TOK: The Human Sciences
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The struggle for the true meaning of Pride
Should Pride be a protest or a party? We are halfway through LGBT Pride Month. But alongside the parades and celebrations, there are fears that hard-won gay rights are under threat.
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Hong Kong in shock after worst violence in years
Are we witnessing the last gasp of democracy in Hong Kong? The city’s streets are a battlefield between police and protesters who accuse their leaders of caving in to the might of China.
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Nike mannequin wars: ‘Obese’. ‘Inspirational’.
Should all shops display plus-sized mannequins? Nike has led the way. But it has started a bitter row with some saying it is glorifying obesity and others praising the move as inspirational.
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Anne Frank: Portrait of an icon as a young woman
Should we all keep a diary? An important part of Anne Frank’s writing is that she captures so much of what it is to be a teenager, even with secret pages musing on puberty and prostitutes.
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1984 at 70: Still relevant says Orwell’s son
Even after a lifetime, can a classic still have a message? Few novels have had such an effect, with ‘Big Brother’, ‘newspeak’ and ‘thoughtcrime’ now firmly embedded in the English language.
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Underwater metropolis planned as seas rise
Is the best response to climate change to invent new ways of living? The Japanese Shimizu Corporation plans to build a giant underwater metropolis powered by energy from the seabed.
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Black-spot tourism ‘feeds ghoulish fascination’
Is it tasteless to turn a disaster site into a tourist attraction? Since the release of HBO’s Chernobyl series, tour bookings to the site of the nuclear catastrophe have soared by 40%.
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Climate is our third world war, says Nobel winner
Is this a fair comparison? The economist Joseph Stiglitz says, today, that our lives are at stake — just as they were in World War Two. Donald Trump, marking D-Day, thinks it is a hoax.
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Death, fame and the lure of the mountains
Is the heroic mountaineer who takes on superhuman challenges really just a selfish misfit? As this year’s toll mounts, climbers themselves admit that it is a dangerously addictive pleasure.
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Sun, sea and scandal over Love Island return
Should we feel guilty about watching Love Island? The show has been under fire for lack of diversity and exploiting some participants. But millions find it offers harmless fun and escapism.
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Ecstasy for Liverpool in Champions League glory
Liverpool held on to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Saturday, in a night of triumph, tears and relief. It was the culmination of a tournament that has seen English clubs dominate Europe.
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Victoria at 200: a woman afraid of nothing
Tomorrow, Britain will celebrate the 200th birthday of one of its longest-reigning monarchs. The creator of ITV’s Victoria says the Queen makes a fine role model for young women today.
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RIP the Formula 1 legend who refused to die
Again and again, he cheated the grim reaper. But today, at 70, Niki Lauda has died. His life of indomitable willpower has been celebrated in films and books. What can we learn from his story?
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The tech arms race shaping your future
Google has restricted Huawei’s use of Android this morning — a huge ramping up of the tech arms race between China and America. The eventual winner could dominate our lives for decades.
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‘Idiot’ pro players accused of ruining Fortnite
Season nine is here, with new challenges to explore. However, some players say the game is being ruined by professionals who no longer play fair. Is there any point still trying to win?