Capitalism vs. Communism: 

 

A Comparative Analysis

​Capitalism and Communism represent the two most influential and contrasting economic systems in modern history. While both systems aim to organize the production and distribution of goods and services within a society, they diverge fundamentally on key issues such as ownership, wealth distribution, and the role of the state. Understanding these differences is crucial for grasping the political and economic conflicts that have shaped the world over the last two centuries.

 

​The primary and most significant difference between the two systems lies in the ownership of the means of production—the factories, land, machinery, and resources necessary to create wealth. Capitalism, rooted in the philosophy of Adam Smith, promotes individual rights and self-interest, believing that free markets lead to efficiency and innovation. Communism, developed from the theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, advocates for collective ownership, arguing that private property creates class conflict and exploitation.

 

​Here is an outline of the main differences between the two systems:

​Capitalism

​Ownership of Production: The means of production (factories, land, resources) are owned by private individuals and corporations.

 

​Driving Motivation: The system is driven by the profit motive and the pursuit of individual self-interest.

 

​Role of Government: Government intervention is generally minimal (laissez-faire), focusing mainly on protecting private property rights and enforcing contracts.

 

​Economic Planning: The economy is governed by the market mechanism—prices and production are determined by the forces of supply and demand.

 

​Wealth Distribution: Wealth is distributed unequally, based on the individual's ability, labor, investment, and success in the competitive market, leading to class stratification.

 

​Competition and Innovation: Free and open competition is encouraged, which theoretically drives innovation, efficiency, and lower consumer prices.

 

​Communism

​Ownership of Production: The means of production are owned collectively by the community or the state on behalf of the people.

 

​Driving Motivation: The system is driven by the principle of collective welfare and equality, aiming to meet the needs of all citizens.

 

​Role of Government: The government (or a centralized party) has total control over the economy, functioning as a central planner and administrator.

 

​Economic Planning: The economy is based on central planning, where the government determines what is produced, how much, and at what price.

 

​Wealth Distribution: Wealth is distributed equitably, ideally based on the principle of "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs," aiming for a classless society.

 

​Competition and Innovation: Competition is generally absent or severely limited, as profit Incentives are eliminated in favor of fulfilling government quotas.

 

​In conclusion, capitalism prioritizes individual liberty, efficiency through competition, and private ownership, leading to high levels of economic growth but often significant inequality. Communism, in its theoretical form, prioritizes equality, collective welfare, and public ownership, aiming for a society free of class divisions, though in practice, historical communist states have often suffered from lack of efficiency, limited freedom, and authoritarian rule.

 

 

( From Digital Anvil) 

Conservative, Not Extremist ?

🇺🇸🇦🇺🇦🇨✝️ I’m Not an Extremist… I’m a Conservative Who’s Tired of Being Lied About:

One of the biggest problems in America and other free Western nations right now isn’t just politics…

It’s that we’ve lost the ability to disagree without demonizing each other…

And I’m going to say something that might surprise many people:

I actually LIKE it when someone disagrees with me in good faith…

Not the name- calling.

Not the insults.

Not the  pseudo - religious accusations…

These insults are boring and disturb the peace...

But real conversation.

Because contrary to the propaganda…

Most conservatives are not extremists…

We’re normal as true Westerners  who:

work,

raise families,

pay taxes,

go to church,

care about our communities,

and want a country that still has order, safety, and truth…

And lately, anyone who supports Trump  and other nationalists gets treated like we’re a threat to Western society… thanks to the legacy media and autocratic leadership...

So let’s talk about the REAL issues people have with Trump ,Orban and the honest conservative response… 

Not as extremists.

As citizens.

 but let’s start with these… 

✅ “Trump is mean and aggressive .”

Yes!

He can be blunt. 

He can be abrasive.

He’s not polished like Reagan.

He’s not gentle like a pastor.

But here’s the thing:

I’m not voting for a politician...

I’m voting for policies that protect and uplift others without creating neo-classes

You can dislike his tone and still recognize what many of us recognize:

He says what he thinks.

He doesn’t pretend.

He doesn’t care if the political class  does not approve....

And people aren’t angry because he’s “mean.”

They’re angry because he doesn’t follow THEIR script.. and He isn’t an over- rehearsed politician…

✅ “Trump doesn’t believe in limited government...

But here’s the conservative position:

Limited government does NOT mean powerless government…

It means government stays in its lane.

And the government’s lane includes:

border security,

law enforcement,

national defense,

ventures common good,

economic protection of citizens, lifting the poor and constitutional rights.

When the federal government and other demo/autocratic governments can control your speech, your job, your education, your kids, and your bank account…

That’s not “compassion.”

That’s tyranny with a hidden smirk.

So yes, I want smaller government.

But I also want government strong enough to enforce law and protect citizens…

✅ “Trump is racist.”

This is one of the most abused accusations in modern politics… 

People throw it out because it’s the fastest way to end a conversation… 

But wanting secure borders is not racism.

Wanting citizenship to matter is not racism.

Wanting criminals and others who game the system, deported is not racism.

Trump is married to a foreigner.. the Second Lady is of Indian descent.. i mean.. that is a lousy racist if he was one..  

Most conservatives support legal immigration.

