The future is here but unevenly distributed

To speak about the ‘internet’ is, almost always, to speak about the future: the future of the internet itself and the future that it will enable or effect. It is, of course a real technological and social object.

But since its beginning, it has also been an idea – an imaginary – of things to come: what is possible and what is probable in human development. In other words, it involves prediction. Scientific theories can offer predictions of course, but then so can Tarot Cards.

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Protecting sources in the digital age

At the time of our interview in his London office in late January 2015, outgoing Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Alan Rusbridger was despondent about the threat to investigative journalism posed by the erosion of source protection. “Well, I’m very gloomy,” he said.

The limitations on existing legal frameworks supporting source protection in the UK are coming thick and fast. It’s like fighting a “Zombie War,” he said, waving his hands in exasperation.

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OPINION: Looking back at Highway Africa

The sparkly, Google-sponsored, finger food dinner on the last day of the Highway Africa conference ended with hugs and the last of the business cards being handed out.

I drove with a car load of delegates, speakers and local reporters looking for late night drink into Grahamstown’s nearby township, Fingo Village. Six of us alighted from a Corolla outside a tavern that was friendly and mostly filled with a pool table.

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Law Focus – Police killings & force

Tonight on ‪#‎LawFocus‬ we look at the use of force by and against South African Police Service. Legal Hotspots rounds up this week’s big legal stories. Prof Peter Jordi explains to us when police officers are allowed to use force, and what happens when they are out of bounds.

The crew of our drama The Right Stuff gives us a different take on police brutality. Dr Johan Burger from the Institute for Security Studies tells us about the apparent rise in the killing of police officers. Our Constitutional Corner takes a look at the right to freedom.

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The Science Inside #027 – Homo Naledi

With the discovery of Homo Naledi, we’re looking at #TheScienceInside fossils! We hear from Lee Burger, who headed the discovery, and a Rick Hunter, a cave explorer on the team.

Dr Jonah Choiniere at the Evolutionary Studies Institute shows us some dinosaur fossils. Later, Kristian Carlson explains the science around dating fossils and defining new species.

We also have a student debate on evolution!

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The Business Buzz – Teaching Mandarin in SA Schools

January 2016 will see the introduction of the Chinese language ‘Mandarin’ being taught in South African schools. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga first announced plans for the teaching of Mandarin in local schools last year, following the signing of bilateral agreements between South Africa and China.

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Ken Oosterbroek Fellowship

The winner of the fellowship, to be announced on November 19 at Nikon House, 2015 will win a year’s internship at The Star and a Nikon D4S + 24-120mm f/4 + SB910 speed-light valued at R95 000

Entry theme: Your City of Colour The fellowship is open to young aspirant photojournalists between the ages of 18-25 years. Applicants should either be in their final year of studies or have recently completed a certificate, diploma or degree in photography at a recognized institution.

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