EU Battles Extremes

Posted on Jul 30, 2011

The EU decides to address far-right extremism; education fails to solve poverty and inequality, while Netflix may destroy TV networks. These discoveries and more, below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

The links below open in a new window. Newer ones are on top.

EU Declares Fight Against Right-Wing Extremism
The European Union has pledged to address far-right extremism following the deadly attacks in Norway motivated by hatred of Muslims.

House panel approves broadened ISP snooping bill
Internet providers would be forced to keep logs of their customers’ activities for one year—in case police want to review them in the future—under legislation that a U.S. House of Representatives committee approved ... .

Portraits Can Get Your Pulse Pounding
New research recording physiological reactions of museum-goers suggests we respond to art with our bodies as well as our brains.

Sidestepping Apple: From Amazon to Condé Nast, Companies Rethink App Strategies
We all knew that once Apple starting enforcing new rules for in-app purchases, it would change how media companies do business on the iPhone and iPad. Now, we’re beginning to see just what that looks like for companies trying to avoid giving a 30 percent cut to Cupertino.

People from Polar Regions Have Bigger Brains
They’re not more intelligent, but the bigger brain (and eyeball) size permits better vision in areas with less sunlight.

15 Years in Prison For Taping the Cops?
More and more people use their smartphones to record police misconduct. But laws against wiretapping are being used to intimidate and stop them.

Why Education Can’t Solve Poverty and Inequality
Is it possible that education isn’t the best solution to poverty or economic inequality—that it may not even be a solution at all?

The growing threat of Netflix: Will it make TV networks extinct?
When Netflix, the on-demand movie and TV phenom, announced a jaw-dropping 60 percent rate hike this month, the collective howl of 23 million consumers could be heard across the land.

The World’s Deadliest Distinction
Why aren’t the oldest living people getting any older?

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