We love immigrants who come here, work hard, become  assimilated citizens and build lives.

What we reject is hateful lawlessness.

Because every nation on earth has the right to enforce its borders and enforce common law...

That’s not hate.

That’s sovereignty.

✅ “Trump is anti-immigrant.

This is the lie that keeps getting repeated.

Here’s the truth:

Law enforcement is valid

A border is valid

Massive immigration isn't valid if it unfairly 'displaces' native citizens, breaks social cohesion, creates enclaves of exclusives and pressures failing infrastructure.

Deportation or temporary selectivity is valid...

The invalidity is pretending that there are no consequences… then letting organised traffickers, exploitives and criminals ruin people while  true citizens are told to shut up and accept it.

Compassion without truth is not compassion.

It’s chaos.

And chaos always hurts the innocent first.

✅ “Trump is authoritarian.”

If Trump were truly authoritarian, you wouldn’t be able to post that he’s Hitler all day long with zero consequence…

The word “authoritarian” gets used now to describe anything the left- wing  doesn’t like:

enforcing the border,

removing criminals,

arresting rioters,

Exposing scammers,

cutting bureaucracies,

or blocking ideological indoctrination.

That’s not authoritarianism.

That’s a government doing what it exists to do:

protect citizens and enforce law.

Now listen …can government agencies abuse power?

Yes. Absolutely.

And conservatives are the FIRST ones to demand accountability…

We don’t want a police state or a nanny state.

We want rule of law,equal human rights and equal opportunity...

✅ “So do you support everything Trump does?”

No!

And this is where the media gets it wrong.

i don’t have to admire a man to support policies…

I can hold two things at once:

I can criticize Trump and other politicians, but that's getting harder in some free nations...

And still believe he is fighting for (American) and  Other nations' sovereignty, energy security, public safety,  prosperity and constitutional boundaries more than the modern left is…

That doesn’t make me extremist.

That makes me rational.

I am not extreme for wanting:

secure borders,

lower costs,

prosperity,

energy independence,

law and order,

constitutional limits,

truth over propaganda.

I’m not hateful for wanting laws enforced.

I’m not dangerous for loving my country.

I’m not evil because I don’t bow to mainstream narratives and for not apologising for poorer policies of earlier eras...

And I’m DONE letting people shame conservatives into silence…

If you want  to virtue signal,go ahead,the writing is drying on the wall...

But stop calling the majority of citizens who vote conservative politicians into office, extremists just because we refuse to comply with nonsense… 

Faith. Family. Freedom. ✝️🇦🇺🇮🇱🇺🇸

(Adapted and Re-worked by Digital Anvil)

Comment if you will ? Love to hear from You? 

Population, One Hundred-Then and Now

Population 100 persons-- Then and Now 

 Simply Eye-opening stuff?

 

The 'Miniature Earth Projecť was originally published in 2001.

releasing some remarkable statistics which suggests

that if the entire world's population was summarised into a

miniature village represented by only 100 people

 

This what it would look like:

5 people own 59 % of the entire wealth of the World.

18 struggle to live on US$1 a day or less

53 struggle to live on US$2 a day or less

13 are hungry and malnourished

14 cannot read

7 are educated at secondary level

12 have a computer.

3 have an internet connection

If you keep food in a refrigerator, your clothes in a closet, if you have a bed to sleep in and a roof over

your head, you are richer than 71 % of the world population

If you have a bank account, you're one of the 30 wealthiest people in the world

It's a sobering thought, but this is the reality of the world in which we live. While we measure wealth by the sum of financial accumulation. others do so by the measure of whether

or not they have food and shelter for the day.

The vision of William and Catherine Booth,founders of the Salvation Army for a broken world was contained in their service to mankind with love,care and grace.

 

 

Tap or click the link below:

 

 

 This Link shall show you what the latest statistics are for the World if compressed into 100 persons at this time. (A Global Village )

 

enjoy and be enthralled. 

 

 

2025 Updated Global Village Statistics 

 

 

 

(by Digital Anvil.) 

Gratitude:

Thank You>>> Ruby & Icy.

For being Great and doing Good.

 The Struggle in Iran: ( Re-Work)

 

What You can do About It? 

 

With the Iranian communication blackout in its 19th day,its almost impossible to estimate and confirm the number of murders and injured during the massive country- wide uprising. Bullets,truncheons and other brutal forces are not enough to stop this massive anti-regime ' mutiny.'

However conservative  estimate start from about 6000 deaths to 35,600 brutally murdered. Whatever the case, brutal crackdown is taking place with citizens facing death and injury with nothing but freedom chants and fear! Their bodies lay in streets, makeshift morgues and overstretched hospital systems.

 

We must not shy away. Compassion is needed and intervention is urgently necessary.  Don't look away.

But will help arrive?

Please contact God and others to pressure your authorities in your nation.

Time and space is at a premium among the silent majority of western nations. Pray, inform and don't delay.

Send messages,no matter what,anyway.

Iran's struggle is ours,against a brutal fist,make a stand.

(By Digital Anvil)

Help them-- the ordinary- the you and I.

Before Islam, all these countries were…

• Saudi Arabia - Polytheism.

