Sowing friendships
In this column I reflect on cultivating friendships throughout life. I prefer to visit friends rather than do conventional tourism, practicing hospitality and maintaining ties with people from different stages and countries. I highlight a talk about my late tutor, Bruno Touschek, in a school titled to his memory, rekindling meaningful memories and connections.
Lourdes
Lourdes is much more than the 72 miracles certified in 167 years since the apparitions of the Virgin to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
Lourdes, an important Christian destination, is characterized by its purifying water, its spiritual climate of peace and ceremonies such as the torchlight procession.
In addition to physical healings, the author experienced personal “other miracles”: a reunion with a Bolivian friend in Paris, an unexpected seat at a packed Mass with cancer survivors like himself, and the miraculous recovery of a lost hearing aid. A prayer for the healing of Bolivia from populism could not be missing, trusting in a change with the new government.
The Council of Nicaea and the Heresies of the MAS: An Analogy
As at the time of the Council of Nicaea, today in Bolivia the problem of that religious congregation that is the “Grupo de Puebla” is the heresies of the Movement Towards Socialism, MAS, based on mutiny to the absolute power of “father Evo”, the timid rebellion of the “son Andronico” and the rout of the patriarchs (David and Lucho), whereas the disoriented disciples wander toward new horizons of (Rodrigo) Paz.
The Parable of the Evil Harvester
The column allegorically critiques the mismanagement of a prosperous village by the Harvester, who reaped abundant crops without sowing or tending the land, leading to eventual decline. Despite warnings from experts, the Harvester and his loyal Cashier failed to invest in sustainable practices. The Cashier took over, planting poor-quality seeds with inadequate resources, further indebting the village while enriching his allies. Now, a new administrator, skilled in sowing, faces the daunting task of restoring the barren land amidst debts, mismanagement, and the Harvester’s lingering claims. The column questions whether the new leader will fall for the Cashier’s empty promises of future prosperity or focus on diligent sowing to ensure sustainable harvests.
The Church’s contribution to the construction of Bolivia
On Bolivia’s bicentennial of independence, the article emphasizes the Catholic Church’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity since before its founding, spanning education, social works, communication, culture, art, and science. Through publications by the Bishops’ Conference and the Catholic University, the Church’s missionary essence is highlighted, including training professionals in institutions like Fe y Alegría and Escuelas Don Bosco, preserving indigenous languages and cultures, creating media, and defending truth and democracy. It has provided social assistance to the marginalized where the State falls short, despite some human failings. Described as a precious jewel, the Church’s enduring legacy shines brightly in Bolivia, though not without flaws.
Scientific research in the Bicentenary
The column is about the relevance of Research an Development (R+D) for Bolivia in its Bicentenary. Natural laboratories and horizontal cooperation are the clues for successful research.
Bicentennial Fitness: few pounds in the pocket and less pounds in the body
The article satirically defends Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora’s government, portraying crises like fuel shortages, long gas lines, and dollar scarcity as clever strategies to promote physical fitness, meditation, and financial discipline. It mocks inflation, food scarcity, and foreign policy moves as part of a survival-driven, witty approach to governance, celebrating Bolivia’s resilience amid hardships.
The expensive banquet of Artificial Intelligence
The article highlights the enormous energy and resource consumption required by Artificial Intelligence (AI), comparing it to other large consumers.
Conclusion: The development of AI involves very high environmental and economic costs, and its sustainability will depend on improving technological efficiency and educating users. Countries like Bolivia could benefit if they can strategically integrate into this value chain
Francesco Zaratti
Born in Rome (1947), he has lived in Bolivia since 1973.
He was Sonia’s widower and is now married to Carolita. From his first marriage he has three children and three grandchildren. He also shares three other children and seven grandchildren with Carolita.
He is a physicist by profession and an emeritus university professor. For 17 years he directed the UMSA Atmospheric Physics Laboratory. It also deals with energy issues, privatizations, biblical exegesis and common life.
In public life, he has collaborated, between 2004 and 2005, with President Carlos Mesa, as an advisor on energy and hydrocarbons and Delegate for the Review and Improvement of Capitalization.