Back in my university days, I learned of a useful framework for analysing the ills of the educational system called "ABCs". It stands for: Access and participation, Bureaucracy and control, and (Counter-)Consciousness formation. The ABCs describe the fundamental problems faced by the educational … [Read more...]
Digital diplomacy and real-world conflicts
I first heard about the arrest of comedian and satirist Bassem Youssef on the opening sequence of 'The Daily Show" last Monday. Jon Stewart lambasted President Mohamed Morsi for Egypt’s continuing investigation of Youssef -- not for mocking the President but for defamation of his religion. A … [Read more...]
Internet libel: a new criminal offense in the Philippines
A Cybercrime Law has recently been enacted in the Philippines that contains a last-minute and poorly thought out internet libel clause, specifically targeting social media use. Senator Sotto inserted this libel clause with the intention to make people accountable for the content they produce and … [Read more...]
Politics, social media and magic realism
I wrote about the case of Senator Vicente Sotto of the Philippines and the criticism he got (and is receiving) from Filipino netizens. I said that though the issue snowballed in social media networks, the real "issue is not just about blogging, or copyright or giving proper attribution. This goes … [Read more...]
My activist roots (a tribute to Dad on what would’ve been his 87th bday)
For someone who writes about a lot of things, I’ve never really written anything about my father. When he died in 2004, I wrote an entry in my journal, but nothing more, even though so many things remained to be expressed in words and shared to those who care. Perhaps it’s the fierce … [Read more...]