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Former President delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Obama Democracy Forum on Thursday night in Chicago. This year’s theme was “pluralism.” In classic Obama style, he illustrated the concept with homey examples like a church and a mosque agreeing to share a parking lot. The kind of “pluralism” that seemed to most interest him, though, was that of divergent political factions that can “form coalitions, compete for support and elect representatives who will then go and negotiate and compromise and hopefully advance our interests.” He studiously avoided saying the name of the president-elect, but the presence of hung over the whole event like a particularly grotesque balloon at a . Obama’s remarks celebrating the way flourishing liberal democracies are supposed to work, in the context of , are a vivid reminder that in the United States of America today, the machinery isn’t exactly humming along in perfect order. Obama’s characteristic rhetorical virtues were on full display. He was a constitutional law professor before he was a politician, and he still sounds like one. At the same time, he was a once-in-a-generation talent as a political communicator. He knows how to convey a complex set of ideas in a digestible and appealing way. But there was a massive gaping hole at the center of his speech. He still doesn’t understand why his eight years in power culminated in the rise of Trump. Despite his considerable talents, his brand of centrist liberalism is fundamentally inadequate to the historical moment in which he now finds himself. And his speech in Chicago offered nothing but more of the same. In Obama's telling of the story of America’s experiment in political pluralism, the system worked pretty smoothly in the 20th century, but all wasn’t well beneath the surface. “Democracy,” he said, “was built on top of a deeply entrenched caste system — formal and informal, based on race and gender and class and sexual orientation.” One at a time, various marginalized and underrepresented groups got a “seat at the table.” When this happened, pluralism became far more difficult, because the political conflicts exposed by this enriching of our democracy went deeper than the old “fights about roads and taxes.” But if pluralism is now more challenging, he suggested, it’s therefore become that much more urgent. The word “inequality” appeared exactly twice in the nearly 5,000 words of Obama’s speech. One reference was too vague for it to be clear who exactly was “unequal” to whom. The other specified that he was thinking of the inequalities between “urban” and “rural” populations and “knowledge workers” and those who work with their hands. These are certainly real forms of economic imbalance. But the income gap between an office worker in a city and a rural manual laborer is a rounding error on the scale of the inequality between any of these people and, say, Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank, whose annual salary is in the tens of millions, and whose net worth seems to hover over a billion. To put that number in perspective, if we imagine an immortal vampire crossing the ocean with Christopher Columbus in 1492 and somehow earning the exact equivalent of one thousand dollars every day since then, the vampire would have only about $194 million today. (As one of the Obama Democracy Forum’s sponsors, the Capital One logo regularly appeared on the livestream’s lower-third graphics.) It should go without saying that the small number of Americans with that kind of wealth have a tremendously concentrated amount of power in the economic domain, where they can gain or forfeit power over the lives of vast numbers of employees by buying and selling companies, as well as far more political influence than ordinary citizens. This kind of inequality, though, seems to be entirely outside of Obama’s sphere of concern. Even the use of the word “class” in the phrase “race and gender and class and sexual orientation” is highly telling. The kind of centrist liberalism represented by Obama sees social justice in terms of making sure that the best and brightest members of each demographic group have an equal shot at rising to the top of society, where they can become CEOs themselves, or become politicians and participate in the process he rhapsodized about earlier, whereby bright and competent technocrats “negotiate and compromise and hopefully advance our interests.” When “class” is simply one more item on this list of identity characteristics, it’s clear that he’s talking about making sure that particularly bright and deserving individuals from working-class backgrounds can rise to the top. He’s not interested in giving the working class as a whole more structural power in our economy or our society. In other words, this is the same old centrism. Obama’s version of “pluralism” has always been integral to his message. He first came to national prominence with his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, where he charismatically spoke about how we should resist the efforts of