ARTYS.COM and Ai Wei Wei

To Read more about Ai Wei Wei and see various work go to

https://www.artsy.net/artist/ai-weiwei

According to the good people at Artsy.com, "We consider Ai Weiwei to be one of the Most Influential Living Artists of 2016, and are reaching out to promote his work especially. Our 2016 Year in Art feature has just launched, highlighting the work of Ai Weiwei, as well as those of select others. Our hope is for visitors to learn more about Ai Weiwei here, to discover the other artists we’ve featured this year, and to expose themselves to what we believe to be great work. 

In addition, our Ai Weiwei page provides visitors with Ai's bio, over 132 of his works, exclusive articles, and up-to-date Ai exhibition listings."

Check 'em out to see how art can shift culture and vice versa.  

Employing the Entrepreneurial Mindset.

Ali discusses the importance and massive benefit of employing the entrepreneurial mindset. Do you agree that this is an effective method to prevent or avoid terrorism? Why? Are there any other solutions? How does this relate to the employment situation in the US with specific reference to gang attraction? Are there any organizations that work along the lines that Ali has described?

Children of the Taliban

Chinoy discusses the five step process of getting children to become suicide bombers.   What has to change in order to make sure that such training schools do not become established in the future?   What groups are working towards fixing this problem?   Are the techniques used by the Taliban similar to other techniques used by other extreme groups across the world?  

Israel and Iran, A love story?

Watch this TED talk.  This is Ronny Edry.  In 2012, he decided to step up his social media game and took to Facebook explaining his ideas and thoughts on Iran.  Mr. Edry establishes the point that we are surrounded by negative perceptions of the Middle East.   Do you agree with him?  He also goes on to show how people are connecting with one another to break the media stereotypes.  Research/find some of these groups that break the media stereotypes and what are their stories?  Why do you think the news and media promote these ideas if they are not the views of the majority?  

Peace for Israel and Palestine?

This is an article I recently came across from YES magazine.  This is an interesting collection of organizations that are working towards peace in this contentious region.  Your task, research and take a look at one of the organizations and find out how legitimate they are.   Secondly, discuss why media organizations are not promoting more of these organizations.

Here is an example of an Entry:  

I took a took a look at AL-MEZAN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.  It seems that it has not been updated for a while.   There is a banner on the front page that says "MOURNING" in black and white letters.   There is a link to an article from 2014 of a man who was killed by an IOF drone strike in July of 2014.   This seems to be the last update for the website and organization.   I am wondering why the man was targeted and the collateral damage that occurred with the water maintenance workers he was talking to.   I also wonder how often these attacks happen.     

Now, someone should build on the response.  Or start another comment strand.... 

Here are Some Great Sources!

Macbeth Navigator

Phillip Weller does a nice job of collecting some rather reliable and engaging sources while explaining many of the subtle nuances of Macbeth.  http://www.shakespeare-navigators.com/macbeth/index.htm

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Folger Shakespeare Library- 

The online source of Shakespeare. http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/

Shakespeare Online: 
A series of  essays and a good breakdown of the play
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethresources.html

Macbeth Questions with Hyperlinks

Macbeth Final Questions:

1.) The fantastical and grotesque witches are among the most memorable figures in the play. How does Shakespeare characterize the witches? What is their thematic significance?  (Scenes to peruse: 1.1; 1.3;3.5;4.1)

2.)  Compare and contrast Macbeth, Macduff, and Banquo. How are they alike? How are they different? Is it possible to argue that Macbeth is the play’s villain and Macduff or Banquo its hero, or is the matter more complicated than that?  (Scenes to peruse:  1.3, 2.1, 2.3,  3.1, 4.3, 5.7, 5.8 )

3.)  Discuss the role that blood plays in Macbeth, particularly immediately following Duncan’s murder and late in the play. What does it symbolize for Macbeth and his wife? (Scenes to peruse: 1.7;2.2;3.4;5.1)

4.)  Discuss Macbeth’s visions and hallucinations. What role do they play in the development of his character?  (Scenes to peruse: 1.3; 2.1;3.4.3.5;4.1;5.1)

5.)  Is Macbeth a moral play? Is justice served at the end of the play? Defend your answer.   (Scenes to peruse: 2.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.3-9)

6.) Choose two of the minor characters in Macbeth and examine how they contribute to the play's action.  (Scenes to peruse: 1.3, 2.3, 4.3, 5.2, 5.4, 5.7)

7.) The witches tell Banquo that he will be the father of future kings. How does Banquo's reaction reveal his true character? (Scenes to peruse: 1.3, 1.6, 2.1 )

8.)  The theme of “Fair is foul, foul is fair” permeates throughout the play.  Explain what it means, providing examples from the play to support your answer.  (Scenes to peruse: 1.1; 1.3; 1.4; 1.5; 2.1; 3.1; 3.3)

9*.)   Discuss the use of clothing as a metaphor in Macbeth.  (Scenes to peruse:1.3; 1.7, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5,5)

10*.)     Examine to what extent Lady Macbeth is to blame for her husband's downfall. Discuss the relationship between the couple as the play develops. (Scenes to peruse: 1.5; 1.7; 3.4; 5.5)

11.)   Discuss whether Macbeth is truly a tragic figure.