Happiness is now considered to be something needed to have a good life, something everyone must have. But what if, by trying so hard to reach for happiness, we become lost and unhappier? By Cora “The conventional view of emotions of good or bad, or positive and negative is rigid and rigidity in the face of complexity is toxic” says Susan David, a professor in psychology at the Harvard Medical School. People have woven the idea of happiness into the social norms and expectations for the stereotypical life. Suicide rates have reached a 30 year high in America and The World Happiness Report states that at any one second, over 220 million children and 1 billion adults suffer from anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders. These feelings people report are not always from a lack of happiness but from a lack of feeling that there is something more, of having meaning in life. The renowned psychologist Martin Seligman says that “meaning comes from belonging to and serving something beyond yourself.” “Just be happy, stay positive, smile”. Everyone says these things, but why do people think we must always be positive? “Our world is obsessed with happiness, but I came to see that seeking meaningfulness is the more fulfilling path,” says Emily Esfahani a well-known psychologist. Forcing positivity can create despair is an amazing video to watch as it explores this idea more deeply. One definition of meaning is the quality of having great value and significance. Meaning can be separated into something called the Four Pillars of Meaning, and these four things are what lead people to having a full, rich life. The first pillar is belonging. It is when you are in a relationship, group, organization or something where you feel respected for who you are, this makes you have a deeper feeling of significance in your life, which improves your well-being and productivity. The second pillar is purpose, which is less about what you want and more about what you can provide for others. This gives people motivation and significance in their lives. When someone’s job or life goal is to help someone, it creates a more powerful purpose beyond themselves for them to live for. Transcendence is the third pillar of meaningfulness. It is when you are lifted out of the hustle and bustle of your personal life and your sense of self fades away, leading you to feel connected to a greater reality. An example of this might be different for every individual but a scenario where people might feel this is when they are running or doing a sport and in the moments when they feel like they cannot go on, they push through and find transcendence. The final pillar is storytelling. This is how you tell people about yourself, the way you talk about your life experiences and events, and the words you use to describe them and the emotions and feelings you feel impact your perspective on life. Making a narrative of the significant events in your life provides clarity and helps you understand how you got to be who you are now. For example, when someone is talking about their past, and even though something they may see as dark has happened to them, they turn their hardship into a lesson and a reflection of how they can improve themselves. Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash When people have even one of these four pillars integrated into their life, they build a deeper sense of meaning, and having meaningfulness in their life can give them satisfaction that happiness alone does not engender. The book called The Power of Meaning is a perfect choice as a follow-up read to this article.
Having something more to live for than just the elusive idea of happiness can give a person more satisfaction and improve one’s wellbeing. “Happiness comes and goes, but when life is really good and things are really bad, having meaning gives you something to hold on to.” said Emily Esfahani.
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For me, the Personal Project has been an eye opening journey. I decided to learn sign language, specifically Mozambican Sign Language and it has opened up a whole new world for me.
By Khushi
I took this opportunity to move away from my comfort zone and learn more about the wider community that lives amongst us. The deaf school is just around the corner and yet can appear to be light years away when we aren't able to communicate with each other. This is why I found it important to learn sign language. During some of the first few weeks of the Personal Project, fear and excitement were some of the emotions I felt as before this moment I had never tried to reach out to the deaf community in any way. But the Personal Project proved to be just the beginning and this journey has yet to end.
Historically, those with hearing impairments have been faced with marginalization and oppression. They were deemed “dumb” as languages could only be learned by hearing and speaking and they were prohibited from using signs as a way of communicating. In the 16th century, a Spanish Benedictine monk named Pedro Ponce de León first developed the concept of sign language. He used signs as a way to communicate his messages during his period of silence. Over time his idea evolved into the creation of many different sign languages where each country or region has its own. It is very surprising to some that a universal sign language does not exist. A universal sign language is a concept that would require every country and every deaf community to know it and to use it. But this is unable to happen due to the differing signs and accents that each region might have, ensuring that these signs are used and understood differently. Instead,there is an International sign method also known as Gestuno. This sign method is used between two or more deaf communities as a way to communicate with each other and is also used during international meetings. Its sole purpose is to ensure that international institutions are able to be inclusive of all deaf communities around the world. Gestuno is similar to how English is considered the world's Lingua franca. Like English, it is commonly shared between communities with different sign languages. One of the reasons why I decided to learn sign language was because of the need for it. Our community has historically isolated ourselves from the deaf community because of our inability to communicate with them. This inability to communicate has caused us to create stereotypes, prejudice and social assumptions about the deaf community, which creates barriers between both communities. As a result, people with disabilities rarely have their voice heard and are forced to adapt to a world that is not accessible to them. This creates a challenge for all people with disabilities to experience “normal”, day-to-day activities. As a speaking individual, I took it as my responsibility to do what I could to try to break down this barrier and create change. Learning Mozambican Sign Language will help me solve this problem at a local level and allow me to connect with the deaf community. Through my experience, Mozambican Sign Language is one of the easiest languages that I have had to learn. Although I was faced with multiple challenges that I have had to overcome along the way, the process was quite simple. I took classes twice a week at the local deaf school for about an hour and half. Each class would introduce a new topic where we would learn different signs and use them in sentences as a way of applying what we learned. During some classes our sign language teacher would invite others to come to our class to help boost interactions using sign language with other deaf students and teachers. One of the biggest challenges that I faced at the beginning of this journey was finding online resources. All of the resources that I could find were about ASL (American Sign Language) or BSL (British Sign Language) as they are the most common and known sign languages. Due to the fact that Mozambican sign language is a language that is only used in Mozambique and by those who live here, not many sources online teach it. As a result, I had to resort to finding primary sources and using the deaf school as one of my biggest resources for this project. One of my proudest moments during the process was getting my sign name. A sign name is a name that is given to you by a deaf person as a way of referring to you in sign rather than spelling your name out. They use your physical characteristics along with your personality to choose a name that best fits you. This was a milestone for me as it means that now I am now a speaking person who is a part of the deaf community. "Learn sign language at the playground" by Valerie Everett is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 .
Now that I am adequately able to sign, new opportunities and possible experiences have arisen for me. I am often referred to as a translator by my sign language teacher as multiple times I have had to translate things from Portuguese or English to Mozambican Sign Language. For the Personal Project presentation I was the Mozambican Sign Language interpreter. Although there weren't any deaf people in the crowd, doing this was still important and it served as an eye-opener as to how important simple gestures and actions are in helping to boost inclusivity. In addition, learning Mozambican Sign Language has allowed me to bring our school community closer to the deaf community by communicating what I have learned.
Hopefully, this is a sign of the changing times. Astrology has been around for thousands of years and some swear by its insights, while others dismiss it as a wacky pseudoscience. So can astrology and the scientific community co-exist? By Rujula Photo by Nastya Dulhiier on Unsplash Astrology refers to the observation of the movements of stars and celestial bodies and the use of these to interpret common human affairs and the natural world. The experts in this area are called astrologers. They observe and interpret star, planetary and constellation movements in order to foretell the future of each respective zodiac sign. Many of the instruments used by astrologers are astronomical and some methods more astrological, such as large sundials of zodiac signs. Such instruments exist and are in use in, for example, India. Astrology originated in Mesopotamia and traveled to India. At the time when there was no distracting light pollution, skies were clear and people began to see patterns and shapes among the stars and then to predict what those movements might mean. So astrology is thousands of years old, not just the latest internet fad. It developed its western form in Egypt and In India the skill was named Vedic Astrology. It might be seen as a middle point between mythology and astronomy. It was seen as kind of science, although when science developed more, many started to increasingly question astrology. The history of science is filled with many intense debates. For example, when Galileo Galilei, a famous Italian scientist, brought scientific concepts to the church, people were enraged. They thought he was advocating against the central role of God. Throughout history people have longed for something to hold on to, something to believe in. And science is definitely not that. It always changes with new evidence and is uncertain. Many people, especially in countries like India, believe in God and mythology along with science, so they can potentially experience the benefits of both. Whereas they feel that science can’t always explain all things and how they work, mythology has an explanation, a narrative, for everything. It gives humans a dream, a possibility to hold on to meaning. Scientists are often totally against astrology, arguing that it offers no logical explanations. They believe that astronomers can use reason to work through their misunderstandings but astrologers can’t. Another argument used it that astrologers claim to know the position of planets but historically failed to find the positions of Uranus and Neptune, which were later found by scientists. In the end, astrology gives no clear evidence that stars and planets actually affect our futures and behaviors. Instead, it uses mythology, stories and ideas which are hard to prove with science. Science doesn’t have any explanation for this. Another reason is false predictions. Jeane Dixon is an example of a famous astrologer who made many false predictions. She predicted that Richard Nixon would win the 1960 elections but he did not win. Now there are a lot of reasons for why astrological predictions are fake 90% of the time. This is because 90% of those astrologers are not actually astrologers. In ancient times only sages used to have and this knowledge. whereas nowadays people state they are astrologers just by watching YouTube videos. There are many apps and websites that claim to teach you astrology. For example:- The Pattern. Astrology is not an easy art but a very easy way to gain money. Many people pretend to be fortune tellers just to get money out of people. More causes of false prediction are:-
Now let’s see through the astrological point of view. Many astrologers don’t agree with the criticisms. They are not interested in defending astrology on the grounds of science. They say that they never said it was a science. The thing that makes astrology interesting is the way the story is told, the way the astrologer tells you your own data. Astrology is a mysterious kind of skill. It is supposed to be the pleasure of interpretation that counts. So trying to prove it with logic kind of misses the point of it. Also, the systems are thousands of years old and were developed by spiritual gurus and saints. It is pretty hard to cross-question a system that has been around for so long and prove it. It would mean that you are questioning the work of all those people who spiritual communities are devoted to. Plus, there have been many failures but also astrologers who have made accurate predictions. Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash In the end, having these perspectives really is an interesting facet of our lives. The debate between astrology and science has been here for a long time, but that’s the fun of it. It gives you a choice to make. They each have their own scope and space in our lives. Science is young, has achieved amazing things and can do wonders in the future. Astrology, meanwhile, speaks to our past and can keep us pushing for meanings in the future. Maybe in the future there will be a way of explaining astrology, especially considering the neuroscience research being carried out now on things like meditation to explore what power there is beyond our conscious minds. We have come a long way and will continue to search for more. Maybe in the future science and astrology will finally be at peace. In the meantime, let’s celebrate having these different perspectives and choices.
