Pictured: Ariel Waldman, Founder of Science Hack Day and author, What’s it Like in Space?
#ScienceHackDay is occurring October 14-15, 2017 in San Francisco. See below for a link to more events worldwide or how to schedule your own.
What is Science Hack Day?
Science Hack Day is a two-day-all-night event where anyone excited about making weird, silly or serious things with science comes together in the same physical space to see what they can prototype within 24 consecutive hours. The mission of Science Hack Day is to get excited and make things with science. Designers, developers, scientists and anyone excited about making things with science are welcome to attend – no experience in science or hacking is necessary, just an insatiable curiosity. The event is entirely free to attend, organized by volunteers, and supported via sponsors.
A typical Science Hack Day, San Francisco in 2013.
People organically form multidisciplinary teams over the course of a weekend: particle physicists team up with designers, marketers join forces with rocket scientists, writers collaborate with molecular biologists, and developers partner with school kids.
Science Hack Day is inherently about mashing up ideas, mediums, industries and people to create sparks for future ideas, collaborations and inspirations from which to launch. To date, there have been over 60 Science Hack Day events across 22 countries around the globe and dozens more are being planned.
What is a hack?
A hack is a quick solution to a problem – maybe not the most elegant solution, but often the cleverest.
Can I organize a Science Hack Day in my city?
Yes! Anyone can create a Science Hack Day in their city – there’s an open set of guidelines for how to get started at http://sciencehackday.org/howto.
What’s the origin of Science Hack Day?
In 2010, Ariel Waldman was frustrated that there was a lot of science data being made open, but that no one was doing anything interesting with it. She put together a panel at SXSW that year to share her frustration with others. Jeremy Keith was sitting in the audience and became so inspired by this problem that he organized the first Science Hack Day later that year in London. Encouraged by what Jeremy had started, Ariel took the torch to make Science Hack Day a global phenomenon. She re-created the event in San Francisco, and published open instructions that anyone could adopt. Ariel continues to instigate events across the globe, supporting people in creating a Science Hack Day in their own city.
The Kim Dynasty begins in 1912 with Kim Il Sung, father to Kim Jong Il, grandfather to current leader Kim Jong Un.
Kim Il Sung: Born 1912. Died 1994. Also known as “Eternal President.”
Took power as president of North Korea in 1948 with support of Soviet Union.
The calendar of North Korea begins with Kim Il Sung’s birth year. It is called Juche 1.
“With the Century” is a multi-volume set of Kim Il Sung’s reminiscences. He claims to have begun his political activism at the age of six. The following is are links to his bio:
Mount Paetku, Birthplace site, Courtesy DPRK Tourism
Kim Jong Il. Estimated birth was in 1941 in Russia. Died 2011. Also known as “Dear Leader,” “Guiding Star of the 21st Century” and “Glorious General, Who Descended from Heaven.”
North Korean legend holds that was Kim Jong Il’s birth was of a divine and sacred nature that occurred on Mount Paektu (an active volcano also known as Mount Baekdu) on April 15, 1942. His birth was foretold by the appearance of a swallow. Once born, the seasons changed, a new star was born and a double rainbow appeared over the mountain. Throughout his life, he was able to control the weather with his mood.
He walked at three weeks old and spoke at eight weeks old.
He authored 1500 books and wrote six operas.
North Koreans believe his birthday is celebrated around the world.
Kim Jong Il was a declared a fashion icon setting trends worldwide.
He invented the hamburger, termed double bread with meat and known as ‘Gogigyeopbbang’.
Courtesy Rocket News 24, an airline meal featuring the North Korean hamburger.
Kim Jong-Il required that each grain of rice he was served be inspected for the perfect length, weight and color.
During times of famine, he encouraged North Koreans to eat sawdust for its nutritional properties. They also were skilled at filling their empty stomachs with tree bark and grasses. He is rumored to have spent almost one million dollars per year on Hennessey cognac.
