about our planet, old chap.

Well, Epilson, I was not attempting to hide the fact that I am technically British by nationality. Despite Britain's blood-stained history, I feel fortunate of this fact, especially after travelling the world and seeing the majority live. I believe that we have one of the most liberal and well informed cultures on the planet. Of this, I am proud.

And as for the following statement, and I quote:

Likewise, these (the/this?) United States of America today is (are?) unfortunately on the verge of being demoted in order to be substituted by the dangerous, totalitarian People’s Republic of China – which represents, potentially, a major troublesome predicament for most other civilised polities of this unfortunate, sordid planet.

I wouldn't go so far to say on the verge. "On a large enough time-scale, everyone's survival rate drops to zero." And, China is not alone according to Goldman Sachs; who haven't stopped harping on about BRIC for the past 10 years! Now, (this bearing in mind the four countries' leaders have already met for their own private summit) would arguably bring about a more balanced mantel. More recently of particular interest is India. With a population already surpassing one billion, India's global influence is already on the rise. To quote from Goldman Sachs' most recent update of their 2003 thesis on BRIC (Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050): "India has 10 of the 30 fastest-growing urban areas in the world and, based on current trends, we estimate a massive 700 million people will move to cities by 2050. This will have significant implications for demand for urban infrastructure, real estate, and services."

The world is changing and none of us really know for sure where it is going, especially with the increasing problem - and dare I open this can of works - climate change. One thing is for sure, China is not currently paying too much attention to that global crisis, but then they are only following the economic model and (up until now) bone idol attitude of the US; amusingly, while darning the title of communists, they seem to be embracing capitalism so enthusiastically. According to a preliminary estimate by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, the largest national producer of CO2 emissions since 2006 has been China with an estimated annual production of about 6200 mega-tonnes. China is followed by the United States with about 5,800 mega-tonnes. However, per capita, the emission figures of China are still about one quarter of those of the US population.

The bottom line is:

We are all doomed. So why not go to Lapa and enjoy it while it lasts!

Well, Epilson, I was not attempting to hide the fact that I am technically British by nationality.

"Technically British"!! "Non-technically" ???

More recently of particular interest is India.

Sure, especially after they bought your Land Rover. Oh, I forgot to mention that Mittal is also "Technically British"

So why not go to Lapa and enjoy it while it lasts!

Why should ET go there? To get the clap? We have better things to offer in our country.

Astonishing as it may seem, I could not possibly find appropriate words to adequately convey my utter concurrence with the main underlying “thoughts” of your “bottom line” conclusion”:

The bottom line is:
We are all doomed.

There are absolutely no residual, lingering doubts regarding the unavoidable, upcoming termination of this planet’s current civilization, as one knows it, if not the outright elimination of a significant percentage life forms on Earth (already in full gear, given the shocking and the escalating diminishing rate of two important species: honey-bees and frogs).

Although I would not expect, at this point in time, anything as severe as the remarkable Cambrian mass-extinction of circa 250 billion years ago, or even the very next (less severe) worst case scenario of 65 billion years ago, I could hardly rule out the possibility where the current, ever-increasing deterioration of “life conditions” on this planet, would represent the onset of a third global killing process. In the event my suspicions are that correct, within much less than a millennium (which, as you know does not represent a very long period in the cosmic scale), more than 50 percent of the current life forms (including most mammals, nearly all reptiles and insect) will have already been wiped out. Naturally, I fully expect most primates (and most assuredly their leading branch of Homo-Sapiens) to appear at the very top of such list of extinct life forms.

Moreover, my above-suggested fateful expectations, do not include a myriad of additional possible catastrophic events ranging from the unavoidable, regular events (Magnetic Planetary shift, Axis inclination, orbit alteration, and yet another ice age-including its fascinating but much less frequent “Snow-Ball Earth scenario”) into the more avoidable, less likely but yet nearly also inescapable types (and scale) of planetary impacts on the planet surface (which range from meteors, comets, and even stray satellites).