• Yemen - Polytheism.

• Egypt - Christianity.

• Turkey - Christianity.

• Lebanon - Christianity.

• Syria - Christianity.

• Palestine - Judaism.

• Israel - Judaism.

• Pakistan - Hinduism.

• Bangladesh - Hinduism.

• Kashmir - Hinduism.

• Afghanistan - Buddism.

• Malaysia - Buddism/Hinduism.

• Indonesia - Buddism/Hinduism.

• Iraq - Christianity/Zoroastrianism.

• Iran - Zoroastrianism.

• Kurdistan - Zoroastrianism/Yazidism.

• Nigeria - African Traditional Religions.

Why don't we start asking questions that actually matters…

How come the youngest religion have 57 countries while the oldest religion have only 1?

What happened to all the religion and native people before islam?

Isn't it interesting how one of the largest colonization is never questioned. How do you think Islam got in those countries?

If Israel is committing whatever they are accused of doing then why Israel have 2 million Palestinians Muslim.

Lucy Aharish, a Arab muslim journalist from Israel:> Try finding a Jew in position of power in Islamic countries?

(From the Internet: Digital Anvil)

Life: The Big 3- follow- up.

(Digital Anvil takes an unprecedented step. See below.)

To follow up the previous post: Life: The Big 3, in which Cindy reflectively mused...

I add my additional thought in which an unknown commentator gave the following...

"One of the values of Scripture is that it has an answer to every human problem, of whatever kind, era, dimension or significance." 

 It is true that not all the church problems of the 1st Century are identical to the problems of the church in the 21st  Century. But even though the problems change, God's principles stand sure,-timeless statements of biblical truth that are just as applicable today as they were in ancient days two thousand years ago! 

Prove that to yourself by asking "have you read some of Bible and if so 

 what insight have you gained from reading the manual for life?"

 

Since you have gained insight once, then surely as the sun rises each day,you shall gain insight again.

( by Digital Anvil )

Thanks for your thoughtful and concise comment,Cindy, and may Our God who you seek provide the Light in the (temporary) darkness while you faithfully wait. Know that God shall reach down to You. Your questions prompt His answers. Sometimes you have to faithfully continue, while God moves heaven and earth,to solve your issues/ questions/ events/ tasks in His timing. Thank Him before you even receive Your answers!

Blessings and favour for this year!

Living Longer ?

At the end of the 1800s, a 60-year-old was considered to be “near death’s door.”

 

 One hundred years later, in the 21st century, a 60-year-old is barely old enough to retire. Our life expectancy continues to increase, and even better, we are staying healthier for longer. In later years, we can actually expect to live more active, engaged lives.

It seems to me, though, that there is little point in extending the length of our lives if we don’t also extend the quality of our lives. I don’t just mean health and wealth, but relationships, purpose, and significance. What would be the point of living longer if it only extends a sad or empty existence?

My hope is that we all have long lives, but I also hope that we find a reason to live. Take some time to reflect on the God who created us to know Him. Explore faith, which gives life meaning and a reason to live longer.

Share this post.

Many thanks to Karl Faase for this daily-reading.

(Ageed: Digital Anvil)

Life: The Big 3.

Life,for many, rests on

three major assumptions:

 1. Life always has meaning. Life has meaning under all circumstances and

-at all times. There is something instinctive in the human being that leads us to want

preserve life. both for ourselves and also for those whose lives we see to be in danger. Moral,spiritual and existential danger.

Many insist on the meaning of life as a reality.

2. The greatest desire of the human being is to find meaning.

Since we have been on this earth, human beings have grappled with fundamental questions such as Why am I here? How should I live,given that i must die? Where and with Whom do I find answers?

Is there something beyond just my own existence, an overarching meaning to life itself?

Life as a journey does  provide answers. We recognise that each person must grapple

with and find answers to these big questions.

3. Human beings have freedom of choice. The human being always has

the capacity to make a choice, to take a stand. We have the capacity to choose

meaningful directions in our life and something within us  ( conscience) will make us uncomfortable

with choosing anything else in the longer term.

A summary of life's 3 major assumptions.

Meaning.

Search.

Choice.

( by Digital Anvil)

 An A-Muse-ment:

 

 

Could granite and marble find a soulmate with warmth like the fun of the beach and the sun?

Or can love dressed in black seem other than darkness taking a nap?

Would dreams split like atoms creating fission because it seemed a fashion?

When life tracks grime on your journey,healing does not just come on a gurney.

A home,a place away from the rat-race. White rushes to and fro,who said life meant accepting a nefarious  rainbow?

Colour meant  status while someone else held black and white in stasis!

( by Digital Anvil)

J.K.Rowling: A Hollow Success?

 

 J.K.Rowling: 

A Hollow Success?

 

J.K. Rowling has publicly stated that she identifies as a Christian. She has also been clear that her beliefs do not always fit neatly into modern evangelical categories. Yet what makes her story compelling is not how she labels herself—but what she admits success could not do.

Rowling became one of the most successful authors in history. Global fame. Massive wealth. Cultural influence on a scale few humans ever experience. If achievement could satisfy the soul, her life should have been overflowing with meaning.

It wasn’t.

