Latest news with #GenghisKhan
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Listening Is Learning: Why Cultural Intelligence Is Your Global Edge
I politely declined an offer of tea during one of my first sales meetings. It was interpreted as being disrespectful to the supplier, and we lost the deal. I missed the clues about the business culture. It wasn't about the beverage at all; it was about sitting down and building a relationship. getty As a 'third-culture kid' (a child who grows up in a different culture from the one of his parents), who has lived on three continents by the age of seven and scaled businesses globally, I've learned a fundamental truth: success in our interconnected world isn't just about what you sell, but how deeply you listen. For North American companies, whether you're looking to expand into vibrant global markets or connect with the rich diaspora communities right here in Western nations, cultural intelligence is an essential differentiator and a critical, often overlooked skill. The idea of a 'global village' is more than just a catchy phrase; it's our reality. Your IT team might be in India, customer service in the Philippines, and production in China, all while your headquarters are in Toronto or Chicago. While technology has enabled this unprecedented global structure, it also means that the traditional Western business approach simply isn't enough. Time and history have shown that true, enduring success, culled from leadership lessons from figures like Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great, comes not from cultural dominance but from embracing diversity and strategically incorporating the best of other cultures. They embraced what I think today we would call a 'fusion' of cultures. It's about asking, 'What are the unique and special things about your culture, and how can we incorporate them to thrive collaboratively?' This is where listening becomes your most powerful tool. Through years of navigating unfamiliar environments, often feeling like an outsider, particularly in my early business ventures in Bangladesh, I developed my own roadmap for authentic engagement and building sustainable relationships in new markets. EIA—Embed, Interpret, and Act—involves immersing or embedding yourself in a new culture or environment and embracing new experiences. Then, you interpret facts, opinions, details, new experiences, and subtle cultural cues and nuances. Finally, you act, adjust your previous approaches, and put what you've learned into practice. My approach, at its heart, is based in listening. For me, this was rooted in spending countless hours among street vendors and small shops in London's Bangladeshi expat community, observing their habits, how connections were made, and the unique elements of the culture. It meant learning local phrases, even imperfectly, because language is the key to understanding culture and showing respect. (And to learn any language, you must listen.) My friend and colleague Dr. Rathana Peou Norbert-Munns emphasizes that it's about being an open and active listener, willing to dive into another country's culture and people, even trying new things like local cooking or a language class. This means being on the ground, connecting at a grassroots level, not just conducting surface-level research from a distance. True Listening Goes Deeper I learned this the hard way during one of my first meetings in Bangladesh. I politely declined an offer of tea during one of my first sales meetings, thinking I was being efficient, but it was interpreted as being disrespectful to the supplier. The impact? We actually lost the order. I may have listened to the supplier but didn't hear the spaces between the words; in other words, I missed the clues about the culture and how this man conducted business. I didn't realize it wasn't about the beverage at all; it was about sitting down and building a relationship, an everyday cultural norm there. Understanding subtle gestures, communication styles, and social norms can make or break your chances of building trust and business relationships. As my Senior Vice President at Computek College in Toronto, Wazeer 'TJ' Jalal, experienced in Vietnam, even a seemingly polite 'thank you' can be misinterpreted without deep cultural understanding and correct pronunciation (he thought he was saying 'thank you'; he was actually saying 'shut up.'). We must listen for these missteps, notice the impact, make amends, and do better once we realize what we've done. The impact of deep listening can be profound. It builds trust and credibility within local communities, which is especially critical in markets with historical mistrust of traditional institutions. It drives innovation and adaptability by addressing specific, often overlooked needs. And crucially, it fosters long-term, sustainable growth by prioritizing local knowledge and cultural sensitivity. As Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, aptly states, 'If we shut ourselves down, we close ourselves to the lessons that we could learn from people who are already there, and we do so at our peril. We lose when that happens.' So, for North American companies looking to truly thrive in our globalized world, remember this: listen. Listen to understand, to interpret, and then to act. That's the real trick to building meaningful connections and creating a truly inclusive and prosperous global future.
