Stories about Ideas from December, 2007
Singapore: Social Media and Our Penchant for Perversity
“In the age of social media, one particular trend seem to stand out more so than others. And that is our penchant for perversity” writes Walter Lim.
Cuba: Castro Retiring?
Cuban bloggers are abuzz about speculations that Fidel Castro may be about to retire. The Cuban Triangle says: “To my knowledge, this is the first time Fidel has addressed his future role”, while Child of the Revolution says: “Unless the man is truly near death or under strong pressure from...
Kuwait: Buying Gucci in Bulk?
Ever seen people buying Gucci in bulk? Mark has the story from Kuwait.
Morocco: Improve Aeroport Mohammed V
Moroccan Adilski has finally arrived in Casablanca – after 20 hours in airports in three continents – and offers advice on how to improve the conditions at Aeroport Mohammed V.
Haiti: Restavek
Denise Green at Haiti Innovation blogs about the island's Restavek situation.
Thailand:
Thai-American Joa Moragoat's observations on how the Thai people have “over interpreted-over assimilated foreign cultural contributions giving such imports their own unique Thai character”
Oscar Niemeyer: 100 years of a daring architeture
Brazilian and international bloggers have been wishing a happy birthday to Oscar Niemeyer, the prized modernist architect who turns 100 today still very much alive, lucid, working and involved in many projects worldwide.
Korea: When You Can't Sleep…
What is your tactic when you have difficulty falling asleep? Check these methods that Korean netizens recommend and see whether you agree or not. If you do, you may end up redecorating your bedroom or falling asleep with a piece of onion under your nose.
WeMedia: A chance to tell them what you think
What would you tell 300 of the world's leading digital industry people? The next WeMedia Conference will be in Miami (February 2008), and the organizers (iFocos) are offering fellowships that cover registration fees and travel from any country to a few lucky bloggers, academics, or activists who are using technology to make the world a better place.
Haitian Magistrate on the Right to Die
A magistrate from Cap-Haitien shares his views on the right to die [Fr].
NATO's Secret Armies
Idelber [pt] reviews a book by historian Daniele Ganser, ‘NATO's Secret Armies: Operation Gladio and Terrorism in Western Europe’ and wonders: “Among countless books reviews from conservative Americans Think Tanks, has someone seen a single reference to this work in our press?”. The blog also recommends this interview with Daniele...
Jamaica: Brain Drain
Francis Wade thinks that Jamaica needs “a change in priorities, and to rethink the economic effect of our brain-drain.”
Bahamas: Junkanoo Controversy
If art is made and no one sees it, does it really exist? Larry Smith at Bahama Pundit blogs about what the calls the “absurd controversy over the recent attempt to charge the press a fee to cover Junkanoo.”
Sudan, Nation of Contrasts
Zizou from Djerba compares the moral universe of a theatrical play [Fr] about democracy and women's rights staged at a rich international school in Khartoum with the realities of illiteracy, infant mortality and short average life expectancy the population at large must face, concluding that Sudan is a nation of...
Barbados, Venezuela: Petro Caribe
As the General Manager of the Barbados National Petroleum Company makes a statement “on the ‘gift with strings’ that is Petro Caribe, Notes From The Margin says: “The truth of the matter is that Petro Caribe does NOT help the Caribbean, it is NOT in the Caribbean’s best interest.”
Haiti: The Needs of Children
“I would argue that the measurement of progress in a country is…the ability of that country to meet the needs of its children”: Haiti Innovation refers to a UNICEF report “which suggests that we have a long way to go, both for Haiti and the world as a whole.”
Jordan: Public Places
Jordanian blogger Ohod discusses the “crisis of public spaces in Jordan.”
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago: Crime Connection?
“It's a cautionary tale that should tell us Jamaicans that poverty by itself does not cause crime”: Francis Wade tries to analyse the apparent connection between wealth and crime.
Haiti: Citizen Media & Transparency
kiskeácity wonders if citizen efforts to help Haiti should incorporate blogging.
Guyana: Living in the Now
Guyana-Gyal is happy to be exactly where she is, even as she looks toward the future “with great gusto, gung-ho and big gallops of hope”.
Bermuda: Free Transport?
Free public transport in Bermuda? A Limey in Bermuda has a few concerns…
