A good friend of mine recommended this TEDx talk performed in Sudan and I simply love it. It talks about ambition, gumption, examples of Sudanese who have defeated the odds and 'made it'...and is a great grass roots video for young Sudanese to watch and be inspired by. Note that it is in Arabic, and pretty Sudanese Arabic at that!
Enjoy.
The 'Global Movement of Moderation Foundation', or the GMMF for short, is symptomatic of an contradictory obsession with moderation in the Malaysian political sphere.
This contradiction has been demonstrated over the course of the Australia-Malaysia Institute's current program, an initiative pitched as a cultural exchange between the youth of the two nations. The Malaysian Government's Ministry of Foreign Affair's determination to include the GMMF along the way has led to the 'moderation' agenda dictating the terms and language around the program and it is clear that this is coming from the top. Why? What is this all achieving?
A more fundamental question to ask is 'What exactly does it mean to be part of the moderate movement?'
In essence, what does 'moderate' actually mean?
This is a question we have been asking as a group for the last few days and have yet to receive a comprehensive answer. It seems that the concept of 'moderation' is something along the lines of 'the middle path', or more boldly, the opposite of extremism. How such an amorphous concept can be a goal however - especially when so poorly defined - is difficult to understand.
What is concerning is the use of the word 'moderate' when it is a word that quite clearly comes with baggage.
It means various things to various people and as a Muslim, the use of the phrase 'moderate Muslim' is slightly...uncomfortable.
Rather than moderate, some Muslims prefer words such as 'mainstream', if we have to give ourselves a label.
'Moderate Muslims' however, to me seems to just imply a Muslim that is lukewarm, or just 'moderately' interested and engaged in the religion. It makes me think - if I am a 'moderate Muslim', does that mean I am not a 'good Muslim'?
It almost insinuates that it's neither here, nor there. Just a bit, well, meh?
Different Muslims have different preferences, but it should be recognised that the word 'moderate' does have that connotation to many.
So clearly, the use of phrases such as the 'movement of moderation' when that is so poorly defined and in fact insinuates a dilution of [religious] belief is concerning and confusing.
In addition, the second issue of note is the corresponding and contradictory moves in Malaysia to politisice Islam. This has been demonstrated by the tightening of particular laws excessively and against the principles of Islam, an attitude which flies in the face of 'moderation'.
The most recent case is naturally that of banning the use of the word 'Allah' by other religions and various cases in family court that are said to terribly disadvantage women. This disadvantage is due to procedural issues and poor implementation of the law rather than of the word of the law itself.
It would seem that even one of the most outwardly progressive Muslim majority nations in the world suffers from the deep politicisation of religion, evidenced in the adoption of the word 'moderate'. It is a word that the West love, as it is nice and not-extremist-scary. A nation that adopts this position will be internationally favoured.
Domestically however, the opposite is true. Political leaders use the religion to justify their actions in order to try gain the domestic Muslim internal support they desire.
It is an interesting situation indeed...
***
Politicisation of religion is difficult to fight without true, just, fair education, and that includes proper religious eduation that focuses not on the rituals of a religion but the spirit behind the words.
When Muslims are properly educated themselves as to their rights, responsibilities and duties as good Muslims, the true spirit of Islam - which is like any religion, lauding peace, mercy, forgiveness, et. al. - will shine through.
After all, Muslims are told to walk the 'middle path'...
Ironic, la?
As part of the fantastic Young Minds conference next week, I will be appearing with the Dalai Lama and a few other awesome people discussing the idea of 'growing a good person'.
It is an interesting issue, and raises a multitude of questions.
What makes a good person?
Can we 'grow' a good person?
Are there qualities that are inherently good or bad, and can we truly become 'better'?
I can't wait to tackle this issue! What are your thoughts?
***
In the lead up to the conference, I wrote the following piece for the conference blog.
***
A stroll in the self-help section of any bookstore, electronic or otherwise, will offer a wide and varying selection on how to achieve the illusive state of ‘happiness’.
Happiness seems to be a state which we should aspire to achieve and embody. However, this doesn’t seem to answer all the questions.