In her widely cited Harvard commencement speech, Rowling acknowledged that success did not answer life’s deepest questions. Reaching the top stripped away illusions—but it did not give purpose. Money removed certain fears but introduced others. Applause did not tell her who she was when everything went quiet.

What shaped her most was not winning. It was failure. Hardship. Responsibility. And the confrontation with what truly matters when titles, praise, and comfort are gone.

That confession aligns precisely with Scripture.

The Bible never promises fulfillment through achievement. It warns against it. When success becomes the anchor, the soul drifts. When identity is built on accomplishment, it collapses under pressure. Wealth and recognition can magnify a life—but they cannot define it.

Rowling’s values—particularly around truth, conscience, and moral responsibility—often align more closely with conservative convictions than with the cultural tide that now demands affirmation over reality. And whether intentionally or not, her words echo a biblical principle that transcends denomination: meaning is not found in self-fulfillment, but in something deeper than self.

You can reach the top and still feel hollow. Scripture has said this long before modern culture tried to deny it. Rowling didn’t preach a sermon—but her honesty confirms one. #christian

( Extracted from Internet and agreed with by Digital Anvil )

Could you confirm its values? Are you wiser than this? Or has it broken your aims by a camel's straw? Comment at will.

From Socrates to God

 

From Socrates (thinking) to God (trusting )

 

Socrates once stated, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” We would add, “An unexamined faith is not worth trusting.” Faith means trust in or reliance on someone or something. 

An expanded definition might be that faith is confident trust in what you have good reason to believe. Faith is trust in someone that changes you. And we all exercise faith. Even the act of thinking requires faith that our reason is reliable and our thoughts actually correspond to reality outside of ourselves.

 

( adapted by Digital Anvil)

Israel still Stands.

Though surrounded by armies of delusion: the State of Israel...

 Science?

 

 Science provides only a glimpse into the omniscience of God.

 

Man is a beneficiary of God.

 

 (by Digital Anvil) 

 Bill Maher: Cause.

 

 

In a social media clip, Bill Maher,left wing comedian, but with incisive,satirical humour promotes a genuine cause for more than just Gen Z.

Gender Apartheid

 For more on the Gender Apartheid cause,please tap or click on link above.

( Agreed:Digital Anvil)

( where have all the feminists gone?)

 

Summer Here Today 

 

Everyday feels like rain runaway.

Summer is here to stay.

Ruby,hooray.

Yay!

 

Iran: Change or Death ( Cont 3) 

 

 

[Digital Anvil takes unprecedented step.]

These protests are not the first time the Iranian population has demonstrated against their country’s leadership since the 1979 revolution. 

In 2022, mass protests erupted after 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini was killed following her arrest by the regime’s morality police for not wearing her hijab.

While those protests were significant, the regime ultimately remained intact. Since that time, Iran has continued to consolidate its power, especially on a regional stage. It financially and militarily backs Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Last year, Iran and Israel engaged in a two-week war, the first direct conflict between the two nations. During this time, Iran’s nuclear program was weakened.

Now, Iran’s leadership is on the brink of collapse. There is a world in which the exiled, pro-U.S. Pahlavi dynasty regains power.

The implications for everyday Iranians and the region are significant.

Dear Readers,if you know any followers or you are a believer, please pray and inform those around you about the carnage and massacre in Iran.

My gratitude with enthusiasm to The Daily Aus digital newsletter for the series: Iran: Change or Death ?

I commend The Daily Aus for their fearless yet clear reporting.

I recommend their newsletter !

(Agreed: Digital Anvil )

 

 Iran:Change or Death?  (Cont 2 )

 

The story so far... 

 

 

1970s Rewind:

it’s important to understand the power structures that exist in Iran. To do that, we need to rewind to the 1970s. At that time, Iran looked very different to the country we know today. It was ruled by a U.S-backed leader, and was increasingly Westernised and secularised.

The Iranian Revolution:

Then, in 1978, the Iranian population staged a year-long uprising, deposing the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This became known as the Iranian Revolution. 

Khomeinism

Since 1979, the country has been an Islamic Republic with a Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khomeini was the Supreme Leader until his 1989 death, imposing laws based on a conservative interpretation of Islamic teachings, and opposing the ‘westernisation’ of Iran. 

Overall, the country is run by religious clerics who impose conservative, Islamic laws and regulations on Iranians. 

 

Origins of the  mass protests

These protests started on 28 December 2025, when shopkeepers (known as bazaaris) in Tehran started demonstrating after the rial (Iran’s currency) hit an all-time low against the U.S. dollar. Iran’s economy has been struggling for a while now, but this was a significant moment. A day later, the head of the Central Bank of Iran resigned.

It came as figures showed that Iran’s official inflation rate reached 42.5% in December. For context: Australia’s inflation rate was 3.4% in the year to November. These economic challenges were deepened by the effects of U.S. led sanctions on Iran.

The bazaaris closed their shops to protest the impact of Iran’s collapsing currency on their businesses. The Iranian regime responded with small economic measures, hoping that would quell discontent. 

 

Protests evolve

Over the past three weeks or so, the protests have grown in size, nature and significance, with initial economic concerns transforming into broader political disillusionment.  Protests are being staged in every single province across Iran, with demonstrators calling for the complete overthrow of the regime. 

