Learning Objective: This is a discussion class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to answer the questions objectively or critically.



Toupet from the Temple -- How hair from India ends up on German heads


Angelina Jolie, Christina Aguilera, and many other celebrities enhance their hairdos with other people's hair. And millions of women imitate them. More volume, longer hair, and more glamor thanks to hair extensions, which are strands of real hair. The "raw material" usually comes from India - and is a global mega-business.

The custom in India is to thank the gods for fulfilling wishes by sacrificing their hair. Until a few years, the temples didn't know what to do with the masses of hair that piled up. But they've meanwhile discovered that they can sell a kilo of untreated, long, and ungrayed hair for hundreds of dollars.



Discussion

>>>

Energy from the Sea in Northern Ireland


When we see huge solar power plants and offshore windmills being built, it's easy to forget how long it took before big energy companies were willing to invest in this technology. Advocates of tidal energy now face a similar problem.

There is copious energy in waves and tides -- enough to supply all of humankind's power needs. Scientists all over the world are experimenting with small tidal and wind generators. One of them functions like an underwater windmill: the currents turn the rotor blades, which drive a generator.



Discussion

>>>

Global Snack Serbia

In Serbia, no meal is without meat. The popular ground pork patty is called pleskavica. We visit a famous snack bar in Belgrade that serves 2,000 of them every day.


Discussion