In 2009, the Australian government said it would give 93% of the population access to very fast internet using fiber cables that would go straight to people's homes

• This kind of internet is called fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) and is known for being super fast and reliable

• ​The goal was to help people do more online: study, work, watch videos, and grow businesses

• In 2013, a new government came into power and changed the plan

• Instead of using only fiber, they decided to use a mix of different technologies, called multi-technology mix (MTM)

• This helped reduce costs and speed up construction, but it also created big differences in internet quality across the country

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• MTM 1: Fiber to the node (FTTN)

• Fiber cables are installed from the main network to a street cabinet or node (a green or grey box near homes)

• From that node, the internet travels through old copper telephone wires into people’s houses

• Pros: Faster and cheaper to install than full fiber-to-the-home

• Pros: Uses existing copper wire infrastructure, so less digging is needed

• Cons: Much slower than fiber-to-the-premises, especially over longer distances

• Cons: Signal quality drops the farther your home is from the node

• Cons: Copper is also more vulnerable to damage, heat, and weather, which can cause more outages

• Some Australian homes are hundreds of meters away from their nearest node, making the internet barely faster than old ADSL connections (from the early 2000s)

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• MTM 2: Cable TV lines (Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC)) 

• This technology reuses old cable TV lines (coaxial cables), which were originally installed for cable television, not internet

• Fiber runs to a local hub, and then the coaxial cables carry the internet to homes

• Pros: Faster than copper (used in FTTN), especially in areas where cable TV lines already existed

• Pros: Doesn’t require digging up streets in many urban areas

• Cons: Speeds can slow down when many people in your area are using the internet at the same time (congestion)

• Cons: Cables can degrade over time and aren’t as future-proof as fiber

• Cons: Many HFC customers had trouble during setup and early rollouts due to technical problems

• If asked about how past technologies influence today’s internet, HFC is a clear example of repurposing old infrastructure, with mixed results

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• MTM 3: Fixed Wireless 

• These are mainly used in rural and remote areas, where laying cables would be too expensive or slow

• A signal is sent from a nearby tower (base station) to a special antenna on the user’s house

• Pros: Faster than satellite and doesn’t need cables

• Pros: Good for small towns and outer suburbs

• Cons: Signal can be blocked by hills, trees, or buildings

• Cons: Slower during busy times and affected by weather

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• MTM 4: Satellite

• A satellite in space beams internet to a dish on your house, and then back again

• This covers areas where no cables or towers can reach

• Pros: Covers almost 100% of Australia, including the most remote parts

• Pros: A solution where no other options are possible

• Cons: High latency (delay), because signals have to travel to space and back—bad for video calls, online gaming, and real-time apps

• Cons: Lower speeds and data limits compared to other NBN types

• Cons: Weather, storms, and clouds can interrupt the signal

• Satellite internet shows how geography affects infrastructure

• In huge countries like Australia, it's hard to connect everyone equally, especially in the Outback or deserts

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In December 2020, the Australian government said the National Broadband Network (NBN) was “finished”

• It took 11 years to build and cost about 51 billion Australian dollars

• 11.86 million homes and businesses are now connected to the NBN

• But around 35,000 places, mostly in remote or rural areas, are still not connected

• Even though the project is called “complete,” the internet in some places is still slow or unreliable​

• Services such as Netflix and YouTube still worked for most people

• These platforms are smart as they adjust video quality based on your internet speed, so they don’t stop as much

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people had to work or study from home

• Students and workers in rural areas had a hard time because their internet was too slow or kept cutting out

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In 2021, the Canadian government changed a big train project that was supposed to bring high-speed rail (HSR) to the country

• Instead of building super-fast trains like in Europe or Japan, they decided to go with something called high-frequency rail (HFR) which is a system that focuses on reliability and frequency

• Even though Canada is a rich country and the second largest in the world, it still does not have high-speed trains

• Most people travel between cities by car or airplane, especially in busy areas such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal

• The goal was to build high-speed trains between major cities in Ontario and Quebec

• These trains could have gone over 250 km/h, cutting travel time and offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to driving or flying

• Politicians had promised this many times, but it never happened

• ​The government replaced the idea of “high-speed” with “high-frequency”

• High-Frequency Rail (HFR) means trains will come more often, be more on time, and run on dedicated tracks, separate from slower freight trains

• Trains might go a bit faster than today’s ones, but they won’t reach high-speed levels

• The project was renamed "Alto" in 2025 and is being developed by a group that includes Air Canada and SNCF (the French train company)

​

• Problem 1: Too Expensive

• The high-speed rail project was expected to cost anywhere from $6 billion to $40 billion, depending on the route and technology

• Costs were high because it required: special high-speed trains, new, dedicated rail lines built from scratch.

• New stations, bridges, tunnels, and signaling systems

• The government was worried about spending so much public money on a single project

• Many people argued the money could be better used for healthcare, education, housing, or fixing regular trains

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• Problem 2: Too Complex

• High-speed trains can’t run on existing tracks shared with freight trains, so completely new rail lines would be needed.

• That means:

• Buying large amounts of land, including from private owners.

• Doing lots of construction like digging tunnels and building bridges.

• Solving legal and environmental issues (like wildlife protection and permits).

• Canada’s huge size and spread-out cities make it even harder to build a connected system.

• The project would involve many levels of government and agencies, which adds delays and complications.

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• Problem 3: Too Slow to Build

• Even with money and planning, the whole project would take many years or even decades to finish.

• Reasons include:

• Long planning and approval stages.

• Environmental reviews and public consultations.

• Possible construction delays due to weather or accidents.

• Politicians often want to show progress quickly (before elections), so they preferred a simpler, faster plan.

• The High-Frequency Rail (HFR) plan allowed the government to improve existing rail lines and start service sooner, even if trains aren’t as fast.​

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Seattle had an old elevated highway called the Alaskan Way Viaduct, built in the 1950s

• After a 2001 earthquake, engineers warned it could collapse in another quake

• The city decided to replace it with a tunnel under downtown

• The tunnel would be safer in earthquakes and transform the waterfront

• It was one of the largest U.S. projects, expected to cost $3.3 billion

• Engineers used a massive machine named Bertha, the largest TBM in the world

• Bertha began digging in mid-2013, but in December, it hit a hidden steel pipe and stopped

• The impact caused serious damage and a two year delay

• Costs went up, and nearby buildings started to sink slightly

• The final cost increased, and the state won $77 million in court

• The tunnel opened in 2019, and the old viaduct was removed

• The project helped reduce traffic and revive the waterfront

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Big Dig (Boston, Massachusetts, USA): ​​​

• The Central Artery/Tunnel Project (CA/T Project), most known as the Big Dig, was a monumental infrastructure project aimed at transforming Boston's downtown area

• Planning for the project commenced in 1982, with construction beginning in 1991

• The project faced numerous challenges and delays, leading to a final completion in 2007

• The main goal was to replace the old and crowded elevated highway (Interstate 93) with a new highway built underground

• This would help reduce traffic jams and make the city look nicer and more modern

• The project involved the construction of the O'Neill Tunnel and the Ted Williams Tunnel, which helped smoother traffic flow

• A significant feature was the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, an architectural landmark that became a symbol of the city's transformation

• The creation of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a series of parks and public spaces, replaced the old elevated highway, enhancing the city's aesthetics and providing recreational areas for residents

• Initially estimated at $2.8 billion in 1982, the final cost escalated to over $21 billion, making it one of the most expensive highway projects in U.S. history

• The project ended up costing a lot more money and took longer than expected because there were unexpected problems with the engineering

• Mistakes in the design and using low-quality materials caused safety issues especially when a ceiling panel fell and someone died

• The project had to pay more than $400 million in compensation

• Even with these problems, the Big Dig changed Boston’s downtown for the better

• It helped reduce traffic jams and made the waterfront nicer

• It shows what big city planning and engineering can do, even if it’s not perfect

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Channel Tunnel (UK–France): ​​​

• The Channel Tunnel, often called the "Chunnel," is a big tunnel that connects the United Kingdom and France.