Lastly, I must however continue objecting to a crucial detail of your closing statement:
How could civilized sentient consider the possibility of deriving enjoyment – even on the verge of outright destruction – when surrounded my filth, poverty, danger, and abuse? In fact, you succeeded in astonishing me with the disclosure of your citizenship, for I would hardly have conceived that an enlightened (and indisp**ably educated) Subject of the former British Empire - until recently the very apex of the alleged “Human Civilization”- would actually consider spending more than five or then minutes at LAPA, in its current condition, and by his/her own volition…
On this particular aspect of your closing statement, my “valued opponent”, I must still beg to differ…

As for one’s last moments, stranded upon this rather disagreeable world, I would consider completely distinct destinations:
- The delightful sights English Lake district,
- The lovely Southwestern region/coast of Rio de Janeiro state (around Parati), or
- The riveting views at the Austrian Mountains (around Salzburg),
These would strike me, as far more suitable sites where one might enjoy at the very end...

There is a multitude of far more agreable spots...
No question on that count!

or trenches, fox holes and bunkers - there are no atheists. Joao, I have no clue where you came upon raising up such a heady crowd but dear load I have never encountered such a lot in these here parts. Habit of skipping the article and jumping to the comments has escalated. Now I may even have to skip or jump over some of those as well.

Hume - neither studied nor admired for many years but Nik does certainly have its points.

Gift them an Eppy in their Adairier and the after birth doesn't even leave a sense of having occured.

Lapa is best done solo in the company of folks very heartfelt close to you as well as reasonably well known amongst both those living there and or vending there wares there in the back streets for many a year. Only be prepared / set to follow ones senses when it comes time to take a piss. Better watch your step and challenge no one but yourself.

Jesus Christ people, in attempting to illuminate the circumstances surrounding the death of one, we have, it seems, much like Stalin, condemmned all of humankind to the statistic of mass exinction! I for one don't beleive an apocalypse is imminent, though there is a lot of crud in the world, to be sure. If there has been one constant, since the dawn of history, it is the drumbeat of imminent and unavoidable doom as a instigator to action... all sorts of socio-religious movements have been founded on this premise. The quality of life may ebb, peak, sink and swim, but apocalypse....? Hmmm, no really I don't buy it. Nostradamus, Moses, fanatical Christians, radical environmentalists and any number of socio-religious polemics have been harping on this trumped-up presumed inevitability ad nauseum to the point of crying wolf... when what they are commenting on, and playing upon, is the fear of inevitable change, or in fact, evolution. As my hometown minstrels have intoned, it may be the end of the world as we know it, but I doubt very seriously that it is the end of the world.

I also welcome the Obama Administration's efforts to repair the US's rep**ation and standing worldwide. Having gotten an earfull of while travelling abroad, I too became keenly aware of the countless toes that had, whether perceived or actual, been stepped upon, and furthermore how pronounced the need was, no matter the reason, right or wrong, for enhanced ambassadorship and diplomacy with regards to the US relationship with the rest of world. That most recent election was the first in history, in my opinion, that could qualify as a "world election" - and rightly so, and not a moment too soon. Indeed it saddens and exasperates me when I hear the echo of the isolationist's prognostication, though I rest assured that the bulk of that kind of talk IS what is doomed to a kind of provincial, populist's, neo-pop extinction. In a lot of ways the US is both blessed and cursed by geographical isolation, as is, by its sheer girth, the bulk of China. The phenomena becomes handy in polarizing the people against the specter of "outsiders" and foreigners.... a trait, as I have heard, particularly prevalent throughout mainland China. It assists in control and direction of a cultural conscience by those at the helm. In that sense China has been successful, so far as I know. In that sense, likewise, and thank god, the US is beginning to fail, and see clearly, despite our far and isolated stance, the rest of the world. At least that seems to be the prevailing trend, and I, for one, personally welcome it.

