Website of the week: TED

Photo credits to Veni Markovski.
Just look at those inspired faces…

I can’t help but feel that I’m in an academic rut right now. I have my finals looming and although I’m lucky enough NOT to have a dissertation, I can’t seem to find the time or inspiration to do much about it.

But never fear because TED is here! And no we’re not talking the famously foul-mouthed bear who smokes a bong and leches on everything that walks. TED- Technology, Entertainment, Design- is a site that devotes itself to inspiring people by posting videos of inspired people who do inspiring things. You get the message.

The non profit organisation is dedicated to spreading ideas and changing the attitudes of people from all over the world. The website is home to inspirational speeches and videos from all walks of life and whatever it is that you need inspiration for, you’re sure to find it there.

Kate Townend

Website of the week: Letters of Note

Well, that’s just cool.
Photo credit: Tom Hanks

Throughout history, men and women have written letters to friends, family and lovers, detailing their innermost thoughts and feelings in beautiful, handwritten script.

It really beats “hey bbz hw u doing a/s/l”, doesn’t it?

Letters of Note, curated by Shaun Usher, is a website celebrating great epistles of our time, whether showcasing hard-hitting stuff, such as a beautiful, heartbreaking letter from a former slave to his master, the shock of knowing that there was a contingency plan and a pre-written speech should the first men on the moon be unable to return, or simply focusing on a sweeter, simpler letter from a 10-year-old to President Barack Obama (his reply is included).

There are letters to make you laugh, ones to make you cry and ones to make you rethink your perspective on life. Many are from famous people through history, and they may give you a new perspective on characters you thought you knew before.

While it may feel voyeuristic and slightly intrusive to read someone else’s letters, which are inherently personal, intimate and often uncomfortably frank, this website is necessary for its original, engaging perspective on history that would have otherwise remained confidential and unknown.

Kate Gray
Online Comment Editor

Website of the week: Burning House

Photo credits to Nik Rahmel

The fire that broke out in the Laver building last week reminded me of a thought-provoking website that I stumbled upon not so long ago.

Now I wouldn’t go posting websites like this had the circumstances been worse, so before I go any further, I’d like to add that nobody was hurt and the damage wasn’t too extensive.

Burning House is a photo blog whereby people take a picture of the 10 items that they would rescue from their house if it were burning down.

Some are arty, some are practical and some are just downright odd. It’s like the perpetual desert island question, except that 10 items are pretty generous in my books.

Enjoy! And tell us what you think of it below, or what you would take with you!

Kate Townend

Website of the week: Everyday Sexism

We’ve come so far, but we’ve got so far to go…
Photo credit: didbygraham

You may recognise the name from Twitter. Everyday Sexism is an online project set up by Laura Bates that details, as the title implies, sexism that still occurs on a day-to-day basis.

The aim of the project is to highlight the fact that sexism does exist, against the opinions of many who believe we are already past it. The project serves to make the continuing efforts of those around the world fighting sexism clearer.

The comments posted by women range from minor annoyances: “people being upset by the idea that it’s all right to put a baby boy in pink, or a baby girl in blue” to the outright offensive: “finding out your male colleague, who is less competent and skilled than you, and does half the work, gets paid more than you”.

None of the comments on this website are any less valid than the rest; and it is with this in mind that we encourage you all to read it.

For Exeposé Online‘s own article on personal experience of sexism, read:
Girl, Assaulted
Hello, Boys…

Kate Gray & Kate Townend
Online Comment Editors