Muzician The Green Upside to the Meltdown Marc Gunther Greenbiz.com December 2, 2008 http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/12/02/the-green-upside-meltdown
Marx: Humans are very materialistic. This has been proven by the economic tumble due to the fact that so many people are living beyond their means. People demand goods, whether or not they are eco-friendly, and companies supply them. Not to mention the fact that the goods that are produced are produced by employees who's creativity cannot be shown through their work. Being more considerate of the ecosystem and environment takes time in and through the corporate world. Adaptation is key, also it's very hard to pass on going to the mall for massive sales to, instead, better your conscience by giving to those who actually are in need. This way, that which you give is an expression of who you are inside. Your giving is unique to you, which is something no corporation can control or take away from you. Social change is possible by using your social position and social interests to shape your impact on society.
Bailey05 Friday Night Lights: Helicopter Parenting Meghan O'Rourke Slate Online Magazine Feb 2, 2009 http://www.slate.com/id/2208682/
Durkheim,
This article itself shows you how in fact individuals do make a society. It is because parent's as these do in fact hover in a sense over their children and mold them in a way in which is right for society, it's what makes society the way it is. And in effort we as society continue following these types of patterns. The type of situation that these type of helicopter parents have their children in is a type considered mechanical soldiarity in which the children keep to their tight knit groups and are not allowed to go past what these rules placed down by the "helicopter parents" have given.
Tarpon Sports Injuries May Cause Lasting Brain Damage Jon Hamilton NPR.org 4 February 2009 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100071753&ft=1&f=1024
In this case the proletariat would be the football players and the bourgeoisie would be the fans. The proletariat seeks a means to continue their struggle to survive in the world of professional sports; to do this they must sacrifice their bodies to maintain their playing time, and by doing so increase their appeal to the requirements of the bourgeoisie. The players know that if their abilities were to waiver and therefore cost the player time on the field; then the bourgeoisie would lose faith or lose a need for that player. The football league (industry) has an almost unlimited supply of athletes to replace the ailing ones. The fans require that the industry always be productive and more importantly running at peak production. The fans are only maintaining the arrangement of providing for the players as long as the needs of the fans are met; in this case a winning team or the best team. As a result of this interaction between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the proletariat must continue to compete regardless of the risk of physical injury. Since man is materialistic in nature the fans and the players both perpetuate the cycle; the fans need to see the competition of the game, and the players need to continue playing in order to provide for themselves and their families.
Clifford New Bolivia constitution in force No Author listed BBC News February 7th, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7877107.stm
Marx
Bolivia wants change, and Evo Morales is the social force that is bringing about change in the country. Even though he is of indigenous descent, and of a socialist party, he acts as a liberal reformer trying to make change in his society. His ideas alone are not enough to form change, and now it seems that he has finally understood that concept. With his changes to the constitution he is creating change for the poor. The referendum he added was largely supported by the indigenous population in the country because it limited the size of rural landholdings. Evo Morales is not very well liked among the wealthy of the country, but he has still managed to make these changes because of his social position and status. I believe that social interests are determined by the position we hold in society and our class status heavily affects how we get that position. Because he was appealing to a certain group’s oppressed social position, he got backing from those in need. The people that oppressed are going to work even harder to get where they want to be when a political figure is backing them. The wealthy in the country are not for his policies and changes to the constitution because it is not giving them any sort of gain in society.
pyrrus the clash of the stimuli Lydia DePillis Slate Magazine Feb 8, 2009 http://www.slate.com/id/2210815/?from=rss
Marx: The capitalist superpower is collapsing like a house of cards with private companies needing to be subsidized by the federal government. That sounds a lot like socialism, which is showing that true capitalism does not function in the long run. It has run its course and much like nature it must evolve into something new and superior to what it was. Americans are afraid of the word communism and even socialism for that matter. However their economy is heading towards the latter with breakneck speed. Eventually they will learn to accept the truth that capitalism is only a precursor to the highest form of society communism.
1. Smarley 2. Looking In on the City’s Samaritans at a ‘Dark Time’ in the Land 3. Clyde Haberman 4. New York Times 5. February 2, 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/nyregion /03nyc.html?scp=6&sq=suicide&st=cse
Durkheim:
In today's modern society where organic solidarity is present and individuals and groups are interdependent, there have been an increase in social phenomena that have led to more suicidal threats. All parts of society depend on each other and when there is a downfall of one part, it can affect many people. With the poor economy and worsening stock market, people have the fear of losing themselves and losing their reasons for living. They are terrified of losing their life goals, and many may choose to end their lives as an escape. Anomic suicide will continue to increase as long as there is such a huge economic problem and the phone lines of the Samaritans suicide lines will continue to ring off the hook. Society needs to remedy the problem in order to decrease the desire for its individuals to take their own lives.
In New York there has also been in increase of callers who are terminally or chronically ill. Egoistic suicide is also very present in this society type, because individuals may feel as if they are no longer a part of society, and are just a drain. They feel as if they no longer fit into society due to their illness. It is better for them to take their own lives then to have a lonely end to their lives.
There is more than one thing that leads someone to suicide. It is a combination of many social factors, including fear of one's future, fear that they may not have good relationships and that society may not accept them. Fear is a leading factor in anomic suicides in today's world. Our nation is emotionally wounded and unless emphasis is put on fixing this, and helping those who are suffering, more people will take their lives as a last resort.
PURA VIDA The Case for Bankers Jacob Weisberg Slate Online Magazine February 7, 2009 http://www.slate.com/id/2210720/?from=rss
Marx:
It is evident that humans by nature are material beings. This statement is obvious given the current economic situation that our country is in. Due to the large amount of Americans that are involved in the current banking crisis, it is easy to blame the bankers themselves for putting society in this position. Many bankers and financial representatives had nothing to do with the crisis that we are in, however; society can and will change through a movement of the people. Ideas by themselves aren’t enough to create change. A person’s social interest is determined by their class. The individuals who fall into the oppressed social position that they are in due to the banks will form an alliance of some sort in order to bring about a positive change to their situation. If this means cutting the salary of a CEO or other top executives who could possibly get us out of the crisis, so be it. There will be a liberal reform and the people will decide!
1. Yellar 2. The Case for Bankers 3. Jacob Weisberg 4. Slate 5. February 7, 2009 6. http://www.slate.com/id/2210720/?from=rss
What Karl Marx would say...
It must first be noted that the current situation and the fate of these bankers is evidence that capitalism has exceeded its usefulness. Although America does not truly operate under the ideals of pure capitalism, it has followed this outdated modification of capitalism for too long and it is time to move on to the next stage in modes of production, which is communism.
The bankers themselves are not to blame. The people controlling the companies that employ and work with the bankers, such as AIG are to blame. The bankers are victims as well because they do not have prime control over the distribution of wealth like the owners and decision makers of these companies. The owners have the economic, political and cultural power to promote their own self interest.
Humans are naturally material beings that value commodities and need "stuff" to live happily. These financial firms and the people in charge of them are guilty of commodity fetishism--they want money and the commodities that can be bought with it, without valuing or recognizing the labor behind it. These firms rewarded people in ways that supported their desire to fulfill their own interests at the cost of the shareholders, ultimately cutting out the principles of labor.
Although the bankers are not truly to blame, they do help this capitalist society function. Weisberg thinks we should stop scorning them so that they risk their capital again and "get back in the game" but maybe people, mainly the laboring class, should continue to ridicule them so that they realize that the capitalist foundations they work under are wrong. Maybe if we continue to harp on them, they can create social change and invest their money into more worthwhile endeavors and their community.
Finn "Turning Cooking Oil Into Fuel for the County" DIANA MARSZALEK New York Times 02/08/09 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html
Marx: Although the switch to cooking oil instead of completely diesel fuel for the city vehicles is healthier for the environment and more cost efficient, it is still working under a capitalist system. Where one job is lost (the companies that haul the oil for the restaurants), another is formed(builders and workers of the convergent plants). The division of labor is still prevalent though it may be for a better cause. The proletariat will still be hauling the cooking oil for the government and working in the convergent plant for a higher power than themselves. They will still not technically reap the same rewards for their labor as say the county commisioner that is head of the operation, who is not directly touching the oil and converting it and driving the vehicles. In this sense the beourgeoise will still prevail and exist due to the labor of the prolateriat.
1. Sparky87 2. "Ethiopia Facing World's 'Most Urgent' Food Crisis" 3. Nicholas Benequista 4. One World.net 5. February 9, 2009 6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04-10
Marx:
The situation in Ethiopia should come as no surprise to us in our current world. Ethiopia is an extremely poor country, and the hunger and poverty experienced by its inhabitants are a direct result of of their low capital. What has created the troubles in Ethiopia? Capitalism. Rich, capitalist countries have exploited this country and caused Ethiopia to lose its power as a nation. Even though Ethiopia's economy has grown quickly in the last five years, it is doomed to fail because it is attempting to model itself under a capitalist model, which will never work out in the long run. Western nations' attempts to help Ethiopia are a very concrete example of how the propertied class has the power to control the distribution of wealth because they have the economic and political power to do so. Capitalism has exploited countries, and then provided a helping hand. But the damage has been done, and until capitalism ceases to be the model that all countries strive for, the hunger will continue.
1. uwh01 2. "Ethiopia Facing World's 'Most Urgent' Food Crisis" 3. Nicholas Benequista 4. One World.net 5. February 9, 2009 6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04-10
Ethiopia is having a class crisis. The bourgeois of the nation are probably sitting in their mansions unaffected by the three-year draught, while the vast majority of the nation is suffering from the most severe cases of malnourishment and disease. The class crisis reaches beyond Africa, though, because Ethiopia depends on the UN for assistance. Ethiopia used to receive significant amounts of support from abroad, but the recent economic downfall has reduced this aid. Foreign nations are keeping more of what they produce, and Ethiopia is producing more; the gap between nations (and classes) is increasing. A revolution is coming. Resources throughout the world are abundant enough for everyone to eat, but Ethiopia is experiencing extreme poverty and malnutrition. Further, this vulnerable state has destroyed the human essence of Ethiopians: there is no means for them to have creative, meaningful, joyful work. This revolution of capitalism will give way to the beginnings of communism, when all will eat.
Codepink Slapped in the Facebook: Social Networking Dangers Exposed. Bill Brenner Network World 2/9/09 http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/020909-slapped-in-the-facebook-social.html?hpg1=bn
This article is perfect example of the development of social networking online as a new form of social integration. The belief that the use of these websites (facebook, myspace, and twitter)is safe and secure meets the first standard.Also many of the sites users believe that by having the privacy settings in use will prevent hacking on their pages. When viewing the profile of a friend one develops trust with the website that the person is who they say they are. Users of these websites have to agree to a statement of rights (i.e. the terms and conditions) created by the website before beginning use of the website. The internet then becomes the church used by all of the followers of social networking. The single moral of these users is to stay connected to one another even though they are miles apart.
FredSegal Will recession dull hip-hop's bling? John D. Sutter CNN.com February 6, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/29/hiphop.bling.recession/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
The styles displayed at Grammy Awards were quite different this year. The movement away from the flashy demonstration of one’s possessions is a step in the right direction for the hip-hop community. Private property has been the source of conflict for this society for many centuries. The bourgeoisie’s shift towards a more society conscious style is an important change that should take place for the better of society. The coming together of social classes is important, for they have long been in direct opposition. The power of the upper classes has always been the ability to guide the lower classes. A shift towards conservatism and environmentalism is long awaited. The embrace of this shift by the entertainment industry is important and influential as well. As the recession continues and more jobs are lost, the lower classes will embrace the entertainers who choose to talk about important issues and identify with them during these hard economic times.
CY-CHI FEMA Is Faulted on Aid After Hurricane Ike The Associated Press The New York Times 8 February 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html
Marx:
People affected by Hurricane Ike have applied to FEMA for aid in rebuilding/repairing their homes. Ninety percent of the applicants have been denied help because they “do not understand the limits of the agency’s help”. They admit that sometimes inspectors make mistakes but that in general people file claims for things that FEMA can’t/won’t help with. People are materialistic. This is just a fact. The people of FEMA want to pay the least amount of money and hold onto inspectors that might not be as well trained but will for less money, while remaining in the good graces of the government. The people affected by Hurricane Ike want their homes restored to the way they were. With there being a housing crisis as it is, any damages that are not repaired will only lower the value of their home even more. Not to mention, that some people might feel outraged, nay, entitled, by pumping money into the government and not seeing an equivalent amount in return. Social inequalities and social interests are the key ingredients to a change. The American people, specifically but not limited to those affected by Hurricane Ike, need to fight back and realize that they should not slink back and accept class dynamics. Especially after the absolute travesty of Hurricane Katrina. People are still waiting on FEMA. Change needs to happen now. A revolution needs to happen now.
Jules The Case For Bankers Jacob Weisberg Slate Magazine Feb. 7, 2009 http:// www.slate.com/id/2210720/?from=rss
In the Words of Marx: At first glance it seems apparent to blame the banking industry as a whole for the current state of the economy. But in actuality there are a select few that are rightfully to blame. Top ranking officials that work hand in hand with bankers and have the power to enact policies at will do more deserve to shoulder the blame. The present day fiasco involving investors and their negligent behavior as it relates to the downward spin of the economy was caused by this minority of people with great amounts of power acting without accounting for the necessary labour involved. The consequences of these acts of the minority of people are exact examples of the downside of fetish commodities... man, by his industry, changing the forms of material, in such a way to make them useful to him. The materialistic nature of these beings has lead our country to ruins, but someday this will all be a thing of the past as the oppressed will consolidate and make right this wrong.
Mj23 Geithner Offers New Bank Rescue Plan Edmund L. Andrews Feb. 10, 2009 nytimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/economy/11bailout.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
Marx: The Secretary of the Treasure, Timothy F. Geithner spoke at the Treasury Department Tuesday afternoon. He was trying to ensure Americans that we can and will get through this economic crisis and that Wall Street would not buckle under the trillions of unsellable assets it now possesses. His plan has many holes and unanswered questions. Even as he gave the speech, the Dow Jones went down 350 points, more than four percent. Hopefully, by now Americans you see clearly like I do that capitalism is not the answer. Greed and Materialism have caused this collapse that we know see. We have tried to recieve fullfilment and happiness far to long in commodities and we are now paying dearly for it. We have dug our own graves by relying on CEO's and mortgaging companies to handle our money. They have made foolish gambles with it not caring about the consequences. We need to live in a world where the poor man is not taken advantage of by the rich whose only concern is using you to make a few dollars. This must end now. We need to start a revolution. Communism is the answer. Until we decide to do what is right we will continue to pay for what the upper class as cuased.
Ynnus Social Divide Sparks India Violence Feb. 10, 2008 By Sanjoy Majumder BBC News, Delhi http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7858157.stm
Engels
There is social conflict (inequality) in society that is caused by expected gender roles in many society structures. It is very apparent in this story about the expansion of the big city New Dehli, India. Many farmers that lived in the outskirts of the city sold their land and became "instant millionaires." The problem with this is that the people who lived in rural areas have kept their traditional values, and views of women. The men who live in the village area viewed women as lower then them and there was extreme domination of women. This is an extreme case, which unfortunately led to the violent gang-rape of a college student, but male domination is evident in most societies. In this particular situation, it is very clear that there is male domination of women because the social norm is for the women to not be allowed to travel alone or show their faces to men. When men from the village were interviewed about the gang-rape and following arrests of 11 men, he seemed very upset that the men were arrested at all- contradictory to evidence. Women may have the choice to marry who they wish, or not marry at all, but they would not be able to live as nice of a life (as is suggested by the abuse of the female college student).
