Watch this video and light up your Christmas tree. A nice video with a beautiful Scottish accent.
And in America a similar story is told about a Christmas tree in Indianas powered by alternative energy. The tree is outside Fort Wayne's Embassy Theatre. Its lights connect to a generator, powered by a stationary bike. If the power runs low, an alarm goes off, demanding more exercise. So the tree does nothing to contribute to global warming. Unless you count the carbon dioxide from people panting on the bike.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Happy 60th Birthday Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
2. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
2. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Consuming is deadly! Read the appalling story.
I received a thought-provoking cartoon from Cagle, the cartoonists' site, together with an article, an excerpt from which is reproduced below.
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Unfortunately
by Connie Schultz -
Only hours after we celebrated the national holiday for giving thanks, a mob broke through the electronic doors of a Wal-Mart in Mineola, N.Y., and trampled to death a store clerk named Jdimytai Damour.
Damour was 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 270 pounds, but he was no match for the wave of willful disregard that forced him to the ground and proceeded to stomp him to death.
These people sound like terrorists, but news reports assure us that these were just shoppers looking for bargains. For Christmas.
You know, "For unto us, a child is born." That Christmas.
So far, no one has come forward to admit a role in this man's death. Officials said it will be hard to identify the hundreds of people who mowed over Damour. Hard to prove recklessness or intent to harm, too.
I'll leave it to those who are trained in such matters to explain how human beings could march across a man's body for a cheaper flat-screen TV. There are dark spots on some souls that no amount of light can illuminate, and sometimes the only consolation in the wake of such human ugliness is my inability to understand it.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tool bag lost in space
Both funny and terrifying? An astronaut lost her tool bag in space while carrying out a task on a "space-outing", a space-walk. Check the details
What is more you can now track the tool bag in the sky. To spot it, you have to calculate its trajectory.
'A computer model has been developed for the tool bag. But finding its exact location in the sky depends on your location on Earth.
Equipped with latitude and longitude coordinates, the model will calculate the time to see the tool bag, the altitude it will be at and the magnitude, which specifies its brightness compared with stars.
Usually the bag is below 6th magnitude, which is naked-eye visibility. This means you will need the right equipment to see it - binoculars or a telescope. Even with these it will be difficult to see'
What is more you can now track the tool bag in the sky. To spot it, you have to calculate its trajectory.
'A computer model has been developed for the tool bag. But finding its exact location in the sky depends on your location on Earth.
Equipped with latitude and longitude coordinates, the model will calculate the time to see the tool bag, the altitude it will be at and the magnitude, which specifies its brightness compared with stars.
Usually the bag is below 6th magnitude, which is naked-eye visibility. This means you will need the right equipment to see it - binoculars or a telescope. Even with these it will be difficult to see'
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
All you wanted to know about B.O.
A well documented dossier about Barack Obama here .
His family tree for instance is fascinating.
And guess what? Would you believe it?
He has got French ancestors. "Cocorico" (cock-a-doodle-do :-))
His family tree for instance is fascinating.
And guess what? Would you believe it?
He has got French ancestors. "Cocorico" (cock-a-doodle-do :-))
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
This Election’s Poster Child - Campaign Stops Blog - NYTimes.com
This Election’s Poster Child - Campaign Stops Blog - NYTimes.com
"i'm voting for that one"
"that one"
"that won"
Have you ever realised that one is pronounced like won?
"i'm voting for that one"
"that one"
"that won"
Have you ever realised that one is pronounced like won?
Monday, October 20, 2008
"Bottom slap teacher must retrain"
The article David told us about can be found there.
It deals with a thorny topic: the risks teachers face because of the testimony of children, and the limits of justice.
However this week' debate is more about the right of parents to slap or spank their children.
Do you think that "reasonable chastisement" should be abolished in a civilised society or that "physical correction is normal as a disciplinary tool in the context of a warm caring relationship"?
Some people think that a ban on smacking would represent an unacceptable intrusion into family life. What is your view?
It deals with a thorny topic: the risks teachers face because of the testimony of children, and the limits of justice.
However this week' debate is more about the right of parents to slap or spank their children.
Do you think that "reasonable chastisement" should be abolished in a civilised society or that "physical correction is normal as a disciplinary tool in the context of a warm caring relationship"?
Some people think that a ban on smacking would represent an unacceptable intrusion into family life. What is your view?
Large hadron collider made easy : RAP !!!
Watch the video that has been concocted to help you learn about the Large hadron Collider. Super brilliant.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Issues on video
A very interesting site to listen to what John McCain and Barack Obama have to say on thought-provoking issues.On video!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Questions that need answering n°2
Raphaël's article:
Russia to upgrade nuclear systems:
Do we -countries- need deterrents? What about the non-proliferation Treaty? A dead letter?
