So, What Exactly is Going On With All the Other Third World Countries?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Carlos Hernandez
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the current state and perceptions of various third world countries, particularly in Africa, South America, and other regions. Participants explore topics such as political situations, scientific research, cultural practices, and media representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the lack of attention given to countries outside the Middle East, mentioning Africa, Mongolia, South America, Greece, and Portugal, and inquiring about any notable scientific or cultural developments.
  • Another participant reflects on the nature of news consumption, suggesting that it often lacks depth and specificity regarding global events.
  • A participant notes that news coverage of Africa tends to focus on negative aspects, such as political turmoil and health crises, citing examples like Mugabe and the AIDS epidemic.
  • One contributor argues that while there is a general blame placed on third world countries for global issues, there is also exploitation and a lack of genuine concern, except when issues arise that directly affect others.
  • Scientific research in Africa is highlighted, particularly in relation to AIDS vaccine development, while South America is noted for research on environmental impacts and medicinal discoveries from rainforests. However, the participant expresses concern about the educational challenges in these regions.
  • The correlation between illiteracy, poverty, and superstition in certain areas is mentioned as a significant issue affecting development.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the representation and treatment of third world countries, with no clear consensus on the overall narrative or the significance of the issues raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims reflect personal observations and opinions, with varying degrees of specificity and depth regarding the topics discussed. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of the issues presented.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in global politics, media representation, scientific research in developing countries, and cultural studies may find this discussion relevant.

Carlos Hernandez
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All of our attention is focused on the Middle East, what about the rest of the world? There are some 30 or so nations in Africa, what's going on there? Does anyone even know that a country called "Mongolia" exists directly north of China, what is going on there? What about all the countries in South America? What about Greece and Portugal? Is there anything interesting enough to even mention in all these third world countries? Any interesting scientific or technological discoveries? Any interesting political or cultural practices? And interesting paranormality incidences?

Carlos Hernandez
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, the news I read in my newspaper ('newspaper', those free papers they issue in public transportation, eg 'Metro') comes from everywhere and nowhere.

Anything interesting? Not sure.. good topic though.
 
Every news story I see about Africa these days is about Mugabe, or Aids, or Nigeria, where the ex-president of Liberia has taken refuge and where it is suspected the US has issued a contract on him.
 
The rest of the world? Well, we blame them in a general way for all our troubles, exploit the crap out of them, smile for the cameras over trifling amounts of aid we offer, but otherwise don't care - until they bomb us or something, anyways.

Interesting science? Global aids-vaccine research has been concentrating on Africa for some time now. Research in South America is going into potential feedback effects on the greenhouse effect. Research at the world's rainforests to discover new drugs from old herbal remedies. Science doesn't give much of a damn about borders, though the lack of education in some areas is a great problem.

The centres of illiteracy and poverty in the world correlate in some ways with centres of superstition.
 

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