Tokyo Weekender
3 days ago
- General
- Tokyo Weekender
Weird Legends About the Posthumous Lives of Famous Japanese Figures
For most people, death is the end of their story. It doesn't have to be, but there's a limited audience wanting updates about a body's state of decay. However, three famous Japanese figures proved that you can go on grand adventures or accomplish unbelievable things long after your demise. At least, that's what their legends say. None of them are true, but the world would be a more interesting place if they were. So let's silence our inner skeptic, close our eyes and, for a few fun minutes, imagine that … List of Contents: Minamoto no Yoshitsune Became Genghis Khan Oda Nobunaga Became Giordano Bruno Saigo Takamori Became Mars Related Posts Minamoto no Yoshitsune Became Genghis Khan Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159–1189) is one of the most famous warriors in Japanese history. A key figure in the Genpei War that helped samurai gain control of the country, he was the half-brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun, and the brother-in-law of Hojo Masako, the Nun Shogun . The Yo Bros sadly became enemies after the war, and Yoshitsune was ultimately betrayed, surrounded and forced to commit seppuku, all while the warrior monk Benkei gave his life to give him some privacy. Yoshitsune's suicide is still considered one of the most tragic — but also one of the most poignant — deaths in Japanese history. Nevertheless, some people decided to ruin it by inventing legends that Yoshitsune actually survived, escaped to Hokkaido and sailed from there to mainland Asia, where he became THE Genghis Khan (1162–1227 — or maybe that's what they want you to believe.) Interestingly, we know exactly who these 'some people' were. It was just one guy, Kencho Suematsu, who came up with the story to raise Japan's status after the Meiji Restoration. In 1868, Japan abolished the feudal system and entered a new age of modernity, but technologically, the country was way behind most of the world. Suematsu may have just wanted to exalt Japan by bringing up its past and got carried away, claiming that the man who created a vast empire that, under subsequent rulers, stretched from eastern China to Poland was actually Japanese. He probably omitted the fact that Genghis' descendants invaded Japan twice . While Suematsu's reasons are MAYBE understandable, the way he went about proving the theory was just … bizarre. One of his arguments was that if you read Yoshitsune's name the Sino-Japanese way, it would be 'Gen Gi-kei,' which sounds a little like the Japanese pronunciation of Genghis Khan! Also, the title 'khan' could come from the Japanese word kami, meaning 'god'! To be fair, some of the 'evidence' that Suematsu presented came from outside sources who have been pushing a Japan-Mongol connection for centuries to get Japan more street cred. Next time, just brag about Japan's samurai gun assassins . That's both cool AND real. Oda Nobunaga (left) and Giordano Bruno (right) Oda Nobunaga Became Giordano Bruno Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) was the first of Japan's great unifiers who tried to bring the country together after the collapse of the imperial and military governments in the mid-15th century. He's also known as the ' Demon King ,' a nickname that he gave himself to torment his devout Buddhist enemies. The feared warlord was ultimately betrayed by one of his generals, Akechi Mitsuhide, and forced to commit seppuku in the burning Honno-ji temple. But his body was never found, so going by comic book rules, he must have survived! That's really the entire basis of the MANY legends about Nobunaga living past 1582. The wildest one says he was smuggled out of the country by Jesuit monks — with whom he had a pretty good relationship — and brought to the Philippines. From there, he made his way to Europe and became none other than the 'Italian' astronomer Giordano Bruno! The Philippines escape story has actually been told for centuries, but the Bruno connection is a pretty recent invention. We don't know exactly when it started, but it seems to be based almost entirely on the fact that 'Giordano Bruno' in Japanese is Jorudano Buruno. J o ru dano Bu runo. Oda Nobu! The sly fox was hiding in plain sight the entire time! Some versions of the legend say that Akechi Mitsuhide was in on the plan and actually helped Nobunaga fake his death so he could take his philosophy of world conquest global. That … did not really work out, as Bruno was burned at the stake by the Catholic Church in 1600 for supporting Copernicus, claiming the universe is infinite and other 'heresy.' If that really WAS Oda Nobunaga, then you have to admit the weird cosmic coincidence of both his 'deaths' occurring while he was surrounded by fire (maybe that's another clue?!). Saigo Takamori and a woodblock print depicting him as the planet Mars by Utagawa Kunisada III (c. 1877) Saigo Takamori Became Mars Saigo Takamori (1828–1877) led the last samurai rebellion against the Japanese government, as grossly misrepresented in The Last Samurai , where, in typical Western fashion , his name was changed. The exact details of the Satsuma Rebellion are not important right now; what is important is that Saigo Takamori lost and chose to commit seppuku, exemplifying the samurai spirit to the very end. Or so the story goes. The truth is that Saigo was probably too riddled with bullets to actually open his stomach and was simply beheaded by his second to avoid capture and retain his honor. But being a samurai is about more than self-disembowelment, and Saigo was a samurai who fought for samurai. Maybe that's why the rumor that he faked his death and escaped to Russia (not very samurai-like) isn't as popular as the rumor that his spirit rose to Mars, where it sort of … fused with the planet. The belief