Works Cited An, et al. “Why Astrological Predictions Fail at Times? - Times of India.” The Times of India, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/horoscope/why-astrological-predictions-fail-at-times/articleshow/68205126.cms. “Astrology Fails the Test of Science (2).” Www.truthmagazine.com, www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume34/GOT034263.html. Accessed 11 Apr. 2024. “Development of Astrology from Ancient to Modern Times | Britannica.” Www.britannica.com, www.britannica.com/summary/astrology#:~:text=It%20originated%20in%20Mesopotamia%20(c. Dufrin, Moriah. “Astrology & Christianity: What Does the Bible Say about the Zodiac and Horoscopes?” Journey Homeschool Academy, 8 Aug. 2022, journeyhomeschoolacademy.com/astrology-christianity-what-does-bible-say-zodiac-horoscopes/#:~:text=Believing%20in%20the%20power%20and. “Exploring Astrology: Is It Science?” The Times of India, 4 Mar. 2024, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/exploring-astrology-is-it-science/articleshow/108212192.cms. “How Astrology Evolved, from Mesopotamia to Instagram | the Backstory | the New Yorker.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpk5QFt8h2w. “How Does Astrology Work? Here’s Everything You Should Know!” AstroTalk Blog - Online Astrology Consultation with Astrologer, 23 July 2023, astrotalk.com/astrology-blog/how-does-astrology-work-insideastro-iakc7/. “Jantar Mantar Jaipur- Tourism, Facts, History, Jantar Mantar.” Www.indiaeasytrip.com, www.indiaeasytrip.com/jantar-mantar-jaipur.html. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024. “Why Is It That 90% of Astrological Predictions Are Inaccurate?” Quora, 2019, www.quora.com/Why-is-it-that-90-of-astrological-predictions-are-inaccurate. Accessed 11 Apr. 2024. Why aren't the Paralympics seen as being on a par with the "real" Olympics? By Ama Richard Gillin from St Albans, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons You’ve almost certainly watched the Olympic Games, but what about the Paralympic Games? The Paralympics is an international sports competition for athletes with disabilities. An interesting fact is the prefix “para” means “parallel” or side by side. But let’s be honest: the Paralympics are not side by side with what people might consider to the "real" Olympics. For example, in 2020 15.5 million people watched the Olympic Games every single night, while only 14 million watched the entire Paralympics Games. The Paralympics happen every four years and host many of the same events as the Olympics, such as alpine skiing, cross country skiing, and many more sports. The Games started in 1948 as a competition for injured service people in wheelchairs and now include athletes with many categories of disability, such as limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or vision impairment. This year the Games will be hosted in Paris, France and will see athletes in 22 different sports compete against each other in over 500 events, making it the biggest Paralympics ever. Sports like badminton and taekwondo only made their debut four years ago, so things are always changing in the exciting world of adaptive sports. There are many talented athletes that have competed in the Paralympics. For example, Joo Jennog-hun, who is missing his right hand, won a bronze medal in Taekwondo at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Also, Alia Issa, who contracted smallpox as a child and has a hard time balancing, was the first woman para athlete to compete in the 2020 Refugee Team in the women’s club throw event. Meanwhile, Abbas Karimi was born without arms and is a competitive swimmer after moving to the US from Afghanistan. While Hope Gordon was the first ever British female para nordic skier. She was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and had to have her left leg amputated above the knee. These amazing athletes are making sports history and are not the only ones by far. These Paralympians - more than any other athletes - embody the Olympic Spirit. This spirit is about fair play, resilience and kindness. As Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, put it, “the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Who embodies these struggles better than Paralympic athletes? There are many reasons why people know less about the Paralympics than the Olympics, but the main reason may be a lack of media exposure. Multiple gold-medallist Lauren Woolstencroft is one of many people who have stated that there needs to be "proportional coverage". Some people even think combining the two events could help to raise the profile of the Paralympics even though it might have disadvantages too. And why are the Paralympics so important anyway? Well, watching the Paralympic Games sends the message that people's disabilities can become incredible abilities. This can bring about social change in terms of how disabled people are seen and respected. So go put it in your calendar: Aug 28 - Sept 8. Tune into the events in Paris. As the slogan says, "Games Wide Open". Let's help the Paralympics make society more open for all of us. How is Robert F Kennedy Jr. using the power of TikTok to snatch the youth vote from Trump and Biden? By Laia Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Election season is an intense and chaotic time for any country, and this is no exception in the United States of America. Although the 2024 referendum is still awaited, time is ticking, and the American people have already begun to set their minds on assessing the running candidates for this November. Trump and Biden are of course the two front runners, splitting people's loyalties in quite extreme ways at times along Republican and Democrat lines. Up and coming candidate Robert Kennedy Jr., however, has jumped straight into the race and has begun to make strong appearances across the media, advocating for his candidacy. And he is using controversial Chinese video service TikTok to do it. As the nephew of John F Kennedy, and more generally a member of one of America's most respected political families, Kennedy already has a path paved for success in his career, but in recent months he has found a new tactic to help him gain younger voters' interest and approval. Most TikTok users from the U.S. have likely seen one or more of his viral minute long videos, where he creates posts ranging from his campaign policies and beliefs, to interviews and podcast clips, and often even content of him interacting with citizens and working hands on projects. An influx of positive comments and replies have flooded social media applications, with younger audiences interacting heavily with the content. With the election still months away, we don't yet know what the outcomes will be, but what is sure is that Kennedy's campaign is making a statement- and one that has proven to be highly effective. A poll released showed that 34% of voters between the ages of 18-26 have shown favor for him, as opposed to Trump or Biden. The age demographic for TikTok users is mostly centered around the youth, with around two thirds being people between the ages of 18 and 34. It is often said that young people are one of the key foundations of society.'s progress. New generations have open minds that are both influential and easily influenced, and youth often brings in fresh perspectives and important insights that need to be conveyed to the wider society. Especially with the ever changing use of technology and social media, the needs and beliefs of young people have become increasingly prevalent across issues such as climate change, the justice system and the economy. This is why Kennedy's approach has been so successful, as it is empowering the youth by giving them sources, information and opportunities to share their thoughts on the very platform that has become such a central part of their everyday lives. TikTok, the sensation of an app that has gone viral around the world in recent years, has been a tool for information to be spread to each corner of the globe. Though social media has always posed a risk of misinformation and false news, it has also given voice and an opportunity for thousands to tell their stories. This can either be a threat to politicians or a gift. It simply depends on how they choose to use it. Humans have almost always associated experience and knowledge with age, giving the upper hand to older generations in political conversations and positions of authority, but this is beginning to change and Kennedy is proving it. By allowing younger audiences to feel engaged and acknowledged by his party, he is seemingly gaining rapid support for his candidacy and has quickly become a strong opponent to Trump and Biden, despite running as an independent party. This is not to suggest that he will win the 2024 election to become the President of the United States, but his efforts to connect with new and fresh minds is compelling and is most definitely changing the game, just as Obama's Yes We Can campaign inspired young voters in 2008. With billionaires creating more and more rockets every year, NASA’s ongoing Artemis programme and Perseverance as well as Curiosity and Tianwen-1 exploring the Martian surface - not to mention the impending threat of the deployment of a nuclear weapon to destroy millions of satellites and the International Space Station - the theme of space exploration is more prominent than ever before. So, with the rapid advancement of space technology and different big players involved in high stakes space politics, the inevitable question arises: is this the start of another space race? By Viktoriia When most people think about the space race, the images they largely conjure up are of the Apollo programme, the landing on the Moon, the launch of Sputnik and Yury Gagarin as the first person in space. Essentially defined by the rivalry between the United States and the U.S.S.R. However, it is little known that, aside from this 1960s seminal cosmic competition, there have been multiple other, lesser-known space races: the Mars Race, The Billionaire Space Race, the Google Lunar X Prize, the Ansari X Prize, and even the development of the Amerika Bomber, as specified by the contract signed by Nazi Germany during WWII to create a strategic bomber to pose threats to the United States of America. These space races have been swept aside by the glory and patriotic commissioning of the Space Race in the 1960s and lost in history. However, it may be time to reconsider our definition of a space race in the light of recent events in the development of space exploration. The definition of a space race, according to the Oxford Languages Dictionary is; “the competition between nations regarding achievements in the field of space exploration”. Are current events in space simply an extension of standard economic and political competition between nations and businesses, or could this be a prelude to a more seismic, era-defining rivalry for access to space's resources? The 1960s Space Race was the basis of the establishment of this definition, therefore, in order to establish the connection between the current events and the dynamics and features of a space race, it is critical to compare and contrast the two time periods. Involvement Perhaps the most notable difference between the Space Race in the 1960s and the advancement of current events is the number of countries and agencies involved. In the 1960s, the two major parties involved were the U.S.S.R and the United States of