Consumerism, the new religion?

Many have suggested that consumerism is the new religion and that the cathedrals of our age are in fact shopping centres. If you've never been convinced by this argument, take a look at the following news item about the UK supermarket chain, Tesco (similar to Caprabo).

Tesco opens store in church.

This term we are looking at how to write newspaper articles. Which 'coverage' of the story do you think most suitable or entertaining?

• Article 1 by the Sun
• Article 2 by the Daily Mail
• Article 3 by the Metro magazine

And most importantly, do you think a church is a suitable place for a supermarket? Is consumerism really our new religion?

More technology

Discovery Channel's web-site is great for information about:

• bio-brain-driven cars
• yesterday's predictions for the future
• a quiz on 'new' inventions
• the opinions of leading experts

...and much more!

Don't forget that you have a circle debate on 'what the future holds in store' (or 'where current trends are taking us') on Thursday 9th December... and you should have commented on one of the related posts by then.

(PS. Why not ask your parents or grandparents what they thought the future held in store - and which changes have most surprised them.)

The best team in the world?

Barcelona was deserted. The streets empty. The shops silent. While a few sad souls strayed across the square, kept company by damp pigeons, the majority of Barcelona's citizens were laughing in disbelief, crying or cheering. And Barça won 5-0. A fair fight won by the better team... indeed, by the best team in the world? Or a disaster, a combination of bad luck and poor refereeing? What do you think?

Worth the effort?

I once saw a video of an experiment in which experimenters trained a monkey to play a joystick video game. They then linked the monkey's brain to a computer and started recording the signals created while the monkey moved its arm and hands as it played. Then they matched the signals with the movements within the game. Once the matching was flawless, they sent the 'translated' brain signals direct, in real-time, from the monkey's brain to the game console.


What do you think the monkey did?

a. freaked out
b. got confused
c. stopped
d. played on with arm movements
e. played on using 'thought' alone.

Well, it immediately and without any apparent concern or confusion, continued playing the game using 'mind-control' alone.

You see, once we can do things by thought alone, why would we bother making an 'effort'? All this makes me think of Wall-E and the human 'master-race' (hence the picture). Oh, and in case you thought that this is all 'pie-in-the-sky', watch this:

Who will dominate - human or robot?

This video features a number of scientists talking about how artificial intelligence will change or 'improve' or lives in the near future. It follows on from the one we watched in class which featured augmented reality (eg. contact lenses with internet access) and naturally-evolving artificial intelligence (called 'Polyworld') - if you want to watch again go to youtube.com/watch?v=iTE2u2aloDc&feature=related (or for the video about cities and smart dust, see youtube.com/watch?v=rKXjJZGMpVo&feature=related).



For me, the most interesting and worrying moment is when Kevin Warwick starts to explain his work. Kevin's goal is nothing less than to be the one who ushers in a new age of cyborg humans. He states:

"The future I see [as] very rosy if you are a cyborg, or if you are an artificial intelligence machine. If you are a human, well, your time's up."

If he's right, you might want to get on the winning side as soon as possible - why not apply to be his research assistant? You can find out more about him at www.kevinwarwick.com

What makes Kevin special is his degree of personal commitment. In 1998 he started experimenting with a transponder chip (inserted in his forearm) connected to his nervous system. This chip provided a link between his nervous system and other electronic devices.  It allowed him to operate doors, lights, heaters and other computers without lifting a finger. He was able to use his hand movements to operate a cyborg hand or (as if he were disabled) a motorised wheelchair.

Obviously this 'connectivity' is limited as it is only one-way. So can you guess what his stage two was? To study the transmission of signals between people. He upgraded his chip and then went ahead and implanted another in his wife - so that they could 'communicate' movement to each other at a distance. And the next step? Obvious, logical and potentially frightening:  to progress from movement to the transmissions of thoughts and emotions.

What do you think? Is this research exciting? interesting? irrelevant? scary? worrying? necessary? dangerous?

