Copying in the arts is becoming the norm

What do you think of artists using other artists’ work to create their own?  Where does allusion and creative reuse end and plagiarism begin?  Or is pure originality a myth anyway?  There are lots of examples in this article, but try to use some of your own in your response.  (Perhaps, for instance, one of those tunes which were copied from Western songwriters and given Czech or Slovak lyrics instead…)

The new press code in Slovakia

This article touches on a very basic topic.  What should the limits of the freedom of the press be in a democratic society?  How can the press encourage a healthy democracy and how can it hinder it?  I know this is a rather technical article, but take a look at some of the actual provisions of the code.   What, for instance, do you think of the idea that in choosing to become a public figure, you give up some of the rights that you have as a private citizen?  What do you think of the fact that the new code no longer requires newspapers to print their ownership structure for readers?  Finally, how would you characterize the state of the press in Slovakia today?  Are a variety of viewpoints represented?  Is the coverage adequate, accurate, detailed and/or critical?  Will the new law help or hurt?

Yummy weeds

As some of you probably know, there are plenty of things growing out there which are edible but that most people ignore.  What do you think the attraction to wild edibles is?  Or, why aren’t people attracted to them and just stick with what they know?  Do you think this is a trend which will spread from New York to, say, Europe or even Slovakia?  Or are Slovaks already more in tune with this sort of thing than Americans?  Do you yourself enjoy mushroom hunting or herb picking, or is it a waste of time or even dangerous?  How adventurous are you as an eater or cook?

Women beating men

Here’s an opinion piece (make sure you read the whole article and not just half) which basically argues that some people are using the fact that both men and women are physically violent towards each other to downplay the seriousness of men abusing women.  What do you think?  Is it the same thing when a man hits a woman or a woman hits a man?  The article quotes an expert who claims that men beat women to express their power whereas women beat men to express their frustration (or lack of power).  Is this true, or is violence always an expression of frustration, a lashing out when one one feels powerless otherwise?  The article also deals with the recent glorification of female violence in the entertainment world, and argues that people may admire it in the movies but not so much in real life.  Is female violence encouraged in our society today?

Superheroes hit Seattle’s streets

This is the last post you can respond to for the second half of November.

Is this one possible solution for making city streets safer?  Should ordinary citizens take a more active role in crime fighting when the police seem incapable of making things safe?  Or do these people have other motives?  Are they making the situation better or worse?   Some people think that television news and entertainment programs encourage a fear of crime that is exaggerated and a glorification of a violent response to it.  What is your opinion?

The neuroscience of metaphors

A fairly long article, but a very interesting one, with a lot to react to, especially for those of you with a scientific bent.  What do you think of neuroscientists trying to explain all human behaviour according to brain structure/chemistry?   Do you think the studies given as examples are good ways of measuring how the brain can perceive things metaphorically?  Would it interest you to carry out experiments like this?  (Perhaps there are some good ideas for extended essays here.)  Do you agree with the writer’s observations about the advantages and disadvantages of our brain’s tendency to confuse the literal and the metaphorical?

British couple freed from Somali pirates

The main point of this commentary seems to be that psychologists and other experts on trauma appear to thrive in a situation like this, freely commenting on a particular experience which they know little about and generally taking the pessimistic side in terms of the vulnerability/resiliency of the human psyche.   What do you think?  Do professions like this tend to encourage the bad things that they treat?  Should we go to trained professionals like psychologists for advice or help, or is a good friend or family member a better alternative?

Secondly, the kidnapping incident itself would seem to deserve comment (as long as you make clear references to this particular article too).  Do you admire this retired couple for the adventurous life they had and the risks they took?  Do people have a hypocritical tendency to admire those who take risks that pay off, but say “I would have” or “He/she shouldn’t have” when they fail?  What should governments do in a situation like this?  Should the “no negotiating” or “no paying ransom” rules always be strictly followed?  Finally, if you were a young Somali who was living in a country with no effective government and few if any means to make a living, what might you resort to?

Facebook as a forum for employee gripes

Another case of modern technology changing the way our lives work.  What do you think about the law in question?   Is Facebook too much of a public space for such comments?  Should the law include a clause about using insulting language as this employee seems to have done?  Are employers going to far in their attempts to make sure that their workers do not form unions?  Are they going too far in terms of trying to control employee discourse?  Is their desire to squelch criticism self-defeating?