Better than the majority is the majority

 Do you agree with this writer’s assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of a (perhaps overly) self-confident attitude?  Why, in your opinion, is such an attitude on the rise?  What do you think about the survey that gave us this information?  What would the results be if such a survey was given in Slovakia? 

Free, free, set them free!

 

We have already discussed this issue once in class, but now it has become relevant to the Slovak context.  Is having a presidential pardon a good thing, or should it be entirely up to the justice system whether prisoners get released?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of releasing prisoners early?  Should it be considered one possible solution to prison over-crowding?   Should it be done at once or only gradually?  Do you agree with which types of prisoners were chosen for this pardon?

Is Tumblr more than just orthographically challenged?

 

How can the format of social sites on the internet influence their content?  If you would like to encourage creativity and thoughtful expression, what are some of the best ways to do it?  Is the dumbing down of internet interaction inevitable?  Do you agree with this articles negative view of tumblr?  What is your preferred site and why?

The four-month-old teacher

Do you agree with the glowing description that the article gives of this educational programme?  Could all ages of students benefit?  What might be the downsides?  Would you be willing to donate your baby to the cause?

Give and take

 

Do you agree with the definitions of happiness and meaning given in this article?  Does looking for happiness ironically make one less happy?  Is everyone happier with meaning in life, or do some find meaninglessness more attractive?  Does this have anything to do with religious belief?  Is there meaning in suffering, or can looking for meaning in bad things cause more pain?  If some philosophers are right in that life has no intrinsic meaning, are we just deluding ourselves when we look for one?

Uncaring or uncarring

This is the last entry you can comment on for January.

How do you feel about cars?  If they are bad for the environment, how can we help people become less dependent on them and use them less?  Do attitudes need to change about cars, or do government policies?  What do you think about the solutions proposed in this article, both for urban and rural areas?  Is Slovakia become more or less like America in terms of being automobile-centered?