Freedom of speech is fundamental in a democratic society. It means that a person or a community can express their opinion or ideas without fear of retaliation or censorship. But what happens when the opinions expressed are unpopular, violent or dangerous? Whether expressed in person, or through social media, words can have a powerful effect […]
Eradicating Global Hunger: Is Genetically Modified Food (GMO) a Solution? Julian Kunnie, University of Arizona, Religious Studies/Classics/Africana Studies/Indigenous/Globalization Studies Technological innovations in the early 21st century have promoted the development of genetically modified seeds and foods, as a potential solution to the crisis of world hunger. Eighty percent of the corn, soy, and cotton cultivated […]
Talking to Each Other About Controversies Now Matt Kundert, University of Arizona, Department of English Current social controversies reflect our nation’s complex history, politics and values. Our views can differ sharply on whether or not America has changed for the better, or for the worse. We can point to specific cultural and technological developments that […]
Challenges to Democracy from the Extremes Dr. Albrecht Classen, University of Arizona, Department of German Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies The recent death of a demonstrator in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the ongoing tension between political parties, highlights the danger of ideological extremism in the U.S. What is Neo-National-Socialism? How do we address ideological extremes […]
Is This Racist? Racial Literacy and Social Media Dr. Kathy Nakagawa, Arizona State University, School of Social Transformation Many parents and educators avoid conversations about race and racism with their children and students, yet young people are regularly exposed to images, stories, videos and statements that reflect racial societal attitudes. This exposure often comes through […]
Weaponized Narrative: Information Warfare as the New Battlespace Dr. Braden Allenby, Arizona State University, President’s Professor of Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering, and Lincoln Professor of Engineering and Ethics Weaponized narrative is the latest term for information warfare, focusing specifically on the role of new media in shaping opinion. Weaponized narratives attack the shared beliefs and […]
“Fake News”: The Impact of Fake News in the Real World Jamie Bowen, Arizona State University, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Although not new, our awareness and use of the term “fake news” has risen in prominence. In general “fake news” is journalism that consists of deliberate misinformation, news whose main purpose […]
Energy in an Uncertain World Dr. Jennifer Richter, Arizona State University, School of Social Transformation and the School for the Future of Innovation in Society Energy can be made affordable, accessible, and sustainable for all Arizonans. Energy is never just about technology, but about the values and ideals that a society has about its design […]