may have been inspired by (unconfirmed) reports that the planet Mars was unusually bright after Saigo's death, pointing to his heavenly ascension. There is also a long Japanese tradition of deifying great warriors. Kusunoki Masashige (1294–1336) is today enshrined as a kami because of his fierce loyalty. Taira no Masakado is technically a god of wrath still cursing Tokyo from his head's grave in the center of the city . Saigo becoming Mars is an extreme example, but it's not that out of the ordinary. But that's not why the legend started. It's simply a case of contrarianism. Saigo fought the Meiji government, which was all about leaving the past behind and embracing modernity, science and rationality. So, Saigo's supporters came up with the most traditional, unscientific, irrational theory about the last samurai as a form of protest against the people who killed him. Who knows, though? Maybe if you believe something strongly and long enough, it becomes true, and Saigo Takamori IS looking at us through the eyes of Mars and still screaming about all the historic inaccuracies in The Last Samurai. Related Posts Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Star of Shogun: Rumors and Legends About the Powerful Ruler From Butt Eyes to Scrotum Houses: 5 Weird Japanese Yokai That Are Actually Harmless The Bizarre and Violent Tales of Japanese Mermaids, or Ningyo
NBC News
5 days ago
- NBC News
'Quishing' scams dupe millions of Americans as cybercriminals exploit QR codes
QR codes were once a quirky novelty that prompted a fun scan with the phone. Early on, you might have seen a QR code on a museum exhibit and scanned it to learn more about the eating habits of the woolly mammoth or military strategies of Genghis Khan. During the pandemic, QR codes became the default restaurant menu. However, as QR codes became a mainstay in more urgent aspects of American life, from boarding passes to parking payments, hackers have exploited their ubiquity. 'As with many technological advances that start with good intentions, QR codes have increasingly become targets for malicious use. Because they are everywhere — from gas pumps and yard signs to television commercials — they're simultaneously useful and dangerous,' said Dustin Brewer, senior director of proactive cybersecurity services at BlueVoyant. Brewer says that attackers exploit these seemingly harmless symbols to trick people into visiting malicious websites or unknowingly share private information, a scam that has become known as 'quishing.' The increasing prevalence of QR code scams prompted a warning from the Federal Trade Commission earlier this year about unwanted or unexpected packages showing up with a QR code that when scanned 'could take you to a phishing website that steals your personal information, like credit card numbers or usernames and passwords. It could also download malware onto your phone and give hackers access to your device.' State and local advisories this summer have reached across the U.S., with the New York Department of Transportation and Hawaii Electric warning customers about avoiding QR code scams. The appeal to cybercriminals lies in the relative ease with which the scam operates: slap a fake QR code sticker on a parking meter or a utility bill payment warning and rely on urgency to do the rest. 'The crooks are relying on you being in a hurry and you needing to do something,' said Gaurav Sharma, a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Rochester. On the rise as traditional phishing fails Sharma expects QR scams to increase as the use of QR codes spreads. Another reason QR codes have increased in popularity with scammers is that more safeguards have been put into place to tamp down on traditional email phishing campaigns. A study this year from cybersecurity platform KeepNet Labs found that 26 percent of all malicious links are now sent via QR code. According to cybersecurity company, NordVPN, 73% of Americans scan QR codes without verification, and more than 26 million have already been directed to malicious sites. 'The cat and mouse game of security will continue and that people will figure out solutions and the crooks will either figure out a way around or look at other places where the grass is greener,' Sharma said. Sharma is working to develop a 'smart' QR code called a SDMQR (Self-Authenticating Dual-Modulated QR) that has built-in security to prevent scams. But first, he needs buy-in from Google and Microsoft, the companies that build the cameras and control the camera infrastructure. Companies putting their logos into QR codes isn't a fix because it can cause a false sense of security, and that criminals can usually simply copy the logos, he said. Some Americans are wary of the increasing reliance on QR codes. 'I'm in my 60s and don't like using QR codes,' said Denise Joyal of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 'I definitely worry about security issues. I really don't like it when one is forced to use a QR code to participate in a promotion with no other way to connect. I don't use them for entertainment-type information.' Institutions are also trying to fortify their QR codes against intrusion. Natalie Piggush, spokeswoman for the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, which welcomes over one million visitors a year, said their IT staff began upgrading their QR codes a couple of years ago to protect against what has become an increasingly significant threat. 