The Make-believe Restaurant

This is a standout lesson for all of us because it teaches us not to believe everything that we read. 

In a time where online disinformation runs riot like weeds in a garden – this story serves as a timely reminder of how easy it is for tricksters and fraudsters to exploit online platforms to sometimes unthinkable outcomes. 

'The Shed at Dulwich' was London's top-rated restaurant and certainly, the hardest to get into. It beat out thousands of upscale restaurants to earn top ranking on TripAdvisor in one of the world’s food capitals and drawing a tidal wave of unimaginable interest. 

There was just one small problem: it didn’t exist. 

'The Shed at Dulwich' was a make-believe restaurant serving pretend food to imaginary customers for fake reviews. And of course, you can’t get a table! 

Actually, it was just a listing created in 2017 by freelance writer, Oobah Butler, who used his home – a shed in Dulwich in south London – as the inspiration for a high-concept new restaurant: “The Shed at Dulwich”. 

He even created a webpage with a menu inspired by moods – a concept “silly enough to infuriate your dad” he wrote – and illustrated it with photographs of artsy looking dishes made out of simple household products like bleach tablets and shaving cream. 

One photo even showed an egg on a plate balancing gracefully off his foot, which was cropped out of the frame. 

Image credit: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/the-shed-at-dulwich-was-london-s-top-rated-restaurant-just-one-problem-it-didn-t-exist-a8107791.html 

And so, ‘The Shed at Dulwich’ became a massive Internet hit even though no one had ever eaten there. 

But it did open for one night in November 2017, serving ten guests including a couple from California, USA – “to re-create the same psychological space as TripAdvisor”, he told one interviewer. [Note: Butler and a friend prepared a really cheap meal made from instant food – and good reviews predictably accompanied this exclusive dining experience!] 

The restaurant started out in May 2017 as the 18,149th ranked restaurant in the city, i.e. dead last. By November 04 in the same year, it took the top slot and stayed there for four days. 

Super-amazing! This guy had turned an imaginary restaurant into London's most exclusive dining experience on Trip Advisor:

What's There to Celebrate on Australia Day?

The statue of Captain James Cook was splashed with paint. Credit: Leigh Henningham 

Graffiti was also scrawled on the base of the statue. Credit: Leigh Henningham 

A statue of British explorer Captain James Cook was vandalised in Melbourne, Australia. Simply put, it was a protest on the eve of Australia Day. 

The statue was found covered in paint on Thursday. Graffiti depicted an Aboriginal flag and the words: "We remember genocide". 

The Australian government described the vandalism as "disgraceful". 

"These vandals are trashing our national heritage and should be prosecuted", tweeted Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge. 

This was not the first time this happened. Last year, a statue of Cook in Sydney was also vandalised with messages including "change the date" and "no pride in genocide".

Australians should follow the examples in other parts of the world – and remove any reminders of a debauched and debased past. 

In April 2015, South Africa's University of Cape Town removed a statue of British colonialist Cecil Rhodes. 

And in 2017, in the US of A, many Confederate statues were taken down. 

One advocate was the mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mitch Landrieu who passionately defended this move: “They are not just innocent remembrances of a benign history. These monuments celebrate a fictional, sanitized Confederacy ignoring the death, ignoring the enslavement, ignoring the terror that it actually stood for”. 

The Robert E Lee and Thomas J "Stonewall" Jackson monument base is viewed in Wyman Park Dell in Baltimore, Maryland, after being removed by the US city on August 16, 2017. Credit: AFP 

I see them as anachronisms from a past era. 

It’s a clear-cut argument really. 

Rhodes was a monument embodying the colonial dispossession and oppression of Africans (Read my post dated March 26, 2015 titled “Faecal Attack” @ https://helpvictor.blogspot.my/2015/03/faecal-attack.html)

The statues of the Confederacy period honor a regime that enslaved African-Americans. They promoted white supremacy. 

All these monuments shouldn’t be there in the first place. There is no reason to keep them anymore. They only bring back painful memories of the past. 

For Australia, it has to be more than just removing statues. It must also mean changing Australia Day to another date. 

Australia Day represents the anniversary of British settlement – where the local population was displaced, dispossessed and decimated. 

It doesn’t surprise me that not every Australian see Australia Day as a day of celebration. And this Australia Day issue has regularly seen annual debates over indigenous sensitivities.

Australia Day is supposed to celebrate what’s great about Australia – but does it? 

The fact that January 26 is Australia Day means it requires a denial of history. That day commemorates invasion, that sovereignty was never ceded to the trespassers. That it intentionally glosses over the genocide of the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. It is really a day of mourning. 