• It provides a link between Folkestone in southern England and Coquelles near Calais in northern France

• The tunnel is about 31.4 miles (50.5 kilometers) long, and 23.5 miles (37.9 kilometers) of it run beneath the sea, making it the longest undersea tunnel in the world

• Construction began in 1988 and took over six years to complete

• It was a massive project that involved thousands of workers and advanced tunneling machines

• The tunnel officially opened in May 1994 and was seen as a major step forward in connecting the UK and mainland Europe

• The structure includes three separate tunnels: two main tunnels for trains traveling in each direction and a smaller central tunnel used for maintenance and emergencies

• This design helps improve safety and access in case of problems

• The project ended up costing about £4.65 billion (in 1985 prices), which was 80% more than originally expected

• The extra cost came from stricter safety regulations and environmental protections that were added during the planning and construction process

• Unfortunately, the construction was not without tragedy

• Ten workers lost their lives while building the tunnel, a reminder of the risks involved in such a large project

• Despite the challenges, the Channel Tunnel transformed travel between the UK and Europe

• It made journeys quicker, especially by train, and allowed for faster movement of goods and people

• It also helped strengthen economic ties and encouraged cultural exchange between the two regions

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California High-Speed Rail (California, USA): ​​​

• The California High-Speed Rail project aims to connect major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Jose with fast, electric trains that can travel up to 220 miles per hour

• The goal is to create a cleaner and faster way to travel, helping to reduce traffic on highways and cut down on air pollution caused by cars and planes

• The project was approved by voters in 2008 through Proposition 1A, which allowed the state to borrow money to begin building the system

• At the time, the initial budget was set at $33 billion, but as plans developed and safety and environmental rules became stricter, the estimated cost grew to over $100 billion

• Currently, construction is focused on a 171-mile stretch in California’s Central Valley, between Merced and Bakersfield

• This section is known as the “starter line” and is expected to be completed by 2033

• It includes building rail lines, train stations, and safety systems

• However, progress has been slowed down by problems like delays in buying land for the tracks and having to move utility lines, such as water, gas, and power systems

• The project has also faced political challenges, with some lawmakers questioning its high cost and slow progress

• There have even been threats to reduce or cut off federal funding, which is important for keeping construction going

• Even with these issues, the project has already created about 15,000 union jobs, mostly in construction and related industries

• Supporters say the high-speed rail will help the economy grow, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and give Californians a better way to travel between cities without relying on cars or short flights

• They also believe it will help fight climate change by using electric trains powered by clean energy.

• On the other hand, critics worry that the rising costs and long delays might not be worth the final result

• They argue that the money could be spent on other important needs like schools, roads, or housing

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Sejong City (South Korea):​

• Sejong City was created to help fix problems caused by too many people living and working in Seoul, South Korea’s capital

• Seoul had become very crowded, with heavy traffic, high housing prices, and too much pressure on services like schools and hospitals

• The idea was to build a new city where some government offices could move, so fewer people would have to travel to Seoul every day

• This would also help other parts of the country grow more evenly, instead of everything being focused in one place

• Construction of Sejong City started in 2007, and it officially opened in 2012

• Sejong was also planned as a “smart city,” which means it uses new technology to make life easier and more efficient

• For example, the city has systems to manage traffic, save energy, and collect waste in better ways

• The city has many green areas, like parks, walking paths, and bike lane which make it a healthier and more nicer place to live

• Buses, bike-sharing programs, and future train connections are meant to make it easier for people to move around without cars

• The total cost to build Sejong City was around $22 billion

• This money went into government buildings, homes, roads, schools, public transport, and other services

