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The Culture Guide: 5 Things You Should Not Do When Visiting Malaysia

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Malaysia is known for its friendly, relaxed people, but you’ll still want to ensure that you don’t take part in any cultural faux-pas behaviors that could offend locals. Here, we’ll take a look at five cultural don’ts when you’re visiting Malaysia. 

1. Point With Your Forefinger

Pointing is seen as bossy, rude, and overbearing in Malaysia, as this gesture is used to scold, not direct attention. Simple solution: instead of using your forefinger to direct someone’s attention, use your thumb.

2. Show Anger and Frustration

When traveling, it’s likely that you’ll encounter at least a handful of tough situations, like struggling with translation or being late to the start of a tour. As mentioned above, Malaysian people highly value politeness, and often feel embarrassed when others show anger or frustration. Instead of blowing up when things get tough, work hard to smile and keep your cool. 

3. Dress Inappropriately

In Malaysia, most people dress modestly but comfortably. Many historical landmarks in Malaysia are affiliated with a religion, and it’s important that you do your research on how to dress appropriately for the temple, monastery, or other religious building you’re visiting. Don’t just look to others in the area to clue you in on how to dress–many tourists (unfortunately) disregard best practices and dress in a way that Malaysians find offensive for visiting religious sites. 

4. Touch Someone’s Head

While it’s not likely that you walk around touching people’s heads, it’s especially important that you don’t do this while visiting Malaysia or other Asian nations. In Asian culture, the head is considered a sacred part of the body. It’s considered especially offensive to touch children or elderly people on the head. 

5. Go Overboard with Public Displays of Affection

In America and many European countries, PDA is the norm. This isn’t the case in Malaysia. Giving quick hugs or a kiss on the cheek is fine, but don’t go beyond that with your significant other. Malaysian people greatly value acting respectfully in public, and many feel uncomfortable witnessing others giving or receiving affection. 

Top 5 Craziest Sports Stars

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Kyrie Irving

Kyrie is an incredible basketball player and a great human being who’ll talk to anyone. He’s respected as one of the greats, was rookie of the year, has a ring from 2016, has played on the all-star team seven times, and even won the MVP award for the 2014 All-Star Game.

He also said the world is flat, and there was a conspiracy to kill JFK. Honestly, there needn’t be any further summation.

Dennis Rodman

If there is a list without Dennis Rodman in the top five, the person who wrote it should receive some mandatory testing. Besides the hair dyed every color, the original piercings, and wearing a wedding dress in public, yeeeaaahhh, we’re open-minded. So what? You know, if he’s happy, who cares?

But multiple trips to North Korea and calling the tyrant, murderous Kim Jon-Un a friend for life is the tipping point. Rodman now goes over frequently to a country with horrific human rights abuses to train their basketball team.

Mike Tyson

Oh, Mike. We love you regardless of how you’ve been insane over your career. Maybe that’s the appeal. Everyone loved you in the Hangover movies. And, you’ve become like the seasoned older guy with his own Adult Swim cartoon. But here is a pretty definitive list:

  • 1987, you bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear! WTF?
  • During your career, you used insane amounts of cocaine and admitted to using a fake penis for drug tests.
  • Three years were spent in prison for rape, but upon release in 1995, you mostly were a changed man.
  • Reporters that interviewed you were terrified. Always.
  • The face tattoo was a sign of insanity when you got it, but we all think it is cool now. I am considering it.

Diego Maradona

Maradona is still a legend; there are shrines with candles that never burn out in Argentina, but the guy was not mentally well. Maradona’s list makes Tyson look like he just needed a little Wellbutrin.

Where does one even begin between three-day cocaine binges, karate kicking people, and shooting journalists with an air rifle?

Let’s just go with elbowing one player in the face and putting a knee to another player’s head, all in one move. That’s good enough.

Tonya Harding

Yes, her name has been on our lists before, but when it comes to crazy, how can this not be the Mac Daddy of crazy? You’re a top skater bound for the Olympics. Still, you hate that another skater is “America’s Sweetheart” and favored over you…

… so you just hire some guy to bust her knee cap with a police baton.

