Stories about Ideas from April, 2013
Saudi-American View on Boston Bombings
Nora Abdulkarim shares a Saudi-American perspective on the Boston Bombings. She explains: I won't try to simplify what is inherently complex. I will simply present and reflect, and nothing more. No fancy theorizing, no overarching message. This post is only meant to be a glimpse at personal identity – that...
“TrashOut”: RuNet's Interactive Map of Illegal Dumps
A new 'illegal dumps' interactive map has been launched in Russia for iOS and Android devices. The first of its kind in Russia, it allows users to mark unauthorized landfill sites.
What if Watertown was Droned?
At 7:15pm, the low buzz of a drone was heard overheard. Seconds later, an enormous explosion engulfed the area, destroying the boat and several nearby homes. Sources say 46 Watertown residents were killed in the missile strike, including 12 children. …… Of course, that's not what happened. But if it...
Trinidad & Tobago: Caribbean Digital Expo, V2.0
This was an event for people in the private and public sector tasked with making sense of fast moving changes in the digital realm. BitDepth reports on the second Caribbean Digital Expo conference.
Before Trial, Navalny Nominated as Russia's “Political Enlightener”
As Alexey Navalny is gearing up for his embezzlement show-trial in Kirov, there is at least one silver lining: he made it on the short-list of the Russian award Politprosvet (literally "Political Enlightenment").
Malaysian Students Can Learn Math Online
Edunation is a volunteer driven non-profit educational initiative whose mission is to provide a complete educational online resource for every Malaysian primary and secondary school student. It has already created and uploaded learning videos on math, science, economics, language and other subjects in the Malaysian school curriculum.
Fancy Cars and Booze Fuel Russian Online Petitions
A Russian government online petition platform went live on April 2. RuNet Echo takes a look at how it works in practice.
Peru: Smile for Your ID Picture
In Peru, Twitter users turned to the hashtag #DNIfeliz [happy ID card] to encourage citizens to smile for their ID document photo, commonly known as DNI. Traditionally, citizens have a serious or even stern expression on their ID picture.
Rare, Live Glimpse into Pakistan's Progressive Fashion Industry
Unknown to most of the world, fashion plays a huge role in Pakistani life. Fashion Pakistan Week is being live-steamed on April 9-10 from Karachi and will offer a rare glimpse into a blossoming and professional industry that illustrates cultural norms in Pakistan aren't as rigid or conservative as most believe.
Peru: Motorcycle Taxis Light Up Runway to Transport Sick Patients
Some 300 motorcycle taxi drivers from the city of Contamana lit up the local aerodrome's runway, making it possible for a light aircraft flying three patients to take off. This token of solidarity has prompted positive reactions among Peruvian netizens.
Opening the Black Box of Governance: Alleviating Poverty With Data
Opening the data produced by public administrations is part of an effective approach to poverty alleviation. Despite the huge potential for the public good, this data is rarely released and shared for public use.
‘Tribewanted’ Creates, Connects Eco-Villages
Renewable energy, permaculture and green building, along with local traditions and eco-tourism: welcome to Tribewanted – an online community launched in 2006 based on the idea of “global citizenship” and harnessing the energy of social media to meaningfully connect and practice positive behavior change. Thanks to crowdfunding strategies, the project plans...
The Islamic Caliphate of North Korea
A tweet [ko] directing people to this fake blog post received quite some attention on April Fools’ day. Looking like a legit news article, the post says that North Korea announced that it is now an Islamic state and it includes detailed claims such as: Kim Jong-un ‘asserted ‘every previous leader of North...
Filmmakers Crowdfund Documentary on Paraguay's ‘Recycled Orchestra’
In a slum outside Asunción, Paraguay, where a violin costs more than a house, musician Fabio Chavez is transforming children's lives by teaching them to play music with instruments made out of trash. A film about Fabio's "recycled orchestra" is raising funds through Kickstarter.
