TOK EXHIBITION Object 1: The Great Firewall of China (Internet Censorship System)
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: The Great Firewall of China represents a significant constraint on the pursuit of knowledge, illustrating how state-imposed internet censorship can limit access to information and restrict freedom of expression. This digital barrier affects not only what can be known or shared within China’s borders but also impacts global knowledge exchange. It raises critical questions about the balance between government control and the free flow of information, highlighting the challenges of navigating censorship in the pursuit of knowledge.
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TOK EXHIBITION Object 2: Patent for CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Technology
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: The patent for CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking gene-editing technology, exemplifies the constraints imposed by intellectual property laws on the dissemination and application of scientific knowledge. While patents protect innovations, they can also limit access to and use of new technologies, posing ethical and practical dilemmas in fields such as medicine and agriculture. This object invites discussion on how legal and economic factors can serve as constraints on the pursuit and sharing of knowledge, especially in rapidly advancing scientific domains.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 3: A Braille Copy of a Computer Programming Book
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: A Braille version of a computer programming book highlights the constraints related to accessibility in education and technology. It represents the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in accessing knowledge in fields traditionally dominated by visual content. This object encourages discussions on the importance of making knowledge accessible to all, exploring the technological, educational, and infrastructural barriers that can limit participation in the pursuit of knowledge across diverse communities.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 4: Open Access Scientific Journal Platform (e.g., PLOS One)
- Theme: Knowledge and Technology
- Rationale: Open access platforms like PLOS One address constraints in the traditional academic publishing model by allowing unrestricted access to scientific research. This initiative illustrates the technological and ideological shift towards democratizing knowledge, challenging financial and accessibility barriers that can impede the pursuit of knowledge. By providing a platform where scientific findings are freely available, it confronts the constraints imposed by paywalls and subscription fees, thereby expanding the potential for knowledge dissemination and collaborative advancement across global research communities.
TOK EXHIBITION Object 5: A Map of the Aral Sea (1989 vs. Current)
- Theme: Knowledge and the Knower
- Rationale: Comparative maps of the Aral Sea, showing its drastic shrinkage over the last few decades, illustrate the environmental and political constraints on the pursuit of geographical and ecological knowledge. The decline of the Aral Sea due to irrigation projects showcases how environmental degradation and resource management decisions can limit our understanding and interaction with the natural world. This object serves as a basis for discussing the impact of human actions on environmental research and the constraints imposed by changing landscapes on the acquisition of geographical knowledge.
