ABOUT BULLYING

(photo: http://www.cbc.ca/)


According to a doctoral research carried in the towns of Oporto, Braga and Grenade, which inquired 1237 11-16 years old, the phenomenon of bullying is being more and more accepted.
It seems it's becoming banal. 84,5% of these youngsters have witnessed acts of violence among colleagues.
What's more, the victims of bullying are referred to as "passive, socially incompetent, anxious, depressive and insecure".
The aggressors are seen as "strong, extroverted, trustful, leaders".
It's no doubt alarming.
I read in the Times that in some areas of London young girls accept rape in order to be accepted by male gang (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6889829.ece)
These are sad times. We have to raise our children to be more respectful towards the other - this basic civilized notion has been more and more forgotten during the last decades.
Would we really like to go back to Neardenthal habits? I guess it was like that.

SMILE FOR GODSAKE!

happiness hat from Lauren McCarthy on Vimeo.

Smiling  is one  of the most mysterious characteristics of human behaviour. Why do we smile?
Some say that humans have always done that as a kind of apeasing gesture towards a menacing person. Science has shown that chimps also do something quite similar.
This video is about making you smile - whether you like it or not. Have fun.

http://www.casadashistoriaspaularego.com/index_pt.html#/home/

I have been today to Casa das histórias in Cascais to see the new Paula Rego's museum. It's a work of art. Beautiful architecture, amazing paintings.
The gardens are also beautiful designed and it's opened until 10pm. Free entrance.
You'll find below the presentation about Paula Rego's work that Prof. Paul Coldwell wrote for the Shaatchi Gallery in London.

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/paula_rego_about.htm

COD FISHING IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Pesca do bacalhau à linha em 1966

This was an old practice by Portuguese fishermen. An interesting document narrated in English.

SELF CONSCIENCE - WHEN DOES IT START?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8314093.stm

You'd like to read this very interesting article from BBC News about awareness. Self-conscience seems to develop between 18 and 24 months (see the video.

As Prof. Gallup says,

Death awareness is the price we pay for self awareness

TECHNIQUE AND AESTHETICS

When technique meets aesthetics. Female faces in painting across the centuries.

SELF-DOUBT TURN BOSSES INTO BULLIES

http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2009/10/self-doubt-turns-bosses-into-bullies.html

An interesting article from the Research Digest Blog (British Psychological Society)

HUMOUR IS SO IMPORTANT

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1922981

Now I begin to understand why they blocked all my Google accounts for 4 days. With guys like these... Great fun. Hope you enjoy.

THE STATE OF OUR PLANET

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7056601.stm

Very interesting graphics about the state of the planet, from the BBC site.

THE WEB 2.0 AND ITS DANGERS

Some people are afraid of the web 2.0, and maybe rightly so. I had all my Google accounts blocked for 4 days and couldn't even post. Let alone see my mail (past or present).
On the other hand, the web and the social networks allow us to connect to people and have access to information that we never had before.
Being not an expert, I think we must be very cautious, have backup programs and try to minimize the possible damages. Make the better of it. As usual.
(I tried to place a photo related to the subject but blogger doesn't allow for photos for the time being. Speak of the devil...)

TOYS AND PLAYS

http://www.id-mag.com/toystories/?catid=8295&slide=2

Remember these toys and plays?
(it's also fun to have a look at the professions of some of the people who used to play with these toys)

NYC 1994 The Ghost Towers

NYC 1998 The Ghost Towers
Originally uploaded by mindetective

I found this photo recently. I took it in NYC in 1994. The towers look already so fuzzy, it's creepy.

ANXIOUS BABIES: HOW THEY DEVELOP

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/magazine/04anxiety-t.html?_r=1&src=tptw


This is a very interesting article from The New York Times about anxious babies and how they develop according to circumstances and internal (mental and emotional) experiences.
Have a look. It's worth reading the full article.