ZetaBeta California Work Program for Young is Threatened by: Malia Wollan New York Times February 7, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Marx, The proletarian are being threatened to lose their low paying, harsh work conditioned jobs due to budget cuts. Their work with nature in national parks such as Yosemite and the Grand Canyon is being valued as much as their pay, very little. The upper class individuals in political power believe that cutting out the California Conservation Corps work crew is necessary in order to help the $42 billion budget deficit they are facing in California. Labor theory of value is demonstrated with the lack of respect shown for the work done by these individuals because their pay is not extravagant. Capitalism has brought this state into debt it is time to attempt a system that treats every profession equally, communism. Why do they not cut the pay of professional athletes whose million dollar bank accounts can afford the pay cut, instead of cutting the ones that can't stand the loss. Let's make these workers aware of the unjust being done to them and help them rise up against the political influence trying to shut them down.
reneeb Senate Approves Stimulus Plan David m. Herszenhorn New York Times Feb 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/washington/11web-stim.html?hp
Marx: The current economic problems of the world in general and the United States more specifically is perfect evidence that capitalism has served its purpose. Instead, the government is trying to fight the inevitable by passing a near trillion dollar stimulus package. The elected officials are members of the propertied class and like always they control who gets money and how much they get.
The ruling politicians care little for the proletariat. Their lack of caring can be evidenced by the fact that they have spend billions of dollars on bankers who were responsible for their own collapse while in this most recent stimulus bill they have forty billion dollars that in large part would have gone to education. Just to further show the inequality, the people who were unable to pay for their homes were not in any way bailed out. It is in the best interest of the propertied elite to have an uneducated proletariat. This crisis should convince what doubters that remain that society should now move into the final stage of communism.
Petite California Work Program for Young is Threatened Malia Wollan NYT> Environment February 7,2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
Durkheim
As I read this article, I noted Jason Prue's inability to integrate with the society to which he belongs. The fact that we now live in a modernized society where there aren't a lot of strict rules and regulations to adhere to, leaves certain individuals questioning the need for their existence. I sense Mr. Prue loosing his sense of self and his overall reason for being in this "free world". He specifies that his living arrangements were confined to the interior of his vehicle and that there isn't a job that suits his interest. After finally joining a work corps tailored to hard luck teenagers and adults who are prison bound, the state of California are placing this youth work program on the chopping block and threating his only sense of security. The fact that my most famous work is SUICIDE; which proved this was a social phenomena with social causes, I recognized that Jason Prue could be a candidate for anomic suicide. I see that there is a greater trend in men who experience an economic downturn and clearly Mr. Prue is on that path of self destruction. He states that "if this goes down I don't know what I'm going to do"; which I assume is a cry for help. I, Emile Durkheim feel that "no living being can be happy unless its needs are sufficiently proportioned to its means, for if its needs surpass its capacity to satisfy them, then the result can only be friction, pain and a general weakening of the impulse to live."
believer FEMA Is Faulted on Aid After Hurricane Ike The Associated Press The New York Times February 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html?_r=1
Marx:
In this situation, FEMA would act as the Elite and the citizens in need of assistance would act as the proletariat. FEMA is in charge of distributing the goods and services while the citizens of Texas must count on FEMA to receive them. More than 650,000 applications were denied for assistance in Texas after hurricane Ike. A lawyer has found the reason is in part due to the poorly trained FEMA inspectors who are paid a flat fee per inspection and have to pay their own expenses. The system today is set up where you are only worth as much as you can earn. I feel that because of this, workers are less likely to put forth the effort and time needed to produce something efficiently, especially in the scenario of the FEMA workers. It is up to the proletariat, the residents of Texas to rise up with the FEMA workers, the bourgeois, to go up against the larger FEMA, the Elite, to get the services and money they need to rebuild their homes.
1.) Florida 2.) Why do Americans Love Peanut Butter? 3.) Brain Palmer 4.) 02/09/2009 5.) Slate 6.) http://www.slate.com/id/2210837/?from=rss
Marx:
After reading this article I was able to relate some of Marx’s ideas and questions to the importance of this article. Marx philosophy deals with what brings about social changes and the kind of changes that are desirable and possible. Within the context of this article it deals with a social movement that favors Peanut Butter rather then meat. However, it took a while for this change to come about. Even though peanut butter has been around for more than a century it wasn’t until the 1920’s that it became popular. With the outbreak of meat having salmonella a lot of people started to consume peanut better, because of it’s low costs and high protein it offers. After analyzing this situation I can see how it applies to the fundamental assumptions of Marx’s theory. I believe awareness that peanut butter provides greater health benefits than meat and costs less created a clash of social interests which allowed social change to happen. Being the more people are becoming aware of peanut butter this creates a division among peanut butter and meat. While doing my analysis I did take into consideration that class may play a role in the reason why so many American like peanut butter. Marx deals with the bourgeois and the proletarians and the difference among them. I feel that the low cost of peanut butter would be highly favored by the proletarians because it’s cheap and affordable. Being that a good portion of Americans would fall under the proletarians that probably explained why peanut butter is becoming more favor.
emmitt The Poodle Can't Talk Now; She's In With Her Stylist Katie Thomas The New York Times February 9,2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/sports/othersports/10dogs.html
Durkheim The process of bringing groups of people together is very important for a society to exist. Groups coming together for certain events to "celebrate" or to hang out is much needed. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is something that brings people together. This event has a high level of group interaction, which is something that is very important when studying a society. The Dog Show has many sacred rituals and collective behavior symbolizing group interaction. With an event like this people can share common beliefs as well as socialize and enjoy what they have in common. This event brings people together for them to have fun and "interact" with eachother, which is what is most important for a society to survive.
ICMA Five Reasons The Markets Don't Like the Bank Bailouts Jeff Cox CNBC 2-10-09 http://www.cnbc.com/id/29121916/page/2/
Marx:
One of the main reasons the economy is not responding well in reference to the news of the bank bailout and the new Treasury Secretary's ne financial plan is because of the great uncertainty. Much of what's going on in the economy is because their is no conventional wisdom on how to handle this financial crisis. In some insistances we try to hold the economy accountable and call it a free market, which is capitalism at it best. But because of the regulation and deregulation of the market; also the bailout of many large lending institutions, it is going to be hard to be hard to bring about confidence within the economy and to get credit moving again within the credit markets.
It seems that a few people, the bourgeoisie, are controling most of the wealth within the market and their decisions are effecting the larger community, the proletariat. In order to gain long term stability there is going to have to be a shift in the current model of bourgeoiste and the proletariat. If this continues then their will continue to be people like those that are currently suffering from the economic down turn in the future.
1) Jordans (Justine Connolly) 2) “Octuplets’ mom was hoping for just one more girl, ‘grandmother says” 3) Jessica Garrison and Kimi Yoshino 4) Los Angeles Times 5) January 31, 2009 6) http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-me-octuplets31-2009jan31,0,841716.story
In words of Engles:
Nadya Suleman resides in Whittier, California. Nadya has given birth to octuplets, eight children through in-vitro fertilization. However, she already gave birth to six other children previously, making her a mother of fourteen children. She and her fourteen children live in a three bedroom home with her mother and father. This woman and her lifestyle do not fit into Fredrich Engele’s patriarchal society, because she is a single woman, who has been divorced, and the father of all her children is unknown. Ms.Suleman does fit the role of a domestic bearing woman in society, because she raises her children and takes care of her household duties. As many citizens around the world have been saying about Ms.Suleman and her wrongful actions; Engles would tell her that women should be subordinate to men for the economic structure of society to be successful. Since she did not follow those rules of society her economic structure has been fruitless and hope the government will be a provider for her family. This lady proved she was not subordinate to any man, by being divorced and by having more kids after her divorce Engles believes men are the production of the means and women are the production of human beings. Engles belief that the economical society will be functional if women are subordinate holds true to this case. If she followed by the rules her doctor set when planting those eight embryos she would of ended up with only one child instead of eight, but she didn’t not want to kill off seven of the embryos like her doctor permitted. The role men and women play in society is for the betterment of their own family, not for a grandfather to go to Iraq for work to support his grandchildren and daughter financially.
Orchid 9/11 claims one more victim Michael Daly Daily News-NY local September 4, 2008 http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/09/03/2008-09 03_911_claims_one_more_victim.html
Durkheim:
As I read this tragic story I immediately realized that this is a case of anomic suicide. Life was good for Kenny Johannemann until 9/11 took place. With such a drastic change of having plenty of friends to none can make you feel lost and you lose a sense of who you are. Due to the intense complications that lead Kenny to suicide places him the anomic category. He took to drinking and felt that he did not have much stability in his life, especially since he would soon become homeless. This burden wouldn’t allow him to continue with life. This event took place in a modern society but everything seemed to decline for Kenny. This is a series of unfortunate events for Kenny and it seems as if suicide was definitely driven by a social phenomena.
Monkey Economic Troubles Bring Many to the Brink Paul Vercammen CNN.com January 29, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/mentalhealth/01/28/economy.mental.woes/index.html#cnnSTCText
Durkheim
In this modern society people have been socialized to accept concept of success as having a job or career. People are distracted by the idea that they must have a job, and they must work. It becomes a part of their identity. One of the most popular conversation topics is “So, what do you do for a living?” and the answer “Oh, I don’t have a job, ” is generally not accepted. Americans are “work-aholics.” They work to make a living, and often confuse this with living to work. The economic downturn that is now affecting the whole country has had a major impact. People who have centered their lives around their careers are now finding themselves jobless, and therefore world-less. This situation drives some to extremes. These are precursors to anomic suicide. The woman on the phone is job-less. She has called the free hotline to speak with a counselor. She says she doesn’t want to live if she doesn’t find a job. This hotline was set up as a response to the rise in suicidal incidents seen recently because of the economic downturn. A few weeks ago a couple killed themselves and their children after losing their jobs. This sense of losing yourself when you lose your job is a product of the modern society and organic solidarity, and can lead to anomic suicide. The counselor on the phone tells her that she will get her professional help and sets up an psychological evaluation for the suicidal woman. This is another characteristic of the modern society and its organic solidarity, restitution. The counselor tries to find a way to restore this woman so she can function normally in society again.
Mr.Tibbs The Poodle Can’t Talk now; She’s in with Her Stylist Katie Thomas The New York Times http://sya4110spring2009.blogspot.com/2008/12/assignment-1-due-211.html
From the perspective of Durkheim: The Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show is a sacred event that brings about an attitude of respect and honor to those who are involved. The Dog Show creates high rates of group integration. Everyone comes with a sense of togetherness. Although they may have a difference in dog preference, they all love dogs in general. By competing they obtain group membership and strengthen their shared beliefs over time. Everyone who participates engage in collective ritual behavior. As stated in the article, some dogs require five hours a week of grooming and it takes years to learn proper methods. This shows people have a strong desire to be involved in this sacred event. The final thing they share is their aspirations and emotions. They are aspiring to achieve the same goals and all share very similar emotions when engaging in the Dog Show.
1. Yellow Bird 2. Zimbabwe opposition says it's ready for unity government 3. No Author Listed 4. CNN.com 5. January 30th, 2009 6. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/30/zimbabwe.power/index.html?iref=newssearch
Marx: This article is discussing how Zimbabwe’s President is working with a Movement for Democratic change to help end poverty and suffering in the country. Marx would critique this situation by saying that while it is a good thing that the people have come together to create a movement for democratic change, he would not have the change be done in a democratic fashion. Instead, Marx would rather have intellectuals aid the underprivileged aka proletariat class in a movement to overthrow the government (in this case those that are oppressing the poor and suffering of Zimbabwe) and then give up their power to the people to govern and distribute material goods evenly. Marx would also say that while this movement is a step in the right direction, having a President who has the final say on the matter, and can end these negotiations at anytime, is not ideal for the proletariat. This is because the President holds more power than the proletariat and in an ideal Utopian communist society, no one has more power than his fellow man.
efollet The Power of Positive Deviance Susan Worthman Green Buzz Feb. 10, 2009 http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/02/10/the-power-positive-deviance?page=0%2C0
A positive deviance is "individuals or groups whose behavior and attitudes help them avoid problems that plague the rest of their community." This factor is key in a society. Positive deviance are the small number of individuals whom have similar ideas of the brighter side of life. They share optimistic views of situations at hand but are constricted and a part of an undifferentiated mass. What is already known is comforting and easy to agree with and abide by. Most of society's population is comfortable with this but what about the rest?
With positive deviance, organic solidarity is produced allowing for the rest of the population, individuals or small groups, to break free from the collective conscience and develop their individuality. The norm and what most of the population in a community perceives becomes weaker and more abstract. To accomplish this and gain their mutual interdependence, individuals of these small positive deviant groups must effectively communicate with one another and with others outside of their group (in their community) to establish concrete and reliable social networks. Conversation, visual media and social ties are a great bases for message. Soon these individuals will become teachers and learners and experts. Positive deviance is "solving problems by looking, and thinking, about how we act, rather than acting upon how we think."
Tadpole Tsvangirai's tough choice Peter Biles BBC News February 10, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7882703.stm
Marx, Morgan Tsvangirai has chosen to join an inclusive Zimbabwean government in an effort to move towards a more democratic governmental system. In turn he has become more a second in command to the current President Robert Mugabe, as opposed to an equal leadership. Meanwhile, the people of Zimbabewa are experience a state of collapse as Cholera reaches crisis levels and adequate food sources run slim for a portion of the population. This is the prime example of how capitalism has exceeded it's usefulness and a time for change has come, on a global scale. The proletariat are the people who are most likely to cause change but because this same group of people are most affected by disease and poor nutrition, this change is not likely to come any time soon. The dictatorship that President Robert Mugabe has assumed over the last 25 years eliminated societies influence in any form of government that will only now be changed by great conflict.
Stars California Work Program for Young Is Threatened Malia Wollan The New York Times February 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Durkheim
Thousands of youth’s lives are at risk due to the possibility of California Conservation Corps being eliminated due to recent budget cuts. Less fortunate, some even homeless, youths are being saved by this program. One young man goes from sleeping in his car to feeling good about himself while being evolved in the Corps. He states “If this goes down, I don’t know what I’m going to do.” The program helps disadvantaged kids to gain a chance to experience working when they might not have the opportunity to do otherwise. If the corps are taken away from these youths they will be thrown back into less fortunate situations with no where to go. This could lead many youths to experience anomic suicide. If they loose their position in the Corps they could be loosing everything they have; leaving them feeling useless and unimportant in society.
Pharaoh Archeologist search for unbaptized babies’ grave Shawn Pogatchink Associated Press (Yahoo News) February 10, 2009 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nireland_infants__mass_grave;_ylt=AikY0wjDYHI8tsxhtUt_6lY7Xs8F
Durkheim: Baptism is a collective ritual, in which the infant begins the process of integration into society both by strengthening collective beliefs and morals and by mutually bonding the participants, in this case the children and the religious community. But when outside forces disrupt this ritual, which already generates strong emotions it becomes problematic. The issue at stake here is the status within a deeply religious society of a group that because they did not undergo the necessary rituals lack recognition. The group is children who have died without undergoing baptism. According to beliefs of the community these children died with original sin and as such do not merit burial on consecrated ground. However, due to changes within the community itself the parents of the children who where interred in unmarked graves, are demanding that church leaders apologize, identify the grave sites, and include the land to the cemetery with new grave markings.