If we are all trying so hard to be happy, to de-stress, de-clutter and distance ourselves from anything that brings us pain and difficulty, where are we collectively heading as a society? Can we really achieve and progress if we are not interested in the meaningfulness of what we do and instead focus on our personal, individual happiness?
In her recent article, Nancy Colier asks: Why do we expect ourselves to be happy all the time? It is a pertinent question and challenges a concept that has been encouraged and celebrated strongly over the past couple of decades, particularly in the United States. The article draws from The Atlantic’s original article, which postulates There is actually more to life than just being happy.
If life isn’t about being happy, then what is it about?
Having grown up in a household with a strong Sudanese, community based culture, my younger brother and I were taught the importance of ‘duty’, and doing things with a purpose, something that offered meaning.
This wasn’t something we always understood or appreciated, as for young children and teenagers, the immediate payoff seems to be the most important thing. As time has passed though, I have begun to appreciate what my parents were trying to teach us.
Meaning can bring happiness, but in of itself is much more profound and encompassing than just ‘being happy’.
Meaning is about the concept of working for something larger than your individual person. It is about, as the psychologist who wrote the book Man’s Search for Meaning found, being a ‘giver’ instead of a ‘taker’.
It is a concept that implies a fulfilling life isn’t one that is focused on personal contentment to the exclusion of any pain, suffering, or any struggle for a better situation. Rather, a fulfilling life is one that gives individuals a reason to be happy – or at the very least, content.
Meaning can come in any number of forms, but it is often related to what we as individuals and society value.
For those who value family, meaning and ensuing happiness can come from providing for the family. For those who are more focused on their career, meaning may take the form of employment related activities. For me personally, meaning comes from working with young people and the community to help empower them, individually and as a group.
Achieving or striving for these may not always be sunshine and roses, and may not always provide immediate happiness. However, the long term strive for meaning gives depth to our lives, and value to what we contribute to in society.
It is that meaning that we can derive true happiness from, knowing that our time on this earth made an impact in some way, and that the world is a little better for us having been in it.
***
The Allens Law Firm just held an amazing event - Womens@Allens for Queensland week and I thought it was worth sharing and discussing before the awesomeness faded from my memory (as things tend to do so quickly these days!). The pearls of wisdom that came out of this panel of inspiring Queensland women bear repeating.
Madonna King talked about one of her biggest successes being choosing her husband. An interesting point, but one I think that is quite pertinent - your choice of spouse and the subsequent spousal support (or lack thereof) can play a big part in your future options.
Peter Hackworth's story (second from the left) is also amazing, and she pointed out that it is a smart and lovely thing to do to always be nice, charming and smiling to everyone, regardless of how you may feel or what their standing is. A cliche you may say, but so underestimated and such wise advice! Because we're all humans at the end of the day, and life really is about those interpersonal skills. I used to think I shouldn't be 'nice' on the rigs because that's 'too feminine'... until I realised that a) there was nothing wrong with being feminine and b) there was nothing wrong with being nice! In fact, the guys usually appreciate it. Those who don't, well, you can't win 'em all!
(She also talked about the value of picking up the phone and talking to people as a pose to emailing and texting which honestly, is so true! Fastest way to get an answer usually, right?)
Chelsea de Luca also talked more broadly about taking risks (she left a stable job to start her own jewellery line) and doing things that ultimately, in the broader scope of things, make you happy - and to see happiness as the final outcome. Not every day is going to be joyful, but it's that final outcome that counts.
Some other tidbits from the night:
One last thing that came out of a conversation right at the end (and a previous conversation with a good friend) was about the 'should do's' and dealing with what society tells us we 'should be' doing - as a woman, as an academic, or an achiever etc.
"You should be getting a good job and climbing the ladder"
"You should be working harder than everyone else"
"You should be focusing your career"...and so on and so forth.
Sometimes though, the rules aren't the be all and end all. They are societal expectations and they are there because society likes people to conform.
They are not hard and fast rules. 'Should' is not the same as 'must'.
There are always exceptions to the rule, no?
