Discussion

Two new forums of discussion that I discovered this weekend. These two sources bring people involved in the issues together to present ideas and possible solutions. Both sites have an intent to inform and challenge the audience to think about some fundamental themes and ideas around us. The presentations are passionate, accessible, and seem to cut past some of the rhetoric within traditional media. Worth checking out.


TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
Munk Debates

Here's a taste from TED:

What the World Eats

This is a photo essay from TIME magazine that my Pharmacology prof showed to us. It's pretty cool to check out (these are before the ongoing global food shortage crisis):

Part I
Part II
Part III

Dr. James Orbinski

I recently finished reading "An Imperfect Offering" by Dr. James Orbinski, a Canadian emergency physician and a past president of Médecins Sans Frontières. The title was obviously the inspiration for this blog's name. Orbinski outlines the often ambigous nature of humantiarian work in today's global setting. Orbinski draws from his experiences in the world's hot spots in the past (including Rwanda, Somalia, Zaire, Balkans, and Sudan) with his vision for humanitarinism. One of the remarkable things about this book is the personal level of engagement that Orbinski presents. While describing his work in the world's troubled areas, he relates how the trauma affects his decisions and life. Attention to the personal also plays out in Orbinski's call for change in humanitarianism. He draws attention to the individual level and focuses on uncompromised care for people rather than catering to the whims of larger forces. His vision balances principles and practicality while avoiding being ideological and ineffective. A good read...check it out, or look Orbinski up!

Contemplation

Today, I start this blog on a recommendation made by a good friend. Over the past couple of years, I have been enrolled in the Undergraduate Science program at U of A. Although I entered the program with high hopes and amidst dreams of learning a new way of thought, my experience thus far has been anything but so far. Since starting the program, I have been conflicted internally if I made the right choice entering into this field. Before I go too far, I want to say I love the sciences - I am not simply in the program because I could find no other better program. I believe that Science is a dynamic force that can effect change on the world continually and should force you to question your mode of thinking perpetually. To the contrary, I have been barraged with courses where the focus has been on rote memorization rather than learning conceptually. I realize the necessary development of fundamentals that students have to understand before fully being inundated into the role of a scientist. However, as students there should be a key focus on fostering the mindset and soft skills which are in the job description of a scientist. I am left jaded at my faculty for mindlessly molding classes of students into a mindset where the focus of learning is so narrow.