Kim Jong Il was a golfing prodigy. The first time he ever played he made eleven holes-in-one and broke all world records by scoring 38 strokes under par.
He had evolved beyond having to use the toilet as his body worked so perfectly it did not produce human waste.
Kim Jing-Il kidnapped South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee to make North Korea a world leader in the film industry. The documentary The Lovers and the Despot tells this amazing story.
Kim Jong Il’s death was marked by a sheet of ice snapping loudly in the lake at the mount where he was born. Later that same day, the sky turned red and the words ‘Mt. Paektu, holy mountain of revolution, Kim Jong Il’ appeared to be carved onto the mountainside. The glowing words then disappeared at the day’s end.
Kim Jong Un. Born 1984. Also known as “Supreme Leader.
Kim Jong Un could drive at the age of three. He won a major yacht race at the age of nine.
He set the clock back 30 minutes in 2015 to compensate North Korea for time that had been stolen by the Japanese.
North Korea has cures for AIDS, EBOLA and more.
The Internet is only for government use.
Kim Jong-un has climbed to the summit of the sacred Mount Paektu.
Kim Jong-Un is a gifted composer and musician.
He loves basketball.
The parody twitter account DPRK New Service capitalizes on the mythology of the “Amazing Kims” with delightfully fun tweets such as the following:
Ascension of Mount Everest poses little challenge to Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un. pic.twitter.com/pW45R5Cyyh
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un is named Best Dressed Man in Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea for fifteenth consecutive year! pic.twitter.com/t0vgcbFfay
Mangy She-ogre Donald Trump puts unknown old idiot to sleep during 5 hour lecture regarding best practices for grabbing women’s genitalia. pic.twitter.com/l7Eo70BV4P
Millions of California Residents to Participate in ShakeOut, the World’s Largest Earthquake Drill
The Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill this October 18 will involve more than 9.3 million Californians and counting who will practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On,” the protocol recommended by earthquake safety experts as essential for avoiding injury and even death. In 2016, more than 55 million people across the United States and in more than 60 other countries participated in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills.
California participants include people in schools, colleges, businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and many others. ShakeOut is a one-minute Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill at the minimum, though people are encouraged to do much more. ShakeOut.org/messaging provides ways people can promote and inspire ShakeOut in their workplace or community too.
“Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves in an earthquake,” said Mark Benthien, Global ShakeOut Coordinator and Outreach Director at the Southern California Earthquake Center. “The ongoing fires in Northern California, September’s earthquakes in Mexico, and recent hurricanes remind us that we’re all in this together.”
“The Great California ShakeOut is such an important opportunity for us all to practice what to do the instant the ground starts to shake—Drop, Cover and Hold On,” said Glenn Pomeroy, CEO of the California Earthquake Authority. “This simple drill can help save lives when we get hit by the next big earthquake that scientists assure us is coming.”
“One of the most important steps families can take is to prepare themselves before an earthquake occurs,” said Tasha Tolbert, the vice president of communications and community impact for AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. “We encourage families to get on the Road to Ready and be prepared for an earthquake by offering free online tools and checklists to learn about preparedness.”
Videos such as these can be downloaded or streamed at https://www.ShakeOut.org/messaging, in addition to drill broadcast narration recordings and public service announcements.
U.S. and Korea navies to conduct joint maritime counter special operations exercise
By Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs | | October 12, 2017
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) – Vessels from the United States Navy and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy are scheduled to participate in the Maritime Counter Special Operations exercise (MCSOFEX) Oct. 17-20, in the waters east or west of the Korean Peninsula to promote communications, interoperability, and partnership in the 7th Fleet area of operations.
170704-N-CF980-004 CORAL SEA (July 4, 2017) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 prepares to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). VFA-115 is conducting security and stability operations in the Coral Sea as a component of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Chris Pagenkopf/ Released
The exercise will provide a visible and coordinated engagement for the U.S. – ROK alliance. It will also conduct combined joint operations and exercises with ROK Navy, U.S. Seventh Fleet, ROK Air Force, U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ 7th Air Force and U.S. Eighth Army for the purpose of continuing the United States’ national policy and commitment to the U.S. – ROK alliance and the region.
