At the end of September, student-led protests in Hong Kong made the world talk about the Asian Dragon again. The protests revealed the deep-rooted identity issues of China that have the potential to destabilise not only Hong Kong but also other regions of the country, despite the highly centralised political structure.
Month: October 2014
The Rise of Private Military Companies
What are private military companies; which role they will play in the future of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Western troops and which problems may arise from their use.
The Future of the Smart Web
Smart, sensor-packed devices are about to become part of our everyday lives. Will they transform the way we live, and will it be for the better?
Consumerism and the Lack of Happiness
Feeling the urge to buy new things, despite owning more than enough, merely to make myself feel good, made me wonder: what is the deal with our consumerist society – and where is it going?
Putin, Oil, AK-47: How Political Stereotypes Rule Our Everyday Lives
Establishing and reproducing national stereotypes about citizens from other countries is often a part of a cynical strategy of mass-media and politics. However, ordinary people are the ones who end up suffering from their existence.
Just a Dead Body?
Just because we live in a time of modernisation doesn’t mean that we all share the same perception. History and culture differ from place to place. A year ago, I was in Guatemala and I was shocked by the way death can be perceived elsewhere.
Bring Back Our Votes
Last spring over 200 teenage girls were abducted. The world was sharing the pain of Nigeria one tweet at a time, but the tragedy seemed to be forgotten almost as fast as it had hit the headlines. After half a year of inaction, the Nigerian government is waking up again – right on time for elections!
