Pride, Prejudice, and Peafowl
Like they say, "Beauty's in the Eye of the Beholder."
We run a nature retreat. Our hope is to encourage people to take the the foot off the fast life pedal, and to help observe the world up close. We notice patterns in every leaf, each piece of bark, or in the plumage of birds.
For this reason, we keep in close touch with nature. Our wooded property comprises of old growth trees, abundant flora and fauna. We even have a river running through our land. People enjoy their time here. Our recent addition has become a notable attraction.
Peafowl roam through our sprawling grounds. We value them immensely. The peacocks draw curious folk of all ages to our business. Our most valued employee is this one guy. He has charmed one and all. One would think winning hearts would seamlessly translate into him being a lady's man.
He's a magnificent bird, that Peacock. Let me relate his true story when I got to know him.
At first, he strutted in a vainglorious fashion all over the property. His plumage swept the grounds while walking as if it were a royal train. He seemed quite used to people, and I had to ask him, "Are you showing off for me now?" He shifted a little pompously, and I realized I could not have been more wrong. Almost invisible in her plainness, a peahen stood behind, looking at the ground, wandering, and basically doing her own thing.
I felt a great deal of sympathy for her, the one I perceived as plain. Beside her flamboyant mate, the contrast seemed painful. It's hard to look past so much peacock pulchritude. Sadness like a dull and drab cover, crept over me for her.
It wasn't long at all before I realized my sympathies were grossly misplaced. She was completely oblivious to the gorgeousness of her male friend. He seemed overly eager to get her attention in the most obvious ways, while she went about her own business, casting furtive glances at him now and then. Was she playing a hard to get game?
Undeterred by her lack of engagement, he continued showing-off. First, he strutted in front of her, but she turned her back to him. Then, he serenaded her with his song titled, Cacophony. The discordant cry got crumbs of her attention, and she moved her sight back to the ground.
Our man unflustered, undid his plumage, and he started to dramatically elevate it for her. Fanning most of it out, he stood proudly dancing in front of her. I almost died at the fifty shades of blue and green. Those eyes on the feathers hypnotized me, the unintended audience member. From the peahen however, all he got was a perfunctory, almost dismissive glance, while she went about her business. Relentless, he got in her face, fanned wider, with his plumage now in full glory. While I could not bear so much beauty, she just turned away without much care. So he shook the jewel-like fan, and it made a rustling sound like a breeze between swaying leaves. While I was transfixed with the spectacular performance, she seemed almost glacial. I tried to capture her in the pictures, she just preferred the background, the anonymity. It's hard to spot her in the pictures captured.
He decided to change strategy, and he slowly turned around for her. Not as glorious, he still looked impressive. She slowly looked up and held her gaze. He realized she liked that. Then he shook his derrière, ruffled a few unimpressive feathers in that area, and somehow, she was hooked. She stopped doing her work. Her attention was fully on him. Elated his charms were working; he shimmied and shook his bottom for her with enthusiastic gratitude. She joined him in this call, and together the peafowl walked happily into the sunset.
Beauty is subjective indeed, and the polygamous peahen finally picked up the "plain" peacock. All that vanity and puffery I thought the male showed, was actually a pride of effort. Oh, the poor misunderstood peacock! Look closely, and you'll see courtship is hard work, even in a Swipe-Left-Swipe-Right world.
About the Creator
Eyekay
I write because I must. I believe each one of us has the ability to propel humanity forward.
And yes, especially in these moments, Schadenfreude must not rule the web.
