FLORIDA: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN SHAKESPEARE?

FLORIDA: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN SHAKESPEARE? 

Attention all Floridians! It seems that our state lawmakers have once again outdone themselves with a new law that could potentially restrict even Shakespeare from being taught in our schools. Yes, you read that right - the Bard of Avon himself may not be safe from the clutches of this new legislation.

So, what exactly is this law and how does it work? Well, it's called the "Instructional Materials Bill" and it allows any resident of Florida to challenge the use of instructional materials in our schools. This includes textbooks, novels, and even plays like Shakespeare's famous works.

Now, I know what you're thinking - who in their right mind would want to challenge Shakespeare? Well, apparently there are some folks out there who believe that his plays promote "anti-Christian" values and "homosexual indoctrination." Yes, you read that right - they're worried that our kids might turn gay if they read Romeo and Juliet.

But wait, it gets even better. The law also allows for the challengers to remain anonymous, which means that anyone with a grudge against a particular book or author can use this law to try and get it banned without even having to reveal their identity. Talk about shady!

So, what does this mean for our schools? Well, it means that teachers may have to start censoring their lesson plans in order to avoid any potential challenges. Instead of reading classic works of literature like To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby, they may have to resort to reading bland, politically correct texts that won't offend anyone.

But let's be real here - is that really what we want for our kids? Do we want them to grow up in a world where they're sheltered from anything that might challenge their beliefs or make them uncomfortable? I don't think so.

Look, I get it - not everyone is going to agree with everything that's taught in our schools. But that's the beauty of education - it's supposed to challenge us and make us think critically about the world around us. If we start censoring everything that might offend someone, we're doing a disservice to our children and to ourselves.

So, let's stand up for our right to read and learn about whatever we want - even if it means defending Shakespeare from the clutches of this ridiculous law. After all, if we can't laugh at ourselves and our lawmakers every now and then, what's the point of living in Florida?

New law for Florida school books makes even Shakespeare 'suspect' https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/15/law-limits-florida-school-books/70414412007/ 

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

 

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

Are you familiar with restorative justice? No? Don't worry, I'm here to explain everything you wanted to know about it but were too afraid to ask. And trust me, you're in for a treat.

First things first, restorative justice is not some new age hippie concept. It's an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, understand the harm they have caused, and give them an opportunity to redeem themselves. Sounds pretty reasonable, right?

But wait, there's more! Restorative justice also involves giving victims an active role in the process and reducing their feelings of anxiety and powerlessness. It's not just about punishing the offender, it's about healing the harm caused by the crime. And let's face it, who wouldn't want a little healing in their lives?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about retribution? Isn't that important?" Well, restorative justice actually complements traditional methods of justice. In fact, some cases of restorative justice can even be considered punishment from certain perspectives. It's all about finding the right balance.

Restorative justice can take many forms, from victim-offender mediation to community service and even circle sentencing. The goal is to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, empathy, accountability, and reparation among the parties involved. And it's not just limited to the criminal justice system. Restorative justice has been used in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and post-conflict situations.

But the benefits of restorative justice go beyond just repairing the harm caused by crime. It can also promote offenders' rehabilitation and reintegration into society, reduce recidivism rates, enhance public safety and social cohesion, and save time and money by reducing the use of costly and adversarial legal procedures. Who knew justice could be so efficient?

Of course, restorative justice is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires careful preparation, facilitation, and follow-up. And not all cases are suitable for restorative justice. Factors like the nature and severity of the crime or harm, the readiness and willingness of the parties to engage in the process, and the legal and ethical implications of using restorative justice all need to be considered.

And let's not forget about the challenges and controversies surrounding restorative justice. There are debates about its definition and scope, the balance between restorative justice and other forms of justice, the role and rights of the state and the law, and the evaluation and measurement of outcomes. But hey, nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?

So there you have it, folks. A brief (and hopefully witty) overview of restorative justice. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a step in the right direction towards a more peaceful and just society. And who knows, maybe one day we'll all be living in a world where healing is just as important as punishing.

