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In 2009, the Australian government announced an ambitious project to provide super-fast fiber-based Internet to 93% of the population; in 2013, it revised the plan to reuse existing copper wire; in 2025, many Australians still have no (or slow) Internet. First promise big things, then revise the promise to make them little things, then don’t finish them anyway. This isn’t (we hope) a description of the World Scholar’s Cup curriculum release process, but a pattern of behavior for governments all over the world. Discuss with your team: is it better to underpromise and overdeliver, or vice versa?
The Australian government has finished building its new, faster internet system called the National Broadband Network (NBN).
This project took many years and a lot of money to complete.
The NBN uses different technologies like fiber-optic cables, fixed wireless, and satellites to deliver fast internet.
Now, most homes and businesses in Australia are connected to this new network.
With faster internet, people can work, study, and have fun online more easily.
Don’t worry, Australia—you’re not alone. (More on loneliness later.) In Canada, a proposed high-speed rail network had its target speed slashed before being rebranded as a high frequency network. In many developed countries, ambitious projects have gone out of fashion in favor of slow, incremental ones. Check out the mega projects below, as well as those from your own country, then discuss with your team: is this shift in approach justified? How might megaprojects (or their failure) affect the way people perceive progress? And are some countries more consistently successful at these projects?
Big Dig | Channel Tunnel | California High-Speed Rail
Sejong City | Hambantota | NEOM | Khazar Islands
Three Gorges Dam | Hong Kong-Zhuhai Bridge | New Eurasia Land Bridge
Shift in Approach: Many developed countries are moving away from ambitious mega-projects in favor of smaller, incremental projects.
Examples of Mega-Projects: The text highlights various large-scale projects like the Big Dig, Channel Tunnel, California High-Speed Rail, and others in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia.
Discussion Focus: Teams are encouraged to discuss whether this shift is justified, how the success or failure of mega-projects influences perceptions of progress, and whether some countries are more successful at these projects.
The overall theme is examining the trend away from large-scale projects and considering the implications for progress and national success.
Will Canada Ever Have High-Speed Rail? (The Walrus)
Canada has lots of trains, but none are super fast like in Japan or Europe.
Fast trains could save time, but building them would cost billions of dollars.
Most train tracks in Canada are used by freight companies, so there isn’t much room for fast passenger trains.
Some plans suggest running trains more often (high-frequency rail) instead of making them super fast.
Many studies and promises have been made, but there isn’t enough public or political support to build true high-speed rail.
Bertha: Seattle’s Tunnel Boring Troubles (The New Yorker)
Seattle built a giant machine named “Bertha” to dig a tunnel under the city.
Bertha is one of the largest tunnel-boring machines ever made.
The machine ran into big problems and got stuck, causing major delays.
These delays made the project cost much more money than expected.
The difficulties with Bertha show how tough and complicated huge construction projects can be.
Megaprojects: Why Big Projects Often Run Into Trouble (Taylor & Francis article)
Megaprojects are very large projects like tunnels or high-speed rail systems.
They usually cost way more money and take much longer than planned.
Many technical problems, unexpected obstacles, and political disagreements can slow them down.
Experts study these projects to understand why they often go over budget or get delayed.
Learning from these problems can help make future projects work better.
Some countries have tried tackling the problem with technology—and none more so than Japan. Explore efforts to “fix” loneliness in Japan and elsewhere, then discuss with your team: are they the sorts of solutions that more societies should adopt? What technologies would you design to achieve the same aims?
From the HuffPost article: Japan’s Aging, Loneliness, and Robots
Japan has many older people, and a lot of them live alone.
Being alone can make people feel lonely and sad, and it can affect their health.
To help, Japan is using special robots that can keep people company.
These robots can chat, play games, and even help with daily tasks.
Some people worry if robots can really replace a human friend, but they may be a helpful addition.
From the Technology Review article: Japan Automating Eldercare with Robots
Japan is using smart robots to help take care of older people because there aren’t enough human helpers.
These robots can do many jobs, like reminding seniors to take medicine or helping them move around safely.
The robots are designed to work with human caregivers to make care more efficient.
Using robots in eldercare might also help reduce loneliness for seniors.
Japan is leading the way in using new technology to solve problems that come with having an aging population.
Sometimes social distancing is the problem. In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a pressing global health threat. Explore how this concern varies around the world, then discuss with your team: do you agree that there is a “loneliness epidemic”—and, if so, how can it be treated?
Science Alert – Global Review on Loneliness
Many people around the world feel very lonely, even if they live in crowded places.
Loneliness isn’t just feeling sad—it can make your body and mind less healthy.
Studies show that loneliness is a big problem we often ignore.
Feeling lonely can increase the risk of health problems like stress and illness.
Experts say we need to pay more attention to loneliness and find ways to help people feel more connected.
The Guardian – WHO Declares Loneliness a Global Health Concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that loneliness is a serious health problem worldwide.
Being lonely can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, and even heart problems.
WHO wants governments to take action and make plans to help people feel less lonely.
This might include creating more opportunities for people to spend time together in communities.
Recognizing loneliness as a health issue means we can start working on solutions to make everyone healthier and happier.