America, however, this space race was not only targeted at improving space technologies, but rather, it was a competition between two large political systems: Capitalism and Communism. This was another chapter of the Cold War - defined by a sense of hostility towards the other party involved, which was perpetuated through misinformation, propaganda and proxy wars. This period lasted from 1947 to 1991 and the events within this space race were fueled by the desire to demonstrate political and sociological superiority over the other system of governance. However, while the Space Race of the 1960s had only two major parties involved, the current events are based on the involvement of a variety of nations in addition to commercial organisations. Countries involved include the United States of America, India, China, Japan and various European countries. This does not account for the various other independent space organisations, such as SpaceX, which are involved within the establishment of new technologies and strategies to promote and further space exploration. Cooperation between various parties has also been established to achieve higher impacts on the advancement of space exploration such as the partnership of NASA with SpaceX and Boeing as part of the Commercial Crew Program to transport astronauts into space or the continuing cooperation on the ISS between various countries, including Japan, Canada, Europe and the US to conduct experiments and maintain a base for exploration outside Earth, although there are threats to the future of this due to the political conflict with Russia. Overall, the countries involved within space exploration and the political environment surrounding the development of technology are highly different, so does this mean that the current events cannot be labelled a space race in the same intense, high stakes way the Cold War one was? Technology Another critical aspect of any space race is the technologies being developed during the period and, while significantly more technology is available today than ever before, some of the new technologies generated are targeted at resolving similar issues as were previously targeted in the 1960s. The main objectives then were targeted at going beyond the Earth and gaining some dominance outside of the planet. At first, these were mainly a variety of satellites launched into Earth orbit. However, as the space programmes developed further, ambitions turned to the Moon, partly for its political symbolism. One of the first events credited to the Space Race was the launch of the first satellite - Sputnik 1- created by the U.S.S.R to test the possibility of launching satellites into space as well as obtaining basic information on the atmosphere. Following that, the United States launched Explorer 1, equipped with a ray detector to measure the effect of radiation on the atmosphere. The first aircraft capable of supporting a human was the Vostok 1, the aim of which was to eject the person with the aircraft into a parachuted seat after they were lifted 7 km above ground. Perhaps the most advanced technological developments during the Space Race of the 1960s was the Apollo programme with Apollo 8 becoming the first rocket to sustain a human flight around the Moon and Apollo 11 hosting the first human landing on the surface of the Moon. The purpose of the programme was to further scientific exploration outside of the Earth and to promote the development of human survival on the surface of the Moon. This was perhaps the main goal of all previous technologies developed throughout the Space Race in the 1960s. The technology developed recently has been vastly different, though some of the critical goals of space exploration remain similar despite the passage of time. Recently, there have been a variety of programmes announced to further space exploration and extend the opportunities of humanity including NASA’s Artemis programme, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and the collaboration between Japan and the United States to send Japanese astronauts into space. Recently, a Chinese programme, called Chang’e was established to verify the chemical composition of the lunar surface and, eventually, to soft-land on the side of the moon opposite to the one visible from Earth. The Artemis programme is another large space exploration programme established recently by NASA, and the principal purpose of this mission is to enable long-term exploration of the moon and Mars through elements such as the Orion spacecraft and the Gateway in orbit around the Moon. In order to carry out this vision, other space companies have been involved, such as SpaceX, which generated various necessary elements such as Starship - a launch vehicle - and the Dragon, designed to transport astronauts into low orbit, and, possibly, to the moon and Mars as technologies advance. Boeing has also been involved within the Artemis programme through manufacture of parts of the booster rockets to launch the crew and Orion spacecraft into space.The Orion spacecraft itself is a complex combination of previously-designed elements such as the heat shield, the consumable storage system, and reaction control system thrusters, an accomplishment which was unimaginable in the 1960s. Despite the drastic differences in the technologies developed in the Space Race of the 1960s and the current advancements, some of the goals remain, such as the central role of the moon. Competition or development? Ultimately, to determine whether current events could be considered a space race, it is critical to understand whether they are tied to a certain quality and intensity of competition or whether they are simply part of general global development and advancements within science. In the 1960s, the space race was centred around warring systems of governance. However, recent developments have relied on some cooperation with various space programmes, and yet, is there more to the seemingly non-competitive arrangement of space missions? A potential illustration of this competition is the shift in India’s space exploration profile. Previously, the missions launched by India were targeted at boosting economic and social benefits for the country and society. However, in recent times, the interests have shifted to more visible programmes, with more high-profile exploration and prominence within the space efforts of other nations. One of the explanations for this sudden change in the Indian space programme is international pressure, which, in this case, was arguably mainly due to the advancement of the Chinese space programme. In recent years, China has established two independent space stations, promoted the launch of astronauts into space, facilitated the establishment of multiple probes and rovers on the moon and is planning to further assert the country’s presence in space. Furthermore, space exploration could be used to enhance national security, with China’s military presence being a threat to India, which is claimed to be another driver for the expansion of Indian space exploration. India has launched various satellites in order to enhance knowledge of areas surrounding the borders of the country after the Mumbai terrorist attack in 2008 to avoid reliance on navigation from other nations and to allow communication between various military units. China conducted a series of anti-satellite tests in 2007, leading to concerns over India’s existing satellites and to the establishment of the country’s own anti-satellite missions. If India’s goal lies in military protection, it would not be the first country to establish a space programme accordingly. In 2019, the United States military gained a new branch, the Space Force, a programme targeted at training personnel and ensuring collaboration with companies such as Boeing to provide additional national security. Israel has also attempted to get involved with the usage of intelligence satellites through the launch of Ofeq 3, and while this was not wholly successful, Israel has conducted further attempts to increase monitoring through satellites. The Japanese military also relies on satellites to establish accurate and independent communication and countries such as South Korea and Turkey both have satellites capable of providing accurate imaging. Recently, stress has been further laid on the necessity of space exploration as a form of defence. Could this be moving in the direction of a new militaristic space race? While the current progress with space exploration may seem unrelated to the events of the 1960s, some of the goals, such as the ones regarding lunar exploration remain and the urgency to generate an effective space programme has risen. The importance of space exploration has been emphasised through competition over having a dominant presence in space as well as the mining of potential resources, however, it is uncertain what will happen in the future. It is likely that, not long into the future, space tourism would expand vastly in popularity and efforts towards the colonisation and exploration of the Moon would be redoubled in strength, however, nobody could say in which direction our further efforts would bring humanity. Could humans set foot on Mars for the first time and could colonisation be possible? Would space exploration extend beyond the Milky Way and who will be the major players involved? Could we find extraterrestrial planets and even life, and if so, what would be the implications? Works cited “Amerikabomber.” Wikipedia, 13 Dec. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikabomber. Britannica. “Cold War | Causes, Facts, & Summary.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War. Chang, Kenneth. “Jeff Bezos’ Big Rocket Moves into View and Closer to Launch.” The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/science/bezos-blue-origin-rocket.html. Dooling, Dave. “Chang’e.” SpaceNext50 | Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 May 2019, www.britannica.com/explore/space/change/. “Gateway - NASA.” NASA, www.nasa.gov/mission/gateway/. Howell, Elizabeth. “The New Space Race.” SpaceNext50 | Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Aug. 2019, www.britannica.com/explore/space/the-new-space-race/#:~:text=Space%20exploration%20today%20is%20a. J. 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NASA’s Commercial Crew Partners Mission Profile. Peters, Erika. “Meet NASA’s Orion Spacecraft - NASA.” NASA, 7 July 2022, www.nasa.gov/missions/meet-nasas-orion-spacecraft/#section-1. Rajagopalan, Rajeswari Pillai. “India’s Space Priorities Are Shifting toward National Security.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1 Sept. 2022, carnegieendowment.org/2022/09/01/india-s-space-priorities-are-shifting-toward-national-security-pub-87809. Stroikos, Dimitrios. “Why Does India Want to Be a Space Power? | LSE Research.” Www.lse.ac.uk, 10 Oct. 2023, www.lse.ac.uk/research/research-for-the-world/politics/india-space-programme.
Bruised by ballet, writing a spoken word slam poem helped me to see a healthier way forward.
By Lucy
Photo by David Hofmann on Unsplash
My slam poem communicates the conflicted relationship I've had with my once-obsessive ballet routine and its constant physical exertions. The combination of visuals and words in my piece Stop and Think highlights the aspirations I had to become this prima ballerina, before I had to face reality and go through moments of deep reflection to understand how I could flow towards my limits, rather than beyond them.