Harding went on to run up a considerable “crazy list.” Still, this one act has resulted in movies and sports lookbacks for decades.

If one thing is sure, no matter how talented or how much you make, you’re no less predisposed to go absolutely nuts. These are just five situations, and almost every week in the NFL produces one or two such situations.

Could it be that the crazy draws us to the sport a bit more sometimes? In a world that watches “Married at First Sight,” we love crazy.

5 Movie Franchises Whose Sequels Are Better Than the Original

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We’re all used to sequels that merely try to financially capitalize on a hit original film – From Dusk Til Dawn 2 anyone? Typically, the best you can expect is a passable, but inferior, imitation of the original. But there are those exceptional cases where a sequel hits heights the original failed to.

Here are the top five arguably great sequels that are better than the first movie in the series.

5. The Godfather Part II

Francis Ford Coppola directed a trilogy of Godfather films. While the original is regarded as a classic in its own right, part II is the one which garners the most critical acclaim and attention.

The Godfather introduced the Corleone crime family, led by Don Vito Corleone in New York in the 1940s, while the sequel picks up the story in the 1950s as well as presenting a plotline from Italy in the early 1900s exploring the family’s roots. Not only is the follow up more gripping than the original – as Michael undergoes multiple assassination attempts as part of a riveting gang war – its exploration of Vito Corleone’s early life in Italy adds depth to the original movie. As film critic Roger Ebert notes, The Godfather Part II “enhances our understanding and appreciation of the legendary characters presented in the original film. It surpasses it, in part, because it manages to make its predecessor even better.”

How about that for a successful sequel? 

4. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek: The Motion Picture, released in 1979, was Paramount’s way of trying to capitalize on the success of Star Wars. The film got mixed reviews. Fans were not excited about the movie’s changes from the beloved television series.

However, with the release in 1982 of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan with Ricardo Montalbán brilliantly playing the character of the evil Khan, the audience loved the film. The film explores human frailties, along with intense action, a suspenseful plot, and a bit of comedy. The tone more closely matches what made the television series so popular. Kirk must defeat his nemesis Khan, even though we learn that our hero, Captain Kirk, is a flawed person with fathership issues.

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd created The Terminator franchise. The first film was released in 1984. The reception was decent, and the global box office was $78 million.

Due to disputes between the stars and the producer, it took seven years before Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released in 1991. The film is by far the best in the franchise. An evil artificial intelligence sends the Terminator robot back in time to kill the leader of the human resistance while he is still a child. The special effects are awesome. The second film did much better numbers, earning $515 million. 

2. The Dark Knight

Director Christopher Nolan made The Dark Knight trilogy of Batman films, which are Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), with a much darker portrayal of Batman and Gotham City than was previously seen on the silver screen. The second installment already has the makings of an enduring classic, which built off the character development and world-building of the original to create a gripping movie with serious philosophical undertones – so much so that noted philosopher Slavoj Zizek has produced numerous commentaries on the film. 

Also notable is Heath Ledger’s classic portrayal of the Joker, which was much lauded – and perhaps made more poignant and arreseting by his death shortly after filming. The late actor won an Oscar for his performance, and is regarded as having significantly upstaged previous actors who took on the role, including legendary actor Jack Nicholson.

1. Top Gun: Maverick

The original Top Gun movie was released in 1986. It made $357 million worldwide. It took until 2022 for the sequel to be released. This new film exceeds expectations. It was the first film to pack movie theaters after they reopened from being closed for so long during the pandemic. It made $1.14+ billion globally. Once again, the story is the kind of high quality action-packed thriller that pleases everyone, even if some would regard it as a guilty pleasure.

The Culture Guide: 5 Things You Should Not Do When Visiting Australia

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Australia has a rich culture, and as a visitor, there are some things you should not do to respect their way of life.  Here are five things you should avoid doing when visiting Australia.