Your opinion on this thorny matter.
Antoine's article:
Terror suspects held on plane
"All the news that is fit to print ": what does the phrase "fit to print mean" in your opinion?
Russia to upgrade nuclear systems:
Do we -countries- need deterrents? What about the non-proliferation Treaty? A dead letter?
Your opinion on this thorny matter.
Antoine's article:
Terror suspects held on plane
"All the news that is fit to print ": what does the phrase "fit to print mean" in your opinion?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Electronic voting machines
Homer Simpson tries to vote. As usual humour and magic insight are used to convey a thorny message.
How to make people vote
How can people be made to vote? Here is a humorous video answer, starring celebrities : Di Caprio, Eva Longoria etc..
Super! Easy program to learn your vocabulary
Go to "J'M les langues " and download the free program to learn your own lists!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
LHC turned off
The Large Hadron Collider near Geneva will be out of action for at least two months, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern) says.
Part of the giant physics experiment was turned off for the weekend while engineers probed a magnet failure.
On Friday, a failure, known as a quench, caused around 100 of the LHC's super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100C.
The fire brigade were called out after a tonne of liquid helium leaked into the tunnel at Cern, near Geneva.
Part of the giant physics experiment was turned off for the weekend while engineers probed a magnet failure.
On Friday, a failure, known as a quench, caused around 100 of the LHC's super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100C.
The fire brigade were called out after a tonne of liquid helium leaked into the tunnel at Cern, near Geneva.
Friday, September 19, 2008
This week's questions
1- To what extent do you think the private lives of politicians should be revealed?
2- Is the enormous cost of the LHC a waste of money, better spent on the urgent problems of the planet?
Comment!!!
2- Is the enormous cost of the LHC a waste of money, better spent on the urgent problems of the planet?
Comment!!!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Elections in America
In 'the Palin-Whatshisname Ticket" , op-ed columnist Frank Rich clearly analyses the problem: Palin is holding the whole stage now, relegating Mc Cain to the background. And Obama should not waste his energy on her. Indeed it is McCain Obama is to vie against, not Palin. He should stick to explaining the changes he would like to make.
Sarah Palin with her daughter posing with a caribou she shot in AlaskaThursday, September 11, 2008
Ever heard of the LHC?
This week's scientific highlight is the LHC, the Large Hadron Collider, "the £5bn machine on the Swiss-French border designed to smash protons together with cataclysmic force." Visit this address to learn more about this extraordinary machine in a series of videos.
Comments on the usefulness of such an expensive device are welcome .
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Barak Obama vs John McCain
The Guardian has published an interesting series of maps analysing the different "Americas" that the candidates will have to convince: rich America, poor America,uninsured America, illegal immigrants, Hispanic America, black America, white America, war in Iraq
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Why is English so difficult to pronounce?
Easy!!! Visit this site and you will learn the difference between the wind an to wind, a tear and to tear etc...
Monday, June 2, 2008
Buzz Lightyear of "Toystory" fame aboard the ISS!!
Space shuttle Discovery has just docked to the ISS!! Did you know that Buzz Lightyear was a member of the team?
Astronaut Aldrin coached him...
Astronaut Aldrin coached him...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Microcredit and Fair trade
In Le Monde 2 this week-end, an interesting article -in French unfortunately- about microcredit and Mr. Yunus who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. A pleasant counterbalance to all the financial scandals that have cropped up this year.
May 10th is Fair Trade day, by the way. Visit the PCSI blog to see how it is advertised.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Aviation English
I have just received information about this course in Aviation English which may be of use to some of you.
Pilots and air traffic controllers - achieve and maintain ICAO level 4 language requirements with Aviation English
A complete self-study package for individuals or for groups in a classroom, Aviation English develops the very specific skills described in the ICAO Level 4 Language Profile of English Language Proficiency requirements.
The Aviation English resource site contains all the information you need about the Aviation English course as well as comprehensive support resources and information about the test.
Pilots and air traffic controllers - achieve and maintain ICAO level 4 language requirements with Aviation English
A complete self-study package for individuals or for groups in a classroom, Aviation English develops the very specific skills described in the ICAO Level 4 Language Profile of English Language Proficiency requirements.
The Aviation English resource site contains all the information you need about the Aviation English course as well as comprehensive support resources and information about the test.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Revise well!
Here is a nice way to learn idioms:Symphony in Slang, Tex Avery's cartoon.
