Next week we will discuss events that are happening in the world now. Please choose something interesting from one of the websites below. Leave a brief comment about what you chose so others won't choose the same story!

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New Internationalist

British magazine focusing on poverty and inequality

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Al Jazeera

Television and web-based news source based in Qatar with an Arab viewpoint

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Council on Foreign Relations

An American think-tank specializing in foreign relations

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Xinhuanet News

A Chinese news website in English

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G Online

This is an Australian online magazine focusing on environment

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The Guardian

British general newspaper

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HESO

Tokyo-based culture magazine in English

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Radio Netherlands

Dutch news, in English

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Reason

An American news site with a libertarian view

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Montreal Mirror

Canadian magazine of news and culture

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Wired Magazine

Reports on how technology affects society and culture

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The Japan Times

Japan's oldest English news source (since 1897)

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Cape Times

South African news

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The Irish Times

General news from Ireland

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Happiness

How happy are you? Answer the poll below then answer ONE of the following questions in our class blog's comments.

How happy are you?

• Very happy
• Happy
• Not so happy
• Unhappy

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

1. Why do you think some countries and cultures are happier than others?

2. What things about your life make you happy and unhappy?

3. Governments try to make their citizens educated, healthy and rich. Do you think they should also have the goal of making them happy?

4. Is it possible to be happy all the time? Why or why not?

Alternative Eating

In the next class we are going to talk about different ways of eating including: vegetarianism, bin-diving, underground restaurants, street food, unusual recipes and much more!
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Watch this VIDEO about an illegal underground restuarant in London. Then answer ONE question below.
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1. What was something interesting you noticed about this "restaurant"?
2. Have you ever been to an alternative-style restaurant? Tell us about it!
3. Why do you think underground restaurants are popular recently?
4. Do you know of any interesting eating trends in Japan or abroad?
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Judging People

Whenever we see or meet someone for the first time, we immediately judge them. There are different things we notice about them that give us an impression and this helps us to make a decision about what kind of person they are. Basically, we quickly imagine their entire background and decide whether we like them or not within a few seconds. Read all of the questions below and answer ONE of them in the comments.

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1. What things about people do you notice when you first meet/see them? How do these things help you judge them?

2. Have you ever been wrong in your judgement of someone? What happened?

3. Why are we so quick about judging people? What are the good and bad things about judging people?

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Where Good Ideas Come From

Watch the video HERE and use the worksheet you got in class to help you. (If you need a worksheet email me!)

Read ALL of the questions, choose only ONE, and answer it in the comments. Don't forget your name!

1. What's the difference between a 'breakthrough idea' and a 'hunch'?

2. Who invented the Internet and how long did it take him to get the idea?

3. Why did so many new ideas come from the coffee houses and salons?

4. What kind of things is the Internet doing to our brains?

5. What is the great driver of scientific and technological innovation?

6. What does this mean?: "Chance favors the connected mind"

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Review

We will review all of our topics in the next class and I will give you some questions for you to think about that will be on the test on July 27th.
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Have a happy Umi Day!
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Second Report

On July 13th we will have our second reports - one written report (1-2 pages with references) and the discussion (2-3 minutes you talking and 2-3 minutes discussion).
Please let me know if you have any questions!
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