1:  Don’t be late

Punctuality is essential in Australia, and being late can be disrespectful. If you’re meeting someone, arrive on time or a few minutes early. For Australians, casually being late tends to be seen as wasting someone else’s time, and probably won’t go down too well.

2: Don’t skip out on tipping

While tipping isn’t mandatory in Australia, it is still considered good manners to leave a tip for good service. 10-15% is standard, but you can always give more or less depending on the quality of service.

3: Don’t talk about personal space

Australians are generally quite laid back regarding personal space and don’t tend to stand too close to strangers. So, if you’re talking to someone and they step back, don’t take it personally – they’re just respecting your personal space.

4: Don’t be too loud

Australians are pretty relaxed, but that doesn’t mean they like noise pollution. Avoid being too loud in public, and be mindful of how your voice carries.

5: Don’t forget your manners

Manners are essential in any culture, but they’re necessary for Australia. Say please and thank you when appropriate, and always mind your P’s and Q’s.

Wrapping Up

The rule of thumb for visitors visiting Australia is to respect the local culture and customs. This means punctuality, tipping for good service, being aware of personal space, and being mindful of noise levels in public places.

Additionally, remember to use your manners when interacting with others. Following these simple guidelines, you can avoid cultural faux pas and have an enjoyable and memorable trip to Australia.

 

The Culture Guide: 5 Things You Should Not Do When Visiting Greece

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Ready to see the stunning islands and ancient ruins that Greece has to offer? You’re going to have a great time–and you’ll want to be sure to avoid doing these five things while you’re in the gorgeous southern European country. 

1. Only Carry Credit Cards

We get it–when you’re in a foreign country that you are not familiar with, you may feel more comfortable carrying credit cards than cash. In Greece, however, you’ll likely run into quite a few stores and restaurants that are cash-only. Be sure to carry cash on hand so you don’t have to deal with the hefty fees that come with using an overseas ATM. 

2. Forget a Gift

In the exciting event that you’re invited into a Greek’s home for dinner, it’s common courtesy to arrive with a gift. Showing up empty-handed shows as lack of respect for local tradition and culture, and a lack of appreciation for the invitation. 

3. Toss Your Toilet Paper into the Toilet

To most Americans, this one isn’t going to come naturally. Greece is an old, old country with old, old plumbing systems that struggle to handle modern-day toilet paper. When you go to the bathroom in Greece, you’ll notice a trash can with every toilet. Throw your toilet paper in there instead to avoid an embarrassing and costly mistake. 

4. Speak Your Mind to Smokers

Nearly half of all Greeks smoke cigarettes, and it’s not a smart move to criticize locals who are lighting up. The country attempted an indoor smoking ban, and it failed miserably. If you’re not a smoker, you’ll be happy to know that the weather in Greece is typically fantastic, and there’s no need to be cooped up in a smoky bar or restaurant if that’s not your thing. 

5. Ask For Butter With Your Bread

When you sit down to dinner in Greece, you’ll (almost) always be served a bread basket. Don’t ask for butter to go with your bread–instead, Greeks dip their bread in the communal salad bowl to soak up the dressing. Tear off a small piece of bread and dip it in the salad bowl so that you’re not double dipping.

Are All NFTs Bad for the Environment?

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Saying that every NFT is bad for the environment is a big claim. But overall, NFTs aren’t environmentally friendly. Here’s what you need to know about the environmental impact of NFTs, and why a digital asset could be causing physical harm.

NFTs Are a Source of Environmental Worry

An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a way for a creator to sell unique digital assets. NFTs were huge business in late 2021, but since that time the interest in them has declined sharply.

But it’s not the cost of NFTs that’s the concern. It’s the fact that they aren’t easy on the environment. Most of the NFTs today are traded on the Ethereum network. Every transaction requires a mining process to confirm the transaction and the trade.

There is energy used in mining, and that’s a concern for people who feel the trading will add to emissions of carbon. Sometimes clean energy sources are used, but that’s often not the case.

