Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/12/radiohead-death-music-business
Radiohead’s release of their 7th album In Rainbows in 2007 proves that the music business is dead, according to the writer of the article. Free of their major label, Radiohead announced their new album ten days before its release and let the fans decide what they wanted to pay for it on their website, successfully eliminating every party involved between the band and their listeners, which resulted in the money being transferred to the band directly. They also gave the fans an option to order a 40 pound deluxe boxset. The period of ten days was too short to cause any leaked material, and this resulted in fans being eager for the actual release of the music, not for any leaked material. This is proof that the music industry has been dead for a long time, because the release date of the album was finally about the music, not about being able to get the music for free.
Opinion:
I was intrigued by Radiohead’s move to release their album in their own way back in 2007, and downloaded the album for 2 Euro. I, too, was actually very excited about the music, and the way Radiohead decided to offer their music to their fans appealed to me. I do have to say I have a huge weakness for these kind of things, being a music fanatic and romantic. Although I have downloaded the majority of my music library, I try to buy as much music legally as I can, as a support for the artists I love. I can be found often in the local record store, discussing music with other music lovers, and I notice these people are usually older, having lived in the time there was no such thing as illegal downloading of music. Radiohead’s move has pulled attention away from the downloading problem, back to music and maybe a solution to this problem leaving more attention for music, which should always be, the main topic of discussing when discussing the music industry.
dinsdag 21 juni 2011
The 'Shrek virus'? Have pity for the pretty
Article
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/20/shrek-virus-beautiful-people
Due to a software malfunction called 'Shrek', an dating website only for pretty people (The Beautiful People), was suddenly open for ugly people to apply. Normally, all applicants were judged by a jury of people who were already a member of this site to see whether the new applicants were pretty enough. The writer of this article stated that she 'pitied the members of this site, perfect people looking for other pretty people to mate with, thus placing themselves in their own narcist cage. The writer is convinced that the virus was a stunt, and aimed to pop the bubble these ‘beautiful people’ live in.
Opinion
I laughed out loud while reading this article, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. It strongly reminded me of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho, where the handsome, successful protagonist goes so mad in his bubble of perfection, due to the fact that after a while nothing is beautiful, perfect or successful enough anymore (except for his hero, Donald Trump), he goes crazy and starts killing the ‘less successful’ in a very morbid way. The actual fact that there is a dating-site for beautiful people only, is more than enough reason to pity them, since you would think that pretty human beings wouldn’t have any trouble finding a life partner, except for almost impossible standards.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/20/shrek-virus-beautiful-people
Due to a software malfunction called 'Shrek', an dating website only for pretty people (The Beautiful People), was suddenly open for ugly people to apply. Normally, all applicants were judged by a jury of people who were already a member of this site to see whether the new applicants were pretty enough. The writer of this article stated that she 'pitied the members of this site, perfect people looking for other pretty people to mate with, thus placing themselves in their own narcist cage. The writer is convinced that the virus was a stunt, and aimed to pop the bubble these ‘beautiful people’ live in.
Opinion
I laughed out loud while reading this article, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. It strongly reminded me of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho, where the handsome, successful protagonist goes so mad in his bubble of perfection, due to the fact that after a while nothing is beautiful, perfect or successful enough anymore (except for his hero, Donald Trump), he goes crazy and starts killing the ‘less successful’ in a very morbid way. The actual fact that there is a dating-site for beautiful people only, is more than enough reason to pity them, since you would think that pretty human beings wouldn’t have any trouble finding a life partner, except for almost impossible standards.
BBC to dramatise unholy row over Monty Python's Life of Brian
Article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jun/21/bbc-monty-python-life-of-brian
The famous Monty Python film the Life Of Brian, was heavily criticised upon release by various religious sources. According to them, the film was mocking Christ, and was subsequently banned from a variety of countries, like Ireland.
The new BBC4 movie Holy Flying Circus, is a film based on the struggles the Monty Python cast had back in 1979, when Life of Brian was released. It will explore the struggle of freedom of speech and religious beliefs. The original Monty Python cast will be portrayed by actors. None of the original Monty Python actors will perform in the film, but they were all notified, and asked for commentary.