Stop and Think is a personal example of a moment in life in when someone causes themselves severe harm both physically and mentally. This slam poem is designed to encourage others to take a moment of contemplation and to carefully consider their life choices and actions. In the end, the time it takes to stop and think is well worth it. As the poet Kahlil Gibran says, "rest in reason and move in passion". It's a confusing world when labels like "healthy", "organic" and "sugar-free" might provide more questions than answers. By Polly ParentingPatch, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Last year in Mr. Rui's Grade 8 English class, we were asked to write an advocacy speech on any chosen social issue. I wrote a speech about the alarming effects of mislabeling. I didn't plan to write about this issue; in fact, I intended to write about how corrupt ocean fisheries are. After carrying out some research, however, I quickly became very interested in and shocked by the issues around food labelling and even had many real life situations to relate it to. Below is the speech I wrote and delivered, which I hope will be thought-provoking for you and help you make the choices you want to make when you next go food and drink shopping. Baby food. Any parent would buy it. It can be cheap and in any supermarket here the prices start at only around 60 meticais. According to the labels, products like children's yoghurts are made with tons of natural fruit and are covered with health approving stickers on the cute little plastic pots. How good will this make parents feel, providing such nutritious food for their children yet not spending large amounts of money? Doesn't that sound like such a great deal? 60 meticais for something so healthy. Too good to be true? Actually, yes. I looked into the small print on some of these products and it revealed unimaginable amounts of sugar and unhealthy ingredients that shouldn't be fed to babies. I bet you didn't expect that and I don't blame you. Who would do this? Unfortunately, thousands of companies mislabel their products just like this. The other day I was grocery shopping with my mom and when she saw a yoghurt with apparently real vanilla beans she thought she had to buy it and try it out. Fortunate.y, I stopped her in time and read the back of the item to really make sure the logo wasn't misleading her as I was learning that this happens often, where "sugar free" children's drinks, for example, might contain up to 50% of fruit sugars. An example aside from the baby food is one of the most commonly mislabeled products: seafood. One meta-study in 2021 revealed that 44% of seafood was mislabelled. Photo by Russell Miranda on Unsplash Another of the commonly mislabeled products that we know about are everyday eggs. Were you aware that "free-range" hens are not necessarily mean "cage-free"? In other words, that free-range hens can often spend much of their time locked up, though cage-free rates are increasing. This proves just how effective words can be; how much words matter. Consumers can be persuaded to buy a product just by using the right vocabulary, though often these words are really just words and not reality. Unfortunately, all of this isn't the only problem. False labeling isn't only incredibly unethical but can and will also negatively affect our health. In 2018, "companies spent $21 million dollars advertising dangerously unhealthy and sweetened drinks across all media in the U.S as healthy", even though decades of research "confirms that drinking too many sugary drinks can raise the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, numerous allergic reactions and on and on." This makes it a real struggle for us to learn the truth, when research and facts are so different to what we see on the product labels. Advertising these drinks appears to increase companies' profits, but it doesn't improve our health, our children's health or our future as a global society. This can't be what we, the consumers truly want, but only what companies want in order to take advantage of our ignorance and profit from it. Take Coke Zero as an example, a soda that all of us have surely at least heard of. Coke Zero is supposedly a “healthier” version of Coca-Cola, and therefore more popular amongst some customers. Truth be told, however, research tells us that yes, coke zero does have less sugar but at the cost of having so many more sweeteners, which makes the "healthier" version potentially just as bad or even worse. So is the difference in sugar really worth the extra chemicals entering our bodies? Well, that's often the health market for you; selling an item as healthy or healthier when most of the time it isn't. Photo by Marcus Dietachmair on Unsplash The name Coke Zero is perfect for the product but not because it contains zero sugar, but rather because it contains zero nutritional value and has zero positive health effects. Those Infrequent times when the health food market promotes actually healthy items, it markets them as trendy, exclusive foods like chia seeds, quinoa and many more. Labels overhype all of these organic products and in response they sell exceptionally well and at inflated prices. The important question here is why? Why do thousands of companies do this when they know what it's doing to us? The health food market has a value of 936.7 Billion USD. 936.7 Billion. No wonder profit-seeking companies do this, despite knowing that it's slowly killing us and our environment. Our home. It's hard to believe but after all of this comes another horrifying effect of mislabeling. As I said before, fish is commonly mislabeled; not just the types of fish and where they come from but how they are caught. Companies make million dollar profits from selling small barely noticeable badges quoting "dolphin safe". This takes me to our oceans. As you probably know, most tuna is caught with gigantic fishing nets catching fish but also large numbers of dolphins, turtles and even sharks. This issue has led many people to quit their consumption of fish, so companies have come up with the idea of selling their products as “bycatch free” fish. That sounds fair. Eat fish, but save the ocean.As the documentary Seaspiracy highlights, these labels cannot always be trusted and bycatch is an inevitable result of these fishing methods. Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash So we have to stop. But what exactly can we do? What we can do is make a change. What we can do is educate ourselves. What we can do is inform others. Some countries have already started the process of change. The South African government, for example, has recently banned all food items with trendy labels such as “smart-food”, “wholesome” or “nutritious”. Instead of relying on slogans, approving stickers or simply the name of the product, we have to read the back of the label properly. I know this may sound annoying and time consuming and may be a lot to ask for, but reading each item carefully will make a huge difference to the quality of our diets, with only a small sacrifice.
Another easy way to avoid getting trapped by misleading labels is not relying on aesthetic and trendy designs. Aesthetically pleasing packaging is often a strategy companies use to attract consumers. So my message is: don't judge a product on its design; don't judge a product by its label; judge what you consume by researched facts, which will drastically improve not only your life, but the life of your children and the life of our planet. Hey, gamers. Picture this, it's a Saturday afternoon, and you're playing your favorite video game, battling monsters and exploring worlds, but have you ever stopped and thought about how your habits might be impacting other parts of your life? By Luqmaan Photo by Javier Martínez on Unsplash Let me share a story. Earlier in my school days, I was obsessed with gaming. I'd spend hours on my console, exploring worlds, getting wins. While I was enjoying it, I noticed that my grades and happiness were starting to drop. I was struggling to find the time to hang out with friends and I was more distanced from my family, which led me to think about it for a while. Are games really just made for entertainment, or do they impact our lives more than we realize? Is it possible to enjoy gaming and still develop our academic and social skills? Yes, gaming can affect school grades. Consider this: you find yourself spending long hours gaming and not spending enough time on assignments or studying, in which case the impact on academic performance can be high. I can relate to this from my own experience. My gaming obsession started to negatively affect my grades. The extra hours exploring worlds and completing challenges inevitably meant less time for doing assignments and studying. The unlimited nature of gaming makes it very easy to get sucked into it deeper and deeper. One study “involving 2,000 children aged nine to 18, who spent an average of seven hours and 38 minutes in front of screens, found that 27 percent reported less than excellent mental health, with 19 percent reporting poor mental health.” Perhaps surprisingly, these kids spent more time playing video games each week than some adults spend at their full-time jobs. The evidence is not clear cut, however. Another study found that Australian high school students who played games online almost daily “scored significantly higher in math, reading, and science – 15 percent in math and reading and 17 percent in science – compared to the average student.” Video games can have different effects on school grades, time management, and social interaction. Naturally, less time studying can have negative impacts on learning. However, some educational games can be potentially beneficial for learning, helping students reinforce things they have learned in class. In terms of social interaction, multiplayer games can improve teamwork and communication, though spending too much time on them can lead to isolation and a lack of face-to-face social activities, which is not ideal for social development. How games impact us depends on what types of games we play, how much time we spend on them, and the overall balance we achieve in our lives. What are the impacts of different types of games on academic performance? According to some studies, educational video games offer cognitive benefits by engaging players in problem-solving tasks. However, there is a risk of distraction because of the prolonged exposure to screen time. Board games are good for face-to-face interactions and improving social and cognitive development, though they lack the physical activity found in outdoor games. By having a balance of all of these and not overdoing them, we can learn to get the benefits from each of them. Binge playing is tempting, but it is not likely to lead to positive outcomes in the long run. The positive effects on learning of playing challenging games is evident in the research. These games speed up response times, enhance troubleshooting skills, and foster quick and creative thinking. Additionally, they encourage teamwork, as multiplayer games are shown to boost collaboration and problem-solving in group formats. These games can also improve strategy and leadership abilities because players are in command, and have to make decisions to lead their team to victory. According to research done at Helsinki University, “They also contribute to language learning, where on-screen instructions, player communication, and narrations aid in acquiring other languages.” Photo by OPPO Find X5 Pro on Unsplash Excessive gaming, however, can have significant impacts on academic performance. .Spending too much time on games can make it hard to prioritize and use time wisely for your academic tasks. Research shows that gameplaying can lead us to procrastinate and not give enough time to studying, finishing assignments, or preparing for tests. This can result in starting work too late, rushing it, and then feeling stressed because of the piled up work. Therefore, understanding how gaming impacts our time management is crucial to our mental health. There are multiple strategies that can help students manage their time. One strategy is to finish schoolwork before gaming. For example, setting up a routine where gaming is only allowed after completing your work. This can be a good idea as you get motivated to complete your work to get the reward of playing. The book Atomic Habits highlights how setting up small routines can have powerful benefits. Another tip is not to stay up late gaming. Many teens play games late into the night, which can lead to body clock issues such as feeling tired during the day and trouble falling asleep, which can in turn affect concentration and mood. Also, setting a time limit such as the Pomodoro technique can help students create more balanced habits. By using these strategies, students can enjoy gaming while still staying on top of their schoolwork. When it comes to social skills, playing video games can impact them in different ways. Some games encourage teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking, which can be helpful in real-life interactions. Online gaming communities also let people connect with other gamers from different places. However, spending too much time on these platforms and avoiding face-to-face interactions can lead to isolation. This can lead to students distancing themselves at school and not talking to their peers, which can affect their ability to contribute to group work. Gaming should not be seen as a replacement for real life social interactions. Certain video games such as “Halo and Rock Band promote teamwork and communication as players work together to achieve common goals. These games enhance team cohesion and performance”, while other games such as Fortnite and Apex Legends can also connect you with friends as they stay engaging for a long time. Games designed to improve social interaction, like “Codenames, The Resistance, and Pandemic, offer fun experiences that encourage collaboration, communication, and teamwork. Codenames involve deciphering words through communication, The Resistance requires trust in navigating secret roles, and Pandemic encourages cooperation to prevent global disease outbreaks.” These are just a few of the many games that exist.
