Invictus (2010) - Highly recommend

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

W. E. Henley 1875

In 1990, my high school English teacher did a special unit on Mandela and the ANC. Since then I have always respected Nelson Mandela for his leadership to create a national consciousness of reconciliation and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa. This movie illustrates the skillful leadership and vision of Mandela as he uses the national rugby team of South Africa, a predominantly white sport hated by the majority black population, as a symbolic front for teaching both black and white that the new South Africa will not pursue hate and revenge, but will work together to create a new country that respects all colors. Clint Eastwood builds the story well, and despite my fears that the sports would take over and ruin the drama and philosophical side of the movie, it works.

My only criticism of the movie is the use of well-known Hollywood actors. Why not use South African actors? As an American, I'm OK because I can't tell the the difference with the pseudo accents put on by Matt Damon and Morgan Freedman--and I like both of them as actors, but I would guess it would annoy speakers of African English just like when Chinese actresses like Gong Li attempt to play Japanese geisha.


Themes:

• What is the value of forgiveness? What does it take to become a person who can forgive those who have hurt and humiliated you?
• "I am the master of my fate. The captain of my soul" What does that mean to you?
• What is the function of international sports (like the World Cup) in creating political or social unity and harmony domestically and internationally?
  

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Fighting sexual slavery and trafficking - A passionate plea to raise awareness of the tragedy

I subscribe to TED.com as an RSS feedback, and although I have many things I need to get done today, the importance of the issues that are being presented, and the power and passion with which the speakers convey their ideas makes it difficult to stop watching and learning from the TED site.

I hope all of my students will become regular viewers. Try subscribing to TED.com with your Google Reader or other RSS tools.

The following video needs to be watched by all.

An inspiring report on brain research unlocking causes of learning disorders

This TED presentation by Aditi Shankardass: A second opinion on learning disorders shows the importance of using direct, reliable evidence to draw conclusions. As she explains, many children continue to be diagnosed with autism or ADD without ever receiving a brain scan, just on the basis of their observable behavior. However, when she started analyzing their brain activity, it became clear that many children with problems simply needed brain related medication. Amazing, and powerful, and a lesson to all of us to not jump to conclusions about the essential nature of something just based on limited observations.

Hatoyama's English Speech - A Target for Our Students?

I was introduced to this video, which I may have seen before on news, as part of participating in a survey about the intelligibility of English spoken by Japanese professionals.

Hatoyama does a good job of articulating the key words of his speech enough to make his message clear. He is reading a script for his speech (as most high level speakers do in important occasions), but he has practiced well and it meets the aim of the communication situation.

To be effective, your English doesn't have to be perfect! Also, pronunciation mistakes of a few sounds or words here and there don't affect your general ability to be understood, so mainly focus on saying your key words and phrases correctly and with emphasis.

Of course, at the same time, as an instructor of higher level public speaking skills, it is easy to notice many areas that Mr. Hatoyama needs to improve in.

He obviously did not write the speech by himself, and he is not able to pause effectively to wait for an applause after he states his most important point about Japan's commitment to reduce emissions 25%.

He needs to prepare to deliver his most important point like that with eye contact and more emphasis and pausing, stopping after every word and building up to the main point and possibly even repeating the most important phrases for emphasis.

What do you think?

Nice debate video on TED: Do we need nuclear energy?