Why Putin Went Quiet When Challenged by Trump Over Venezuela
When U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January 2026, the world was stunned. Venezuela has long been a Russian ally, yet Russian President Vladimir Putin remained almost completely silent when challenged directly by U.S. President Donald Trump. Why would a leader so often outspoken on the world stage hold back in such a dramatic moment? Let’s unpack the story and explore what it means for global politics. A Bold Move That Shocked the World On January 3, U.S. forces executed a daring operation in Venezuela, taking Maduro into custody in New York to face charges including drug trafficking and narco‑terrorism. The operation was framed by the U.S. as a step to enforce justice, but critics saw it as an extraordinary overreach of power. Venezuela is no ordinary country for Russia. Since the days of Hugo Chávez, Moscow has cultivated close ties with Caracas, offering military support, energy deals, and diplomatic backing on the global stage. Past actions included Russian bombers visiting Venezuela and high-profile defense agreements. Given this history, many expected a fiery response from Putin. Yet, the Kremlin remained calm, issuing measured statements rather than sharp threats. Why Silence Was Strategic Experts suggest there are several reasons for Putin’s muted reaction, each revealing the careful calculation behind the Kremlin’s foreign policy. 1. Focus on the War in Ukraine Russia’s primary priority remains Ukraine. Engaged in a high-stakes military and diplomatic battle, Putin cannot afford distractions or new confrontations far from home. Escalating tensions with the United States over Venezuela could jeopardize Moscow’s position in Europe. A New York Times report highlighted that Russia is “subordinating all other interests to the war in Ukraine,” suggesting that even a high-profile ally like Venezuela takes a back seat to Moscow’s strategic goals. 2. Limited Military Options While Russia’s alliance with Venezuela is longstanding, much of the support has been symbolic rather than operational. Defense systems and military cooperation exist on paper, but Russia lacks the immediate ability to counter a U.S. operation thousands of miles away. Putin may have recognized that responding aggressively would be both ineffective and costly, potentially risking military and economic consequences that Moscow cannot afford. 3. Maintaining Diplomatic Channels with Washington With Donald Trump back in the White House since 2025, there has been cautious optimism in Moscow about recalibrating U.S.–Russia relations. Avoiding a dramatic confrontation over Venezuela keeps diplomatic channels open, allowing Russia to negotiate on other high-priority issues like Ukraine and sanctions relief. In other words, silence can be a calculated strategy, signaling restraint rather than weakness. 4. Russia’s Global Influence Is Waning The Maduro episode also highlights a broader geopolitical reality: Russia’s global reach has limits. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s influence in regions like the Middle East and parts of the former Soviet Union has weakened. Venezuela remains one of its few high-profile allies outside Europe, but even there, Russia’s power is largely symbolic. By not escalating, Putin is acknowledging a practical truth: Russia cannot be everywhere at once, and some battles are not worth fighting. 5. Choosing Battles Wisely Some analysts emphasize that Putin’s quiet response is more about strategic prioritization than capitulation. In a world dominated by nuclear powers and volatile global politics, direct confrontation with the United States over Venezuela could spiral into a far larger crisis. By staying silent, the Kremlin may be signaling that it picks its battles carefully, focusing resources on Ukraine, where the stakes are highest. What This Means for the World Putin’s silence sends several messages: Russia is currently stretched, economically and militarily. Moscow is prioritizing Ukraine over symbolic allies. Strategic restraint is sometimes more powerful than public confrontation. The limits of Russian influence are becoming more visible to the world. This episode reflects a new reality in geopolitics: power is as much about choosing when not to act as when to assert force. The Bigger Picture The capture of Maduro is a defining moment not just for Venezuela, but for global politics. It shows the United States asserting power in a way not seen for decades, while Russia’s quiet reaction underscores its current limits and priorities. For observers, Putin’s silence is a lesson in modern geopolitics: even the most assertive leaders exercise restraint when stakes are high and risks are global. In the end, the Maduro affair reminds us that in today’s world, the loudest response is not always the most effective one — sometimes, quiet calculation speaks volumes. Sources and Further Reading The US capture of Maduro reveals Russia’s weakness – Atlantic Council ‘It sends a horrible signal’: US politicians react to capture of Nicolás Maduro – The Guardian Russia slams 'neocolonial threats' against Venezuela – Reuters
By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in Earth
China’s Ambitious Satellite Plan: 200,000 Satellites and Counting
