t's a documentary about poverty in the so-called Third and First Worlds. It analyses both societies from the perspectives of the NGOs, the media, the education, the politicians and the religion, and it challenges the UN eight objectives for the new millennium. Hot For Profit will make you think about your attitude and the potential for change that a single individual may have. The documentary was filmed in Nicaragua and Barcelona (Spain).
One word at a time, Michael Birch, former co-founder of Bebo, has been working on a new project to change the way we look at defining words. Wordia allows you and a host of rather entertaining and famous people to take the HarperCollins definition of the word and attach its meaning to you in the form of a quick YouTube-powered video.
Delightfully simple, potentially powerful, Birch and his co-producers understand the importance of a good story to find and remember the meaning of something new. Amongst my faves has to be Quentin Blake's deeper understanding than most of illustration. Top class.
So you've done your YouTube anthropology class, you now need to spend a bit of time brushing up on history's internet memes with these delightful, entertaining and "was it really that long ago?" moments. A nice way to start rounding off the year...
A Christmas Carol (1971) is a 25-minute animated cartoon adaptation of Charles Dickens' venerable novella which was originally shown on ABC television in the US. Originally produced as a television special, A Christmas Carol won an Academy Award (for best animated short subject) in 1973; it remains the only film adaptation of the story to date to be so honored.
For centuries the Shroud of Turin has been a touchstone of faith for millions. Many believe it is the primary evidence of the way Jesus Christ died on the Cross. But is it real or a clever forgery? Is it possible that Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci played a trick on the Roman Catholic Church? DECODING THE PAST presents the latest theories and the most current tests, some commissioned especially for the program. Despite centuries of scrutiny from scientists, theologians, and art historians, the linen cloth with the faint image has remained an enigma. Like a mirror, for some it has reflected what we know; for others, what we believe.
They are quiet figures at the center of some of the Bible's most miraculous moments. They steeled David against Goliath, warned Abraham of Sodom's destruction and freed Peter from jail. But while the work of angels has long stirred popular imagination, wonder and debate cloud the details of their holy purpose. What do the Scriptures tell us about them? Are they messengers from Heaven? What do they look like? Do they continue to guide and help us today? And what happened to the "fallen angels?" This extraordinary program searches for clues in the stories of the Bible's heavenly spirits, from the archangels Michael and Gabriel to the ethereal forms that announced Christ's birth and resurrection.
While still at Learning and Teaching Scotland I had hoped the national schools intranet, Glow, might help highlight an amazing story of heroism, and encourage Scotland's young people to follow, question and work around the adventures of solo skipper Rich Wilson as he battles alone around the world in his yacht in the Vendée Globe race. Alas, nothing seems to have arisen from the potential.
However, the social web being as simple to use as it is, even when you're balancing a sat phone to send text messages as you nurse a broken rib, Rich, on the recommendation of superb Boston-based teacher and BLC-buddy Lorraine Leo, has taken the initiative with his SitesAlive colleagues and is now Tweeting very regularly as he sails alone through the dark waters of the Southern seas this Christmas. His latest messages read:
Had
an albatross crash land on the boat. Not sure which of us was more
surprised. It struggled a bit to take off, but it finally flew away. about 1 hour ago from mobile web |
Have 35-40 kt winds for foreseeable future. Making good time if boat & skipper can sustain tension of rocketing down waves. 10:33 PM Dec 21st from web |
Harrowing sea conditions. With just mainsail, boat is less stable directionally than if we had a jib up front. 6:53 PM Dec 21st from web |
Hammered
yet again, big seas, breaking, barograph descended, then steadied as
front came through with gradual windshift, not sudden. 6:51 PM Dec 21st from web |
Had albatross around the boat today. They are amazingly large and also serene birds. 4:15 AM Dec 20th from web |
Past
the Heard Islands. Saw Iridium satellite fly fast overhead tonight
among the bright stars, with its solar panels reflecting sunlight. 4:11 AM Dec 20th from web |
Had a nice chat with Jonny Malbon on the Iridium last night. Good to talk, especially with what happened to Yann yesterday. 12:30 AM Dec 20th from web |
Off the Kerguelen Plateau at last, seas much smoother. 8:22 PM Dec 19th from mobile web |
I am devastated to hear of Yann Elies broken leg. He's a great sailor and a kind man. 2:47 AM Dec 19th from web |
Contact with the 'outside world' during this time must mean so much, so I'd like to encourage you all to wish him well, add him as a contact for the duration of the final half of this race and be amazed at what a former maths teacher, close to retirement, is able to achieve.
When I helped start the educators' unconference, TeachMeet, back in 2005 it was to copy the mantra of my old school magazine (for pupils, by pupils) for a group of people who had often felt disenfranchised by the technocratic, bureaucratic jargon of Central Office HQ: it's for teachers, by teachers. Thus, it would be free (as in beer) and free (as in speech).
I was concerned when I saw earlier this week that the company behind BETT, the big January trade show in London, were charging nearly £14 a head for those who happened to find out about TeachMeet09 through their site, especially since the wiki, where all the discussion, sponsorship and action happens, is easy to use and, importantly, free.