'At the museum, we use stylized QR codes with our logo and colors as opposed to the standard monochrome codes. We also detail what users can expect to see when scanning one of our QR codes, and we regularly inspect our existing QR codes for tampering or for out-of-place codes,' Piggush said. Museums are usually less vulnerable than places like train stations or parking lots because scammers are looking to collect cash from people expecting to pay for something. A patron at a museum is less likely to expect to pay, although Sharma said even in those settings, fake QR codes can be deployed to install malware on someone's phone. Apple, Android user trust is an issue QR code scams are likely to hit both Apple and Android devices, but iPhone users may be slightly more likely to fall victim to the crime, according to a study completed earlier this year by Malwarebytes. Users of iPhones expressed more trust in their devices than Android owners and that, researchers say, could cause them to let down their guard. For example, 70% of iPhone users have scanned a QR code to begin or complete a purchase versus 63% of Android users who have done the same. Malwarebytes researcher David Ruiz wrote that trust could have an adverse effect, in that iPhone users do not feel the need to change their behavior when making online purchases, and they have less interest in (or may simply not know about) using additional cybersecurity measures, like antivirus. Fifty-five percent of iPhone users trust their device to keep them safe, versus 50 percent of Android users expressing the same sentiment. Low investment, high return hacking tactic A QR code is more dangerous than a traditional phishing email because users typically can't read or verify the encoded web address. Even though QR codes normally include human-readable text, attackers can modify this text to deceive users into trusting the link and the website it directs to. The best defense against them is to not scan unwanted or unexpected QR codes and look for ones that display the URL address when you scan it. Brewer says cybercriminals have also been leveraging QR codes to infiltrate critical networks. 'There are also credible reports that nation-state intelligence agencies have used QR codes to compromise messaging accounts of military personnel, sometimes using software like Signal that is also open to consumers,' Brewer said. Nation-state attackers have even used QR codes to distribute remote access trojans (RATs) — a type of malware designed to operate without a device owner's consent or knowledge — enabling hackers to gain full access to targeted devices and networks. Still, one of the most dangerous aspects of QR codes is how they are part of the fabric of everyday life, a cyberthreat hiding in plain sight. 'What's especially concerning is that legitimate flyers, posters, billboards, or official documents can be easily compromised. Attackers can simply print their own QR code and paste it physically or digitally over a genuine one, making it nearly impossible for the average user to detect the deception,' Brewer said. Rob Lee, chief of research, AI, and emerging threats at the cybersecurity training focused SANS Institute, says that QR code compromise is just another tactic in a long line of similar strategies in the cybercriminal playbook. 'QR codes weren't built with security in mind, they were built to make life easier, which also makes them perfect for scammers,' Lee said. 'We've seen this playbook before with phishing emails; now it just comes with a smiley pixelated square. It's not panic-worthy yet, but it's exactly the kind of low-effort, high-return tactic attackers love to scale.'
CNBC
5 days ago
- CNBC
'Quishing' scams dupe millions of Americans as cybercriminals turn the QR code bad
QR codes were once a quirky novelty that prompted a fun scan with the phone. Early on, you might have seen a QR code on a museum exhibit and scanned it to learn more about the eating habits of the woolly mammoth or military strategies of Genghis Khan. During the pandemic, QR codes became the default restaurant menu. However, as QR codes became a mainstay in more urgent aspects of American life, from boarding passes to parking payments, hackers have exploited their ubiquity. "As with many technological advances that start with good intentions, QR codes have increasingly become targets for malicious use. Because they are everywhere — from gas pumps and yard signs to television commercials — they're simultaneously useful and dangerous," said Dustin Brewer, senior director of proactive cybersecurity services at BlueVoyant. Brewer says that attackers exploit these seemingly harmless symbols to trick people into visiting malicious websites or unknowingly share private information, a scam that has become known as "quishing." The increasing prevalence of QR code scams prompted a warning from the Federal Trade Commission earlier this year about unwanted or unexpected packages showing up with a QR code that when scanned "could take you to a phishing website that steals your personal information, like credit card numbers or usernames and passwords. It could also download malware onto your phone and give hackers access to your device." State and local advisories this summer have reached across the U.S., with the New York Department of Transportation and Hawaii Electric warning customers about avoiding QR code scams. The appeal to cybercriminals lies in the relative ease with which the scam operates: slap a fake QR code sticker on a parking meter or a utility bill payment warning and rely on urgency to do the rest. "The crooks are relying on you being in a hurry and you needing to do something," said Gaurav Sharma, a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Rochester. Sharma expects QR scams to increase as the use of QR codes spreads. Another reason QR codes have increased in popularity with scammers is that more safeguards have been put into place to tamp down on traditional email phishing campaigns. A study this year from cybersecurity platform KeepNet Labs found that 26 percent of all malicious links are now sent via QR code. According to cybersecurity company, NordVPN, 73% of Americans scan QR codes without verification, and more than 26 million have already