1.Culinary Kitty 2.The New Sustainability: Surviving While Waiting To Thrive 3.Julian Darley 4.GreenBizSite 5.02/10/2009 6.http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/02/10/the-new-sustainability-surviving-while-waiting-to-thrive
A Marxist view:
As humans we need possessions to survive, one of these possessions is a home. Since the proletarian cannot afford to buy a home with cash they must take on a loan with a bank. This current economic crisis the direct result of the proletarian settling for the lending practices of the banks. The proletarian should be enraged with the idea of adjustable rate mortgage that were marketed towards them because of their status as workers. However, social change is born of these realizations of inequality within our society. Barack Obama is taking action to combat the economic crisis by creating green initiatives that create jobs. Change must also come from the clash of the proletarian with businesses, such as banks. They must force the businesses to listen to their needs and adapt to fit them. It is a rare occasion when proletariats realize that the businesses need them to survive. This economic storm allows for the proletarian to demand communication between businesses and customers. Businesses will be forced to educate themselves in culture sensitivity because they must adapt to survive. In our evolution from a primitive society to one that is considered civilized we must make a transition from this capitalist society, which is clearly not working, to communism, the final stage of our societal evolution.
Rizal Obama Scores a 28 on the Change-O-Meter Emily Lowe Slate Magazine February 10, 2009 http://www.slate.com/id/2211016/?from=rss
It is truly a comical thought when thinking about what has been occuring on the political front of the United States. Never had I thought in my wildest dreams that I would see the day when a bureaucratic democracy would show such great dedication in fixing an economic crisis. Today I smile, because I know that Marx was wrong and I was right. One of his so called "proletariat" finally rose up to take control of a messy political situation, yet a communist form of government has not yet occured! Although Mr. Obama is certainly charismatic enough to inspire without controlling, his bureaucratic administration is finally giving the much needed order that the previous administration lacked. My advice to Mr. Obama would be this though; do not let yourself become to charismatic lest you fall into a category of rulers who have associated themselves with great notoriety. Although it is true that we live in a time where traditional authority is a memory of the past, remember that you are President in a democracy, not the King of the United States. Trust that all tiers of your bureaucracy will function efficiently but most importantly that they will function under your vision of a better tomorrow.
1. Bourgie 2. Turning Cooking Oil Into Fuel for the County 3. Diana Marszalek 4.New York Times 5.February 5, 2009 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html?_r=1
Westchester county official's use of 3,5000 local restaurants cooking oil to fuel cars is an example of organic solidarity. The county has accomplished to run seven vehicles off of oil and 125 vehicles off of cooking oil and diesel fuel. The partnership between the county and restaurants demonstrates a mutual interdependence of individuals and groups. In order for societies to have the upmost functionability there must be unity and this situation exemplifies two groups coming together for the common good.
Additionally, according to the article the benefits of running vehicles on cheaper and cleaner fuel is invaluable. This article exemplifies Durkheim's belief that knowledge is shaped by the social world. As a society we hav come to value "going green", combating global warming, and reducing the amount of plastic used by carrying cloth grocery bags. The use of two different sources to come together for one purpose that will benefit both taxpayers and the environment is, well, priceless.
- “Stimulus deal 'possible' by Wednesday, lawmaker says” - CNN's Dana Bash, Ted Barrett, Brianna Keilar and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report. - Cnn.com - 02/10/09 - http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/11/stimulus.plan/index.html
As Marx the philosopher and revolutionary:
I am still waiting for Obama’s stimulus bill to go into affect. The proletariat workers are over worked and under appreciated. With the white house officials roughly estimating that the bill will be about $800 billion and go into effect, possibly as soon as today, I am ecstatic for my people. They have been alienated from their labor for too long now. The idea of social creativity is slowly disappearing. When will the capitalists realize that even they are not free? This is the only thing keeping me from overthrowing the capitalist society to liberate my fellow modern proletariat! With the final vote in the Senate was 61 in favor and 37 opposed, it is inevitable to ever convince the entire house full of Bourgeoisie that the treatment they are given is not equal to those working twice as hard in the factories. It brings me some joy that the $70 billion to patch the alternative tax, that used to be targeted to the wealthy, is now redirected to hit many middle-class families.
therock California Work Program for Young is Threatened Malia Wollan New York Times February 7, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Durkheim:
After reading this article, I see anomic suicide waiting to happen. These young men who have had it hard their entire life and now they finally have something to live for, to appreciate. Most people would not enjoy sleeping in the rain and under tents, but these men appreciate it because they know that this is the first opportunity they have been given in their lives. Taking this program away from these young men will give them a sense non-value and that they have no place in society. They could lose all reason for being and resort to anomic suicide. Mr. Prue is even quoted as saying at the end, "If this goes down, I don't know what I'm going to do." Most of these young men will feel like this because they will be forced to go back and live in their cars or on the streets with no opportunity on the horizon.
1. Bella 87 2. California Work Program for the Young is Threatened 3. Malia Wollan 4. NYT>Environment 5. Feb. 9, 2009 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
Durkheim
for the country's largest and oldest work program for these young adults, these young men might soon be jobless due to a budget crisis. Are we looking at a case where in modern organic societies, anomic suicide might be taking these young men's life because of the economic downfall? These young men might feel there is no reason for being and lose a sense of themselves. These young men might now know who they are? For a young man of the name Jason Prue this is exceptionally worry some after he said, "If this does down, I don't know what I'm going to do." Will this young man be able to pick himself back up considering he had nothing before except living in his car or will he commit anomic suicide?
Nikaye Michelle Obama makes Vogue Cover BBC News February 11, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7883253.stm
Durkheim: Fashion has now become a religion where a set of beliefs have been developed about what one should wear and not wear and especially pertaining to the First Lady. It is expected that Michelle should act a certain way in her outfits and the moral community is the fashion world. If Michelle did not live up to the beliefs and the fashion world she would be severely criticized especially since so much is expected of her and needs to think critically about her decisions in clothes. What Michelle wore to the inauguration was somewhat of a religious ritual in that there were high rates of group interaction where she made appearances on different tv shows that discussed her apparel and there were even polls made for the people to vote on what designer she should choose. The sacred symbols would be that of the clothing article and even designer names and labels. What Michelle Obama wears sets trends and strenghtens shared beliefs of what is the current popular style to wear.
Nikaye Michelle Obama makes Vogue Cover BBC News February 11, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7883253.stm
Durkheim: Fashion has now become a religion where a set of beliefs have been developed about what one should wear and not wear and especially pertaining to the First Lady. It is expected that Michelle should act a certain way in her outfits and the moral community is the fashion world. If Michelle did not live up to the beliefs and the fashion world she would be severely criticized especially since so much is expected of her and needs to think critically about her decisions in clothes. What Michelle wore to the inauguration was somewhat of a religious ritual in that there were high rates of group interaction where she made appearances on different tv shows that discussed her apparel and there were even polls made for the people to vote on what designer she should choose. The sacred symbols would be that of the clothing article and even designer names and labels. What Michelle Obama wears sets trends and strenghtens shared beliefs of what is the current popular style to wear.
Scientia “The Last Stop for a Young Utopian” Richard Fausset LATimes.com January 31, 2009 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-anarchist31-2009jan31,0,3296515.story?page=1
From the perspective of Karl Marx:
The story of Kirsten Brydum, and her journey to find a better world, is a perfect example of the eventual downfall of capitalism. Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point however is to change it. Activists, such as Kirsten, have been working hard to bring about this social transformation. They hold the belief that one day, people will reject a society in which goods and services are exchanged for money, and embrace something better. Kirsten, like many opposed to capitalism, had refused to accept that we live in a world of scarcity. She saw this myth of scarcity as a production of a capitalistic society. Her proposed solution, which seems to be the only logical progression of our current society, is a world in which resources and goods are taken care of and shared equitably. The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. Today’s current capitalistic society is no different. On her expedition, Kirsten was confronted by the poorest of the poor. In New Orleans, she saw the broken down houses and the damage that still remained three years after the Hurricane. She believed this to be a place where an autonomous, post-capitalist movement might flourish. Kirsten’s death was a production of a capitalistic society, in which people rob and kill in order to gain some sort of material possession. Her ideals, which are consistent with those of communism, would end this misdistribution of resources and hopefully promote a sense of community and classlessness.
Betty Turning Cooking Oil Into Fuel for the County Diana Marszalek NY Times February 5, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html?_r=1
As resources are depleting daily and society must find a way to fuel its essential modes of transportation, an ecological solution has come to the aid. The use of used frying oil from various eateries is a new avenue of oil consumption and use that might eventually turn into a capitalistic opportunity. Instead of said restaurants paying to have the oil removed from their establishments, they might eventually be able to charge a small price in exchange for the oil in its use as fuel. This would make fuel cheaper to those who have access to it, hopefully those of a lower and economically needier class. This would be a great change in the way that people have been for the last few decades. Instead of being impulsive and unconcerned, they could move towards a more eco-friendly and thoughtful regime. This, of course, is all yet to be seen.
How To Help a Vet - Many veterans charities aren't very good. But there are other ways to aid returning soldiers
By Patty Stonesifer and Sandy Stonesifer
Slate.com
http://www.slate.com/id/2210847/?from=rss
February 11, 2009
Durkheim: Recognizing the state in which veterans support/charities stand currently is important to see the ripple effect it has on the veterans who need this support. The inefficiency of charity programs can be reflected through the rising suicide and PTSD rates of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating anomic suicide. These men and women come back to a lack of support medically and socially, leaving them questioning what that have fought for if the citizens of America, which whom they went to protect, cannot support them.
The efforts to develop a stronger support/charity system will show these men and women, although through material standards, that people do care and appreciate their work as soldiers and that what they have done for their country has been worth while. Also, these programs can offer recovery and stability, allowing soldiers to reestablish themselves within the community with social networks and new job stability, rather then leaving them feeling lost and without a new purpose.
The current economic crisis should not be a burden these foundations and charities should have to endure because people are capable of volunteering their time, something that may help these soldiers understand their worth more than money could.
xChomskyx Bailout Plan: $2.5 Trillion and a Strong U.S. Hand Edmund L. Andrews and Stephen Labaton New York Times 2/10/2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/economy/11bailout.html
I believe Marx would view this time of bailouts, and such the time at which it would be necessary for the United States to evolve from a system based around capitalism to communism. This second bailout, is supposed to protect the interests of the working class, which has the highest unemployment rate since 1992, and take the country out of this harsh economic climate. However, Marx would state that as this economic decline is increasing the alienation of the working class, from the goods and services they produce. Now if this 2.5 trillion dollar bank bailout does not end in stimulating the economy enough were the working class isn’t scared to spend his paycheck and creates jobs for those hit hardest by this economic downturn (the unemployed) it will cause great conflict between the upper class capitalists and the working class.. The situation in America at the present creates conflict between the upper, and working classes, and this conflict would catalyst this change.
Marx would argue that this whole economic downturn was due to capitalism’s instability as a system. He didn’t doubt the power of capitalism to create economic growth because of investments in new technologies that could be used to improve means of production. However, this investment in new technologies is very problematic because, when capitalists invest more and more in new technologies they disregard the importance of labor and the workforce. This can be seen as a cause of the economic fallout that is currently being bailed out by Washington. This impoverishment of the proletariat (working class) would as aforementioned create a climate of dissenting outrage among the American people, and would end in a violent uprising to overturn this system. So if Geithner is not able to turn the economy around with his new bailout plan, bailing out the very banks that placed the country in such a delicate position losing over 3 million jobs, it will not bode well for the life of capitalism in America. Marx’s idea of the proletariat getting fed up with the economic collapses caused by capitalists and capitalism is shown in the wariness of the republican and democratic law makers both, because they know the voters are disgusted with the results of the previous bailout that was proposed by the Bush administration. Washington is stepping delicately across the current situation which could spark this communist powder keg of which Marx speaks, demanding more details about this new bailout for the American public, and also to help the lawmakers decide what to do with these plans laid by the treasury. The lack of details is not a negative as of right now, but if the spaces in this plan are not filled soon it will end in descent.
mmw3506 California Work Program for Young is Threatened Malia Wollan The New York Times Feb. 7, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
I believe Durkheim would have seen this article as anther way a society is contributing to the cause of suicide. The corporation was founded for young people who were unemployed and didn't mind having a "dirty" job. The idea of this job being taken out of the market would severely limit the possibilities for employment for these people who already have a hard time finding a job. marx would classify a suicide by one of these soon-to-be former employees as an anomic suicide. He would say that the economic downturn of the society would have influenced the individual so much that they could not bear to live in a a state of mind where they have no sense of their self and reason for being. Through the event of being laid off work, these people may have no alternative for income, so they look for a way out. This type of job would engulf their whole life, so to lose it would be very devastating.
1 Phil 2 19 killed in suicide Attacks on government sites in Kabul 3 RICHARD A. OPPEL JR. and ABDUL WAHEED WAFA 4 New York Times 5 2/11/2009 6 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/asia/12afghan.html?_r=1&hp
Durkheim
This suicide tragedy in Kabul was an example of Durkheim's Altruistic Suicide. Taliban suicide bombers took 19 lives in Kabul. Suicide bombers put everyone before them and thought that it would be a good idea to take everyone else with them when they commit suicide. These suicide bombers had suicide vests on and therefore the innocent people around them had no idea that the bombers were going to commit suicide around them and take them down too.
Charlie M. Senate, House Begin Talks on Stimulus Shailagh Murray The Washington Post Feb 11, 2009 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/10/AR2009021001397_2.html?wprss=rss_print/asection&sid=ST2009021001436&s_pos=
Marx:
In this article, Congress is debating over tax breaks and spending within the stimulus package. One side called for less federal spending and more tax cuts. Federal funding for programs such as Medicaid and school construction were seen by the opposers of the bill to be wasteful. This group also wanted the tax cuts for the bougoisie from the previous leader to stay in place. I find this rather amusing, that in a time of economic meltdown of a country, the debate is over who is more important in the recovery plan. Is it the proletarians or the bougois? Which is more important, education of future generations or the prosperity of a few of the current? Some members of this congress are worried of "big government" but it seems that the proletariat has had enough of a government that is too small to oversee the behavior of Wall Street.
The proletariat is suffering once again because of the greed of the bougois. The top echelon of banks, insurance, companies, and other corporations do not seem to value the workers, as they lay off employees as a sacrifice to preserve their own well-being. The middle class (who tend to be obedient to rules in society) has shrunken dramatically, allowing for the proletariat to demand change in the ways in which things operate. The working class and the middle class are becoming more aware of inequalities with the use of this amazing widget called "the internet". In this manner, the internet is a dream come true for the proletarians.
As I have observed how this economic system has operated through capitalism, my theories are being proven to be correct through the mistakes of the capitalists themselves. Capitalism can be a benefit to a people when when regulated, so that the working class is not so alienated from the means of production. But when the bousoisie abuses the capitalist system, they are doing so at the expense of the legitimacy of capitalism itself. Once this occurs, the fragile economy reveals the weaknesses of class-based economics. Thus, it is not the outrage of the proletariat as much as the carelessness of the bougoisie that renders capitalism obsolete via exploitation and overall greed.
Araby FEMA Is Faulted on Aid After Hurricane Ike By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The New York Times Published: February 8, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html
Marx
If Karl Marx was reading this article, I feel that he could come up with several ways that many citizens of Southeastern Texas have become victims of socio-economic inequality. According to the article, FEMA has denied more than 650,000 requests for federal aid. Many claim that these rejections stem from the fact that the federal government is hiring inspectors that are not properly trained. These inspectors are also facing issues of timing, as they are paid per inspection and can hardly cover expenses. This is an example of the government underestimating the cost of labor for this particular agency.
