Well I'd like to thank all of you for keeping up with me and my thoughts on stuff happening out there in the world. It has been a blast reading about new places and getting to know them better.
If I ever get to take a journey to a new and exciting place I might post again but until then I saw relinquish my soap box and take a bow.
Have a great Holiday and great next semester!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Is Globalism bringing an end to Patriotism?
With countless ways to enter a country (naturalization, work visas, illegally) and Transnational Corporations operating comfortably outside of their home country are the boundaries separating the World's countries disappearing? Sure it is easy to say that Afghanistan and Iraq are far from creating a symbiotic relationship with the United States but how many countries whether politically, economically, or both have dependent relationships?
How does America having the number one economy truly affect the general population here? Though America having a strong economy is important for the quality of life that all citizens enjoy should we really be proud that we are Number 1( for now)? I don't think my quality of life would be any worse (though not necessarily better) if I lived in Europe. So... Why should I be patriotic? If anything since big business is holding not only are own but many other economies together maybe we should pledge our allegiance to Wal-Mart or Sony, etc. I think that with the flow of capital ever meandering from one nation to the next maybe it is time for the common man to put less faith in their country and follow where ever prosperity is in abundance. I feel that with Globalization a sedentary lifestyle is soon to be a thing of the past and while I don't see families having to pick up shop every season but; because I do think that just as it is very rare for a person to have the same job or career for that matter for the rest of their life, in fact the average person will have about 11 jobs in their lifetime, I don't see that family remaining very long in any particular area.
We saw urban sprawl when farmers had to move to the city for industrial jobs and you see migration from the suburbs to either the inner cities or rural outskirts because of gentrification so the logical next step would be to move to the country that has available employment opportunities.
I think that there soon will come a time when the boundaries of countries and the populations with in them will morph just as the landscape of this planet has from the very beginning.
How does America having the number one economy truly affect the general population here? Though America having a strong economy is important for the quality of life that all citizens enjoy should we really be proud that we are Number 1( for now)? I don't think my quality of life would be any worse (though not necessarily better) if I lived in Europe. So... Why should I be patriotic? If anything since big business is holding not only are own but many other economies together maybe we should pledge our allegiance to Wal-Mart or Sony, etc. I think that with the flow of capital ever meandering from one nation to the next maybe it is time for the common man to put less faith in their country and follow where ever prosperity is in abundance. I feel that with Globalization a sedentary lifestyle is soon to be a thing of the past and while I don't see families having to pick up shop every season but; because I do think that just as it is very rare for a person to have the same job or career for that matter for the rest of their life, in fact the average person will have about 11 jobs in their lifetime, I don't see that family remaining very long in any particular area.
We saw urban sprawl when farmers had to move to the city for industrial jobs and you see migration from the suburbs to either the inner cities or rural outskirts because of gentrification so the logical next step would be to move to the country that has available employment opportunities.
I think that there soon will come a time when the boundaries of countries and the populations with in them will morph just as the landscape of this planet has from the very beginning.
Top 5 Reasons it will always be Cool to be American
1) The Smithsonian
Though this institute was a very generous gift from a British man who had never once traveled here, the Smithsonian has provided countless generations with a place of wonder and exploration that has no rival on the planet. With 19 museums and a National Zoo this institute not only provides attractions for tourists but provides many scientists with work in their research centers and opportunities for field work with grants they provide for study. The Smithsonian is the largest museum complex in the world and not only provides education and entertainment for us here in America but for countless foreign visitors. This is one of our greatest national treasures.
2) Disney World/Land
From either coast you can experience the quintessential American vacation. Though Disney has taken up roots over seas there is nothing like the two parks we have here. These, albeit over priced, parks are almost more American than apple pie and what the Disney brand has meant to the American culture is maybe only outstripped by baseball and manifest destiny.
3) Hollywood
I don't think there are many industries that produce more money than Hollywood. Not only does Hollywood produce money for production studios and actors, directors, etc. but Hollywood provides the means for retailers like Wal-mart to sell TVs that cost the same as a down-payment on a car and movies to watch in them. Hollywood creates a business for art that no other cinema industry has been able to catch or any art industry period.
4) NASA
We may not have made it to orbit first during the Cold War but we did get a man on the Moon first. NASA has created and discovered some of the most revolutionary technology and scientific revelations since its creation. We owe everything from supersonic jets to Tang because of our very own space program. And though lately it would seem they haven't been up to much other than downsizing a planet or two they are still the modern day pioneer which is the cornerstone of the American Spirit.
