Have your say! - As time goes by

From: Clara Lago Blasco

Date: Sun, Nov 26, 2017 at 7:20 PM

http://www.poodwaddle.com/

For the last decades, we have been hearing that global change will destroy our way of life if we don’t change our habits. But time continues passing and the situation not doesn’t only get better, but it is also getting worse all the time. For example, have you ever wondered how much CO₂ is being released to the atmosphere while you are reading these lines?

The Poodwaddle world clock is a tool that takes the pulse of the world. It is a world statistics counter, based on a gathering of statistics about the past and predictions for the future which gives us an accurate view of what is actually happening. You can check the statistics at the website from the starting of this year until you leave the website, watching how the numbers are constantly increasing. Despite it’s funny name, the statistics provided by Poodwaddle are grim. These are some of the most worrying ones: The population continues increasing while over 11,667,000 hectares have been deforested during this year, 12,564,500,000 pounds of garbage has been dumped in to the sea and 7,438,400,000 tones of CO2 have been emitted, and all this numbers were increasing while I was checking the website. If you think this sounds depressing consider that 1,637,900 children have been killed by unclear water, 186,000,000 of people have contracted malaria, 416,004 have suffered sexual violence and 30,750 human smuggling and trafficking. The situation is even worst for the animals, 61,080,000,000 of livestock have been butchered and almost 9.000 species are extinct. Scientists have defined 9 planetary boundaries that if exceeded could generate abrupt or irreversible changes in our planet, we have already surpassed 4 of them. Savage capitalism continues devouring our resources, polluting the environment and destroying human lives, but clock hands never stop.

Have your say! - Whodonnuit?

From: Pilar Oteo Cerrato
Date: Sun, Nov 26, 2017

I recommend watching this video before reading this text. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNF9QNEQLA

The scene appears to be a murderer mistery in which the suspects talked to the detective and they remained innocent until proven guilty. Finally, the woman of the house pleaded guilty because petunias are not planted until may. The detective claimed that it was a matter of observation.

In fact, this video is a tool that test your awareness. How many changes were you able to see? This video shows how bad we are at noticing details we are not looking for. I have to say I didnt see it coming.

The add ends with this sentense: "It's easy to miss something you are not looking for. On a busy road this could be fatal. Look out for cyclists." The marketing  deparment of the company "Transport for London" make a good point with this idea. 

Getting beyond, we can say that everyone has their own perspective and their own way of looking at things. We should get as many perspectives as possible to try to see the whole situation. The world would run better if we werent so self-centred.

Have you say! - Eco-friendly fashion

From: Josefa Lloret Llaneza
Date: Sat, Nov 18, 2017

Vivienne Westwood, the British fashion icon, does it again. In 2010, this everlasting young woman, takes the scene wearing marvelous rags.

As an energetic activist, she denounces the excessive consumption that rules the capitalist society. " Buy less, choose well and do it yourself ".

The outstanding designer demonstrates that style is not a question of money but of compromise. It is possible to defend important values by getting dressed, even ecology. Use a strong character, lots of conviction and be completely shameless.

Vivienne shows herself proudly got up in the best outfit: her message.

She is always that generous. 

Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQaPlyLNNXg

Have your Say! - Let's talk about Gender

From: Antonio A. Caballero Gálvez
Date: Mon, Nov 20, 2017 at 2:07 PM

Voice comment:

https://vocaroo.com/i/s09hGHY52vrK

Source input:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/11/13/judith-butler-discusses-being-burned-effigy-and-protested-brazil 

--

Antonio A. Caballero Gálvez

(+34) 619726575

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ResearchGate

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Have you say! - How democratic a country is ...

From: Jimmy Jimmy
Date: Wed, Nov 15, 2017

These days, we have been hearing – by the separatists in Catalonia -, that Spain is not such a democratic country because ´they - only them -  cannot decide what belongs to every of us and not just to them´ .

I wouldn't  want to open a debate about this subject because we have been having enough for many months and it may be boring and useless.

But, the question itself made me wonder if you can measure how democratic a country is …

And, voilà ! This is the result of my research:

There are scientific studies from the most reputed institutions in the world that have been ranking countries for many decades depending on many factors that may contribute to this finale outcome.

And, we can be proud, because Spain is, after the Scandinavian countries in Europe, one of the most democratic States in the world, even above France, the UK or the USA.

Do this as an exercise : Try and enter a country in the box and you'll find its score fluctuating all along the years.

https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index

Greetings!

