Perspectives

"Whale Wars"— it's an inconsequential Animal Planet show chronicling a miniature war that rages on the bottom half of the world's seas. For years the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has sent ships deep into the Southern Hemisphere to combat the alleged whaling that is conducted by the Japanese non-profit Institute of Cetacean Research. The frequent confrontations … [Read more...] about Violence brews on the open seas

Throughout time the idea of justice has been reshaped and redefined as the quest to know more has washed away our ignorance. A hundred years ago the idea of children being trafficked in our own country was far from the headlines; 50 years ago no one cared if his or her car refrigerator and pencil sharpener were "going green"; 10 years ago no one imagined 100000 people would … [Read more...] about Sweatshop T-shirts raise controversy

Being human in 2010 remains quite a challenge. No we're not worried about saber-tooth cats or the Spanish Inquisition. But we do suffer from something much more deep-rooted and fundamental— an excess of rationality. Most derive their rationality from their community of family and friendships. These tribes create the model for our rationality—the model for what is … [Read more...] about Step out and embrace the absurd

The Perspectives section has the potential to raise quite a stir. The T-shirts used as a Haiti relief fundraiser were made in Haiti. Sweatshops? Incredibly likely. Ironic? Absolutely.Certainly this fact raises many questions regarding the shirts' potential to benefit the Haitian people but the Graphic staff would like to set those issues aside for the moment and look at the … [Read more...] about Staff Editorial: Effective philanthropy calls for awareness

Love— it's a word that gets thrown around a lot in our society. We are fond of proclaiming our love for anything and everything; from our favorite sports team to a greasy fast food entree a dead musician to that cute pair of boots sitting in the closet. Though I very much doubt any of us possess a deep and heartfelt commitment to any of these trivial things we say it all … [Read more...] about Make love mean what it's worth