Here’s How the NFT Process Works

The majority of NFTs are on the Ethereum blockchain, and that means they require a confirmation with each new block. Then:

  • A computer network has complex problems they have to solve, for the right to confirm that block.
  • The network uses energy, and vies for the gas fees that come from the block’s confirmation.
  • The system offers incentives for miners who invest in hardware, which takes more grid power.
  • Power sources affect the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases.

When an NFT is resold, it also uses an equal amount of energy in that process. That can quickly create energy usage issues, along with a lot of problems for the environment. A sale that takes only 10 seconds can consume around 8.7 megawatts of energy.

There Are Some Options for Improvement

Fortunately, the fact that NFTs are bad for the environment is something that can change. First, not every NFT uses non-green energy sources. Some of them aren’t actually harmful. Second, there are ways to incentivize the use of NFTs that use green sources of energy.

Ethereum is also working toward a different system, much like those used by Solana and Cardano, that is proof-of-stake. Because this system validates transactions based on a number of coins, the amount of problem-solving is smaller. In turn, that makes it easier to move through transactions with less energy.

Proof-of-stake uses the machines of coin owners to change the way blocks on the chain are verified. Owners offer their coins as collateral, which gives them the opportunity to validate blocks. When the owners have staked coins, they’re listed as “validators.”

Then a validator is randomly selected to validate or “mine” the block. Since the selection is random there’s no competition. When enough validators have “mined” the block, it’s considered validated and the transaction involving it can be finalized.

Batching transactions is another way that NFTs can be easier on the environment. Transactions would be made outside the network and batched at a certain time. Doing that makes it easier to reduce energy usage, and would help protect the environment more easily.

5 Mistakes People Make When Traveling

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Traveling can be a great adventure. It can also be stressful and frustrating. Which way it goes is out of your control to a certain extent, but there are some things you can do to make it easier.

Here are five of the biggest, most common mistakes people make when they travel, so you can avoid them.

1. Getting Too Ambitious About Seeing the Sights

Sure it’s great to visit that big city, when you’ve spent your whole life in the country. But you can’t see everything in a day or two. If you plan an itinerary that has you going from sunup to sundown and beyond, running from place to place, you aren’t really going to have time to stop and take things in.

Instead, stop and smell the metaphorical roses. You can always add additional things, and even make a backup list before you head out on your vacation, but don’t cram your days too full right from the start.

2. Assuming There Are Places to Stay

Be sure to book your hotel in advance. You don’t want to travel to a new location and assume that there will be a good places to stay at a reasonable price. It’s often less expensive to book days or weeks in advance of your travel date. You can also get more options for rooms that way, and may receive other perks, too. You don’t want to be stuck in an unfamiliar location with no hotel.

3. Not Researching Important Dates

If there’s a big concert, festival, or convention going on at your travel destination, you might want to move the dates of your vacation. Hotels and restaurants can fill up quickly, and the extra influx of people could make navigating around the area more complicated, too. By researching in advance, you’ll know you’re visiting the destination at a good time.

4. Not Leaving Your Valuables at Home

Leave those expensive rings and necklaces at home. Sure, you want to look great in all your Instagram photos, but you can get some cheap jewelry to give you the same look. You’ll be less likely to get robbed, and if you lose your jewelry or someone takes it, you’re not devastated and financially damaged, either.

While you’re at it, be sure to tell your bank that you’re going on an adventure. That will reduce the chances of your card being declined, so you can focus on the fun.

5. Taking More Than They Need

When you travel, it’s very important to be realistic about the amount of luggage you take. If you’re going to be gone for a week, you don’t need three weeks worth of clothing. Having a little extra can make sense in case of spills, stains, or other damage, but an extra shirt and some extra socks and underwear is probably enough.

Space is limited, and it’s no fun to carry around a bunch of heavy luggage, either. Pare down your essentials, and remember that most places aren’t so rural that you can’t buy something if you really need it. Have a great trip!

