Epoch of Standoffs
Facebook vs Australia + Climate Change vs us
This week we talk about changing dynamics between digital media and state, along with different studies and approached being undertaken to study the coronavirus. We have tried to cover everything for you, and we hope you find it insightful.
Also, do share with us what you think in the comments section or mail us.
Changing Ideals of Democracy
All Eyes on Myanmar
Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest for more than two weeks now. This has raised concerns over democratic ideals and principles in the country, especially when it had undergone its second round of the democratic election in November 2020.
Meanwhile, the protestors are relentlessly fighting for their leader, and restoration of peace through posters and memes- to get the attention of the Instagram generation. It should be noted that protestors have been meeting daily despite the new law which can put them in prison for 20 years, BBC reports.
One Youth activist told South China Morning Post, “This is a fight for our future, the future of our country, We want to establish a real federal union where all citizens, all ethnicities are treated equally.”
Hike in Fuel Prices and Impact on Citizens
In India, fuel prices have broken records by crossing the 100 Rupee mark. This has brought questions upon the current government, but the ruling party leaders feel their government is not responsible for this hike. The farmer union (Samyukta Kisan Morcha) an umbrella body has made note of the losses being incurred due to this increase in prices, and how it has resulted in farmers getting lower Minimum Support Price (MSP)
Social Networking
Facebook vs Australia
Facebook in Australia has shut down the feature of sharing news articles. This action by the social media giant has been taken in the note of the new law ( News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill 2020) proposed by Australia, forcing Facebook and Google to pay the media companies for the news content that is published on their platforms.
Although Google went ahead to sign an agreement with Rubert Murdoch’s News Corp, Facebook reacted to it quite differently by blocking all links to news platforms in the country.
The legislation has been one of the first kind and is being watched closely by the world.
Bumble leads the way
Once a victim of social assault Whitney Wolfe Herd has taken over the online dating app market by becoming the youngest woman CEO to take her company public. Bumble Inc raised $2.2 billion from investors as it went public through Nasdaq. Whitney Herd rang the opening bell in the company of her one-year-old son.
And The Bitcoin Surges
Bitcoin hits $1 trillion in the market as it continues to grow exponentially. The question stays, how did it happen?
While some see it as a result of a hedge against inflation. However, it is highly due to the support and backing of high-profile figures, like Elon Musk. It should not be forgotten, Tesla purchased bitcoin worth $1.5 billion and said that it would accept bitcoin for its products on a limited basis as well.
This exponential growth has not been steady, with a significant rise in 2018 from $830 to $19,300 in 2018, to a significant dip when it amusingly crashed to $3200. The surge in bitcoin is good for some but upsetting for the fellows who sold it in 2019.
Does it have a future in India?
Well, the future of crypto is still uncertain in India, as there have been no recognition or regulation norms over it. Previously, a committee in parliament has been working on banning it but now the word ‘ban’ has been removed from the committee’s report that is to be presented in parliament in 2021, reports Financial Express.
Public Health
The New Approach
The UK plans to deliberately infect its healthy adults, to study and analyse the virus. The country has been recruiting volunteers between 18 to 30 years to study how Covid-19 affects individuals and how effective are the experimental vaccines against it. This plan was approved by the country's ethics body, however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns about the idea as per the organisation it could raise severe challenges. (Bloomberg Report)
The Indian Way
As per the new trend, Covid-19 has seen a significant decline in India and people are pretty back to their normal lives. This has confused scientists across the world, as the cases are down by 90%. It should be noted that a few states have seen spike cases again, and public health professionals have warned the citizens and have asked for strict covid restrictions to be placed.
Work From Home and Productivity- A New Survey
As per a study conducted on 10000 respondents by YouGov, Mint and Centre for Policy Research- only half of the respondents shared a will to go back to work while the rest preferred to work from home.
The survey also found a boost in mental health and productivity of the people working from home, than those going to offices on a rotational or regular basis.
Let’s talk Climate Change
Climate Change Can Kill Millions of Jobs in India
“According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 2 percent of the world’s total working hours are going to be lost due to hot weather by 2030. India would lose 5.8 percent of its working hours and as many as 34 million jobs.”
Chanya Kapoor reflects on the relationship between labour productivity and the changing temperatures.
India’s Plans and Policies on Climate Change
Akhila Nair reflects on India’s stance on climate change- its commitments and domestic policies.
Hope you found this week’s newsletter meaningful.
If you want to know more about our research- follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
