Persepolis 2.0

I loved the movie Persepolis, which is why I'm excited for a continuation of the work - although it's not done by Marjane Satrapi, but rather her compatriots (expatriots both) Payman and Sina, who live in Shanghai. The continuation is called Persepolis 2.0, and tells a story based on the recent elections in Iran.

Halal-to do about something...

A posting on the slightly more serious side (for verysmalltalk, anyway)... this very interesting post by Robyn Eckhardt at EatingAsia, a wonderful and award-winning travel and food blog that Robyn and her husband Dave Hagerman author together. In this posting, Robyn observes how in some countries, like Thailand and Indonesia, halal and non-halal food stalls coexist side by side in the marketplace, but in Malaysia, the non-halal stalls are generally hidden away. There is a very interesting discussion about religion, politics, and national identity which follows her posting. Check it out!

image: http://www.iconceptbiz.com

What Disgusts You?

Psychologists at the University of Virginia have developed a fascinating battery of tests designed to both do research and give individuals insight into their moral and political outlooks.

One of the tests lets you know what disgusts you; another one asks what you would do for a million dollars.  The idea is that political conservatives feel disgust stronger, and have more of an aversion to violation of rules than liberals.

 www.yourmorals.org 

image: http://www.magazine.ucla.edu