Push for open access to research

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6404429.stm

This article is regarding the issue of whether scientific research information should be shared with all other researchers and the public. Some researchers have seen the advantages of creating a policy to open their work to everyone and have thus launched a petition that called on the European Commission to establish a new policy that would require all government-funded research to be made available to the public shortly after publication.

After reading the article, I could understand the reasons why there are researchers who are hesitant about accepting this policy. If they follow the policy, they will not be able to earn as much money since everyone having access to the research information will generate less demand for it. Furthermore, by opening research to the public, there will be a lot of research of the same kind on the internet. Hence, there is a chance that some researchers will be left out of the picture while others steal all the limelight. Some might be lucky and have many people read their online journals or research but others might not be so. Without the policy, at least universities will look through everyone’s research and decide whether to purchase their publications based on how well it is written. They will stand an equal chance to gain fame.

But, I personally feel that it is actually a good idea to allow government-funded research to be shared with the public. Firstly, just like the article stated, a freely available virtual scientific library available to the entire globe can be created and thus widening the spread of knowledge everywhere. Students will also be able to learn much more since information is so readily available and can delve deeper into the subjects they are learning. Compared with what we have on the internet now, which only contains mainly research which were conducted many years ago and do not really showcase new ideas and breakthroughs. There have also been instances where people who just want to find out more about new scientific discoveries have always not been given access to the research information. But with the new policy, members of the public can find what they need. Cancer patients seeking information on new treatments or parents searching for the latest on childhood development issues will be able to find what they need easily.

I feel that the researchers’ studies are defeating their main purpose if they do so much research to come up with new discoveries but wish to keep it from the public. The researchers’ main concerns seem to be the money they can get from their publications. Their profits made will indeed be less if they open their research to the public without selling their work to universities, since it will seem less prestigious to the public, but is the main issue about scientific research not about improving our lives? So, I strongly feel that the researchers’ main concerns about their work should be focused more on helping people than the monetary issue.
(498 words)

Another victim of vicious bullying

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6653969.stm?ls

There have been many cases of bullying in schools everywhere. Some students are lucky to be spared, but weaker, more awkward students are picked on mercilessly by school bullies. This article highlights the predicament of Benjamin Cox, a bully victim who was bullied from the age of five by an older pupil, leaving him with psychiatric problems.

Although Benjamin was given a lot of money that can cover his lifetime, these large sums of money can never heal the emotional scars he has suffered. He had to deal with being bullied at such a young age of five and he lost the fun of his childhood all because of bullying. This incident is a good example which showcases the damage of bullying. Just because someone acts differently from us or has a different physical appearance, it does not give us the right to make fun of them. After all, all human beings are equal regardless of their race, religion or ethnic group. What right does one have to claim dominance over another person just because you are not happy with him or her?

Bullying destroys the victims’ self-esteem and leaves scars on their mentality which cannot be easily gotten rid of. The victims are helpless against the bullies, and the bullies usually get their friends to help in the bullying. No other student will dare mix with the victims for fear of being associated with them and having to face the bullies too. Hence, I feel that bullying is almost as bad as stealing or any other crime. If people who commit these crimes have to face serious consequences, is it really fair for the bullies to just get away scot-free? So when I read in the article that the school brushed bullying aside as a minor issue, I felt that it was totally preposterous. Bullying can destroy the victim’s childhood and lead to many problems, so it definitely cannot be considered a minor issue. If bullies are allowed to continue in their actions, they will grow up thinking that they can do anything they want, even crimes. Bullying absolutely does not build character and schools must find a way to prevent bullying.

The main rationale for bullying is differences between students and therefore some students are picked on by others to express their dislike. The victims dare not retaliate and the bullies just continue with their atrocities. To solve the problem, schools must educate children on the awfulness of bullying when they are young and let it get into their heads that they must never bully others. The victims must undergo therapy to allow them to overcome their problems and let them know what to do if they are bullied. School authorities must not just punish the bullies without making them understand their mistakes, for it will make matters worse and the bullies will blame the victims for their punishment. We must understand that bullies are also misguided and if everyone recognizes the awfulness of bullying, it can be prevented.

(501 words)