The question is - are you brave enough to be that exception? We don't need permission from anyone - just ourselves.
At the end of the day, it is up to us to choose what we want to do. It is safer to get that legitimacy from an external source like a company position, but it is also just as viable to find it yourself, doing it your way.
It might not work, but at least you'll have tried. You will definitely come back from that experience a different person. After all, the best experience comes from the worst situations! What is the worst that can happen, really?
So stop waiting for someone to give you permission to break the rules and do what you feel like doing. Just...do it.
Who knows?
When have you ever felt the urge to do something different? What 'should be's have you experienced? How have you broken through...or what stopped you??
For those who have clicked on this because you're avoiding looking at your study material... this is for you :)
It is that time of year again! Final assignments, exams, the pointy end of the semester stick...Your stress levels may be mounting and you realise just how much you missed all semester. Even if you're all over it, something about exam block clogs pores and leads to internal panic...
It doesn't have to be that way! Here are a five quick tips to get you through the end of semester stress period:
One thing that has a tendency to evaporate during an exam block is people's commitment to exercise. When you realise you have X amount of hours left before an exam, spending an hour running around doesn't seem like good value...
But it is! Take half an hour out of your morning or evening, go for a run, skip, do random push ups, kick or throw a ball around - that change of scenery and the release of endorphins which will definitely help your mood and give you a burst of motivation for the remainder of the study period.
Dosage: Daily or every two days is recommended.
Let people know that you won't be readily available for the next little while.
Give people advanced notice if you have commitments that you won't be readily available. Set up an automatic reply on your email. Most of your friends are probably in the same boat so they will should understand. If you can take time off work, it is probably a good idea.
It helps when you can be focused on your study rather than being pulled away by various other commitments, breaking your concentration. It's all about being in the study zone.
Dosage: Take a large dosage of commitment clearing at the beginning and it should last a couple of weeks. Supplement the study zone with a teaspoon of sweet tunes.
Rule of thumb? Try to get at least 7 + hours of sleep the night before the exam. Even if you don't know the content, your brain will work MUCH better with the little that it knows if you are well rested than if you are zombie-walking-sleep-deprived.
When you get to that point in the early hours of the morning where your brain doesn't seem to absorb anything and you've re-read the same line five times...cut your losses and head to bed. You'll be much more efficient in the morning :)
It's called sharpening the saw.
[box] Stephen Covey tells the story of meeting someone who has been sawing down a tree for more than 5 hours. When you suggest that they take a break and sharpen their saw so the job might go faster they tell you they don't have time to sharpen the saw because they're too busy sawing! (From 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) [/box]
It helps. It will also reduce guilt down the line.
Recommended study foods for brain and waistband purposes: Fish, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, apples and berries. Here's a good source.
Oh yeah and dark chocolate...
Essentially, don't live on noodles. If you must, at least add frozen vegies to make it slightly nutritious.
Dosage: Regular meals are recommended. Don't forget to keep a water bottle with you at all times! It's all about hydration.
You can't learn it all.
One of the best pieces of advice that I was ever given about exams was that even the High Distinction grade isn't 100%. Why?
Because there is just so much content, you can't realistically be expected to learn and remember it all.
It's actually a freeing concept. Be strategic in your study. Will hours spent learning how to manually multiply 4 x 4 matrices actually give you a decent percentage increase on the exam? Perhaps those four hours are better spent bedding down that other concept that you weren't too sure about...
So learn what you need to and can in the time you are given, but realise that it isn't the end of the world if you don't know every single thing. It'll be right :)
So study hard, but not too hard. I can honestly barely remember what I got for most of my subjects, let alone individual exams. It's not the end of the world (although it may feel like it). Just do your best...and enjoy ;)
See you at the other end!
The Sydney Writers' Festival looks insanely awesome this year!! Are you going to be there?
There are the likes of Barack Obama's Chief Digital Strategist, Anne Summers, Ruby Wax, Slam Poetry... ahhhh! I am so excited!
Are you going to be there? Who are you excited to see??
