Guest Thinkers — September 13, 2010

Against Humanitarian Aid

“The world’s humanitarian aid organizations may do more harm than good, argues Linda Polman.” The writer has a new book on the unintended consequences of humanitarian aid.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“I believe that aid could be given in a much more efficient and less dangerous way,” says writer Linda Polman. “After every humanitarian intervention, the aid organizations analyze what went well and what went wrong. Every analysis…says the weakest point is that the aid organizations are not cooperating well enough, which makes them vulnerable to abuse of the aid. … The reality is that aid is not being given a choice. Aid is being used by parties that are at war with each other. Even if aid wants to be neutral, the choice is made for them.”

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Big Think+’s Top 100 Learning Videos for 2018

Every year, companies try to do things better, to find the most effective way to complete some task or to improve overall productivity. Employee learning programs play a massive part […]

A Brighter Shade of Green: Rebooting Environmentalism for the 21st Century

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share an article written by my former colleague Ross Robertson for EnlightenNext magazine called “A Brighter Shade of Green: Rebooting Environmentalism for the 21stCentury.” […]

Culture & Religion

Europe, human and virtual or Middle Ages?

Europe has wisdom, sense, spirits and a good virtue. Yet, it appears that she disorderly managed valuable values. It is the time now to reinvent these and to work together on widening and deepening, due to believes in our prosperity and welfare.

Collage of geopolitical symbols, featuring a close-up of a man's bald head, China's flag, a globe highlighting Taiwan, and circuit patterns.

The Present

Why the USSR and China fell behind the US in the Chip Cold War

Both nations made missteps, but China still has a chance to make up lost ground.

Person examining a petri dish with tweezers, holding small colored objects, against a dark background.

Health

Are microplastics really destroying our health?

They’re in our brains, hearts, and blood — but what are they doing to us?

Up Next

Personal Growth

In Praise of Rule Breakers

“It is a very American thing, that we don’t believe too much in obeying the rules. We are not a nation of Hall Monitors; we are a nation that tortures Hall Monitors. We are people who push the rules.”