In 2021, the UN Development Programme found that living conditions in 90% of the world's countries had declined for the second year in a row—possibly contributing to declining birth rates. Discuss with your team: is this decline irreversible or will the world’s population begin to boom again? Should we want it to?
From the DW article – "UN index shows living standards declining in 90% of countries":
A new UN report found that in 90 out of 100 countries, people’s quality of life is getting worse.
This means that in most places, things like income, health care, and overall well-being are not improving.
Many factors—like economic problems and rising costs—are making life harder for lots of people.
From The Globe and Mail article – "Population decrease is irreversible: How will we manage the decline of…":
In many countries, fewer babies are being born, so the total number of people is going down.
Once a country starts shrinking in population, it may be very difficult to reverse the trend.
A smaller population can lead to challenges such as fewer workers, slower economic growth, and more pressure on caring for older people.
The article discusses ideas and questions on how governments and societies might handle these changes.
From the Insights article – "Is the cost of living crisis just the new normal?":
Prices for everyday things like food, housing, and energy are rising, making life more expensive for many families.
Many people are struggling to keep up with these higher costs, which is called a cost-of-living crisis.
The article asks if these high prices will continue for a long time and become the “new normal.”
If costs stay high, people might have to change how they spend their money and plan their lives.
During the Covid pandemic, podcasts exploded in popularity. Their hosts (or at least their subtly-enhanced voices) became many people’s closest friends in a solitary time. Discuss with your team: are podcasts meaningfully different from old-fashioned radio broadcasts in their impact on society, and will their impact continue? In other words, how dated will this bullet seem, ten years from now?)
Podcasts as Friends: Many people feel like their favorite podcasters are almost like personal friends, even though they never meet them in real life.
Easy Connection: Podcasts are fun and let listeners feel connected, especially when they are alone or need comfort.
Missing Real-Life Bonds: There is a worry that sometimes people might rely too much on podcasts for companionship, which could make them less likely to spend time with real friends.
A Double-Edged Sword: While podcasts can be educational and entertaining, they might also make some people feel more isolated if they don't build friendships in person.
Balancing Act: The article suggests that it's important to enjoy podcasts but also make time for face-to-face relationships to keep a healthy social life.
Speaking of bullets, the man who eventually assassinated American President James Garfield, Charles Guiteau, was certain they had a close personal connection (which, of course, Garfield never knew about.) The Internet has driven a surge in these one-sided “parasocial” relationships. Algorithms on these platforms are designed to boost engagement and view time, even if the content is harmful or raises false hopes. Explore how social media also affects the health of adults and seniors, then discuss with your team: who should be held responsible when an algorithm promotes harmful content? Could you design an algorithm to craft a healthier, happier society—and would it be successful?
Is Social Media Making You Lonely? (Psychology Today)
Social media can sometimes make people feel lonely even if they have many online friends.
Seeing perfect photos and stories of others can make you feel like your own life isn’t as good.
Online chats and likes may not replace the warmth of face-to-face conversations.
Psychiatrists’ Perspective on Social Media, Algorithms, and Mental Health (Stanford HAI)
Social media uses computer programs (algorithms) to show you posts, and these can sometimes pick out negative or upsetting content.
Many psychiatrists worry that constant scrolling and comparisons online can harm your feelings and mental health.
Experts suggest balancing screen time with real-life activities to keep a healthy mind.
Right Now: Social Media and Adult Depression (Harvard Magazine)
Studies show that using social media a lot is linked to higher rates of depression in adults.
Constant comparisons and the pressure to look perfect can make people feel sad and stressed.
Taking breaks and focusing on real-life interactions can help improve mood.
Myanmar Genocide and Social Media Moderation (Vox)
In Myanmar, harmful posts on social media helped spread hate and even led to violence.
Laws like Section 230 protect companies like Facebook, which means they aren’t forced to remove all bad content.
Poor moderation of social media can have dangerous effects on real life.
Better rules and controls on online content could help stop hate speech and violence.
How often do you pick up your phone to check a fact or answer a question during a meal with friends or family? Can you imagine living in a world where things just—stay mysterious, and where you have no idea what is happening a thousand miles away? Researchers have found that the oversaturation of news, especially of negative stories, leads to constant stress and a skewed worldview, especially when they contain violent images and videos. Discuss with your team: to protect people’s mental health, should the government (or others) limit the amount of information we can consume?
APA – Strain: Media Overload
Watching or reading too much media (like TV, news, or social media) can make you feel overwhelmed.
Constant exposure to information can make your brain tired and can cause stress or anxiety.
Taking breaks from screens and media can help you feel better and less stressed.
BBC – How the News Changes the Way We Think and Behave
The news doesn't just tell us what is happening; it can change how we feel and even how we act.
The way stories are told in the news can make us feel scared, angry, or sad.
These feelings might influence our opinions and the decisions we make every day.
Psychology Today – Traumatic Media Overload Could Impact Our Mental Health
Seeing a lot of upsetting or traumatic news can hurt our mental health.
Constant exposure to scary or distressing stories may lead to feelings of depression, fear, or stress.
It’s important to manage how much disturbing news we watch and talk to someone if it makes us feel very bad.
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