:: General Discussion ::

DOES BRITAIN HATE BRAINIACS?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:04:33 GMT

Does Britain hate brainiacs? A former University Challenge winner reckons this country prizes success over intelligence. We admire those with tons of cash or look great but have little interest in those with great brains. Is this true and if so why? Are we threatened by intelligence? Do we think it's easier to make money or look good than get smart? Is the media to blame for pitching everything at the lowest common denominator? Has it always been like this? No? Well when did things...

15 TOO LATE FOR COMPULSORY SEX ED?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:03:52 GMT

Is 15 too late for compulsory sex education? There'll be no opt out when these classes begin in two years time: every pupil will have lessons on sex, drugs and relationships though younger kids can be withdrawn from other sex and relationship classes. 15? Isn't that a bit late for such classes to be compulsory? Has Ed Balls bottled it and missed a golden opportunity to tackle teen pregnancy? Or maybe you think he's wronged parents who don't want their little'uns learning...

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:01:44 GMT

After more than 4000 episodes the iconic children's television programme Sesame Street is celebrating its 40th anniversary. What are your memories?

The show, founded to help educate American pre-schoolers, premiered in 1969, and is the longest running children's program on US television.

Big Bird, Elmo the Cookie Monster and their friends...

How would you spend £45 million?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:00:40 GMT

Two British winners are to share a 100m euros (£90m) EuroMillions jackpot. Can a lottery win bring happiness?

The amount is the largest lottery prize ever paid out in the UK. If either of the two winners is an individual and not a syndicate it will also be the UK's largest ever individual win.

Nine European countries take part in the weekly...

IS TV THE PLACE TO TALK TO THE DEAD?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:51:43 GMT

Is TV the place to talk to the dead? I know churches aren't as popular as they used to be but is Sky One the right place to talk to the ghost of Michael Jackson? They're going to try that on Friday by the way. Satellite telly's filled with psychic shows: Crossing Over, Beyond, Sixth Sense. Some of you might think they're just a laugh - but are they? TV rules require these shows to be entertaining - but doesn't that mean vulnerable, grief stricken people are being...

POPPY FASCISM

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:50:46 GMT

Poppy fascists: those who feel everyone should wear a poppy to remember the fallen or else! What about the freedom to choose? Isn't that what all those brave men died for? Do you feel pressure to wear one? Do you panic if you go out without one? The stars on Strictly have copped a bucketload for not wearing one while some libraries have been slated for not selling them; they say it's unfair to put one charity above another. Are they right? Or is the annual poppy appeal different from...

Should students be allowed to use the internet in exams?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:49:33 GMT

Pupils in Denmark will soon be doing their final secondary school exams while being able to access the internet. Will this give them an unfair advantage over other students?

Education chiefs says that Danish students already use the web so prolifically that they should be allowed to use it while writing tests.

Denmark will be the first country in the...

SHOULD SILENT COUPLES SPLIT?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:25:41 GMT

Should silent couples split? A miserable wife asked the Sunday Express for help ending a six-month feud with her husband. They fell out over housework back in April and haven't exchanged a word since. Six months - can you believe that! Can you beat that? Are lengthy silences between lovers a sign all's not well? Or preferable to a screaming row? Should silent couples split?

The Wright Stuff

WHEN WOULD YOU LET YOUR DAUGHTER DIET?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:24:43 GMT

When would you let your daughter diet? Half of all girls aged 11-to-16 are on a diet - and today's papers are outraged and blame stick thin celebrities and airbrushed magazine photos for the trend. But surely with so many youngsters at risk from obesity, diets are a good thing - even for 11-year-olds? We all know kids aren't as fit and active as they used be, so maybe diets are just what some girls need?

Should the government be listening to scientists about cannabis?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:23:48 GMT

Two more government drug advisors have quit after their chairman was sacked on Friday for saying cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes. Do you agree with his sacking?

Health Secretary Alan Johnson says Professor David Nutt's comments, which criticised the Government's tough approach to cannabis and ecstasy, were straying into...

Have you lost weight because of health campaigns?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:22:38 GMT

The rise in the number of overweight or obese children in England is slowing down, a study says. Have health campaigns encouraged you to slim down?

It's predicted that obesity rates for boys and girls under the age of 19 should fall by 2020.

Although the figures are still high it's the first sign of an improvement for years, as...

What does the future hold for universities?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:20:27 GMT

The government is to set out its vision for the future of English universities, stressing the importance of students' "customer experience". Is this the right approach?

The Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, said students must be given more information about likely future earnings. He also promised a new review of tuition fees would include...

Happy Birthday Wicca!

feeds@yuku.com (birminghamstar) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:07:50 GMT

hope you're having a great day!

IS SPOOKY TV BAD FOR KIDS?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:35:26 GMT

Is spooky TV bad for kids? Like everyone else I was scared witless by Dr Who. Do today's youngsters feel just the same whenever Daleks are on screen or dinosaurs attack in Primeval? Psychologists say it all depends on the environment where kids are watching and the nature of the child themselves.

The Wright Stuff

GAY HATE TEEN ATTACKS

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:34:13 GMT

What's the story behind these shocking gay hate attacks by teenagers? One man beaten to death by 17-year-old girls while a gay copper fighting for his life after being stomped by a mob of youngsters. Are these attacks made by just a few bad apples or is homophobia on the rise across the board what wit school kids and Radio 1 DJs use the word Gay to diss anything they think is rubbish. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Should children take part in activities with an element of danger?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:32:04 GMT

Prince Edward has suggested the "risk of death" is part of the attraction of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme for young people. Do you agree?

The prince is chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, a programme that encourages 14 to 25-year-olds to undertake a range of activities including trekking, rafting, horse riding and volunteer work.
...

Who should be the first president of the EU?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:30:18 GMT

Tony Blair's hopes of becoming president of the European Council have suffered a setback after his supporters failed to secure the backing of EU leaders. Do you think he is a good candidate?

Gordon Brown had said Mr Blair would be an "excellent candidate" but Downing Street is now less optimistic.

As the Lisbon treaty moves closer towards...

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

feeds@yuku.com (kujo) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:31:08 GMT

WHO? WHAT? are you going to dress up as?
I'm going as Cujo the Hockey Player, not the dog.

Should cannabis have been reclassified?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:40:58 GMT

The government's been attacked by its most senior adviser on drugs over the decision to reclassify cannabis from a Class C drug to Class B. Is he right?

Professor David Nutt claims Ecstasy, LSD and cannabis are all less dangerous than both alcohol and cigarettes.

He says he's not happy that...

Would you change your diet to help the planet?

feeds@yuku.com (TBE) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:38:19 GMT

A leading authority on global warming has highlighted the impact meat production has on greenhouse emissions. Do you agree with his findings?

Nicholas Stern, the author of an influential 2006 review of climate change, attacked the "enormous pressure" meat production puts on the world's resources.

In 2006, the UN Food and...