Can the rest of the country come to terms with the fact that for the First Peoples of Australia – January 26 is a day of infamy, of ignominy, of shame? 

And when Australians can come to terms – only then can they truly celebrate Australia Day. 

Image credit: BuzzFeed News

Shithole Donald Trump

Donald Trump just loves to mock, taunt and ridicule. 

In a January 11, 2018 meeting with a bipartisan group of senators at the White House – discussing whether they should accept more immigrants from some countries – the US President had referred to Haiti, El Salvador and Africa as "shithole countries". 

The invective was reported by The Washington Post and the world recoiled in consternation and horror at Trump’s reckless and undignified insult. 

The country’s diplomats around the world were summoned for formal reproach and the 55-nation African Union labelled Trump’s vilification as being “clearly racist”. 

But an independent marketing site that promotes tourism in Africa is using the above and turning it into a slick communication campaign. 

A Zambia tourism Facebook page featured an advert which read: “Visit s****hole Zambia. Where the only stars and stripes you’ll have to see are in the sky and on a zebra!” 

“Where beautiful vistas and breathtaking wildlife are our trump card! 

*DISCLAIMER: This post does not represent the opinions of the official Zambia Tourism Agency, but that of an independent marketing site zambiatourism.com”. 

[NOTE: The said post is not claiming to represent the opinions of the official Zambia Tourism Agency. And it has received thousands of likes and shares]. 

The Gondwana Collection, a private tourism operator in Namibia, too, got into the act and released a video on Facebook lampooning the alleged Trump derogation.

Their managing director, Gys Joubert, told the Associated Press: “You can fight the negative with the negative, or you can give some pushback with the tongue-in-cheek approach”.

But the biggest shithole is really Donald Trump!

On Thursday afternoon, I attended a Service Source Toastmasters meeting. I was there as the General Evaluator.

This was my maiden visit to this club and I am glad I went.

'Twas a really good meeting. Thank you, Charan Sidhu for the invite!

A Moth Named N. donaldtrumpi

Donald Trump and 'Neopalpa donaldtrumpi'. Image credit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/01/17/meet-neopalpa-donaldtrumpi-threatened-moth-named-donald-trump/ 

I know this news is one year old – but I guess, better late than never. 

'Neopalpa donaldtrumpi’ is a rare moth species of the genus Neopalpa – and described in the journal Zookeys (January 17, 2017 edition) by Canadian scientist Vazrick Nazari. He chose the name because the moth's crown of yellowish scales reminded him of the (then President-elect) Donald Trump. 

A type of twirler moth, it is a wee little insect found in southern California and Baja California in northwestern Mexico. 

It seems nature favors fancy golden hairdos as much as the man himself. Who could forget China's beloved Trump bird? Read my November 16, 2016 post titled “Donald Trump Hairdo” @ https://helpvictor.blogspot.my/2016/11/donald-trump-hairdo.html.

Nazari had also said he chose the name to bring awareness to conservation challenges. 

"I hope to bring some public attention to the importance of conservation of the fragile habitats in the United States that still contain undescribed and threatened species, and generate interest in the importance of alpha-taxonomy in better understanding the neglected micro-fauna component of the North American biodiversity", he said. 

It's a mission Nazari hoped Trump's administration will appreciate. For the moth’s sake, I really hope so!

Yesterday, on my way to a morning business appointment – I came across an accident along Jalan Putra. 

I realize that even in a traffic-congested city like Kuala Lumpur – we are still bedevilled with road accidents – and I don’t think I am wrong to claim they occur on an almost daily basis. 

Malaysian drivers are defiant, aggressive and combative. And restraint, patience and courtesy have been thrown out of the window. 

That explains why road accidents are on an upward trajectory. A New Straits Times report on January 18, 2017 informed us that a total of 521,466 accidents were recorded in 2016 – and this was an increase from 489,606 in 2015. And 80.6 percent of the road accidents were caused by human error. 

Fatalities also worsened. In 2016, total of 7,152 people died in road accidents in Malaysia – an alarming jump from 6,706 deaths in the year before. And 62.7 percent of the deaths in 2016 involved motorcyclists. 

Malaysians are losing it. It is time we teach road users road manners.

Toastmasters D51 AC2018: Dinner Themes and Emcees

We have dinner themes for the D51 Annual Conference 2018. 

These are for Welcome Night and Gala Night – Friday and Saturday respectively. 

And what can you expect? Fun, fun, fun. 

The idea is to create an ambience that is glittering, gleaming and glamorous. 

After all, it is our silver anniversary. More than that, it is a celebration of Toastmasters' presence in this part of the world for 40 years.

I can’t wait! See everybody there! From April 20-22!