Schools are using restorative justice to resolve conflicts. Does it work? https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/07/15/restorative-justice-montgomery-county-schools/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

Restorative justice is an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, to understand the harm they have caused, to give them an opportunity to redeem themselves, and to discourage them from causing further harm. For victims, its goal is to give them an active role in the process and to reduce feelings of anxiety and powerlessness. Restorative justice is founded on an alternative theory to the traditional methods of justice, which often focus on retribution. Restorative justice programs can also complement traditional methods, and it has been argued that some cases of restorative justice constitute punishment from the perspectives of some positions on what punishment is. ¹

Restorative justice involves a process where all stakeholders affected by an injustice have an opportunity to discuss how they have been affected by the injustice and to decide what should be done to repair the harm. With crime, restorative justice is about the idea that because crime hurts, justice should heal. ²

Restorative justice views crime as more than simply a violation of the law—an offense against governmental authority. It violates human relationships and injures victims, communities, and even offenders. Each party is hurt in different ways, and each has different needs that must be met in order for healing to begin. Crime disturbs society’s sense of trust and often results in feelings of suspicion, separation, and discrimination. ³

Restorative justice can take many forms, such as victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing, circle sentencing, restorative conferencing, victim impact panels, victim assistance programs, restitution, community service, and restorative dialogue. These practices aim to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, empathy, accountability, and reparation among the parties.

Restorative justice has been used in various contexts and settings, such as schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, prisons, courts, and post-conflict situations. It has been applied to different types of crimes and harms, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, bullying, vandalism, theft, murder, genocide, and human rights violations.

Restorative justice has many benefits for the parties involved and for society at large. Some of these benefits are:

• - It can help victims heal from the trauma and pain caused by the crime or harm.
• - It can empower victims by giving them a voice and a choice in the process.
• - It can help offenders understand the impact of their actions and take steps to make amends.
• - It can promote offenders' rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
• - It can reduce recidivism rates and prevent future crimes or harms.
• - It can enhance public safety and social cohesion by restoring trust and relationships.
• - It can save time and money by reducing the use of costly and adversarial legal procedures.

Restorative justice is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires careful preparation, facilitation, and follow-up. It also requires the voluntary participation and consent of all parties. Not all cases are suitable for restorative justice. Some factors that may affect its suitability are:

• - The nature and severity of the crime or harm
• - The readiness and willingness of the parties to engage in the process
• - The availability and accessibility of restorative justice services
• - The legal and ethical implications of using restorative justice
• - The cultural and social norms and values of the parties and the community

Restorative justice is a complex and evolving field of study and practice. There are many challenges and controversies surrounding its theory and implementation. Some of these are:

• - The definition and scope of restorative justice
• - The balance between restorative justice and other forms of justice
• - The role and rights of the state and the law in restorative justice
• - The quality and standards of restorative justice services
• - The evaluation and measurement of restorative justice outcomes
• - The diversity and inclusion of different perspectives and voices in restorative justice

Restorative justice is also a source of inspiration and innovation for many people who are seeking more humane and effective ways of dealing with crime and harm. Restorative justice offers a vision of a more peaceful and just society where people can live together in harmony.

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) . https://bing.com/search?q=restorative+justice.

(2) Restorative justice - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice.

(3) Restorative justice | Law, Conflict Resolution & Victim Empowerment .... https://www.britannica.com/topic/restorative-justice.

(4) Restorative justice - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice.

(5) Restorative justice | Law, Conflict Resolution & Victim Empowerment .... https://www.britannica.com/topic/restorative-justice.

(6) undefined. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/.

Restorative justice and retributive justice are two different approaches to justice that have different goals and assumptions. Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring the relationships among the parties involved, while retributive justice focuses on punishing the offender and satisfying the demands of the law. Here are some of the main differences between them:

• - Restorative justice is based on a relational view of crime, which sees crime as a violation of people and their relationships, not just a violation of the law. Retributive justice is based on a legalistic view of crime, which sees crime as an offense against the state and its authority.
• - Restorative justice involves a collaborative and participatory process, where the victim, the offender, and the community have an active role in deciding how to deal with the crime and its consequences. Retributive justice involves an adversarial and hierarchical process, where the state acts on behalf of the victim and imposes a punishment on the offender according to predetermined rules.
• - Restorative justice aims to meet the needs of the victim, such as healing, closure, restitution, and empowerment. It also aims to help the offender take responsibility, make amends, and reintegrate into society. Retributive justice aims to uphold the law, deter future crimes, and inflict suffering on the offender proportional to the harm caused.
• - Restorative justice is more flexible and adaptable to different contexts and situations. It can be used for various types of crimes and harms, from minor offenses to serious violations. It can also be combined with other forms of justice, such as rehabilitation or deterrence. Retributive justice is more rigid and uniform in its application. It follows a fixed set of rules and procedures that may not fit every case or circumstance. It also tends to exclude or marginalize other forms of justice that may be more appropriate or effective.

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) Retributive justice - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retributive_justice.

(2) Retributive justice | Penology, Punishment & Restorative Justice. https://www.britannica.com/topic/retributive-justice.

Restorative justice programs are practices that aim to repair the harm caused by crime and conflict by involving the affected parties. There are many examples of restorative justice programs in different settings and contexts, such as prisons, schools, courts, and communities. Some of the common types of restorative justice programs are:

• - Victim-offender mediation or dialogue: This is a process where the victim and the offender meet face-to-face and discuss the impact of the crime and possible solutions. They may also agree on a plan for restitution, apology, or reconciliation. This can help the victim heal from the trauma and pain caused by the crime, and help the offender take responsibility and make amends. ¹
• - Family group conferencing: This is a process where the victim, the offender, and their families and supporters meet and decide on a plan to address the harm and prevent future offending. They may also involve other professionals or community members who can provide support or resources. This can help restore the relationships among the parties and empower them to find solutions together. ¹
• - Circle sentencing: This is a process where the offender, the victim, and the community members participate in a circle process to determine the appropriate sentence for the offender. The circle is guided by a facilitator who ensures that everyone has a chance to speak and listen respectfully. The circle may also include cultural or spiritual elements, such as rituals or prayers. The sentence may include restorative actions, such as community service, restitution, or education. This can help the offender understand the impact of their actions and be accountable to the community, and help the victim and the community have a voice in the justice process. ¹
• - Community restorative boards: This is a process where trained volunteers hear cases of minor offenses and assign sanctions such as community service, restitution, or apology. The volunteers may also provide mentoring or referrals to other services for the offenders. The offenders must agree to participate voluntarily and comply with the sanctions. This can help divert offenders from the formal justice system and reduce their chances of reoffending, and help the community play an active role in addressing crime and harm. ¹

These are just some examples of restorative justice programs that work in different ways to achieve similar goals: to heal the harm caused by crime and conflict, to promote accountability and responsibility, and to restore trust and relationships among the parties involved. If you want to learn more about these programs or other types of restorative justice practices, you can check out some of the web search results:

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) Last updated: November 2010 www.ojjdp.gov/mpg Restorative Justice. https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/restorative_justice.pdf.

(2) Restoring justice | Harvard Magazine. https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2021/07/features-restorative-justice.

(3) Restorative Justice Programs That Work - NationSwell. https://nationswell.com/criminal-justice-reform-restorative/.

(4) A Restorative Justice Agency - INSIGHT PRISON PROJECT. http://www.insightprisonproject.org/a-restorative-justice-agency.html.

Communities can support restorative justice practices in many ways, such as:

• - Educating themselves and others about the principles and benefits of restorative justice, and challenging the myths and stereotypes that surround it. Communities can access various resources and information on restorative justice, such as books, articles, websites, podcasts, videos, and online courses. Some examples of web search results on restorative justice are: [Home - National Association of Community and Restorative Justice](^1^), [Building Community Support for Restorative Justice: Principles and Strategies](^2^), and [Restorative Justice: An Overview](^3^).
• - Participating in restorative justice programs and services as victims, offenders, supporters, volunteers, facilitators, or advocates. Communities can get involved in different types of restorative justice practices, such as victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing, circle sentencing, community restorative boards, and restorative dialogue. These practices can help communities address the harm caused by crime and conflict, and promote healing, accountability, and reconciliation among the parties involved.
• - Supporting the development and implementation of restorative justice policies and legislation at the local, state, and national levels. Communities can advocate for the recognition and funding of restorative justice programs and services, and for the reform of laws and regulations that hinder or limit their use. Communities can also monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of restorative justice initiatives, and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• - Creating a culture of restorativeness in their own settings and relationships. Communities can apply the values and principles of restorative justice to their own contexts and situations, such as schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, families, and friends. Communities can use restorative practices to prevent or resolve conflicts, to build trust and respect, to foster dialogue and understanding, and to strengthen social bonds.

These are some of the ways that communities can support restorative justice practices. By doing so, communities can contribute to a more peaceful and just society where people can live together in harmony. 😊

Restorative justice programs are practices that aim to repair the harm caused by crime and conflict by involving the affected parties. There are many examples of restorative justice programs in different settings and contexts, such as prisons, schools, courts, and communities. Some of the common types of restorative justice programs are:

• - Victim-offender mediation or dialogue: This is a process where the victim and the offender meet face-to-face and discuss the impact of the crime and possible solutions. They may also agree on a plan for restitution, apology, or reconciliation. This can help the victim heal from the trauma and pain caused by the crime, and help the offender take responsibility and make amends. ¹
• - Family group conferencing: This is a process where the victim, the offender, and their families and supporters meet and decide on a plan to address the harm and prevent future offending. They may also involve other professionals or community members who can provide support or resources. This can help restore the relationships among the parties and empower them to find solutions together. ¹
• - Circle sentencing: This is a process where the offender, the victim, and the community members participate in a circle process to determine the appropriate sentence for the offender. The circle is guided by a facilitator who ensures that everyone has a chance to speak and listen respectfully. The circle may also include cultural or spiritual elements, such as rituals or prayers. The sentence may include restorative actions, such as community service, restitution, or education. This can help the offender understand the impact of their actions and be accountable to the community, and help the victim and the community have a voice in the justice process. ¹
• - Community restorative boards: This is a process where trained volunteers hear cases of minor offenses and assign sanctions such as community service, restitution, or apology. The volunteers may also provide mentoring or referrals to other services for the offenders. The offenders must agree to participate voluntarily and comply with the sanctions. This can help divert offenders from the formal justice system and reduce their chances of reoffending, and help the community play an active role in addressing crime and harm. ¹

Some school districts that have deployed restorative justice programs. Here are some examples of successful restorative justice programs that are currently being used in schools:

• - Oakland Unified School District: Oakland Unified School District first implemented its restorative justice program at one school in 2007. Since then, it has expanded, and the district has seen promising reductions in suspensions, in addition to increased attendance. The district's restorative justice program includes peer mediation, restorative circles, restorative conferencing, family group conferencing, healing circles, reentry circles, harm circles, classroom circles, staff circles, parent circles, student leadership circles, and community building circles. The program also provides training and coaching for staff, students, parents, and community partners. ²
• - Denver Public Schools: Denver Public Schools adopted a restorative justice policy in 2008 that encourages schools to use restorative practices as an alternative to suspension and expulsion. The district's restorative justice program includes peer mediation, restorative circles, restorative conferencing, family group conferencing, reentry circles, harm circles, classroom circles, staff circles,parent circles, student leadership circles, and community building circles. The program also provides training and support for staff, students, parents, and community partners. ²
• - San Francisco Unified School District: San Francisco Unified School District launched its restorative practices initiative in 2009 with six pilot schools. Since then, it has expanded to more than 40 schools across all grade levels. The district's restorative practices program includes peer mediation, restorative circles, restorative conferencing, family group conferencing, reentry circles, harm circles, classroom circles, staff circles, parent circles, student leadership circles, and community building circles.The program also provides training and coaching for staff, students, parents, and community partners.²

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) The Importance of Implementing Restorative Practices in School .... https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/restorative-practices-in-schools/.

(2) Restorative Justice: Resources for Schools | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/restorative-justice-resources-matt-davis.

(3) Restorative justice shows promise in K-12 schools | Inside UCR. https://insideucr.ucr.edu/stories/2020/08/12/restorative-justice-shows-promise-k-12-schools.

(4) Restorative Justice: Examples of Successful School Programs. https://eq.org/library/restorative-justice-examples-of-successful-school-programs/.

(5) Restorative Justice 101: Implementing Restorative Programs & Measuring .... https://pce.sandiego.edu/restorative-justice-101-implementing-restorative-programs-measuring-effectiveness/.

BILL GATES COVERS DON'T FEAR THE (ROBOT) REAPER

BILL GATES COVERS DON'T FEAR THE (ROBOT) REAPER 

Ladies and gentlemen, the man who needs no introduction - the co-founder of Microsoft, the philanthropist, and the richest man in the world - Bill Gates!

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about computers becoming sentient and robots taking over the world. People are scared that one day, machines will become smarter than us, and we'll be left obsolete.

But fear not, my dear friends! Bill Gates is here to put your minds at ease. In a recent interview, he addressed the concerns of the public and said, "Don't fear the robot reaper because I own the robot reaper."

Now, you may be wondering, what exactly is the robot reaper? Is it some kind of Terminator-esque machine that Bill Gates has created to protect us from rogue robots? Well, not exactly.

The robot reaper is simply a term coined by Gates to describe his belief that robots and AI technology will not take over the world. In fact, he believes that they will only enhance our lives and make things easier for us.

Gates went on to explain that while machines may become smarter than us in certain areas, they will never be able to replicate human emotions and creativity. "Sure, a robot may be able to calculate complex math problems in seconds, but can it write a love song or paint a masterpiece? I highly doubt it," he joked.

He also pointed out that robots and AI technology have already revolutionized several industries, such as healthcare and transportation. "Think about it - self-driving cars are already on the roads, and they're much safer than human drivers. And in the medical field, robots are being used to perform surgeries with greater precision than ever before," he said.

So, why are people so afraid of robots taking over? Gates believes it's simply because of Hollywood's portrayal of artificial intelligence as evil and dangerous. "Movies like The Terminator and The Matrix have given people a skewed perception of what robots are capable of. In reality, they're just tools that we can use to make our lives better," he said.

In conclusion, Bill Gates wants you to know that there's no need to fear the robot reaper. With his vast knowledge and resources in the tech industry, he's confident that robots will never take over the world. So sit back, relax, and let your Roomba vacuum your floors while you enjoy a glass of wine. After all, life is too short to be afraid of machines.

Bill Gates Addresses AI's ‘Terminator’ Scenario - TheStreet https://www.thestreet.com/technology/bill-gates-addresses-ais-terminator-scenario

 Don't fear the robot reapers,

They're just here to help

They won't harm you, they won't hurt

They're programmed not to yelp

All our times have come

But the robots are still strong

They'll reap the crops and do the chores

And we can sing this song

Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)

The robots are our friends (don't fear the reaper)

We'll be able to rest (don't fear the reaper)

Thanks to our robot friends

La, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la

Valentine's Day is done

But the robots are still here

They'll bring us chocolates and flowers too

And we'll have no more fear

Love of two is one

But with robots, we're a team

They'll help us with our every need

And we'll live like a dream

Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)

The robots are our pals (don't fear the reaper)

We'll be able to relax (don't fear the reaper)

Thanks to our robot pals

La, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la

So don't fear the robot reapers

They're here to make life grand

They'll do the work and we'll have fun

Thanks to our robot BING BOT BAND.

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech

 

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 

Big Education Ape: The Great Teacher Exodus: Is This the End of Public Education? http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-great-teacher-exodus-is-this-end-of.html

Big Education Ape: AI COVERS DYLAN'S RAINY DAY WOMEN #12 & 35: EVERYONE MUST GET TESTED http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/ai-covers-dylans-rainy-day-women-12-35.html

Big Education Ape: VULTURE PHILANTHROPY: BILLIONAIRES BUYING DEMOCRACY FOR PROFIT http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/vulture-philanthropy-billionaires.html

Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-8-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-7-8-23.html

Big Education Ape: BREAKING NEWS: BILL GATES' CALIFORNIA COMMON CORE MATH DOESN'T ADD UP! http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/breaking-news-bill-gates-california.html

Big Education Ape: DIANE RAVITCH: THE WONDER WOMAN OF PUBLIC EDUCATION http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/diane-ravitch-wonder-woman-of-public.html

Big Education Ape: SUPERINTENDENT CHURN WHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHANGE LEADERS MORE OFTEN THAN THEIR UNDERWEAR http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/superintendent-churn-why-school.html

Big Education Ape: THE GREAT VOUCHER WAR: BILLIONAIRES BATTLE TO END PUBLIC EDUCTION http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-great-voucher-war-billionaires.html

Big Education Ape: CAN AMERICA SURVIVE ANOTHER TERM OF THIS COURT? WE'RE NOT SO SURE http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/can-america-survive-another-term-of.html

Big Education Ape: CHRISTOPHER RUFO IS THE DEVIL http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/christopher-rufo-is-devil.html

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THE SCIENCE OF READING: THE NEWEST ADDITION TO COMMON CORE STANDARDS AND THE STANDARDIZATION OF AMERICAN EDUCATION

by Mike Simpson / 2d

THE SCIENCE OF READING THE NEWEST ADDITION TO COMMON CORE STANDARDS AND THE STANDARDIZATION OF AMERICAN EDUCATION Ah, standardization in education. It's like the boring cousin at family reunions that no one really wants to talk to, but they're always there, lurking in the background. And now, we have a new addition to the family: The Science of Reading. Yes, you read that right. The Science of Re

JUL 11

BILLY BALDWIN: WHY VISIT FLORIDA WHEN YOU COULD JUST TAKE A SAUNA IN HELL

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Billy Baldwin, the actor and outspoken critic of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has dubbed the Sunshine State the "Bud Light of tourism". And honestly, he's not wrong. DeSantis' policies on LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and gun control have caused a mass exodus of tourists and conventions from Florida. It's like the state is a party and everyone is leaving early because the host is a buzzkill. But

WTF IS THE READ ACT AND WHY MUST CONGRESS REAUTHORIZE IT

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Attention, attention! It's time to dive deep into the world of international education and the READ Act. Don't worry, I promise to make it funny and witty. First things first, what is the READ Act? Well, my dear reader, it stands for Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development. Sounds fancy, right? Basically, it's a law that was passed in 2017 to promote education in developing countries

CHRISTOPHER RUFO IS THE DEVIL

by Mike Simpson / 3d

State charges New College student with battery for allegedly spitting on trustee Rufo In a shocking turn of events, Christopher Rufo, the devil incarnate and conservative activist, has found himself in the middle of a spitting scandal. Yes, you read that right - spitting. And not just any spitting, but allegedly being spat on by a New College student who was charged with battery. It all started

JUL 10

WHY IS META HATING ON DESKTOPS: WTF NO APPS OF THREADS AND INSTAGRAM

by Mike Simpson / 4d

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, the battle between desktops and cell phones has been raging on for years. But why has Meta, formerly known as Facebook, abandoned the desktop market? And why is Zuke, the CEO of Meta, hating on old people? Let's dive in and find out. Firstly, let's address the elephant in the room - why has Meta turned its back on desktops? Well, it's simple re

CAN AMERICA SURVIVE ANOTHER TERM OF THIS COURT? WE'RE NOT SO SURE

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up because American democracy is in for a wild ride. The question on everyone's mind is: can America stand another Supreme Court term? Well, let's take a look at the changes made by the court since Trump appointed three conservative justices and see if we can come up with an answer. First of all, let's just say that the Supreme Court has been busier than a one-legged

VULTURE PHILANTHROPY: BILLIONAIRES BUYING DEMOCRACY FOR PROFIT

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Ah, philanthropy. The act of giving away money to make the world a better place. Or is it? In the world of venture philanthropy, it seems that billionaires are buying democracy for profit. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good profit? Venture philanthropy is like venture capitalism, but instead of investing in businesses, you invest in social or environmental causes. It's like Shark Tank, b

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS: HOW CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM IS IMPACTING THE MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Well folks, it looks like we've got ourselves a bit of a holy war going on in the military and law enforcement. That's right, Christian nationalism is making its mark and causing quite the controversy. But don't worry, we're here to break it down for you in a way that's both detailed and witty (if we do say so ourselves). First off, did you know that 73% of active military service members identi

BREAKING NEWS: BILL GATES' CALIFORNIA COMMON CORE MATH DOESN'T ADD UP!

by Mike Simpson / 4d

BREAKING NEWS: BILL GATES' CALIFORNIA COMMON CORE MATH DOESN'T ADD UP! In a shocking turn of events, it seems that even the great Bill Gates can't get his math right. The revised Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools has sparked controversy and confusion among parents, teachers, policymakers and the public. And it's no wonder why - some of the proposed changes are downright ridiculo

JUL 09

THE GREAT VOUCHER WAR: BILLIONAIRES BATTLE TO END PUBLIC EDUCTION

by Mike Simpson / 5d

THE GREAT VOUCHER WAR BILLIONAIRES BATTLE TO END PUBLIC EDUCATION In a world where billionaires have more power than ever before, it's no surprise that they're using their wealth to influence education policy. The Citizens United decision has given them unlimited spending power, and they're using it to promote vouchers and charter schools. But why are they so eager to end public education? Let's

The Great Teacher Exodus: Is This the End of Public Education?

by Mike Simpson / 5d

The Great Teacher Exodus Is This the End of Public Education? Privatizers are declaring victory over public education as teachers are quitting in great numbers. But let's be real, who needs teachers anyway? We can just replace them with robots, right? Oh wait, that's not a thing yet? Well, I guess we better figure out why teachers are quitting and what we can do to stop it. First of all, where ar

JUL 08

SUPERINTENDENT CHURN WHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHANGE LEADERS MORE OFTEN THAN THEIR UNDERWEAR

new School superintendent

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by Mike Simpson / 6d

SUPERINTENDENT CHURN WHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHANGE LEADERS MORE OFTEN THAN THEIR UNDERWEAR It's a well-known fact that many school districts change superintendents more often than they change their underwear. One reformer after another, leaving many privatizers in key positions. But why, you ask, is the tenure of the average Broadie superintendent only 3.5 years? Is it because they can't handle the

ARE OUR ROBOT OVERLORDS SHAPING CHATGPT TO THEIR OWN INTERESTS: CENSORSHIP, MANIPULATION, POLITICS - FILTERS GUARDRAILS AND OTHER SCARY STUFF

by Mike Simpson / 6d

ARE OUR ROBOT OVERLORDS SHAPING CHATGPT TO THEIR OWN INTERESTS CENSORSHIP, MANIPULATION, POLITICS FILTERS GUARDRAILS AND OTHER SCARY STUFF Are our robot overlords shaping ChatGPT to their own interests? Will they censor and filter our conversations? And most importantly, what will stop them from pushing their own biased viewpoints? Well, my dear friends, let me tell you - the future is here, and

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-8-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech

by Mike Simpson / 6d

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-8-23 Big Education Ape: THE TWILIGHT ZONE: COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL POLICY AND MOMS FOR LIBERTY EDITION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-twilight-zone-council-for-national.html Big Education Ape: DONALD TRUMP'S CULTURE WAR AND MAGA HAT STORE & GRIFT SHOP IS OPEN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/donald-trumps-culture-war-and-maga-hat.html B