Prioritizing the balance between gaming and academics is important for academic and life success, just as taking care of your physical and mental health is important for a long and happy life. It's not easy, but with grit and good choices, you can have a balanced life where you can have fun every day, whilst still succeeding. Maybe we should see this challenge as just another type of game. So, let’s get playing and go through the levels. Works cited page This year in Grade 9 English, Mr. Nick's students have been encouraged to explore any topic they feel worthy of condemnation and to transform pens into protest signs. Ranging from issues as global as war or economics to something as personal as struggles with friendship and mental health - these are the issues getting tackled by the upcoming generation. See all of our poems at the dedicated Grade 9 Protest Poetry Google Site. By Atharv Ever wondered why we value numbers so much? Or why do we get distracted so easily? These seemingly random and absurd ideas have been carefully considered by the 9th graders, shedding light onto issues we often overlook. Through refining and crafting their verses, they are challenging norms, questioning authorities and standing up for what they believe in. Meanings have been layered so that there are always deeper connotations beyond the literal words. The poems intertwined words, videos and music to elicit a response from the viewer, encouraging them to think deeper. However, this wasn’t the belief at the time, where poetry was considered “an outdated Shakespearean art from that has no meaning”, as an anonymous student (me) described it. Yet, when students discovered that poetry is present in all modern and popular songs, the perception started shifting. Recent titles such as “This is America” were comprehensively analyzed, portraying poetry not as a monotonous form of literature but rather as a medium through which individuals can articulate some of their innermost thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Photo by Linus Nylund on Unsplash From analyzing poems employing a rigid iambic pentameter structure to free verse, we soon started to realize poetry is not confined by rigidity or rules; instead, it has the flexibility to embody a wide range of emotions. The value of poetry extends beyond words on paper, lying also in its capacity to connect people across cultures, generations and backgrounds. The subjective nature of poetry allows each reader to interpret and engage with texts through a personal lens, creating a unique experience that transcends other forms of communication.
This unit encouraged students to broaden their vision, and delve into an issue that they believe is worth protesting against. This meant that they were always personally engaged with their poem, ensuring that every single one of the pieces is meaningful and relevant to their lives, experiences and beliefs. For instance, an excerpt from Dakshu’s poem Lost in a Trance: The screen was so bright, my world so confined, A universe in my palm, yet hopelessly defined Like a fading star, my worth dims every night There are many more like this on our dedicated Grade 9 Protest Poetry Google Site (read Echoes of the Trenches by me if you want to read the most profound piece 😉) The Grade 9 team sincerely hopes you enjoy reading and viewing our work. Plastics are now as much part of the world as we are. They have permeated every aspect of our lives. We know how microplastic is found on the most remote mountain peaks, darkest caves, and the depths of the ocean floor, but only now is the truth about microplastics inside of us being unveiled. By Cora Photo by Sören Funk on Unsplash In the next 60 seconds, one million plastic bottles will be purchased world-wide and two million plastic bags will be produced. By the end of this year, we will have produced enough plastic wrap to go around the equator ten times according to the New York Times. The problem with this man-made creation is that plastics disappear and instead forever litter our world. The UN estimates that the 400 million metric tons produced annually will remain on Earth, often breaking down from plastics into microplastics. Scientists have recently discovered microplastics inside our food and even in the air we breathe this second. They are now in our lungs, our guts, our blood, and even our brains, as well in breast milk. Nienke Vresekoop, a microplastic researcher, claims that immune cells that come into contact with microplastics die three times faster than the ones that don’t. Microplastics are woven into our systems like a poison. It does not matter your religion, age, race or status; we cannot escape this new kind of pollution. A fascinating new documentary called Plastic Pollution came out on March 13th (and will soon be released on Netflix) about how microplastic gets inside of us and the health risks that stem from this. As one of the interviewees says, "It's everywhere." Some of the most remote places in the world have around 4% of microplastic in the dust. More than 1,000 metric tons of microplastic is also deposited in those remote places annually by wind and rain. So plastics are now even in the air we breathe, no matter the place, climate, or altitude. There is increasing evidence that microplastics contribute to and may even cause a wide range of diseases now found in the modern world. Inflammation, cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowl disease, rheumatoid arthritis, genotoxicity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and autoimmune diseases may all be worsened by microplastics inside of our bodies. Microplastics travel up the food chain, from one animal to the next and are also woven into our systems through plants, grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables that need soil to grow. The soil is contaminated with these plastics and when the plants take in the moisture from the soil, many small microplastics enter the plant systems. Also when it rains, the chemicals in the microplastics seep out and poison the soil, which then gets into the roots of the plants and into our systems when we consume the plants. Photo by Gabriel Jimenez on Unsplash Ziya Tong, the co-director of the Discovery Channel says, “It’s not like we need some remarkable new invention to address the problem. We just have to use less plastic.”
There is no escaping the grasp of microplastic pollution. It is in every corner of the world and every inch of land. We cannot bar our doors and look away any longer. We cannot pretend this is nothing when we are poisoning ourselves and our world. In making the earth our dumping ground, we are shattering any hope we have of a healthy future. Our Grade 8 English Language and Literature class unit on advocacy speeches inspired us to write pieces about social issues that move us. It moves me that sometimes this doesn't move us: the rights of other animals. By Viktoriia Photo by Chuko Cribb on Unsplash Why do animal rights matter? What is the importance of the rules we shatter? The lives we destroy The pain we employ The medicine and cosmetics created By the weight of conscience weighted 110 Million deaths in a single country alone And many more injuries to atone For the animals Never given a voice Never presented with a choice Never allowed to escape the suffering Many innocent animals numbering Sentenced to death Unable to draw breath Trapped within the cogs of experiments Making the lives of humans less perilous Animals which share 98% of our genetic code Do not deserve conditions so cold The guinea pigs, hamsters, dogs and cats The non-human primates, the rabbits, the rats The animals which suffer from the same diseases as us Poked and prodded at with little fuss Yet the effect of this testing is small Stumbling against a concrete wall With modelling and cell cultures prevailing Clinical research Unfailing Making conditions for animals worse And worse, using brutality and force We ignore The necessities of sentient creatures With senseless and heartless procedures When the alternatives would cause less Pain Are ethically correct and bring economic Gain Photo by Bekky Bekks on Unsplash Animals who can feel Joy and emotion Ought to be treated With respect and devotion When laws and legislation fail to provide support When rules and regulations are unable to thwart The inhumane conditions facing birds, mice and rats Overlooked by government acts Organisations such as WWF and World Animal Protection Or Four Paws and Giraffe Conservation Foundation Powerless Against the surging wave of heartless Conditions Their thoughts and emotions disregarded How can we justify the brutal methods of exploitation The very basis of science, the human characterisation? How can we repeat the events of history? And continue the animals’ misery? When cattle and oxen were treated as labour With humans demonstrated as dictator And no force prevented human domination When laws were of humankind the creation And animals created solely for human benefit How can we still play the supremacist? When granting animals even the basic rights Would drastically reduce the plight We can do what's right And eliminate unnecessary torment and cruelty With harsher laws preventing the continuity Of caging, beating and senseless murder To profit someone else The system is ordered But out of order And while some might experience more Pain and sentiment and deplore it And may not support the same basic condition It is crucial to encourage the full abolition of some practices And impose New traditions Novel legislation Respect the true foundations Photo by Loren Biser on Unsplash Chickens, pigs, cows and hens Kept In deplorable pigsties, feedlots and pens Denied the basic right of liberty Kept From exercise and the outdoors In captivity Sufficient feeding given just To keep them alive Antibiotics added to boost their growth To let them survive Just that bit longer In unsanitary conditions where disease Leads many to decease Where living creatures are sold as lifeless flesh Like matter or tissue, incapable of distress Slaughtered in hundreds and thousands Yet no human conundrums We're safe in our houses All animals killed by methods of inhumane Torture Murder crossing the borders Slitting the throat, and bleeding to inevitable death While still conscious and experiencing a dread we are able to imagine We rely on ideas Of the animal’s insensibility And methods employed, Systematic The inability To see the tragic To decrease the pain felt by the innocent victims Within the vast Industrial farming systems 10 billion animals slaughtered in the U.S A number not visible in the news mainstream Farming with almost no regulation Take note of the crooked, twisted foundations Could be replaced by intercropping, Agroforestry, agro-ecology and cruelty-free farming To avoid the reliance on chemical antibiotics Large-scale murder and the technologies of robotics In the service of Increased animal wellbeing Employ AI to move from the artificial back To the natural So why, then, sustain industrial farming? It's alarming The data we hide Photo by Laura College on Unsplash We must alter