Those who applied for aid are asking for help with expenses that their homeowner's insurance was not willing to pay. Many of the homes in question are not liveable and need a great deal of work. FEMA is now claiming that if anyone feels that their claims were wrongfully denied should submit an appeal. This would be helpful for those who have the means to hire a lawyer for representation and challenge their rejections. Many do not have this option and are paying on homes that have been absolutely demolished. I feel that this is a case where people who are in a vulnerable economic position have little power to sway the government and may end up being completely overlooked.
TampaBiz Will Recession Dull Hip-Hops Bling John Sutter CNN 2-9-09 http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/29/hiphop.bling.recession/index.html#cnnSTCText
Capitalism can be measured in many ways in many groups. The Hip-Hop industry is a new powerful one that not only is very deep in capitalist roots, but its job is to show off the luxurious commodities in which it envelops itself in. It is also the ‘bling’ that the industry raps itself in. Now with an economic recession plaguing the country, it seems as if this ‘show-off’ industry is toning its money flashing down, in order to be more in line with the audience. A good example of this is famous rapper ‘Lil Wayne’, winning two Grammy Awards, performed in a plain white T-shirt, jeans, and a simple necklace. It could be that the famous rapper is low on finances, but I doubt it. It is more of theater by the still upper class trying to show they ‘understand’ the proletariat and are feeling the same woes. The lower class will continue to feed into what they believe is the real world and keep the bourgeois in their place by feeding their bank accounts.
Libra Blessed be the Newsmakers Stephen Bates Slate Magazine Feb. 11 2009 http://www.slate.com/toolbar.aspx?action=print&id=2210912
Durkheim;
According to the article, the New York Times is not making profits anymore from newspapers, and they are seeking to make the Newspaper a "tax-deductible outfit that chases donations" instead. The author of this article believes that if the Newspaper wishes to make money it should turn itself into a religion. I fully agree with the author. The New York times is already cited so widely in commmon day literature and renowned as one of the best news reporting medias around. Society creates these religions and society helped create the New York Times into a religion. The author argues that the Times already has "religious discipline and rituals". Developing beliefs and a set of rituals are the first steps to constructing a religion. The overarching church of this religion is the New York Times newspaper. The author states, "'Public corruption brings forth righteous wrath from the press's pulpit. Reporters strive to 'evoke indignation at the violation of social values,' media scholars James S. Ettema and Theodore L. Glasser observe in their book 'Custodians of Conscience'—as, they add, the prophet Jeremiah did." The New York Times brings together a big group of followers, this isnt just a nation wide following also, this is a world-wide following. This religious institute is important because it brings people together they can all talk about one topic or several topics found in the Times, and this brings a sense of unity. That is what religions do.
1. Muzician 2. Another Female Suicide Bomber Strikes Iraqi Province, Killing 15 Near Courthouse 3. RICHARD A. OPPEL 4. New York Times 5. June 23, 2008 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/world/middleeast/23iraq.html?scp=5&sq=recession,%20suicide&st=cse
Durkheim:
This article is a perfect example of altruistic suicide. What is being discussed is a female suicide bomber. In past times males have been predominantly known for participating in suicide bombing, proving their efforts to die for something they believe in, believing that they are doing something to help the greater good, as well as themselves. Females are finding acceptance in this kind of activity as well. This female decided to risk her life, not because she was thinking about herself, but because she thought others would benefit from it as well. This shows the correlation between being in a primitive society and being under high integration. She knowingly knew that strapping a bomb to herself and detonating it would definitely mean death, but In her heart she felt that she was making a difference.
Emile Durkheim's Response to New York Times Article
The Catholic dioceses in the United States have begun to offer a sacred ritual that was previously discarded decades ago–the indulgence. Indulgences are acts which reduce purgatorial time by a certain number (partial indulgences) of days or years or can eliminate all of them (plenary), until another sin is committed. This return to the Catholic church, has come about partly due to the effort to get Catholics back to confession, a "happy incentive" as stated by Pope John Paul in 2001. One of the prerequisites of an indulgence is that you must have a session of confession. The Catholic authority is making a concerted effort to reintroduce this concept back into the sacred practices of their religion in order to achieve a new level of moral standing with it’s followers.
This act or reinstatement follows all the other powers the Catholic church reinforces. The act of indulgences is a way for the church to regulate the moral life of society. By having a way to reduce the purgatory sentence due to sin, the dioceses are adding on to and above the real. This activity creates a renewed sense in the person receiving this rite and he feels transformed ultimately transforming his own surroundings. Changing one's surroundings is one of the primary goals brought up in the article. Keiran Harrington, spokesman for the Brooklyn diocese acknowledges that "It's more about praying for the benefit of others, doing good deeds, acts of charity".
This act is sacred for it is not something that is done every day, therefore making it a sacred act that rises above the mundane profane world. There are special years and specific times of the year that are designated for the prayers, devotions or pilgrimages that make up the indulgences. The rarity of these acts and the important meaning behind their completion creates a crescendo of emotions and energy in man that will allow him to be transformed and renewed. The intense nature of these acts will heighten the senses and allow man to look above the real world into an ideal world. All of this cannot be achieved by man if the concept of indulgences is not accepted by the collective community.
In trying to assimilate this once abandoned concept back into the fabric of Catholic existence it becomes a tall order to find where it’s place is. There must be a collective acceptance in the community before this practice is embraced and becomes part of the religious ideal. The power of one individual cannot will the act of indulgence into society, society as a group must first accept it and then the individual can idealize it. The scrutiny that this practice is receiving from practicing Catholics is the first intuition of the existence of truth. This higher idea must be scrutinized and people must ask how this concept fits into their lives and therefore individualize the concept. The groups must accept it before it can find it’s proper space in the Catholic ideal.
As a student of Hegel, Marx would have said that the changes that this article points out about the government were eventually going to occur some time in the future. This is due to his proposal of all societies going through the 5 stages: primitive-ancient-feudal-capitalism-communism. He would not have been surprised with the fact that times are changing especially after Obama became president. This is because, according to him, liberal reformers are one of the two groups that he says want to create change. In order for them to create change they have to take action and that's what Obama is doing by putting expedience ahead of extra spending and by being straightforward about the way the government is going to handle different situations.
However, Marx would argue against the part in which the article took points away from Obama on the chart because of his administration taking the same position as the Bush administration's position on the "Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan". I believe he would defend this by saying that the different political parties are not always going to have opposing views and will eventually agree on some stuff. For the most part, he would agree with the change that is occurring because he would relate it to the possibility of conflict, which he believes to be the engine of progress. This progress is a part of the advancement of human consciousness and will lead to things getting better in a civilization.
1. Dream 2. FEMA is faulted on Aid after Hurricane Ike 3. The Associated Press 4. The New York Times 5. February 8, 2009 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html?_r=1
“The source of social change is the clash of social interest arising from social inequalities”. Our society in the United States faces conflict of interest’s everyday within the economy. Money is a serious matter that people can cause unfairness, differences, and change. While there are those in the high classes who demand their way with the functioning of the economy there are also those in the low working classes who are now realizing that they have a position in how the financial system should be administered. It is because of the never ending cycle between the high class and working class that economy exists. If there was no one to work the low paying jobs then there would be no high class rollers in the high positions. There is a dependent relationship between the classes, in return the dependency affects economy and should allow everyone a voice. An example of economic unfairness would be that of the article “FEMA Is Faulted on Aid after Hurricane Ike” which states that a government funded aid organization is failing to assist more only 82,000/ 730,000 applicants that have lost or damaged their homes. There is an unfair qualification process taking place in this community that is limiting far more than half to be granted assistance. The idea of this article is to point out that those in the low ranking or non say positions in society are speaking up and fighting for what they believe is right. Marx believed that social change can be achieved through conflict that is produced by social inequalities. Government money should have a criterion in the form that it is dispersed, however, when less than a quarter of needy people are receiving help there is a flaw in the system. Change does not occur alone there has to be a driven force that causes social change and within this small community people are driven by the unfairness of the FEMA criteria and the unqualified agents that have been making the decisions. They know the mission of the organization and they know that the money is there. It is the holding back of the money that is making the selection process unfair. A natural disaster is not brought upon by one’s self it is unexpected and in return the government should help in any way possible. These people and their lawyers are doing the right thing to be motivated and question the conspiracy going on with the aid from the government, only then will they achieve a change. Perhaps even a change in an application process, a criterion, or the amount of people being accepted. In a small scale, this situation can be an example of Marx’s conflict theory (which was based on larger social change situations in history) and how it takes conflict triggered by inequalities that cause people to act on their realizations. This article is not going to change how the entire economic system functions in the United States but it can change it within the FEMA organization and push for a small social change in a state within our country that needs help dating back to September 2008.
1. Venezuela 2. California Work Program for Young Is Threatened 3. Malia Wollan 4. The New York Times 5. February 7, 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
Marx:
Once again we find the worker, and his labour, objectified and the big picture ignored. To please a budget committee that will see savings of a mere 34 million dollars in an already 43 billion dollar state deficit, the livelihood of many young people will be stripped away. These young workers and their labour have no practical worth to the powerful. In the article Attorney General Jerry Brown says that, "kids need to get out of the concrete of the urban world and encounter the complexities of nature." Unfortunately, nature does not translate to dollar signs like the concrete jungle does for those empowered predators. Jason Prue, age 21, turned his life around with the help of the California Conservation Corps and now it may all be over. Many, including four former governors, have stood up to Governor Schwarzenegger's plan to end the country's oldest and largest work program and give back what little the worker has left.
Done4Now Trillion Dollar Baby Maureen Dowd New York Times (online) 10 Feb 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/opinion/11dowd.html?_r=1
It is time for the beast known as capitalism to be slain. Unfortunately, capitalism now has become a demented phoenix [with the aide of the granted by the bail-out package]. Though it has gone up in flames, it has been rejuvenated not for the better, but for the worse. The bourgeoisies have alienated the proletariat even further. It has already been the case where this elite group has controlled a vast majority of the economy, and they have benefited from this control. Now the case is that they have turned the market sour [by taking on toxic assets]. Logic would hold that it is the bourgeoisies [Wall Street] that should thus loose out, because it is them who have been benefiting from the market; however that is not the case. This new demented phoenix is fed by the hard sewn fruits of the protectorate even more so than the original phoenix from which it was spawned[that is to say that tax payer money is what is being used to pay for this bailout]. The government has proposed that the mistakes of the bourgeoisies [toxic assets and sub-prime mortgages] should be covered at the expense of the proletariat not only with their labour, but now also with their money. What is more appalling though is that the bourgeoisies yet still control everything, and it is they, who should be loosing, that are still gaining [Wall Street executives not having their salaries capped and still receiving bonuses]. The proletariats are thus even further alienated than they ever were before. Now it is they who are paying to keep the bourgeoisies alive in that is now their money and labour that are keeping the institutions of the bourgeoisies viable, yet they still exercise no control over these forces [the bail-out package]. I say it once, and shall state it again, capitalism ha been rejuvenated for the worse and it is time for the proletariat to take control of market and put an end to the life of the demented phoenix.
1.Codeword: Parrot 2.Title: Despite Odds, Women's Movement Persists In Iran 3.Author: Jacki Lyden and Davar Iran Ardalan 4.Source: NPR.org 5.Date: February 1, 2009. 6.Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100039579
Engels: Women around the world continue to be oppressed and are still victims to persecution. They are not considered equal and have to live by traditionalists laws to where a veil and are not allowed in politics and other professional arenas, and are under a capitalistic society. Women in Iran faced many changes after the Shah was no longer in power and with the new regime under government by Ayatollah, women were no longer judges, lawyers, and other professions but instead were excluded from public economic sphere and restricted to household labor; they became non-entities or were executed. Men gained complete control in Iran as in many other traditionalist countries. “What is a boon for the one is necessarily a bane for the other.”(‘The Patriarchal Family,’ by: Engels pg. 67) In other words for every group that has a positive gain, there is a group that is oppressed and looses out; in this case it would be women. The traditionalist men gained power and as a result the women were oppressed in Iran. Engels supported moving from a capitalistic society structure to one of communism; where it would be egalitarian, classless, stateless, and based on common ownership. Women would definitely benefit from this change and become equals and have the same economic, social, civil, and political rights as men. In order to do this Engels believed that the removal of private property is the solution to equality. He believed that whatever the ruling class gets, everyone else should also gain in the same manner.
1. Grane 2. A-Rod, Bankers' Salaries, "25 Random Things," and the Grammys 3. Stephen Metcalf, Jody Rosen, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner 4. Slate Magazine 5. February 11, 2009 6. http://www.slate.com/id/2211059/?from=rss
(Marx)
The current culture today displays a strong sense of materialism. The athletes today earn multi-million dollar salaries, while law enforcement, teachers, and even health professionals get paid significantly less. With these huge salaries these professional athletes, such as Mr. Alex Rodriguez, become tempted to use steroids either to live up to their large contracts or to increase their value when the time comes for contract extension. The same effect relates with other types of celebrities. People treat these celebrities as royalty and contributes funding and ratings towards their ceremonies, such as the Grammys, while these celebrities use more of their profits towards more selfish desires rather than societal contributions. These public controversies show the examples to America that the message is to strive for material, and society is providing this material to whoever reaches high enough. The concept of materialism is increasing, and it will worsen in the future.
President Barack Obama is putting a cap on the top executives at banks. It seems as if President Obama is attempting to even out and close the gap between the middle and the upper class, and he strives to give the proletarians more comfort in their quality of life, recognizing that the elite is already quite comfortable. He believes that the labor work value of these top executives is a maximum of $500,000, implying that this number symbolizes their mental and physical capabilities. The middle class needs to lead the proletarians in an up-rise against the elite.
Facebook can be utilized as a positive tool. It provides a certain level of communication that can generate influence within the culture. Many of the young people currently have extraordinary ideas; however, ideas must be used in order to take action. Facebook can display these ideas and start the process of taking action.
pongo “Bailout Plan: $2.5 Trillion and a Strong U.S. Hand” Edmund L. Andrews and Stephen Labaton New York Times February 10, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/economy/11bailout.html?ref=politics
Marx:
The current U.S. economic crisis represents a clash of social interests arising from social inequalities. Honest, hard-working taxpayers are angry that their money is being squandered by the bourgeois CEOs making foolish business deals. The recent election of President Barack Obama is a solid indication that the proletariat is demanding real social and economic change. In a recent speech, President Obama related that the previous administration’s economic policies involving tax cuts for the bourgeoisie were not effective in stimulating the economy and promoting growth. Their own president sees the failure of the capitalist system! The new administration’s economic plan involves a $2.5 trillion government bailout. This change in governmental policy represents the beginning of a shift away from capitalism. Such high governmental involvement in the nation’s corporations is, instead, characteristic of communism. It is obvious that capitalism has worn out its usefulness in the U.S. economic realm.
I also can’t help but to believe that more radical social change will be necessary before the struggle between the U.S. proletariat and bourgeoisie comes to an end. Although the bailout plan signifies an attempt to appease the proletariat and achieve greater equality, the bourgeoisie are the ones who are really benefiting from the plan. Banks and corporations have lost millions of dollars but are not responsible for their debts and mistakes because the government will take care of it. On the other hand, the government is not paying anyone’s mortgage or other outstanding bank debts. Instead, the proletariat are responsible for their own debts even though their tax dollars are funding the bailout. Once again, the powerful bourgeoisie benefits at the cost of the workers. This clash of interests will only be resolved by a revolution.