#d51ac2018

UK's Minister for Loneliness

I had imagined a character from a dystopian novel, but Britain has created a “minister for loneliness” to tackle modern public health problems associated with social isolation. 

The government said Wednesday it had appointed Tracey Crouch after research showed as many as one in ten people felt lonely “always or often” and that very many elderly people hadn’t spoken to a friend or relative in the past month. 

Crouch, whose official title is Minister for Sport and Civil Society, is to devise a national strategy to tackle isolation across all ages, and find ways of measuring alienation in official statistics. 

"We know that there is a real impact of social isolation and loneliness on people, on their physical and mental well-being but also on other aspects in society and we want to tackle this challenge”, Crouch said. 

According to the British Red Cross, more than nine million people say they are always or often lonely, out of a population of 65.6 million. 

In the US of A, approximately 42.6 million adults aged over 45 reported suffering from chronic loneliness in a major 2010 study by the AARP. 

The most recent American census data shows more than a quarter of the population lives alone, more than half of the population is unmarried and, since the previous census, marriage rates and the number of children per household have declined, the American Psychological Association heard last year. 

Julianne Holt-Lunstad, professor of psychology at Brigham Young University, told the organization that research indicated social isolation and living alone had “a significant and equal effect on the risk of premature death… one that was equal to or exceeded the effect of other well-accepted risk factors such as obesity”. 

Announcing Crouch’s appointment as “new ministerial lead for loneliness”, British Prime Minister Theresa May said: "I want to confront this challenge for our society and for all of us to take action to address the loneliness endured by the elderly, by carers, by those who have lost loved ones, people who have no one to talk to or share their thoughts and experiences with”. 

The role was the main recommendation in a 2017 report commissioned in memory of Jo Cox, a lawmaker and mother of two who was murdered in the street in 2016 by a neo-Nazi militant. 

"Jo Cox recognized the scale of loneliness across the country and dedicated herself to doing all she could to help those affected”, May said.

This really makes sense! Check out this video:

I was up at 4:00 AM local time to catch the match between Liverpool and Swansea City. And I had to endure watching the Reds lose to EPL's bottom club by one goal. Double sigh!

Anna Sui's Dog-themed Angpaus

McDonald’s have teamed up with fashion designer Anna Sui to create a line of red envelopes to celebrate the Year of the Dog. 

And so, they feature the Chinese American's rendition of popular Asian dog breeds like the Pug and Shiba Inu. 

These angpaus (that’s what Malaysians call these red envelopes) are traditionally filled with money and distributed as gifts during the Lunar New Year. 

The fast-food behemoth is using the festive season as a way to promote their new $1, $2, $3 Dollar Menu – and the meal deals include breakfast, burger and chicken options at every price tier. 

That seems to be the overall gist of the campaign. 

Anyway, this is strictly a localized event and the angpaus will be distributed on Tuesday, January 23 at precisely 1.23 PM, at the Japantown Peace Plaza in San Francisco, California.

Outside of the city known for the famed Golden Gate Bridge, McDonald's will work with social media darlings, Miss Gina Darling (@MissGinaDarling) and Leenda D (@LeendaDAvenue) who will also give away the red envelopes through social media sweepstakes via their Facebook and Instagram channels.

I see this as strictly a marketing gimmick and I don't believe for one minute that they're serious about embracing the Lunar New Year traditions.

Mahathir Mohamad Told He’s Old and About to Die

Now that Mahathir Mohamad has returned to politics – opposition politics, at that – and the fact that he is very much in the thick of it, the 92-year old has become everybody’s favorite punching bag!

Already, government preacher Zamihan Mat Zin (left) is wishing Mahathir Mohamad to die. 

He said this when he launched a thinly-veiled attack on the latter just because he is making a political comeback. The former advocated that at Mahathir’s age, the former prime minister should instead enrol in a madrasah and spend time in prayer. 

“When we were in power, we did all sorts of things. We issued statements that hurt the people’s feelings… that took lives of the people. But when others are in charge, we say they are not right, not progressive” – he told news portal Watan Online. 

He said Mahathir should stay out of politics and repent “for all his past mistakes”. And do charitable deeds for the hereafter. 

“Stop thinking about politics when you’re old and about to die”, he pointedly told the PH chairperson in the Facebook Live interview. 

[Note: Zamihan is an officer with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) but is seconded to the home ministry]. 

I venture to suggest that maybe, Mahathir's return to active politics is a form of repentence. He wants to make amends for his misdeeds. And if he wants to do it – why not? Even Mahathir deserves a second chance.

A preacher who only knows how to speak ill of another person. Preacher, konon! He talks about religion as if he has a monopoly over it. Ptui! 

