Golden Senna

 

Golden Senna - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

Download full size: 2082x1578

Golden Senna - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

Download full size: 2826x3864

National Parks Day

 

Bahamas National Trust

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is welcoming the public to join them inside national parks across The Bahamas for free outdoor activities on National Parks Day – Saturday, April 26, 2025.  Read more.

Noise Pollution: An Overlooked Menace in the Modern Soundscape

 

 "Noise Pollution" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

Noise Pollution: An Overlooked Menace in the Modern Soundscape

Noise pollution—defined as unwanted or excessive sound that disrupts normal environmental conditions—has become one of the most pervasive and under-regulated forms of pollution. From the bass-thumping rhythms of Bluetooth speakers in public parks, to souped-up exhaust systems that shatter silence on suburban streets, noise pollution is creeping into daily life in ways both subtle and severe. Though often dismissed as a mere annoyance, excessive noise has measurable consequences for health, well-being, and the quality of urban life.

Obeah Man

 

"Obeah Man" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

The Current State of Employment in The Bahamas

 

 "Employment in The Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Current State of Employment in The Bahamas 

 

Executive Summary

As of mid-2024, The Bahamas has achieved its lowest national unemployment rate in 16 years, standing at 8.7%. Despite this progress, youth unemployment remains a significant concern at 19%, with nearly 8,000 young individuals aged 15–24 unemployed. Additionally, a substantial portion of the workforce lacks formal qualifications, highlighting challenges in aligning educational outcomes with labor market demands.

Bahamas Artist Registry

 

Bahamas Artist Registry

 

The National Artist Registry Project is the final component of the Joint SDG Fund Programme (The Bahamas & Bermuda) Building Back Equal through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment comprised of various UN agencies inclusive of UNESCO.

The Project forms a centralized database or platform that catalogs and showcases information about creatives and their works.

 

Register now: Bahamas Artist Registry

 

Related news story: National Cultural Artist Registry Website

Related article: The Evolution of Bahamian Art

Related article: The History and Evolution of Bahamian Music

Tropical Fruit Still Life - PC Wallpaper

 "Tropical Fruit Still Life" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 5376x3072

Grits in da Mornin'

 

 "Grits in da Mornin'" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

Grits in da Mornin'

Rise and shine

A new day is dawnin',
Bahamians love dey
Grits in da mornin'.

Made from corn
Grin' up dead small,
Grits for da whole family
One an all.

Gatta know how to cook it
Don't rush da pot,

Use da right amount a water
Man dat hit da spot.

Mini Orchids

 

"Mini Orchids" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 3852x2586

 

 

 "Mini Orchids" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size: 3852x2586

He Is Risen

 

"He Is Risen" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6

Stained glass window at Christ The King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, Nassau, Bahamas.

 

View: Weep Not

View: Right Hand of God

Give Peace and Love

 

"Peace and Love" - Bahamas AI Art

 ⒸA. Derek Catalano

 

 

 Give Peace and Love

The world is heavy with the weight of pain,
Skies thick with smoke, hearts soaked in rain.
Each headline screams, each screen explodes
With anger, loss, and narrow roads.

We walk through days of sharpened tongues,
Of closed-off minds and loaded lungs.
A thousand ways we’ve drawn the line,
As if to hate is by design.

But here we are—awake, aware,
Still breathing in this battered air.
And in this hour, raw and real,
We face the truth we used to seal.

Weep Not

 

"Weep Not" - ⒸA. Derek Catalano

But Jesus turning unto them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children." Luke 23:28.

 

Stained glass window at Christ The King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, Nassau, Bahamas.

 

View: He Is Risen

View: Right Hand of God

The Origin, History, and Current Meaning of Easter

 

 "Ēostre" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Origin, History, and Current Meaning of Easter

Easter is one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in the Christian calendar. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a foundational event in Christian theology. However, Easter’s roots, its evolution through history, and its present-day observance span religious traditions, cultural adaptations, and secular interpretations. This essay explores the origin, historical development, and current meaning of Easter, unpacking how an ancient religious festival has become a global occasion with diverse expressions.

Chief Azula - Wood Carving

 

"Chief Azula" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

Tumbleweave

 

"Tumbleweave" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 2814x2238

 

 "Artificial Super Intelligence" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI): An In-Depth Analysis

 

Introduction

Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) refers to a hypothetical form of intelligence that surpasses human capabilities across every domain: reasoning, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, emotional intelligence, and even social manipulation. Unlike Narrow AI (which handles specific tasks like language translation or image recognition) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI, which mimics human cognitive abilities), ASI would be capable of independent innovation, strategic thinking, and possibly self-improvement—at a level far beyond the smartest humans.

While ASI does not yet exist, the implications of its potential development have generated significant debate across disciplines. Researchers, ethicists, and technologists are concerned not only with whether ASI can be achieved but also with how it might affect humanity. This essay will explore the theoretical basis for ASI, current trajectories toward its development, associated risks, philosophical considerations, and the growing push for control frameworks and alignment strategies.

Island Struggle

 

"Island Struggle" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 1344x768

"Island Struggle" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size: 1344x768

Tropical Building Mural

 

"Tropical Building Mural" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size:  1344x768

"Tropical Building Mural" - Bahamas AI Art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Download full size:  1344x768

You Live What You've Learned

 

 "You Live What You've Learned" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

You Live What You've Learned

In the cradle of dawn, where the first lessons bloom,
A child’s wide eyes drink the world’s costume.
The hum of a lullaby, soft whispers of care,
Plants seeds of love in the heart’s tender lair.
Each stumble, each giggle, each tear-streaked face,
Carves pathways of knowing, a map of life’s grace.
For you live what you’ve learned, in the marrow, the bone,
Your soul’s quiet compass, through fields yet unknown.
 
The schoolyard’s rough edges, where friendships are forged,
Teach trust and betrayal, where young hearts are gorged.
A teacher’s stern voice, or a book’s open gate,
Unfurls the mind’s sails to navigate fate.
Arithmetic’s logic, the poet’s sweet rhyme,
Build scaffolds of thought that endure through all time.
Yet beyond the chalk dust, life’s lessons unfold—
The sting of a slight, or a kindness retold.

Tropic Oil on Wood - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Oil on Wood" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 5376x3072

Nassau, Bahamas: An Historical and Cultural Overview

This year the city of Nassau celebrates 400 years as the capital of The Bahamas.

 

 "Nassau Landmark Attractions"

©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Nassau, Bahamas: An Historical and Cultural Overview

Introduction

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is more than a picturesque tropical city. Located on New Providence Island, Nassau has long been the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Bahamian archipelago. Its colorful past includes colonial battles, piracy, slavery, emancipation, and independence. Today, Nassau remains a key player in Caribbean tourism, governance, and commerce. Understanding its rich history sheds light on the broader narrative of the Bahamas and the wider Atlantic world.

Undersea Splash - Phone Wallpaper

 

"Undersea Splash" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3072x5376

We Are Not Perfect

 

 "We Are Not Perfect" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

We Are Not Perfect

We are not perfect—
not the saints we post online,
not the curated smiles
behind which we hide the mess.
We break things.
We forget birthdays,
hold grudges too long,
and sometimes say things
we wish we never thought.

We are not made of marble.
We are chipped stone,
worn by years of trying,
patched over with second chances
and half-meant apologies.

How to Tell if Someone is Lying

 

"Liar, liar, pants on fire" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

How to Tell if Someone is Lying

 

While no foolproof method exists, observing verbal and nonverbal cues, inconsistencies in stories, and unusual behaviors can help discern if someone might be lying. 

Here's a breakdown of potential signs:

 

 "Tariff Stamp" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Report: Understanding Tariffs and the Potential Effects of a 10% U.S. Tariff on The Bahamas

 

1. What Are Tariffs?

 

Definition

Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on imported goods. They increase the cost of foreign products, often with the goal of:

• Protecting domestic industries

• Generating revenue for the government

• Balancing trade deficits

• Applying political or economic pressure

Types of Tariffs

1. Ad Valorem Tariffs: A percentage of the value of the imported good (e.g., 10% of a $1,000 item = $100).

2. Specific Tariffs: A fixed fee per unit (e.g., $50 per ton of steel).

3. Compound Tariffs: A mix of both.

Purpose and Use

Governments use tariffs to:

• Shield local businesses from foreign competition

• Encourage consumers to buy domestic goods

• Respond to trade imbalances

• Retaliate against unfair trade practices

Splash Reef - Phone Wallpaper

 

"Splash Reef" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 3072x5376

The Importance and Power of Forgiveness

 

"Release with Forgiveness" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

The Importance and Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is often misunderstood. Many think it means condoning harm, excusing injustice, or forgetting the past. But true forgiveness is none of those things. It’s not about giving others a pass — it’s about freeing yourself. At its core, forgiveness is a decision to stop letting past wrongs control your present and future. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have to reclaim our peace, restore relationships, and reset emotional balance. Without it, people stay trapped in cycles of resentment, bitterness, and pain.

Tropic Oil on Wood

 

"Tropic Oil on Wood" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Visit Native Stew Gallery

Transhumanism: The Future of Human Evolution

 

 "Neo Vitruvian Man" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Transhumanism: The Future of Human Evolution

 

Introduction

Transhumanism is a philosophical and technological movement that advocates for enhancing human capabilities beyond natural limitations through science and technology. The goal is to improve the human condition by overcoming biological constraints such as aging, disease, and even mortality. As we advance in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and nanotechnology, transhumanism is becoming a more relevant and debated topic.

Tropic Coast - PC Wallpaper

 

"Tropic Coast" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 Download full size: 7680x4320

Nothing Lasts Forever

 

 "Nothing Lasts Forever" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Nothing Lasts Forever

The tide will rise, the tide will fall,
Soft waves erase our footprints all.
The sun that blazes high at noon
Will bow beneath the silver moon.

A flower blooms in morning light,
By dusk, its petals fade from sight.
A fire roars in winter’s breath,
Then crumbles down to ash and death.

The echo fades, the voice is still,
A silent house upon the hill.
The stars that burn in endless skies
Are doomed to fall, though gods they rise.

Beach Sunset - Phone Wallpaper

 

"Beach Sunset" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 3072x5376

Orchids in Island Yard

 

"Orchids in Island Yard" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Download full size: 4032x3024

Believe Nothing Without Proof

 

 "Seek Proof" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Believe Nothing Without Proof

They tell you the sky is endless blue,
A vast expanse, serene and true.
Yet look beyond with eyes that pry—
A storm may gather, shadows lie.

They swear the earth is steady ground,
Unshaken stone, firm and sound.
But faults may crack, and quakes may birth
A rupture deep beneath the earth.

They teach the past as written lore,
Bound in books forevermore.
Yet victors pen the tales we read,
And truth is bent by power’s need.