Starting Monday, you can enroll in a free massively open online course from Coursera on inequality: "Most countries are getting more and more unequal. But the core of democracy is political equality: that everyone should have an equal say in how their country is run. Can we really expect these things to go together? Can people have equal political power while economic inequality grows and grows? This course takes students through the issues. It covers the reality of economic inequality, and how corporations and wealthy individuals are able to convert economic into political power. Students learn about lobbying and campaign finance, tax avoidance and capital flight. The course discusses the value of democracy, and the possibility of alternatives to our current economic system. This is an interdisciplinary course combining politics, philosophy, economics, history and law. The course is for anyone looking for an accessible introduction to these topics: concerned citizens, or those in fields such as politics, media, education, government or law. Although the topics are unusual, the difficulty level is similar to the first-year of an undergraduate degree. No prior knowledge is assumed." (Image: mSeattle, CC BY) (via Crooked Timber)
Free Coursera MOOC on inequality
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At a group of allegedly mishbehaving fifth graders at a middle school in Brookland, Arkansas were punished by having to sit on black asphalt for a half hour in 95 degree heat. According to the school, the students were being unruly in the cafeteria. A mother learned of the punishment after her son seemed exhausted… READ THE REST
College to close after severe ransomware attack
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What's actually inside the math books that Florida banned?
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Nothing says summer like this Raclette tabletop grill
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This minimalist light packs a maximalist punch
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This affordable and stylish tabletop fire pit leaves zero mess
Whether it's winter or summer, there is something so inviting about a fire. It's a great way to create intimate lighting, adds to the coziness of an atmosphere, and enhances the aesthetics of any situation. We haven't even gotten to the s'mores benefits of fires yet! But the reality is that fires can be frustrating… READ THE REST