If you are free and around, maybe you can pop by and check out lil ol' me talking about big ol' issues like Women and Power and a "young lady's survival guide to life on the rigs"...
Should be fun ;)
Happy Mother's Day all! Check out the links for the week...
Do you pay for newspapers or any news? Do you want to? News Limited has a paywall dilemma trying to deal with it...
[box] This announcement is their epitaph. It suggests that News Limited really sees little future in hard copy newspapers. They will continue until their revenue falls to a point where they are unprofitable. Then they will die. But don’t worry: you can always switch to news+.[/box]
Society seems obsessed with the concept of "happiness". It would seem the "happiest people pursue the most difficult problems". I think it comes to finding meaning in life... "For many social entrepreneurs, happiness comes from the feeling they are making a difference."
Has the Carbon Tax actually worked? I missed this earlier, but it seems Australia's emissions are at 10 year low...What does this mean for the industry? Stretching this out a little further, what does it mean for the thousands of engineering students training in Australia every year in response to the "engineering - skill - shortage"?
[box] Australia's greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation have fallen to a 10-year low as coal-fired power slumped to its lowest level in a decade, a new report says. At the same time, the share of renewable energy in the National Electricity Market (NEM) has soared beyond 12 per cent and looks set to continue rising.[/box]
An amazingly honest piece about what Depression is like. Many of us have family and friends who go through this, and it is a difficult thing as a bystander to understand. It is really interesting to read a piece that provides an insight into a struggle that afflicts so many.
Anil Dash talks about privacy through identity control and asks the question, who owns your identity right now? His blog is an interesting mix of technology and pop culture and worth a read.
[box] To understand why the west is so keen on secularism, one should go to places like Cordoba in Spain and see torture apparatus used during Spanish Inquisition. Also the persecution of scientists as heretics by the clergy and convinced the Europeans that all religions are regressive. However, the biggest factor that drove people like me away from religion was the selective Islam practised by most of its preachers. In other words, there was a huge difference between what they practised and what they preached. Also, rather than explaining the philosophy behind the religion, there was an over emphasis on rituals. ... I feel there are certain western countries with far more Islamic traits than us, especially in the way they protect the rights of their citizens, or for that matter their justice system. In fact some of the finest individuals I know live there.[/box]
Tune of the day: Janelle Monae is a funky lady indeed.
Engineering was fun, but hell. Balancing a full mechanical engineering load with various other things was never easy…
Fortunately though, I learnt a few tricks along the way that helped.
Here are a few to get you started – tips that may be able to help you study more efficiently and get you through an exam block with your sanity intact.
Day 1 of SWOTVAC? By and large, one achieves pretty much nothing. That’s okay.
USE the first day to FULLY PLAN OUT your exam block.
This includes:
ONE. Picking your study station for the next three weeks. YOU WILL LIVE THERE. Ideally a quiet place (if that is your thing), with enough space for all your gear and where you can set up uninterrupted for hours on end. Your bed is not a good study station. Don't mix sleep and study.
TWO. Write down your study schedule (see point two) AND PUT IT ON YOUR WALL. Split it up PER DAY.
THREE. Print off the tutorials/lectures/whatever else you will need in advance (download that TV series…)
Now at least you are all set for the block and you can feel like you have achieved something. Take the day off.
Say you have exams A, B, C and D in that order. Study for D first, then C, then B, then A.
That way, when you have JUST finished studying A, you will do the exam, rather than study for it first and then forget everything you’ve learnt by the time the exam comes around. After A, study for B (and if you have time, C)…and so on and so forth. Put this schedule on your wall (see point 1).
Here’s a little example - you get the first Saturday and Sunday off as a treat ^^:
Sometimes we I have the attention span of a goldfish. The moment I would sit down to study, I would suddenly remember my desk needs cleaning, emails need replying, dishes need washing… you get the gist.
To make it less daunting to sit down and START (and then actually do something!), aim for 30 minute blocks of UNINTERRUPTED study.
Switch your phone off, close Facebook (use Leechblock if you have to!), shut down your email (and maybe even disconnect the internet?!)…just for half an hour.