The brutal processes of murder And restore ourselves and animal rights to order. Any contribution can generate Vast improvement Give fuel to a new, positive movement Avoid products tested on animals Reduce the damages Support Organisations that aim to improve Conditions Violence dispel and disprove Small shifts can save Many Lives Abolish cruelty to save animals from the knives The time has arrived To create change From these cruel, heartless practices we must refrain Retrain our brains And our stomachs And other things Will follow We have all heard stories about the terrible things that today's celebrities have done, said, or been involved in, but can we ignore this because they are great artists? By Tendai "Kanye West - Kanye Omari West" by Peter Hutchins is licensed under CC BY 2.0 . Let's take Kanye West as a prime example. One of the most famous artists in history. With 24 Grammy awards and over 160 million records sold, he as an artist has a significant influence on global culture. People listen to what he has to say through his music every day, but is it ok to do so? In 2022 he wore a “White Lives Matter” shirt to a public event. Later that year he posted a tweet saying “Death con 3 ON JEWISH PEOPLE”, and a few years ago he publicly said “racism is a dated concept.” However, he recently released a new album, and in under a week, he surpassed Taylor Swift, becoming Spotify's No. 1 artist. It's not as if all of the things he has said and done outside of his lyrics are unknown. His ideologies are extremely well known as a result of hundreds of viral clips, tweets, and articles written about him. But we still choose to listen to his art. Michael Jackson, considered to be one of the most popular and groundbreaking musicians in history is another example of this. However, his situation is different considering that while Kanye is still making music today, he is not. He faced charges of child sexual abuse in 2007 and further proof was only released after his death in 2009. A documentary was released in 2019 called Leaving Neverland where Wade Robson and James Safechuck, accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them as children starting from ages seven and ten respectively. In fact, their lawsuit against Jackson has recently been revived in California courts. Despite the rumors and alleged evidence that Jackson was a child molester, however, his brand continued to thrive after his death. This issue comes down to personal opinion and morals. Some argue that if he were still alive today, they would not listen to his music due to the fact that he abused children. However, because he is dead, they technically aren't supporting him in any way but rather his “brand" as a seminal musical artist. If we circle back to active artists such as Kanye West, what does listening to his music actually do? For every individual time someone listens to one of his songs on Spotify alone he makes $0.00437. When we multiply this by the billions of streams he receives on this platform alone, he is making around $3,747,643 per year. Every time your fingertips tap on his play button on Spotify, you are actively making him richer. But why does this matter? Many may think Kanye is outrageous for having the confidence to say what he says, knowing that the whole world will see/hear it. However, considering that he has over forty billion streams on Spotify, his confidence must be through the roof. The more money he makes, the more compelled he presumably feels to continue his provocative behavior. Many people's immediate opinion on this debate is that if the artist isn't doing something that directly affects them, then why should they care what they say or do? What Kanye preaches cannot be ignored completely, though. The antisemitism, racism, and extreme ideas have to be recognized. As recently as a few years ago, he was seriously considering running for and becoming the next president of the U.S. But so what? Who cares what he says, thinks, and does? Well, we can all remember what happened when people didn't take another celebrity - DonaldTrump - seriously. Although we cannot fully compare the two, Kanye is an extremely powerful man, with extremely controversial and divisive ideologies. The name “Kanye” has almost become its own brand. It is so recognizable to the extent that we begin to feel an almost personal connection to him when we call him by his first name. Arguably, he has created this massive family of followers and fans who themselves don't notice what they truly stand for. Photo by Mathew Browne on Unsplash Kanye, and Jackson, although they are different people, can provoke similar arguments about them. But we can't just stay within the barriers of specific artists. Instead, we have to zoom out to the bigger picture: can we separate the artist from the art?
We can argue that we can never part the two because the more we listen, the more encouragement we give them for their behavior. However, we can also argue that if a person's music itself doesn't specifically encourage and show who they are outside of it, it's ok. Because music can have create a real connection with people; it can change people, and what an artist does outside of their music doesn’t matter. The question is, is there ever no connection between an artist and their art, or do we blindly get pulled into a feeling of connection with and come under the spell of someone who could be a human being with problematic morals? Can we really separate the two? We can yet again argue that in today's generation, people just don't care. I could take myself as an example. I listen to probably over 20 songs where I have no idea what they are saying. However, I love the way they sound. What if they are saying something horrific? I would never know, but it could slowly normalize whatever horrible idea is being spread. I could also say that I love to listen to Kanye, but at the same time I deeply hate anti-semitism, inequality, and racism. Does that make sense? Is it a paradox? If you are going to listen to Kanye, you must be self-aware and understand that you are part of the problem. We can't claim to support equality and still listen to Kanye, without understanding the impact we might be having. This doesn't just apply to Kanye, but all situations like these. Ultimately, it's not about separating the artist from the art but being self-aware of your actions and understanding who you support, indirectly or not. Photo by Patrick Schätz on Unsplash Having dogs as pets in our homes has become thoroughly normalized. Dogs come in a variety of different sizes, colors and body shapes; some of which we seem to prefer over others. Breeding comes at a devastating cost to our furry friends. So the question arises, have we domesticated dogs to death? By Jaya and Vihaan Photo by Bruce Warrington on Unsplash Selective breeding of dogs is evident everywhere we go as we see dogs of all sizes, fur colors, personalities, physical traits, and even more. On the surface, this breeding may seem highly beneficial, advancing dog characteristics such as improving their sense of smell, but is it truly ethical? Or is it a cruel practice that has caused many species of dogs to suffer; to be a victim of inbreeding and limited genetic diversity, primarily to satisfy human "owners"? Selective breeding is carried out with the intention of breeding desirable traits for the dogs involved. One of the most significant ethical concerns, however, is the potential for detrimental health consequences. Breeding for specific physical traits can lead to a range of genetic disorders, physical disabilities, and various illnesses. For example, did you know that dog species such as Pugs and French Bulldogs have difficulty breathing due to their flat faces and narrow nostrils? Furthermore, species such as Sausage Dogs and Corgis with their disproportionately short legs and long backs have to live with pain from ruptured vertebral disks and even chronic problems with elbow dislocation. These issues and disabilities are a result of selective breeding and highlight its cruelty, clearly causing more harm than good. Photo by Melissa Whitecross on Unsplash Another notable ethical issue is the loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding between dogs. Selective breeding often involves breeding closely related animals to reinforce desired traits. However, this practice increases the risk of inbreeding, leading to a reduction in genetic diversity. In simple terms, inbreeding is when dogs that have one or more ancestors in common mate with each other, with this amplifying the likelihood of harmful genes, thus further worsening health problems and increasing susceptibility to diseases. Over time, this loss of genetic diversity within different species of dogs can render certain breeds more vulnerable to environmental changes and limit their ability to adapt. Ultimately, it may lead to some species of dogs becoming more prone to extinction. Photo by Meyer Zinn on Unsplash The last key point in relation to the ethics of dog breeding comes from the fact that selective breeding in dogs today is shaped by human imposed beauty standards. There is constant controversy around the world about the inhumane beauty standards placed upon people today, particularly in the digital, social media age. What about how this same mentality and obsession with aesthetic ideals gets passed on to our most loyal companions? USA Today published an article which highlighted the specific case of the Westminster Dog Show in 2016 where the vast majority of competing dogs were suffering from a range of different health conditions. While the specific beauty standards for dogs and humans are not the same, jeopardizing someone's health in order to have their looks meet a specific criteria is something that both humans and dogs have become subject to. Moreover, beauty standards for animals utterly disregard the reason for genetic traits. Alterations to traits that have been evolving for thousands of years cause natural adaptations to disappear into thin air in favor of aesthetically pleasing and harmfully cute features. This also links to the widespread global issue of humans taking advantage of seemingly lesser species for our own gain. Photo by Sasha Sashina on Unsplash In the present day, we are seeing an increase in the level of concern this issue raises. Many organizations such as the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have begun projects to raise awareness of its prevalence and the need to combat it. Nations such as the United Kingdom, Austria, and Germany have all implemented laws that make it illegal for selective breeding if the desired traits will create a disadvantage for the dog. Yet sadly, the issue does not seem to be a significant concern in many other countries around the world. Selective Breeding is not exactly hot news. Having dogs around us is a very familiar sight, yet their suffering goes under the radar. Could it be that the love we have for our best animal friend - the familiar sight of them in our homes - blinds us to the way in which we have domesticated them to fit our own needs and desires? And ultimately, could this domestication lead to the death of some of their kind? Maybe it's time we saw dogs as animals again, with their own natures beyond us. Maybe it's time we let them off the leash a bit more. Works Cited
"Where did Swimming Originate?" Simply Swim, 2016, https://www.simplyswim.com/blogs/blog/where-did-swimming-originatewww.simplyswim.com/blogs/blog/where-did-swimming-originate "Pedigree Dogs Health Problems" RSPCA, 21 Feb 2024, www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy/pedigreedogs/health#:~:text=Pugs%2C%20French%20bulldogs%20and%20other,difficulties%20and%20struggle%20with%20exercise "Selective Breeding Problems" PBS Nature, 2o Feb 2024, https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/dogs-that-changed-the-world-selective-breeding-problems/1281/#:~:text=Selective%20breeding%20of%20the%20disproportionately,often%20from%20ruptured%20vertebral%20disks The Editorial Board. "Bulldogs That can't Breathe" Our View. USA Today, 15 Feb 2016, https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/02/15/dogs-breeding-westminster-kennel-american-kennel-club-editorials-debates/80373002/. Accessed 22 Feb 2024. "What do the terms inbreeding and linebreeding mean?" RSPCSA, 21 Feb 2024, https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-do-the-terms-inbreeding-and-linebreeding-mean/ As a real-world extension to an I&S project on the historical narrative of coffee, AISM student journalists visited the Barista Coffee Roasters in Marracuene and found out there is much more to the coffee they roast and sell than meets the eye. Their mission to grow the coffee industry here in our host country, which will galvanise the work of local women farmers and future generations of their families. By Alex, Molly and Bilane Last week the Buffalo Blog visited El Barista Coffee Roasters to speak to husband and wife team Riana and Jenaro Lopez, who run the roastery and coffee shop. Riana is the Chairperson at MCC Mattioli Coffee Company SA (which includes coffee brands Cafè Vumba and Cafè de Manica) and Jenaro is President of Amocafe and Managing Director of Café de Manica. Coffee is roasted, packaged and sold at the coffee shop, but produced in Manica Province in the north of the country, with women farmers taking centre stage. Manica province is one of the only areas in Mozambique that can cultivate and nurture the growth of coffee beans. The green beans are brought from Manica and roasted in-house at El Barista. “We wanted to set up something that would help communities”, says Riana Lopez, as she talks about the goals of the coffee project. “Coffee is a way to provide a crop that can sustainably improve their lives and their families' lives.” Riana makes the point that “without these women we would have no business and without this business these women would have a less sustainable future for their family.” The women are given enough seedlings to plant one hectare (enough for 2500 trees) and are then given more as they harvest more. Each woman knows that the longer and harder they work, the larger the profit they will earn, since there are given guarantees that their beans will be bought. The first time they harvest will only come after two or three years, but then the amount doubles every harvest after that. Riana and Jenaro do not plan on stopping here and are setting their sights high for the Mozambican coffee industry as a whole.