China has submitted an astonishing application to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to launch 200,000 satellites over the coming years. To put this into perspective, the entire world currently operates far fewer than this number. Even SpaceX’s Starlink project, one of the largest satellite networks globally, has plans for around 42,000 satellites. China’s proposal signals an unprecedented escalation in space activity and raises important questions: what are these satellites for, and what implications do they hold for global technology, security, and the environment? The Purpose Behind the Numbers At first glance, launching 200,000 satellites may seem excessive, but China’s goals are strategic and multifaceted. Experts suggest that these satellites could serve several purposes: 1. Global Internet Coverage China is aiming to build a massive low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, similar to Starlink and OneWeb. By positioning thousands of satellites closer to Earth, they can provide high-speed internet to remote regions, rural areas, and even ships or aircraft in the oceans. This could help China expand its digital influence globally, offering connectivity in areas where traditional internet infrastructure is weak or non-existent. 2. Enhanced Military and Surveillance Capabilities A satellite network of this scale is also a game-changer for defense and surveillance. Satellites can monitor troop movements, track ships, and provide early warning systems. China’s military has been investing heavily in space-based technology, and these satellites could be a crucial part of modernizing its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. 3. Scientific Research and Earth Observation Some of these satellites may be dedicated to Earth observation, collecting data on climate, agriculture, natural disasters, and urban development. With thousands of satellites constantly orbiting the planet, China could achieve near real-time monitoring of environmental changes and resource management, giving scientists and policymakers an unprecedented level of insight. 4. Competition in the Commercial Space Sector China’s plan is not purely for government use. The commercial potential of satellite networks is massive, from providing satellite internet services to supporting the burgeoning space economy. Companies under Chinese state and private ownership could leverage this infrastructure to offer services domestically and internationally, challenging Western tech giants in global space markets. The Scale of the Ambition Launching 200,000 satellites is not just ambitious; it’s historic. If approved and executed, China would operate more satellites than all other countries combined, fundamentally reshaping how space is utilized. However, there are serious logistical challenges. Manufacturing, launching, and maintaining hundreds of thousands of satellites requires enormous resources, advanced technology, and careful orbital planning to avoid collisions. China has made major progress in its space launch capacity, with frequent missions through the Long March rocket family and ongoing developments at the Wenchang and Jiuquan Spaceports. Yet, sustaining such a colossal fleet will test even the most advanced space programs. Global Implications The potential consequences of China’s satellite plan are profound, both technologically and geopolitically. 1. Space Traffic Management A network of 200,000 satellites could drastically increase the risk of collisions in orbit. Space debris is already a growing concern, and introducing tens of thousands of new satellites may exacerbate this problem. International cooperation and sophisticated traffic management systems will be essential to prevent catastrophic accidents in space. 2. Geopolitical Tensions China’s space ambitions may intensify global rivalry in space technology, particularly with the United States, Europe, and other spacefaring nations. Control over satellite networks can translate into strategic advantages, from military surveillance to dominance in global communications infrastructure. This may lead to a new phase of space competition reminiscent of the Cold War’s space race. 3. Impact on Astronomy Astronomers have already expressed concern over satellite mega-constellations interfering with observations. Thousands of bright satellites moving across the night sky can distort telescope images and hinder research into deep space phenomena. If China proceeds with 200,000 satellites, the challenge to professional and amateur astronomers will be enormous. 4. Global Connectivity Revolution On the positive side, if managed responsibly, China’s satellite network could revolutionize global connectivity, bringing internet access to millions of people who currently have none. It could accelerate digital development in underserved regions, support education, and foster global commerce in unprecedented ways. Regulatory Hurdles The ITU regulates global satellite usage, including frequency allocation and orbital slots. For China to launch 200,000 satellites, it must secure approval from the ITU, which evaluates whether such an immense network could interfere with other countries’ satellites or violate international agreements. This is not a mere formality—approval for a project of this scale could take years and may require negotiations with multiple nations. Conclusion: A Bold Step Toward the Future China’s application to launch 200,000 satellites is a bold statement about the future of space and global technology. It reflects the country’s ambition to dominate in digital infrastructure, military capability, and commercial space enterprise. While challenges abound—from space debris and regulatory hurdles to geopolitical tensions—the potential benefits are significant, particularly for connectivity and scientific advancement. As the world watches China’s next steps, one thing is clear: the age of satellite mega-constellations is here. How humanity navigates the risks and rewards of this new frontier will shape the future of communication, security, and our presence in space for decades to come.
By Muhammad Hassanabout 19 hours ago in Earth
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