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category archive listing Category Archives: debate

New York Times Op-Ed on Sarah Palin as VP candidate

October 5, 2008 – 10:51 pm

I could have written this myself…
(Authored by Bob Herbert of the New York Times)
The problem with Ms. Palin’s candidacy is that John McCain might actually win this election, and then if something terrible happened, the country could be left with little more than an exclamation point as president.
After Ms. Palin had woven one of […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in perspective, human nature, community, politics, rants | Comments (1)

Sarah Palin debate flow chart

October 4, 2008 – 9:24 pm

This is pretty much how I saw it too….

Let’s be clear: I don’t mind the Palin as a person, though I strongly disagree with her folksy view of the world. In any case, I don’t think she has any business running for the White House, however cute and spunky her speeches may be.
Technorati Tags: politics, […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in comedy, human nature, perspective, community, politics, personal, religion, science, humor, rants | Comments (3)

Japanese Gairaigo.

July 1, 2008 – 1:04 pm

First things first. Several months ago, I was asked (by one of RoaS’s regular readers and a long time friend) to give my thoughts on the issue of garaigo, or loanwords, in Japanese and whether their rapid influx into the language is indeed undermining communication and causing mass concern.
My answer is: yes and no, but […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in perspective, human nature, efl, autonomous learning, community, language, writing, education, teaching, philosophy, learning | Comments (0)

David Graddol discusses English in the new world order

June 11, 2008 – 1:19 am

You REALLY should listen to this. I might not be in the wrong line of work after all!
Just click the photo and press the play icon [on the British Council podcast site].

I have to say I am pretty stoked that David Graddol will be one of the PAC7 at JALT2008 plenary speakers this November in […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in perspective, career, efl, autonomous learning, economy, community, education, history, teaching, language, japan, learning | Comments (2)

User-Generated Content, upside-down and inside-out.

December 7, 2007 – 12:07 am

TED Talks delivers another gem, this time articulated by the crafty and capable Larry Lessig:

About this Talk
Larry Lessig gets TEDsters to their feet, whooping and whistling, following this elegant presentation of three stories and an argument. The Net’s most adored lawyer brings together John Philip Sousa, celestial copyrights, and the “ASCAP cartel” to build a […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in parenting, perspective, community, philosophy, rants, media, technology | Comments (2)

Big Bang on the Brane.

November 15, 2007 – 2:17 am

Last year, I read an article on the emergence of Brane theory (called M theory in some cricles), which posits the existence of parallel universes, each consisting of far more dimensions than the average cookie can conceive. I get excited just thinking about it. So excited, in fact, that I haven’t once managed to […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in perspective, philosophy, history, science | Comments (2)

Taking one for the team, permanently.

November 12, 2007 – 1:39 pm

(No comment necessary. Click image for more.)

Steve
Technorati Tags: politics, image, debate

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in image, politics | Comments (5)

Grim Reality is a dish best served by an economist.

November 6, 2007 – 8:22 pm

Speaking of people who make a whole lot of sense while confronting the big, ugly issues…
Bjorn Lomborg, TED 2005

Technorati Tags: technology, rants, debate, economics, politics, perspective, health, philosophy, money, human_nature, environment

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in philosophy, human nature, perspective, money, economics, rants, environment, health, politics, technology | Comments (0)

Sam Harris kickin’ some serious knowledge on stem cell morality.

November 6, 2007 – 1:22 pm

Only you can decide where your faith and religious beliefs will fall, but–for the sake of millions of suffering individuals–Sam Harris is here to make sure you confront the intricacies of the knee-jerk stem cell research is playing God stance.

Time to bust out the ol’ thinking caps:-)
Steve
Technorati Tags: religion, rants, health, debate, science, perspective, video, […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in video, perspective, health, science, rants, religion, technology | Comments (0)

Defining Anti-Nationalism and Welcoming Americans to the World: Arundhati Roy’s “Come September” (2002)

October 15, 2007 – 5:51 am

I don’t want you to think like me….I just want you to think.
I almost didn’t post this, because it’s more politically charged than my usual fare, and might be perceived as slightly off topic. After lengthy consideration, however, I realized that I needed to clarify where all that anti-nationalism talk was coming from […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in human nature, parenting, perspective, autonomous learning, baby, community, politics, learning, video, history, teaching, rants | Comments (5)