Last minutes with his best friend

Last minutes with his best friend

Have you ever judged someone when he sacrifices his dog? Or even considered what he must have felt at the time before doing it?


Jason Wood tells us all about his experience. The video shows the last minutes he spends with his dog, Oden, who's struggle with cancer finally comes to an end. He talks all through the video describing his thoughts and what he feels.

One of the most powerful ways in which he describes Oden is saying how he stayed by his side all through his suffering, how he did everything for him, he says that what was sick about him was that he was about helping everyone . One of the most impressing things he says is that 'I don't think I showed him how to love, I think he showed me how to love'.

This man has some kind of religious belief and he mentions God saying that he is love, and that to him, that dog was God. He describes how the feelings he had were like childish fears because he really doesn't want him to go, he realises he's a 'soft dude' though he wants to be the tough guy that can put his dog dow. He says that Oden had done his job in life and that it was time to go for him because he didn't want to stay there.

Jason is talking all throughout the video as a documentary in an informal way because he wants to open to people and let them know what it feels like. We can see scenes of him riding a bike before and after Oden's death, and we can see he is meditating (I say he is because he's like out of this world) about all the process, about what his dog means to him. Also, all scence where the dog is seen and when his death is shown, how Jason reacts to it, makes it much more realistic.

In my opinion I don't think no one really knows what he feels like, specially and understandably those who haven't had a dog in their life, unless you have lived the experience. We don't realise the importance they can have for certain people and because of that sometimes really though decisions have to be made, like sacrifice.

This is an amazingly moving and beautiful video, which I think can open everyone's mind and heart. Seriously, it is worth watching.


Here are some quotes that may invite you to watch it:

''He was there the whole way through with me, from the beggining to end, and there he was lying next to me as if it was another day.''

''He was so loyal, so down for the guys I loved.''

''I'm like I'm gonna miss you, don't go...don't go.''

''I may sound crazy but he had like some irreversable job, like god gave him a job to do here and take care of people.''




So, what do you think about this video? Has it made some kind of impact on you? What do you think about the love a dog can give you?

Kesha in Barcelona

Like most of you probably know, the famous American singer, Kesha is coming to do a concert in Barcelona. The artist is going to be performing next saturday 11 of december in Razzmatazz 2. Although the singer has been writing songs from an early age, her breakthrough only came in 2009 when she appeared on one of Flo Rida's number one single, 'Right Round'. Also, later on that year, she released her debut single 'Tik Tok' which reached the number one position in eleven different countries. Her album, Animal, debuted number one in the USA, sold over two million copies worldwide and accumulated three top ten singles.

Do you like or know Kesha?
Are you going to her concert in Barcelona?

Below i will attach a video with one of her most popular tracks from her new album, Cannibal, which was released on the 19th of November. The track's name is 'We R Who We R' and it debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 (famous US music charts).

Do you like 'We R Who We R'?
Will you/have you listened to Cannival?

How about if we show him some manners?

A friend of mine showed me a video last year (the one below) of a man who got dressed like a kangaroo and started to create chaos in the places he passed through. At first sight I laughed and laughed thinking it was funny, and I still think it is. After some time I reflected and thought about that. If you stop and think of how much damage this man produces to society it's disgraceful. This man is fined each time but his fans pay him his fines. If we all now do as he does in Barcelona the city would be a chaos and nobody could live peacefully; there would always be a silly person who ruins whatever you're doing or bothers you without any reason.


You'll probably have laughed at this video, but think about it!

• Should they fine him in greater amounts?
• Could the government or police threat him with prison?
• Is there another way of entertaining your fans without harming others?

European Music Awards 2010 tonight.

This year, Madrid is the lucky city that will host the European Music Awards, probably the most important and international music awards in Europe apart from the BRITs. The awards will be held this night, so this means that many international stars are already in Madrid, which puts our country in the spotlight for music fans all over the world tonight!

In case you are interested, you can watch the show tonight on MTV at 21:00.

