Roland Barthes’ Mythologies perhaps has the singular distinction of having baffled scholars of semiotics/cultural studies or anyone who has taken an interest in the history of French colonialism and its nefarious influence on the ‘empire’ (Algeria, in particular). This article despite its limitations, intends to demystify/unravel some ostensibly innocuous ‘culinary predilections’ in vogue (during the 1950s-1960s and in some cases even germane to the 21st century) in France. In addition to his magnum opus, I will focus on his other significant text on the same topic (and gastro nationalism), Toward a Psychosociology of contemporary food consumption.

The 2019 outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic left significant adjustments in various aspects of human life, including its relationship with non-human creations in the physical environment. The paper considered the ecological impetus of the COVID-19 pandemic on the other creation with theological reflection on the biblical Jubilee. The method employed was interaction with literary materials and critical analysis of biblical-theological arguments. It, therefore, discussed general views of the COVID-19 pandemic, analysed the concept of biblical Jubilee, identified the ecological impetus of COVID-19 on the other creation, and discussed the theological reflection of the biblical Jubilee. Although the pandemic originated in China through animals, it was discovered that humans and other creations felt the effect globally due to the lockdown measure to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ecological impetus of COVID-19 brought a significant reduction in air, water, and land pollution. The biblical-theological reflection of the Jubilee affirmed that the experiences of COVID-19 resulted in a decrease in air, water and land pollution, indicating that nature was positively affected as it naturally and by divine order for the creation observed a jubilee as a result of the lockdown measure to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic. The conclusion is that God allowed the COVID-19 pandemic as a measure for all creations in nature to experience its Jubilee or rest from human ecological exploitations and abuses. It was recommended that humankind should be more responsible in the care of the environment, seek the protection of the other creation in nature and avoid overuse of land resources to ensure the necessary ‘rest’ it deserves for preservation.

High drop-out rates in sports programmes, both health and therapeutic sports, are not exceptional. Long-term retention of active athletes is a problem. This is equally true for fitness training in fitness clubs, where about half of the active individuals drop out prematurely. The aim of this study is to create a comprehensive inventory of the dropout problem and the prevention of it in fitness sports. From the results obtained, recommendations for action can be derived to increase customer satisfaction in fitness facilities and thus reduce the dropout rate in the long term. Methodologically, a review of the relevant literature was conducted in this study. When analysing various research results, it was found that dropping out of a sports programme always depends on several factors. Characteristics of dropping out of sports activity can be personal as well as situational and structural. While it is often possible to identify individual reasons that ultimately tip the balance in favour of quitting, this is usually influenced by a complex set of factors. The reason that fitness club membership fees are too expensive is found at the top of the list in all known studies, followed by the statement that the time spent on sport is too much. Relocation, job and family reasons, other hobbies and, last but not least, health reasons are then usually found in the further course of the lists of dropout reasons. All these reasons seem plausible, but they may also be feigned. They are often difficult to verify by those responsible in the fitness clubs and usually have to be accepted as such. They are rather unsuitable for use in successful dropout prevention. At most, stated health reasons can play a role for preventive measures, but not if serious diseases are involved. Essential demands on the management of a fitness club are therefore the creation of a good social atmosphere during training, time-efficient training programs, fun during the training, fulfilment of training goals and intensive support mechanisms. Only sensible innovations, market-oriented behaviour and flexibility can lead to future success in the fast-moving fitness market.