Have you ever heard of Saif Saaeed Shaheen? In August 2003 he won Qatar’s first ever gold medal at the world athletics championships in the 3000 meters steeplechase. The weird thing is that two months prior to that his name was Stephen Cherono and he was competing for his native country Kenya. Even weirder is the fact that in the final he was racing against his brother who was still running for Kenya. Weirdest of it all is the fact that Saif/Stephen did not move (in fact we don’t think he has moved) to Qatar out of love or fear. He simply changed nationality to make money. His new country promised him a monthly salary of a little more than $1,000 – for life. There are rumors that Qatar also paid a transfer fee to the Kenyan Athletics Federation.
February 7th, 2005
Start with a cage containing five apes. In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long, an ape will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the Banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes an attempt with the same result-all the apes are sprayed with cold water.
Turn off the cold water.
If, later, another ape tries to climb the stairs, the other apes will try to prevent it even though no water sprays them.
Now, remove one ape from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new ape sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the other apes attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace it with a new one.
The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.
Again, replace a third original ape with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well.
Two of the four apes that beat him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape.
After replacing the fourth and fifth original apes, all the apes which have been sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the stairs. Why not?
“Because that’s the way it’s always been around here.”
Sounds familiar?
February 4th, 2005
Above, front pages of mayor Spanish newspapers today: A nuclear submarine arrives needing repairs at Gibraltar, The Government protests to the UK about the arrival of a nuclear submarine at Gibraltar. Looks like an important piece of news… Ummmmmm, this wasn’t on TV today… So I checked the BBC just to find that noone cares here (see below).
Is it really such a big issue?
February 3rd, 2005