There is a long list of performers that will hit the stage tonight, including Katy Perry, Linkin Park, Rihanna, B.o.B, Hayley Williams... Apart from these, many other stars will enjoy the awards, that will surely be a lot of fun to watch and hopefully will include many surprises.

Some of the nominated artists are Lady Gaga, Kings Of Leon, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, 30 Seconds to Mars, Paramore, Muse... You can check out the whole list of nominees here: http://ema.mtv.es/votar

Are you excited about these awards? Will you watch them? Are any of your favorite singers nominated?

If you watch it, you can also comment what you thought of the awards in general and if you think the winners deserved their prices.

LACK OF RESPECT?

Next weekend we are receiving here in Barcelona at Sagrada Familia the pope, Benedictus XVI. People wait anxiously this moment when he will proceed with a mass. Others instead don't like the Pope or similar and they mock about him with parody videos. Watch up this two videos and comment about what do you think the manners of this people should be. (the second video is in catalan but it was a perfect example)


I think personally this people have no manners. If they are not Christians we can accept it because everybody is free to be what they want. But for me it is not permissible allowing this parodies that are insults to the church. You can always support your thoughts without having disrespect to others.

New Music- KINGS OF LEON

Kings of Leon's latest album has just come out and it is causing quite a stir in the music industry as they seem to have gone back to their country-rock roots and have moved away from their more anthemic and commercial album "Only by the night". Personally I am glad that they have done this and I think that the idea of them reconnecting with their Southern roots and music is a plus point as, although clearly brilliant and accomplished their last album was rootless and they seemed to have given up on their origin in pursuit of the fame and recognition that they deserved. However, it isn't only a country-rock album, I would like to applaud the albums sheer musical diversity ranging from gospel, angular post-punk, bonafide country to 50's style songs. This shows me the band hasn't lost it's restless, experimental edge and that is what makes them such an exciting band.

The reason this album entices me so much is that I discovered KOL when they where a weird, but clearly genius, american country rock band with a twist which had indecipherable lyrics and odd looks and I feel that they have finally come back to their early days. The early days which, I must add, really made me fall in love with KOL.

However I have merely stated my own opinion and I must add that not everyone agrees with my view. One detractor from the album is Luke Lewis from NME who classifies the album as, "jettisoning innovation and emotion". I believe that this is a very harsh opinion but I respect and I have included his review for you all to read.

http://www.nme.com/reviews/kings-of-leon/11653

Finally I want you to get a taste for the latest sample of KOL genius so I have included one of the best songs on the newest album:

So what do you think of the new album? Who do you agree with? Do you prefer "Use somebody" to this newest album? Do you think that it is a good or a bad thing that they are trying to reconnect with their roots?

And most importantly do you even like or know about Kings of Leon?

What are you scared of?

It was Halloween yesterday and, around the globe, people were watching scary movies or listening to bloodcurdling stories. However, some people have to deal with extremely strange phobias everyday of their lives!

I've been looking up different phobias that people suffer, and some of them are absolutely irrational and bizzare. It is said that our mind can be manipuled to be scared of almost anything and judging the incredible number of phobias that exist, I believe this is true.

In this video, this man explains some children the most common phobias that people have.

Most of these fears are understandable and many people suffer them. Do you fear any of these things, or do you know someone who does?

Anyway, it gets more complicated; there are phobias that are so rare that doctors don't even know how to treat people who suffer them.

This video shows some of them. However, I can't believe all of them are true!!

So, do you think they are true? Do you know any other strange phobias?

Should we celebrate HALLOWEEN?

Now that "Halloween's coming" I've found a video about what we celebrate in this feast. Many people think this celebration day is a satanic act, and that celebrating this party is against religion . Nowadays we can celebrate parties and have great fun with Halloween, but the truth is that we are celebrating an antireligious act, where the ancients sacrificed humans.

What do you think is Halloween's purpose?
Should we celebrate this party?
Should Christians celebrate this party?