Opinion:
I’m actually very interested in the film, and I definitely want to see it. I have seen Life of Brian, and could imagine why religious instances would find that their Messiah was ridiculed. On the other hand, I do not see why this film should be banned from any country, since the movie is so over-the-top, that it (at least, I couldn’t) really take it seriously as an ‘attack’ on religion, more as ridiculing the story of the Bible, just for good fun.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jun/21/bbc-monty-python-life-of-brian
The famous Monty Python film the Life Of Brian, was heavily criticised upon release by various religious sources. According to them, the film was mocking Christ, and was subsequently banned from a variety of countries, like Ireland.
The new BBC4 movie Holy Flying Circus, is a film based on the struggles the Monty Python cast had back in 1979, when Life of Brian was released. It will explore the struggle of freedom of speech and religious beliefs. The original Monty Python cast will be portrayed by actors. None of the original Monty Python actors will perform in the film, but they were all notified, and asked for commentary.
Opinion:
I’m actually very interested in the film, and I definitely want to see it. I have seen Life of Brian, and could imagine why religious instances would find that their Messiah was ridiculed. On the other hand, I do not see why this film should be banned from any country, since the movie is so over-the-top, that it (at least, I couldn’t) really take it seriously as an ‘attack’ on religion, more as ridiculing the story of the Bible, just for good fun.
Short Strand: Two men shot during east Belfast riots
During an east Belfast riot between the nationalists and royalists two men got hit by gunshots. A reverend on the scene stated that this was the most extreme riot he has seen in Belfast in ten years. Who started the riot is unclear, but it was stated that the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) started the riot, which was denied by member of the force, calling the statement disgraceful. Police officers were injured during the riot, on had to go to a hospital because of eye injury, which was inflicted because of the laser pens the crowd used against the police.
Opinion
I don't know exactly why, but I was under the impression that the ongoing battles in Northern Ireland had ceased. While reading the article, I wasn't under the impression that the riots were anything except under control, noting that police officers were injured during these riots. The exact reason for this riot is unclear to me, so I'm just suspecting that it's the same reason as usual. I'm not an expert on the subject, but isn't it about time that these kind of religion clashes (especially in western society) became a part of the past?
Opinion
I don't know exactly why, but I was under the impression that the ongoing battles in Northern Ireland had ceased. While reading the article, I wasn't under the impression that the riots were anything except under control, noting that police officers were injured during these riots. The exact reason for this riot is unclear to me, so I'm just suspecting that it's the same reason as usual. I'm not an expert on the subject, but isn't it about time that these kind of religion clashes (especially in western society) became a part of the past?
zaterdag 18 juni 2011
St Gregory's college cornrows rule discriminated
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13803106
A London school refused a place to a boy 13-year-old boy because of his hairstyle, which were cornrows (braided hair, close to the scalp). The school stated this was due to its uniform policy, which also related to hair styles. ‘G’, as the boy is mentioned, stated that his hairstyle was a genuine family tradition, based on his families’ culture. The judge ruled that the hair policy on itself wasn’t unlawful, but only if it was applied without the possibility of exeption. The school was disappointed, and stated that it was proud of its ethnic and cultural diversity. The boy has no desire any more for placement at the school.
Opinion
I found this a very interesting article, especially when I realised that English school policies also include school uniforms, but didn’t know that some of the schools also have hairdo-policies. Although I am in favour of school uniforms to stress that people shouldn’t be judged on the clothes they wear (since a lot of teenagers are very focused on certain brands, and the price of clothing, which could result in a hierarchy based on the price on students’ clothes, which is a form of discrimination based on how much money a person has, which a school and its teachers should prevent at all time), but teenagers should still be able to show their individuality one way or another, because most teenagers are focused on developing their selves to become unique individuals.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13803106
A London school refused a place to a boy 13-year-old boy because of his hairstyle, which were cornrows (braided hair, close to the scalp). The school stated this was due to its uniform policy, which also related to hair styles. ‘G’, as the boy is mentioned, stated that his hairstyle was a genuine family tradition, based on his families’ culture. The judge ruled that the hair policy on itself wasn’t unlawful, but only if it was applied without the possibility of exeption. The school was disappointed, and stated that it was proud of its ethnic and cultural diversity. The boy has no desire any more for placement at the school.
Opinion
I found this a very interesting article, especially when I realised that English school policies also include school uniforms, but didn’t know that some of the schools also have hairdo-policies. Although I am in favour of school uniforms to stress that people shouldn’t be judged on the clothes they wear (since a lot of teenagers are very focused on certain brands, and the price of clothing, which could result in a hierarchy based on the price on students’ clothes, which is a form of discrimination based on how much money a person has, which a school and its teachers should prevent at all time), but teenagers should still be able to show their individuality one way or another, because most teenagers are focused on developing their selves to become unique individuals.
