TOK: Reason
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Drama as England rejoice but Scotland are out
Is football better than Homer? Even the Greek poet’s famed, epic tales of the Trojan War struggle to compete with the lively, pulsating thrills of contests like the European Championship.
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‘Mother of all crashes’ as Bitcoin slumps
Are cryptocurrencies evil? Many think digital currency is doomed after China clamped down on Bitcoin yesterday – but others still believe they can revolutionise the global economy.
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The scientist out to rewrite the human story
Do we suffer from an evolution delusion? A top professor caused a stir yesterday by attacking the traditional theory that evolution represents progress. He wants the famous image abolished.
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Coke shares lose fizz after Ronaldo snub
Should junk food be barred from sport? Today, Cristiano Ronaldo is emerging as the star player of this year’s Euros. But it is his actions off the pitch that are making headlines.
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How unconscious forces control our actions
Are we controlled by unconscious forces? Today is Bloomsday, when people celebrate the life of James Joyce, modernist author and pioneer of the radical ‘stream of consciousness’.
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Biden tells NATO leaders: ‘America is back’
Is NATO still necessary? Yesterday, Joe Biden arrived in Brussels to show other leaders that the USA is ready to take a leading role again. But some question the organization’s relevance.
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‘Freedom day’ delayed as lockdown extended
Will lockdown ever end? Yesterday, Britain’s government announced that the current restrictions would not be lifted next week after all, prompting fears that they could drag on and on.
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China guilty of Uighur ‘dystopian hellscape’
Is China guilty of genocide in Xinjiang? Yesterday the New York Times declared that China was committing “the ultimate crime” against its Muslim ethnic Uighurs. China bitterly denies it.
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Anti-woke ‘alternative BBC’ is launched
Does Britain need a rival to the BBC? Last night saw the launch of GB News, a TV channel aiming to provide a populist voice countering the metropolitan media. But not everyone is convinced.
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The ex-veggies eating beef to save the Earth
Should we eat meat to save the planet? Today, diners are feasting at the world’s first plant-based Burger King. But some argue you do not need to be a vegetarian to fight climate change.
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Rewriting the rules of British-US diplomacy
Is it time to ditch the term “special relationship”? As Boris Johnson and Joe Biden meet for the first time today, the nature of the UK’s dealings with the US could change dramatically.
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Robinson tweets spark ‘cancel culture’ row
Should a person’s racist past be forgiven? Yesterday, as a second cricketer was linked with offensive posts, many called for punishment. But some say we should accept that people can change.
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Aid cuts row shames UK as world leaders meet
Does foreign aid work? Today Boris Johnson is accused by his own party of causing hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths by cutting back on money given to the world’s poorest countries.
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The Black queen making television history
Is race a modern invention? Yesterday, a new TV drama launched with a Black actor as Tudor queen Anne Boleyn. There were many Black Tudors and experts say their race was not an issue.
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Democracy on Mars: ‘Your country needs you’
Should democracy on Mars be different? As Earthling politics seems to be tottering, many are hoping outer space could teach us an important lesson in how to save ourselves.