That being said, Nik, don't you know that the Bush Administration and all administrations prior to it, also technically cease to exist? Are you alone allowed to cite and quote history, but not me? I gratefully do not regard the Obama Administration as terribly left-wing, nor would I ever give creedence to the ridiculous propostion that it is a right-wing Christian organization. Thankfully, I feel that President Obama, as stated, prioritizes his party second to his principles, corny and pie-eyed as it may sound. With so much corruption in the world, it is good to IMAGINE, at least, that there might be a few idealogues left, who perchance have the ability to effect things. Troop withdrawal, in Iraq, is a fact. The Taliban, apparently a true menace the world over, is being hunted and our actions and energies redirected thusly in Aghanistan. It seems, at least, the proper course, though I am no expert. Soon I will have family serving in that region, and I hope the conflict is a fairly clinical and incisive one. I applaud the Obama Administration's efforts to foster enhanced economic opportunity in the Middle East, as its absence is the pandemic that lures idle and despondant Middle-eaterners to the dogma and lairs of religious zealots, classic doomsday panderers in their own right.

Hopefully, somebody will say, we shall NOT perish, and in doing so not rationalize and excuse the excesses of demoralization and debauchery.

Though anyone who knows me knows I like a good time; by US standards I am not too far off temperamentally from our dearly departed protagonist, believe it or not. I know the type plenty well, as intimated, both keenly and personally. But I ain't angling for that ultimate end. Vive la difference.

One does not require reading the entirety of David Adair’s previous entry in order to conclude his unfortunate election to adopt a fully ethnocentric view of the Universe…

I for one don't beleive an apocalypse is imminent, though there is a lot of crud in the world, to be sure. If there has been one constant, since the dawn of history, it is the drumbeat of imminent and unavoidable doom as a instigator to action... all sorts of socio-religious movements have been founded on this premise. The quality of life may ebb, peak, sink and swim, but apocalypse....?

David…
Because of your apparent denial/refutation of the cataclysmic events I have described above, you have clearly established that you restrict the whole Universe to Mankind's existence, perhaps in accordance with the "so-called creationist beliefs". Alternatively you may have somehow concluded that the Universe is limited to this planet’s meager Solar System where the other stars, galaxies and clusters of galaxies were generated perhaps for the benefit of Human Beings… How odd!

In addition, I would like to explain that the cataclysmic events described above (as well as the inevitability of their recurrence) were described in strictly conformity with scientific findings; based upon empirical data regarding ACTUAL occurrence of similar past events, as determined and widely accepted by scholars who are experts in a wide variety of disciplines – Geologists, Physicists, etc (as opposed to clerics). Most importantly, none of my viewpoints have been subject to equally naïve principles “ordained” by some religious establishments.

In view of the above, I feel compelled to bring to your attention that since the end of the 20th Century, when Hubble Space Telescope was launched and started observing the Universe, utilizing a wide variety of sophisticated devices (including infra-red) it has been determined (and for over two decades widely accepted by the most prominent scientists on Earth) that the Universe has existed for nearly 14 billion years (and about 8 billion of which BEFORE this planet and its solar system was generated).

Since this planet has existed for less than 5 billion years, and Mankind evolved only 200 to 300 thousand of these years – not to mention the fact that Civilization emerged practically “yesterday” in the Cosmic Scale - about 10 thousand years ago – it seems extremely naïve for anyone to base his/her conclusions utilizing only generally presumed ecclesiastic directives and/or popular beliefs accumulated during this extremely brief period of time (while also completely ignoring countless scientific discoveries conducted, principles ascertained, and essays published for the last three centuries)

Consequently, I am unfortunately obliged to dismiss your objection.

So we are all going to blow up any minute now? Eh? I know well, or am familiar with plenty of so-called expert scientists, who are out-and-out dingbats. They could tell you the Earth is going to implode, based on limitless verifiable evidences (and they will list them all...zzzzz), but they couldn't tie their shoe and tell you what color the grass is simultaeously without blowing an epistemological fuse. If we are caterwauling towards the apocalypse, or some form of imminent doom, why is their no rash of bunker building, as there was in the 50s? Instead, we have astronomical growth and construction booms in countries such as those mentioned above, in the still extant, nay flourishing quartet of BRIC. These are countries priming themselves for some sort of macabre rennaissance it seems, while the rest of us malinger and dwindle, mutter and muddle. "Doom", in some existential, delimiting form, may certainly be our fate, but I don't think we are going to knock the earth off it's axis.