Hanwell, Northfields, Northolt and Perivale library buildings 'stay open'
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13811581
The future of four West-London libraries was doubted due to the government’s cuts, but all four of them are staying after a 1,500 vote petition. Carolyn Brown, who has been one of the most prominent participants of the campaign to save the libraries, claims that particularly children will benefit from the facilities staying available. She says that youngsters should ‘grow up with books to build an early passion for reading, in order to maximalise their life chances’. She also stated that the libraries have a large social functionality, for the local elderly and those without internet-access at home.
Opinion
This article could be in any newspaper from any western country, but I picked it because I suspect that the closing of libraries is going to become a more often seen phenomenon in richer societies. Everything digital, and especially the internet is taking over from older forms of media, whether if they’re books, music, or movies. And it’s especially books I’m concerned about. I think that Carolyn Brown is right, and that kids should be brought in touch with books as young as possible. And since not everyone has the resources to buy their kids books, the library is an ideal institute to make reading available to anyone. I also have the very strong opinion that education should be mainly done from books, and that the influence of digital media should be included, but definitly not the main focus.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13811581
The future of four West-London libraries was doubted due to the government’s cuts, but all four of them are staying after a 1,500 vote petition. Carolyn Brown, who has been one of the most prominent participants of the campaign to save the libraries, claims that particularly children will benefit from the facilities staying available. She says that youngsters should ‘grow up with books to build an early passion for reading, in order to maximalise their life chances’. She also stated that the libraries have a large social functionality, for the local elderly and those without internet-access at home.
Opinion
This article could be in any newspaper from any western country, but I picked it because I suspect that the closing of libraries is going to become a more often seen phenomenon in richer societies. Everything digital, and especially the internet is taking over from older forms of media, whether if they’re books, music, or movies. And it’s especially books I’m concerned about. I think that Carolyn Brown is right, and that kids should be brought in touch with books as young as possible. And since not everyone has the resources to buy their kids books, the library is an ideal institute to make reading available to anyone. I also have the very strong opinion that education should be mainly done from books, and that the influence of digital media should be included, but definitly not the main focus.
vrijdag 17 juni 2011
woensdag 15 juni 2011
Is this the beginning of the end for facebook?
Article
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/willheaven/100092236/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-facebook/
‘Facebook suicide’ is becoming an increasing occurring phenomenon, which is using your facebook account less, or deleting your account all together. However, this only goes for certain groups. For teenagers, Facebook is the way they communicate, spending hours of sharing funny videos, pictures, chatting and posting messages. Older users mainly use it as a backup to their iPhones. It’s the latter who have started to delete their accounts, 100.000 in the UK last month, and six million American users deleted their accounts in that same month. Facebook has been gaining users in poorer countries like India and Brazil, but the advertising is a lot less effective to those, since they usually have a lot less to spend.
Opinion
I do have a Facebook account, and while I’m usually quite the critic concerning sharing that much personal information on the internet, I can’t help posting a message once in a while. I think the development of facebook-suicides is a natural one. Facebook is a couple of years old now, it became something ‘regular’ first, and now a lot of people maybe feel like it’s outdated, not ‘cool’, or something quite dangerous, because of the easy access people and companies have to your personal information. But I also feel that, when something new comes a long (in the form of a social network site), those people will be the first to make a new account.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/willheaven/100092236/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-facebook/
‘Facebook suicide’ is becoming an increasing occurring phenomenon, which is using your facebook account less, or deleting your account all together. However, this only goes for certain groups. For teenagers, Facebook is the way they communicate, spending hours of sharing funny videos, pictures, chatting and posting messages. Older users mainly use it as a backup to their iPhones. It’s the latter who have started to delete their accounts, 100.000 in the UK last month, and six million American users deleted their accounts in that same month. Facebook has been gaining users in poorer countries like India and Brazil, but the advertising is a lot less effective to those, since they usually have a lot less to spend.
Opinion
I do have a Facebook account, and while I’m usually quite the critic concerning sharing that much personal information on the internet, I can’t help posting a message once in a while. I think the development of facebook-suicides is a natural one. Facebook is a couple of years old now, it became something ‘regular’ first, and now a lot of people maybe feel like it’s outdated, not ‘cool’, or something quite dangerous, because of the easy access people and companies have to your personal information. But I also feel that, when something new comes a long (in the form of a social network site), those people will be the first to make a new account.