3SGTE "Why Free-Market Capitalism Will Follow Communism Into the Trash-Heap of History" Philip Slater Huffingtonpost.com January 28, 2009 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-slater/why-free-market-capitalis_b_161709.html
Marx:
Though I agree with your sentiments that capitalism will eventually fail, and in these times, it is almost eminent that the time is near, however capitalism will not follow communism into the "trash heap", it will however follow after the fall of capitalism. The flaw that "greed is good" is as good one to point out. What I believe for capitalism to work is that all commodities must sell for the appropriate value. Since we live in an era where greed, and self advancement takes priority, that value steadily increases to a point where everything will fail internally. Competition forces out the weaker corporations and monopolies will eventually form cornering the market in whatever commodity is being produced. To a point, capitalism will no longer be a free market and government is going to step in to take over.
1. Sweet 2. California Work Program for Young is Threatened 3. Malia Wollan 4. The New York Times 5. February 7, 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Durkheim,
Do to the circumstances in today’s economy; many people are losing their jobs. This is a reality for many to face and struggle with the responsibilities of everyday living. Even many of the big corporations and companies are going through budget crisis. This is true for the California Conservation Corps, the country’s largest and oldest work program for mostly hard-luck teenagers and young adults, on the chopping block. A hard decision has to be made in which the program will be eliminated and as a consequence, many of this young adults will be jobless and opportunities will be taken away from them in order to succeed and accomplish their dreams one day. Certainly many people have suffer at some point or another from existential crisis and people that feel their dream of succeeding in life will be gone, might be more prone to suffer from this. Been in a position in which you feel hopeless, like many of these young adults should feel, since their options to work for a hard future are limited, might force you to do irrational things like taking your life away since they might feel their life is purposeless. This will be an example of egoistic suicide, in which ties attaching the individual to others in the society are weak. Since the individual is only weakly integrated into the society, their suicide will have little impact on the rest of the society. In other words, there are few social ties to keep the individual from taking their own life. And they might feel that their presence in life is worthless so they might as well take their life away.
DanteBelante Florida’s unemployment hits 16-year high Marcia Heroux Pounds South Florida Sun Sentinel 11:14 AM EST, January 23, 2009 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-december-unemployment-0123,0,643976.story
Florida’s unemployment has reached a 16 year high. The article indicates that the majority of the lost jobs are amongst labor intensive jobs and in the lower income areas of the state. Marx’s concept of The Division of Labor and application of Conflict Theory are useful mechanisms for understanding this trend from a social point of view as well as predicting a possible result of the trend. The modern day Proletariat are not only being funneled into the manual labor jobs but are further being oppressed by having those jobs be first on the chopping block during economic crisis. Economically marginalized persons are further being denigrated and are being portrayed as a disposable mechanism to help combat economical depression. Rather than there being a trickle down effect creating equal cuts to all levels of employment, the bottom of the food chain is simply being cut and as they are the cogs of the Capitalist machine their removal may result in a failure of that machine. This issue may be seen as the social catalyst that will stimulate the working class to fight off their invisible hand and revolt making their grievances and marginalization visible. Perhaps the beginning of the transition from Capitalism to Communism is about to unfold and the persons once seen as simply pieces of a larger machine will become the tools by which the social and economical structure is rebuilt.
Tigers219 Blessed Be the Newsmakers A new business model for the press: Declare itself a religion. Stephen Bates Slate.com Feb. 11, 2009 http://www.slate.com/id/2210912/?from=rss
Marx: The transformation of the press into a religion would be a substantial breakthrough in today’s bureaucratic society. Since the press is no longer earning profits for the newspapers, they need money to fund their projects. Some have suggested asking for donations from different companies, and others look to charge people an online fee. One way to overcome most of the fees would be to convert them into a religion. Becoming a religion would create a loophole for the press. It would allow them to portray their views of self-government on the people, without paying dues to the government. As a religion, they would be able to fulfill what they want to do, and not have to worry about capitalism. As a religion the press would receive tax benefits that would be a significant amount, and help funding. Receiving tax benefits would be considered to be help from the government, but then again it would be fighting against them. Turning the press into a form of religion would be a beneficial move for the press, and it would only be finishing what they are already becoming.
Shooting Star Ethiopia Facing World's 'Most Urgent' Food Crisis by Nicholas Benequista CommonDreams.org September 4, 2008 http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04-10
Over time societies will grow in size causing resources to be scarce. Many societies are being affected economically hence affecting those like Ethiopia. With pure understanding one could see that those who populate Ethiopia are not at fault for their condition, where they are facing the "most urgent" food crisis. They are in drought not allowing them to grow their own own hence having them to get food imported which has quintupled in cost. Only a few in Ethiopia could survive this being that they have had only double digit growth in the past five years. Only the wealthiest in this case the strongest will succeed by demolishing the weakest. For one they could buy the only food that is left, and second 75,000 children are said to die of starvation and in this case they are the weakest because they are dependent. Ethiopia is asking for an extra 140 million, the main problem is that problems are arising all over the world causing more people to ask for help. Since people who have money are trying to hold on to every penny they have they are not distributing much and as a matter of fact are holding out and people are losing jobs. It's a chain of events because society is linked.
All these arising problems will arise in people committing acts of suicide. People are increasingly becoming stressed and isolated because of their economical problems. In Ethiopia people probably feel invisible, as if no one cares because less people are offering aid. Worldwide extreme hunger is arising as a society everyone needs together and compromise for a solution.
psalmbird Iran's Revolution turns 30 John Simpson BBC News February 10, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7881635.stm
Iran, once a primitive society characterized by its government, celebrates more than liberation; its a celebratory transition of a modern society. Hundreds of people filled the streets celebrating in remembrance of February 1979. For Iranians, their religion, rituals and routines have kept them grounded in these trying times. Today clearly symbolizes their ability of integration. Chants of their national anthem could be heard, echoing their strength and beliefs that are shared among them. The Iranian flag waved in the air uniting Iranians of young and old together. Two-thirds of Iran's population of 70 million are under the age of 25. While many of the attendees were too young or not alive when the revolution took place, the crowd was filled with many eager and supportive young people. One young man was seen wearing a Dolce and Gabbana jacket, with a spiked punk hair style. The young man exemplifies Iran's transition into a modern society. The youth no longer perform the same tasks or jobs as their parents; nor do they hold the same perspectives on life. Their change has come.
2."California Work Program for Young is Threatened" 3.Malia Wollan 4.The New York Times 5.February 7, 2009 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Marx
California is suffering from a large economic crisis of a $42 billion deficit. The reason the California Conservation Corps is now being threatened is because of the conflict that exists regarding scarce money. The existence of the organization is based solely on whether or not it can be afforded. When there was not a deficit, the organization was not questioned or threatened. This conflict is also visible in the social classes themselves. The middle/upper classes are the ones creating economic and political policies, which are the ones proposing the cut of these programs. Coincidentally, the Corps is a program that created jobs for the underprivileged urban youth (lower class). Marx's theory remains just as relevant and alive. Members of the community have organized already and are educating others about the validity and importance of the program, and are also educating on why the program is trying to be cut. Education and community building are the two necessary components for social change to occur, according to Marx, which is initiated by inequality. I understand that when there is a limited amount of resources (in this case money), where the money is spent needs to be addressed, evaluated, and cuts will most likely need to be made. But what is a consistent pattern is that programs or areas that are always cut during budget crisis are those where the working class are affected. This shows the gap that exists between classes, something less apparent when things are going "well."
Marisa Green Jobs Multiplying By Ariel Schwartz Greenbiz.com Feb. 10, 2009 http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/02/10/green-jobs-growing-us-around-world
Marx:
Conflict is the engine of progress. A social force must take place in order to bring about change. This is exactly what is occurring now. Now that our world is going through rough times financially and our resources are being limited it is now that we must come up with new and improved solutions to solve our worries. Many countries are expecting these new green jobs to take us out of recession. The problem is who is actually capable of being employed. Not only is this a problem but also some employers offer wages beneath the poverty wage standard of $10.19 an hour in household income for a family of four. And this goes hand-in-hand with my idea that workers are alienated from the profits of their labor. Although green they are not always good jobs, and the worker is not able to gain much profit out of his/her work.
1. mokibear 2. Google Taking a Step Into Power Metering 3. Matthew Wald and Miguel Helft 4. The New York Times 5. 12//9/09 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/technology/companies/10grid.html?_r=1
Google is taking a step in an undeveloped market to gain control and sharing its new product with the public. It states that the company will allow the public free access to PowerMeter, a service that follows energy consumption. This is going to improve the economy, but in terms of who has access to it. Free is a general term, free for one person may not be free to another. In our society, classes are not equal and resources are certainly not, the economy is owned and organized through those with the means to control. Who has this power? Those whom can use this service are limited to those who have technology and the salary to have internet access as well. Not everyone has the ability to gauge their electricity use or worry about their plug-in hybrid cars.
Myrtle US economy plan 'compromise' near No author listed BBC News 02/11/2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/7884537.stm
This article discusses the new "compromise" stimulus package that President Obama has been urging Congress to pass. This stimulus package, though not as large as Obama initially planned, will go a long way in easing the burden of the working class, who have suffered a great deal in the current economic climate. I must commend the President, as well as Congress, for taking such steps to improve the lives of the average American, but I cannot help but think that this is little more than a band-aid on a much deeper wound.
Seeking to "fix" the economy will do little, because our capitalist system is outdated and growing increasingly dysfunctional. Certainly, it served its purpose for a time, but we are in a new era, one which demands sweeping change. This is not the first time we have found ourselves in such an economic predicament, and we cannot fool ourselves into thinking it will be the last.
This stimulus package is proof that Americans are dissatisfied with laissez-faire capitalism. It is only a matter of time before they realize that a new system, one that ensures the liberty of all Americans, is in order, and unite to make it a reality. President Obama's election alone is proof of the power of all Americans, regardless of class, to make positive change. This economic crisis is the people's opportunity to put that power to the test.
Minkoko California Work Program for Young Is Threatened Malia Wollan NYTimes.com February 7, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
The concept of social class and social structure are crucial in developing capitalism. Specifically, classes are defined through the understanding of work and labor, as well as means of production. This article demonstrates a clear division of those social classes. In the article, most of the workers who face the danger of losing their jobs are “hard-luck teenagers and young adults,” or what Marx would classify as members of the proletariat class. Since these workers have no property, their only means of survival and providing for themselves and their family are through their hands and labor. If these workers were to lose their jobs, they could very well sink down to the class that Marx calls ‘Lumpenproletariat’, the dangerous class that society chooses to ignore and disregard.
1. Cuda05 2. "The Smell of Death" 3. Rod Norland 4. Newsweek 5. Jan 19, 2009 6. http://www.newsweek.com/id/180483
Durkheim:
The oppression of the Palestinian people, especially in the area of Gaza, is driving people to altruistic suicide. The Israeli army is currently under an operation in Gaza where they are carrying out air strikes as well as ground attacks. The people of Palestine’s homes are being occupied and/or demolished by these Israeli soldiers and because of the oppression they are being driven to altruistic suicide. Since in this society, collective needs of the community are put before the needs of the individual (in this case, the suicide bomber), the individual deems it necessary to end his or her own life for the better good of society. They feel it will bring about social change and give the Palestinian people what they have been wanting- national recognition as a legal state and defined boundaries for their country.
AIR888 Zimbabwe PM pledges 'new chapter' BBC News 02/11/08 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7884282.stm
In this article, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe’s states that he wants to get the country back to work and end the violence within his country. Although it is controversial whether this leader is trustworthy, his statements reflect an intent to bring about social change. Marx would recognize that Tsvangirai, being a new leader, may be intellectual elite that would be the catalyst for the conflicted groups in Zimbabwe to redistribute power and settle in the name of peace. Maybe this man will guide his people to take their own country in to their own hands and move into a period of needed social change. Promises of brotherhood are promising, but much depends on the few elite leaders. If they use their power in government in the right way, much may improve admits the turmoil and Zimbabwe could progress through the phases towards communism. Also, basic humanitarian needs need to be address so that the citizens of that country can focus on finding their own essence.
Peaches Suicide Victim May Have Hidden Millions Abroad Lynnley Browning New York Times September 16, 2009 http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/suicide-victim-may-have-hidden-millions-abroad/?scp=5&sq=suicide&st=cse
Durkheim: “…In an instant he was gone— his privileged life ended, by his own hand, with a single gunshot to the head.” In the explanation of Finn M. W. Caspersen’s death it can only be described as social phenomena that developed from the social causes surrounding Mr. Caspersen. Caspersen suffered for many years from kidney cancer and it only worsened as he neared the day of his suicide. He put his estate up for sale for $10.9 million and was relinquishing prestigious titles he held as he steered away from other philanthropic. By the narrative presented above it could be seen Caspersen taking an altruistic approach in order to spare his family because he can no longer benefit society due to his illness. To continue, another underlying cause of Caspersen’s suicide was the fact he had millions of dollars stored away in offshore accounts and owed over $100 million in back taxes. As the IRS was closing in on him he could not bear the stresses of life and decided to take it instead. Caspersen demonstrated a fatalistic approach as the oppression of society’s rules on taxes attacked him. In a short period of time Caspersen’s level of high integration became overcome by high integration which proved fatal due to his social environment.
1. Mohawke 2. "California Struggles With Paroled Sex Offenders." 3. Solomon Moore 4. The New York Times 5. September 26th, 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/us/27parole.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us
As Durkheim:
This article addresses one of the significant signs of the shift to organic solidarity. The weaker collective consciousness by comparison to America's pioneering years has led to the usage of restitutive laws rather than repressive ones. In colonial America, these sexual offenders would have been promptly tried by their community members and given swift, severe punishment for their actions. Public hanging or shunning would not be uncommon. Today however, restitutive laws have created the concept of parole, whereby prisoners who may have behaved well in prison are allowed to live outside of those walls with less supervision. These changes in society's laws confirm the belief that solidarity as well as collective consciousness ideals have altered.
The ways in which the prisoners are detailed leads me to wonder if my theory on suicide can be also applied to parolees. It seems that many of these parolees experience a form of anomie, wherein their alienation from society due to their deviance may affect their decisions to repeat offenses. In the case of the parolees who returned to the streets and harassed prostitutes or kidnapped underage females, there was clearly very low regulation of their activities by their parole officers, due in part to their sheer numbers. This coupled with the fact that they were released from prison to roam freer than if they were inside may have created confusion in what was expected of them. A loss of their identity as an inmate led to confusion and an inability to assimilate back into regular society, leaving their old habits as an easier option.
1.mother 2.More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation 3.Libby Quaid 4.Yahoo! News; Association Press 5.September 27, 2009 6.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_re_us/us_more_school
Durkheim,
The United States is largely represented by an organic solidarity. Higher degrees of specialization make it necessary for children to receive formal education through the school systems. The initial education that students receive in grade school provides a substantial base for further education that is important for the specialization that keeps the US at a competitive level with other nations that are also characterized by organic solidarity. However, collective conscious, as it is tied to beliefs of the government, is a lot weaker than it would be if it were connected by mechanisms found in mechanical solidarity such as religion. As a result, citizens are less likely to accept changes in the education system that will force more hours of studying upon the children. It is also possible that these increase pressures from material and non-material social facts may lead to an increase in fatalistic suicide.