pundits to “slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States” rather than seeing us simply as the United States. His message has always been anti-polarization. As president, Obama did get an incremental form of health care reform through Congress — the Affordable Care Act, aka “Obamacare” — but it was one that preserved the fundamental injustices of the system. Many Americans stay in jobs they hate for fear of losing their employer health insurance. Others don’t have insurance at all, which sometimes leads to grisly outcomes like diabetics dying when they try to ration out their insulin. And even those lucky enough to be insured often are often faced with a bureaucratic nightmare when they have medical emergencies. For-profit insurance companies have every incentive to “Delay, Deny and Defend” when clients make claims. This phrase is the title of a 2010 book on the industry by Rutgers law professor Jay Feinman. And the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose” were reportedly written on the casings of the bullets found at scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in New York the day before Obama’s speech. If you want an indication of whether the reforms in Obamacare were sufficient to allay ordinary Americans’ anger about our health care system, look no further than the online reactions to that shocking act of violence. During Obama’s eight years in power, America’s wars in the Middle East ground slowly onward. This was a crucial factor in the rise of Trump, who was able to (deceptively) market himself as “anti-war.” And on the economic front, Obama continued George W. Bush’s policy of bailing out “too big to fail” banks while leaving homeowners who lost their houses in the 2008 crash underwater. He oversaw eight years of mounting economic inequality. Those eight years saw flashes of left-wing populist outrage like Occupy Wall Street and the first Bernie Sanders campaign. These were handily defeated by the powers-that-be, though, from the NYPD clearing the protesters from Zuccotti Park to the Democratic Party quelling the Sanders insurgency. And at the end of the day there was nowhere for all that populist energy to go but Trump. Obama’s liberalism is far more concerned with shattering glass ceilings for deserving strivers than raising the floor of material security for everyone. And that’s exactly the kind of liberalism that failed the first time — so spectacularly that a grotesque pseudo-populist demagogue was Obama’s immediate successor. Now Obama’s vice president, Joe Biden, is running out the clock on his presidency, and Trump is returning to power, this time with far more working-class support. Meanwhile, more than a few Americans have despaired so thoroughly of fixing our society through politics that they’re willing to cheer for an assassin murdering a health care CEO in broad daylight on the streets of Manhattan. We urgently need a far better response to the current crisis than anything the dominant faction of the Democratic Party is offering. And the first step is to stop listening to Barack Obama.

NYC’s mayor warms to Trump and doesn’t rule out becoming a Republican - The Associated PressBURLINGTON, N.J., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE: BURL), a nationally recognized off-price retailer of high-quality, branded apparel, footwear, accessories, and merchandise for the home at everyday low prices, announced today that Shira Goodman, former Chief Executive Officer of Staples, Inc., is joining its Board of Directors and its Audit Committee effective January 1, 2025. John Mahoney, Chairman of the Board, stated, "We are very pleased to welcome Shira to our Board as a highly accomplished business leader with considerable public company board experience. I believe that she will enhance the depth and strength of our Board as it continues to oversee the Company's continued strategic growth.” Michael O'Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very excited to have Shira as a Board member. She has almost three decades of experience in the retail industry, and her perspectives and expertise will benefit us as we continue to execute on the Burlington 2.0 strategy and aim to drive sales and earnings growth in the years ahead.” Ms. Goodman added, "I am excited to join Burlington's Board and work with the leadership team. I believe the Company is well positioned for continued growth and I am eager to contribute to the Company's continued success.” About Shira Goodman Ms. Goodman has served as an Advisory Director to Charlesbank Capital Partners, a private equity firm, since January 2019. She previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Staples, Inc. from September 2016 to January 2018. Ms. Goodman served in roles with increasing responsibility at Staples since joining the company in 1992, including President and Interim Chief Executive Officer from June 2016 to September 2016, President, North American Operations from January 2016 to June 2016, and President, North American Commercial from February 2014 to June 2016. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President of Global Growth from February 2012 to February 2014, Executive Vice President of Human Resources from March 2009 to February 2012, Executive Vice President of Marketing from May 2001 to March 2009, and in various other management positions. Prior to Staples, Ms. Goodman worked at Bain & Company from 1986 to 1992, in project design, client relationships and case team management. She currently serves on the board of directors of CarMax, Inc. and CBRE Group, Inc., and previously served on the board of directors of Henry Schein, Inc., Staples, Inc. and The Stride Rite Corporation. About Burlington Stores, Inc. Burlington Stores, Inc., headquartered in New Jersey, is a nationally recognized off-price retailer with Fiscal 2023 net sales of $9.7 billion. The Company is a Fortune 500 company and its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "BURL.” The Company operated 1,103 stores as of the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2024, in 46 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, principally under the name Burlington Stores. The Company's stores offer an extensive selection of in-season, fashion-focused merchandise at up to 60% off other retailers' prices, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, baby, beauty, footwear, accessories, home, toys, gifts and coats. For more information about the Company, visit www.burlington.com . Investor Relations Contacts: David J. Glick Daniel Delrosario 855-973-8445 [email protected] Allison Malkin ICR, Inc. 203-682-8225 Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements, except as required by law, even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those we expected, including general economic conditions, such as inflation, and the domestic and international political situation and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending; competitive factors, including the scale and potential consolidation of some of our competitors, rise of e-commerce spending, pricing and promotional activities of major competitors, and an increase in competition within the markets in which we compete; seasonal fluctuations in our net sales, operating income and inventory levels; the reduction in traffic to, or the closing of, the other destination retailers in the shopping areas where our stores are located; our ability to identify changing consumer preferences and demand; our ability to meet our environmental, social or governance ("ESG”) goals or otherwise expectations of our stakeholders with respect to ESG matters; extreme and/or unseasonable weather conditions caused by climate change or otherwise adversely impacting demand; effects of public health crises, epidemics or pandemics; our ability to sustain our growth plans or successfully implement our long-range strategic plans; our ability to execute our opportunistic buying and inventory management process; our ability to optimize our existing stores or maintain favorable lease terms; the availability, selection and purchasing of attractive brand name merchandise on favorable terms; our ability to attract, train and retain quality employees and temporary personnel in sufficient numbers; labor costs and our ability to manage a large workforce; the solvency of parties with whom we do business and their willingness to perform their obligations to us; import risks, including tax and trade policies, tariffs and government regulations; disruption in our distribution network; our ability to protect our protect our information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data, breaches of security, or other cyber-related attacks; risks related to the methods of payment we accept; the success of our advertising and marketing programs in generating sufficient levels of customer traffic and awareness; damage to our corporate reputation or brand; impact of potential loss of executives or other key personnel; our ability to comply with existing and changing laws, rules, regulations and local codes; lack of or insufficient insurance coverage; issues with merchandise safety and shrinkage; our ability to comply with increasingly rigorous privacy and data security regulations; impact of legal and regulatory proceedings relating to us; use of social media by us or by third parties our direction in violation of applicable laws and regulations; our ability to generate sufficient cash to fund our operations and service our debt obligations; our ability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements; the consequences of the possible conversion of our convertible notes; our reliance on dividends, distributions and other payments, advance and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations; the volatility of our stock price; the impact of the anti-takeover provisions in our governing documents; impact of potential shareholder activism; and each of the factors that may be described from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading "Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. For each of these factors, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.