5) Civil War Reenactments
If you have never been to one I recommend driving really far down south and finding one taking place. Unlike colonial reenactment villages or watching a period film from the civil war era you will never find actors so dedicated to the task of displaying the fervor and spirit of the bloodiest war in America. They are one of the oddest and tragically funniest things I have ever witnessed and I highly recommend that everyone watch Lee surrender to Grant.
Though this institute was a very generous gift from a British man who had never once traveled here, the Smithsonian has provided countless generations with a place of wonder and exploration that has no rival on the planet. With 19 museums and a National Zoo this institute not only provides attractions for tourists but provides many scientists with work in their research centers and opportunities for field work with grants they provide for study. The Smithsonian is the largest museum complex in the world and not only provides education and entertainment for us here in America but for countless foreign visitors. This is one of our greatest national treasures.
2) Disney World/Land
From either coast you can experience the quintessential American vacation. Though Disney has taken up roots over seas there is nothing like the two parks we have here. These, albeit over priced, parks are almost more American than apple pie and what the Disney brand has meant to the American culture is maybe only outstripped by baseball and manifest destiny.
3) Hollywood
I don't think there are many industries that produce more money than Hollywood. Not only does Hollywood produce money for production studios and actors, directors, etc. but Hollywood provides the means for retailers like Wal-mart to sell TVs that cost the same as a down-payment on a car and movies to watch in them. Hollywood creates a business for art that no other cinema industry has been able to catch or any art industry period.
4) NASA
We may not have made it to orbit first during the Cold War but we did get a man on the Moon first. NASA has created and discovered some of the most revolutionary technology and scientific revelations since its creation. We owe everything from supersonic jets to Tang because of our very own space program. And though lately it would seem they haven't been up to much other than downsizing a planet or two they are still the modern day pioneer which is the cornerstone of the American Spirit.
5) Civil War Reenactments
If you have never been to one I recommend driving really far down south and finding one taking place. Unlike colonial reenactment villages or watching a period film from the civil war era you will never find actors so dedicated to the task of displaying the fervor and spirit of the bloodiest war in America. They are one of the oddest and tragically funniest things I have ever witnessed and I highly recommend that everyone watch Lee surrender to Grant.
Why I will Never want a Diamond...
If the thought of the infinite number of human rights violations associated with diamond mines or the illegal trafficking of diamonds through conflict regions doesn't convince you to go against tradition then maybe the fact that the tradition of giving diamonds is younger than the establishment of this country.
The diamond industry has through manipulation of the market by controlling supply and creating false demand by creating some of the most impressive marketing campaigns in the history of advertising. Men used to propose with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires when they wanted to impress their bride-to-be. Now men are informed that they need to spend anywhere between 1 to 3 months of their salary on a diamond ring. When did that become etiquette? Who made that tradition?
This overblown consumerist tradition of diamond engagement rings creates opportunities for violence in a part of the world that in my opinion could use a little less. The most we've been able to accomplish is to get jewelers to verify that their stock is not from conflict areas but it is almost impossible to maintain certainty of origin in a continent with so little political organization between countries as well as within. Not to mention that is is only very well to do retailers that can usually produce paperwork for the origin of a diamond leaving lower-income couples the struggle between desiring the custom of a diamond ring but with the knowledge that the ring may have a second price of blood that was paid for it.
As for me I have made the choice not to conform not only because of the civil and economic strife the stone represents but also because I refuse to allow myself to buy or receive a product purely do to it's amazing PR.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
My Favorite Foreign Country...
Japan!!!!!
The reason this lovely little island is my favorite place away from home is because I owe much of my entertainment to products from this country and the Meiji Era is one of the coolest times in history.
My love for Japan starts with a little company called Sony. Now exempting the tragic defeat of the Beta-Max by VHS Sony is the primary developer of not only Cd's but DVDs and the Ultimate in home viewing Blu-rays. This means that every time you buy a movie (unless you are still using VHS and if you are stop) Sony gets a little bit of the top. Yes that's right even though Sony has its own movie production and distribution company if Warner Bros wants it out on DVD its gotta pay up. With the exception of recent TV models, I have been Sony fan for years they made the first portable music player (anybody remember Walkmans) and the first portable TV. With a company like this, though Japan is in a funk economically, hopefully they will make it through because I really like my PlayStation 3.
The second reason I love Japan is Anime!! This art form is so much more than what we consider cartoons here. Japanese animation can range from children's entertainment to full on dramatic feature-length films. The themes can range from satirical (though admittedly we are far superior in this particular category) to existential. The artistic standard of these cartoons is even being mimicked in our own culture here. More and more Saturday morning cartoons are reminiscent of Japanese anime story lines. The exportation of these films and shows are a huge chunk out of Japan's film industry and are exported by the case load as demand globally is large.