• At first, it was hard to convince people and businesses to move there

• Many government departments stayed in Seoul, and because Seoul was still the center for business and culture, fewer people saw a reason to move

• The city felt quiet and empty in the beginning, and some said it didn’t have enough things to do or places to work

• This made it harder for families and young people to want to live there

• However, the government didn’t give up

• They kept moving more offices to Sejong and built more homes, schools, and hospitals

• Slowly, more people started living there, and new businesses also opened

• Today, it plays an important role in South Korea’s plan to build cities in smarter, more balanced ways

• There are also new plans to improve public transport, make the city more lively, and help more people see it as a good place to live and work

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Hambantota (Sri Lanka)​: 

• Hambantota is a port city in southern Sri Lanka, built as part of a big national plan to help the country’s economy

• The government wanted to increase trade, bring in foreign money, and take some pressure off Colombo Port, which is Sri Lanka’s busiest port

• They hoped Hambantota would become a busy shipping center because it is located near major shipping routes in the Indian Ocean

• The port opened in 2010 and was built using over $1 billion in loans from China

• China gave this money as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a project to build roads, ports, and railways in many countries to grow trade and increase China’s influence

• Chinese companies helped build the port

• But after it opened, the Hambantota Port did not get much business

• Not many ships used the port, and it didn’t make enough money

• Because of this, Sri Lanka had trouble paying back the Chinese loans.

• In 2017, Sri Lanka made a deal with a Chinese state-owned company

• The company was given control of the port for 99 years, and in return, Sri Lanka got $1.12 billion in much-needed money

• The money helped the country deal with its debt and economic problems.

• Some people said it was an example of “debt trap diplomacy,” where a richer country gives loans to a poorer country, and when the poorer country can’t pay it back, the richer country takes control of important things like ports

• Many people in Sri Lanka are worried that the country lost control of an important part of its land

• Now, China runs and continues to develop the port

• The area around it is being turned into a large industrial zone, with factories, warehouses, and businesses

• The goal is to bring more jobs and money to the region

• Still, many Sri Lankans feel uneasy. Some are afraid that the port might be used by China in the future for military or political reasons, and that this deal could hurt Sri Lanka’s independence

• Hambantota is now often used as an example in the world of what can happen when a country takes on too much foreign debt

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NEOM (Saudi Arabia): 

• NEOM is a new city that is being built in the northwest part of Saudi Arabia, near the Red Sea and close to the borders of Egypt and Jordan

• It was announced in 2017 as part of a big plan called Vision 2030, which is the Saudi government’s goal to change the country’s economy, create more jobs, and make life better for future generations

• Right now, Saudi Arabia gets most of its money from selling oil, but the government wants to depend less on oil and invest in new industries like technology, tourism, and clean energy

• NEOM is expected to cost around $500 billion, making it one of the most expensive city projects in the world

• The name “NEOM” comes from two words: “Neo,” meaning new, and “M,” which stands for ‘future’ in Arabic

• It will run 100% on renewable energy, such as solar power and wind power, so it won’t pollute the environment

• The plan includes things like flying taxis, robot assistants, smart homes, and fast public transportation

• People will be able to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help with shopping, travel, health care, and more

• The idea is to create a place where life is easier, healthier, and more connected, while still protecting nature

• One of the most exciting parts of NEOM is The Line

• This is a very long, straight city that will stretch for 170 kilometers (105 miles)

• It will not have any cars, streets, or traffic

• People will be able to walk anywhere within 5 minutes, and a high-speed train will run underground, letting them travel from one end to the other in about 20 minutes

• The Line is planned to be home to around 9 million people, and it will not produce any carbon pollution

• There are also other parts of NEOM being planned, such as:

• Oxagon: a floating city and port for shipping and industry

• Trojena: a mountain area for sports, skiing, and outdoor activities

• Sindalah: a luxury island for tourism, similar to a resort

• But building NEOM is not easy as the area is in a desert, which has very hot temperatures, sandstorms, and very little water