A lot of our so-called verifiable science out there is severely compromised by the gluttonous pursuit of future funding, as a sheer exercise in self-perpetuation and institutional survival. As classical sciencific practices teach us, it is best to question before we buy the whole hog.

Joao, I have no clue where you came upon raising up such a heady crowd

The credit doesn't go to me, Simp. I would rather attribute it to the newcomer ET, who seems to have taken over this blog as well as our planet. First I thought he was an Eye-Talian,because of his last name. Alas, I was mistaken.

"Rep**ation". Huh, huh. You said "rep**ation".

I think that is his "Space Name", for the Star Trek conventions.

Watch this.....

Disp**ation. p**ative. Rep**able...... uh huh huh...

David, I feel you are missing the point somewhat. It is not a case of Earth being on the brink of doomsday; more the rate of global meltdown that is, whether you like it or not, increasing. As for global disaster; based on facts the probability of one of the many possible globally destructive natural disasters is also increasing to the point, some would suggest of being overdue. Although, to plan our lives based on imminent global destruction would be absurd and I for one am not planning on building my bunker or learning to “duck and cover.” However, to globally form treaties in order to sanction the countries directly responsible for heating up our planet and thus bringing the Earth’s inevitable demise closer would seem a logical plan of action. Of course, first there must be admittance cooperation, not denial nor complacency. It must be enforced globally and unilaterally.

Epsilon, it seems we do agree on some things. However, I must object once again with your repeated disregard for Lapa as qualifying in the ranks of the rather dramatically cited places to spend

"one’s last moments, stranded upon this rather disagreeable world."

First of all juxtaposing such tranquil and scenically quaint locations, such a Cumbria in my own country; the Austrian Mountains and anywhere near Paraty, with the likes of Lapa seems illogical. Lapa is hardly in the same category. Lapa on the other hand is a wild party area and the heart of the world famous Rio Carnaval. Yes Lapa is dirty and stinks of piss in areas but (and I speak from experience, having run a bar/nightclub in the area) if you are interested in music, does boast some of the best live music scenes in the world. I challenge you, if you are ever in the city of Rio de Janeiro, to stop by Semente (Lapa's oldest and still very modest musical venue) on a Monday night to enjoy our world's true maestros of chorinho playing until the early hours. In the dim, barzinho, setting of cerveja, warm smiles and beautiful people dancing together, the musicians will often continue to play until well after closing time, fuelled not by wages but by a shared passion to entertain and a love to produce absolutely mind-blowing melodic and rhythmic vibrations. It is an experience that really needs to be felt, to be believed. I challenge the hairs on the back of you neck not to stand on end while watching these masters of their crafts perform. After which, I would be interested to see you come back to me and tell me you would rather go for a stroll along the coasts of Lake Windermere spending your last hour on our slowly dying planet.

Think I get it now. Where a is pronounced ahh, e ayhh, i eih, o o, u oohh, AyhhTay would be universally a "atup" only a bit backwards like the part of the universe eiheih hangs out. He's just asking / begging for it.

Changes are the nature of things. Eliminations occur (and hopefully at least once per day in some cases). Nowhere have I or any other being I can imagine said that thou shalt all end here and now (nor in some foreseeable future.) We'll be sure to let you know a hair in advance though - wouldn't want you to get caught all unprepared or whatnot for the inevitable.

Where's DnB when you need him?

Think I get it now.

Don´t think,but be sure. You are as sharp as usual.

Where's DnB when you need him?

Must be sitting in front of his digital TV, consuming enormous qty of popcorn with Mineral water and enjoying the show.

BTW, did you hear the latest gossip about ch.c assuming command of MST? He is the headman of that entity.

, Depends - that's what you must needs be having when you've lost control of yourself. Not there yet Joao although you and Forrest may be. In his case it doesn't matter. Out on the high seas he can just hang on the poop deck and his dear Fatima will tend to all such that he needs.

Had not heard that tall tale about ch.c. HA! With his venomous targeting of our sweet land I pretty much doubt that that is the case - he will not set foot in it again. The amadora cheia that turned him sour probably did so by taking care to many a head man without a thought about him catching on. Lapa that all up will ya?