170801-N-WZ681-029 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2017) The Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), patrols waters in the Pacific Ocean. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Randy Lee Adams II/Released)
U.S. Navy units participating in the exercise include USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and USS Mustin (DDG 89).
The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build maritime partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.
170914-N-OY799-181 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 14, 2017) The Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), patrols the Philippine Sea. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate)
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Guam threat renewed:
U.S. Reckless Military Moves Compel DPRK to Take Action: Researcher of Institute for American Studies
Date: 13/10/2017 | Source: KCNA.kp (En)
Pyongyang, October 13 (KCNA) — Kim Kwang Hak, a researcher at the Institute for American Studies of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, released the following commentary titled “The U.S. reckless military moves compel the DPRK to take action” on Friday:
Recently the Trump group is making military bluffing against the DPRK, while introducing nuclear strategic equipment into areas around it one after another.
According to foreign reports, Trump met top military officers at White House on October 10 to have a confab over military counteraction against the DPRK. Meanwhile, the U.S. staged nocturnal flight exercises with Japan Air “Self-Defense Force” and the south Korean puppet airforce fighters after introducing two B-1B nuclear strategic bombers into the sky above the East Sea of Korea at night on the same day.
The Trump group is also inciting military pressure on the DPRK while introducing nuclear submarine Michigan into the Pusan Port of south Korea and planning to dispatch nuclear carrier Ronald Reagan into the waters around south Korea in mid-October to hold “high-intensity” joint exercises with the puppet forces.
What should not be overlooked is that such military moves have been conducted at a time when the Trump group posted on twitter such letters reading that the U.S. failed to handle north Korea for the past 25 years and only one thing will prove effective, while frequently hinting at “military option” backed by such rubbish as “a calm before a storm” and “total destruction”.
The Trump team is trying to provoke the DPRK through such reckless military provocations as dispatch of B-1B, nuclear submarine and nuclear carrier into the waters around the Korean peninsula. Such military acts compel the DPRK to take military counteraction.
Its senseless military provocations make us keenly realize once again that we were quite right when we decided to bolster the nuclear deterrence for self-defense in every way, and harden our conviction that we have to keep to this path forever.
We have already warned several times that we will take counteractions for self-defense including a salvo of missiles into waters near the U.S. territory of Guam, an advance base for invading the DPRK, where key U.S. bases are located, as the U.S. has resorted to military actions in sensitive regions, making the waters off the Korean peninsula and in the Pacific restless.
The U.S. military action hardens our determination that the U.S. should be tamed with fire and lets us take our hand closer to “trigger” for taking the toughest countermeasure.
In case any shocking case occurs on the Korean peninsula, the U.S. will be made to hold responsibility as it is pushing the situation on the peninsula to the point of explosion while going reckless, being carried away by ill-advised bravery.
October 12 is an annual observance set to coincide with the effective end of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.
On this date, Governor William Phips wrote a letter to the English monarchy declaring his observations about the injustices in the trials and his disagreement with what was termed “spectral evidence.” Spectral evidence against a suspected witch might include witness testimony in which the accused was not physically present, but appeared to the witness in spectre form, as a spirit, ghost, or in a dream, and was being legally accepted as reliable evidence against the accused witch.