Kettling of children at tuition fees protest challenged.
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13679665
During a protest against the raise of tuition fees of colleges last November up to 60 students who had the intention of joining the protest were contained by the Metropolitan police. Three of those students are now challenging the Met decision to ‘kettle’ the pupils, stating that they “were locked up with no food and very little water for more seven hours straight”. They claim that the police has broke the laws of the European Convention of Human Rights, since they felt they had the right to join the protest.
Opinion
Assuming this story is indeed true, the fact that the police locked away a lot of students while they didn’t do anything to break the law is very offending to me. To protest is a fundamental right for everyone, and this is especially important to under-aged kids, since they don’t have the right to vote yet, making protesting a very useful tool to voice their opinion. I am most certainly rooting for the kids in this case, so events like these can be prevented in the future.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13679665
During a protest against the raise of tuition fees of colleges last November up to 60 students who had the intention of joining the protest were contained by the Metropolitan police. Three of those students are now challenging the Met decision to ‘kettle’ the pupils, stating that they “were locked up with no food and very little water for more seven hours straight”. They claim that the police has broke the laws of the European Convention of Human Rights, since they felt they had the right to join the protest.
Opinion
Assuming this story is indeed true, the fact that the police locked away a lot of students while they didn’t do anything to break the law is very offending to me. To protest is a fundamental right for everyone, and this is especially important to under-aged kids, since they don’t have the right to vote yet, making protesting a very useful tool to voice their opinion. I am most certainly rooting for the kids in this case, so events like these can be prevented in the future.
CCTV website rapped on privacy
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13765136
The website called ‘internet eyes’ allows the public to report crime seen via CCTV footage, and offers rewards up to a thousand pounds for spotting crimes on that footage. Changes has been demanded from the Information Commissioner’s Office, since footage from this service have been found on Youtube. CCTV of a person is considered to be personal data, so this would be a violation of someone’s privacy. The firm is now required to check who is watching the footage, and the footage itself has to be ‘encrypted’ which makes it impossible to share the video footage on other sites like Youtube.
Opinion
I find myself very interested in articles concerning CCTV, since I find CCTV very fascinating. The idea of filming almost an entire country seems crazy to me, and I’m sure that a lot of Dutch will think that only the taking of footage while they are doing their shopping is a violation of their privacy. That’s why it seems very strange to me that the ‘internet eyes’ website was so careless with the footage in the first place, especially when CCTV footage of a person is personal data, I don’t think anyone in the public should be able to see the footage, but should only be shown to the police, or some other kind of professionals.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13765136
The website called ‘internet eyes’ allows the public to report crime seen via CCTV footage, and offers rewards up to a thousand pounds for spotting crimes on that footage. Changes has been demanded from the Information Commissioner’s Office, since footage from this service have been found on Youtube. CCTV of a person is considered to be personal data, so this would be a violation of someone’s privacy. The firm is now required to check who is watching the footage, and the footage itself has to be ‘encrypted’ which makes it impossible to share the video footage on other sites like Youtube.
Opinion
I find myself very interested in articles concerning CCTV, since I find CCTV very fascinating. The idea of filming almost an entire country seems crazy to me, and I’m sure that a lot of Dutch will think that only the taking of footage while they are doing their shopping is a violation of their privacy. That’s why it seems very strange to me that the ‘internet eyes’ website was so careless with the footage in the first place, especially when CCTV footage of a person is personal data, I don’t think anyone in the public should be able to see the footage, but should only be shown to the police, or some other kind of professionals.
Why do people play music in public through a phone?
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13749313
An often-seen scene on the streets: teenagers playing music to each other from their tinny-sounding mobile phone speakers, and the people around them being very irritated. It even has its own name: sodcasting. Why do youngsters ‘sodcast’? It seems to be not an act of rebellion, but of marking social territory. The sound of loud music makes young people feel like they own the space. The phenomenon has been around for a longer time, who doesn’t remember being warned by their parent’s to ‘put that noise down’? But the difference is that because of mobile phones teenagers disturb other people in society.
