In The News

China’s Social Credit System: Channel NewsAsia

Tom McGregor March 6, 2019
As populations grow, governments want to control social behavior, encouraging citizens to follow rules. China has instituted a social credit system that gives citizens points and benefits for good behavior. “‘Discredited’ Chinese citizens face greater scrutiny from the public, meet tougher challenges when applying for new credit cards, getting bank loans and in more severe cases, may be blocked...

Japanese Whaling: Asia-Pacific Journal

Fynn Holm March 4, 2019
Japan, in withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission, plans to resume commercial whaling in July within the country’s exclusive economic zone, suggesting the country “remains committed” to managing such resources. Whaling has been part of Japan’s culture for four centuries, and the industry became a target of fierce international criticism since 1990. The country will cease a...

1 Million Forest Families Evicted in India: Guardian

Jatindra Dash February 25, 2019
India’s Supreme Court issued an order to reject 1.3 million land claims and remove indigenous people from forest lands in 21 states. “The case highlights the plight of India’s underprivileged lower castes and indigenous groups as the world’s second most populated country – with 1.3 billion people – juggles with environmental protection, poverty reduction and economic growth,” explains Jatindra...

Medium: No Thank You, Mr. Pecker

Jeff Bezos February 7, 2019
Jeff Bezos, the wealthiest person in the world, went public with communications from the National Enquirer urging him to stop investigations in exchange for not printing personal photos and texts. “AMI, the owner of the National Enquirer, led by David Pecker, recently entered into an immunity deal with the Department of Justice related to their role in the so-called ‘Catch and Kill’ process on...

Conversation: Design Cities to Counter Loneliness

Tanzil Shafique December 24, 2018
Residents in the world’s wealthiest countries, including cosmopolitan centers complain about loneliness. The condition has health consequences, especially for the elderly. Community infrastructure and architecture can encourage or discourage human interactions, and Tanzil Shafique suggests that “architects and planners, albeit unwittingly, are complicit in producing an urban landscape that...

Wired: Quiet War Over Who Makes Online Money

Paris Martineau December 7, 2018
At first glance, giant social media firms like Facebook, PayPal and Tumblr appear to be trying to block hate speech pornography from their websites. But the trend is not simple and suggests an ugly culture war is underway. After Reddit banned forums for incels, the men who identify as involuntary celibates are retaliating. The group distributes content policies of internet firms including social...

Time: French Regulators “Embed,” Monitor Facebook

Casey Quackenbush November 16, 2018
Governments and critics scrutinize Facebook for fake news, hate speech, and foreign advertising that raises questions about democracy and election results and even targets some groups with violence. France’s Emmanuel Macron has called for global regulation to ensure truthful posts and takes steps on regulation. “Starting in January, Facebook will welcome a small team of civil servants from Macron...