Week 10 - Social Media

This week's topic will be digital technology and social media. Feel free to go off on your theories here - these questions are just to get the ball rolling in case you have writer's block. What are the issues here? What solutions does it give us; what problems does it bring us? What landmark events (if any) has it given us? Has it led to greater What illnesses/tragedies has it brought us? Should technology come with rules? or should society navigate blindly through it and learn from mistakes? Do you feel that social media is beneficial or detrimental for society as whole? Do you feel limitations should be set on what is acceptable? (i.e. content or age limits). If so, what type of implications are there in terms of who is in charge of these rules?

25 years Falling of the Berlin Wall

What does this symbolize? What has transpired since this event? Have situations legitimately improved in Germany since the event? (vs. other countries in the region). Is democracy the best political system for all nations?

Open Thread

Pick a top news story from this week and post the details / implications here.

Invasive Species Act

Ontario passes Invasive Species Act - link below. How are invasive species a world issue? Provide some examples. In some cases can they be a good thing? How do island nations deal with these situations ? (i.e. Australia, Madagascar, Hawaii, New Zealand, Galapagos, etc.) How does this relate / connect to biodiversity issues at large? http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2311068

Syria

Mortar shells 13 children. How did it come to this? What leads to these sorts of situations that we never deal with as Canadians? Has Syria always known violence or was it once peaceful? http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mortar-fire-syria-school-kills-13-children-26704083

Burkina Faso

Situation going on in this West African nation. Comment on the issues at stake - feel free to draw your own conclusions, but be sure you research the word 'sovereignty'before thinking about this issue

. How does this apply in this situation? What are some of the democratic issues. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29910029

Week 9

Post on one of the threads that deal with top news stories this week. Due by this Sunday. If you have remaining time, ensure coffee+bananas is complete, then finish up Beslan school re-opens article.