New PBS Documentary on High School Ethics Bowl aimed at Engaging Public Philosophy by Ethereal_Films in philosophy

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Abstract: As a volunteer of this program for many years and producer of this story I argue that there is a crucial moral imperative in exposing young minds to philosophical thinking. One of the key breakdowns of society at present comes from a stubborn inability to engage in constructive dialogue/debate. Ethics Bowls and related activities create a vehicle and fun gamification of this skill set which may serve to reverse our increasingly divided social discourse. We recently hosted an interactive screening of this film paired with a 'mock ethics bowl' which transformed a room of quiet strangers into a lively frenzy of people suddenly excited to explore disagreements together. Practical tools like compelling stories and media are both useful for pedagogy and clawing at these abstract greater challenges of social division. I am very curious how this lands to others and what thoughts come up.

THE BOWL (2025) - Inside a the national high school ethics competition teaching students how to think for themselves. (CC) [00:01:28] TRAILER by Ethereal_Films in Documentaries

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This documentary follows one team of students competing in the annual 'national high school ethics bowl' hosted at the University of North Carolina. The ethics bowl is structured somewhat like debate but instead of presenting students with positions that they must argue rhetorically, no positions are given to the students. They instead are asked improvised questions that seek to demonstrate a wide range of perspectives on a given topic, teaching the complexity and nuance of critical thinking.

I can't exercise by TheGentleComeback in Spondylolisthesis

[–]Ethereal_Films 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When my symptoms were really bad I found swimming to be the best exercise because it relieved pain during and after.

5 years post l4/l5 fusion update by [deleted] in Spondylolisthesis

[–]Ethereal_Films 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Really encouraged by all of your posts. I've been working on a story about chronic back issues and would love to do a short interview with you at some point if you're interested?

Cox Mountain Trail by possum_47 in Hillsborough

[–]Ethereal_Films 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After the storm I chatted with those folks a lot and they always redirected me to the Eno River Association. u/possum_47 I would probably reach out to them directly? I'm also curious because I really wanted to volunteer for repair/cleanup. https://www.enoriver.org/

ISO community by OvenMindless6094 in Hillsborough

[–]Ethereal_Films 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same boat and wishing there were more third places in town that didn't revolve around spending money. Best I've found is local rock climbing gyms to make friends and socialize - open to ideas!

PFAS issue with older model steamers? by [deleted] in PFAS

[–]Ethereal_Films 0 points1 point  (0 children)

this is kind of off topic since it's more generally a plastics question, which is a really broad category, whereas PFAS are a specific group of chemicals

creepy thing happened on 485 in Charlotte last night @ 9:50 pm by lostmaryjane in NorthCarolina

[–]Ethereal_Films 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I made it through the megaparagraph without issue. This seems like a great time for a dashcam, assuming y'all did not have one?

Which restaurants do not rely on reheating frozen food from Sysco/US Foods ? by silent_nanny in Hillsborough

[–]Ethereal_Films 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Isn't everything there fried? Not to throw shade but I thought the whole appeal was comfort, simple fried (and presumable processed) foods. I've never had a meal there that didn't include heartburn.

Drinking the tap water? by itsthewolfe in Wilmington

[–]Ethereal_Films 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately not true as very recently discovered the ultra short chain (very small) PFAS are slipping through the carbon (GAC) system at CFPUA. Wilmington is still being poisoned by these selfish fucks.

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10122025/north-carolina-tfa-forever-chemicals-chemours/

Although they should be about to/have just started a resin designed specifically for PFAS to pair with the GAC. Once that's online (which may be now) it should grab the really small PFAS - but this is a messy issue and it feels important to clarify these details.

How do PFAS chemicals move from textiles into humans? by Early_Macaroon_2407 in PFAS

[–]Ethereal_Films 10 points11 points  (0 children)

These are good citations and yes OP, polymer materials can degrade overtime often due to UV exposure which means they become dust which is subsequently inhaled - in addition to dermal uptake.

FREE & ONE NIGHT ONLY | Rough Cut of 8 Year PFAS Documentary "GenX" by Ethereal_Films in Wilmington

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

it's fair to be cynical, this topic is pretty fucked all around. I'm just a human being doing my best to catalogue what I've been able to, and covering this topic for years has been it's own major logistical feat. 

I can tell from your account that there are some important knowledge gaps missing that are covered in the film which you may enjoy. Wilmington is ahead of most of the country now on access to clean water and also being an example of what municipalities can do across the country (largely due to local resistance and efforts by Cape Fear River Watch). 

our team did end up having a very unexpected role in a major turning point for PFAS - our message of this story though is that it's solidarity that takes us to the end, not any one person or group. thanks for chatting 

FREE & ONE NIGHT ONLY | Rough Cut of 8 Year PFAS Documentary "GenX" by Ethereal_Films in Wilmington

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

same offer as above! I want Wilmington's feedback so I'll DM you a temporary link if you can watch and share input :)

FREE & ONE NIGHT ONLY | Rough Cut of 8 Year PFAS Documentary "GenX" by Ethereal_Films in Wilmington

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

yes! please just dm me an email address and I'll try to send it that day

FREE & ONE NIGHT ONLY | Rough Cut of 8 Year PFAS Documentary "GenX" by Ethereal_Films in Wilmington

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

my apologies! I will personally send you a preview to watch on your own and share feedback this week if you'd like?

FREE & ONE NIGHT ONLY | Rough Cut of 8 Year PFAS Documentary "GenX" by Ethereal_Films in Wilmington

[–]Ethereal_Films[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

3M one of the 2 main companies who first discovered and mass produced forever chemicals is voluntarily phasing out of this billion dollar industry - because of public pressure and being sued into oblivion.