Excerpt of letter from Massachusetts Governor William Phips, October 12, 1692
I continued there for some time but when I returned I found people much disatisfied at the proceedings of the Court, for about Twenty persons were condemned and executed of which number some were thought by many persons to be innocent. The Court still proceeded in the same method of trying them, which was by the evidence of the afflicted persons who when they were brought into the Court as soon as the suspected witches looked upon them instantly fell to the ground in strange agonies and grievous torments, but when touched by them upon the arme or some other part of their flesh they immediately revived and came to themselves, upon [which] they made oath that the Prisoner at the Bar did afflict them and that they saw their shape or spectre come from their bodies which put them to such paines and torments: When I enquired into the matter I was enformed by the Judges that they begun with this, but had humane testimony against such as were condemned and undoubted proof of their being witches, but at length I found that the Devill did take upon him the shape of Innocent persons and some were accused of whose innocency I was well assured and many considerable persons of unblameable life and conversation were cried out upon as witches and wizards. The Deputy Govr. notwithstanding persisted vigorously in the same method, to the great disatisfaction and disturbance of the people, untill I put an end to the Court and stopped the proceedings, which I did because I saw many innocent persons might otherwise perish and at that time I thought it my duty to give an account thereof that their Ma’ties pleasure might be signifyed, hoping that for the better ordering thereof the Judges learned in the law in England might give such rules and directions as have been practized in England for proceedings in so difficult and so nice a point; When I put an end to the Court there ware at least fifty persons in prison in great misery by reason of the extream cold and their poverty, most of them having only spectre evidence against them, and their mittimusses being defective, I caused some of them to be lett out upon bayle and put the Judges upon considering of a way to reliefe others and prevent them from perishing in prison, upon which some of them were convinced and acknowledged that their former proceedings were too violent and not grounded upon a right foundation but that if they might sit againe, they would proceed after another method, and whereas Mr. Increase Mathew and severall other Divines did give it as their Judgment that the Devill might afflict in the shape of an innocent person and that the look and touch of the suspected persons was not sufficient proofe against them, these things had not the same stress layd upon them as before, and uponthis consideration I permitted a spetiall Superior Court to be held at Salem in the County of Essex on the third day of January, the Lieut Govr. being Chief Judge. Their method of proceeding being altered, all that were brought to tryall to the number of fifety two, were cleared saving three, and I was enformed by the Kings Attorny Generall that some of the cleared and the condemned were under the same circumstances or that there was the same reason to clear the three condemned as the rest according to his Judgment. The Deputy Govr. signed a Warrant for their speedy execution and also of five others who were condemned at the former Court of Oyer and terminer, but considering how the matter had been managed I sent a reprieve whereby the execucion was stopped untill their Maj. pleasure be signified and declared.
Freethought Day has been celebrated in Sacramento California for many years. The event is broadened to celebrate the First Amendment, the separation of church and state, and the legacy of famous freethinkers as well as the changes made today by freethinking activists.
Bloodsucker reports are still being dealt with in Malawi, creating panic and inspiring violence. According to a story in the Maravi Post on 10.10.17, the headline reads “Malawi legislature admits the existence of bloodsuckers.” According to the story:
Mulanje south legislature Bon Kalindo has admitted the existence of bloodsuckers in his area and has since called the authorities to take the matter as an urgent.
Speaking with a local radio, Kalindo said it sad to see that some authorities are denying the existence of bloodsuckers in Mulanje district while describing the residents’ action as primitive.
According to him, the bloodsuckers change into dogs or ghost when the community wants to deal with it.
“As a legislature of Mulanje south, bloodsuckers are indeed there and they are tormenting lives of the community,” he said.
He said he don’t believe that the soldiers and police who have been deployed to the area will manage to deal with bloodsuckers.
Kalindo further warned strangers who want to visit the district at night hours saying the will be killed by the community.
“Don’t try to visit our area at night hours, if you do that see what the community will do to you because they will suspect you as bloodsucker,” he warned.
However, the legislature denied to comment on government position that there is no bloodsuckers in the district saying “I speak for my people who are facing this problem but those denying speak for government and they have their rights.”
Meanwhile, the community has penned President Peter Mutharika to address them as well as provide security concern the problem.
Almost six people suspected to be bloodsuckers have been killed by the angry mob.
The residents believe that the bloodsuckers are sent by government or politicians thus why they are failing to deal with the problem.
Government spokesperson Nicholas Dausi put the blame on opposition parties and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the problem.