MGM Cartoon "Symphony in Slang" (1951)
envoyé par 100X
MGM Cartoon "Symphony in Slang" (1951)
envoyé par 100X
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
To boycott or not to boycott the Olympics?
Antoine suggested we discussed the idea this morning in light of the recent events in Tibet.
What's your point of view?
What's your point of view?
Monday, March 31, 2008
The war of the worlds
It was not an April fool prank but it is one of the most famous hoax in history. You can listen to it there.
Visit the museum of hoaxes which also has a special "April fools" page.
Visit the museum of hoaxes which also has a special "April fools" page.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
XCOR Lynx suborbital vehicle animation
"A sleek craft that may be the first "sports car" of commercial spaceflight was unveiled on Wednesday, in Mojave, California, US. It is designed to be able to travel to the edge of space and back several times a day.
A two-seater, Lynx is smaller than a private jet.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Women at the forefront of politics: a new trend?
I think it is going to be a concours hit : we haven't had time to talk about the emergence of women in political life and other prominent positions. Here you will find dozens of examples. Enjoy!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Space travel and science fiction
Raphael's choice from the Guardian On Tuesday March 11, the space shuttle “Endeavour” and seven astronauts were launched into orbit for the longest mission to the International Space Station, the ISS.
The shuttle took off from Florida with Canadian and Japanese astronauts among the crew, for a 16-day voyage, to build a robot and add a room that will serve as storage compartment for a future laboratory, called Kibo.
Another piece of space news : Europe's new orbital cargo ship has been launched from French Guiana on a mission to resupply the space station.
The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is the biggest and most complex spacecraft Europe has ever tried to put in orbit.
The ATV has been dubbed "Jules Verne" for its maiden flight and is even carrying a first-edition hardback of the 19th-Century French author's book From the Earth to the Moon. It will return on a space shuttle at a later date.
The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is the biggest and most complex spacecraft Europe has ever tried to put in orbit.
The ATV will now essentially be parked in space. It must wait until the US space shuttle Endeavour has completed its forthcoming mission to the ISS before moving in to make a docking.
The ship's own computers will be in charge of the approach, employing an advanced form of GPS and, in the latter stages, optical sensors to guide itself into the correct position on the end of the Russian Zvezda module.
The ATV will now essentially be parked in space. It must wait until the US space shuttle Endeavour has completed its forthcoming mission to the ISS before moving in to make a docking.
The ship's own computers will be in charge of the approach, employing an advanced form of GPS and, in the latter stages, optical sensors to guide itself into the correct position on the end of the Russian Zvezda module.
Sadly, one of the greatest writers of science-fiction novels, Arthur Clark died on March 18th. He wrote that thought-provoking book called "2001, a space odyssey" made into a film by Stanley Kubrick in 1968. So many things happened 40 years ago!
What is the use of space missions or the ISS (international space station) in your opinion?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Listening to the news
Here is good training for the CCP oral exams:
http://talkingissues.economist.com/
Try the science and technology section.
http://talkingissues.economist.com/
Try the science and technology section.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Immigration and politics
A very interesting article , which looks into the relationship between immigration and elections.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
"Turning CO2 back into hydrocarbons" : we are saved!!!
Here is an excerpt from an article published in the New Scientist, a tought-provoking magazine, on February 27 2008:
"CARBON dioxide is the devil molecule of our time. Belched out from vehicle exhausts and power stations, it is the biggest contributor to global warming. As such it is universally recognised as a Bad Thing. Yet a pioneering band of researchers would like us to see it differently - as a valuable resource. They are developing a collection of technologies to retrieve some of the CO2 that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere, using its carbon atoms to form hydrocarbons. These could then be used as vehicle fuel, or as a feedstock to make plastics and other materials we now derive from oil. So could the expanding clouds of CO2 in our atmosphere really have a silver lining?
The idea is simple. Find a way of removing an oxygen atom from a CO2 molecule and you are left with carbon monoxide (CO)...."
Isn't this idea brilliant?
"CARBON dioxide is the devil molecule of our time. Belched out from vehicle exhausts and power stations, it is the biggest contributor to global warming. As such it is universally recognised as a Bad Thing. Yet a pioneering band of researchers would like us to see it differently - as a valuable resource. They are developing a collection of technologies to retrieve some of the CO2 that would otherwise pollute the atmosphere, using its carbon atoms to form hydrocarbons. These could then be used as vehicle fuel, or as a feedstock to make plastics and other materials we now derive from oil. So could the expanding clouds of CO2 in our atmosphere really have a silver lining?
The idea is simple. Find a way of removing an oxygen atom from a CO2 molecule and you are left with carbon monoxide (CO)...."