• Workers have to build everything from the ground up, including roads, water systems, and energy source

• NEOM is still under construction, and some parts are planned to open by 2027, but the whole project may take many more years to finish

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Khazar Islands (Azerbaijan): 

• Khazar Islands, also known as the Caspian Islands, was a huge plan to build a new city made of man-made islands in the Caspian Sea, just off the coast of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan

• The idea was first announced in 2011 during a time when Azerbaijan was earning a lot of money from high oil prices

• The government and developers wanted to show the world that Azerbaijan was a rich, modern, and powerful country

• The plan was to build 41 artificial islands, which means islands created by humans instead of nature

• These islands would be connected by bridges and roads and cover about 3,000 hectares of land (which is about the size of 5,000 football fields)

• The new city was designed to be very luxurious and modern, with space for 1 million people to live

• The Khazar Islands project included plans for: tall apartment buildings, private homes, fancy hotels, large shopping malls, a Formula 1 race track, parks, green spaces, and a skyscraper taller than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai

• The total cost of the project was expected to be around $100 billion, making it one of the most expensive real estate projects in the world

• The developers hoped that rich investors and people from all over the world would come to live and do business there

• Construction officially began in 2013, with some work on roads, bridges, and parts of the islands

• However, things did not go as planned

• After a couple of years, world oil prices dropped sharply, and this caused big problems for Azerbaijan’s economy

• Since much of the country's money came from oil exports, the government suddenly had less money to spend, and private investors started pulling out of the project

• Without enough money from either the government or businesses, the construction slowed down and then stopped completely

• Many of the buildings and islands that were supposed to be built never even started

• Today, most of the project is unfinished or abandoned, with only small parts of it ever completed

•  In the end, it became an example of how depending too much on oil can be risky

• When oil prices fell, so did the ability to fund large, expensive projects like this one

• Relying too much on just one source of income, like oil, can be dangerous

• When that income disappears, it can cause even the most exciting and promising projects to fail

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Three Gorges Dam (China): 

• The Three Gorges Dam is the biggest hydroelectric power dam in the world

• It is located on the Yangtze River, which is the longest river in China and one of the most important rivers in the country

• The dam was built for several reasons: to make clean electricity, to help stop dangerous floods, and to make river travel easier for ships

• Construction of the dam started in 1994 and took almost 20 years to complete

• It was officially finished in 2012

• The dam is 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) long and holds back a huge amount of water, forming a giant reservoir (man-made lake)

• This reservoir stretches over 600 kilometers (370 miles) and flooded many towns and villages

• The main job of the dam is to produce electricity from water, a type of renewable energy called hydropower

• The dam has a total power output of about 22,500 megawatts, which is enough to provide electricity to tens of millions of homes

• This helps reduce the use of coal and oil, which cause pollution, so the dam is an important part of China’s clean energy plan

• But building the dam also caused serious problems

• It cost about $31 billion to build, making it one of the most expensive engineering projects in the world

• More than 1.3 million people had to leave their homes, because their towns and land were flooded by the new reservoir

• Some of these people were moved to other cities, but many faced challenges in starting over

• The flooding also covered up thousands of years of history, including cultural, historical, and archaeological sites, which were lost underwater

• In addition, the dam changed the natural environment

• It caused landslides, soil erosion, and sediment buildup (mud and sand collecting in the river), which affect farming and fishing in the area

• The river’s ecosystem was also harmed, and some animals and plants lost their natural homes

• Even though there are many criticisms, the Chinese government believes the dam has saved lives by preventing floods, especially in places that used to flood often and cause deaths and damage

• It also allows large cargo ships to travel more easily, helping trade and transportation in central China

• Today, it shows both the benefits of clean energy and the challenges of moving people and changing nature 

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Hong Kong-Zhuhai Bridge (Pearl River Delta): 

• The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge is one of the longest sea-crossing bridges in the world