In my opinion I think Halloween is not more what it was and that there is no problem celebrating this feasts when we do it dressing ourselves. I am happy of how us, humans , have changed through history. We should be proud about that, but we still know what this feast meant in the past and I wouldn't like celebrating a feast like this if the purpose is spirits, ghosts, devils...In conclusion I think we should all have a great time without celebrating nothing only the "party".

New Zealand's haka dance

As this is my first ever blog that I have posted, I would like to create a post about something I find interesting and I hope you all enjoy it to as it is about sport, which has been the most popular theme up till now.

Specifically it is about the haka which New Zealand's rugby team the All Blacks perform before every rugby match. I have found a video explaining it's meaning and it's origins. I have also included the response that the welsh rugby team carried out in there match against the All Blacks.

I think that the haka is slightly controversial and I would like to hear your opinions about the subject.

Do you think that the All Blacks should be allowed to perform this intimidating dance?

Does it give them an unfair advantage?

And do you think Wales dealt with the haka effectively or not?

I hope you enjoy my first post as a moderator on this blog!

Jack Roberts

Over to you!

It's time you took the reigns of this publication!

You've seen a selection of layouts and can judge for yourselves which posts are more popular.

Now it's your turn!

There are four journalists right now:

Anna P, Andrea I and Jack R from Letras
and Julian I from Sciences. (This has been corrected.)

Two will be 'kept on' by the publication and two will have to 'resign' after a week. This will be decided by the quality of their posts... 

Good luck!

My little brother lives in the moon

Only when we face problems do we realise just how important relationships are to us. These three videos highlight how communication and acceptance are key to a happier existence for all.

Can you relate to the videos? Have you worked or played with people with disabilities? What kind of relationship do you have with your siblings?

This touching video (subtitled in Spanish) tells the story of the relationship between an older sister and her little autistic brother.

This children's story, turned into a video, deals with the exclusion and marginalisation suffered by many people with disabilities (physcial or mental).

Finally, this very short video is of a simple story that is told, every year, to the blind and visually impaired children who attend extra classes at the ONCE's educational centre in Barcelona. I'm sure you'll understand why when you watch it.

Sandro Rosell vs. Joan Laporta

I know little about football. As a disinterested outsider, I am angered by what appears to be a clash of personalities and personal interests getting in the way of the more important quest for great sporting success.

Maybe it is understandable. It could be argued that all changes generate some degree of conflict. The Laporta-Rosell change had appeared very calm. Too calm perhaps. Still, I get the impression that it all comes down to personal differences, pride and prestige. Which is a pity.

What do you think?

Some Barça supporters have been overheard saying that even if he did take the money, there's no problem: Laporta gave Barça so much that he deserves all and any money.

Is their attitude understandable or acceptable?

Inspired to greatness?

Now that Espanyol have their spanking-new stadium in Cornella, are they likely to hit the headlines this year? The British press don't go as far as to claim that Español have kicked off to a good start this season, but they do point to an important victory gained this weekend:

Espanyol claimed their first away win of the season after holding out for almost an hour with 10 men to secure a narrow 1-0 success at Real Mallorca to end the hosts' perfect home record.

Luis Garcia's penalty put the Barcelona-based side ahead after 31 minutes - the first time the Catalans had led all season. But they appeared unlikely to hold onto it as Dani Osvaldo was dismissed for an elbow on Jose Angel Crespo. Nevertheless, Espanyol remained in control and missed a host of chances to extend their lead in a surprisingly one-sided second half. 

So, do you think there is any hope for Espanyol this year?

And what do you think about the British Press' summary of the Spanish League? Have they got their facts right?

No computer, no TV, no mobile...

What would you do to fill your time with no computer, no TV, no mobile... no electricity?

In response to ecomagination's challenge, this group of people have decided to try out camping. The video made me laugh because my parents always took me camping. If you've ever done the same, you'll realise that there's nothing quite like camping...