The third reason I love Japan is the rich cultural history and the juxtaposition of very modern architecture and ancient shrines throughout the country. They symbolize the very nature of my favorite era in history which is the Meiji era. It was during this time that the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and there was this cohabitation of modernization and traditional elements of society. They had an emperor but a constitution. The variety that must have been experienced not to mention the end of isolation due to good ole' U.S. of A.
If there was only one country I was ever allowed to go see it would be this one, it would be a hard choice but I'm pretty sure Japan is the coolest thing floating in the ocean.
The reason this lovely little island is my favorite place away from home is because I owe much of my entertainment to products from this country and the Meiji Era is one of the coolest times in history.
My love for Japan starts with a little company called Sony. Now exempting the tragic defeat of the Beta-Max by VHS Sony is the primary developer of not only Cd's but DVDs and the Ultimate in home viewing Blu-rays. This means that every time you buy a movie (unless you are still using VHS and if you are stop) Sony gets a little bit of the top. Yes that's right even though Sony has its own movie production and distribution company if Warner Bros wants it out on DVD its gotta pay up. With the exception of recent TV models, I have been Sony fan for years they made the first portable music player (anybody remember Walkmans) and the first portable TV. With a company like this, though Japan is in a funk economically, hopefully they will make it through because I really like my PlayStation 3.
The second reason I love Japan is Anime!! This art form is so much more than what we consider cartoons here. Japanese animation can range from children's entertainment to full on dramatic feature-length films. The themes can range from satirical (though admittedly we are far superior in this particular category) to existential. The artistic standard of these cartoons is even being mimicked in our own culture here. More and more Saturday morning cartoons are reminiscent of Japanese anime story lines. The exportation of these films and shows are a huge chunk out of Japan's film industry and are exported by the case load as demand globally is large.
The third reason I love Japan is the rich cultural history and the juxtaposition of very modern architecture and ancient shrines throughout the country. They symbolize the very nature of my favorite era in history which is the Meiji era. It was during this time that the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and there was this cohabitation of modernization and traditional elements of society. They had an emperor but a constitution. The variety that must have been experienced not to mention the end of isolation due to good ole' U.S. of A.
If there was only one country I was ever allowed to go see it would be this one, it would be a hard choice but I'm pretty sure Japan is the coolest thing floating in the ocean.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Brazil's Making moves
We all know this lovely country as the party capital of the world but this country is experiencing an economic boom while others including ourselves are wondering which bills get paid and which don't. After watching sixty minutes the other night I was shocked to hear this. In mean everyone talks about China's growth and development but this was the first time I ever heard a peep about Brazil. The country is rich in so many ways. They have ample areas for tourism to provide income but also plenty of natural resources. Of the natural resources they export raw or refined Brazil is the largest producer of iron ore in the world and the world's leading exporter of beef, chicken, orange juice, sugar, coffee and tobacco -- a lot of it goes to China, which has replaced the U.S. as Brazil's leading trade partner. Among all of these resorces they have a lucky strike with off-shore drilling for oil and they are a leading manufacturer of both automobiles and aircraft.
With all this and more, not to mention winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics they haven't lost their ability to party. This giant of a country experienced a 7% growth in their economy which is three times faster than the U.S. This country if it can be careful of its sordid past of stagnation could be who we should be looking out for not just China.
I will say that I found it very interesting that Brazil holds 14% of the world's fresh water which in some places in the world is worth more than gold.
During the show they also mentioned that what they lack in Brazil is a body of skilled labor, it was commented that they are having to import engineers from America to work in Brazil industry ventures. I thought that was intriguing because maybe just maybe Americans are looking at the exportation of jobs in a purely negative way. If industries and corporations are going to shop the world for cheap, available labor then maybe us lowly employees need to globalize ourselves and shop the world for a job. I mean I wouldn't mind living in Brazil...Just saying...
With all this and more, not to mention winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics they haven't lost their ability to party. This giant of a country experienced a 7% growth in their economy which is three times faster than the U.S. This country if it can be careful of its sordid past of stagnation could be who we should be looking out for not just China.
I will say that I found it very interesting that Brazil holds 14% of the world's fresh water which in some places in the world is worth more than gold.
During the show they also mentioned that what they lack in Brazil is a body of skilled labor, it was commented that they are having to import engineers from America to work in Brazil industry ventures. I thought that was intriguing because maybe just maybe Americans are looking at the exportation of jobs in a purely negative way. If industries and corporations are going to shop the world for cheap, available labor then maybe us lowly employees need to globalize ourselves and shop the world for a job. I mean I wouldn't mind living in Brazil...Just saying...
