Bigthink - Category Features and Ideas Feed

What can YOU (yeah you) do to change the world?

Bigthink — Fri, 16 May 2008 02:12:55 +0100

: In a world where there's at least one person that disagrees with your point of view, in systems that resist change, where corruption and self interest plague the majority, in a world with exponentially increasing population and decreasing natural resources, in a society that is rotting at its core, where morals variey by an individuals background, and individuals are becoming increasingly isolated, and conforming to a subpar standard, with all the information of the world at our fingertips, at the touch of a button. What can we do as people? As individuals? As members of a global society? As saviours? And please God don't bring up Jesus. But really. What can YOU (yeah you) do to change the world? To influence society? To fix the system? To understand better? And why can't we do it now? What's holding us up? You can say greed, and stubornness, and nationalism, and religious brainwashing, and you can call it purely animalistic. But what is it about everything that holds us up? Why can't we escape the mundane and frivilous? Where and when is innocence lost? Is it our nature? What's missing? What aren't we doing? And how can you (yeah you) change that?SAVE THE WORLD!

Gloria Estefan on Performing in Cuba.

Bigthink — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:29:16 +0100

: It's her dream.

Re: What does Africa need?

Bigthink — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:45:34 +0100

There are some obvious things Africa needs that we (the U.S.) can provide or promote. One is flexibility to develop its own strategy for development without the U.S. burdening it with bad conditions, demanding repayment for odious debt, setting the agenda at trade talks and ignoring their needs, and demand they never use compulsory liscensing even in emergency situations like this AIDS pandemic.

We can obviously provide money where it will help, esp. for roads, subsidies to develop indusry, developing health infrastructure, things we like that. We can provide technical advice in developing these plans. We can provide troops or military equiment to end violent conflict if need be.

People are too pessemistic and don't realize how much their fate is tied to Africa's. AIDS has killed 500,000 Americas, about 50x what 9/11 and Iraq have combined. Now that is nothing compared to lack of health insurance or car crashes or saturated fat or smoking, but its worth noting that if we fear terrorists we should fear disease and fear the root causes of terror even more.

FEATURE: AIDs on the Rise

Bigthink — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:50:56 +0100

Perspectives on the why the disease is still a pandemic in many part of the world despite major advances in treatment, and why the U.S. has itself lost ground in the battle.

Howard Zinn on the World Today

Bigthink — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:37:23 +0100

: The world, Zinn says, is trying to overcome American dominance.

Sen. George Mitchell On Markets and Conflict in China

Bigthink — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:45:22 +0100

: Sen. George Mitchell On Markets and Conflict in China

Re: Will we see sustained peace in Northern Ireland?

Bigthink — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:44:20 +0100

: Will we see sustained peace in Northern Ireland?

Re: How has Washington DC changed since you arrived?

Bigthink — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:43:20 +0100

: How has Washington DC changed since you arrived?

Can Israel continue to exist as a Jewish state?

Bigthink — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:46:29 +0100

: 1.2 million Israeli-Arabs live in Israel today and some analysts predict that within 100 years, an Arab majority could exist within the borders of Israel. Even today, particularly in the North, there is a perception of a "demogaphic threat" as Israeli-Arabs begin to outnumber Jewish-Israelis. The demographic issue is heavily debated in Israel and Big Think thinks its worthwhile to engage in this conversation on the 60th Anniversary of Israel's birth.

FEATURE: If Ireland Could Do It

Bigthink — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:12:24 +0100

Then maybe the Israelis and Palestinians can work something out. Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn Fein, talks about the struggle and the payoff in negotiating a lasting peace.

Re: Stewards of the Earth

Bigthink — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:42:19 +0100

I am surprised to say this, but I fully agree with you.

It should not matter that we are Evangelical, or Islamic, or Atheist, what matters is that we need to take care of our planet, that we need to clean up our messes, and the messes of our forefathers, and keep our planet alive and beautiful. Yes, there are many mistakes that mankind has made, such as the eradication of species, and the introducion, either accidental or purposfull, of plants and animals to an alien enviornmant, that we will never be able to fix, but we must do our best to solve these problems, and adapt to the environment that Earth gives us, whether it be the current climates we have, or the climates we have after the inevitable climate shifts.

Dr. Spencer Wells on Future Migration Patterns

Bigthink — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:40:08 +0100

: Where will be in 10,000 years? We'll all look more like Tiger Woods, says Wells.

Harry Reid on Race in America

Bigthink — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:57:08 +0100

: Growing up, Harry Reid didn’t know Jackie Robinson was black.

What Richard Price Loves About New York

Bigthink — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:13:30 +0100

: Price prefers the old New York.

FEATURE: Olympic Boycott?

Bigthink — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:51:24 +0100

Environmental activist Majora Carter thinks we shouldn't boycott the Beijing Olympics.

Being a vegetarian - better for our future?

Bigthink — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:01:33 +0100

: As a society we have to think about our actions, every single one. How can we prosper as a society and grow as a culture if we continue to rely on the cruelty and suffering of other creatures to sustain our existence?

Re: What should Americans be asking themselves?

Bigthink — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:12:10 +0100

: Am I getting enough sleep?

Re: Europe's Energy Policy

Bigthink — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:51:57 +0100

: I have to disagree with Bryce on this one

FEATURE: Making The World's Markets Better

Bigthink — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:22:50 +0100

How do we improve the world's economic markets?

Are we living up to Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address"

Bigthink — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:55:30 +0100

Abraham Lincoln finished his "Gettysburg Address" with the following:

"- that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

How well is the United States living up to Lincoln's statement?