He's Belfast's Security Blanket (p. 54)
FC Article

• Discuss the nature of the security industry in the post-9/11 world. Will hotels in the U.S. have to employ security experts like John Toner? Make an outline of the various sectors of the economy that tie into new security regulations (airlines, tourism, hospitality, etc.). What changes can we expect in these industries? Extract the positives and negatives from this list.
• Compare the differences between Northern Ireland and America's views on terrorism. Is Northern Ireland at a point where it simply accepts terrorism? Is it conceivable that America could reach that point?

In My Humble Opinion (p. 70)
FC Article

• How does one conduct marketing in the age of fear? Ellis says the next new economy will be about safety. Is this something that we, as consumers, are asking for or rather are corporations instilling us with fear in order to sell products?
• Ellis talks of escapism -- our desires to buy products that makes us feel more secure. Is escapism a legitimate innovation or rather a response to hype and fear. Analyze how the buying habits of your group have or have not changed since the terrorist attacks. Look to see if people are buying more 'comfort' products, or perhaps if they haven't changed their habits at all. Does corporate America have an obligation to lead us out of this age of fear, or is it the legitimate next step of the economy?
• Is Ellis right to generalize us as anxiety-attacked consumers? So far, business seems to have cooperated with President Bush's request to turn things 'back to normal.' Does Ellis and his age of fear thwart this?

Attention Class! (p. 114)
FC Article

• Track down the 'teacher of the year' in your community and invite him/her to your next meeting. Discuss the 16 points in the FC article with the teacher and among your group. How have the emphases of teaching changed in the past 20 years? To what extent are aspects of good teaching universal, and which teaching skills require adapting to the students?
• Brainstorm some additions to this list of 16, and which ones you would change or delete. Consider additions that work specifically with younger students, as well as those that would work in post-secondary education.

Daniel Richards contributed this month's Flash Points.

December 2001 Connexus | Flash Points | Next Steps

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