The Culture Guide: 5 Things You Should Not Do When Visiting Egypt

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Whether trekking through the desert to view pyramids thousands of years old or perusing the stalls at a Cairo marketplace for delicious food and delightful souvenirs, there is no doubt that Egypt offers an unforgettable place to visit and explore. To get the most out of your trip, however, you want to be conscientious of a few key don’ts that could hinder your trip. Keep these in mind to help you stay on good terms with your hosts and experience the beauty of Egypt.

DON’T Forget about cultural differences in clothing

Remember the expression, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” In Egypt, that means watching your dress to avoid offending the locals. Wearing tight-fitting clothing or showing too much skin through tank tops or shorts can make you seem rude. This is amplified even further if you want to enter any religious buildings. Wear loose-fitting, light clothing throughout your trip. Women should also have a loose scarf available if they want to visit any religious buildings. As an added bonus, covering your arms and legs will also help protect your skin from the strong Egyptian sun.

DON’T Assume you want to wear sandals everywhere

Sandals might seem like a great footwear choice because of the comfort they offer in the heat, but they can actually be a poor choice when exploring Egypt. Even major cities like Cairo tend to have streets that are dirtier than what some people might expect. Additionally, you should expect to do a lot of walking as you explore the areas around the major sites. Sensible shoes, such as sneakers, will likely serve you better throughout your trip.

DON’T Take a picture of everything you see

As you look around at all of the amazing sites, you might feel tempted to take pictures of everything you see. However, you should familiarize yourself with the cultural expectations surrounding pictures. Specifically, regulations dictate that you cannot take pictures of certain infrastructure in the country, such as the Suez Canal. Therefore, you want to verify that you can take pictures of your target before you start snapping.

Additionally, most locals will consider it rude if you take pictures without asking permission. Therefore, even if you can take pictures in the area you explore, make sure that you have asked permission of those around you as well.

DON’T Forget to tip

Tipping plays an important role in the local economy, so you should carry coins and some small bills with you to provide a tip to those who offer you services throughout your trip. For example, you will want to tip your room cleaners, taxi drivers, and tour guides as you travel.

DON’T Write off the potential of a guided tour

You might feel tempted to try and save some money or to give yourself more flexibility, and explore the different sites on your own with the help of a guidebook. However, booking some guided tours can help you get significantly more out of your travels. You can ask your guide questions that might arise as you explore. You also get to find all of the hidden gems that you might have missed if you relied solely on what you could find in a book. 

However, as you look for your tour guide, be sure to check their government license. Failing to do so can result in accidentally falling for a scam.

Egypt can offer you an adventure of a lifetime. Keep these tips in mind and experience all that this incredible country can offer.

 

Don’t Cook This At Home: The 5 Weirdest Dishes Cooked By Celebrity Chefs

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Chefs seem to be the new rock stars. They have TV series, books, podcasts, and are must-book guests for late-night hosts. But can they really cook? While many celebrity chefs can whip up incredible meals, others may have let their stardom go to their heads. Here are some just plain odd celebrity chef recipes you probably don’t want to make at home.

These Five Celebrity Chef Recipes Are Just Plain Strange

Number 5: Blood and Guts Potatoes

Nigella Lawson can cook some fabulous food, and many of her recipes are top-shelf, but her Blood and Guts Potatoes isn’t one of them. Besides the unappetizing name, the ingredients list of potatoes, fresh mozzarella, and tomato ketchup don’t work well together. Calling this recipe Blood and Guts is definitely a ploy to attract the attention of little kids. Maybe that is the point because only those without a developed palette could enjoy this side dish. 

Number 4: Deep-Fried Stuffing on a Stick

While this dish is the worst nightmare for anyone on the Keto diet, even people not following such a carb-restricted diet should probably give it a pass. Paula Deen’s Deep-Fried Stuffing on a Stick tells you everything you need to know right in the name. Take a sausage dressing, cut it into pieces, and put it on sticks. Then coat the sausage dressing in flour and deep-fry until golden brown. It is even more regrettable since frying ruins an otherwise good sausage dressing. 

