Gratitude. That word evokes some unsavory associations: a religious zealot insisting you are blessed, a parent lecturing you about their treacherous journey to school, or an out-of-touch celebrity on Thanksgiving. The gut response may be to cite all of the debts, hardships, and frustrations one regularly endures, and/or to point out the many others who […]
Tag: ethics
Monkeys Go Bananas: Enough Animal Exploitation, Not Enough Action
Animals play an indispensable role in the lives of humans, shaping our psychological development, supporting livelihoods, and driving global economic systems. Indeed, a child’s early cognitive education is scientifically incomplete without learning about animals. Humane aquatic farming provides 500 million people in developing countries enough money to live another day. Animal pollination services contribute upwards […]
Are You #MakingADifference?
Over the past decade, voluntourism has become a dirty word in the world of development. You may have encountered it in updated Facebook profile pictures. Or an advertisement selling idealism through service projects to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Africa. Or, maybe, you watched ‘Who Wants To Be A Volunteer’; a satire of the stereotypes perpetuated by volunteers […]
The Fall of John Kitzhaber
On February 18th, amid allegations that his wife was inappropriately paid by clean energy companies, Democratic Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon resigned. The entire affair was a bizarre series of events which took down Oregon’s most experienced politician. At the inaugural address of his 4th term, Kitzhaber stated “[t]his will complete the arc of my […]