We need role models for young men, people who show up consistently, who care and act before someone mentally deteriorates, Elon University's Greg Hlavaty writes in a guest column."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.None

TOM UTLEY: The infuriating reason every Christmas at the Utleys begins with smiles... and ends with blood on the carpetObasa Games 2024 indoor games end today

Westchester Soccer Club Debuts New Home Kit to Kick Off Upcoming SeasonYes, it's illegal to take pictures of a movie at the theatersBoarding planes early has several perks, including first dibs at overhead bin space and dodging long lines at the gate. With gate crowding becoming more common, American Airlines is implementing new technology to prevent unauthorized early boarding for travelers in later boarding groups. Here’s what American Airlines early boarding changes to expect. American Airlines Early Boarding Technology Passengers who try boarding American Airlines flights ahead of their assigned boarding group will hear two audible beeps when scanning their boarding pass at over 100 U.S. airports in time for Thanksgiving travel week. This sound requires the traveler to wait for the respective group to thwart unauthorized early boarding. The gate agent asks the passenger to rejoin the line as the software won’t accept the boarding pass yet. A notable exception is when a travel companion has the appropriate group. In this situation, the agent can override the restriction so both customers can board simultaneously. American Airlines began testing this modern technology in October 2024 at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and Tucson International Airport (TUS) as a pilot project. This initiative helps protect the airline's nine distinct boarding groups to moderate gate crowding and reward loyal flyers with AAdvantage elite status, premium cabin fares, or a co-branded American Airlines credit card. “We’ve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because it’s a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase,” says Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, Reservations and Service Recovery. “The initial positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations, so we are thrilled to leverage this technology to deliver for them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.” Before expanding to additional departure points, American Airlines will analyze insights over this year’s business holiday season at airports including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Other American Airlines Gate Experience Improvements Along with enhancing the assigned boarding procedures, the new American Airlines software platform can also perform these functions: Final Thoughts on the American Airlines Early Boarding Experience High travel volumes and numerous boarding groups can complicate the American Airlines gate experience. This new technology adds transparency and efficiency and prevents fraud during American Airlines early boarding. It also recognizes a valuable travel perk for some of the airline’s most loyal passengers. Related Articles:

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 The 27th China (Hainan) International Trade Fair for Tropical Agricultural Products unfolded at the Hainan Free Trade Port from December 5 to 8, solidifying its status as a premier platform for global agricultural advancement. Drawing participation from over 2,200 enterprises representing more than 10 countries and regions, the event showcased cutting-edge agricultural technology, promoted international trade, and fostered cross-border collaboration. International Participation Ignites Global Agricultural Exchange With participation from countries such as Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Tanzania, and Singapore, the Fair transformed into a vibrant global marketplace. Delegations, exhibitors, and buyers engaged in fruitful discussions, exploring partnerships and business prospects. The event drew over 60,000 visitors, catalyzing on-site transactions exceeding USD 60 million (RMB 442 million) and project signings worth close to USD 120 million (RMB 860 million). An Expansive Exhibition of Agricultural Marvels Spanning a vast 80,000 square meters, the Trade Fair was a bustling hub of agricultural abundance. Tens of thousands of exhibits from a wide range of categories were displayed, including fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, oils, tea, coffee, livestock, aquatic products, agricultural materials, advanced machinery, cross-border e-commerce solutions, and leisure agriculture innovations. As the host, Hainan showcased a rich array of local specialties, drawing significant attention. Products like finger lime, black sapote, South American white shrimp, Hainan snapper, Wenchang chicken, selenium-rich eggs, coffee, and tea captured the interest of buyers, spotlighting Hainan’s growing influence in the global tropical agriculture market. Hainan Grand Agriculture Co., Ltd. Leads with Tropical Fruit Innovations A major highlight of the Fair was the participation of Hainan Grand Agriculture Co., Ltd., known for its relentless pursuit of tropical fruit diversity. Over the last 10 years, the company has introduced over 680 tropical fruit varieties from across the globe and successfully cultivated 380 of them. Eye-catching products like yellow dragon fruit and white sapote were among the stars of the show, drawing attention from agricultural experts and international buyers alike. Shaping the Future of Hainan’s Agricultural Brand Another key moment of the event was the release of the much-anticipated “2024 Hainan Agricultural Brand Development Report.” The report celebrated Hainan’s achievements in agricultural branding over the past year, with “Hainan Fresh Produce” at the forefront of its branding efforts. This initiative aims to position Hainan’s tropical produce as premium global exports, reinforcing its influence in the global agricultural sector. The Role of Technology in Smart Farming