Of the rich and varied buffet of global calamaties available, I am more concerned about nukes, frankly. Call it an American (scuze me, US) obsession. We have a wilder and wilder hurricane season here every year. Massive floods seem everpresent. Bizarre, freak snowstorms in the tradionally warmer months beg the question of just what in the f**k is going on? Certainly the change is noticeable. For now, we weather (haha) these "disasters" nobly and are brought closer together. The zeal for modest, natural disasters is almost entertaining. Nukes, however, are not funny. And like all techincal advances, they are becoming cheaper and easier to construct. As a result, uranium rich and reckless African nations are next true, but quiet, war zones.

I agree about Monday nights in Lapa, though. However, I would probably opt for Paradisical Paraty, in a heartbeat. Call me a country boy.
Don't get me wrong about environmental responsibility, though. Hey, I'm all for it. Whether all the alarmist science out there is credible, I can't really say. My inclination is to say, mmm, no, not likely. I would frankly like to see the science just as equally and unilaterally monitered and regulated as the countries, municipalities and citizens that are forced to abide by its mandates. On a smaller scale, my own town is a hotbed of crackpot, incomplete science written directly and carte blanche into law, and the results are really, frankly, in so many ways, freaking retarded.

One place that could use a good scrubbing though: our lovely Lapa, and consequently, beautific Guanabara Bay. But will I ever get over the nostalgic rapture induced by Lapa's distinctive fragrance of piss, beer, cachaca, marijuana and cum? God, I really don't know.... Unfortunately enforcement of global environmental laws means largely enforcement against countries that simply won't abide, and, the US, who won't be forgiven the most imperceptible indiscretion, lest hell truly rain on us. Once again carrying the water (haha) for the rest of the world, effectively while none of the responsibility is shared, and, of course, while receiving all of the blame. It's a tug-of-war that is played out time and again, and, until unilateral enforcement CAN SOMEHOW be achieved, the US will as usual find itself in an unenviable postion.

I stayed in Paraty last month for a week. My god, are you serious? It is mostly tourist ridden with over-inflated "gringo-prices." Sure the scenery was pleasant but apart from that, the place did not have a lot to offer. The surf town of Trindade, being just one hour away, was where my girlfriend and I ended up spending most days. Still, both seem rather dry locations for such epic event. Then again, you are just a country boy. My inclination is to say, perhaps if you actually "tirou o escorpião do bolso," (and knowing you circumstances, while in Rio, you didn't) and paid the relatively expensive R$18 to enter Simente on a Monday, you might have a different opinion. I'm not saying that it is where I wish to whisper my last goodbye, but I would definitely proudly call it one of my favourite venues. Lapa is, coincidently, about to undergo some major changes with the 2014 World Cup being in sight. So it seems that the area could be cleaned up to some extent. And Epsilon, you'll be glad to know being Rio de Janeiro, barbaric force is likely to be employed to 'remove' the families of children, which I imagine are still living rough under os Arcos da Lapa.

A point of departure in taste, where it seems Sr. Epsilon and I might share some common ground. Granted, when I stayed there I had fortuitously negotiated free accomodations (sometimes it pays to spend all day on the internet), and, if the axiom is not written, all things are more enjoyable when free. That being said, I was most definitely entranced. The landscape was mezmerizing, the water clean, the beaches immaculate, and the weather, perfect. Though I do recall spending @ R$100 for dinner and drinks one night (when in Lapa I could foreseeably pay R$6!) I was also treated to numerous free meals and drinks by interesting, enjoyable people, who treated me very hospitably. And let's not forget the town is amazing, and the beaches, surrounding jungle and local environs are *GASP* safe!! Unheard of!! A calmer, bucolic taste of civility, in contrast to the beautiful, raucous barbarity of Rio, is often much needed. I considered staying there, but in the end was compelled to leave. Merda.

"Surf town of Trinidade..."

Son, back when I used to hang out in Trinidade in the late '80s, it was a caiçara fishing village where paulista bank robbers would go to hide out. Up until 1999, there wasn't even a paved road in and if it rained, the Deus-me-livre became impassable.

AFAIK, I was the only gringo who went there back then. On holidays, all sorts of hippies showed up and camped on the beach. There was nothing to buy, other than food from the fishermen.

