South Koreans are orderly. They obey laws, offer things with both hands, avoid eye contact, work hard, believe the number 4 is unlucky, and have small dogs. That is a fairly typical collection of national characteristics, in the same way that the British are obsessed with class, drink too much tea and alcohol, and say ‘sorry’ all the time. But the Korean approach to internet culture is fast becoming a new national characteristic. They have one of the world’s fastest broadband infrastructures, which makes online life pretty zippy.

Why are the data centres that run the internet often sited close to cheap sources of power such as hydroelectric power stations? Because their energy consumption is so enormous.

Why are they increasingly located inside the arctic circle or even under the sea? Because much of the energy cost is due to the need to cool the thousands of hot web servers.

A common side effect of lockdowns and worry over COVID-19 is difficulty in getting the right quantity and quality of sleep. Increased home working has led to people losing touch with normal routines – not only work routines but bodily ones like eating and sleeping. Understandably, our bodies can become confused in the absence of the usual stimuli that tell us what time it is, how long it is till lunch, and when to switch off and hit the sack for a restful night’s sleep.

The BBC has used research data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies to publish an interactive salary checker based on degree subject and university in the UK. It shows how graduate earnings vary five years after leaving each institution and subject, relative to the average degree, whatever that is. And it shows data for men and women, thus highlighting the gender pay gap.

Sophia Smith is a lifestyle blogger, graphic designer and a food enthusiast. Sophia has contributed to a number of publications including Eco Warrior Princess, Naughty Nutrition, Herbs Mother Earth Living, Yoga Trade, Sivana Spirit, Bonvita Style, Carousel, and Cause Artist.
You can find out more about her writing by following her on Twitter (@sophia_bri)

Wednesday this week is World Kindness Day, bringing a swathe of global initiatives and events aimed at promoting being nice to each other. People worldwide will be encouraged to go out and do something they wouldn’t usually do that will benefit somebody else, directly or indirectly.