Isn't this idea brilliant?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tata Nano, the Indian wonder car
Marouane chose this text. Here is an excerpt from the article taken from the Guardian.
"Like a modern-day version of Henry Ford, Tata's idea is of an affordable car that is light and simple, yet made from high-quality materials. The result is a jelly bean-shaped vehicle into which five adults can squeeze. The basic model makes no concession to luxury: its price has been kept low by using more plastic than steel, and swapping hi-tech glue for traditional welding. Rival manufacturers had questioned whether the car would meet safety standards, especially if the company plans to export such models to Europe, which requires cars to meet stringent crash tests.(...)
But environmentalists say the possibility of mass sales of the Nano has worrying implications for the environment. Major cities in India are now wreathed in smog and rush hours have spread long into the night. In Delhi traffic now crawls, on average, at less than nine miles an hour - half that a decade ago.
As congestion builds up and cars slow, greenhouse gases emissions increase more rapidly. India's vehicles spewed 219m tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2005. Experts say that figure will jump almost seven-fold to 1,470 tonnes by 2035 if car travel remains unchecked."
What can be done to avoid a disaster?
"Like a modern-day version of Henry Ford, Tata's idea is of an affordable car that is light and simple, yet made from high-quality materials. The result is a jelly bean-shaped vehicle into which five adults can squeeze. The basic model makes no concession to luxury: its price has been kept low by using more plastic than steel, and swapping hi-tech glue for traditional welding. Rival manufacturers had questioned whether the car would meet safety standards, especially if the company plans to export such models to Europe, which requires cars to meet stringent crash tests.(...)
But environmentalists say the possibility of mass sales of the Nano has worrying implications for the environment. Major cities in India are now wreathed in smog and rush hours have spread long into the night. In Delhi traffic now crawls, on average, at less than nine miles an hour - half that a decade ago.
As congestion builds up and cars slow, greenhouse gases emissions increase more rapidly. India's vehicles spewed 219m tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in 2005. Experts say that figure will jump almost seven-fold to 1,470 tonnes by 2035 if car travel remains unchecked."
What can be done to avoid a disaster?
Floods threaten millions of lives unless defences are improved
Thomas's choice
We ought to be preparing the defence of our coastal areas from the rise of waters estimated at about half a meter by 2070. Developing countries are particularly at risk and as the value of their assets keeps increasing, it will cause a major economic crisis.
Are we wasting time and jeopardising our planet?
Monday, February 4, 2008
How a single clumsy ship disrupted Internet access
According to reports, the internet blackout, which has left 75 million people with only limited access, was caused by a ship that tried to moor off the coast of Egypt in bad weather on Wednesday. Since then phone and internet traffic has been severely reduced across a huge swath of the region, slashed by as much as 70% in countries including India, Egypt and Dubai.
Here is the complete article
Our reliance on such fragile links ought to be taken into consideration, shouldn't it? Why do we let ourselves be so vulnerable? Your opinion?
Here is the complete article
Our reliance on such fragile links ought to be taken into consideration, shouldn't it? Why do we let ourselves be so vulnerable? Your opinion?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sustainable food
Here is what you can read when you visit this site:
"A recent poll conducted for Food & Water Watch indicates that 80 percent of consumers want milk from cows not treated with the hormone to be labeled “rBGH-free" but Monsanto, the manufacturer of rBGH, has asked for such labels to be restricted."
You bet! In your opinion who stands to gain ?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cloned meat and animal-human embryo: Brave New World revisited?
Today food for thought and meat to chew! And two questions:
The FDA’s Center for food safety has given the go ahead to the commercialization of meat from cloned animals. In the States of course. What about Europe? According to an article published in the Daily Telegraph, the European Food Safety Authority declared that meat from cloned animals and their progeny was highly unlikely to be different from meat from conventionally bred animal.
Would you mind eating meat from cloned animals or, yuck, do you find the idea revolting and disgusting?
A few days later, British scientists who had been battling for a year to be allowed to create the first animal-human embryo were finally victorious and their experiments will be allowed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. It consists in injecting human DNA into empty eggs from cows to produce hybrids 99.9% human in genetic terms.
The Times said that the public was broadly supportive. However opponents say this is no longer necessary since a breakthrough in reprogramming technique has made it possible to turn an adult tissue into “pluripotent stem cells, with embryo-like properties”.
What is your personal reaction to the possibility of making an animal-human embryo?
The FDA’s Center for food safety has given the go ahead to the commercialization of meat from cloned animals. In the States of course. What about Europe? According to an article published in the Daily Telegraph, the European Food Safety Authority declared that meat from cloned animals and their progeny was highly unlikely to be different from meat from conventionally bred animal.