Ah, the good old days...

Firstly, it must be stated that on is delighted for having reached a common ground

Then, as for your LAPA suggestion, I reside thousands of miles away... If I were currently in Rio, I would check take a "peak" out of sheer curiosity. Yet, my "dancing days" are long gone (at some point in time, one had derived a great deal of "enjoyment" in various establishments across this planet including Sydney, San Francisco, Sao Paulo and Paris). Yet, I doubt it would be feasible for me to take up your challenge this day & age... Nevertheless, if I ever visit Rio de Janeiro again, I shall make a point to at least go to the area (if I recall correctly Lapa is closed to Catete? Or is it close to Praca Maua'??? - the most inhospitable place on Earth short of Bangladesh /// Alternatively I suspect it is where one gets an old tram - which travels to Santa Tereza - my memories of that part of the city are foggy, since I hardly venture too far away from either Zona Sul or Tijuca)

Regarding Paraty, the image of have of the area is from several years ago - when I took a boat excursion with a stop in the area). I just recall the ancient buildings and the scenery by the water, as we had to take a small boat in order to reach to dock... At that time, the place was quite charming... Given your description of the area today, I fear that I might be compelled to remove Paraty from the list and have it replaced by OLINDA

As for the possible calamities, for the sake of the fellow bloggers who might not fathom the "lovely list" of events which may occur at any time at any time (ranging FROM next week TO a few centuries from now)
1) Super volcano explosion - whose devastation would instantly destroy an entire continent and generate conditions similar to a "nuclear winter" for the remaining regios of the world. These are less common, but the most famous are: a) the entire regions where Nevada, Utah and perhaps Arizona sits upon one of those; b) The entire archipelago of Indonesia, which includes the Krakatoa volcano - between Java & Sumatra); c) the main one - super volcano located in Siberia which has not been active for 250 million years - which, when last exploded devastated an area the size of continental US... AND triggered the Pre-Cambrian extinction I mentioned before.

2) Magnetic shift - this is clearly under way. In fact, there appears to be a HUGE hole over the South Atlantic, providing indication that a NORTH-SOUTH POLE shift is imminent. In fact, when I first heard of the recent air disaster (referring to the Rio-Paris flight), I contemplated the possibility that whatever made it crash may be related to this “hole”, since the aircraft was clearly flying underneath the area. Indeed, the place may have been hit by “something” - some minor cosmic issue, which may have stricken the aircraft for lack of protection in the area. During the periods of transition, the planet undergoes a period of a few centuries without the protection of the Magnetic field which protects the Earth from the Solar wind and deadly radiation. it also disorients most flying creatures which lose their innate sense of direction.

3) Shift in orbit. Currently (and for the past 200,000 years, the Earh has been on a near perfectly round orbit. Yet science has already revealed that at several times it has shifted to a more elliptic orbit - whose always coinciding with one of the many previous ice ages

4) a change in the inclination of the Planet Axis. A change by just a few angles, would automatically change the surface of the planet, by sending some surface areas under the ocean, and bringing current depths up to the surface again. It is estimated that such an event would automatically kill at least 1/2 of the world’s population.

5) METEOR /COMET STRIKE - several of those have hit the Earth in the past. The only reason there have not been more hits, is because the moon (which is bears tons of scar hits) generally gets stricken by most of them - in addition the existence of Jupiter in a farther orbit, generally deflects them away from the inner planets. In fact Jupiter provided a show to the scientific community in 1994 when it got hit by a huge meteor (and represented, therefore, a wake up call for everyone on Earth.

These are the main (known issues, yet, I know I have omitted some of them. As such, perhaps NIK could provide additional possible scenarios- I am nearly certain tI'm missing one or two scenarios.

Thanks for the explanations. To answer your question: Lapa is in the Centro region of the city, very close indeed to the beautifully preserved colonial town Santa Tereza which happens to be my favourite bairro of Rio.

Praça Mauá is a s**t-hole.

As for more possible ‘ways out,’ yes, I think I can bring some to the table; how about:

Gamma-Ray Bursts - These are basically are immense explosions which give birth to beams of gamma radiation travelling at a velocity close to the speed of light, and thus, hey tend to reach billions of light-years into space, compared to stars which usually possess a magnitude of 10's of light years. We have been monitoring their progress using satellites for 50 years but their chaotic and highly sophisticated light patterns are to this day not understood. There are two derivatives; Long Gamma-Ray Bursts, which last from 3-30 seconds and are thought to only occur in areas of the universe where metallic mass is scarce (the Milky Way fortunately being rich in metals) and Short Gamma-Ray Bursts which last from one tenth of a millisecond – 3 seconds. They don’t seem to share ‘metaliphobia.’ IF one of these bursts happened to occur as close as 1 kiloparsec, then effects would be catastrophic destroying half of the world's ozone.

Or perhaps a Pandemic of some kind, superbugs are becoming more and more complex by the instant.

Maybe even an alien invasion; perhaps Epsilon knows more than he's letting on...

I officially curtsey out of this one... *Gasp* It's drizzling rain here! Shall I build an ark?! Let it be known, from this day forth, that none of the aforementioned scenarios can be blamed on the US. But then of course anything's possible.

Not that I mean to be purposefully insensitive, but the high degree of probability is that each and every one of us will die unceremoniously of old age. Unless of course we do something very stupid. Other than nukes and the very complex, disparate issues behind this thing we call global warming, what is there to be done about such presumed eventualities? If humankind is less even than a blip on the cosmic timeline, isn't it more than more than likely that within our infinitessimally brief lifespan, we might shoot under the radar of so-called regularly "predictable" disasters? Which ever the case may be, I think the message is clear: go have fun.

If memory serves one well, Gamma-Ray Bursts emerge upon explosion of PULSARS. They were detected by American & Soviet satellites in orbit, during the 1970’s while searching/monitoring for each other’s nuclear tests. They found a “FEW” of those explosions on a DAILY basis, but all occurred in extremely distant galaxies.

However, IF there were to be one of those explosions within the Milky Way – our own Galaxy - any solar system containing unfortunate worlds bearing life, which happened to be located within the path of one of these bursts (two simultaneous bursts are generated, in opposing directions of the source) the resulting effect would be the complete annihilation of ALL life within its surface, with the possible exception of deep, subterraneous microbes & bacteria. Interestingly any non-organic structure (building, vehicles, etc) would remain untouched, as the sole remaining legacy of gamma-ray victims.

Regarding the Pandemic threat, the topic of so much discussion lately on most global media, one must simply look back 600 years – when two killer waves of the Black Death wiped out ¾ of the population of a huge area from Central Asia to Western Europe, including even the British Isles. In fact, Ireland contains heart-breaking written testimonials, describing not only the incredible devastation wrought, but also the author’s expectation that there would be nobody remaining to read his desperate lines.

As for the “alien invasion” remark, I invoke the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution – no comments

My take on Paraty:

http://www.literarytraveler.com/literary_articles/paraty_jorge_amado.aspx

Troost da bloody Oi-rsh t' exaggereeet.

The very small diversity of mitochondrial DNA amongst the entire human civilization, indicates that modern man descends from a very small group of individuals (merely a few thousand) about 75,000 years ago, whereas Hundreds of thousands of pre-historic beings may have existed

Interestingly about 75,000 a mega volcano exploded in Lake Toba - Sumatra Indonisia, burying an area the size of California, triggering a series of deadly events

Pyroclastic flow extinguished all life in Indonesia which threw millions of cubic meters of dust which poisoned air and water depositing tons of debris which impacted the life of stone-age societies for several thousand miles

The climate change which ensued, with reduction of 90% of sun light, along with reduced temperature, thus causing massive deforestation and de-foliation across the planet, which nearly led our primitive ancestors to extinction.

NAKED SCIENCE --> http://channel.nationalgeograp...0/Overview

It was the largest volcanic eruption in the last two million years -- and may have triggered a human genetic bottleneck, leaving only a few thousand survivors to preserve the human race.

