In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the chemical processes hidden within the cosmetics we use every day and shed new light on their value.   Appearance isn’t everything, but we live in an era where it matters a great deal. Whether meeting a potential partner for the first time or attending a job interview, appearance plays a significant role in the first impressions we form of...

In this blog post, we’ll explore why recycling waste heat from crematoriums evokes emotional resistance despite its environmental benefits, and examine its importance from a thermodynamic perspective.   I recall reading an unusual article a long time ago. It described how a small town in the UK was using waste heat from a crematorium to heat a nearby swimming pool, among other things. While...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the dual nature of fossil fuels—how they have driven humanity’s remarkable progress while also causing environmental problems.   Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas Coal is a fossil fuel formed when layers of trees—composed primarily of cellulose and lignin—accumulated in thick deposits and were carbonized under pressure. Depending on the degree of carbonization, it...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the necessity and limitations of fossil fuels and explore how we can address sustainability and environmental issues.   Definition and Overview of Fossil Energy The English word “energy” refers, in physics, to the ability to perform work. Furthermore, since an energy source is required to generate physical energy, the term “energy” is often combined with the...

In this blog post, I’d like to share the places that left a lasting impression on me and some of the little stories from my 6-night, 7-day trip to Hong Kong and Macau.   Two Days in Macau I arrived at Incheon International Airport with mixed feelings of anticipation and anxiety. My worries were short-lived, however; having lost sleep the night before due to the excitement of traveling...

How did Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin—a cold-blooded ruler who killed his own brothers—become one of history’s greatest rulers? Through the ‘Zhenguan Zhengyao’, we examine how his active listening and leadership influenced the management of his organization.   The Power of Active Listening: Emperor Taizong of Tang and the ‘Zhenguan Zhengyao’ What does it take to...

In this blog post, we’ll explore the principles and characteristics of shape-memory alloys and introduce examples of their applications, ranging from everyday life to cutting-edge technology.   An antenna that folds into a compact size for easy transport but unfolds fully in space; a shirt whose sleeves automatically roll up when it gets hot; glasses that return to their original shape even...

This blog post explains the basic concepts of recommendation systems, focusing on the principles and application examples of collaborative recommendations.   Overview of Recommendation Systems and Data Mining You may recall seeing phrases like “Customers who bought this item also bought” on the U.S. online bookstore amazon.com. This is a service that suggests to users while they are...

In this blog post, we’ll explore how academic disciplines that appear disconnected from reality can contribute to human progress and the accumulation of knowledge.   What is the ultimate purpose of academia? The reason scholarship is useful in daily life and the pursuit of it brings joy is that scholarship is, after all, nothing other than the pursuit of truth. Truth and scholarship are not...

In this blog post, I will systematically refute, using various examples and theoretical grounds, Chalmers’ claims in ‘The Philosophy of Modern Science’ regarding the absence of well-defined goals and methods in magic, as well as his argument denying the social urgency of magic.   The Issue and Fayerabend’s Position Can science be said to be superior to magic? Some argue that it...