Bigthink - User Ideas Feed

Re: Financial Literacy Month

Bigthink — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:21:50 +0100

: What I don't understand is the sea change in Americans with their regard to money. Is it just me that remembers the time when people were taught to save? Where has that sentiment gone? How can we get it back? Is it just that we aren't earning enough money these days?

Re: Should superpowers be subject to international law?

Bigthink — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:13:36 +0100

: There is no definitive answer. In many cases, it closes the gap, in that people in developing nations have opportunities to get jobs that pay better, and with globlization there is often an increase in education at teh poorest levels. That being said, there is also the tendency for the developed world to exploit the developing world for their advantage, so while the overall lifestyle of those in the developing world may improve somewhat, it does not even come close to being what we in the developed world would think acceptable.

Re: Does globalization widen the income gap?

Bigthink — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:45:41 +0100

Re: If Thoreau were alive today, would Walden be a blog?

Bigthink — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:04:59 +0100

Wow. Two intellectual names in the question of the day. Too bad I haven't read Walden and don't know too much Thoreau. I have always wondered how to say his name though.

Re: What are your favorite blogs?

Bigthink — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:58:01 +0100

I really like arts and letters daily, though that is more of a site than a blog. I've found that a lot of blogs started off well, and have become rather repetitive and formulaic--like Gawker for a start. I think that blogs should be making an effort to bring new information to users, and new faces, not just repeat other blogs or site's content.

Re: What is your favorite work of art?

Bigthink — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:27:37 +0100

: Dolce Far Niente by Jon William Godward I simply adore. It is a painting of a very relaxed woman in front of a pool, reclining. It is the picture, to my mind, of tranquility and peace of mind.

Re: Does religion inspire morality?

Bigthink — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:10:33 +0100

: Religion can inspire morality, it can also inspire amorality. The fundamental message of all relgions is to do good for others and be good yourself--and this message can be corrupted any number of ways. What does to do good mean? What does to be good mean? Generally when things in a society are going well, the answer to this for all religions is to do no harm and essentially, be kind. However, in times of turmoil, as we are in now, the interpretation leans toward fundamentalism and self preservation--both a closing in. When this happens, those in other religions are seen as, well, "other" and fear and misunderstanding that leads to intolerence between religions greatly increases.

Re: Is it the President's job to solve moral issues?

Bigthink — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:08:03 +0100

No it is not the President's job. In fact, moral issues should totally stay out of politics and especially the presidential race. President's should not be in the bedrooms or bodies of Americans.

Re: Would a black president help race relations?

Bigthink — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:37:57 +0100

: I'm not sure. There may still be a sense that Black people in power are counted among the elite of American society and therefore, viewed by some memebers of the Black community to be separate from theirs. I think it cannot do any harm, and may do good, but that is not a given. There are a lot of prominent Black people in America--arguably the most famous woman in America is Oprah Winfrey--but I"m not sure that her presence has dramatically improved race relations generally.

Re: Can newspapers survive the digital revolution?

Bigthink — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:36:51 +0100

: No way man--unless they totally change.

Re: Shalom in Rabbi Shmuley's Home

Bigthink — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:10:04 +0100

Rabbi Shmuley's message is pretty inspiring. I watched the whole interview and really dig what he says.

I wonder, there must be somebody in Islam with a similar message. Big THink should get that person (or persons) on.

Re: Is the media to blame for Britney's troubles?

Bigthink — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:04:04 +0100

: Totally not. Britney is to blame. But blame may be the wrong word--she is loving it and using it.

Re: Who is going to win Super Duper Tuesday?

Bigthink — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:27:00 +0100

: Obama is the better candidate. He is fresh and honest. Clinton is totally jaded. On the Repubilcan side, I do think a good ticket would be McCain and Bloomberg. Bloomberg would keep McCain in check.