So, have you been camping? Did you or do you enjoy it? Would you give it a try? Would you manage a few days or weeks without your computer, TV or mobile? And, if you watch all the video, what is your answer to her question at 3:30?

Who killed the electric car?

Judging from your comments on the environment article, you are especially concerned about cars and the pollution they cause. For information, I'd suggest ecomagination's article on electric cars. But for intrigue, I'd suggest looking at the following:

 

Electric cars were set for success before petrol-driven cars dominated the tarmac. It was the oil industry's lowering of prices that, no pun intended, drove them off the road. Then, when they were reintroduced in 1990 as a reaction to new US 'clean air' legislation, they somehow, despite rave reviews by celebrity drivers, quickly found themselves on the scrapheap. Why? Check out wikipedia or watch the documentary!

What in the world...?

 

Devastation left by oil extaction in Nigeria
(which never seems to make the headlines - can you guess why?!)

 What in the world is going on?

You are probably aware of the damage being done to the environment, or of global problems such as famine, war and widespread injustice. You are probably able to identify all three of the following pictures:

But if you have ever felt the consequences of our global greed for ever-better living standards to be far off, whether in time or place, then you should read this recent article:

What are we doing to our world? Does it matter?

Does it matter that (apparently) cancer is feeding itself on our modern way of life?
Does it matter that fish stocks have sunk dangerously low?
Does it matter that our ecosystems are being damaged daily by accidental and intentional pollution, of which the Chernobyl nuclear explosion, the Gulf War or the recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill are simply the most memorable examples? 

Maybe not. Maybe we have no time to think about it. Maybe there's nothing we can do. Maybe we don't care.
Maybe.

"I'm nasty. I'm arrogant."

Mourinho. The name is enough. 

Speak it in any bar and you are likely to inflame passion, whether devotion or anger. But is the man a monster or a saint? A bad-tempered and spiteful individual?  Or a clever, caring professional? He has called himself nasty and arrogant. Do you agree?




VIDEO 1
Is he either: 
1. celebrating a well-deserved victory?
2. inciting fans with an in-their-faces display of arrogance?



VIDEO 2
Is he either:
1. bidding players of the opposition a friendly 'goodbye'?
2. intentionally slapping Puyol in the face?



VIDEO 3
Is he either:
1. belittling the reporter?
2. making a philosophical statement, putting football in its proper context?



Opinions in the press (outside of Barcelona or Madrid at least!) vary:

Jose Mourinho is an enigmatic and extremely intelligent individual, a man who understands how to play with the media and with people's minds.

He acts the obnoxious prick in public, but those who work with him mainly adore him. He’s an egomaniac who spends a lot of time tending to the egos of others.

Mourinho is undoubtedly as arrogant as they come.

So, what is your opinion?  Oh, ...and do you think Madrid will now surpass Barcelona, thanks to him?

Is that an English accent?

A new video has taken YouTube by storm. Amy Walker talks you through 21 different 'Englishes' spoken from London to New Zealand.

• Which accent do you prefer? 
• Are any 'terrible', 'annoying' or 'sexy'? 
• Do accents matter? 
• Are you embarrassed by your Spanish accent or proud of it? 
• Is there an accent that you'd like to be able to speak with? 
• Are accents as noticeable in Spanish or Catalan?

To find out more about the 'real' woman behind the video, visit her website http://www.AmyWalkerOnline.com  or watch her explanatory video.

To learn some differences between American and English slang, watch Hugh Laurie from House (and  before that, Jeeves and Wooster) and Ellen Degeneres (well-liked American Chat Show Host).

Acceptable? Excusable? Understandable?

Legal demonstrations give citizens the opportunity to express their anger or concern about themes that vary from job losses or environmental damage to death sentences or war. Emotions can run high and they often produce isolated acts of violence. But some claim that in Barcelona every demonstration is accompanied by carefully choreographed acts of sabotage, vandalism and general civil disobedience. Some blame 'radicals', others point the finger at 'international professional anarchists' and still others nod knowingly in the direction of 'okupas' (squatters).