Lucas Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries Elisabeth Rosenthal New York Times September 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Recycling waste is very costly. These unrecylced materials are very hazardous to our environment and to people’s health. European countries were found to be sending illegal waste hidden with legal waste to poorer countries. There is great risk placed on peoples health because if waste not recycled or disposed of in a environmentally friendly way water and air is being polluted. European countries are looking out for their social interest and their social position by reducing cost and pollution and sending waste to poorer countries. Since European countries are more economically affluent they are more powerful. Their social interest is costing African and other people in poorer countries their well-being. This is an example of social inequality; the poor countires are given a lesser value due to their social status.
Lucas Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries Elisabeth Rosenthal New York Times September 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: Recycling waste is very costly. These unrecylced materials are very hazardous to our environment and to people’s health. European countries were found to be sending illegal waste hidden with legal waste to poorer countries. There is great risk placed on peoples health because if waste not recycled or disposed of in a environmentally friendly way water and air is being polluted. European countries are looking out for their social interest and their social position by reducing cost and pollution and sending waste to poorer countries. Since European countries are more economically affluent they are more powerful. Their social interest is costing African and other people in poorer countries their well-being. This is an example of social inequality; the poor countires are given a lesser value due to their social status.
1.Footlocker 2. Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries 3. Elisabeth Rosenthal 4. The New York Times 5. 26 September 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss According to Marx: The idea of European countries selling their waste illegally to poorer countries in Asia and Africa is a quintessential example of class struggles. The poorer countries can be considered the proletariat, the working class poor, while the rich countries (who can afford to through perfectly good electronics out by the millions of tons) are the Bourgeoisie. The governments of those countries accepting E-waste and other smuggled in waste products for “recycling” or dismantling are using the unaware proletariat for their labor. Many of these workers who spend hours each day dismantling computers and other electronics in unsafe/unregulated conditions are kept almost completely unaware that they are being exposed to highly dangerous toxins for pennies per day. While the people recognize they are getting sick and their children are being born with deformities, the government preaches that if they work hard, all will be okay. This is a more modern day version of the Catholic Church’s hold on the proletariat’s work ethic in my day. While recognizing the need for change is a step in the right direction, the proletariat must become aware that their circumstances can change and they must work to change them. The land-owners and government who control the ports and the dismantling shops where the smuggled goods are brought in and worked on have the power to control the distribution of the wealth in society, and they do. While the government officials and landowners live in nice homes with good food and water, the laborers are not paid enough to provide solid shelter and clean food and water for their families because they live in the same areas where the toxins are being released into the environment. Revolution will result from these dire environmental circumstances when the pauperization of the proletariat continues and grows to the point of starvation. Smuggling is being stopped more and more at the export end of the deal; as less tons are exported into China, the laborer will become worth less and less because there will be less work available and more people ready to take any job available. The proletariat will rise up against this and strike and demand more, when they finally become aware that their circumstances are a-typical.
Greece Does poverty make people obese, or is the other way around? Daniel Engber Slate September 28, 2009 http://www.slate.com/id/2229523/?from=rss
Marx: Even something so personal as obesity is said to be linked to one's social class. The proletariat or working class are more likely to be obese because food options are limited in poor neighborhoods. Low income workers have less time to cook their own meals and are not financially able to join sports clubs or gyms. Being obese can make you sick which in turn can make you poor through hospital bills and missed days of work. Being poor is linked to both obesity and sickness. The "health-wealth" gradient refers to the general rule that the richer you are the healthier you are. Thus money brings one health. The "girth-wealth" gradient is the general rule that socioeconomic status and body size are inversely related. The reciprocal relationship between being poor and being in poor health is so ingrained into society that universal healthcare will not be able to counteract the effects of capitalism in the United States. Princeton economist Angus Deaton concluded that a direct redistribution of wealth might be an efficient way to improve the health of the poorest Americans. Where would this wealth come from? The bourgeoisie are unlikely to give up their wealth to improve the status of the proletariat when they have the power to control the distribution of wealth. Only the laboring poor whose health is at stake can revolt and make a change in their own lives. Action must be taken to improve their status in the world of capitalism where the upper class enjoys the perks of wealth, health, and thin bodies.
1. Speedy 2. Schools Promote Waste-Free Lunches 'Trash talk' takes on new meaning as more schools promote waste-free programs 3. Karen Ann Cullotta 4. Commondreams.org 5. September, 28,2009 6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/28-5
Durkheim
Stowe Elementary School students are being taught moral rules and social integration through the waste-free lunch program movement. Students are learning how to better the environment and make less of a carbon footprint in order to better their lives and the lives of others. The waste-free lunch program movement has been implemented for the whole school and even the parents are being integrated by being asked to send their kids to lunch with reusable lunchboxes and less pre-packaged food. The uniform look around the lunchroom is less plastic bags and more reusable containers. Student “cadets” watch over and help out their fellow students by participating in the sorting ritual after every meal. One child was even called the recycling king, a true leader who other students looked up to. The school has established a set of shared beliefs and has then taught the students how to apply those beliefs in the lunchroom. The school itself provides the single overarching moral community in which to have the waste-free lunch program movement.
Students have mutually bonded over these collective rituals of sorting their recyclables, trash, and compost materials after every lunch meal. Just like a religion, the waste-free lunch program movement integrates the students into an eco-friendly society. The collective rituals of the waste-free lunch movement bond the students, teachers, and parents, making them feel good about doing the right thing for the environment. They all become attached to these beliefs and carry them out Monday through Friday in the ceremony of school lunch time. Participating in the waste-free lunch strengthens their collective beliefs, morals, and bonds to one another.
1.Banana 2.Smuggling Europe’s Waste To Poorer Countries 3.Elisabeth Rosenthal 4.The New York Times 5.26 September 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: Poor countries and their people have been paying the price for industrialization for decades now. Europe and its bourgeois are not the only places and people guilty of dumping their trash all over the proletariat; this is the epitome of the class struggle. The rich are not concerned with the plight of the poor and if they can just get rid of their problems by sending them somewhere else, why not? The people of China, Indonesia, Africa and India suffer because disposing of this electronic waste properly is far too expensive for the people of more developed countries. In addition, it is not the only the European countries or American that stand to profit from dumping our problems on other people. China for example wants the materials so they use their poor to dismantle the machinery and the poor suffer greatly, not only are they not paid enough but they are exposed to extremely hazardous materials and waste. The poor of these countries need to realize that they are being used by their own people and by more developed nations. They need to see that the pennies they are being paid are not worth the risks and they need to rise up and attempt to create change for themselves. In addition, countries like China and Africa need to take a stand against these countries and not allow their people to be so abused by the bourgeois. Revolution will only occur when the proletariat rise up and reject their false consciousness.
1. Howard 2. “U.S. Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record Ratio” 3. Peter S. Goodman 4. N.Y. Times 5. September 26, 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/business/economy/27jobs.html?_r=1
Marx:
The excessive amount of people in need of a job far exceeds the amount of job opportunities that are available. This issue affects people in different ways based on their social class. I, Karl Marx, believe class dynamics shape the organization of socio-economic life. The people who are financially struggling during this economic crisis are making changes in their lives. On the other hand, the bourgeois are not feeling the impact in such a significant way, and therefore, are not feeling same motivation to make changes in their daily lives. This conflict between the proletariats and the bourgeois clearly displays how the laboring class is the vehicle to transform society.
As we can see with Debbie Kransky, the markets determine not only the value of goods and services but also the value of labor. Due to the fact that so many companies are not making good profit, the company’s workers are seen as lesser value. These companies ultimate goal is to make money and when they do not feel someone will bring that to the table they are not likely to give the person a chance. Therefore, these companies are causing people just like Kransky to lose their job, spend all their savings, and live month to month. This is the way in which markets have overtaken the course of our lives.
On the other hand, people with jobs are forced to obey certain rules and regulations to only do what they are told and hired to do. This, in turn, changes people into robots that perform functions not based on their actual intelligence or creativity, but instead to only use the part of themselves that are necessary to accomplish tasks the way in which is demanded of them. People, such as Vicki Redican, have the ability to do some much with their talents but are struggling to just pay the bills. They are being put in positions where they are taking a job just for the sole fact that it brings income. We wonder when the day will come where making money will just be a bonus to a wonderful job opportunity.
mnk86 "Apple's hypocritical move to block competitors from accessing its software." Farhad Manjoo Slate Magazine September 28, 2009 htt://www.slate.com/id/2229856/?from=rss
Marx: Apple's hypocrisy as an economic power is representative of the bourgeoisie. Apple's focus is on owning the means of production for their technology. In the sense of free competition, the Palm should be able to synchronize with Apple products and allow the consumer a greater market. But Apple is tirelessly working to refute any efforts made by Palm to associate with Apple products. Apple is the clearly dominant power in terms of computer and music-sharing techonology, but it represents worker alienation from the product of its labor. Apple's competitiveness with Palm is hypocritical when Apple has worked with Microsoft in the past. And without this help from Microsoft, Apple would not have been marketable to various consumer groups. Now when it is Apple's turn to allow another company access and broaden their marketing base, Apple refuses.
In considering Apple, as the worker, in relation to its product, Apple is clearly estranged. This is a weakness of capitalism where this bourgeois power is only focused on profit instead of creating a more satisfactory and useful product. In this situation, Apple is alienated from its product by seeing its labor as only a means to an end, a focus on profit instead of sharing their technology and the means of production. Apple is a massive capitalist power that manipulates the market solely based on how to procure the greatest profit with no concern for their actual product or for the masses.
K94 "Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries" Elisabeth Rosenthal The New York Times September 26th, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Weber:
Societies continue to show how they will use the different characteristics of rationality throughout everyday life. The richer countries of Europe exporting their waste to other poorer countries are showing that they are trying to maintain a sense of efficiency. Instead if choosing to deal with the waste themselves the countries with more money can instead send their waste to other countries to deal with. This is the most efficient method for them since they then do not have to worry about spending any time, thought, or man power dealing with the waste once it is gone. They are also sending this waste away to control predictability in their lives. They want to know that they can continue to live in clean and comfortable environments that do not have large dump sites as eye sores in the community they live in. This also overlaps with the idea control of uncertainties. By sending the waste away they are trying to maintain the way of life people in richer communities are used to living instead of making them deal with the amount of waste they are producing but no longer have a place to put. By sending this waste away European countries can be sure to maintain the predictability and efficiency they expect out of their everyday lives, or so they think.
tundra Ford Goes Lightweight With Alternative Materials GreenerDesign Staff greenbiz.com 9-29-09 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/09/29/ford-goes-lightweight-alternative-materials
Weber In an effort to remain a business, Ford has decided to invest in technologies that are more green. They hope to stay in their iron cage of rationality by adjusting their marketing to include a new group. With the widespread knowledge about environmental risks and cars' impact on that, Ford has attempted to take measures to have control over uncertainties. The only way to stay in business is to have people who want to buy their product, so a change was in order. By reaching out to fulfill more people's needs in a vehicle, they will increase their audience. This decision was likely made after a number of market research studies to help quantify the public into something more calculable. Weber would agree this is typical of a capitalist business plan.
1. Skittles 2. Guinea Protest ‘will continue’ 3. No author listed 4. BBC News 5. Sept 29, 2009 6. http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/oppressed
It is unnatural to be content in a society in which a human’s social interests are not in harmony with those that control the laws and politics that govern one’s life. More so, it is not natural for one to be indefinitely content in a society that does not meet its basic human needs. Based on these two intuitive assumptions the rebellion that is currently going on in Guinea Africa is nothing short of necessary in order to evoke change that will meet the social needs of the exploited.
I once theorized that change will ensue once there is an awareness of inequality among two groups in a society. Although the crisis that now occurs in Guinea does not necessarily involve a clash between the bourgeoisies and the proletariats, it is apparent that my blueprint for revolt remains intact. As the civilians of Guinea penetrate deeper and deeper into class consciousness and become more and more aware of the inequalities that they are oppressed by, they become more induced to protest. At long last the ideas have finally turned into action. It was Inevitable that class consciousness would ignite a response against the government and its unfair election process. The government, however, only resorts to using their military to annihilate and oppress this group. This tactic used by the government is comparable to tactics used by the bourgeoisies: treat the inferior group as though they are disposable. The proletariats are reduced to a commodity, therefore they are threatened with the notion that they can easily be replaced and left without a way to earn money. Likewise the civilians of Guinea are reduced to just another “casualty” and are threatened by the weaponry of the military. Fighting against this government that has more than enough power to promote its own self interest is an uphill battle but the civilians realize that they “can’t retreat now” as do not have much to lose and plenty to gain.
codeword Chicago police seek 3 more in teen's death Mallory Simon CNN.com 9/29/09 http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/29/chicago.teen.beating/index.html Durkheim:
“The collective ideal which religion expresses is far from being due to a vague innate power of the individual, but it is rather at the school of collective life that the individual has learned to realize” (92). For the event that a group of young men are able to beat and kill a boy of sixteen years, analysis proves importance. All that religion affects washes out the norms of secular society; it redefines and creates a morality unique to its particular advantage. What could possess teenagers, boys, to viciously murder? Religion. Collectivity. Culture. This group, so thoroughly representing “The Ville,” participated in a cultural collectivity that demonstrated the most “autonomous source of action:” (92) the social ideals fused together by the indoctrination of a gang, a community, a history. The law-abiding citizen would not be able to stomach what four have been prosecuted for, for what three more are being searched for: the motiveless murder of a teenaged boy on his way home from school. However, gang violence highlights collective representations in the same light that many non-violent cultures do. The screams by ‘us’ overplay those of ‘them.’ We are better, stronger, more righteous. We have reason, we have numbers. A color instills a pride. A symbolic object or tattoo strikes our awareness, our appreciation. The rise of a weapon triggers an automatic apathy. The familiar setting compliments our confidence… Collectively we represent a strong, gang culture. The logic is infallible…
In southern Italy workers are suffering under the effects of capitalism. During times of economic hardship immigrant workers travel to southern Italy in order to find work in the tomato fields. The authorities allow these illegal immigrants to work due to the benefits that they bring to the economy with their cheap labor. However, the standard of living for these workers is abysmal. The availability of basic resources or materials, such as shelter and clean water, is scarce. The value of the worker is quantified into how many tomatoes he/she can pick and the value of the worker is determined by the value of the tomatoes. The relationship between the laborer and the labor is transformed into an objective relationship in which quantity determines value. This commoditization of human labor is a direct result of capitalism. The objectification of the laborer results in the estrangement of labor. Alienation occurs on multiple levels, between worker and himself, worker and others, worker and product, and from the act of labor itself. The worker loses species being, loses his humanity, since his labor is controlled by outside forces with no room for creativity or autonomy. The worker also becomes interchangeable with others since his labor is transformed into a commodity. Alienation occurs between the worker and the product since the worker lacks control over the product after production. In this case those who pick the tomatoes, the illegal immigrants, are alienated from the tomatoes in that the finished product is often used in restaurants, the likes of which the workers are not able to afford. With the low pay and long hours with no rewards other than insufficient pay the illegal immigrants lack satisfaction with the work they are performing, their alienation from the work itself. The alienation that occurs is result of the objectification of the laborers and labor. The poor conditions seen in southern Italy and experienced by the illegal immigrants show the devaluation of laborers as separate from the labor itself. Under capitalism these poor conditions persist due to the benefits that they bring to the economy. This commodity fetishism, where social relationships are reduced to relationships between commodities, is a negative affect of capitalism. The workers in southern Italy are aware of their poor position; however, until they decide to rise up significant change will not occur. The acknowledgment of the need for change is not enough for change to occur but rather those oppressed the workers, need to force change.
