Op-ed: Should we care about sociology? Michael Briguglio

My op-ed in today's Malta Independent discusses how sociology can assist policymaking. Link:

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2022-01-06/blogs-opinions/Should-we-care-about-sociology-6736239553

#Ħsibijiet (85): 2021

Fl-2021 għamilt l-almu tiegħi biex, iggwidat mill-filosofija stojika, nivvaloriżża l-kwalita' tal-ħajja qabel kunsiderazzjonijiet oħra u għext bl-aħjar mod possibbli għalija u għal dawk ta' madwari. 

L-għażla tiegħi għalhekk kienet li naqsam il-ħin tiegħi bejn il-familja, il-professjoni tiegħi ta' soċjologu u l-attivitajiet li nħobb nagħmel: li ndoqq id-drums, nitgħallem, nagħmel l-eċercizzju fiżiku u nistrieħ. 

Biex inwettaq din l-għażla komplejt nitbiegħed kemm nista' mill-affarijiet, nies u attivitajiet negattivi u stressanti fil-ħajja. U ppruvajt nieħu pariri min-nies li verament jixtiquli l-ġid jew li huma mħarrġa fl-oqsma rispettivi tagħhom. L-ostakli rajthom bħala sfidi li juruk it-triq. 

Nirringrazzja minn qalbi lill-dawk qrib tiegħi u lill-ħbieb tiegħi. Rispett.

Op-Ed: Voices off stage - Michael Briguglio

In my final op-ed for 2021 I write about "voices off stage", in the spirit of solidarity and empathy in the festive season. Link:

 https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-12-23/blogs-opinions/Voices-off-stage-6736239300

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

#Ħsibijiet (84): Follow #RealNews not #FakeNews

Record 582 new #Covid19 cases in Malta as #WHO warns of #Omicron surge in Europe 

#Omicron / #Covid19: I appeal that we follow reputable news sources and institutions (E.g. in links below).

https://www.facebook.com/HPDPMalta/

https://www.facebook.com/sahhagovmt

https://www.who.int/

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en

I also appeal that we escape the echo-chamber of sensationalist, clickbait, absolutist, self-appointed "experts" amid the pandemic.

In these two articles I share some thoughts as a sociologist on how to navigate during Christmas and the New Year.

1. Stoic '21

2.Covid Christmas Take 2

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, keep safe.

Op-Ed: Free speech, hate speech, fake speech - Michael Briguglio

In my article in today's Malta Independent I observe some trends and challenges related to free speech, hate speech and fake speech. 

Link:

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-12-09/blogs-opinions/Free-speech-hate-speech-fake-speech-6736238936

#Ħsibijiet (83): Empty Vessels make the most noise

Fenomenu li ninnota tas-spiss fl-isfera pubblika tas-soċjeta' tagħna hi li, jkun hemm min jaqbad u jipproduċi jew jirriproduċi allegazzjonijiet dwar xi kwistjoni, jippreżentahom qishom xi vanġelu, u l-kwistjoni malajr tiġi popolariżżata jew saħansitra 'deċiża' fuq il-media soċjali. 

M'hemmx xi ngħidu, dawn il-ħabbara narċisisti u sensazzjonalisti jiddependu fuq il-likes, voti, sponsors, jew x'naf jien biex l-istorja tagħhom tinbiegħ. Iktar ma' l-aħbar tinxtered malajr, iktar igawdu: Tellieqa ta' sensazzjonaliżmu fieraħ, u nies iweġġgħu fil-proċess. Addio etika, addio evidenza, u addio li jisimgħu ilħna oħra, ma jmurx tixxellef in-narrattiva. 

Minn naħa l-oħra hemm min janaliżża l-istess kwistjonijiet bir-reqqa, bil-metodoloġiji appropriji, u bl-etika. Dan jieħu ż-żmien u jeħtieġ ir-riżorsi, il-paċenzja u l-oġġettivita'.  Biex nagħti eżempju, rapport ta' l-Awditur Ġenerali idum ferm iktar biex jiġi finaliżżat minn xi qlajja jew kontroversja fuq il-media soċjali.

Qed nibbanaliżżaw it-tagħrif u l-komunikazzjoni. Il-liberta' ta' l-espressjoni għandha tkun akkumpanjata minn sens ta' responsabilita' u sens ta' proporzjon. Deliberation, not clickbait.

Op-ed: Covid Christmas Take 2 - Michael Briguglio

My article in today's Malta Independent discusses challenges related to Covid-19 as we enter the Christmas season.

Link:

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-11-25/blogs-opinions/Covid-Christmas-Take-2-6736238569

#Ħsibijiet (82): Roberta Metsola's EP candidature

Roberta Metsola's EPP candidature for the European Parliament presidency confirms her capabilities as a politician, and that small states like Malta can be significant players in global politics. Well done and good luck Roberta!

Op-Ed: South End Core - Michael Briguglio

In today's Malta Independent I discuss the Malta supporters' phenomenon, namely the South End Core.

Link to article:

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-11-11/blogs-opinions/South-End-Core-6736238211

Op-ed: Non-Credentialism - Michael Briguglio

My op-ed in today's Malta Independent discusses the curious phenomenon of non-credentialism. You can read the article here:

https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-10-28/blogs-opinions/Noncredentialism-6736237866