It will be hard at first, as your mind won’t be used to concentrating for that long. After half an hour though, give yourself a break. Leave the desk, talk to someone, walk around…then come back for another half an hour.
By working in short uninterrupted spurts, you are much more efficient at actually learning, and your mind can concentrate a lot better – and possibly for longer.
I like to think also that sometimes information needs to marinate a little (my brain = tender lamb chops) so that I can actually understand it. By taking breaks, it gives my brain muscle time to marinate and rest.
Also, it’s gratifying to know that half an hour was PURE STUDY.
You can also use this timer :)
Pick a night a week. I always took Friday nights off.
Not only should you give your brain a break every half an hour or so, but you should also have a “break day” every week of your exam block. Even if it isn’t an entire day but an evening or morning, force yourself to leave your desk and get some fresh air.
Even the week before my thesis was due, I took Friday night off. I shut my books/computer at 3pm and didn’t look at anything until the next day. It’s an important part of being healthy; a change of scenery will not only refresh you but motivate you for the next burst.
As the weeks roll on by, don’t be afraid to take a break for a couple of hours a day, to do something different. Your brain will thank you.
Just try not to have a break too often – and don’t forget to stick to the plan…! :P
When I first started timing myself, I realised I would work only 30% of the time I sat at my desk.
Lord know what I would do – surf the net, read the news, watch series (every exam block would be a new series…).
The best cure? Giving myself a goal of the number of hours that day I wanted to study (PURE ACTUAL STUDY) and sticking with it.
When I started this, I realised I was sitting at my desk all day and doing only about 3 hours. By the end of fourth year though, an average study day was probably 5 – 6 hours.
A really good day? 8 hours.
Thesis due next week? 10.
Once my daily goal was done, I was off the hook for the rest of the day (a good incentive to get the hours out early…).
But remember, you can’t cheat! Time the number of hours that you actually study for. If you pick up the phone? STOP THE CLOCK. Open Facebook? STOP THE CLOCK.
It’s a brutally honest way of showing yourself how much time you actually study and once you have a baseline you can work from there. Don’t get disenchanted, just keep working at it.
***
Part 2 of Study Secrets will be out at some point in the future! Stay tuned…but in the meantime please share – what are your tips to get you through your exam blocks?
Thanks to my father for the heads up on this initiative!
The British Council in Khartoum, in collaboration with a few local players in Sudan including Sudanese Young Businessmen Association and Sudani Telcom has launched a competition for budding Sudanese entrepreneurs.
Called "Mashrouy", which translates to "My Project" in Arabic, the aim is to select 12 people/teams from the pool of applications for a competition to be aired at Blue Nile Satellite Station.
It is open for Sudanese people - both in Sudan and overseas - aged 18 to 40 - who have a business (commercial) idea that needs funding. In addition to the cash prize (SDG200,000, 150,000 and 100,000 for the top three) there is also the opportunity to spend three weeks in the UK for coaching.
The Sudan Vision Daily has some information here and Alnilin also has a bit more information.
The 'Mashrouy' website (in Arabic) has the application form - closing date 20 May 2013.
[box type="info"] “The completion we are launching today is seeking ambitious bright young people in Sudan who have creative business proposals that needs support to be developed”, said the British Charge d’ Affaires Mr. David Belgrove in his address in the conference. Adding that the future and growth of the country require investment in youth and we hope that through this project young Sudanese will be able to kick-off the ground their innovative ideas and contribute to the growth and development of the economy of their country. He concluded by saying that all over the world with very few exceptions, all the largest companies in the world have started as a small business”.[/box]
This is an awesome opportunity for young Sudanese and those with ideas and the drive to push them to fruition.
There are numerous barriers to entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Sudan, but this may well be one of the avenues around those barriers. I encourage all young Sudanese reading this to consider putting in an application or forward it to someone who might find it of use!
Hi everyone! How are we this fine Sunday?
I've had an interesting week, not least as I was interviewed by the ABC (live! zomgsh) on my piece in the Griffith Review. Check out the video HERE!
How many times do we have to say this? The use of the word "illegal" is ignorant and mischievous!