Social interest is determined by class status. Hamid Karzai is one of the elite by having earned the title of Afghan Leader he is not in an extent of control. Therefore although, the United States has discovered the fact that the polls that elected him were fradulent since he has the majority of support it outweighs the fact that he cheated. The only way change can happen is if a great amount of support was placed behind this issue to force a re-vote in which a strict assesment of votes should be taken, or even a revolt of the people is the only thing that can cause government change. For now the elitest will strive, unless the proletariat class rises to overthrow the Govt. and restablish a govt. that fullfils their necessities.
- Hiatus - “Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries” - Elisabeth Rosenthal - NYT – Environment - September 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
I must start with a confession: I was wrong…sort of. During my lifetime, I had foreseen our economic stage on the peak of an evolutionary transformation from the capitalist to the communist. I was working in a context very different from today’s, and there is no way that I could have predicted the exponentially rapid development of advanced technology that allowed for globalization. In this globalization, the world order is dominated by an increasingly unjust, unequal, and more powerful elite minority. The rise of the “middle class” was a post-industrial façade that was allowed solely to create a false consciousness within the proletariat. They are told to believe in opportunity and meritocracy by those that have mostly only “merited” their elite status by being born to rich parents. The advent of global capitalism has simply increased the income gap between the rich and the poor, providing a greater consolidation of power to a smaller bourgeoisie than ever before.
“Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries” is a perfect example of how globalization has turned domestic class struggles into international hypocrisy. The richest of the rich among countries set “higher” environmental standards on proper waste disposal, yet turn right around and break their own rules by sending this dangerous and hazardous Western waste off to developing countries that have lower dumping standards (who are desperate for money and willing to do more to make it). This way, the bourgeoisie nations can claim the moral/ethical/environmental high-ground while taking advantage of the vast power/economic (same thing in capitalism?) dominance they hold over developing nations. Ironically, while these proletariat nations may be more willing to deal with our Western waste, they are also less equipped to handle these hazards, creating a much greater and more imminent danger. The bourgeoisie knows this, but uses this as a mechanism to keep the proletariat in check.
Capitalism will still fall…but I’m sorry this transition is taking this long. The bourgeoisie are a talented bunch, and they have adapted and manipulated their retention of power with a great mastery of deception. The recent global economic crisis is only further proof that we are in a failing system, and more and more of the proletariat are buying into this every single day. They must become and stay aware of the false consciousness of entrepreneurship and opportunity and realize that they are on the bottom rung of the economic ladder not due to their own failures, but rather because of their exploitation by a greedy global oligarchic bourgeoisie.
Shorty Build a Better Bulb for a $10 Million Prize ERIC A. TAUB and LEORA BROYDO VESTEL The New York Times September 24, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/technology/25bulb.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Durkheim:
The fact that the invention of a reinvented light bulb is severely in need shows the transformation to a more modern organic society that in which Durkheim believed in. The move to a more modern light bulb displays the breakdown in the division of labor for people to perform a more specialized task in meeting the needs and expectations of the most popular used type of light bulb. Overtime it seems as if society has grown and the 60-watt light bulb has become very inefficient. The pressure is now on to come up with a new creation of a more sufficient light bulb that would decrease the scarcity of resources. As society evolves to become more modern, the light bulb has an increase for improvement and the companies which can be referred to a the division of laborers are seeking out to produce organic solidarity based on the companies that enter into the contest to display their product as being the upcoming most efficient 60-watt light bulb. Because our society is marked by large vast companies, each industry has come up with a different version of the light bulb in which they think will be the best and these industries are fulfilled by different individuals that create unique structures of the same product to represent their company. The idea of Collective Conscience can be represented by the different networks and companies that entered into the contest as a group; sharing a collection of ideas and not singling the ideas as one individual knowing all the ideas. I believe too, that this idea and notion of their must be an underlying system of collective values and beliefs to guide people interaction in the pursuit of collective goals, is comparable by the fact that the contest was created on the basis as a system to create a new structure while also adding value in the sum of money for the prize winner of the contest as well as immense power through having guaranteed contracts. Overall, the scientific aspect and knowledge of light bulbs should be used to guide social reform in representing a significant way to save energy. The objective is to employ the new longer lasting lighting device of compact LED bulbs will give explanations and hold industrialization together over time.
Rainpda 'Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water' Todd Woody NY Times September 29,2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/energy-environment/30water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: The only way that capitalists are going to be defeated is if the people become aware of their situations and create the change that they want to see. In this article there is a German company who wants to come into a commmunity and develop solar farms that would help the people use less energy. The problem with this is they want to use the water supply to do so. In this community there are farmers who live off of the land and use the water supply, if the company were to come in they would deplete the supply and take over. The community became aware of the situation and instead of allowing this company to come in and do what they wanted, they stood up and said no, this can not happen. The community rallied together and took the issue to their city council who took there side and argued that the company can't come in and use their resources. The people did not allow the big government to do what they wanted to do, they were aware of the situation and saw how it would affect them and they did something about it. They are not waiting on someone else to create change for them, they saw what needed to be done and they did it themselves.
Cat India Outsourcing: Pay is Down, Competition is Up Mehul Srivastava Business Week September 23, 2009 http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/sep2009/gb20090923_316936.htm
Marx Over the past couple decades, outsourcing labor has become a popular way for capitalists to decrease costs and increase profits of their products and even services. The United States has outsourced production mainly to China, India, and the Philippines. The proletariat in these countries are more disconnected from the fruits of their labor because they are creating products that will be used in a country thousands of miles away from their own. Capitalists have ignored the complaints of American citizens that outsourcing has drained job opportunities and broken local communities dependent on large factories. The American proletariat were alienated from their work, but nonetheless were dependent on their subsistence wages. The developing countries that provide cheaper labor are the capitalist’s playground. They do not care that workers in India and China are earning even less than their American counterparts and are even more distanced from the profits of their labor, the products of their labor, and other workers. Their species being has been lost in the powerful dynamics of international trade and corporations’ bottom lines. Currently, this alienation has become more emphasized due to the global recession. Laborers in developing countries, such as India, are living in a more competitive environment where they can be easily replaced if they are displeased with their decreasing pay. The capitalists in the developing countries and United States are working together to act in their own self-interest by suffocating human creativity and rendering the proletariat even more powerless.
ImSaari24 Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries Elisabeth Rosenthal The New York Times September 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
I chose to analyze and reflect on this particular article from the perspective of Karl Marx because it is a painstakingly clear example of how class dynamics continue to shape the organization of social life. Let me just get started by stating that Marx would be absolutely livid after being exposed to a simple news article of this magnitude. Wealthier countries (the “Bourgeois”) such as the United States and the Netherlands have been caught red-handed attempting to ship millions of tons of hazardous electronic waste and soggy household trash to poorer countries like Indonesia, India, Ghana, Egypt and Nigeria (the “Proletariat”) to avoid the high costs properly recycling or disposing it. Marx would likely suggest that the fate of humanity is in the hands of the people, and if we continue to cold-shoulder such massive issues as these, it will be no time at all before the capitalist system loses legitimacy. This loss could potentially lead to the capitalist destruction of the human essence, possibly resulting in a large-scale revolution. I could picture him using this news article to rile up the proletariat masses by telling them they are the only way to transform humanity for the better, without really knowing the consequences of a true communist system. Marx would likely be a little surprised to see the capitalist agenda still governing the majority of wealthy countries throughout the world, considering he suggested that capitalism had fully developed itself and society was ready to enter a new mode of communist production nearly 200 years ago…
RAWR! Gulabi Gang Comes to Delhi Rajeev Tyagi Mid-day.com 9/18/2009 http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/sep/180909-Gulabi-Gang-Pink-Sareers-Protest-BundelKhand-corruption-Delhi-news-Sampat-Pal.htm
Engels: All over the world men dominate women through their better access to economic and social resources. Women have been excluded form the social sphere and consigned to a lower position in the home to ensure property rights are passed down to legitimate children. The economic dependency is especially apparent in Uttar Pradesh, India, where women are routinely starved, beaten, and otherwise abused because of their second class social status. However, a movement among the women of the region seeks to change things. The Gulabi Gang is a group of women demanding the overthrow of corrupt government officials and equal rights for women. The gang teaches women how to sew, work in agriltural fields, and do other sorts of labor so that they may support themselves. They also teach women how to defend themselves from men. The women of the Gulabi Gang carry pink sticks with which they beat men men who try to abuse them or other women. On September 17, 2009, the Gang rallied in Delhi, wearing their signature pink saris and demanding that their voices be heard and their demands met. They say that if they are not heard they will march on the winter session of Parliment. Though their uprising is not unsurprising in a country where half the population is subjugated, their methods will not create the equality they hope for. To truly stop the abuse and exploitation private property rights must be abolished. If their are no private property rights, there will be no need to subjugate women to make sure that a man may pass his land down to legitimate offspring. If land is owned communally, women will no longer be forced to marry for economic support and may stsnd on equal footing with their male counterparts.
Luna Wall Street Lower on Economic Unease By Jack Healy The New York Times September 30th, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/business/01markets.html?hp
Marx:
It seems that people these days continue to believe that the economy is going to fix itself! This morning the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 110 points (1.1%). Not only is this bad in and of itself, but this also negated the value of many rising stocks purchased earlier this week. Also, economists have predicted that our unemployment rate will continue to rise to 9.8 percent, but the amount of jobs lost will slow to around 180,000. Economists think that's slow?! One man, Mr. Saluzzi, even went so far as to state "You can't just keep pressing and hopin the market's going to go up every day." Mr. Saluzzi is absolutely correct! Ideas alone are not enough to create change (especially with regards to the economy) in this world. What is necessary is a social interest due to class status. If only those hwo are most affected (those suffering from the high unemployment rate) would rise up and fight for economic equality! Even if someone had a theory regarding how to get America out of this economic downturn, a theory alone cannot creat change. Instead, a theory can be transformative if and only if peopel want to change society because of their oppressed social position. The laboring class is the vehicle needed to get us away from capitalism (whose extreme negative consequences we see every day) and toward communism! We need to stop the alientation and estrangement of our laborers and insead transition to a society where unemployment doesn't affect millions. That society is a community of sharers; that society involves communism.
1. Eastside 2. Gore Vidal: ‘We’ll Have a Dictatorship Soon in the US’ 3. Tim Teeman 4. Commondreams.org 5. September 30, 2009 6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/30-4
Durkheim sought to develop a “positive science” of society where the goal was to learn about the “laws” of the social world. Solidarity is so important because there must be some level of unity among members of a society if it is to exist. We live in a society that is torn into sections of democrats, republicans, liberals, and bi-partisans. Unity exists only in diminutive forms within our society and only is expressed when egotistical interests are at stake. This article is from the perspective of one man and does not collectively express the opinion of the majority in our society, but this opinion could essentially translate into the attitude of the masses. He says: “One thing that I have always hated in my life is LIARS, and we live in a nation full of them.” A nation cannot be united if its members are not learning and abiding with the laws, essentially creating an atmosphere where we can learn and build one another up in a positive light. The article also puts down religions, saying that it has “infected the political bloodstream, with America becoming corrosively isolationalist”. Durkheim believed that religion would act as a means through which to bring members of the society together not a means to tear society down. As we continue to murder every foundation of our society and ignore what should be our learning experiences, we will never gain the knowledge to shape the social reform that we desperately need.
OxMan Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries Elizabeth Rosenthal September 26, 2009 NY Times www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Karl Marx:
Globalization has advanced many aspects of life in the 21st century, but it has also created a new beast which I could not have imagined 200 years ago. The bourgeois/proletariat dichotomy is no longer restricted to large cities but has grown to such a massive scale that I can venture to say that whole clusters of countries can be deemed the bourgeois, as opposed to reserving this title for a handful of mid-level managers in Paris. From this global capitalist system, a select few countries have emerged as the bourgeois (all of Europe, The United States, etc.) and because it is economically beneficial, have disregarded the well-being of the less fortunate proletariat countries (China, India, and the African continent). As the article states, it is four times as expensive to properly dispose of harmful items in Europe than it is to pack them in a shipping container and send it all away to China. These poor countries are not fighting this injustice because as they are trying to catch up with the rest of the world, they are happy to have this inexpensive raw material, regardless of whether or not their children are handling rusty pipes and toxic chemicals. Because both ends of this trash chute are satisfied with the arrangement, we in the middle are left with the seemingly impossible task of closing it.
G8RGRLBB The Next Culture War David Brooks The New York Times September 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/opinion/29brooks.html?_r=1
Marx, The oppressive nature of the capitalist system disassociates American people from their personal moral beliefs and generates a strong materialism consciousness that destroyed the humanistic values that created a great nation. David Brooks discusses the need to unify as right and left wing, liberal and conservative, to reconstruct the foundation of American economic participation. The fundamentals of capitalism were never successful for the American people, in fact it was the bourgeois and aristocracy that flourished under the unregulated system the United States first employed. It was not until the subtle uprising of the proletariat workers that any reconstruction of economic policy was arranged. The flexibility of democracy allotted minor relief from the oppressive nature of capitalism but did not adequately provide for the release of the proletariat from their bondage to property. Brooks’ article suggests a look into the fundamental principles of the American economy. The system has reduced people to their possessions or their careers and removed the creativity and passion from their lives. Without passion the only thing that separates man form the machine with which he works is the blood flowing through his veins.
1. love143 2. Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries 3. Elisabeth Rosenthal 4. The New York Times 5. SEPTEMBER 26,2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27watse.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: I felt that this story was an excellent example of The Marx's cooncept on social class struggles. The issues discussed are that European countries are illegally selling their waste to the pooper countries of Asia and Africa. Unfortunately, this is a common situation seen amongst societies. The bigger and affluent countries of Europe know that they can excercise their advantages over those countries of lower social and political staus. From Marx perspective, the poorer countries are the proletariat and the Europeans countries are the Burgeoisie. The countries government that accept the "e-waste" use their proletariats for labor, and it is their job to dismantle and recyle the electronics in very poor and dangerous working conditions. The waste products that they are exoosed to have high levels of toxins and are causing birth defects and health problems within their families. They are kept unaware of the complications and consequences of their labor. It is up to the proletariat to become self-aware and understand that their circumstances must and CAN change. Those who are in charge of the wealth distribution are reaping the benefits while others are struggling to survive. Once the realization of their situation is established, a revolution will occur and the proletariat will strike.
M_Luther Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water Todd Woody The New York Times September 29, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/energy-environment/30water.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: Though small in scale, events such as this are what will eventually incite the Proletariat to overthrow the Bourgeoisie. Those in power seeking to improve their own lot at the cost of the poor have gone too far: seeking to monopolize a town’s water source, even changing the law to do so, to support their own financial gain is not going to be accepted by the workers. Using vast amounts of land to harness solar power, they ignore dry cooling methods in favor of wet cooling methods solely because of the increased profit margins. Their wet cooling methods, though cheaper, will consume 20% of the town’s drinkable water supply despite the law forbidding them to use drinkable water. All they see is profit, even if comes at the expense of the species being of other men. These plants will create jobs, jobs that will then be needed to afford the higher costs of water (which, as man is a material being, is necessary for his survival), water which may no longer be attainable through the wells that previously supplied it. These townsfolk will have to work in these solar power plants to survive, and in the name of profit, the workers’ species being will be denied. The workers won’t see the benefits of their labor without paying for it, nor will they see any profit from it apart from their labor value (which will likely be undervalued). Additionally, one’s true human nature cannot be expressed in a factory: all creativity is squashed in favor of performing a single repetitive task. Ultimately, instances such as these will show the proletariat that their plight is unfair; that they are being taken advantage of. When that happens, they shall rebel against the capitalist society that has oppressed them for so long, and overthrow it in favor of a more equitable society, a Communist one. Without the efforts of those in other locales, though, one single city will not overthrow an entire nation. They will need help from others in the same situation as them. The entire Proletariat class will need to combine together, and when it does, it shall be unstoppable. So to hasten forth that day, I say to you: workers of America, unite!
