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Good journalism makes you look at an issue through a different lens than the one you’re used to. Case in point: today in The Conversation Canada, Faiza Hirji of McMaster University looks at the recent decision by the makers of The Simpsons to drop the character Apu. I’ve been a fan of the cartoon TV show since its first season, but Prof. Hirji’s analysis made me look at the Apu character differently than I had before. As she notes, Apu’s “exit would only signal the end of a character, not the end of what Apu and other South Asian characters on television have signified.”
Canada has more online voting options than any other country in the world, but Nicole Goodman of Brock University and Aleksander Essex of Western University reviewed some of the problems that occurred during the recent Ontario municipal elections and point out it’s time to establish technical guidelines for online voting.
We’re coming up to the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Bill Waiser reports on how the University of Saskatchewan is marking the centenary, which includes the installation of a special memorial bench.
The issue of whether “microdosing” LSD or other psychedelic drugs helps with self-enhancement and mental health has been making headlines. Thomas Anderson of the University of Toronto and Rotem Petranker of York University report on their recent scientific survey which showed microdosers had healthier scores on measures of wisdom, open-mindedness and creativity.
And finally…if you enjoyed the extra hour of sleep as result of the end of Daylight Savings Time on the weekend, Lisa Kramer of the University of Toronto tells us there may be a downside: her research has shown there are adverse consequences for financial markets on the Monday after a time change.
Regards,
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A YouTube producer trying to create a parody of ‘The Simpsons’ found out that Apu is being phased out of the show. While many will miss Apu, others reflect on what his character represents – a flat stereotype of South Asian immigrants.
The Simpsons
Faiza Hirji, McMaster University
Recent rumours of Apu's demise may be exaggerated but his presence has been slowly written out of 'The Simpsons,' and many feel it is time for the stereotyped Indian-American character to go.
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The online voting glitches in Ontario’s recent municipal elections show it’s time to develop nationwide guidelines and standards for online voting in Canada.
(Shutterstock)
Nicole Goodman, Brock University; Aleksander Essex, Western University
Online voting glitches in Ontario's recent municipal elections show that Canada needs to develop voluntary standards on online voting.
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Bill Waiser, University of Saskatchewan
On Nov. 8, 2018, just days before the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, known as the Great War, the University of Saskatchewan will be dedicating a memorial bench on the university campus…
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Books such as Ayelet Waldman’s A Really Good Day and Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind have drawn popular attention to the practise of ‘microdosing’ psychedelics.
(Shutterstock)
Thomas Anderson, University of Toronto; Rotem Petranker, York University, Canada
According to new research, individuals who take small regular doses of psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms score higher on mental health, well-being and creativity.
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The twice-annual time changes affect people similar to the way jet lag does. It’s time to abolish Daylight Saving Time.
Sevgi001453d/Pixabay
Lisa Kramer, University of Toronto
Research shows that daylight-saving time changes do more harm than good. It's time to abolish the practice.
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Politics
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Brendon O'Connor, University of Sydney; Dan Dixon, University of Sydney
The Democrats are favoured to win control of the US House, but it may be closer than expected.
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Culture + Society
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Vasudha Narayanan, University of Florida
Born Farrokh Bulsara, Mercury came from a Parsi family that practiced Zoroastrianism, a religion that influenced Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
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Science + Technology
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Scott Shackelford, Indiana University
The very first cyberattack clogged up the nascent internet, halting digital communications. Now much bigger, the internet is still largely open to – and suffering regularly from – similar attacks.
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