Protesters have been chanting “Death to Khamenei” and “Death to the dictator” along with messages of support for the former monarchy (the Shah). 

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, encouraged protesters in a recent statement: “Take to the streets and, as one united front, shout your demands.” 

Violent Crackdown:

Iranian authorities have launched a violent crackdown against protesters. Last Thursday, authorities blocked internet and phone access, effectively cutting Iranians off from the rest of the world. The communications blackout means it’s next to impossible for news outlets to verify important updates from Iran, including death tolls

. This is why reports on the casualties in Iran vary significantly.

One group, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, puts the death toll at an estimated 2,600 people. London-based new outlet Iran International estimates the toll is at 12,000 people. 

Without any reporters on the ground, it’s impossible for The Daily Aus to independently verify these figures. However, the Centre for Human Rights in Iran, based in New York, said in a statement earlier this week that “a massacre is unfolding. The world must act now to prevent further loss of life”.

Of the limited vision trickling out of the country, we’ve seen videos of hundreds of bodies piled in a makeshift morgue, machine guns fired at protesters and reports of ordered executions of at least one protester.

 

International involvement

As all of this unfolds within Iran’s borders, you might’ve also seen headlines about possible U.S. involvement. 

 U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that the U.S. would come to the “rescue” of Iranians if authorities killed protesters. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he added. 

Tensions have continued to escalate. 

Last weekend, Iran’s Supreme Leader accused the protesters of acting to “please the President of the U.S.” A day later, President Trump told media “the [U.S.] military is…looking at some very strong options”. 

As Trump continues weighing his options, U.S. officials announced new sanctions against “key Iranian leaders” on Friday. It comes days after the President declared: “Any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.”

To be continued...

Again I thank the digital newsletter: The Daily Aus for this above  edited Post. Whose reporting is fair, balanced and concise.

( Agreed: Digital Anvil )

 Iran: Change or Death ?

 What is Occurring ?

 

Iran is experiencing its largest anti-regime protests in years. Demonstrations have spread across the country, with reports suggesting thousands have been killed in a violent crackdown by authorities. 

What began as an economic protest has evolved into a mass movement calling for the overthrow of Iran's leadership. It’s raised questions about regional stability and potential international intervention. 

With the Iranian regime imposing an internet blackout across the country, sourcing real-time news is becoming increasingly difficult

Let’s get into it.  

Todays Introduction and the following is brought to you by The Daily Aus.

( i commend the digital newsletter to you for balanced,yet fearless reporting- The Daily Aus )

See the first portion coming tomorrow...

 Democracy: Man's Measure and Downfall ?

 

 

A measure of man is the quality of life in a civilisation that deals rightly, equally and transmits basic and advanced freedoms to the next generation and tribes,cliques and neighbours. 

Each individual has a voice. Clearly some are louder than others. Democracy cries out freely, sacrificially and with least hindrance. Other systems fail the collective a-n-d the individual.

Of course the saying: ' Know thyself' is aimed at the individual and thus the society.

Unexamined lives are Not worth living.

Pluralistic societies can become one if the foundation is  stable, unaltered democracy.

But the very flower of democracy contains the seed of its own destruction.

Can you guess what that is?

(Written with alarm: Digital Anvil)

Some Things Cannot Be Scheduled

I live by my diary - meetings, retreat times, days away travelling and specific tasks are all carefully added to the diary. Each day is scheduled, each week is programmed, each year planned. When I need help with my time management there is no end of the fabulous devices available to help me.

Yet the truth of life which constantly confronts me is that some things can't be scheduled. We all find this difficult because we live in a buy-it-now, fix-it-quick, take-it-all and have-it-all society.

But you can't schedule love. You can't just 'order in' strong relationships. Health issues are not always a quick-fix away and the joys of families and children do not always happen on cue. Pandemics suddenly strike and everything changes.

And at the moment, with so much having been cancelled and our schedules in disarray, we are reminded that we don't control life, and some things are a matter of trust and faith.

The weakness of our scheduled lives is that we can start to believe that we control everything. It is a tough lesson to discover we are not God and we can't control life - that job is already taken.

But it's also a lesson of comfort and hope, because when we realise we aren't in control, we are free to hand over control to someone who knows much better than we do: God. I urge you to do that today.

Daily- reading by Karl Faase with many thankful thoughts.

(Agreed: Digital Anvil )

 1979 vs 2026 Iran

 

 

 

Comparing Iran in 1979 to Iran today in 2026 reveals a fascinating and tragic set of reversals. 

While the 1979 Revolution was driven by a powerful, unified ideological surge to replace an ailing, out of touch monarchy with an extreme Muslim  theocracy, 

Today’s Iran is characterized by deep disillusionment and a struggle between that brutal, autocratic establishment and a modern, digital-native population.

To  explore this a little, we can look at three main areas of contrast:

1. The Source of Ideology:

 

In 1979, the movement was fueled by "Khomeinism"—a blend of political Islam and anti-imperialism. It was a convergent movement where millions of people from different backgrounds (students, merchants, clerics) unified under one banner to oust the Shah.

