Weekend reader - links I loved
Let’s start with a letter to Santa by Saul Williams:
And who says I understand how to fight disingenuous governance, poverty or hate? I’m just saying I understand the importance of counterculture, of those who prefer boom over pop. Hardcore. Underground. The ones who dare to question and expose, who put their lives at risk… Those who stand up and speak out even when the masses seem apathetically addicted to the status quo, which is probably good for business. And I’m not anti-good business. I’m just for new business models. And new fashion models, while you’re at it. They don’t have to be so skinny!
- (via Champagne Candy)
Just because she isn’t saying no…doesn’t mean she is saying yes is a Canadian anti-rape campaign discussed here by Rachel Hills:
There’s a big difference between sharing a couple of glasses of wine on a date - or flirting with someone who’s had a few vodka mixers at a club - and deliberately pursuing someone who is stumbling around wasted or passed out on the couch…
Have you heard about the new Oscar-buzz movie Black Swan starring one of my favourite actresses Natalie Portman? Here’s why I’m not going to see it (Jezebel).
Here’s what the average American thinks is spent on foreign aid (or if you prefer to watch over reading, here is Peter Singer talking about this issue).
There’s a new bottom billion, according to Andy Sumner from the Institute for Development Studies, and they live in middle-income countries, not low-income countries. Look out for the implications for aid budgets.
What makes countries corrupt? Richard Florida, The Atlantic:
If we really want to combat corruption we must deal with the broader and much harder challenges of economic development. When less developed nations begin to leverage their knowledge, skills, and human capital to raise their levels of economic output, then the battle is already won.
When is a movement a movement?
Getting 50,000 people to join a Facebook group is impressive…but it’s not a movement. - Samba
The Cancun climate talks are in danger of collapsing, reports The Guardian.
These cartoons depicting the relationship of Belgium and The Congo are …arresting. That might not even be the right word, so take a look and come up with a better one - Africa is a country.
p.s. I know it’s not cool, but I love Christmas
