TOK: The Human Sciences
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Universal cancer cure now suddenly possible
Should we hope for a world without disease? It seems possible. At last, a cure for cancer seems to be on the horizon. And, now, scientists are dreaming of a future where no one becomes ill.
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UK at loggerheads over Battle of the Bongs
Is Brexit worth £45,000 a bong? A campaign for the chimes of Big Ben to sound as Britain leaves the EU on 31 January appears doomed – though, for some, it remains a cause worth fighting for.
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Man survives at -30C thanks to peanut butter
Is survival chiefly about luck or courage? A man whose hut in the Alaskan wilderness burnt down, destroying all his possessions, has just been rescued after three weeks in the freezing snow.
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Plan for three-day weekend gathers support
Would a four-day working week make us happier? Finland’s PM has called for a drastic cut in working hours. Experts believe extra free time would make people more positive and productive.
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Site of nuclear meltdown to become green hub
Is disaster the only way to bring about lasting and positive change? A decade after a nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, plans are afoot to transform the area into a renewable energy hub.
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Protein made from thin air to feed the world
Could Solein save the world? As farming struggles, scientists in Finland have made a miracle protein out of air and electricity that could both reduce global emissions and feed millions.
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Bike that rides on water opens gadget show
Do gadgets make us happy? The cleverest scientists on the planet are dreaming up brilliant new inventions to make our lives smoother, but some societies see no need for them at all.
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‘Aliens exist and may already be among us’
Do aliens exist? Helen Sharman, a scientist who was the first Briton in space, has declared that there are definitely other forms of life in the Universe – and they may already be among us.
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500 million animals dead in Australian fires
Is the crisis in Australia due to climate change? Some claim the bushfires are part of natural cycles that have occurred for millennia; others say they are caused by man-made global warming.
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Science shows resolutions NOT a waste of time
Are New Year resolutions worth it? Around one-quarter of people give up their resolutions after just one week, while fewer than one in 10 will maintain their goal to the end of the year.
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Nasa scientist claims evidence of life on Mars
Has there been a cover-up? In a new article, a leading scientist claims that US space probes discovered life on Mars over 40 years ago but Nasa has always denied their full significance.
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Shock landslide for Johnson as UK turns blue
What kind of victory was it? In a calamitous night for the Left, Jeremy Corbyn announced plans to stand down, and Jo Swinson lost her seat. But progressives still reign in Scotland and London.
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Brexit, ‘One Nation’ and a British breakup
Is this a new era in British history? With Boris unfettered, there will be a wave of political change; the role of the UK will be reset, and tensions between England and Scotland will soar.
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Calls to boycott Amazon as parcels pile up
Should you boycott Amazon for Christmas? In the coming weeks, we will order 41 parcels every second. Not bad for a company that critics say exploits its workers and dodges billions in tax.
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‘Women make better leaders than men’
Are women better leaders than men? Finland is about to have a new female prime minister — the world’s youngest. Around the globe, female leaders are being praised for their inspiring work.