[box] While the Coalition may have hoped to score political points with the reappearance of its "illegal boats" billboard this week, it has shone a spotlight on its feeble grasp of international law. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is wrong to say that the Refugee Convention says asylum seekers are "illegal". [/box]
On the topic of the Boston Marathon Bombings: why is it considered terrorism and Aurora and Sandy Hook not?
Wise words on Bahrain from an unlikely source: Joe Saward, the F1 journalist...
[box] Some would argue that it is necessary to remove all religion from the political process and that until Bahrainis stop thinking about being Shias or Sunnis there cannot be a truly democratic country. If you go back in history you see many nations going through similar religious troubles, notably in Europe in the 16th and 17th Centuries when Catholics and Protestants murdered one another in large numbers. We do not live in a perfect world, but sport is one of the few ways in which nations can unite, transcending internal divisions and thinking as a group. Thus looking at a much bigger picture one has to say that the Grand Prix is a good idea for Bahrain. No doubt some will disagree…[/box]
Finding a way of being a girl that doesn't hurt... again going to a question of where the feminist movement is?
Again on the issue of feminism...Five Myths about Feminism. How do you feel about the label?
A massive discussion about social media's do's and don'ts. Really interesting - how do you use social media, as an individual and as a company?
Seth Godin asks the question: What is your critical mass?
[box] If your idea isn't spreading, one reason might be that it's for too many people. Or it might be because the cohort that appreciates it isn't tightly connected. When you focus on a smaller, more connected group, it's far easier to make an impact.[/box]
This is old news but I think I forgot to link it in my hubris - the first female, Muslim MP in Australia!
I am a sucker for beautiful photography (who isn't), and beautiful photography of beautiful machines? How could I resist...
Oh and don't forget to check out my posts this week; one on Global Migration and Identity and the other on Stirling Moss's comment's on women in F1. If you want to keep in touch more regularly, you can always check out my Facebook page!
This was originally posted on Future Challenges! Check out the [button link="http://futurechallenges.org/local/global-migration-changing-the-way-we-define-our-identity/" newwindow="yes"] Original Link[/button]
When my parents moved to Australia with me as a screaming baby in tow, the situation in Sudan was dire, true, but it was much more an economic and socio-political decision rather than one of safety. This type of migration is increasingly common, particularly to a migration based nation such as Australia. How a nation and its people – as well as migrants themselves – deal with these global flows currents of people will define attitudes and perspectives of our current generation and generations to come.
I describe myself as either a “global citizen” or “mongrel”, both labels of which I am proud. What exactly does that mean though, for me personally, for many others in similar situations and for our society as this becomes perhaps the norm?
From a purely economical point of view, there is no doubt that migration, particularly skilled and business based migration, is of great importance and benefit to a society. The introduction of policies such as 457 visas (officially known as the Temporary Business (Long Stay) Visa), which allow Australian companies to sponsor employees from overseas has allowed for the development of sectors where skills are required, for example the oil and gas industry. Australia is no stranger to migration by any means; more than a quarter of the population in 2011 was born overseas, we speak more than 260 languages and identify with more than 270 ancestries. With the ease of travel this century and the relative stability of our economy compared to the global status quo, it is no wonder that more people are looking to cross the oceans to call this land girt by sea ‘home’.
If we are to look at this from a cost-benefit point of view, there is no doubt that what is gained from migration – an increase in labour supply, national income, skills, development, cultural depth, awareness and exposure, heavily outweighs any perceived disadvantages; identity crises, housing and services, the cost of humanitarian arrivals (although this is an international obligation), possible rise in community tensions due to a lack of understanding leading to changes in social cohesion.
It can be said that from that point of view as well, Australia is lucky in the sense that it only stands to gain skills from migration. By and large, we are not suffering from the ‘brain drain’ affecting other nations; our Net Overseas Migration (NOM) is 232 000 (497000 arrivals and 265000 departures, ABS and DIAC projections, 2012). It should be noted that NOM is the net gain or loss of population through immigration to Australia and emigration from Australia.
