Stories about Ideas from October, 2010
Japan: Speaking Beatles to communicate
An American blogger at InsideHalton.com said [en] she used Beatles’ lyrics to communicate with Japanese people and teach English. [via japundit.com]
Saudi Arabia: A Genie for your Thought!
Saudis continue to react to the genie (jinni) drama. Qusay shares his thoughts here.
Costa Rica: Young Professionals Work to Make San José Bike Friendly
The Tico Times Blog writes: “A group of young professionals calling themselves ChepeCletas [es] is poised to transform San José into a haven for bikers, and they are doing it one ride at a time. The group’s eventual goal is to make the city bike friendly.”
Bahamas: It's Time
Nicolette Bethel thinks “it’s time to build our own declaration of democracy”.
South Africa: Musings on Inequality vs. Poverty
Andries du Toit muses on inequality vs. poverty in South Africa: “The central and most urgent issue facing South Africa is not poverty but inequality… our economy, while generating wealth for a few, is also a poverty machine, perpetuating and exacerbating steep and deeply rooted inequalities that threaten the basis...
Pakistan: Marriage Of Convenience
Tamashbeen at All Things Pakistan finds it disgusting that 23-year old Azhar Haidri of Multan, Pakistan has become a media celebrity by marrying two women within 24 hours – the woman he was engaged with and the woman whom he claims as “his true love”.
Bermuda: Open or Closed?
Politics.bm calls “presumptive Premier-in-waiting” Paula Cox's recommitment to term limits “economic suicide”.
Haiti: A Dangerous Balance
The Signifyin’ Woman is “intrigued” by Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat's latest “collection of essays on writing (mostly) from the stance of exile, or immigrant”; The Caribbean Review of Books publishes an essay excerpted from the book.
Saudi Arabia: Online Impressions
From Saudi Arabia, The Eternal Philosopher Duha Husseini offers us an insight on “online impressions.” She adds: “I remember a time when 99% of Saudi internet users used aliases, including myself, for fear we might be judged based on what we share online. That has now changed.”
Saudi Arabia: Niqab and Freedom
Alternative Saudi Voices’ Ahmed Bagadoodoffers his perspective on the niqab (face cover worn by some Muslim women) and freedom.
Nicaragua: Open Government and the Evolution of e-Government
Juan Ortega writes [es] about the book Open Government [es] by César Calderón and Sebastián Lorenzo. He briefly explains what Nicaragua needs to do to improve transparency.
Trinidad & Tobago: Battling Corruption
In addition to “crying out for stronger campaign finance regulations as a key solution to our disturbing legacy of political corruption”, KnowTnT.com‘s Edmund Gall proposes “two other more urgently required types of regulatory reform: public accounting, and public procurement.”
Brazil: Open Call for Digital Culture
Brazilian Digital Culture Forum calls all enthusiasts to submit presentations about emerging processes in the network, communities of practice for the digital age and proposals to support public policies, until October 20. The 2nd edition of the Forum will take place in November 14-17 in Sao Paulo.
Jamaica: A Year of Blogging
“Using social media has provided us with [a] very rewarding and effective way to communicate with existing and new audiences…”: National Gallery of Jamaica Blog celebrates its first birthday.
Japan Blog Festival
Todd's Wanderings hosts the October Japan Blog Matsuri (or festival), “dedicated to the best Japan has to offer…or at least what YOU think are Japan’s best places, experiences, activities…whatever.” The theme for this month is Japan Highlights and here are the guidelines [en] to submit a post.
Morocco: “Driving to Civility”
Moroccan writer and traveler Ahmed T.B. describes his journey in a taxi through the hellish Casablanca traffic as a new and controversial driving code is being put in place.
Japan: Memories of an outlaw – Part Two
After almost three years outside the walls, a blogger - who prefers to be anonymous - decided to tell the story of his life behind bars.
Bermuda: Hit the Road
“The real problem is us: we drive like idiots”: As the government tries to find ways to “slow down traffic” in the face of rising road deaths, Vexed Bermoothes thinks that “there is much that can be done”, but warns that “‘technical measures’ alone will not solve the problem.”
Japan: Living a long life
Koichi at Tofugu has a few tips to live a long life [en] following the Japanese diet and habits.
Japan: Memories of an outlaw – Part One
After almost three years outside the walls, a blogger - who prefers to be anonymous - decided to tell the story of his life behind bars.
India: The Grand Secret OS
Greatbong takes a hilarious look at the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) proposal to create a “closed source operating system” to protect Data.