Opinion
Even at schools where kids own laptops (f.e. my internship-school this year), ‘sodcasting’ is a nuisance. They turn their music on their laptops up quite loud once you’re (the teacher) not paying attention, and it becomes a great distraction for the other kids in the same classroom. I think that ‘sodcasting’ is a very natural phenomenon, but teenagers need to be taught that playing loud music in public areas is considered to be anti-social, and can indeed be annoying.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13749313
An often-seen scene on the streets: teenagers playing music to each other from their tinny-sounding mobile phone speakers, and the people around them being very irritated. It even has its own name: sodcasting. Why do youngsters ‘sodcast’? It seems to be not an act of rebellion, but of marking social territory. The sound of loud music makes young people feel like they own the space. The phenomenon has been around for a longer time, who doesn’t remember being warned by their parent’s to ‘put that noise down’? But the difference is that because of mobile phones teenagers disturb other people in society.
Opinion
Even at schools where kids own laptops (f.e. my internship-school this year), ‘sodcasting’ is a nuisance. They turn their music on their laptops up quite loud once you’re (the teacher) not paying attention, and it becomes a great distraction for the other kids in the same classroom. I think that ‘sodcasting’ is a very natural phenomenon, but teenagers need to be taught that playing loud music in public areas is considered to be anti-social, and can indeed be annoying.
One in six children streamed aged seven - survey
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13772918
According to a research done by the Institute of Education, one in six children are being streamed by ability by the age of seven. This means they are put in different classes, and are selected by their learning skills. The survey also showed some surprising results, like the fact that boys are more likely to end up in the bottom classes, that autumn-born children are more likely to end up in the top classes, and so on. The biggest critical response to the streaming of young children, is that the children didn’t benefit a lot from dividing them in groups of ability, because it would determine life chances very early on, since the mobility options between streams are very limited.
Opinion
It makes me feel very uncomfortable reading this. I have a niece who is seven years old, and the idea of her being separated from her friends on the basis of her or her friends’ abilities is unsettling. I don’t think she’d fully understand why she would be separated from her friends, and at an age that young you could try to explain them, but it would still feel like a punishment for her. I understand that streaming those kids in different groups based on ability makes teaching easier, but I think it shouldn’t be done at an age that young. Teaching them how limited their choices eventually are has to be done at a later age, and so allowing them to be a kid a little while longer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13772918
According to a research done by the Institute of Education, one in six children are being streamed by ability by the age of seven. This means they are put in different classes, and are selected by their learning skills. The survey also showed some surprising results, like the fact that boys are more likely to end up in the bottom classes, that autumn-born children are more likely to end up in the top classes, and so on. The biggest critical response to the streaming of young children, is that the children didn’t benefit a lot from dividing them in groups of ability, because it would determine life chances very early on, since the mobility options between streams are very limited.
Opinion
It makes me feel very uncomfortable reading this. I have a niece who is seven years old, and the idea of her being separated from her friends on the basis of her or her friends’ abilities is unsettling. I don’t think she’d fully understand why she would be separated from her friends, and at an age that young you could try to explain them, but it would still feel like a punishment for her. I understand that streaming those kids in different groups based on ability makes teaching easier, but I think it shouldn’t be done at an age that young. Teaching them how limited their choices eventually are has to be done at a later age, and so allowing them to be a kid a little while longer.
maandag 13 juni 2011
Student migration curbs could cost UK 2.4 billion pounds
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13751446
The government’s plans to cut the amount of foreign students arriving in the UK, could cost a lot more than they would save, according to the Home Office. The estimate is that the economy would save 2.4 billion pounds, but that rejecting foreign students would cost around 4.8 billion pounds.
The major costs would be due to fewer students working in the UK during or after their course, and fewer fees paid to educational institutions.
The reason for the plans to cut the amount of foreign students arriving in the UK was to get a grip on ‘bogus colleges’ which are institutions pretending to offer educational courses, to get around visa rules.
Opinion
I feel that, if the government feels obliged to get a grip on these bogus colleges, that this is a wrong way of doing so. Allowing fewer students to come to the UK will hurt the economy more than it would hurt these fake colleges, and would discriminate students who are actually serious about studying in the UK. It isn’t stated in the article, but I am afraid that this new plan might hurt the quality of education too, since cutting foreign students means lesser income for school which could have a negative effect on the quality of education.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13751446
The government’s plans to cut the amount of foreign students arriving in the UK, could cost a lot more than they would save, according to the Home Office. The estimate is that the economy would save 2.4 billion pounds, but that rejecting foreign students would cost around 4.8 billion pounds.
