Weekly Recap Dec 11-Dec 17
Dec 11: White House warns Congress to continue support for Ukraine; European Parliament passes landmark laws to regulate AI; US vetoes UNSC resolution draft calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Year: 2023
Technological Advancements Due to World War II
Although World War II was the deadliest military conflict ever recorded in human history, it had a transformative influence on technology. Existing pieces of technology were made better or new technology was discovered in an effort to aid the war effort. However, did these technological advancements transcend the confines of wartime necessity? How far did they influence our daily lives and shape the path of human progress? The aftermath of this technological crucible reveals a complicated narrative of post-war transformation where the seeds sown during the war germinated into the roots of the new technological era.
Weekly Recap: Dec 4 to Dec 11
Dec 11: White House warns Congress to continue support for Ukraine; European Parliament passes landmark laws to regulate AI; US vetoes UNSC resolution draft calling for immediate ceasefire to Hamas-Israel War
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BEAUTY STANDARDS
Influencers and celebrities play a significant role in shaping our ideas of beauty, with K-pop idols, lifestyle and beauty brands associating with these figures to appeal to consumers. Beauty filters and edited images on social media have become potent tools for shaping contemporary beauty standards, with trending filters coaxing users to follow the trend portraying an unrealistic social reality, leading to a low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction, costing society about $800 billion annually. To keep up with the latest trends, cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular among the younger generations, with many turning to these procedures to align with perceived beauty standards. Is our pursuit of ideals simply a result of the social reality we exist in?
THE EVOLUTION OF CORPORATE MARKETING: FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE
Corporate marketing has evolved greatly through the times. Its transformation has been marked by its ability to cater to the needs and wants of each new generation, especially in the case of Generation Z, with our limited attention spans and desire for work-life balance.
Weekly Recap: Nov 27 to Dec 3
More than 700 gazans killed in 24-hours as Israeli-hamas truce expires, ‘Mistaken’ drone strike kills 85 civilians in Nigeria, Dutch far-right party wins elections.
WEEKLY RECAP: NOV 13 TO NOV 19
Nov 20: Brazil faces record high temperatures, Xi and Biden discuss Taiwan on the sidelines of APEC, Death toll in Palestine rises above 13,000
You Can Say ‘Genocide’: The Narratives Surrounding the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Since October 7, the death toll in Palestine, concentrated in the besieged Gaza Strip, has risen above 11,500, with more than half being that of children, and thousands feared trapped under the rubble.
But, where is the international assistance?
Israel’s narrative, backed up by sympathising Western media, lends Israel a position to indiscriminately target civilians in the name of its “right to defend itself”.
What is this powerful narrative that concentrates power in the hands of the Israeli government, and creates their immunity on the global stage?
WEEKLY RECAP: NOV 5 TO NOV 12
Nov 6: Death toll in Palestine passes 10,000, Latin American nations reassess ties with Israel, Germany apologises to Tanzania for colonial-era violence
The Politics of Media
What does Attack on Titan have to do with politics, or what would BTS have to do with the United Nations? What role does commercialised media play in influencing thought? What could Barbie have to do with the coronavirus? Media politics explores these questions and how the media has always had a role in disseminating widespread psychological phenomena and schools of thought.
