A Nigerian Religion Blends Christianity with Islam
It’s not always that you hear the shouts of “Hallelujah!” and “Allah Akbar!” coming together in the same sermon. Yet this is exactly what his happening with this little cult in Nigeria, which has an almost 50-50 division of Muslims and Christians (not to mention a lot of indigenous religions) living in its borders. Is this the possible birth of a new religion that can unite the great divide in world faith? Or a local social curiosity brought about by the co-existence of two competing monotheistic religions in the same realm? The answer may not be clear, but the story of Chrislam is certainly interesting. Don’t miss!
Filed Under Diversity, History & traditions
Iran on Fire
Check this page and this page if you haven’t heard about this great event already, Iran is experiencing massive rioting, at a scale never before seen since the 1979 revolution, after the reformist politician Mousavi lost to the hardliner Ahmedinejad in what many people believe is a rigged election. Days of rioting have left the capital, Tehran, in a state of chaos, and a recount of the votes has been ordered. The pictures from the protests look like something big is happening indeed. Could it be that the Islamic Republic of Iran, one of the strongest regimes ruled by theocratic principles, is tethering on the brink of change?
Filed Under History & traditions, Human Rights, Media & Society, Politics
Languages of the World
Here is a site that is not that rich in graphics, but contains a treasure-chest of information in words. Behold the Ethnologue website!This on-line encyclopedia contains comprehensive information about the languages of the world. A brief foray into its contents can reveal interesting facts; did you know that Italy was home to 42 different languages, with forms like Mocheno, which is spoken only among 1900 people in the Trentino region? There is also an extensive catalogue of “nearly extinct” languages, some of which, like the Djawi language of Australia, have only one speaker. Languages are arguably the pillars of cultures, the defining features of people, both as individuals and groups. It’s a shame not to learn mmore about them. Make sure you visit this archive today!
Filed Under Diversity, History & traditions
Shoot an Iraqi - The Art of Wafaa Bilal
Wafaa Bilal is an Iraqi multimedia artist who achieved global fame with his work, “Domestic Tension,” during which he lived for a month inside a cage with a remote-controlled paintball gun that visitors from the internet could control to shoot - or not shoot at the artist. While some visitors used the gun to actively pursue and shoot at Bilal, others took turns to “hijack” the system so that the artist could get sleep, rest, etc. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest artistic comments on the recent spate of conflicts in the Middle East. This, however, is not Bilal’s only work. Make sure you visit the artist’s web site for a comprehensive tour of his work, including complete recreations of the houses and rooms destroyed by war in Iraq. Make sure you look at the latest issue of COLORS magazine to see more of Wafaa’s work.
Filed Under Art, Creativity, Events, Human Rights, Media & Society, Politics
Squatters of the World Unite!
Squatting involves using loopholes in local laws to build and occupy housing, free of charge. While a streak of anarchic activism has always run through squatters, in some cases they can create social problems, or give indirect support to crime and drug-dealing. Regardless of its consequences, squatters are a global phenomenon, and they usually find themselves in the middle of conflicts between local populations and the companies and governments of a globalizing and gentrifying world.Author Robert Neuwirth has written a bestselling book on the squatting phenomenon, and edits what is possibly one of the most comprehensive squatting-related blogs over at Squattercity. From the century-long occupation of flats in an expensive district of London, from the Brazilian favelas to the newly-spreading “tent cities” in depression-stricken America, this blog is a must-see.
Filed Under Diversity, Environment, Human Rights, Modern Life
The Future is a Thing of the Past
Perhaps the only certain prediction about the future is that all predictions will be false. This, however, has not stopped people from trying. Ranging from dreams of giant electric ships plying the world’s skies in the 1800s to the 1980s commercials where computers and automation make life endlessly convenient, the Paleo-Future blog has an incredibly diverse selection of plausible, fantastic, dark, utopic, or just plain weird future visions. I wonder how many of our future predictions will be left standing in fifteen, twenty-five years’ time.
Filed Under Design, History & traditions, Media & Society, Modern Life
(Micro)Nations Unto Themselves
Ever wanted to rule your own private kingdom?Some people have taken this literally, and declared, with various degrees of success, their own private nations and principalities. While most of these “micronations” have been regarded as little more than silly jokes or personal eccentricities, others have gone on to issue their own passports and print their own currencies. Some have even created real-life political controversy, such as the Principality of Sealand, which was founded on an abandoned oil platform. Others, like the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands, have tried to make social and political statements. Whatever their purpose or size, dozens of micronations have existed throughout our recent history. Visit here for an interview with the self-termed “micronation geographer” Simon Sellars, or check out the Wikipedia page for a comprehensive overview. After you are finished, you can even try to establish your own little kingdom.(The pictures above show Kevin Baugh, President of the Republic of Molossia (top-left); King Adam from the Sovereign Kingdom of Kemetia, shaking hands with his Minister of Security, Samuel Simpson-Crew (bottom-left); and King Nicholas, Chav Slayer, of the Copeman Empire (right).)
Filed Under Uncategorized