Web
Surfing
by Dick Kling
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international organization that is fiercely dedicated to ending cruelty and inhumanity around the world. Every January the non-profit releases its "Human Rights Watch World Report", a startling annual review of the worldwide state of human rights.
Scroll through the site to read about human rights violations, practices, improvements, and issues facing the people and nations of the world in 2007. Search by region or country to find current information on global issues such as the genocide in Darfur, the war in Iraq, oppressive governments in Burma, Turkmenistan, and North Korea, dictatorships in the Middle East, and unfortunately many other brutal realities in China, Russia, Africa, and nearly every other place on Earth. Be sure to read some of the moving essays on the website, download a PDF of the report, and learn how you can take action to prevent and stop the rampant abuse of men, women, and children everywhere.
Shakespeare Online
You don't have to be a theater major or an academic historian to appreciate the immortal plays of Sir William Shakespeare, you just need an Internet connection. "Mr. Shakespeare and the Internet" is a cool website that serves as an online resource for finding references to the legendary playwright on the Web.
In addition to linking browsers to other Shakespeare sources on the Net, the site also has a host of original features that celebrate the life and work of The Bard. Visitors can browse through a biographical timeline, genealogy chart, as well as many Shakespearean works, and then test their knowledge by taking the "Shakespeare Biography Quiz".
http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/
Matters of the Brain
Despite incredible progress by neurologists and scientists, few frontiers remain as mysterious to us as that of our own minds. The "Brain Matters" website, created by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation, is a helpful online tool to better understand how the brain works as well as provide insight into the causes behind common brain disorders.
The site contains information on a number of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Sleep Disorders, and other brain-related conditions. Students, patients, and friends and family can use this website to learn about how a specific brain disorder "works", as well as the known causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatment options.
http://www.thebrainmatters.org
History of American Advertising
In 1841 the very first advertising agency in America opened its doors in Boston, Massachusetts. Since then American manufacturers have been tirelessly wooing consumers, with the paid help of agencies that concoct incredibly creative slogans, logos, brand images, and ad campaigns.
"The Emergence of Advertising in America: 1850-1920", part of the special collections libraries at Duke University, provides a fascinating look at the historical roots of the advertising industry. The site has a huge searchable database of information and over 9,000 images, so visitors can revisit vintage advertising from the 19th and 20th Century, including ads by Kodak, R.J. Reynolds, and other famous companies.
Eating Well
If it is indeed true that "you are what you eat", then it is probably a good idea to eat well. WHFoods.Com is a nutritious website created by The George Mateljan Foundation, a non-profit organization "free of commercial influence" that aims to educate the public about the benefits of eating healthy and to provide support for those who are interested in improving their diet.
The WH Foods site has a wealth of nutritional information, which is divided into three main sections entitled "Eating Healthy", "Cooking Healthy", and "Feeling Great". Browse through the site to find great recipes, info on topics such as Organic Food, Seasonal Eating, and Essential Nutrients, as well as free food-related features like the "Food Advisor", a list of 130 "World's Healthiest Foods", daily recipes, and a weekly bulletin.