Propaganda ... are our minds 'controlled'?..

Propaganda is defined as using information in a misleading form to produce certain results in peoples minds. You are about to meet Edward Bernay's the 'father' of mondern day media manipulation. Do you buy that in a democratic society that the 'masses' can be controlled? If so, can you provide an example of this? Interesting subject and to get you started take a look at this short video. If you'd like more on this subject go to youtube and look up Noam Chomsky and Manufactoring Consent. You can try this link to get you started.

The Moral Mind

Today in class we looked at Ted talk with Johnathon Haidt on the Moral mind. Interesting video on how our morality is shaped from a conservative or liberal perspective. Would love to hear your thoughts on your take on this. You can find the talk here.

Political Test

Political Compass Vote Compass (CBC) Try both as a check on accuracy.

J. R. Saul...Alberta divided political perspective

On one hand, Saul argues in this short artice, that we've adopted the populist notion of conservative politics and on the other hand, ignored our historical cooperative past. We've talked about the dialect in class...what do you make of this? Very interesting I find...turning it over to you!

Oh good just what we need more prisons!!!!

Currently there is a bill on the table re: minimum sentencing named bill C-10. This tough on crime approach may appeal to our sense of justice but is it short cited? What consequences will it produce? Are we willing to pay for the costs involved and is there perhaps a better way to deal with say drug issues. Take a look, after all, it effects us all. A short video can be found here and article here and short concise debate article can be http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/act.docs.1825.... love to hear your thoughts.

Maybe ALL schools should do this!

I love the idea of building meditation into daily school life. Sometimes I think we need to pause and reflect in a 'really' deep way about what is happening to and around us. Hey...if you're up to trying it, I'll try to speak more about it in and or around a class date.For now, check out this link and let me know how you feel about this short article.

The logic of Bill O'Reilly and Fox types....

It is incredible to me to hear how Billo the Clown (Countdown's name for him...I too agree)tries to trash the idea a young college student has one contraception coverage. As a good 'classic liberal', O'Reilly tries to deflect the 'real' issue the student has and turns his talking to point to an speech on self-reliance rather than health care protection for young college women. Simply incredible...love to hear your thoughts on this short video.

Over SEVEN billion on the planet and counting...

Incredible to think that in only 13 years we've added a billion people to our earth. Of course there are consequences to the growing number as seen in the article. The idea of stimulating economic growth is one that is used to justify increasing numbers but we already now some of the problems with this rationale. The first problem as suggested is that by 2050 will need 70% more food to satisfy the population. There is one solution that this article points to and I'm wondering if you will you agree and if so, why so, if not, why not? Look forward to your comments. The link can be found here.