TOK: The Human Sciences
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Four faces that ask us what we stand for
Is the West complicit in Middle Eastern barbarism? As details emerge about the fate of the region’s rebels, some say it is time for democracies to drop links with their autocratic allies.
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Woman wins pay for five years of housework
Should housework be paid work? A Chinese woman has been granted compensation in her divorce for care work. The ruling has sparked a discussion that echoes a longstanding feminist demand.
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Discovered! Secret formula behind every genius
Are there rules to becoming a genius? A Harvard academic believes that he has established the key ingredients – but warns that those with great minds are not always great human beings.
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UK celebrates one-way road to freedom in June
Is "back to normal" the right thing to hope for? As the world looks hopefully towards the end of the pandemic, some are asking if now is the time to start building “better” instead.
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All eyes on Murdoch as Facebook row deepens
Was Facebook right to ban news content in Australia? As the tech giant responds to a new law, some warn this is a battle with only one real winner – controversial media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
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NASA starts the search for life on Mars
Is the Mars story more about psychology than science? It is presented as the ultimate quest for knowledge but many believe it tells us more about our deepest desires and dreams.
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How a troubled tourist became a TV sensation
Is our obsession with true crime unhealthy? A new series about the disappearance of a young traveller has captivated millions. But critics say the genre harms victims and viewers alike.
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Row intensifies over vaccine passports
Are they a good idea? Several countries already require proof of vaccination to allow travel. Some hope these passports can help reopen the economy; others are bitterly against them.
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Fears grow for kidnapped princess’s safety
Does the liberal West have a right to condemn Dubai? A BBC exposé about the plight of Princess Latifa has triggered a worldwide outcry against her father’s tyrannical behaviour.
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Law school adds chitchat to the curriculum
Do we need lessons in small talk? Worried that its students are losing the art of conversation, a British university has announced a new module to help them learn to break the ice.
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Expert casts doubt on ‘post-truth’ claims
Does democracy REALLY depend on truth? Many people claim democratic systems only work when everyone agrees on basic truths – but others think this is a recipe for dictatorship.
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‘Schools have failed us on climate crisis’
Should climate change be on every school curriculum? Teen activists say green education is woefully inadequate. Now, they want to change the law before time runs out to save the planet.
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#FreeBritney: new spotlight on troubled star
Are we all partly to blame for her troubles? Britney Spears skyrocketed to fame in the 1990s. Now, a new documentary asks whether her legions of fans are responsible for her downfall too.
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‘Drop jail threats. Vaccinate the world now!’
Could we cure all disease with a trillion dollars? As many reacted in fury to Britain’s 10 year jail threat for illegal travel, experts warned that the only real answer must be global.
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Big Tech goes to war over privacy rights
Is privacy a human right? As Apple and Facebook trade furious blows over privacy rights, many argue that neither of these corporate giants should enjoy so much control of our personal data.