Category: Mind Space

Taxes Don’t Need to be Taxing

Taxes stink, right?

Not according to a new Finnish organization: the Happy Taxpayers’ Association. The purpose of the organization is to help taxpayers to focus on all the good that their dollars are doing, rather than the obvious negatives. This doesn’t mean that they’re blithe about it; in an interview on CBC Radio, the founder stated that the group strives to be “happy and critical, rather than happy and stupid.”

Remember, taxes pay for things like roads, health care, public art, and my salary. Do you like these things? I think you do.

Violent Video Games

According to a study done by the British government violent video games do not trigger violent children. A broader look at video games actually means the kids can benefit from playing them.

“The games can improve children’s decision-making and instil ‘positive learning traits’, some research suggests. At least one study argues that make-believe violence helps children ‘conquer fears and develop a sense of identity’, as gruesome fairytales once did.”

The debate between video games = violent children and video games = smart children seems to be reaching an end with increasing reports of increased intelligence thanks to the games.

Arab League to Improve Science Literacy

SciDevNet has an article on how ALECSO will go about increasing science literacy. The strategy will encompass television shows, websites, and outreach to schools – and all to ensure people get a better understanding of science.

“The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) has approved its first strategy for promoting science literacy as a tool for development in the 22 Arab states.

The strategy, which took four years to prepare, was approved during the annual meeting of ALECSO’s executive council, which took place in Tunis, Tunisia on 6 – 10 May.”

Government Learns from the People

Sites like Freecycle have been around for awhile now, and that of course is good. What’s better is that now a governmental body in Ontario, Canada has started their own version: York Region’s Reuseful!

From the site:

“This area provides:
opportunities for residents to give away gently used items;
a spot for people and organizations seeking free items to make their requests;
community recycling and hazardous waste information throughout York Region communities.”

The site is still in development.

Spontaneous Rebellion Against Starbucks

A Canadian blogger was taking some pictures of a Starbucks and an employee ran out and told her that she can’t take pictures of Starbucks! An argument ensued.

A large group of tourists overheard this exchange and decided to rebel against Starbucks by taking a whole lot of photos!

Kate writes:

“However, the large tour group standing outside had heard all this and started collectively grumbling “you can’t take a picture of a starbucks? it’s public property!” and they all whipped out their cameras and started snapping shots, while the manager looked at us from inside the store, quite clearly in a huff.”

A fun story!