The English language is full of idioms extolling the virtues of hard work. We praise employees who are willing to fight tooth and nail for the company. Someone ready to go the extra mile is the kind of worker we want on our team. But employees who keep their noses to the grindstone might not be what companies need to be successful.
Robot Spreads Peace and Compassion
A new priest is causing a stir at a 400-year-old Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Named Mindar, she teaches about compassion and the dangers of desire, ego, and anger. But this is no run of the mill human priest; she’s an android robot. Standing at 195 centimeters, Mindar is able to move her body, arms, and head. Only her hands, face, and shoulders are covered in silicone, to look like human skin.
Ambassador Of Good Will
In 1942, Nobuo Fujita became the only Japanese pilot to bomb the U.S. mainland in World War II. Fujita traveled to the unprotected waters off the Oregon Coast by submarine. Hidden beneath the Pacific, the sub concealed a small plane with folded wings. It allowed Fujita and the crew of 100 to approach America unseen and undetected.
Pro Football Player Called Un-American
U.S. professional football player, Colin Kaepernick, has recently caused a controversy by refusing to stand for the American national anthem. Kaepernick is an African-American. He is protesting racial oppression in the U.S., especially the many killings of young black men by white policeman in recent years.
Vibrating Balls Of Bees
From the land of Pokemon, Hello Kitty, and all that is cute come some pretty dangerous creatures of the wild. From bears and wild boar, to centipedes and snakes, to sharks and poisonous jellyfish, there are all sorts of animals in Japan that can do you harm. But by far the most deadly to humans is the Japanese giant hornet. It is the largest of its kind in the world, with adults reaching close to 5 centimeters in length. The hornets are fast, aggressive and venomous, and are responsible for an average of up to 40 human fatalities a year in Japan.