• It connects the cities of Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao across the Pearl River Delta in southern China

• The full length of the bridge system is about 55 kilometers, or 34 miles

• It includes long stretches of bridge over the sea, two man-made islands, and a tunnel that goes under the water so that large ships can still pass through the area

• Construction of the bridge started in 2009 and was finished in 2018, taking about nine years to complete

• The project cost around $20 billion and involved thousands of workers and engineers

• The bridge was built to make transportation easier and faster between the three cities, which are all important centers for business and tourism

• Before the bridge was built, traveling between Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macao could take up to four hours by car or ferry

• Now, with the bridge, the trip takes only about 30 minutes

• It has also helped boost tourism and trade in the region known as the Greater Bay Area, which is one of the most economically active areas in China

• The bridge is also an important part of China’s plan to connect cities more closely and build a stronger economy

• However, there have been some problems and complaints

• The area where the bridge was built is home to the Chinese white dolphin, a rare sea animal

• Since construction started, the number of dolphins in the area has gone down, and people worry that the noise and water changes caused by the bridge may have harmed their habitat

• Another issue is that even though the bridge connects three cities, each city has its own government and rules

• Hong Kong and Macao are special regions with their own borders, while Zhuhai follows the laws of mainland China

• This means that travelers must still go through immigration checks and show their ID or passport when crossing the bridge, which can take time and make travel less smooth

• Some people also think the bridge was too expensive, especially because not many people used it at first

• The number of cars and buses using the bridge was lower than expected in the beginning, although traffic has grown slowly over time

• It helps the three cities work more closely together and is part of China’s goal to create better connections between major cities

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New Eurasia Land Bridge (Central Asia and Eastern Europe): 

• The New Eurasia Land Bridge is a large train system that connects China to Europe through Central Asia and Eastern Europe

• It is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a big plan to build better transportation and trade routes with many countries

• The goal of the land bridge is to create a modern version of the ancient Silk Road, which was used hundreds of years ago for trading goods between Asia and Europe

• Work on the land bridge started around 2008, and since then, many countries have helped build or improve train lines to make the route work better

• Trains travel through countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland, linking important Chinese cities like Xi’an, Chongqing, and Wuhan with European cities like Duisburg in Germany, Madrid in Spain, and Lodz in Polan

• The New Eurasia Land Bridge allows goods to move much faster than by sea

• Shipping products by boat from China to Europe can take more than a month, but the land route can do it in 12 to 18 days, depending on the exact path the train takes

• This faster delivery is very important for products that need to get to markets quickly, such as electronics, car parts, clothing, and other consumer goods

• To make the land bridge work, many countries have rebuilt or improved train tracks, border stations, and customs systems

• For landlocked countries like Kazakhstan, which don’t have coastlines, this rail system is especially helpful because it gives them better access to global markets and more chances to grow their economies

• The land bridge has also brought stronger trade relationships between China and many countries in Europe and Asia

• It helps businesses sell and buy goods more easily and opens up new markets for factories and companies

• However, there are still some challenges

• One issue is the difference in rail gauges which is the width of train tracks is not the same in every country, especially between China and countries like Russia and Europe

• This means that cargo often has to be moved from one train to another at borders, which can slow things down

• Geopolitical tensions can also be a problem

• For example, conflicts or sanctions involving Russia or other Eastern European countries can cause train routes to be blocked or delayed These political issues can make it hard to plan stable and smooth trade routes

• Even with these problems, the New Eurasia Land Bridge is seen as a big success and continues to grow in use every year

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In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared loneliness a global public health concern

• This means that loneliness is not just an emotional feeling as it can seriously affect a person’s physical and mental health

• Studies have shown that people who feel lonely are at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and long-term mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety

• Although loneliness is often associated with older adults, research shows that young people are also experiencing high levels of loneliness

• In fact, in some countries, teenagers and young adults report feeling even more isolated, especially in places where social media use is high