been directed to malicious sites. "The cat and mouse game of security will continue and that people will figure out solutions and the crooks will either figure out a way around or look at other places where the grass is greener," Sharma said. Sharma is working to develop a "smart" QR code called a SDMQR (Self-Authenticating Dual-Modulated QR) that has built-in security to prevent scams. But first, he needs buy-in from Google and Microsoft, the companies that build the cameras and control the camera infrastructure. Companies putting their logos into QR codes isn't a fix because it can cause a false sense of security, and that criminals can usually simply copy the logos, he said. Some Americans are wary of the increasing reliance on QR codes. "I'm in my 60s and don't like using QR codes," said Denise Joyal of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. "I definitely worry about security issues. I really don't like it when one is forced to use a QR code to participate in a promotion with no other way to connect. I don't use them for entertainment-type information." Institutions are also trying to fortify their QR codes against intrusion. Natalie Piggush, spokeswoman for the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, which welcomes over one million visitors a year, said their IT staff began upgrading their QR codes a couple of years ago to protect against what has become an increasingly significant threat. "At the museum, we use stylized QR codes with our logo and colors as opposed to the standard monochrome codes. We also detail what users can expect to see when scanning one of our QR codes, and we regularly inspect our existing QR codes for tampering or for out-of-place codes," Piggush said. Museums are usually less vulnerable than places like train stations or parking lots because scammers are looking to collect cash from people expecting to pay for something. A patron at a museum is less likely to expect to pay, although Sharma said even in those settings, fake QR codes can be deployed to install malware on someone's phone. QR code scams are likely to hit both Apple and Android devices, but iPhone users may be slightly more likely to fall victim to the crime, according to a study completed earlier this year by Malwarebytes. Users of iPhones expressed more trust in their devices than Android owners and that, researchers say, could cause them to let down their guard. For example, 70% of iPhone users have scanned a QR code to begin or complete a purchase versus 63% of Android users who have done the same. Malwarebytes researcher David Ruiz wrote that trust could have an adverse effect, in that iPhone users do not feel the need to change their behavior when making online purchases, and they have less interest in (or may simply not know about) using additional cybersecurity measures, like antivirus. Fifty-five percent of iPhone users trust their device to keep them safe, versus 50 percent of Android users expressing the same sentiment. A QR code is more dangerous than a traditional phishing email because users typically can't read or verify the encoded web address. Even though QR codes normally include human-readable text, attackers can modify this text to deceive users into trusting the link and the website it directs to. The best defense against them is to not scan unwanted or unexpected QR codes and look for ones that display the URL address when you scan it. Brewer says cybercriminals have also been leveraging QR codes to infiltrate critical networks. "There are also credible reports that nation-state intelligence agencies have used QR codes to compromise messaging accounts of military personnel, sometimes using software like Signal that is also open to consumers," Brewer said. Nation-state attackers have even used QR codes to distribute remote access trojans (RATs) — a type of malware designed to operate without a device owner's consent or knowledge — enabling hackers to gain full access to targeted devices and networks. Still, one of the most dangerous aspects of QR codes is how they are part of the fabric of everyday life, a cyberthreat hiding in plain sight. "What's especially concerning is that legitimate flyers, posters, billboards, or official documents can be easily compromised. Attackers can simply print their own QR code and paste it physically or digitally over a genuine one, making it nearly impossible for the average user to detect the deception," Brewer said. Rob Lee, chief of research, AI, and emerging threats at the cybersecurity training focused SANS Institute, says that QR code compromise is just another tactic in a long line of similar strategies in the cybercriminal playbook. "QR codes weren't built with security in mind, they were built to make life easier, which also makes them perfect for scammers," Lee said. "We've seen this playbook before with phishing emails; now it just comes with a smiley pixelated square. It's not panic-worthy yet, but it's exactly the kind of low-effort, high-return tactic attackers love to scale."
Economist
24-07-2025
- Economist
Conservationists have rescued the world's last truly wild horse
No ordinary nag Photograph: Getty Images Jul 24th 2025 | Hustai National Park | 2 min read M ongolia is a nation of horsemen. In the 13th century its cavalry, led by Genghis Khan, conquered huge chunks of Asia and Europe. These days the country puts its equine expertise to different uses. It is leading efforts to rewild perhaps the world's most endangered horse. But they are not quite the havens its elites had in mind E-rickshaws are overrunning Bangladeshi cities In oligarchic aviation China has just fallen behind India New political forces are gaining ground The energetic leader is tapping into young people's frustration and shaking up the country's politics There is more to Singapore's sister city than a stroll down memory lane
