May 17

I like Maps

More Accurate World Map Wins Prestigious Design AwardThe most accurate map you'll ever see. You probably won't like it.

Why might we not like it? Or whose perspective might this not liking be from?
In what ways is it different from more traditional, Mercator-style maps?
Do you think it is more or less useful presenting the world like this? Why?

What do you think?

Hijarbie changes the world

The hijab-wearing Barbie who's become an Instagram starBarbie has had another makeover. This time as a hijab-wearing Muslim and she's taking Instagram by storm.

Last month Barbie appeared in a range of sizes and skin tones, now she has become an instagram star for another reason. Why might it be important that Barbie is becoming more diverse? Why do people even care or get upset about what Barbie looks like? Why doesn't Ken, or Actionman, have the same issues? Going big picture, what does this tell us about the influence of the advertising media and toy industry on society?

Why do we?

Why do we worship the All Blacks and not the Black Ferns?Image: The Black Ferns performing a Haka / saintmalojmgsports / Flickr Believe it or not, Aotearoa's most successful rugby team is not the All Blacks. Seriously, it’s true. While the All Blacks' dominance makes them one of the most successful sports teams ever, even their incredible success falls short of that of the Black Ferns, New Zealand’s women’s national rugby union team.

Villainesse is a feminist (as am I), so she takes a feminist view of the reasons for the bias against the Black Ferns - do you agree with her? If you do, what sort of actions might be possible to change the way women's sport is viewed? If you don't, what biases might you use to explain the disparity between how the teams are treated? What might you imagine as a way to right the balance?

Small Actions can make a Big Difference

Sick of detention, Auckland school student surveys buses, pushes for changeA poorly timed school bus has made Volkan Ozyurteri late to school almost every day this year.

There is a saying, "Think globally, act locally". At the same time, many people say, "But how can anything I do make a difference?". This student has proved that sometimes a small action, making a small change, can impact a lot of people positively.

Why do you think it might be worth making small actions happen?

What actions do you think might need to be taken around you? Could you do something?