Have Your Say! - Air pollution in numbers

From: RAQUEL GAMO PASCUAL
Date: Wed, Nov 15, 2017

The main picture of this article is quite significant. It shows a group of Asian riders affected by a large column of smog, produced after the burning of waste materials in a town of Bangladesh. The fact that international press focuses more and more on pollution matter reflects at what extent the protection of the environment  is considered one the great challenges on which the current world must takle.

According to The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, nine million people die every year as a result of air pollution around the planet. The majority of deaths happen in poor countries while in other developing nations a quarter of all deaths are caused due to quick industrialization, urbanisation and globalisation.

Futhermore, the study reveals that trillions dollar´s worth of lethal damages of contamination and emphasizes the connection between air pollution and some diseases like lung cancer, dementia, diabetes or kidney diseases. Contrary to what some lobbies argument about the negative effects of pollution control policies on Economy, many researches tell that the environmental rules help to improve people´s health and increase the domestic GPD.

Therefore, the solutions to overcome pollution depend on the political will of Governments. Therefore, ¿how can we contribute to turn our congested world into a more sustainable habitat? I firmly believe that recycling and using public means of transport can be some effective steps to start with. What´s more on?

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/19/global-pollution-kills-millions-threatens-survival-human-societies

Have Your Say! - Life Expectancy

From: carolina duro
Date: Sun, Nov 12, 2017

As all of you probably know, life expectancy has been increasing during the last few decades. However, are you sure that you are awareness of what that fact means?

As you can see in the video, many countries in the world are trying to improve the evolution in medical treatments in order to make our lives not only pleasant but also longer. It goes without saying, that our country is one on the top of the list of those who provides more life expectancy. Consequently, we are getting closer to a situation with ageing society that could not be sustain for unlimited period.

Don´t get me wrong, I really really want people to life more but, we have to keep in mind that also death is part of the life. Just think about it, knowing that we are going to die one day, is what shows us that we have only one life to live and that we have to live it now. 

The link of the video:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fh51ITrTUQ

Have your say! - Would you be afraid of a Kangaroo?

From: Isabel Madruga Torremocha
Date: Wed, Nov 8, 2017

Would you be afraid of a Kangaroo?

 

What do you know about Australia and the life there?  Since I was a child I really have liked Kangaroos, that animal with so small arms and a pouch. A marsupial!  That animal was a symbol for me of tenderness in primary school. I found so cute a kangaroo mother with her breeding within her pouch.  Sometime after, I learnt that the Kangaroo is the symbol of Australia.

Last summer I have met some girls from Australia and my knowledge about  Kangaroos  have been increased. Not only was it a shocking surprise for me to know that people in Australia eat Kangaroo meat but also to discover that the increasing population of  kangaroos is generating a problem to Australian people.

The article I have chosen shows us different aspects about these animals. First, the way they behave when confronting a risk. Second, besides their hopping across open landscapes they can also swim. Finally, my idyllic image of Kangaroos has completely disappeared when I saw the gaze of the roo in the Mid-water standoff.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-12/kangaroo-in-creek-in-stand-off-with-bushwalker-and-dog/9040762

Do you like Kangaroos? Would you feel thrilled or be frightened if you stumble across a Kangaroo when you were walking in the countryside?

Have your say! - TV Series

From: susana ronco
Date: Sat, Nov 4, 2017 at 1:28 PM

I have decided to talk about TV series.https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/23/10-reasons-tv-better-movies.

I have realized TVseries is a trend topic and a way to connect with the people. Threre are a lot of series you can see on the TV and even on your mobile phone and tablets.The main advantage of TVseries in comparison with cinema is that they are more accesible and cheap.On the other hand, I like watching movies in the cinema because the big screen is a better way to enjoy and appreciate the images and the quality of the sound.https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/oct/21/10-reasons-cinema-better-than-television

I am in two minds. Could you help me? Can you choose?

I have heard that TV series are more free and open-minded nowadays.The scriptwriters are daring because producers let them to introduce controversial topics such as homosexuality, dysfunctional families, alcoholism, transsexualim,drugs dealing, and so on.They think that all the society deserve to appeare in a show.It is said to be the place where you can see our real problems and changes.

Furthermore, some famous and prestigious directors have introduced their hands inside this field like Steven Sorderberg or Ron Howard.Nicole Kidman or Glenn Close have made that respec and quality are new coments applicable to the small screem programs.

Have your say! - Sorolla's Walk on the beach

Voice commentary by Gisela