 Today: The contrast is stark. The current generation is largely described as post-ideological. Instead of a unified religious or Marxist vision, the focus has shifted to universal Western values like human rights, individual freedom, and economic stability.

2. Social & Demographic Reality:

 

The physical and social makeup of the country has transformed:

 Urbanization: In 1979, Iran was still a majority rural society (roughly 55%). Today, over 75% of Iranians live in cities, making the population much more connected and harder to control through older traditional means.

 Education: 

Literacy and female education rates have skyrocketed since the revolution. Ironically, the very system that expanded education to the neglected now faces a highly educated younger population that demands the social freedoms the system denies.

3. Economic Stability:

 

The 1970s saw an oil boom that made Iran a rising global economic power, though wealth was concentrated among the elite.

 Today:

 Iran faces a permanent crisis By early 2026, the country is grappling with 60% inflation, a severely devalued currency, and crumbling infrastructure due to decades of sanctions, corruption and mismanagement.

The  obvious contrast is that in 1979, the people were running toward a new system they believed in; today, the pepple are trying to move away from that same system. Which had promised much but delivered less and less as years passed.

(By Digital Anvil.)

The Power of Forgiveness ?

The Power Of Forgiveness?

We know it's important to forgive others, but it is often framed in religious language and thought of as a good 'spiritual' thing to do. Yet it seems that forgiveness can also impact our personal health and wellbeing.

Researchers have found that those who forgive have lower blood pressure, fewer depressive symptoms, and better overall mental and physical health than those who do not forgive easily.

It seems though that it is not just the act of forgiving others but also being able to forgive yourself, which can have a positive impact. Dr Loren Toussaint, a psychologist from Iowa in the US, found that men who do not readily forgive themselves are seven times more likely to meet the full diagnostic criteria for clinical depression than men who can forgive themselves. This is also true of women, who are three times less likely to have the symptoms of clinical depression than women who are prone to self-blame.

Jesus' challenge to forgive is not just good spiritual advice but it actually has a positive impact on all parts of our lives, including our health.

Share this post.

Courtesy Karl Faase with many thanks.

(Agreed: Digital Anvil )

Iran 14/01/2026

Today, January 14, 2026, Iran is facing a period of intense internal upheaval and a severe government crackdown. A wave of nationwide protests that began in late December 2025 has escalated into what some analysts are describing as a revolutionary movement. While the unrest was initially triggered by a dramatic collapse in the value of the national currency (the rial) and soaring inflation, the demands of the protesters have shifted toward calling for an end to the clerical Governmental establishment. ( Examples include chants of " death to the Dictators.")

In response, the Iranian government has implemented a near-total nationwide internet blackout to disrupt coordination and limit the flow of information to the outside world. Despite this, reports from human rights organizations indicate a heavy-handed ( including deadly force ) security response. As of this week, credible estimates suggest the death toll has exceeded 600 people, with thousands more injured or detained. International tension is also rising, with the United States warning of potential intervention to protect protesters and the Australian Government urging its citizens to leave the country immediately.

The situation remains extremely volatile as the regime labels demonstrators as "terrorists" and "foreign agents" while signaling that a further, even harsher?, clampdown is imminent At the same time, the Iranians abroad and international bodies like the UN have expressed profound alarm over the scale of the violence. Note: Only the US has signalled more than " alarm."

If you have sources/comments,please let us know?

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( derived from Internet sources)

 

Iran Today ? 

  

In Iran today there are widespread protests that began with economic issues and have expanded into larger demonstrations against the government. People are protesting in many cities across the country. ([The Guardian][1])

Videos and images circulating on social media show women in public without hijabs, which is against Iran’s compulsory dress laws. Many of these women are participating in demonstrations as part of the ongoing unrest. ([Wikipedia][2])

In some protest footage, a woman has been shown burning a photograph of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and using the flame to light a cigarette. Under Iranian law, destroying or defacing images of the Supreme Leader is a serious offence, and public smoking by women is also restricted by social norms. ([The Times of India][3])

Iranian authorities have imposed an internet blackout and have cracked down on protesters. Officials have labeled demonstrators as “enemies of God,” a charge that can carry the death penalty under the country’s legal code. ([New York Post][4])

The protests reflect multiple issues, including rising prices, unemployment, inflation, and dissatisfaction with the government’s policies. People involved in the demonstrations have been calling for change and reform. ([The Guardian][1])

This summary reflects ongoing events as reported by independent news organizations inside and outside Iran.

 

 

( From Internet: Digital Anvil ) 

 

Fed Up with the Superficial ? 

 

 One thing is certain: you don't want to stay where you are

I commend you. NO one is ready to take on

the depths unless he or she is fed up with skating across the superficial.

 

What you long for, unless I miss my quess is intimacy with the Almighty?

 

You want to be profoundly aware of His presence, in touch

with Him at the deepest possible level, thinking

His thoughts, gleaning His wisdom, and living as

close to His heart as is humanly possible, operating

your life in the nucleus of His will.

 

 I desire the same, I freely admit.

 

It is Possible? Pastors, Visionaries and Individuals. 

