FREE WILL: DO WE REALLY HAVE ANY?

We all assume we have free will but do we? Do your research and decide to what extent we exrcise free will and defend your position in an argumentative essay. 

Before you begin

·         The Libet experiment https://aeon.co/videos/can-we-really-make-conscious-decisions-or-is-agency-just-a-trick-of-the-brain

Videos to watch and take notes from

·         What is the point of free will? https://www.bbc.com/reel/playlist/free-will?vpid=p086tl5s

·         The surprisingly dark world of having free will https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p086tl5n/the-surprisingly-dark-world-of-having-free-will

·         The strange idea that we are not in control of our minds  https://www.bbc.com/reel/playlist/free-will?vpid=p089sd5k

·         Can free will be saved in a deterministic universe? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY7hjt5Gi-E

Reading material to study and make notes on

·         The battle for free will in the face of determinism https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/29/the-battle-for-free-will-in-the-face-of-determinism  

·         You are the world https://aeon.co/essays/the-question-is-what-are-we-a-conversation-on-consciousness

·         From chaos to free will https://aeon.co/essays/heres-why-so-many-physicists-are-wrong-about-free-will

Possible solutions to the dilemma

·         Zen freedom https://aeon.co/essays/do-i-have-free-will-in-zen-the-question-makes-no-sense

·         The free will scale https://aeon.co/essays/free-will-is-back-and-maybe-this-time-we-can-measure-it

AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS AND THE FUTURE OF WAR?

 

Modern warfare is changing as more and more complex weapons systems make their debut in battle fields. The new trend involves greater use of AI in battle fields as in many other spheres of life. Killer robots have to date been the stuff of science fiction but are fast in danger of becoming a reality. At first glance, this seems like natural progression; however, on closer inspection, certain disadvantages may also become apparent. Do your research and decide weather you fully support autonomous weapons, weather you have certain reservations or weather you are completely against them. When you are ready defend your point of view.

READ AND MAKE NOTES

·         Autonomous weaponry: are killer robots in our future? https://jsis.washington.edu/news/autonomous-weaponry-are-killer-robots-in-our-future/

·         Lethal autonomous weapons systems https://futureoflife.org/lethal-autonomous-weapons-systems/

1. An introduction to the issue of lethal autonomous weapons https://futureoflife.org/2021/11/30/an-introduction-to-the-issue-of-lethal-autonomous-weapons/

2. Ten reasons why autonomous weapons must be stopped https://futureoflife.org/2021/11/27/10-reasons-why-autonomous-weapons-must-be-stopped/

3. Real life technologies that prove that autonomous weapons are already here https://futureoflife.org/2021/11/22/real-life-technologies-that-prove-autonomous-weapons-are-already-here/

      *    The pros and cons of autonomous weapons systems  https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/May-June-2017/Pros-and-Cons-of-Autonomous-Weapons-Systems/#:~:text=First%2C%20autonomous%20weapons%20systems%20act,areas%20that%20were%20previously%20inaccessible.

WATCH, LISTEN AND TAKE NOTES

·         Will WWIII be fought by robots? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsgxrZK5zVI

·         Why we must ban killer robots https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_nolan_why_we_must_ban_killer_robots

·         How can international law regulate autonomous weapons? https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2018/04/10/how-can-international-law-regulate-autonomous-weapons/  

 

THE ROLE OF FOOD IN BETTERING OUR LIVES AND OUR WORLD

 

If we are serious in our aim to tackle climate change, we need to start with how we eat and how we produce what we eat. Provided some measures are taken, both we as people, and more importantly, the planet on which we depend will be healthier. In this exercise, the texts and the videos have been mingled, which will hopefully make it easier for you to organize your ideas. If you should find material which you feel should be included in the task, don’t hesitate to contact me.

CLIMATE DISASTERS AND THEIR LINK TO FOOD

·         The foods that could prevent climate disasters

https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/the-foods-that-could-prevent-climate-disasters/

·         Food and a sustainable climate https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/food_practice/food_climate_cop26/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9e6SBhB2EiwA5myr9ja8ckLEpvXwZA24qkBoqPaKHlCz0cF2Veh4lUXgXHp_kTaZQKdweRoC0S0QAvD_BwE

·         How your food choices can help fight climate change https://www.eatingwell.com/article/290798/how-your-food-choices-can-help-fight-climate-change/

HUMAN HEALTH AND ITS LINK TO FOOD AND CLIMATE

·         Turning back the climate clock

https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/

·         How your diet can treat disease

https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/how-your-diet-can-treat-diseases/

·          Why we need to expand our crop  menu

https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/follow-the-food/why-we-need-to-expand-our-crop-menu/

 

A LINEAR VERSUS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

There are two major economic systems one of which has been practiced for many hundreds of years and the second which economists urge us to adopt. The former is termed the linear economy and the latter is termed the circular economy. Do your research and discover what they mean. Then write an essay where you explain why the World needs a circular economy

BEFORE YOU START

·         What is linear economy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nq86ohVMI8

·         Moving from a linear to a circular economy  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nq86ohVMI8

READ AND MAKE NOTES

·         What is a circular economy? There is a wealth of information on this page, both texts and videos, that you need to study and make notes on. https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview#:~:text=A%20circular%20economy%20decouples%20economic,loss%2C%20waste%2C%20and%20pollution.

·         The circular economy in detail https://archive.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/the-circular-economy-in-detail

·          What is the linear economy and why do we need to go circular? https://planetark.org/newsroom/news/what-is-the-linear-economy-and-why-do-we-need-to-go-circular

WATCH AND TAKE NOTES

·         The circular economy https://www.ted.com/talks/kristin_kinder_the_circular_economy

·         What is a circular economy: a simple explanation https://www.ted.com/talks/cillian_lohan_the_circular_economy_a_simple_explanation

 

INSOMNIA: THE CAUSES AND THE EFFECTS

 

Disturbed sleep or insomnia is the bane of modern society plaguing millions around the world. What causes this worrying problem and what effects does it have on us? Do your research and find out. When you are ready, write an essay analyzing your findings.

Circadian rhythm

·         Circadian rhythm https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm

·         What is the circadian rhythm? https://www.news-medical.net/health/Circadian-Rhythm.aspx

Documentary

·         How to get a good night’s sleep  DW Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqhSW8miqq8

The major reasons analyzed

·         Blue light has a dark side https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side

·         Light and circadian rhythms  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU-JzVwx-2M

·         Diet, exercise and sleep https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/diet-exercise-sleep

·         Anxiety and sleep  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/anxiety-and-sleep#:~:text=Anxiety%20is%20frequently%20connected%20to,involving%20insomnia%20and%20anxiety%20disorders.

The major effects analyzed

·         Can poor sleep lead to Alzheimer’s or dementia? https://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/05/health/alzheimers-sleep-dementia-study/index.html  

·         What would happen if you didn’t sleep? https://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-would-happen-if-you-didn-t-sleep-claudia-aguirre

·         Cardiovascular disease risk greater in people prone to insomnia https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/aug/19/insomniacs-risk-heart-failure-stroke-study

BABY FARMS

 

Farms, you may be forgiven for thinking, are places where animal husbandry is practiced: cows roam the meadows, sheep frolic in the sunshine and poultry scratch around for grubs. You may be horrified to learn that there existed places called baby farms. Do your research, find out what this institution was and discuss the reasons why they were established and why they still exist today. In your conclusion, suggest solutions.

Reading material to make notes on

·         Baby farmers and angel makers http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/baby-farmers-and-angelmakers-childcare-in-19th-century-england.html

·         Baby farming https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/baby-farming

·         The Victorian nurse who strangled babies https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-39330793  

·         Child harvesting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_harvesting

·         Baby farms: a new kind of sex trafficking https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2019/09/27/baby-farms-vietnam-sex-trafficking/

·         Chinese baby factories https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/shocking-pictures-show-chinese-baby-4971128

Videos to take notes from

·         What is baby farming? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhrdHAwENEI

·         Nigeria’s baby farmers https://www.aljazeera.com/program/africa-investigates/2015/12/3/nigerias-baby-farmers

WHAT IF NEANDERTHALS, DENISOVANS AND SIMILAR EARLY HUMANS WERE STILL AROUND?

 

Racism is sadly still endemic in many parts of the world with people of color, ethnic minorities and those of different creeds being discriminated against. Despite the horrors of WW2, anti-Semitism is still rife; despite Martin Luther King’s famous speech and the emancipation act, there is still massive discrimination against people of color. However , how much more complicated would the situation be if various early humans had not died out but lived along-side homo sapiens like they did in the beginning? After all, they co-existed for thousands of years and interbred; what if they continued to do so?  Would people be more tolerant of differences and live together in peace and harmony or would racism become even more widespread? Do your research to find out more about Neanderthals and Denisovans, use your imagination and write an essay. Hint: you will need to use the hypotheticals while writing.

Before you start

What if other human species hadn't died out https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211008-what-if-other-human-species-hadnt-died-out 

·         What if Neanderthals hadn’t gone extinct? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgkeyqRvIY

The Neanderthals

·         Who were the Neanderthals? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p8tFcIQ8K4 

·         The Neanderthals that taught us about humanity  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h777yfE39O8

·         How did the Neanderthals live? https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200128-how-did-the-last-neanderthals-live

The Denisovans

·         Who were the Denisovans?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWaREXA8_fE

·         The Denisovans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coaozuZY-gY

·         Tales of Human History Told by Neandertal and Denisovan DNA That Persist in Modern Humans  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54zB8FOlFcE

·         Ancient DNA puts a face on the mysterious Denisovans https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/09/ancient-dna-puts-face-mysterious-denisovans-extinct-cousins-neanderthals

·         Multiple lines of mysterious early humans interbred with us https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/04/enigmatic-human-relative-outlived-neanderthals/