The major costs would be due to fewer students working in the UK during or after their course, and fewer fees paid to educational institutions.
The reason for the plans to cut the amount of foreign students arriving in the UK was to get a grip on ‘bogus colleges’ which are institutions pretending to offer educational courses, to get around visa rules.
Opinion
I feel that, if the government feels obliged to get a grip on these bogus colleges, that this is a wrong way of doing so. Allowing fewer students to come to the UK will hurt the economy more than it would hurt these fake colleges, and would discriminate students who are actually serious about studying in the UK. It isn’t stated in the article, but I am afraid that this new plan might hurt the quality of education too, since cutting foreign students means lesser income for school which could have a negative effect on the quality of education.
Nicotine treatment 'could control' obesity
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13711975
Scientists have discovered a certain group of neurons in the brain linked to the lack of appetite that smokers have. These are not the same neurons which cause the craving for tobacco, however. As a result, it is believed that nicotine-based treatments could help prevent and cure obesity.
However, the effect of these treatments are expected to be limited since smokers who quit smoking only gain 2.5 kilos. This new discovery on the effect of nicotine could be a minor breakthrough in the battle against one of the nation’s biggest health problems, but could also prevent smokers from stopping because of the fear of putting on weight. Further experimentation with human subjects is needed.
Opinion
I, being a smoker, thought this is a pretty funny article. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been asked around 5 times a week (sometimes by total strangers) why I smoke. This article has provided me with a beautiful argument. But in all seriousness, if it is proven that this nicotine-based treatment will not be addictive, it could be a great tool in the war on obesity, which is a huge health problem.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13711975
Scientists have discovered a certain group of neurons in the brain linked to the lack of appetite that smokers have. These are not the same neurons which cause the craving for tobacco, however. As a result, it is believed that nicotine-based treatments could help prevent and cure obesity.
However, the effect of these treatments are expected to be limited since smokers who quit smoking only gain 2.5 kilos. This new discovery on the effect of nicotine could be a minor breakthrough in the battle against one of the nation’s biggest health problems, but could also prevent smokers from stopping because of the fear of putting on weight. Further experimentation with human subjects is needed.
Opinion
I, being a smoker, thought this is a pretty funny article. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been asked around 5 times a week (sometimes by total strangers) why I smoke. This article has provided me with a beautiful argument. But in all seriousness, if it is proven that this nicotine-based treatment will not be addictive, it could be a great tool in the war on obesity, which is a huge health problem.
Updated anti-extremism strategy published
Article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13679360
Home Secretary Theresa May announced the government’s new anti-terrorism strategy in June.
The plans of changing the current policy (known as Prevent) came after a review of its effectiveness, which concluded that there were some serious flaws in the policy. Prevent had failed to ‘tackle extremist ideology’ which would inspire to become an active terrorist.
The new plans include: withdrawal support from extremist groups (also non-violent ones) and a national blocking list of violent and unlawful websites. Also, terrorist suspects who cannot be prosecuted, can be limited in his or her freedom significantly.
OpinionI can certainly see why the government decided to expand their policy on anti-terrorism, because before these new plans, they were still funding around 20 organisations which are considerd extremist.
However, I'm having difficulties with the idea that the government feels obliged to judge groups on their beliefs and/or ideologies and cut the funding where they see fit. Even the non-violent ones. I feel like they should restrict their policy funding-cuts to only the violent extremist groups. I say this because I think the 'line' is crossed when violence is involved, not when people have a certain opinion.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13679360
Home Secretary Theresa May announced the government’s new anti-terrorism strategy in June.
The plans of changing the current policy (known as Prevent) came after a review of its effectiveness, which concluded that there were some serious flaws in the policy. Prevent had failed to ‘tackle extremist ideology’ which would inspire to become an active terrorist.
The new plans include: withdrawal support from extremist groups (also non-violent ones) and a national blocking list of violent and unlawful websites. Also, terrorist suspects who cannot be prosecuted, can be limited in his or her freedom significantly.
OpinionI can certainly see why the government decided to expand their policy on anti-terrorism, because before these new plans, they were still funding around 20 organisations which are considerd extremist.
However, I'm having difficulties with the idea that the government feels obliged to judge groups on their beliefs and/or ideologies and cut the funding where they see fit. Even the non-violent ones. I feel like they should restrict their policy funding-cuts to only the violent extremist groups. I say this because I think the 'line' is crossed when violence is involved, not when people have a certain opinion.
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