(Agreed: Digital Anvil)

Love: 

 

When reality is better than your dreams,that is when you know that you are in love! ( choose which? The world or the girl )

The unfortunate thing is that sometimes reality isn't shared.

(By Digital Anvil)

Zig Ziglar's Quote:

 Zig Ziglar:

 

Zig Ziglar said, Repetition is the mother of learning and the father of action,which makes it the architect of accomplishment.

( Agreed: Digital Anvil )

Deafening Silence: Why?

 Deafening Silence:

 

 Why ?

 

 

Thousands of people in Iran’s capital poured into the streets and shouted from their homes Thursday night after the country’s exiled crown prince called for a mass demonstration. The protests marked a new escalation in unrest that has spread across the Islamic Republic. Within hours, internet access and phone lines were cut nationwide.

Iranian security forces have killed at least 51 protesters since late December, including nine children under the age of 18, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights.

For two years, Hamas and its supporters in the West have framed terror as “resistance” and cast Israel as the “oppressor,” with the media racing to amplify those claims. But when genuinely oppressed people rise up against a brutal regime that has ruled them for decades, the silence is deafening.

Tag BBC News, AP, CNN, and The New York Times, and ask why they aren’t covering the Iranians fighting for their lives and freedom.

 

 

 

Thank You: 

 

President Trump for Bravely Standing with the Iranian and Venezuelan People, and for Freedom and Peace.

President Donald J. Trump has emerged as the first leader to stand decisively, openly, and courageously with the Iranian people themselves — against the dictatorship, against repression, and in favor of genuine freedom, democracy and peace.

What distinguishes Trump's position is not rhetoric, but resolve. For years, Western leaders have issued statements of "concern" while avoiding any action that might inconvenience their diplomatic calculations or economic interests. President Trump broke from that spinelessness.

More importantly, Trump sent a direct warning to the Iranian regime: if it continues to kill innocent protesters, he will "rescue" them: the United States will not stand idly by. This is the opposite of a call for war; it is deterrence in the service of peace -- a warning designed to prevent bloodshed, signaling to all violent regimes that massacres will not be tolerated or ignored.

Thank you, President Trump, for standing with the oppressed, for choosing people over tyrants, and for reminding the world that peace is not achieved by silence in the face of evil, but by courage in defense of individual freedom. May the Iranian, Venezuelan, Gazan and Cuban people -- and others held hostage by cutthroat leaders -- achieve their long-denied dream of freedom, democracy, and peace. God bless you, President Trump.

Over the past decade, the Iranian people have turned out again and again against one of the most entrenched and brutal dictatorships in the modern world. From students and workers to women, minorities, and the urban poor, Iranians have poured into the streets demanding dignity, freedom, and a government that represents them rather than ruling them through fear.

These uprisings have been nationwide, sustained and extraordinarily courageous, often carried out in the face of live ammunition, mass arrests, torture and executions. Yet despite the clarity of the Iranian people's demands and the scale of the regime's violence, no European country, no self-described democratic power, and no U.S. administration claiming to champion freedom and human rights has ever stood with them in a meaningful way -- until now.

This above post is almost verbatim from an article from the Gatestone Institute. Courtesy with many thanks.

(Agreed: Digital Anvil)

 Lost then Found 

 

(Why is it Done that Way ?)

 

 

 One day after school a girl noticed that her mum was cutting off the ends of a pot roast before putting it in the oven to cook for dinner. She had seen her mum do this many times before but had never asked her why. 

So, this time she asked and her mum replied, "I don't know why, but it's what my mum always did why  don't you ask your grandma?"

So, the young girl called her grandmother on the phone and said, "Grandma, why do you cut the ends of the pot roast before cooking it? Her grandmother replied, "I don't know. That's just the way my mum always cooked it. Why don't you ask her?"

 Frustrated but determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, the girl called her great-grandmother and asked her the same question. "Why did you cut the ends of the pot roast before cooking it?"' Her great grandmother simply said, "When I was first married, we had a very small oven and the pot roast didn't fit in the oven unless I cut the ends off."

Of course the surface point is the waste of meat but the greater,more important point is that we will do things a certain way( following the customs and family traditions) unless we ask simple questions similar to the girl in our story.( and maybe hear humorous answers)

(from  Digital Anvil)

Discovering Value in What has been Broken: (Re-Work)

 

A concept of Eastern philosophy and as some Westerners believe.  

 

To begin with, let's take a look at the concept of kintsugi. Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art that involves the repairing of broken pottery by mending these areas using lacquer mixed with gold. 

At another level, it's a philosophy that treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.

 

Ultimately, that which is broken is not seen as having less value. In fact, that 'brokenness' is seen as having inherent beauty. a beauty that comes from, not in spite of, what others might see as failings and imperfections.

 

 Many adopt an attitude of once something is broken,then discard and if necessary replace entirely with new. This concept is so  prevalent with some who would pretend that an untoward or disappointing event didn't happen and therefore should move on. 
It could be said this  latter attitude is primarily Western. Westerners tend to see aging and deterioration,failure and weakness as a perspective of worthlessness and "damaged goods." Once old, then discard , nothing worthless can be resolved.