Although the drivers and immediate economic benefits are known and recognised, the effects on the socio-political landscape are those that are more often talked about, highlighted and debated. Migration can be seen as a purely economical factor perhaps, however we must not forget that we are dealing with actual people, who have hopes, dreams, desires and families. Migrants not only bring economic impacts, but their very presence changes the fabric of communities, and it is this change that can turn the tide of opinion. Economic factors are enough to convince a company perhaps, but “not in my backyard” is also a term used…
A cursory look at headlines over the past year or two clearly indicates that migration and identity are in the forefront of people’s minds. The discourse hasn’t always been friendly:
Australia is a nation based on multiculturalism, and we have a great untapped resource in our cultural diversity. It is important that we appreciate the value of our migration and cultural diversity, capitalise on its benefits and ensure that we do not neglect the socio-political effects that it has. We must ensure the communication lines are always open between migrants and those who have been settled for generations, and that we provide the space for young people to discover and mould their own identities to find the balance between their heritage and their current environment in a manner that is comfortable and familiar to them. It isn’t something that will happen overnight or be ‘resolved’ but more one that will change over time as influxes and migratory patterns change.
This level of cross cultural pollination has never been seen in history before, so we are at a unique point in human civilisation where we can create and mould identity based on more than just an accident of birth location – we almost have the choice and freedom to form whatever identity we want. What effects will that have on our society as a whole? Who knows yet. It could mean that nationalism no longer has the same power that it used to, or that it becomes based on something other than race, birthplace or religion. It could mean that cultures become based on hybrids of existing national traditions… who knows? All I know is that it is within our control.
Migration is not a crime, by dkalo on Flickr, CC BY SA 2.0
***
The irony is never lost on the Indigenous population – apart from them, we are all migrants to Australia. So who is anyone to deny the benefits of a concept that brought them there in the first place?
How are we all this morning? How has the week been? I've been super busy with a crazy week at work (I've a new trainee), getting excited about being published and wrote one of my most-read articles on an encounter at the airport. Enough about what I did though...here is what I came across on the net!
I love this piece by the Informed Comment: Top Ten Reasons why Terrorism is Forbidden in Islamic Law...
From the simple dollar: 5 pieces of advice that changed my life.
Young people need to be more involved in all levels of decision making in society; even though public and corporate decisions usually affect us we are rarely party to the decision making process. That should change, and one way is by getting young people on Boards.
I completely relate to this writer - the love of technology mixed with nostalgia for print (I was an insane bookworm growing up and still feel guilty that I own a Kindle...I feel like I am betraying print) and it's interesting to read this piece from a lady who says her life is better without Facebook. I don't know if I could leave Facebook (isn't that a sad state of affairs!) - working out in the sticks doesn't help I guess...
Feel like you have media overload? A piece from Wired on balancing your media diet...
Why aren't there more women in technology? Forbes thinks it's a numbers and expectations game...
On one hand, the Boston bombing reaction reporting seemed relatively free of bias...but that was definitely not the case.
Regardless of your views of justification and intent: whatever rage you're feeling toward the perpetrator of this Boston attack, that's the rage in sustained form that people across the world feel toward the US for killing innocent people in their countries. Whatever sadness you feel for yesterday's victims, the same level of sadness is warranted for the innocent people whose lives are ended by American bombs. However profound a loss you recognize the parents and family members of these victims to have suffered, that's the same loss experienced by victims of US violence. It's natural that it won't be felt as intensely when the victims are far away and mostly invisible, but applying these reactions to those acts of US aggression would go a long way toward better understanding what they are and the outcomes they generate.
A post (a rant, really) from an irate Sudanese blogger who is frustrated at the fact that in Sudan, skin colour is still an indication of status...
I don't agree with everything the United Nations does, but I do believe there is a place for it. Why we get value for money at the United Nations.
I love examples of Muslim women challenging the expectations, and this Bosnian Mayor is a inspirational case!
The difference in treatment and expectations of male and female CEOs - Queen Bees getting the flak.
The age old question about "peak oil..."
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday (and the Formula 1 and MotoGP!)
