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Are you like me and hanging on every moment of the Winter Olympics? Even if you’re not as avid a fan as I am, you’ll find today’s piece in The Conversation Canada on how athletes can deal with poor performances interesting – and maybe something you can apply to your own life when you feel you’ve failed. Kent Kowalski and Leah Ferguson of the University of Saskatchewan write of the importance of practising “self-compassion,” and explain how to do it.
Ecologist Rajesh Rajaselvam of Dalhousie University writes about his work in the tropics, the home to the greatest diversity of plants and animals on Earth – and yet many tropical areas are located in war zones that disregard the rules of democracy and are mired in corruption. He argues that future initiatives for conservation mainly depend on the proper co-ordination of scientists, governments, conservation groups and the media, especially when corruption is so rampant.
Closer to home, Byron Sheldrick of the University of Guelph issues a call for politicians to stop suing each other for defamation. Prof. Sheldrick argues such lawsuits hinder freedom of speech. Instead, he’s calling for legislation that puts the onus on the complainant to prove that any true damage has been done to them, and that their lawsuits are not simply about stifling public debate.
The latest Marvel superhero movie, Black Panther, hits the big screen this weekend. It’s not only a rollicking and powerful action movie, but it’s making an important fashion statement, according to Henry Navarro Delgado of Ryerson University. He says the hype around the film’s costumes underscores the need to recognize the legacy of Black style in mainstream fashion.
Regards,
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Canada’s Andi Naude, who came into the Olympics ranked No. 2 in the world in women’s mogul skiing, reacts after failing to complete her final run at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Kent Kowalski, University of Saskatchewan; Leah Ferguson, University of Saskatchewan
Failure is something all athletes need to deal with, especially when competing on the world stage that is the Olympics. Learning self-compassion can help athletes rebound from setbacks.
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Toque macaques in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.
(Shutterstock)
Rajesh Rajaselvam, Dalhousie University
Future initiatives for conservation mainly depend on the proper co-ordination of scientists, governments, conservation groups and the media, especially when corruption is close by.
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Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, seen here at the provincial legislature in January, is among politicians who have threatened to sue political foes.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Byron Sheldrick, University of Guelph
The trend of politicians suing other politicians is worrisome since it risks limiting free speech. But there's a solution at hand known as anti-SLAPP legislation.
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The release of Black Panther provides the opportunity to honour the many contributions of Black style to North American fashion.
(Marvel)
Henry Navarro Delgado, Ryerson University
The hype around the costumes in the film Black Panther shows a need to recognize the legacy of Black style in mainstream fashion.
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Arts
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Zachariah Mampilly, Vassar College
The international community has failed to recognise the new political visions being articulated by young musicians and activists across Africa.
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Culture + Society
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Chris Greenough, Edge Hill University
The idea that people can be 'converted' from homosexuality is a dangerous lie – and yet such therapies still aren't banned in the UK.
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Science + Technology
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Benedict King, Flinders University; John Long, Flinders University
Many living vertebrates have the ability to detect electric fields, especially in other animals when hunting. But what can the fossil record tell us about the origins of this sensory system?
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