“We would like to export Mozambican coffee. Coffee drinkers are excited about a new origin...and in five years, we will have a large amount of coffee that will go beyond the local market”, says Riana. But does Mozambique have what it takes to be a major player in the global coffee market? According to the team at Barista, it does: “You have a big enough area to plant in, enough people to plant and in five years people will see that this is a product that can be cultivated in this country and people will give value to it.” Mozambique is set to become the next big player in the coffee industry. Watch out Ethiopia, Mozambique won't be behind the scenes for too much longer! As the effects of climate change continue to increase in severity, our world is beginning to face issues which go further than just rising temperatures and floods. Here are 3 ways in which our world's climate crisis is affecting culture, customs and traditions around the world. By Laia Photo by Christian Joudrey on Unsplash Vacation Culture A vacation on the Mediterranean coast, on an island like Hawaii or in an adventurous spot in south east Asia, is to most a dream, but one that climate change is causing to die. Over the past couple of years, a shift in tourism has been found around the globe, as the rapidly increasing effects of climate change have become more dire. With top tourist destinations becoming too hot, catching fire and even beginning to sink, travelers around the world have begun to find new spots to travel to. This is leaving countries which used to receive an influx of tourists every season, beginning to find themselves lower and lower on people's bucket list. A more severe example of this is Hawaii, one of the world's hottest vacation spots, and currently in a more literal than figurative sense. Since the fires which ravaged the island in early August, a large drop in tourism has been seen, specifically in Maui. Locals on the island of Hawaii have been complaining about the burdens that over tourism has brought along for several years. Though the same can not be said for the many other top tourist spots in the world - especially ones with economies that thrive off of foreign visitors. Photo by Nicolai Berntsen on Unsplash Skiing going downhill For many countries in the northern hemisphere, skiing is not only a sport or a leisure activity, it is a lifestyle. But as earth's temperatures increase, and snowfall becomes more and more scarce, skiing culture is beginning to change, and for many, beginning to die. According to the Washington post, many ski resorts in the United States, Europe and even Asia, have begun to use fake snow machines, using electrically frozen water to replicate snow. These machines are being integrated into ski resorts to make up for the lack of snow in the mountains, but many skiers feel as if it is breaking the rules, and have rejected the idea, leading to many ski resorts having to close down. This includes the Tigres alpine resort in France, which has experienced a severe amount of snow loss over the past decade. This is as most skiing sports in the Alps rely on glaciers to provide snow as well as water, making the rising temperatures a threat to a large number of resorts in the region. With sports such as skiing and snowboarding, which are so dependent on climate, beginning to fall on a rapid decline, it is not rash to wonder whether they will still exist in a few decades time. Photo by Thomas Marban on Unsplash Fish culture in Japan
Japan is undoubtedly notorious for their bright culture and traditions, and it is no different when it comes to their love for fish. This is likely why the country has been one of the top consumers as well as exporters of seafood in the world for decades. From their sushi to their fried tempura, Japan is renowned for their love of eating from the sea. Though with rising sea temperatures at an all time high, and a drastic change in ocean lifes population and migration habits due to climate change, Japan has begun to feel the effects of our earth's crisis, and now, it's hitting in their stomachs, and for many, their bank accounts as well. The country's fish catch hit an all time low in 2022, dropping by 7.3% from the previous year, and it has only been going downwards since then. This change has not only affected Japan culturally, but economically, as the decrease in supply has caused prices to increase. Now, what has been a standard product in the average Japanese household for centuries, is beginning to turn into a cost, which soon may become a luxury rather than a staple. Our world is at an ever changing point in time, with each day bringing new discoveries and changes; ones both good and bad. Cultures and traditions are the sacred foundations of our world, and arguably what keeps our societies together and running. But the times are telling, and the effects of climate change are beginning to beg the question: Is wealth, development and technology worth not only the cost of our planet, but of our values? Works Cited
Lions are key to keeping a balanced number of different animals and are apex predators. This means they play a crucial role in our environment, yet they are hunted by us humans every day. Some believe this has its benefits. By Polly Photo by Keyur Nandaniya on Unsplash In only two decades the lion populations in Africa have decreased by nearly 50% and only 20,000 remain in the wild today. Lions are quietly going extinct. There is an urgent need to address the threats facing these big cats before it’s too late. One of the main threats lions face is the destruction of their habitat. As our population is expanding, agricultural land and human settlements are also rapidly spreading. The change in land use from humans leaves lion populations isolated, reducing their habitats as well as the habitats of the species lions usually prey on. But there is another major issue, the silent killing of lions daily: lion hunting. Illegal or not, hundreds of lions get killed every year, for our own benefit or amusement. There are several ways in which hunting negatively affects the species themselves and even our environment. Hunting targets specific lions, usually those with valuable genetic traits, which will lead to a decrease in genetic diversity within lion populations., creating further detrimental side effects such as deadly diseases and major environmental changes as lions are apex predators. Because lions are fundamental to our wildlife, the decline of lion populations will impact other species within their ecosystems, ultimately changing predator-prey dynamics. Photo by Pawan Sharma on Unsplash The darkest side of lion hunting is that trophy hunters will often only want in-demand body parts such as teeth, heads and other valuable bones. Once the desired parts are cut off, the lion will be left behind headless, proving that hunting always involves inhumane and cruel methods causing great suffering to the animals. Although lion hunting has horrible impacts on animals, the environment and therefore even us, there are individuals with different, controversial opinions about the crisis. Hunters will pay tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for the opportunity to hunt these species. A portion of this money will often go to local communities in the area. If the money isn't donated, trophy hunting will generate jobs for local citizens, thus creating chances of a better life for many families. The most convincing point supporting the need for this lion poaching is connected to Conservation Funding. Oxford Scientist David MacDonald, a man who has been studying lions for many years, has come to the conclusion that trophy hunting may aid the conservation of lions. MacDonald claims that the largest threat to these species is their destruction of habitat and strictly regulated lion hunting could offer financial benefits, thus preventing further habitat destruction. The money gained through these legal hunting activities may generate financial resources for wildlife parks and other conservation areas. These places will then be able to utilize the funds for a good cause, such as habitat protection and anti-poaching initiatives, benefiting not just lions but whole ecosystems. What happens without this kind of funding? In the end it is our choices and actions that have the power to support or terminate these cruel, possibly beneficial activities, impacting not only the lives of these animals but ultimately our environment and planet. Moral arguments compete with financial ones when it comes to lion hunting. As their numbers continue to dwindle, it is becoming more and more urgent that we find sustainable, effective ways to end this crisis. Is killing really the way to stop death? Works cited:
The increased influence of fossil fuels in football is slowly chipping away at the allure of the “beautiful game” and rapidly degrading our climate. by Vihaan Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash Many are unaware of the deep historical ties between football and oil companies. This relationship dates back to the 1950s when fossil fuel giants would invest large sums of money into football clubs through means of ownership and sponsorship. This is an ever-increasing practice that has continued to this day. Now, we live in an age where we are constantly fighting against climate change and its impact; be it hurricanes, tsunamis, or even drought. The fossil fuel industry is by far and away the most significant contributor to climate change. At this point, it seems a wise course of action to define some terms. Starting with fossil fuels, these are past organisms (hence fossils) that are extracted from the ground and burned to form energy sources (hence fuels). Fossil fuels have a devastating impact on the earth's atmosphere due to high carbon dioxide emissions and for close to 150 years it has been the world's number one power supply. Another important term is a football club owner. This is an individual or enterprise that buys a majority stake in a football club giving them decision-making power. To be a football club majority owner you must be ridiculously wealthy and have the financial ability to invest heavily into the club you buy. Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash Anyway, back to the issue at hand. At the moment the pressing issue for the football world is that its involvement with fossil fuels directly causes extreme damage to the environment and promotes an industry that is actively destroying our climate, yet it has spurred efforts to remove oil companies from the beautiful game. Firstly, by partnering with fossil fuel companies the football world is actively playing a role in deteriorating the climate. A prime example of this is the environmental impact of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Considered by some to be the best World Cup in recent history it was also the World Cup with the highest amount of carbon emissions. To be financially capable of hosting the tournament, Qatar sold around three billion barrels of crude oil which is equivalent to 928 million metric tons of carbon emissions. That figure is nearly impossible to wrap your mind around, but in an attempt to make the number comprehensible 928 million metric tons of emissions is what 201 million cars produce annually. If major football organizations such as FIFA continue to select oil-reliant states like Qatar to host major tournaments then it negates years of work to reduce global carbon emissions. Moreover, is the cost of an entertaining World Cup worth close to a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions? Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Another key negative ramification of fossil fuels being involved with football is that it promotes a harmful industry. Now in the past, the tobacco industry was a big sponsor of various sports including football. Nevertheless, when it became apparent that smoking was a dangerous activity that caused irreversible damage to the lungs it was not long before tobacco was booted out of sports. Similarly, it is well-documented that fossil fuels are detrimental to our climate. Yet, there has been no apparent action by footballing entities to remove the oil and gas industry permanently. Instead of combating climate change, the world's largest football league the Premier League in January 2022 announced its new partnership with Castrol Lubricants, a subsidiary of BP. According to Reuters, BP recorded a 28 billion dollar profit in 2022, contradicting claims of attempts to reduce oil and gas production by 2030. Furthermore, the Athletic received a statement from the Premier League stating that “The Premier League recognizes the need to take action on climate change and is committed to reducing its overall climate impact” which highlights the hypocrisy of footballing bodies. A claim to tackle climate change cannot be followed by a new partnership with one of the most prominent companies in the industry most responsible for the climate crisis. Without serious commitment from associations like the Premier League the football community can not say that they are dedicated to aiding the environment. Now, some may argue that owning football clubs gives little direct financial profit to fossil companies; therefore, they actually lose money by sponsoring teams. Whilst this point holds truth it does take into account the entire complexity of sponsorship deals. In reality, sponsoring a football club or in some cases a football competition means that the sponsor gains global recognition by way of shirt sponsoring, billboards, or even the name of a stadium. The most famous example would have to be the UEFA Champions League and Russian oil giant Gazprom. For years Europe's most prestigious football competition was sponsored by one of the most destructive oil companies; in addition to damaging the environment, it also has close ties with the authoritarian Putin regime. Even if a sponsor receives no direct profit from owning a club it still can promote its harmful image and gain public favor. Photo by Dima Solomin on Unsplash Despite the strong influence of fossil fuels in the football industry, there is a shimmer of hope. There have been countless clubs that are unshackling the beautiful game from the dark bonds of oil and gas companies. The most inspiring example is the case of Forest Green Rovers, a club in the fourth division of English football. The United Nations has even applauded the efforts of this club to reduce their Carbon footprint. The club runs solely on renewable energy and recycles eight percent of all water supply used. This also has a knock-on effect on the fans who have begun using electric vehicles and living sustainable lives. Since 2011 each spectator’s carbon footprint has decreased by 42 percent which is an astoundingly positive number. Is it possible for this to be the future of all football clubs? Whilst it is unrealistic to expect an immediate removal of any company related to fossil fuels from football overnight; it is not impossible to imagine a world where the beautiful game is untainted by oil. In the end that is the world that needs to arrive sooner rather than later if we want to aid in combating the ever-growing impact of climate change. Without some sort of response to fossil fuel companies in football, the game that is loved all around the world might soon become a puppet of an industry actively risking the future and current livelihoods of millions. Works Cited
Campelli, Matthew. “Would a Ban on Fossil Fuel Sponsorship in Sport Be Justified – or Feasible? – Sustainability Report.” Sustainabilityreport.com, 2019, sustainabilityreport.com/2019/05/16/would-a-ban-on-fossil-fuel-sponsorship-in-sport-be-justified-or-feasible/. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023. “Fossil Fuels.” Nationalgeographic.org, 2023, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/fossil-fuels/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2023. Goal. “Oil Money: Petrodollars, Man City, PSG & How Modern Football Is Fuelled by Mega-Rich Industry.” Goal.com, Goal.com, 24 Feb. 2019, www.goal.com/en/news/oil-money-petrodollars-man-city-psg--how-modern-football-is-fuelled-by-mega-rich-industry/k8rob5liyzrl1wr63osn57ytk. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023. Guardian staff reporter. “Football Must Do More to Tackle Climate Change: This Is How Clubs and Fans Can Help.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 6 May 2022, www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/may/06/football-must-do-more-to-tackle-climate-change-this-is-how-clubs-and-fans-can-help. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023. Mihajlo Vujasin. “How Much Does Qatar World Cup Cost in Crude Oil.” Balkan Green Energy News, Dec. 2022, balkangreenenergynews.com/how-much-does-qatar-world-cup-cost-in-crude-oil/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023. Nestler, Stefan. “How Football Is Responding to the Energy Crisis.” Dw.com, Deutsche Welle, 17 Aug. 2022, www.dw.com/en/how-the-bundesliga-is-responding-to-the-energy-crisis/a-62837284. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023. “Ownership of a Football Club - Claims.co.uk TM.” Claims.co.uk TM, 12 Aug. 2018, www.claims.co.uk/knowledge-base/football-law/owning-a-football-club. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023. Reuters. “UEFA Cancel Gazprom Sponsorship Deal.” Reuters, 28 Feb. 2022, www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/uefa-cancel-gazprom-sponsorship-deal-source-2022-02-28/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023. Thomson, Steve. “Soft Power: Why It Matters to Governments, People, and Brands | Brand Finance.” Brand Finance, 25 Feb. 2020, brandfinance.com/insights/soft-power-why-it-matters. Accessed 14 Sept. 2023. Voskoboynik, Daniel. “Fossil Fuels and Football - the World at 1°C.” Medium, The World At 1°C, 9 Mar. 2017, worldat1c.org/fossil-fuels-and-football-44cd6c216d3. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023. Walker, Ali. “UEFA Terminates Gazprom Deal.” POLITICO, POLITICO, 28 Feb. 2022, www.politico.eu/article/uefa-terminates-gazprom-deal/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023. Whitehead, Jacob. “Exploring the Links between Football and the World’s Largest Fossil Fuel Companies.” The Athletic, 2022, theathletic.com/3747199/2022/11/06/football-fossil-fuels/. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023. “Why Is Sponsorship in Sport so Important?” Ucfb.ac.uk, 17 Oct. 2022, www.ucfb.ac.uk/news/why-is-sponsorship-in-sport-so-important/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023. School bullying is a pervasive and distressing issue faced by countless students worldwide. The impact, detailing maximal preventative strategies. Reporting by Gaia School bulling, unfortunately, is not a new phenomenon and has been endured silently by victims from time immemorial. Nevertheless, with amplified recognition and public attention, we have begun to understand the wide implications and are in a better position than ever to move forward towards positive change in schools. At a basic level, school bullying refers to persistent torment initiated by one student or a group towards a peer. Or as Secondary Counsellor Miss Stephanie Costa points out, “school bulling happens where there is an ongoing deliberate misuse of power.” Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash This hostility may manifest in various forms, such as physical violence, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, emotional manipulation, and more. It puts the the victim in a corner, often leaving them feeling powerless, anxious, and isolated. The effects of school bullying extend far beyond the immediate emotional distress. Victims often experience severe mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. Their academic performance may be affected and their self-esteem may shrink. Social relationships outside school may suffer. It is evident that nobody should have to face these things and that this is the opposite of what we might call community. In the end, we are social beings and need the environment to help us flourish. Photo by Morgan Basham on Unsplash So how can we stand up and fight for everyone's right not to experience bullying?
Thankfully, there are strategies that we can employ to make schools safer for everyone. Uniting against school bullying is crucial for protecting the current generation and cultivating empathy, tolerance, and kindness. By collective effort and commitment, we can create safer and more nurturing environments. By confronting and opposing this menace together, we can help everyone learn how to live together in ways that develop self-esteem. Those who do the bullying also need the right environment to help them flourish in more positive ways. Some things we can do include:
The fight against school bullying needs us to accept a shared responsibility – as students, teachers, parents or guardians, admin, counsellors etc. – working together to construct the kind of school communities that help us learn not just academics, but about ourselves as unique, brilliant individuals. |
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