Technology stole the spotlight at the Fair, with renowned companies like SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. unveiling revolutionary agricultural solutions. DJI’s agricultural drones, now a staple in smart farming, have been used to perform operations on over 2.5 billion mu/time in 2024 — covering about 38% of China’s arable land (1 mu = 667 m2). This breakthrough highlights the transformative role of technology in enhancing farming efficiency, reducing production costs, and promoting sustainability. A Legacy of Tropical Agriculture Excellence Since its inception in 1998, the China (Hainan) International Trade Fair for Tropical Agricultural Products has evolved into a signature event for tropical agriculture. Over its 27-year history, it has become a global platform for showcasing Hainan’s high-efficiency tropical agriculture and fostering trade cooperation. The 2024 edition proved no different, serving as a powerful platform for international collaboration, agricultural innovation, and investment. With a legacy of excellence, the Fair continues to raise the bar for agricultural advancement, cementing Hainan’s reputation as a leader in tropical agriculture.D uring my years as a fellow at Oxford, I shared a kitchen at my college with a Mexican working on her doctoral thesis on the Chicano Movement, a pivotal social and political movement in the U.S. focusing on Mexican-American rights and empowerment. While preparing a meal, we would chat into the night on some common areas of interest, mainly civil rights and social justice, or the cultural preservation and identity of the minorities. The lack of anti-war or anti-discrimination efforts by the state became one of our primary areas of conversation. Latino social justice movements on intersectional feminism and identity politics gave us an insight into the wide impact of such research. Through these exchanges, I developed a profound interest in the intricate dynamics between dissent, democratic values, and the challenges posed by authoritarian narratives, a subject I went on to link to my research on dissident politics in the U.S. Our kitchen became a hub for cultural exchange and intellectual discussions, a cornerstone of postgraduate life. Beyond intellectual discussions, I discovered the culinary heritage and the rich flavours of Chicano cuisine. Over cerveza and lively conversations, my friend and I would collaboratively cook traditional dishes such as chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers) and enchiladas rojas (red sauce-covered tortillas with meat). On some days, I would roast drumsticks or whip up Madhur Jaffrey’s iconic Chettinad pepper chicken learned from her classic BBC cookbook published decades ago. The subtle, tantalising aromas wafting through the rooms would entice neighbours to drop by for a bite. Our culinary adventures transcended mere cooking, evolving into a gastro-intellectual experience. We savoured not only the flavours but also the stories and traditions behind each dish, weaving together food, culture, and camaraderie. It so happened that before I left Oxford, I left my crockery and some utensils neatly stored in a corner of the sideboard. Four years later, I returned to Oxford and revisited my college digs where I had spent a meaningful part of my academic life. Astonishingly, on peeping into the kitchen, I discovered my utensils exactly where I had left them. No one — not even the caretaker or cleaning staff — had disturbed them. This small gesture spoke volumes about the university’s culture of trust and respect. I remember our kitchen’s sole refrigerator was shared by two of us, yet we effortlessly managed our individual space without prior demarcation. Each of us claimed a shelf, storing sandwiches, eggs, bacon, fish, beer, and wine. Remarkably, not a single item went missing. This unwritten understanding reinforced the spirit of fellowship that defined our living arrangement. The refrigerator, a shared space, transcended its practical purpose to represent our collective values, a testament to our harmonious interaction, where trust and mutual respect reigned. Many, many years have gone by, and as I savour a meal of butter chicken which I often cooked back in Oxford, memories flooded in. I recalled the college library, where students could borrow books without supervision. The honour system encouraged community involvement, integrity and self-regulation, inculcating in students the practice of borrowing books without supervision, and thereby fostering a sense of responsibility and uprightness. We would simply sign out books with our names, titles, and ID numbers, and return them by dropping them into a designated box. Year-end stock checks rarely revealed more than two or three missing books. One particular instance absorbed me. Two texts on economics went missing, and suspicion subtly fell on an Asian couple researching economics within the college. Invited to dinner at their residence, I spotted the missing books on a lower shelf. We later jokingly remarked, “Only a South Asian could think of such a theft!” Having experienced similar incidents during my M.Phil. days, I was not surprised. Back then, some classmates would tear out chapters or steal entire books, leaving the library vandalised. We knew the culprit — the eldest in our batch, who ironically posed as a fatherly figure to us aspiring teachers. His actions went unchecked, but the memory lingered. Oxford’s library, however, stood in stark contrast. Its trust-based system and minimal losses demonstrated the power of shared accountability and academic integrity. The shared kitchens and resources at Oxford created a nurturing environment for postgraduate students and visiting fellows, encouraging a spirit of closeness and intellectual curiosity. Through mealtime discussions, individuals formed lasting connections, broadened their academic horizons, and developed enduring bonds. shelleywalia@gmail.com Published - November 24, 2024 03:13 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit