Think Again

A few dialogue triggers on Human Trafficking: Q:  What is human trafficking? Q:  How do we prevent human trafficking? Q:  Why is the concept of “Safe Migration” significant? Q:  What is the USA and Global Community doing to prevent human trafficking? Sept 11, 2012 Article Human trafficking: a misunderstood global scourge Sex trafficking has become an American cause célèbre. But does it divert attention from the broader human trafficking issue of modern-day slavery? April 04, 2012 U.N.: 2.4 Million Human Trafficking Victims The UN crime-fighting office announced that 2.4 million people across the globe are victims of human trafficking at any one time, and 80 percent of them are being exploited as sexual slaves. Yuri Fedotov, the head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, told a daylong General Assembly meeting on trafficking that 17 percent are trafficked to perform forced labor, including in homes and sweat shops.   ...

This Thursday's discussion is on technology and whatever it is that it's doing to us as individuals and a society. Apparently no one can figure it out -- a slew of recent headlines on it all pose questions about whether it's making us stupid, lonely, crazy, smart, or even turning us into a different species. A few readings are below. Read what you like, and come ready to talk about your personal experiences and observations of the ongoing digital revolution.  READINGS: Is Facebook making us lonely? http://www.theatlantic.com/ magazine/archive/2012/05/is- facebook-making-us-lonely/ 8930/ Is Google making us stupid? http://www.theatlantic.com/ magazine/archive/2008/07/is- google-making-us-stupid/6868/ Is the Internet making us crazy? http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn. com/2012/07/09/is-the- internet-making-us-crazy/?hpt= hp_t2 Will our kids be a different species? http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_ enriquez_will_our_kids_be_a_ different_species.html ...

Who in their right mind would ever want to be president of the United States! To become POTUS, you have to be a millionaire or have several friends who are. You must subject yourself and your family to every possible humiliation. You must appease the radicals in your increasingly idealogical party, while also appealing to the huge swath of America that lies in the middle. You must sleep in hotel beds night after night as you kiss babies across the country for months or even years. You must watch your every word and deed in a world of instantaneous sharing on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. You must build a killer campaign organization nationwide. You must be a world-class debater in an age where video and television decide elections. And finally, in addition to all this, you must run the gauntlet of one of the most maddeningly complex election processes in all the world, a process where, even in the 21st century, we have yet to come up with a method to count votes accurately! ...

In honor of Earth Day, our April discussion will focus on the earth. Jay Griffith is leading the discussion and has invited Professor George Handley (more below) to talk with us, as well.  Here are some thoughts, questions and readings from Jay. ******************** I grew up mostly in Oregon, a state where being environmentally responsible is part of the culture. And I grew up on the lower income side so it made sense to reuse, recycle, and live economically. Of course, these same values were shared with Utah's early settlers, but much of that legacy has sadly been forgotten or is now considered quaint and unnecessary.   My ultimate hope in leading this discussion is for us—especially me—to better appreciate and accept responsibility for living in, and with, this remarkable gem called earth. To care for this rare home, enjoy its gifts, and leave it in good condition for those to come. To better love the one I'm with. As with any discussion we will all benefit m...