Christmas on the other side of the world
Santa gets an upgrade though. He gets cake not cookies and since it is too hot for reindeer he gets Six white-boomers (kangaroos). The patriarch of the family passes out the presents to everyone on Christmas morning, which is late morning due to most families going to midnght mass, wearing a Santa suit or a Santa hat.
The biggest difference though is the celebration of Boxing Day which the Aussies adopted from Britain this is a sporting holiday to relax, hit up after Christmas sales (similar to Black Friday), and watch or play criket games and yacht races.
A similar tradtion that the Aussies take to the next level is Caroling. They have a tradition that started in 1937 called Carols by Candellight. Families gather around all over and regardless of the weather sit out by candlelight and sing carols. This is done teh week before Christmas and it is a celebration of promoting "Peace on Earth and goodwill towards men"
The last tradition that they in a way share with us is "Christmas in July" Theirs just happens to look like our December one.
Info courtesy of http://www.santaswarehouse.com.au/history_of_christmas/christmas_in_australia.shtml
Students show us how it's done
It was a fiasco in Britain when a minority of the students protesting the tripling of college tuition to about 9,000 pounds (14,000USD) got violent. Though I don't agree with the violence there is something to be said about the passion that these STUDENTS have for their cause. They were lied to by a political party and ultimately lost their fight when the motion was passed but they are still fighting tooth and nail to either get it reversed or forcing the process of creating the new policy for this hike in price to be a heated battle.
Where is this passion in our country? It was once said that a government body should be afraid of the people not the other way around. What happened to the the land of the free and home of the brave? We have become pod people. The people is this country have become so absorbed by the cosumerist culture of this country we don't do things like what these students did anymore. The people of this nation are like a lion with no teeth. The last time I heard of a proper protest in this country was back in the 60's and there were countless to choose from. So what happened to us this half-a-cantury later? I mean these students were protesting 14 grand!!!!! That's cheap on this side of the pond. That tenacity is what changes the way a goverment works and though they lost their battle they reminded the government that they walk a fine line between civility and chaos from their people.
Where is this passion in our country? It was once said that a government body should be afraid of the people not the other way around. What happened to the the land of the free and home of the brave? We have become pod people. The people is this country have become so absorbed by the cosumerist culture of this country we don't do things like what these students did anymore. The people of this nation are like a lion with no teeth. The last time I heard of a proper protest in this country was back in the 60's and there were countless to choose from. So what happened to us this half-a-cantury later? I mean these students were protesting 14 grand!!!!! That's cheap on this side of the pond. That tenacity is what changes the way a goverment works and though they lost their battle they reminded the government that they walk a fine line between civility and chaos from their people.
America's Ingredient Lists
It would seem that America is the only place on Earth that allows companies to lie about what is listed under ingredients on our food. Countires all over the world (the European Union, Austrailia. Brazil, etc.) they have legislation informing the population about what they are eating. The reason this country hasn't is because the FDA decided that Genetically Modified food are "close enough" to the real deal that the crops need not go through rigorous testing or regulation and that the finished product need not be labled.
Close enough? Really? I wonder if a Bride would be ok with a "close enough" diamond. Would she be ok with a cubic zirconia while payng for a diamond all the while being completely ignorant about her purchase? I doubt it. I mean what next? Since our bodies can't tell the difference between corn sugar and cane sugar are ingredient lists going to just say sugar if people don't jump on the high-fructose-corn-syrup bandwagon?
To put this to a point, the Government is lying and Americans do nothing. We tried and failed to force genetically modified food to be labled but why stop there every year people protest pro-life and pro-choice, or whether or not there is going to be prayer in schools, why did we stop? Americans are so easily distacted that it is not too difficult for our government to get away with things when we are off somewhere else not paying attention.
We keep hearing on the news that we are a very obese unhealthy country but there is hardly any data to confirm or deny that Genetically modified foods are harmful to health.
In the end what I don't understand that if everything the government says is true and genetically modified food is pretty much the same as the real thing than what would be the problem with displaying that on a product? I have come to understand in this world that you hide and create ambiguity if there is something wrong with what you are doing. If there was no risk with Genetically modified food or organisms than there would be no reason not have blazing neon signs proving that point.
To promote the idea of genetically engineered food we have explainations of being able to feed the starving of the world but I don't believe for one minute that companies with the technology and patents on seeds would be so altruistic that they wouls share with a finanically bankeupt country and it is those countries that would benefit from the technology.
It would seem that though the U.S. it at the top of the world in economy, for however much longer is up for debate, and military we seem to be falling a little behind in citizens rights.
My advice is to go organic when you can and try your best to find petitions that are battling new GMO products. Here is a link to help do just that.
http://www.saynotogmos.org/
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