However, President of Malawi Congress Party, Dr Lazarus Chakwera and CSOs are accusing government including President Mutharika for failing to save the lives of innocent people in the district.
Aside from mob killings, the blood sucker scare has led to a temporary withdrawal of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) workers in the affected areas. According to an update in the Maravi Post dated 10.11.17, the panic has led to the deaths of those suspected to be blood sucking vampires as well as those who may be harboring the blood suckers. There have also been road blocks, destruction of private homes and stoning of ambulances suspected of transporting these vampires.
Fears are also related to electronic or mechanical devices and villagers fear blood may be sucked through “biometrics machines,” aerial devices on vehicles and mobile phones. Some villagers are afraid to sleep indoors and suspect the blood suckers have been deployed by the government of Mozambique, or possibly their own government is involved. The population embracing the myth is generally poverty-stricken and illiterate. Some mobs use the excuse of entering a home to attack a blood sucker as an opportunity to steal. Others claim to have been “blood sucked” but physical examinations show no evidence. Some village leaders are afraid to denounce the rumors because they may be attacked as one of the vampires.
Belief in blood sucking vampires is only one myth affecting the citizens of Malawi. Fear of witchcraft is also a problem, according to published reports in Malawi’s media.
On 10.3.17, a report of spontaneous fires was described by the Malawi News Agency as occurring in the Chiradzulu communities. Reports were received of mysterious fires burning the clothes off of victims but leaving them unhurt, furniture catching on fire inside a home but leaving the home intact, and “another case involved a bag whose contents started burning whilst inside one of the resident’s house and when it was taken outside the house, all the contents inside the bag got burnt but the bag was left intact without any damage from the fire.”
On 8.23.17, the Malawi News Agency reported a villager in Chikwawa was arrested for killing his mother after she practiced witchcraft. He beat her to death with a stick “fortified with charms.”
On 8.16.17, the Malawi News Agency announced “Ntcheu ‘Resurrected’ woman taken to witchdoctor for checkups” eighteen days after her death. A family member was quoted as saying, “We have no plans to take her to the hospital since she is okay. We have taken her to the witchdoctor just because we feel its witchcraft related death, so we rely upon the witchdoctor to make Jana a normal person again.” Her sister added that the only thing different was that the resurrected woman could now speak fluent Yao, a dialect not spoken in the area.
Similarly, on 10.6.17, another resurrection occurred in Chiradzulu, this time a 14-year old girl, also attributed to witchcraft.
On 8.7.17, the Malawi News Service advised the public that the rumors circulating regarding National Identification Cards were not the “mark of the beast,” referring to the number 666. An official in the Mzimba District noted: “All our neighbours have implemented their national ID system. Why is the issue of 666 only in Malawi? Luke chapter 2 verse 1 onwards talks of Joseph and Mary going for registration in their homeland. Was that 666 as well?”
And finally, Amnesty International has drawn attention to the custom of killing albinos in Malawi. Hunting albinos for their body parts has seen a resurgence since January 2017.
First for U.S., Japan, Republic of Korea air forces: nighttime training near Sea of Japan, East Sea
“Using Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as a power projection platform, two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, flew a mission in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea, making this the first time U.S. Pacific Command B-1B Lancers have conducted combined training with JASDF and ROKAF fighters at night.”
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), S.D., prepare to take off from Andersen AFB, Guam to fly sequenced bilateral missions with two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15s and two Republic of Korea air force (ROKAF) F-15Ks in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea, Oct. 10, 2017. This mission marks the first time U.S. Pacific Command B-1B Lancers have conducted combined training with JASDF and ROKAF fighters at night, demonstrating our increasing combined capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Smoot)
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs / Published October 10, 2017
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii —U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea air force units sharpened their combat skills during a recent sequenced bilateral mission in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea Oct. 10.
Using Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as a power projection platform, two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, flew a mission in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea, making this the first time U.S. Pacific Command B-1B Lancers have conducted combined training with JASDF and ROKAF fighters at night.
Participating in bilateral training enables the operational units to improve their combined capabilities and tactical skills, while also building bilateral confidence and strong working relationships.
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), S.D., take off from Andersen AFB, Guam to fly sequenced bilateral missions with two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15s and two Republic of Korea air force (ROKAF) F-15Ks in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea, Oct. 10, 2017. This mission marks the first time U.S. Pacific Command B-1B Lancers have conducted combined training with JASDF and ROKAF fighters at night, demonstrating our increasing combined capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Skovo)
“Flying and training at night with our allies in a safe, effective manner is an important capability shared between the U.S., Japan and the Republic of Korea and hones the tactical prowess of each nations’ aviators,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Patrick Applegate, 613th Air Operation Center. “This is a clear demonstration of our ability to conduct seamless operations with all of our allies anytime anywhere.”
The recent mission, flown as part of U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission, demonstrates how U.S. military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific are always ready to defend the American homeland and how the U.S. stands resolutely with Japan and the ROK to honor their unshakable alliance commitments to safeguard security and stability.
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), S.D., taxis before take off from Andersen AFB, Guam to fly sequenced bilateral missions with two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15s and two Republic of Korea air force (ROKAF) F-15Ks in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea, Oct. 10, 2017. The purpose of bilateral training is to foster increased interoperability amongst Japan, South Korea and U.S. aircraft. Participating in bilateral training enables the operational units to improve their combined capabilities and tactical skills, while also building bilateral confidence and strong working relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Skovo)
Continuous Bomber Presence missions ensure the U.S., along with key allies, have a credible capability to respond to a variety of levels and types of threats throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. These actions are consistent with long-standing and well-known U.S. freedom of navigation policies that are applied to military operations around the world.
U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), S.D., receives fuel during a sequenced bilateral missions with two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15s and Republic of Korea air force (ROKAF) F-15Ks in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, East Sea, Oct. 10, 2017. The purpose of bilateral training is to foster increased interoperability amongst Japan, South Korea and U.S. aircraft. Participating in bilateral training enables the operational units to improve their combined capabilities and tactical skills, while also building bilateral confidence and strong working relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 11, 2017 — A new report from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education finds a majority of students on college campuses self-censor in class, support disinviting some guest speakers with whom they disagree, and don’t know that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. The study also finds that Republican and Democratic students have different opinions on campus protests, disinvitations, and hate speech protections.
In the most comprehensive survey on students’ attitudes about free speech to date, FIRE measured student responses to questions about self expression, reactions to expression of other students, guest speakers, and hate speech. Some key findings include:
46 percent of students recognize that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment, and 48 percent of students think the First Amendment should not protect hate speech.
Most students (56 percent) support disinviting some guest speakers. Democratic students are 19 percentage points more likely than their Republican peers to agree that there are times a speaker should be disinvited.
58 percent of college students think it’s important to be part of a campus community where they are not exposed to intolerant or offensive ideas.
Very few students report that they would participate in actions that would prevent a guest speaker event from taking place (2 percent). Even fewer said they would use violence to disrupt an event (1 percent).
In open-ended questions, almost half of students (45 percent) identify speech with a racist component as hate speech, and 13 percent of students associate hate speech with violence.
In class, 30 percent of students have self-censored because they thought their words would be offensive to others. A majority of students (54 percent) report self-censoring in the classroom at some point since the beginning of college.
FIRE’s survey also found ideological differences in how students feel about free expression, both inside and outside the classroom. Very liberal students are 14 percentage points more likely than their very conservative peers to feel comfortable expressing their opinions in the classroom. Additionally, 60 percent of Republican students think they should not have to walk past a protest on campus, while only 28 percent of Democratic students think the same.
“There is clearly a partisan divide in how students perceive free speech on college campuses,” said FIRE Executive Director Robert Shibley. “This further solidifies the importance of FIRE’s mission. Free expression is too important to become a partisan issue in higher education.”