Number 3: Quick & Easy Egg Fried Rice

Stepping outside your cultural background to cook ethnic food is always fraught with danger, but sometimes there is a recipe that is just so wrong on so many levels that one wonders if the chef has tasted the food he is trying to recreate. That’s the case with Jamie Oliver’s Quick & Easy Egg Fried Rice. From using olive oil and pre-packaged rice to adding water and silken tofu, this recipe is a wet and unappealing mess. But, don’t worry, Jamie, we still love your British food!

Number 2: The Ultimate Bacon Sandwich

Heston Blumenthal is known as a mad scientist when it comes to cooking. While famous for recreating the appearance of food using other food, such as faux minced meat made from ice cream, this Ultimate Bacon Sandwich recipe is one of his weirdest creations. It’s not the ingredients that are odd but the chef’s techniques. From rolling the bacon to only toasting one of the two slices of bread, you have to wonder if Blumenthal was having a laugh when he came up with this dish. 

Number 1: Crunchy Snap Pea Popcorn Salad

Food Network star Molly Yeh upset the taste buds of many viewers when she shared her unusual way of cooking with popcorn. Crunchy Snap Pea Popcorn Salad probably would have been great if she had stuck with the sugar snap peas, carrots, celery, and watercress in the sour cream and mayo dressing. But once she added the popcorn and white cheddar popcorn flavoring, it got way too weird for many people.

The next time your meal doesn’t turn out as planned, be glad you didn’t make any of these five celebrity chef dishes!

 

 

The Life Electrical: 5 Essential Electronic Circuits Facts For Beginners

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Building electronic circuits is a really cool hobby – not only does it teach problem solving and allow you to make something with your hands, but you get to understand more about the world around you. As a bonus, you can learn to make cool gadgets like transistor radios, walkie talkies, torches, and maybe even your own burglar alarm. We thought we’d make this quick run down for beginners, so you can learn about some fundamentals before you get started.

1. Component of an Electronic Circuit

An electronic circuit is an electrical pathway that contains 5 electronic components in various arrangements to manage the flow of electricity. 

  • Capacitors can store electricity along the way as voltage. When you activate it, it releases that energy at 90% of the speed of light.
  • Resistors can slow it down to reduce the voltage. Energy flows through them in one direction. As energy flows through the resistor, it creates “resistance,” which dissipates some of the energy from the circuit. The smaller the resistor, the greater the resistance it creates.
  • Diode is a one-way ticket for electricity. Pass through the diode, and you can never go back. 
  • Transistor is conductive but can stop the current. It acts as a gateway that you open or close on command.
  • Inductors can also store electricity but as a magnetic field.

Among these, you have circuit nodes. A circuit node is something that connects two components, like an insulated wire. 

Your electronic circuit will also need an energy source and an energy-needing object on the other end receiving electricity to do something.

2. Voltage

Your voltage measures the amount of energy gained or lost between two components (resistors, capacitors, etc.) on your circuit when you move a unit of positive charge from one component to another. So voltage is always relative to the two points.  

When you connect multiple components, your voltage is the sum across all your components.

3. Current

The current is the rate your energy flows through your electronic circuit. Your spacing and choice of components impact this rate.

If multiple components are on your electronic circuit, you must make sure each one of them can carry the same current.

4. Resistance

The ratio between your voltage and current is called resistance. If the voltage is moving across a conductor like a wire, it moves in a linear fashion. 

However, a component like a diode or a transistor will make the energy move in a non-linear way. The component dissipates some of the energy.

This is known as a Joule per second (J/s), or a Watt in more everyday terms. 

5. Grounding

A ground is a circuit node that acts as a reference point for all other circuit voltages that can be referenced. 

A voltage source has both a positive and negative terminal (end). In positive electronic circuits, the negative end is connected to the grounding circuit. This creates energy flow from positive to negative. That flow travels through your components to reach the ground.

An electronic circuit can also have a virtual ground, which is a circuit node that acts like a ground but isn’t connected to the power supply. So the energy moves toward it without returning to the power source. 

Building Your Electronic Circuit

With these fundamentals, you can now begin building simple electronic circuits. Add components to your circuit and measure your results to learn to manage the flow of energy through your circuit.