Read more: http://channel.nationalgeograp...3aMWcRN&C

The result of a supervolcano (which usually produces a crater, or caldera, of about the size of Rhode Island, apparently) erupting is that it emits enough ash and debris into the atmosphere as to actually block out the sun, maybe even for years at a time. Supposedly some 74,000 years ago one of these blew and very nearly caused the extinction of man as a result of the "nuclear winter" effect of the debris cloud, limiting the world's population to a few thousand people or so.

Estimated to Lake Toba explosion occurred at about 73000-75000 years ago and is bursting supervolcano (super volcano), which is new. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner from Michigan Technological University estimate that the material vulkanik a mountain dimuntahkan as 2800km3, 800km3 with ignimbrit rock and 2000km3 gray vulkanik estimated tertiup wind to the west for 2 weeks. This incident caused the death of the bulk and in some species also followed by extinction. According to some DNA evidence, this eruption also menyusutkan amount up to about thousands of men only. After the explosion, the kaldera form which is then filled by water and has become now known as Lake Toba. Pressure up by magma that has not come out cause the emergence of Samosir Island.

http://noeypunya.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/lake-toba/

What is this boy, a racist who hates Whites?
Like Lula the piece of crap who says Blue-eyed Blondes are the evil bankers.
Why this hate?
Now the daughter can't attend the university unless Grandma is a black? Or something? This all comes out of the U.S.A. this crap they are doing in Brasil.
All this obama and his ugly wife and all of that so now boys even in Brasil don't want to be what God made them. Foda-se USA

What the writer meant by "whiteness" was that being in Brasil as a white person makes you stand out and automatically seem like a gringo. He did not mean that 'white people' are inferior in general. Just that he felt alienated by his colour. I think you missed the point. I am aware that there are many white Brasileiros but paired up with a bad dress sense, foreigners are quite easy to spot. Brasil has an extreme amount of prejudice. Personally I hated the term 'gringo' being that all people from outside of Brasil are tarnished with the same brush. It offended me being refered to as a gringo while living in Brasil. Perhaps because I am not 'white' and have good dress sense and do not like being bracketed with fat American sex-tourists wearing socks and sandals, walking around with a camera in one hand and a map in the other. Most Brasileiros don't actually understand the history of the word 'gringo'; a term used by Mexicans during the war to describe US soldiers dressed in Green i.e 'green go home'.

As for the rest of your incoherent mumbling, I think you should really decide on a point and make it properly instead of addressing numerous, badly.

I especially liked the last comment "now boys in Brasil don't want to be what God made them." This is ridiculous on so many levels. I don't know one Brasileiro is not proud of what 'God' made him. And who gives a s**t if Obama's wife is ugly? Eu nao sou de Estados Unidos mas isso é muito ignorante. Cici, você é muito burra.

The specific reference to "whiteness" refers to perhaps, yes Nik, a heightened senstitivity to one's own foreigness in a land of so many shades, variations, and amalgamations, but more specifically to a kind of jocular stereotypical notion that "white boy cain't dance." In a cuontry of great, intuitive dancers and musicians, yes us this gringo at least suffers that generality, as I have, to a certain extent, even in my own country. Yet I will have to say that I do believe I have improved - umm, loosened up, became more "groovy". Thanks in part to my time and exposure in South America and Brasil, I do beleive I was able to import some residual skills back to my native country, which in comparison to a place like Rio, is definitely full of "squares" - a class of person, of course, from which I can claim direct lineage. Thankfully, again, because most of my musical appreciation is currently comprised of a great deal of Brasilian and Latin music, my "squareness", as it were, is definitely acquiring more rounded and smoothed edges, obrigado. White people are fine, but they sometimes are so pensive, and dense, and clouded with theorhetical and rhetorical thought, that they literally cannot see or hear what is going on right on front of their faces. I do enjoy a little "colour".

... unfortunately not all of us can have Sarkosy's wife.... p**a mae....!

whoever wrote this should have spent more time in brazil, in rio, or in the lapa. I knew "john" well and this is a very slanted, negative view of him that only a scared gringo could write. Joe was unlucky but he was not the out of control sinister character illustrated above. THere is far more beauty to his story than this square edged author could or will ever find. It seems as though you dont have to dance to show off your overwhelming aura of whiteness.