Would you mind eating meat from cloned animals or, yuck, do you find the idea revolting and disgusting?
A few days later, British scientists who had been battling for a year to be allowed to create the first animal-human embryo were finally victorious and their experiments will be allowed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. It consists in injecting human DNA into empty eggs from cows to produce hybrids 99.9% human in genetic terms.
The Times said that the public was broadly supportive. However opponents say this is no longer necessary since a breakthrough in reprogramming technique has made it possible to turn an adult tissue into “pluripotent stem cells, with embryo-like properties”.
What is your personal reaction to the possibility of making an animal-human embryo?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
No end to slavery: from Africans to Indians
The slave trade was officially abolished throughout the British Empire in 1807. This plan (found here) of a slave ship developed by Clarkson and his co-workers shocked the public when it appeared in 1789. It shows how 482 slaves could be packed on board the Brookes of Liverpool for the 6 to 8 week voyage to the West Indies. The Brookes actually carried 609 slaves on one voyage.
On top of that, watch this very interesting video "Coolies: How Britain reinvented slavery" This documentary reveals one of Britain's darkest secrets: a form of slavery that continued well into the 20th century - the story of Indian indentured labour.
It describes how Indians replaced Africans when slavery was abolished in the British Empire.
It describes how Indians replaced Africans when slavery was abolished in the British Empire.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Kenyan opposition calls for new rallies and sanctions
Here is Jérémy's summary of his oral presentation.
- Kenya's opposition leaders called for 3 days of nationwide protests this week and recommended foreign governments to impose sanctions over the country's flawed elections last month. The elections resulted in killings, destructions and travel restrictions. Let's take a look at what happened.
Kenya is divided into several tribes. Mr Kibaki, the former president, belongs to the Kikuyu tribe whereas his opponent Mr Odinga belongs to the Luo tribe. Kibaki's party has governed the country since its independence in 1963, but according to the polls Mr Odinga was very likely to win these elections.
However, the vote-counting process was slowed down, and apparently the election commission hadn't been operating independently. With half of votes counted Odinga led with 57 percent and Kibaki had only 39 percent. Odinga's party accused Kibaki of cheating and it turns out that it's true. Indeed 3 areas appear suspicious. For instance, in one of them Kibaki received 105,000 votes even though there were only 70,000 registered voters. Kibaki eventually won the elections.
The opposition called for new elections, but Kibaki's party refused. The tension between the tribes is growing. About 600 people have been killed so far. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General, has agreed to lead a panel of African dignitaries to help find a political solution. The government has banned all political rallies and live news media coverage of election related events. Opposition leaders have called for the rallies to be peaceful, but most major protests have degenerated into bloodshed.
- Kenya's opposition leaders called for 3 days of nationwide protests this week and recommended foreign governments to impose sanctions over the country's flawed elections last month. The elections resulted in killings, destructions and travel restrictions. Let's take a look at what happened.
Kenya is divided into several tribes. Mr Kibaki, the former president, belongs to the Kikuyu tribe whereas his opponent Mr Odinga belongs to the Luo tribe. Kibaki's party has governed the country since its independence in 1963, but according to the polls Mr Odinga was very likely to win these elections.
However, the vote-counting process was slowed down, and apparently the election commission hadn't been operating independently. With half of votes counted Odinga led with 57 percent and Kibaki had only 39 percent. Odinga's party accused Kibaki of cheating and it turns out that it's true. Indeed 3 areas appear suspicious. For instance, in one of them Kibaki received 105,000 votes even though there were only 70,000 registered voters. Kibaki eventually won the elections.
The opposition called for new elections, but Kibaki's party refused. The tension between the tribes is growing. About 600 people have been killed so far. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General, has agreed to lead a panel of African dignitaries to help find a political solution. The government has banned all political rallies and live news media coverage of election related events. Opposition leaders have called for the rallies to be peaceful, but most major protests have degenerated into bloodshed.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Elections in Kenya and the USA
"Kenyan opposition calls for new rallies and sanctions" is the article that Jérémy will deal with on Tuesday January 15th.
Céline will tackle the topic of American caucuses and primaries : Obama vs Clinton.
Both articles deal with political elections. Worlds apart?
Céline will tackle the topic of American caucuses and primaries : Obama vs Clinton.
Both articles deal with political elections. Worlds apart?
Martin Luther King's Day
The story of the struggle waged by Black people against segregation in pictures: the civil rights movement.
US Presidential Elections : The Race to the White House
Visit this site to understand the terms that will be used all along the campaign.
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