Well, a quick email to the trade exhibition organisers this morning with the highest levels of diplomacy in evidence ("I'm sure this is merely an administrative error, but really...") has led to the removal of the charge and a refund to all those who have paid it already. It would be nice to hear from some of those folk here to be reassured that this has indeed happened.
With new commitments I'll not be able to join in the love, larks and music of January's "learning experience" but wish all those helping to bring the event together the very best. Enjoy creating some further, much-needed change in the way our kids learn.
What triggered the incredible diversity of life on earth, and how have complex life forms, including humans, evolved? Is there direction to evolution? And is human intelligence inevitable? We focus on evolution's "great transformations".
BBC documentary about big breasts and how they affect the people who have them.
The sun could cause a major magnetic storm that could remove our natural shield.
At a research site in Fongoli, Senegal, a female chimpanzee breaks off a branch, chews the end to make it sharp, then uses this rudimentary spear to skewer a tasty bushbaby hiding inside a hollow tree. The footage represents an astonishing breakthrough for primate researchers: It's the first time anyone has documented a chimpanzee wielding a carefully prepared, preplanned weapon.
Ernest Thompson Seton's account of how he hunted a ... cattle-killing wolf which then became a pivotal part of American history, helping to change the way people see wolves and the wilderness. In his efforts to find, capture, and kill Lobo, Seton came to understand the animal's intelligence, loyalty and warmth. Although he finally succeeded in his task, he never killed a wolf again. A combination of wildlife and history, this film is based on the personal diaries of Ernest Thompson Seton himself.
Bringing to life the everyday details of the ancients Egyptians - bizarre, hilarious or shocking - this wonderfully entertaining and factually revealing film is packed full of surprises. With Terry Jones throwing informed yet sometimes crazed light on the subject, a previously hidden world of the ancient Egyptians is wonderfully brought to life.
In about five minutes the PR machine is likely to kick in as Alexandra Burke wins the X Factor. But it's amazing to see how little her online profile has been managed over the past twelve weeks of finals live every Saturday night on the telly box.
Her Facebook profile is currently her real one, with some 25 friends, one of whom is fellow contestant Laura White. It's a far cry from the huge number of fan sites that appear when one searches boy band competition JLS's Marvin. It's also far from what things will be like later this week once the security, PR and superstar status apparatus kicks in.
In other news, I'm delighted Alex has won, netting me loads of dosh (virtual dosh, that is) on Hubdub.com, a wee Edinburgh-based site making waves across the entertainment and news worlds at the moment. On the other hand, condolences to JLS, whose member Marvin is close to the hearts (and stomachs) of us at Channel 4 - his dad is the catering manager.
So what's the conclusion of all this? Well, social media can't trump pure talent, and tools and platforms don't make up for creativity and genius.
Cross-posted at 38minutes
Pic of Alexandra Burke
In the 14th century the Black Death was an unprecedented human disaster. In 3 dreadful years over one third of Europe's population was wiped out. This documentary examines the spread of the plague & its effects on medicine, religion & society at the time.
Our lives are ruled by the clock. Time is precious and we never seem to have enough of it. Recently, scientists have been trying to find a way for all of us to become
Unreachable, unimaginably hot and yet ever present. The sun is the source of all life on earth. It's little wonder many cultures still revere it as a deity. For 4.5 billion years the sun rises every morning on the horizon. But what do we really know about the heavenly ball of fire which provides us with light and warmth? This documentary shows with impressive pictures the thrilling story of the creation of the sun, it's influence on our well-being, and how we could use it's power to change the future on earth dramatically.
It's that time of year, where the big annual learning log gets taken out, and I can see whether I did what I set out to do, and work out what lies ahead. The first part of this process is easiest, and is often the part that leaves the most memories of good times had and new friends made: where have I been this year and how much carbon do I have to pay for before the taxman gets his hands on the rest?
I was on at the back of the plane last week, seat 23C offering the most legroom and proximity to the kitchens, and had trouble explaining why, as a Gold Card holder, I was stuck in the back with my breakfast panini instead of tucking into the English breakfast out front. Having quickly totted up the first learning log of 2008 - travel - I can see why a little better. In 2008 I've traveled over a third more, totaling some 81,887 miles, compared to just of 50,000 miles last year.
This is worrying. In an age where technology should be eliminating the need for travel I think one can come to only one conclusion: it's making some of us travel far more. The big carbon trips this year were to the States, India and China. The new regular Monday commute to London and back in a day is also beginning to make a bite into my carbon footprint, which this year on work trips alone is hitting above 17,000 kg.
But thankfully, in the new job, that footprint should fall to a quarter of what is has been this year at worst. I'm looking forward to more time in my own bed, my own home. My family might not be joining me in meeting some extraordinary people in some memorable places, but we'll be OK. And the planet we leave behind will be a few tons of CO2 better off for it.
A documentary film exploring the rapidly growing federal debt and its implication for the United States and its citizens. America is faced with the challenges of an ever-expanding government and military, increased foreign competition, and obligations it is finding more and more difficult to honor. Pretty amazing graphs too.
Documentary that explores how mankind came to understand the Universe and its origins in the Big Bang, from the earliest people who looked up at the sky and wondered about its nature to modern physicists.