news

I decided recently that I should be more aware of what is happening in the world. Online newspapers make my job especially easy, and I'll freely admit to enjoying the BBC. Part of my job being to interact with people from all circumstances all over the globe, I've found it quite important to be aware when there is civil war in one country, elections in another, riots in another, the list goes on. Reading the news, simply to read the news, can be extremely boring since there are always wars, murders, new discoveries, opinions don't often change, it can all seem the same on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis.

Since travelling and meeting people from so many different countries the news now takes on meaning to me. When I read of a car bomb in Lebanon, I realise that is the same neighbourhood I stayed in the week previously and perhaps people I met or drove past were injured or killed. When I read of electoral difficulties in Thailand I can email a former intern and find out if this is something that could cause a split in the country. Electoral issues are a common thread: corruption in the Philippines - WYA members are putting their lives in jeopardy to monitor the elections; corrupt elections in Nigeria - hopes of WYA members for a better leader are dashed. When I read of genocide in the Sudan, I remember what WYA members in Rwanda told me about surviving and rebuilding from their genocide. So the news is no longer something I read about that is happening somewhere else, but it is almost like an international blog of issues directly affecting people I know, or work with, or work for, or will hopefully meet someday.

Then there are the special interest stories, just this morning I discovered a blog about moustaches. I realise a blog on moustaches has nothing directly to do with promotion of human dignity, but it's so funny I highly suggest everyone to follow this link! http://mustachesofthenineteenthcentury.blogspot.com/

The next article I happened to read was about evolution of the human species into a super race and a subhuman race - didn't we already get over this post-Hitler? Based on sex selection the super race should have smooth, clear skin (sounds like a Neutrogena ad), symmetrical facial features, athletic build, men will have large penises and women will have perky breasts. The subhuman race will appear like hobgoblins. Did I forget to mention that of course the better looking race is also more intelligent since studies have clearly proven the genetic link between good looks and intelligence? Now I don't wish to disparage Dr. Curry, I'm sure he doesn't realise he's following in the footsteps of eugenicists, but does it concern anyone that this could be considered a serious enough topic that he was able to get a PhD based on this theory, and published in the BBC? Do we really want to encourage these people through providing them with academic credentials and press? enough said...

On a much cuter note, there was also an article about the most recent winners of the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. There are some incredible pictures for any wildlife fans out there.