• While social media helps people stay connected, it can also lead to feelings of exclusion, comparison, and disconnection in real life

• The situation became worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdowns and social distancing rules kept people at home and away from friends, family, and communities

• This social isolation affected people of all ages and made it harder to maintain strong relationships

• The WHO emphasizes that having strong connections, supportive communities, and opportunities for people to interact in real life are good for their health

• Being part of a group, having close friends, or feeling valued by others helps people feel happier, healthier, and more supported

• Loneliness levels also vary by region

• According to studies, Northern Europe, including countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, reports the lowest levels of loneliness, due to good government support and people often living in closer communities

• In contrast, Eastern Europe has higher rates of loneliness, which may be linked to economic challenges, social change, or fewer mental health resources

• Among young people, it is estimated that between 5% and 15% of adolescents regularly experience loneliness

• Experts warn that if this issue is ignored, it could have serious long-term effects on global health, learning, and even productivity in society

• The WHO is now calling for governments, schools, and health organizations to treat loneliness as a serious public health issue, similar to smoking or obesity, and to invest in ways to help people connect, communicate, and care for each other

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In recent years, loneliness has become a serious social problem around the world, especially in Japan

• Many older people live alone and may go days or weeks without speaking to anyone

• This isolation has led to a sad phenomenon known as “kodokushi,” or “lonely death,” where people die alone at home and remain undiscovered for a long time

• To deal with this, Japan is using robots and AI to give emotional support and help in eldercare

• These technologies also help with labor shortages, as there are not enough caregivers for the growing aging population

• One popular robot is Paro, a baby seal robot used in hospitals and nursing homes

• It reacts to touch, sound, and light and helps people feel calmer and less alone

• Studies show that using Paro can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and make people feel less alone

• Another popular robot is Pepper, a humanoid robot that can talk, recognize faces, and respond with emotions

• Some families have even “adopted” Pepper as a substitute child or grandchild for elderly parents

• It can also ask questions and listen, which makes it helpful for older adults who may not have many people to talk to

• Sony’s Aibo, a robotic dog, acts like a real pet, as it can walk, bark, and recognize its owner

• Elderly people enjoy its company, and some even hold funerals for their Aibo when it stops working

• The Telenoid R1 is a small robot that looks like a simple human figure which copies the user’s voice and facial expressions during video calls

• It is meant to help elderly people feel like they are really talking face-to-face with someone, which can be comforting when they are alone

• For younger people, the Gatebox has developed a system where users can live with an animated character who lives inside a glass cylinder

• The character can greet the person when they come home, send good morning messages, and talk during the day

• Some men who feel lonely or disconnected from society choose to form emotional connections with these virtual partners, and even consider them part of their lives

• These tools provide emotional comfort and assist with tasks like reminding people to take medicine or calling for help in emergencies

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In 2021 the United Nations said that living standards got worse in 90% of countries

• This was the first time the Human Development Index dropped around the world for two years in a row

• This drop took away five years of progress in health education and income mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic money problems and climate change

• The pandemic made it hard for people to get healthcare and stopped many children from going to school while job losses and rising prices made more people poor

• Natural disasters like floods heatwaves and wildfires also made life harder by damaging homes and farms and making people leave their communities

• Countries with wars like Ukraine had even more problems as buildings and roads were destroyed and many people had to flee their homes

• During this time the gap between rich and poor countries got bigger because richer countries recovered faster while poorer countries continued to struggle

• About half of the world’s poorest nations did not return to how they were before the crisis while rich countries reached their best scores ever in the Human Development Index

• At the same time food energy and rent got more expensive and this made life difficult for families especially those who don’t earn much

• Wages did not grow fast enough to keep up with these rising costs so many people used up their savings or asked for help from charities churches or local groups

• The United Nations says that countries need to work together to solve these problems by creating fairer policies protecting nature and helping all people have a better chance in life

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people felt lonely because they had to stay home and avoid social gatherings

