Reality Television

Lately, reality television has become a hot topic of conversation in many circles. We are increasingly seeing reality television shows and documentaries that take the public into the lives of large families with young children: the Duggers, Jon and Kate Plus Eight, Little People Big World and now Nadya Suleman's family in southern Calfornia.

Read this article that was recently published in the New York Times.

Can you see both sides of this story? If you feel that this type of media attention is exploitive, what are some of the other options that you see parents such as Suleman having? What are some of the benefits that can come out of this type of programming either for the family being filmed or for viewers in general?

(Remember: the topics that we discuss here have the potential to be incendiary. Be respectful of your peers and remember that we are dialoguing as intelligent and respectful adults here.)

"Why Bother?"

Last week you read “Why Bother” by Michael Pollan. What is the “viral social change” that he is describing? How would it impact the lives of individuals? What is your response to what he is suggesting here?

* If you do not recall this reading you will want to refer to pages 507-511 in Beyond Words. Please note, viral social change is a term used in the piece … it is not referring to an actual virus.

Should rules be bent sometimes?

How would you feel if your best friend was taken away from you by the government in the city you lived in? Unfortunately a young autistic boy is facing this problem because his city council has removed his 80 – pound best friend Loopey, who just so happens to be a pig. Do you believe that the city should get rid of this rule completely? Or possibly should the city grant a special right for the young boy and allow him to keep the pig? Or do you believe that the city is completely right in what it’s doing?

ABC News

Support Group Discussion Board

People Pets

Truth and Reconciliation

This week let's talk about Truth and Reconciliation. This is a peacemaking policy that has been used in various nations torn by civil war around the globe. Take some time to look over the following links. As you read/watch the information that is linked here what do you think? You might want to also think about last week's discussion of Compassionate Release. Do you seen any connections? Differences? Do you feel differently about this than you did about Compassionate Release? Why or why not?

For the sake of discussion, be sure to mention where you are getting the information that supports your opinion. This will enable everyone else in the conversation to more easily respond to you.

Wikipedia: Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)

- The Official Truth and Reconciliation website

- Record of Amnesty results and hearings

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leon

BBC: Truth Commission report: At a glance

compassionate Release

The Lede (A NY Times Blog)

Pan Am Flight 103

NY Times Story: 8.24

Listen to this story on NPR.

So, here is a story that has taken several interesting turns since 1988... What do you think? In particular, what do you think about the idea of a compassionate release? Do you think that compassionate release is ok sometimes and not at other times? What kinds of criteria do you think might need in place for this type of thing? What do you think would happen if we instituted this policy in the American prison system? [Remember these are questions to get you started on this topic. They do not need, however, to restrain or limit your discussion.]

Hmmm ... let's get started.

Scenario: you are on a blind date, the date is going terribly, and this "mystery date" asks, "What is your favorite infomercial?"

You say . . .