What do you think about these violent acts? Are they acceptable, excusuable or understandable... in any circumstances? Would you ever participate?

The following video illustrates the role of the media very well.

Are the media objectively reporting street violence or are they partly (or wholly to blame) for egging on the extremists?

'Just a friend'

'Get out of the friend zone' screams this video, which explains a few simple rules about what makes a boy a 'friend' or a potential 'boyfriend'. (And boys, the video is designed to help you move from the first category to the other.) I hate it. I think that half of what she complains about is okay. Plus, I hate the idea that being 'just friends' just doesn't work! Can't a boy and a girl be 'just friends'? But then... it's been more than a few years since I dated! So put me in the picture with your comments!



(PS. The video is part of a YouTube series that deals with body image, relationship issues and stuff like that. Let me know if you like them or if you think I should erase the link for some reason. Thanks.)

Keep your feet on the ground. It's my money!

Fast forward a few years. You're earning money... and paying taxes. How do you want these spent?

Education? Health? Leisure facilities? Something to make you 'feel good', such as projects to erradicate poverty in Barcelona? Or better than Barcelona, in the so-called 'Third World'? Which would you go for? Local or global?

But then... what about having your hard-earned money spent on empty space. Black, cold, and uninhabited. And very far away. Would you be happy to have millions... no, billions spent on a space programme? What good would it do you? Or the homeless? Or the starving masses?



This November 1st the Discovery Space Shuttle retires. Many will mourn its passing. Will you?

Maybe you don't know much about the space programme. Here's a newspaper article and also a comment from a rather cynical American on Discovery's usefulness. The video is of the Challenger explosion which killed all crew members in 1986. The first 3 minutes says it all - note the school children invited to watch their teacher take to the skies.

One single Apollo mission to the moon yielded more scientifically than all the shuttle missions combined. Bear in mind the furthest away from Earth a shuttle has ever flown was 385 miles, and that was only on one mission out of 132. The majority of the time it flies about 240 miles high. Gee whiz, that is hardly space is it? 

Two wheels or four?

Known as the 'skateboarding capital of the world', Barcelona echoes to the sound of jumps all year round. There are people who come to live here, just to skate.

What makes it so special? This is what Red Bull extreme sports photographers say about Barcelona.

• Do you skate? What's the thrill?
• Is skating better than BMX?

At the start of the video, the guy almost castrates himself and at the end, almost gets run over. Is it fair when people complain about street sports?

"I'm not just a piece of meat"

Did you see the MTV awards? 

What do you think of Lady Gaga's 'meat dress' (which is kicking up a real stink in some media circles)?

To see pictures in more detail, try this link to an online newspaper. Alternatively, there's a Youtube video with comments.

Do you like Lady Gaga? 

Is she really any good or is she just clever at working the media?

... and does she have any dress sense?!?!

Web nasties

This headline comes from online newspaper The Daily Mail.

Web hunt for girl caught in horror video throwing live puppies into a river.

The web is fun, interesting and informative, but can be nasty... or even frightening.

• What do you make of this story?
• What is the worst thing you've come across yourself?
• How did it make you feel? 
• What did you do about it? 
• What should be done about it? 
• Who should police the web?
• Should the web be policed?

(PS. This is not an invitation for lurid descriptions or inappropriate links. Remember this is public; be sensible.)

Being alone

Is it okay to be alone? Is there a stigma attached? Can you be proud of being alone?

In a world of virtual 'communities' filled with lists of 'friends' and a cascade of images of grinning groups and embracing couples, this video puts the case for being alone. What do you think of it?



Do you agree with the message of the video? Or does your answer depend on why someone is alone - or the circumstances in which they find themselves alone?

What do you think?

Welcome!

This is for you to share and talk about:

• ideas and information
• images, videos and more

For rules of use and so on, see Who and Why?'.

Have fun!