• At the same time, podcasts became more popular than ever

• For a lot of people, listening to podcasts became a way to feel connected to the world

• Hearing someone’s voice in their ears made them feel like they weren’t alone

• Some even said podcast hosts started to feel like real friends, especially when they listened to them regularly

• Because of this, some people say that podcasts became a form of a “parasocial relationship” even though they might not know the host in real life, but their voice and stories become a regular part of their day

• On the radio, you have to listen at a set time, and you can’t always choose what is playing

• But with podcasts, you can listen whenever you want, pause and come back later, and pick topics that you actually care about

• There are podcasts about everything such as true crime, science, mental health, sports, history, books, and more

• This variety helps people find shows that match their interests, making the experience feel more personal

• Another big reason why podcasts became popular is that anyone can make one

• You don’t need to work for a big radio station or company which means that people from different backgrounds and with different stories can share their voices

• Many podcast listeners like this because it feels more real and less controlled than big media companies

• It also helps people hear new ideas and experiences that they might not find anywhere else

• After the pandemic, many people still enjoy podcasts for the same reasons

• They help people feel connected, give them something to focus on during daily tasks like walking or cleaning, and offer a break from stress

• For some, podcasts are not just entertainment as they are a source of comfort and even emotional support

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Charles Guiteau believed he had a close relationship with President Garfield, thinking his support had been important to Garfield's election

• This delusion led him to assassinate the president in 1881

• Today, similar feelings arise in parasocial relationships, where people feel emotionally connected to public figures they have never met

• These feelings can be stronger by social media, where algorithms promote content that keeps users engaged

• Platforms like Facebook and Instagram use algorithms designed to maximize user engagement, often promoting content that may not be beneficial for mental health

• This can lead to users spending more time on these platforms, potentially increasing feelings of loneliness and depression

• Additionally, the constant exposure to idealized images and lifestyles can cause users to compare themselves to others, leading to decreased self-esteem

• Research indicates that frequent social media use is associated with higher levels of loneliness and depression

• A study by the University of California at San Francisco found that increased social media use among tweens predicted future depressive symptoms

• This suggests that the more time individuals spend on social media, the more likely they are to experience mental health challenges

• In Myanmar, Facebook was used to spread hate speech and misinformation, contributing to violence against the Rohingya people

• The platform's algorithms showed more harmful posts, and it didn't do enough to stop the spread of messages that encouraged violence

• This shows that social media has a big influence on what people think and talk about, and the way their systems work can have serious effects

• In the United States, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides legal protection to online platforms

• This law has been criticized for allowing platforms to avoid responsibility for harmful content shared on their sites

• Calls for reform suggest that platforms should be held accountable for the content they host, especially when it leads to harm

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Consuming too much news, especially negative stories, can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression

• People can manage social media consumption by setting limits, choosing positive content, and taking breaks

• Our emotional response to news can impact our behavior and decision-making

• Social media platforms face pressure to prevent harmful content, especially violent media

• Violent online content can traumatize children and vulnerable adults

• Some platforms are requiring age checks and warnings for violent content

• Users should become aware of the risks; using filtering tools can help reduce exposure

• Excessive exposure to negative news can trigger the body's "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline

• This reaction can lead to symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, and upset stomach

• Over time, these physical responses can contribute to chronic stress and anxiety

• Additionally, constant exposure to distressing news can increase feelings of helplessness and depression, especially when individuals feel they cannot make a positive impact on the situations they are learning about

• Designating specific times to check news updates, limiting exposure to 15–30 minutes per session, and avoiding news consumption before bedtime can help reduce stress levels

• Incorporating self-care activities, such as hobbies, exercise, or spending time with loved ones, can support mental well-being

• Social media platforms have a responsibility to prevent the spread of harmful content

• Implementing age verification measures and providing warnings for violent or distressing content are steps in the right direction

• Users can also take measures by using filtering tools to block unwanted content and reporting harmful posts

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