Matt Harding

In the class I teach on globalization and the developing world, Matt Harding's story has been a great icebreaker for introductory discussion on how globalization affects people around the world. One of his videos is here on YouTube, and his story, in his own words, here on the now-completed NPR program "This I Believe."

Tougher than the Tour de France Riders...

Regular readers of my young blog might recall my March 26th post which included a link to and quote from an article on contemporary Chinese social problems translated by one of the most insightful U.S.-based China writers, Xujun Eberlein. In recent weeks, Eberlein's blog, which I have read regularly for at least the last year, has included almost daily entries from her husband's travelogue of a solo, unsupported bicycle trip from Boston to New Mexico. Though it has been the Tour de France cyclists that have captured the attention of most fellow cyclists around the world these last few weeks, Bob Eberlein has been my hero! If you enjoy cycling, or just good personal adventure narrative, you ought to check out Bob's trip entries, which are posted on Xujun's blog beginning with the first entry here.

more on charity: water

I really like how charity: water is both raising awareness of the developing world's clean water problem and how they are trying to solve it. This short public service announcement featuring Jennifer Connelly is particularly thought provoking. Check out some of their other short films on Vimeo.

Jennifer Connelly in charity: water Public Service Announcement from charity: water on Vimeo.

charity: water

In the penultimate week of the semester. Students in FDINT 202 "The Developing World" are working on developmental needs and assessment plans for the countries they've been studying throughout the course. Nick Kristof's Sunday NYT column on Scott Harrison's work with charity: water is inspiring. Just yesterday in class we were discussing how simply raising awareness of developing world problems is an important step. Harrison has shown how powerful social networking is in both raising awareness and fund raising. Kudos to Scott!

charity: water for Twestival from charity: water on Vimeo.

The Epitome of Poor Contemporary Chinese Construction

This catastrophic failure of a newly-constructed building in Shanghai is just the sort of thing I have expected to see in China for a long time. It is eerie how it stayed almost completely in tact. Fortunately only one person was killed in the collapse, as it was not yet occupied. See ESWN for more hi-res photos.