In  the philosophy of Kintsugi, objects are kept around after they have been broken. High value is placed upon such and the "brokenness" is not hidden or stigmatised. Western society hides or discards aged and broken objects as irreparable and no longer valuable.

Kintsugi never hides and espouses an attitude of acceptance of change as a thing of beauty and value.

At a deeper level this Eastern philosophy embraces our faults,failings and even celebrating flaws with acceptance.

In the Bible  and therefore the Christian belief is that All people are flawed, therefore each individual is inherently broken yet loved equally by a redeeming God who accepts each person as a  child made in His image. The creator God accepts the person as broken, yet as a person of immeasurable worth. Loved and cherished as a wholly unique and valuable person. All are worthy of rescuing and restoring to wholeness.

 

( by Digital Anvil ) 

NB: inspired by the book,Lost and Found by Dr Tim Sharp.

Each Day of Your Life is a Gift?

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NKJV

Motivational speaker Denis Waitley describes an experience that marked his life forever. He was trying to catch a flight for a speaking commitment and was running through the airport terminal. He reached the gate just as the agent closed the door. Denis explained his dilemma, but the agent didn’t reopen the door. That’s when his annoyance turned into anger. He stomped out of the boarding area and returned to the ticket counter to lodge a complaint and reschedule his flight.

His anger increased as he waited for over twenty minutes in a line that hardly moved. Right before his turn at the ticket counter, an announcement over the intercom changed his life, because he realised that by missing that flight, his life had been saved. The flight he missed, Flight 191 from Chicago to Los Angeles, had crashed on take off with no survivors. Denis never lodged his complaint. He also never returned his invalidated ticket for Flight 191. He brought it home and tacked it on a bulletin board in his office.

 In the aftermath of that experience, anytime he felt irritated or upset, all he had to do was look at that ticket from Flight 191. It was an unforgettable reminder that life is a gift that should not be undervalued.

 The psalmist wrote: “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years…it is soon cut off, and we fly away…So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (vv. 10, 12 NKJV).

SoulFood: Lev 13:38–14:57 Luke 1:67–80 Ps 3 Pro 1:29–31

This eminently, profound daily-reading is from Vision.org.au.

(Agreed: Digital Anvil)

 Shame vs Freed

 

The world says,hide your shame and carry it alone.(Or share with someone who doesn't stare or dare.)

Jesus says, bring it to me and be set free.

(Time heals so slowly but I'll set you free)

.

(By Digital Anvil )

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is one of the greats of world tennis, ranked No. 1 in singles for 310 weeks.

In 2024, he gave the commencement address at Dartmouth College. In that speech, he shared one of the secrets to his incredible success.

He told the Dartmouth graduates that in his career, he won almost 80% of his matches—but only 54% of all the points he competed for. His argument and challenge? Even the best tennis players in the world lose nearly half the points they play.

Federer went on to say: don’t dwell on your failures—play the next point and move on. There is always a second chance. There is always tomorrow.

Get up, dust yourself off, and get on with life.

Share this post

Many thanks for this daily-reading by Karl Faase.

( Agreed: Digital Anvil )

Typical Blonde joke 

 

 

Bystander asks, why did the blonde put lipstick on her  forehead?

What?

Because she wanted to make up her mind.

 

( sorry: Digital Anvil ) 

Millstone vs Faith ? (Re-Work)

 

Bible Passage: Luke 17:1–2

Key verse: "It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble." v2

Luke in this passage highlights  key teachings of Jesus. The first concerns causing anyone—but especially “little ones”—to stumble.

In these teachings, Jesus challenges the values of the time. One prevalent belief was that children were less important than adults in the community. Jesus makes it clear that the consequences of causing children to stumble or lose their faith are severe. He says it would be better to be drowned at sea than to face the consequences of leading children astray.

This teaching also serves as a strong indictment of the church in many parts of the world over the past 50–80 years. Too often, children have been abused, their lives and faith damaged, and in many cases, these actions were covered up by church leaders. Jesus’ words here are unmistakable in their condemnation of such behaviour.

Take a moment today to consider how you can protect and nurture the faith of the children around you. Small acts of care, guidance, and encouragement can make a lasting difference in their lives.

Share this post.

This daily- reading by Karl Faase with many thanks.

 

(Agreed: Digital Anvil)

Beethoven ?

Why doesnt Beethoven play the piano with any fingers? ( while displaying her fingers )

Wait for it...

Because its MY fingers!

Tribute:

Welcome, my kind essayist: Ruby.

Thanks to my parent's selfless sacrifices which have given me a broader .horizon.

From the moment I stepped into this unfamiliar land. I knew that behind it all  [ is ] my parent's support and [ kind ] expectation. They never asked for anything in return, only wishing for me to experience a bigger world and a  richer perspective. 

Because of their "sacrifices", I have had opportunity to encounter different cultures, watch new landscapes and grow into a more complete version [of ] myself.Every step of my growth has been supported by my parents, whose silent devotion and unwavering encouragement{guides me}. No matter how far I am, I always know they are there, they always be with me, watching over me.

Family is my source of strength. 

Miss my family, Ruby.💓

Welcoming Ruby,my guest essayist from far lands to unfamiliar spaces.

My earnest thanks for her special graces.

(Agreed: Digital Anvil.)