Why some punchlines are beyond a joke

Jokes may have more power to make people think than facts – but is mainstream comedy doing enough to open people’s minds? Kate Smurthwaite jabs back at the comedians with only easy targets in their sights.

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NI 507 - Humans vs robots - November, 2017
Photo: World Travel & Tourism Council

Introducing... Leo Varadkar

Will Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s new, gay Taoiseach, live up to high expectations? Richard Swift reports.

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NI 507 - Humans vs robots - November, 2017
All that glistens: Silicon Valley lights up as night descends.Photo: Alamy

Plutocrats and paupers

If job-killing robots will play a big role in our future, inequality could get turbo-charged. The counter-proposals on the table barely scratch the surface, argues Nick Dowson.

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NI 507 - Humans vs robots - November, 2017
Thea Gilmore

And finally... Thea Gilmore

British singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore’s acclaimed new album The Counterweight was written during the turbulent events of 2016. She spoke to Danny Chivers about music, politics and crying on stage.

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NI 506 - Brazil's soft coup - October, 2017
Illustration: Donough O’ Malley

The Disrupted

Jim Thomas on the winners and losers of emerging technologies.

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NI 492 - Technology justice - May, 2016
That's rich - The FACTS

That's rich - The FACTS

In spite of global financial crisis, the numbers of super-rich people in the world has grown - and so have their fortunes.

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NI 459 - The feral rich - January, 2013
The feral rich

The feral rich

How do they get away with it? Vanessa Baird investigates.

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NI 459 - The feral rich - January, 2013
Homeless in San
Francisco. Many
Americans are in
denial about their
dependence on
the state.Franco Folini Under a CC Licence

Now is not the time to hate the state

Many Americans are in denial about their dependence on social spending, says Mark Engler.

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NI 452 - Mental health - May, 2012
 Essay: Deindustrializing humanity

Essay: Deindustrializing humanity

Neither humanity nor nature are commodities. It’s time the old ideology was dissolved, writes Jeremy Seabrook.

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
Map of Zambia

Country profile: Zambia

Mary Namakando digs out facts and ratings on one of Southern Africa's most politically stable countries and probes President Sata's grapple with corruption.

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
The dirt on Teodoro Obiang James Akena/Reuters

The dirt on Teodoro Obiang

Time to take aim at the tyrannical President of Equatorial Guinea in this month's 'Worldbeater'.

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
Since the death of Steve Jobs, allegations have surfaced accusing Apple of exploiting it's workers. 
 Vectorportal.com Under a CC Licence

The unpalatable reality of working for Apple

A fresh wave of reports unveiling exploitation in the iPad empire are forcing Apple to clean up up its act, reports Mark Engler.

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
Dirty work: a digger at
the Marange diamond
fields in Zimbabwe.Robin Hammond/ Panos

Kimberley Process 'whitewashes' blood diamonds

Aoife Allen describes how The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is not doing enough to clean up the gems trade.

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
A devastated landscape: Suncor
Canada’s oilsands upgrader facility on
the banks of the Athabasca River.Larry MacDougal/CP Photo

Putting the 'I' in ecocide

22 April is Earth Day. Should punishment be made to those personally responsible for destroying our planet?

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
Bill GatesPhoto of Bill Gates: World Economic Forum Under a CC Licence

The flip side to Bill Gates' charity billions

Microsoft's former CEO has made massive donations to global health programmes but an investigation by Andrew Bowman reveals some unpleasant side-effects.

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NI 451 - Adapt or die - April, 2012
What the squid did next Illustration by Ed Hall

What the squid did next

They say that US investment bank Goldman Sachs runs the world. Kenneth Haar investigates just how it's wrapping its tentacles around Europe.

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NI 450 - Time for a fair economy - March, 2012
Is 'ethical wealth' a contradiction?

Is 'ethical wealth' a contradiction?

Lush Cosmetics owner Mark Constantine and activist- artist Paul Fitzgerald go head to head in this month’s debate.

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NI 441 - China - makers of the miracle - April, 2011
People join hands outside UN building in Bangkok to commemorate International Day for Eradication of Poverty.Sukree Sukplang / Reuters

Tax the richest: why are we waiting?

As the UN goes in search of more funds to eliminate poverty, David Hillman reckons he knows where they’re hiding. Top dodger: Tesco

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NI 416 - Wanted! For dodging tax justice - October, 2008

Articles in this category displayed as a table:

Article title From magazine Publication date
Humans vs robots November, 2017
Humans vs robots November, 2017
Humans vs robots November, 2017
Brazil's soft coup October, 2017
Technology justice May, 2016
The feral rich January, 2013
The feral rich January, 2013
Mental health May, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Adapt or die April, 2012
Time for a fair economy March, 2012
Time for a fair economy March, 2012
China - makers of the miracle April, 2011
Wanted! For dodging tax justice October, 2008
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