J32828 Michael Moore tells Democrats 'Find Your Spine' on Heath Care Markham Heid Common Dreams September 30, 2009 http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/30-3 Marx The separation between classes has gone on for too long. The proletariat voices have been silenced throughout history, yet now they are speaking against their treatment. "The anger has been simmering beneath the surface" for the lower class. Resources have not been evenly distributed; resources such as health care and medicine. They are struggling to sustain life, while the capitalists have more than enough resources to share. The conflict is beginning to rise, and change will soon come. They are now beginning to realize that they have a voice, many are uniting behind one voice that stands out in the crowd.Michael Moore is the perfect example of a proletariat taking his voice and spreading it to the masses. He is nothing out of the ordinary, just a representative for millions around the nation whose voice has been silenced for too long. The years of tragedy that have been allowed to happen because many could not afford treatment, this hurt and anger is beginning to shift the way many see their circumstance. They are beginning to realize that they are worth so much more than what their jobs pay them. With the knowledge and possible change on the way it is imperative for the proletariat to rise up and voice their opinions.
1. Charlie 2. “A Primer on Racism” 3. Richard Thompson Ford 4. Slate 5. September 30, 2009 6. http://www.slate.com/id/2231002/pagenum/all/#p2
From Engel’s Point of View:
The article takes a look at how even though here in America we say we are all equal; there is still strong racism in the United States in just about every way of life. I see this as just another step in the development of the country. We went from treating the African American community as slaves, to letting them join the community but still segregated, to being allowed to chase any dream they have, going to college, taking higher positions in companies if they can prove they deserve the jobs, to today where those who have succeeded are fully welcome in the workforce and encouraging equality in the workplace. The article brings up several places where there is still not total equality among the African American community, such as communities, hiring in the workplace, and in sports where funding is necessary. This is a step system and we will eventually move to a completely equal relationship between all races in the United States. As long as property and land designate who is a made man in America it will be impossible for this race to be completely equal. White men have been in rule for quite some time. As the article mentions having Obama as a president is certainly a step in the right direction, continuing to have a proportion of African Americans reach their goals, but we cannot all be equal until there is not property and land to make the white man the superior race in the United States.
1. Bernie 2. Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries 3. By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL 4. The New York Times 5. September 26, 2009 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss Marx: This article is a good example of the power of the rich. Instead of class struggle in a nation, it can be seen worldwide. It is just like the rich to dump their trash in poorer countries. Europe can be compared to the bourgeoisie and the poorer countries like Africa, Asia and South America to the proletariat. It still holds that the richer class has more power to control the distribution of wealth in society. By Europe dumping wastes in poorer countries it proves that they are only concerned about themselves and their self interest. Less developed countries do not have the means to dispose of the waste and once it’s there, it’s not Europe’s problem anymore. Technology has expanded greatly due to capitalism, as expected as well as mass production, however, who would have thought this would be a vehicle to create an even bigger gap between the high and low class? Europe has exercised its power over poorer countries and there is not much the poorer countries can do about it. Not only is it polluting the environment, but it is also contaminating the people who live in those countries. The workers who pick through it picking out the salvageable parts are inhaling, touching and ingesting hazardous toxins. This is an unfortunate situation that globalized capitalism has created but will hopefully gain some recognition to the fact that lower class oppression is observed in many aspects in society.
1.Seazer 2.Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need For Water 3.Todd Woody 4.The New York Times 5.09/29/2009 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/energy-environment/30water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
As Karl Marx stated, humans are material beings and need materialistic objects to survive. As society continues to grow and become more advanced, people need more and more to satiate their greedy needs. When it comes to the distribution of these material things, and the economic power to obtain them, the wealthy class ultimately controls the means. So in relation to Marx, I felt as if this article did a superb job of characterizing his sociological theories by describing a contemporary dilemma. The article dealt with the possibility of building two large solar energy farms in rural Nevada, however; this development would come at a price. Although the new solar farms would produce lots of energy and create hundreds of jobs, it would come at the price of consuming 1.3 billion gallons of water annually. So in regards to Marx, I felt as if this dilemma depicted problems of capitalism that he described and the greed that society has to obtain their material possessions. The solar energy and new jobs that the farms would provide symbolizes capitalism and its nature of striving for material wealth along with supply and demand. This need that society feels is evidently very strong because overall, people are willing to exchange an immense supply of precious natural resources in order to gain something that they truly do not need. This has actually sparked a war over who has the rights to such an enormous supply of water. Ultimately, the wealthy are in control of this supply. The public is divided between those who will profit from the sale of this water and the energy it will produce; the wealthy, and those who are concerned with its impact on the environment. This represents a conflict between the proletariat and the powerful ruling class. So the question is, how far will be go in order to fulfill our capitalistic desires, and will we do it even if it means possible destruction of the environment? Overall, I feel as if the answer is yes.
1.Bahamas 2.Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries 3.Elisabeth Rosenthal 4.The New York Times 5.September 27, 2009 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: Exporting waste illegally to poor countries has become a vast and growing international business— our social interests are determined by our social position, and nothing else. Europe shows no care or sympathy for the children that often dismantle construction debris containing toxic chemicals or the fact that burning the excess garbage causes pollution in the air and water and releases heat-trapping gases, which is linked to global warming. Europe only cares about their self interest and what’s the easiest, cheapest way to dispose of their garbage, nobody cares about the poor countries. The European countries are seen as the ruling class or bourgeoisie, and the other countries, such as China, Indonesia, India, and Africa, are seen as the working class or proletariat. Because of these other countries economic status, it is hard to put a stop to the illegal garbage dumping, which is an illustration of social inequality. The poorer countries are the ones that are suffering while the ruling class smuggle their waste illegally overseas.
anakin Here’s why health care must be reformed Posted by John L. Smith http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/smith/Heres_why_health_care_must_be_reformed.html 9/30/09 Karl Marx
This article shows that our society is moving in the directiion of communism. The lower to lower-middle class are starting to realize that they are being denied certain rights that should be granted to everyone. And even people of more affluence are starting to realize the same. These people have started to exercize their voice and demand change.
RMUSTANG Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries Elisabeth Rosenthal New York Times (nytimes.com) September 26, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
This is a most disastrous hour, in which the model of capitalism, the relationship between capitalist and proletariat, can be seen among nations themselves! Even nations are materialistic, a trait shared with man. This reality allows for social stratification among the highest levels of social structures; the state. Even now, few men profit from the labor of many, and states increase their economic empowerment by exploiting the economic weakness of others.
In this case, companies housed within the world’s wealthiest nations, the United States and many European nations, profit from illegally exporting waste material to countries seeking to increase wealth such as China and India. In many instances, this waste becomes the raw materials provided by capitalist, who then allocate the task of harnessing products from these resources to the people of poorer nations. It should be of no surprise that some of the same countries playing the role of the proletariat in this capacity with waste management are victimized by large companies and the World Bank for control over their own water!
Countries are becoming alienated with fractions of their exports depending on leftover materials. Unfortunately, these countries experience false consciousness. This false consciousness suggests that by becoming the dependent party of this economic system, these states will one day be able to rise and be amongst their owners. However, this phenomenon will not be realized. By accepting this role, many states have already become alienated and experience subsistent wages; others are closely following. Unless class consciousness is realized, even China will be further victimized by capitalists.
Gorgoron michigan tells lisa snyder to stop baby Aol news september 30 http://news.aol.com/article/michigan-tells-lisa-snyder-to-stop-baby/692754?icid=main|main|dl2|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fmichigan-tells-lisa-snyder-to-stop-baby%2F692754
Karl Marx- Women being threatened by government for babysitting neighbor's children.
Lisa Snyder is a woman doing a good deed for the community by watching the children of her neighbors as they wait for school. These children are less likely to be hit by cars, picked up by strangers, or get themselves into bad situations while unsupervised. From a Marxist standpoint, this is a division of labor, and yes, the worker is putting labor into something she cares about. However, the fallacy of this system, that of the neighbor lending a helping hand is that it is not a situation the state government should have become involved it. If the woman wants to put in labor of watching other's children she has the right to open a daycare, as long as it is fully governed by the law. However this law in particular is a capitalist effort to control a business with an attempt at hiding it's Socialist characteristics. A truly capital state would not have a law governing businesses, especially "businesses" that do not involve either party benefitting financially.
Gorgoron Dorm sex ban at tufts university Aol news September 30 http://news.aol.com/article/dorm-sex-ban-at-tufts-university/692852?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fdorm-sex-ban-at-tufts-university%2F692852
Dorm bans sex in front of roomate-Durkheim
This is an example of how people make up a society. The society of people within that University that make up those living in dorms to be exact, their behavior on a year to year basis affects the rules and therefore affects the behavior of students after them. How roomates behave in front of one another is typically private, especially when it comes to their respective sex lives, however it is becoming very public with this new rule. Because of several isolated incidents of several students in the "society" the rules were affected, forever.
(ontime, emailed Tues) Shorty Build a Better Bulb for a $10 Million Prize ERIC A. TAUB and LEORA BROYDO VESTEL The New York Times September 24, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/technology/25bulb.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Durkheim:
The fact that the invention of a reinvented light bulb is severely in need shows the transformation to a more modern organic society that in which Durkheim believed in. The move to a more modern light bulb displays the breakdown in the division of labor for people to perform a more specialized task in meeting the needs and expectations of the most popular used type of light bulb. Overtime it seems as if society has grown and the 60-watt light bulb has become very inefficient. The pressure is now on to come up with a new creation of a more sufficient light bulb that would decrease the scarcity of resources. As society evolves to become more modern, the light bulb has an increase for improvement and the companies which can be referred to a the division of laborers are seeking out to produce organic solidarity based on the companies that enter into the contest to display their product as being the upcoming most efficient 60-watt light bulb. Because our society is marked by large vast companies, each industry has come up with a different version of the light bulb in which they think will be the best and these industries are fulfilled by different individuals that create unique structures of the same product to represent their company. The idea of Collective Conscience can be represented by the different networks and companies that entered into the contest as a group; sharing a collection of ideas and not singling the ideas as one individual knowing all the ideas. I believe too, that this idea and notion of their must be an underlying system of collective values and beliefs to guide people interaction in the pursuit of collective goals, is comparable by the fact that the contest was created on the basis as a system to create a new structure while also adding value in the sum of money for the prize winner of the contest as well as immense power through having guaranteed contracts. Overall, the scientific aspect and knowledge of light bulbs should be used to guide social reform in representing a significant way to save energy. The objective is to employ the new longer lasting lighting device of compact LED bulbs will give explanations and hold industrialization together over time.
Codeword: studentA (rest of the post) Voting has a long history in the United States and we view it as a privilege and a right. Often times we think of past struggles that lead to the passing of bills which gave all races, creeds, and genders the right to cast a vote. It is these ideas that encompass a collective reality and again share the commonality of morality as its reason to contribute to the decisions of our government through voting. As we can see through a progressive point of view, what becomes important of collective conscience depends on the times and struggles of a nation. When a powerful country like ours is starving for jobs, education reform, and so on, the members of the society feel responsible for making sure we all receive what we need. With that being said, the collective reality of casting a vote to make a difference still lives in the hearts and souls of the American people now and for decades to come.
7138 Firing Immigrant Workers Divides Los Angelos Julia Preston New York Times September 29, 2009 NYtimes.com
Marx
The proletariat have continuously been mistreated in the American Capitalists society. However, the illegal proletariat's jobs are in danger because the American government do not want them in this country. On the other hand, businesses want these workers because they provide labor at a cheap, reliable price. But the alienation of these workers is horrible; capitalists use their skills and alienate them from their true human nature. The capitalists do not allow them to bring out their real potential and also alienate them from the profits of their labor. These 1,800 workers should rise against the capitalists government and fight back because under their current government they will not receive any freedoms. The only way to gain autonomy is to create a proletariat revolution and disobey the powers that exists. If these steps are taken precisely, then the proletariat will rise and vanish capitalism. They will no longer feel the effects of pauperization and wealth will be more distributed through use of a communist system. This fair communist society will all of of poverty.
Miyagi Saudi Youths Lashed After Clash No Author listed BBC News - Middle East September 29, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8280704.stm
Durkeim: After reading this article about the treatment of young children who were celebrating on a holiday in the city of Khobar reminded me of some of the aspects of what is known as a primitive society. From what was gathered in the article and previous knowledge about the subject, the society in question does seem to have a bond held together by strong traditional practices that are never questioned by any, even the ones receiving punishment. One of these traditions was not to celebrate on this particular holiday the way the students did, and the punishment was 30 lashes. The mindset of one of the children who was subjected to this treatment might also closely match the mindset of a person who commits fatalistic suicide. The youth in Khobar lives in a stringent society where the rules eventually get to become to much to handle for the individual who has lost many of their unique aspects as a person due to the strict rules. When the pressures mount they commit fatalistic suicide, although the children in Khobar might share similar feelings I do not think that they will go through with it for it being looked down upon in the Islam faith. The fact that a person’s incivility is limited in this culture points to some of the culture being less complex because the society has the overbearing power over the individual and limits them with rules to follow. The children decided to commit what could be called a profane act on a sacred day.
North America's Pro Sports Leagues Make Big Plays to Go Green Author: Eric Meliton GreenBiz.com Oct 1, 2009 http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/10/01/north-americas-pro-sports-leagues-make-big-plays-go-green Marx Within our society there is always the oppressed and the ones who are in control. When you think of the environment this idea of oppressed is lost. Within the article it talks about changing our surroundings to better society as a whole. The Earth is not in good condition and we need to do everything to help make it better before an extreme revolution of the Earth giving out on us will be inevitable. The sports world (privileged) has made some efforts in an attempt to better the status of the Earth. The NFL, NBA and MLB all have began to recycle and use environment sufficient products. These powers are in very high positions and they are attempting to alter the Earth’s well being.
1. Footlocker 2. “The Stereotype of the Jangled New Mother” 3. Susan Burton 4. Slate 5. 10/12/09 6. http://www.slate.com/id/2231321/entry/2232271/?from=rss
Cooley: In my book, The Looking Glass Self, I lay out 3 principal elements of the looking glass self, which depicts the statement: I am what I think you think I am. The first principal element is the imagination of our appearance to the other person. Next is the imagination of their judgment of that appearance. Last is a feeling (perhaps pride or shame) as a result of the imaginative judgment. Susan Burton writes in her article about being stereotyped as a “jangled new mother”, or so she thinks. Burton, having had previous experience in an office setting fell deeply into the Looking Glass Self. First, Burton imagined her appearance to the other women in the office. She remembered being a twenty-something in an office setting and what that felt like, so she was very able to picture how the other women saw her- old. Next, Burton imagined the others judgment of her appearance; she even goes so far as to quote another author to describe herself as “jangled” and “high-strung”. She believes that if she had acted differently or drank more on Beer Friday that the other women in the office wouldn’t have seen her as the typical high-strung working mom. Lastly, Burton feels confident and capable of balancing her life, yet still seems to feel somehow unsatisfied at work because she is not doing the most difficult or time-consuming pieces. Susan Burton’s previous experiences and judgments of women in the office in her past made her uniquely susceptible to the Looking Glass Self and fulfilling that she was what she thought the other women thought she was.
Babydoll Recession Spurs Interest in Graduate, