Globalization

When reading the beginning the chapter 24, I was little confused as to what they were trying to get at, especially after the first sentence. I thought to myself, 'well of course people in Iran aren't going to like Barbie. She is not very conservative at all.' Then I continued reading, and as soon as I read about both dolls being made in China it all clicked!
I feel that America totally relies on imports a little too much. I'm curious to see what things would be like if China didn't exist, or what things would be like had globalization and trade not grown to the extent of which they exist today.
Earlier today when I was blogging about Communism, I was looking for a political cartoon that I could use to sum everything up as the way I see it, but I was unable to find one. I did however come across a cartoon, thought nothing of it at the time, and then as I was writing this blog, I realized that it would be perfect!
So, here is that cartoon!

Couldn't have said it better myself!

My God vs. Your God

Our book speaks about all these conflicts between different religions, and many people wonder if it will ever stop.
The answer... no.
There are so many different religions out there. The main ones that our book looked at were Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. I believe that the conflicts between these religions arise out of fear. Many people often wonder which religion is the "right" religion, and it is this question that brings about controversies. We all, at some level, are seeking eternal salvation, but how is that attained? Then there is the controversy over who are God's chosen.
Chances of things changing are very slim; however, one thing stands a chance in ending it all...
FAITH

My friend has been living in the Dominican Republic for the last nine months in a convent, so of course she has had many religious discussion that she tells me about. A couple of months ago, she was telling me that she and a nun were speaking of religion, and she asked the sister if she was ever worried that everything that she believes in, everything that she has devoted her life to, if the God that she serves does not exist. Her answer.. NO!
She said that she had the utmost faith in her God, that she doesnt even bother worrying about things like that or other religions. But of course, she still respects those of other religions.
So, let me rephrase what will end this fighting amongst religions...
FAITH AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS BELONGING TO DIFFERENT RELIGIONS

Two Great Men

I have had the privilege of being in the same room as Nelson Mandela and got to hear him speak last year when I went to the inauguration. I went with a specific group and everyday we would go to the University of Maryland where we would hear of different people's life stories and the things that they achieved againt all odds.
Among those people was Nelson Mandela. I cannot even begin to explain how remarkable this man is. He was so full of life!
Before this chapter I knew that he was a historical figure resposible for change, but I had no idea how badly he had it in prison and the extent of all his struggles. When people go through things like that it really affects them, leaving some bitter. This was not the case with Nelson Mandela. Not once while he was speaking to us did he not have a smile on his face. He also laughed A LOT!! It was cute. I remember thinking that his laugh kind of sounded like Rafiki's laugh from the lion king. He was seemed so free-spirited, and you could tell that he was just an absolute joy to be around!!

I think that we can learn a lot from people like Nelson Mandela and Ghandi. They are prime examples that love will get you farther than fear. Their persistance, dedication, and courage to stand up for what they believe in was truly remarkable.
We need more Madelas and Ghandis in this world!

Leading Through Fear

Chapter 22 reminded me of a question that we have spoken about before...

As a leader, is it better to be loved or feared?

Fear can more easily be turned into hatred, especially when the people are dissatisfied to begin with. This developed hatred can lead to revolt against a tyrant leader. So it was no surprise to me that Communism failed.

We all have minds of our own and it is very hard to force things on people and to be successful doing so.

You can't force people to be the same, and give them all the same social status. People lose motivation that way. They are being enabled so they have no disire to acheive more, because they will not be recognized for it or receive the benefits from it.
Part of living and experiencing life is earning the things you want. Communism doesn't allow for that to happen.

As for the cold war... Well, the fact that nuclear arms exists is quite frightening. Now a days, we are some what desensitized when it comes to their existanstance, but I can't imagine how horrified the poeple of that time must have been.
I often wonder how many nuclear threats this country gets, threats that we never hear about.
I just pray that there is never a WWIII... It will be the end of us.

The Most Recent Century

It was so sad to me that when speaking of the most recent century, the century that I am apart of, the first thing our book spoke of was war and the effects of war.
Is this really how we are defining the century?
Is violence the only way that we feel our voice can be heard?

I'm more of a pacifist myself. I used to say that I was a left handed hippie in a previous life.

War, amoung other things, all comes down to this idea of superiority. Personally, I feel that people and nations that feel the need to distinguish themselves as "superior" are completely insecure. It's sad that bullying has reached a global level.

COLONIZATION

It is undeniable how much colonization changed the world. I can't imagine what my life would be like today had it never occured.
It is unfair what these more powerful countries did to the vunerable ones.
Power and greed led to the exploitation and slaughtering of so many people. Not to mention they took away the land that was rightfully theirs.
However, through this, these indiginous people saw that their is a way of living different from their own. I imagine that before colonization the indiginous were content with their way life, and after colonization I imagine that they wanted more for themselves, better things. Not only because they were so degraded, but also because they were inspired by things that they saw and experienced, things that they probably wouldn't have seen without colonization.

I also like to think about the things that I love and enjoy doing, and wonder if that would at all be possible had colonization never occured. For example, you love to travel and see first hand what it is life is like for other cultures. Things that wouldn't even be possible pre-colonization.
Yes, so many unnescessary lives were lost and taken advantage of, but so many doors have also been opened because of it.

All Great Things Have an End

Throughout history, so many successful empires have fallen, and I can't help but wonder, when will America fall?
Just today I was wondering how will the world I live in and know be portrayed in history books hundreds of years from now? What will historians say about the late 20th and early 21st century?
Will they focus on our acomplishments? Speak of all our inventions?
or
Will they talk about how all of our advancements led to our fall?

It's scary to think about this nation coming to an end, and I surely hope that it doesn't happen in my life time.

Hannah Teter is a....

human-IST!

She and Vonn not only recognize, but embrace the beauty of the human form.

I think that there is nothing wrong with nudity. There is nothing shameful about our bodies.
However, I did find it a bit funny that the article ended about childhood obesity. Its such a sad thing that can be so easily prevented.
What is to blame for this?...
INDUSTRIALIZATION

Things have become WAY TOO CONVENIENT!! Kids are obese because all they do is stay inside playing video games or being on the computer. When they do go outside its to go get McDonald's or some other cheap, processed food.
Not only do we need a food revolution, but we need to change productivity level of our youth!!
That means less TV, computers, and xbox.
Parents, go put your kid on a team! Its an easy way to keep them active, to make new friends, and to develop social skills!

Feminism

Of course, as a woman, the feminist movement struck me the most. I just cant even begin to imagine what it must have been like living 100 years ago. It's crazy to me that people did not appreciate the value of women.
Though us women still have a ways to go, I am glad that we have come this far. We may still been seen in a certain way and still may not be paid as much as a man in the business world, but I am so greatful that we are given so many oppritunities.
Society today has definitely become more openminded when it comes to women and the roles that they play.

Next we need to work on the Church.... FEMALE PRIESTS!!
Then we will really know that we are considered truly equal.

Go Big or Go Green

Did you know that humans are the only species that earth can live without?

If humans are not needed to sustain the earth than most likely we will be the ones to destroy it. We take and give nothing in return. On top of that, our everyday conveniences do more harm than good.

Before Industrialization we only used what the earth gave us. Now, because of machines and fast production, what the earth is willing to give us is not enough. I find it somewhat ironic that Industrialization is disliked because of what it does to the people, when in all actuality, we better be careful because sooner or later destruction will occur and it will be no one's fault but our own.

Religion... More Religion... and Science?

I have gone to a catholic school for the past thirteen years, but from what I remember science and religion were kept separated. In fact, my elementary school didn't start really focusing on science curriculum until the forth grade. Looking back now, even in highschool, we were never taught, "this is how the world was made. This is how and why things evolve." I never really thought much about it, didnt really notice it actually, until thinking about it just now. We were just told some people think this and others think that.
I do agree, however, religion is not always excepting of the latest scientific discoveries. Catholicism is very old fashion. In fact, just the other day my friend and I were saying that the church needs to undergo a third Vatican Council. Though the last one took place in the late sixties, a lot has changed since then, especially scientifically. For instance, now it is very common for a woman to take fertility pills if she is having trouble conceiving, she can undergo invetro, and even get a serrogate; however, the Church does not condone such things, because the sacred union between two people is absent. I just feel that someone shouldn't go to "hell" just for wanting a child. Just thinking about what I FEEL is right and what the Church SAYS is right puts my mind into a frenzy.

I guess religion and science together will always be a catch-22.

Chicken as a commodity...

You know, I have honestly never really thought about this, but once again things come down to making money. Before this mass production and easy availability of chickens, we all ate the "traditional" chickens. Then somewhere along the line someone said to themselves, "I bet people would be willing to pay me to do all the dirty work." So along with the want of money, our laziness contributed to the meat industry that we know of today. It is quite obvious that chickens are in fact voiceless victims of cruel commodification and that traditional chickens have it better. The traditional chickens are able to live and do whatever it is that chickens do, as opposed to living in way too small cages and being fed horomones.
I would totally kill and pluck a chicken in order to eat it as dinner. People and animals have been catching and eating their own kill for centuries. I am from the central valley so I am surrounded by people and family that live and breath agriculture. I have seen my grandfather kill pigs and cows, skin them, clean them, and separate the meat. Not once did I ever say to myself, oh my gosh this is so sad or feel that i couldnt handle it. It's life. From the very beginning we hunted and gathered, did whatever was necessary in order to survive. Chickens are going to be consumed regardless, but they definitely should not be produced in this way. (Though I am guilty of buying packaged chicken) I would love to be apart of a society that did things like this the traditional way. My great grandma used to tell me that when they were little they would get all the little kids and made it a contest to see who could catch a chicken the fastest. Then one of the adults would get the chicken and cut its neck off and they would all just watch it run around like crazy. I know, I know, this sounds terrible, especially when reading, but when my grandma would speak of it, it was always in an amusing way, like it was a type of bonding. Now a days most people would hear that story and think oh my gosh how horrible! how could someone do that!? But things weren't readily available like they are today, and people have bigger faults because they support a very cruel way that meat is produced, a way that devalues living things.
I am willing to bet that had chicken not become this "commodity" we would not have half as many vegetarians as we have today.

Our World Today

When you think about it, we would not be where we are today if it weren't for Columbus. Now, I am not saying that he did no wrong or didnt open any doors that led to massacre and the exploitation of certain people, but had he not sailed in search of this "New World" our lives would be so incredibly different. Because of him and others that set out on conquests after him, there became such a huge distinction between civilzed and uncivilized and the oppressed and the oppressors. Yes, many people died because of this distinction, but in a way it eventually united the oppressed, turning the uncivilized into civilized. We were able to see that there could be global communication, and because of this ideas were spead and advancements were made. So many lives have been saved because of medical and technological dicoveries, some of which could have never been possible had it not been for this globalization.
The past is the past, and though some horrible things have happened to innocent people, the only thing that we can do is learn from it and be thankful for what good did come from it.

Victims of Money and Sex

When reading the article by John Bourdreau, you can't hep but feel enraged with everything that is going on. It is so sad how big of a role money plays in everyday life. It determines where you live, how you live,what you learn, and the oppritunities that you are given. It has now even come down to putting a price on a human being. Greed and sex not only destroy the quality of life, but also people's lives. I cannot believe that people fail to see the value in human life. I would have to say that society is partly to blame. For years, epecially recently, everything has been revolved around serving a specific demographic and capitalizing on that. It is sickening to think that people have gone so slow and have become so consumed with their greed that they result to criminal acts in order to make money.