Additionally, FIRE’s survey found that a majority of students want their schools to invite a variety of guest speakers to campus (93 percent), and 64 percent report changing an attitude or opinion after listening to a guest speaker.
FIRE contracted with YouGov (California), a nonpartisan polling and research firm, to survey 1,250 American undergraduate students between May 25 and June 8. YouGov calculated weights for each response based on the respondent’s gender, race, and age. A copy of the full report, an FAQ, and the toplines and tabulations from YouGov can be accessed here.
The survey project was made possible by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation to conduct polling on campus attitudes, engage in legal and social science research, and mobilize a wider audience on and off campus in the fight for student and faculty rights.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending liberty, freedom of speech, due process, academic freedom, legal equality, and freedom of conscience on America’s college campuses.
STATEMENT COURTESY MANA ONLINE/THE MALAWI NEWS AGENCY
BELOW IS A STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND TOURISM (Henry Mussa) ON THE SAME:
I wish to join my fellow Cabinet Ministers in condemning the recent acts of mob justice on fellow Malawians and the touring Belgian couple, who have been obviously mistaken as blood suckers in Mulanje, Phalombe Districts, and surrounding areas.
Stories of blood sucking in Malawi are mere rumours which have been making rounds from sometime back and should not be believed. From what I know, It takes a lot of technical expertise and skills to extract blood from a human being, including using suitable equipment and locating the blood nerves in the body, something that cannot be done just in a flash.
The prevailing vampire paranoia situation in Mulanje and surrounding areas has the potential to derail our efforts in promoting our country as a tourism destination but also as preferred destination for foreign and direct investment. No tourist or investor would like to come to a country whose citizens are attacking others due to such misguided beliefs. I would like therefore to ask and warn all those involved to stop this malpractice immediately since this practice is tarnishing the image of our beautiful country.
At this stage allow me to apologise to the Belgian couple, who were attacked at Madzeka near Lujeri Tea Estate in the early hours of 15th September, 2017, after being mistaken as the so called “blood suckers”. The Belgian couple were actually Self-Drive tourists who had been attracted to hike on our Mulanje Mountain and had been travelling from South Africa to Cairo in their 4×4 vehicle. The couple was badly injured in the brutal attack and their vehicle was also smashed. This is a very unfortunate and we sincerely apologise for the unfortunate incident.
Lastly, I am aware that the tourism players in Mulanje is very unsettled due to these disturbing stories. I would like to assure the tourism and travel industry in Mulanje, and the country in general that the Government of Malawi will step up a number of interventions to eradicate the unfounded fears of blood suckers in the District. These will include increased Police presence in the area, increased awareness on blood sucking myth, and increased security in areas that are visited by tourists.
All these interventions will be carried out by various Government Ministries and Departments such as Home Affairs, Information, Civic Education and of course traditional leaders in the areas affected.
Why Skepticism Is the Right Approach to the Afterlife, Immortality & Utopia
Michael Shermer via Big Think
HEAVENS ON EARTH: THE SCIENTIFIC SEARCH FOR THE AFTERLIFE, IMMORTALITY, AND UTOPIA is a scientific exploration into humanity’s obsession with the afterlife and quest for immortality from the bestselling author and skeptic Michael Shermer.
Pre-orders are now available.
In his most ambitious work yet, Shermer sets out to discover what drives humans’ belief in life after death, focusing on recent scientific attempts to achieve immortality by radical life extentionists, extropians, transhumanists, cryonicists, and mind-uploaders, along with utopians who have attempted to create heaven on earth. For millennia, religions have concocted numerous manifestations of heaven and the afterlife, the place where souls go after the death of the physical body. Religious leaders have toiled to make sense of this place that a surprising 74% of Americans believe exists, but from which no one has ever returned to report what it is really like.
Heavens on Earth concludes with an uplifting paean to purpose and progress and what we can do in the here-and-now, whether or not there is a hereafter.