On Saturday, Celtic cruised into the Scottish Cup fifth round with a routine victory over the Championship's bottom side. They thrashed Brechin City 5-0. 

Their goals came from James Forrest (2), Scott Sinclair (11), Olivier Ntcham (49), Dedryck Boyata (56) and Odsonne Edouard (86).

Education Minister Threatens Teachers

Teachers and Education Ministry officers have been warned not to support the opposition, Kwong Wah reported on Friday. 

According to Malaysia’s Chinese language newspaper, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid threatened disciplinary action against them if they insist on backing the opposition. 

Civil servants, education department officers and teachers are barred from joining any opposition party or criticizing the government. If they refused to comply, that would be tantamount to sabotaging and tarnishing the government’s image – he had added. 

The Padang Terap MP said those who were against the government should resign before the ministry asked them to do so. 

“We won’t allow any of our officers to join any opposition party or hold any party post. But it’s okay if they were to join the government”, Mahdzir asserted. WTF! 

GE14 is imminent. It’s going to be a close fight. Therefore, the profusion of threats and trickery from BN. 

The desperation builds up. The alarm shows. The fear is real. 

Malaysians, please make EVERY VOTE COUNT!

And the Minister should watch his mouth!

Tobacco Industry's Sneaky Move

The tobacco industry in Malaysia just conjured another sneaky plan to push cancer sticks to the public. 

They had the audacity to recommend that they be allowed to market smaller packs of cigarettes – known as “kiddie packs”. Professedly to reduce the volume of illegal cigarettes in the market. Ostensibly to provide a legal alternative to smuggled cigarettes. 

And British American Tobacco (M) Bhd brazenly came out with a public statement – as reported by The Edge yesterday – that the proposal was not intended to increase the number of smokers in the country and that their innocuous suggestion had been taken out of context! 

LOL! Who are they trying to kid? 

Webpage: https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201710171058307931-cigarettes-daesh-terrorist-funding/

If I read this news report correctly, BAT was quoted to have said that the very sizeable presence of black-market cigarettes in Malaysia is the main factor frustrating and undermining the health agenda in Malaysia. 

Meaning, they prefer that Malaysians die because of legal cigarettes rather than illegal cigarettes. They themselves want to profit through smokers’ untimely deaths. Simply put, they are death merchants!

Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam had already announced on Thursday that the government would not support the proposal to allow “kiddie packs”. He labelled it as an excuse. 

He also said if the government agreed to the move, it would be against the National Tobacco Policy and Article 8 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 

BAT even had the nerve to make the smart ass claim that the cigarette black market growth has outpaced all enforcement and education efforts. 

We, of course, know that both enforcement and education have failed miserably. But that is due to corruption and stupidity respectively. 

BAT and other tobacco companies will do the country a big favor if they just leave the country. They are not welcomed here.

I was at THE POD in Sunway Putra Mall the other day. I came across these figurines in a CNY setting. And they remind me that the Lunar New Year is nearing.

The Importance of Communicating in English

Let's be honest. Graduates have only themselves to blame if they fail to get jobs. 

According to the Malaysian Employers Federation, there are many vacancies but they are not competent enough to fill them. 

MEF was responding to remarks by Pakatan Harapan’s prime ministerial candidate Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday, who lamented the fact that many graduates end up becoming drivers for ride-hailing companies such as Uber or Grab, or selling nasi lemak. 

The PH chairperson said this should be a source of embarrassment for the country. 

Mahathir said the rising number of graduates who were not doing what they were trained for was a testament to the government’s failure to create more job opportunities. 

Speaking to FMT, MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan admitted that one major graduate failing is the ability to communicate in English. 

“Most of the jobs available require knowledge of English as you need to communicate with your clients or customers, especially in marketing and sales, which are normally the kind of jobs available now”, he explained. 

“When you don’t have that requirement, it’s very difficult for the employers to do anything”. 

Shamsuddin advised graduates who were struggling to find employment to take a crash course in English communication. 

“If you don’t have money, then go on the internet. There are lessons on YouTube for free. This is my frank advice to job-seekers”.

The Parent Action Group for Education agreed with MEF that much more needs to be done to improve graduates' employability, including learning English.

The PAGE chairperson Noor Azimah Rahim said when it came to learning English – or any other language – immersion was key. She maintained that the deeper the immersion, the shorter the learning process will be.

Azimah said that in today's Internet age, there seemed to be little excuse for the large majority of Malaysians to not find avenues where they could be more exposed to an English-speaking environment – even if that environment was virtual.

We all know this, don’t we?  

More importantly, what are the graduates doing about it?

I say, be pro-active. Take the initiative. Learn English.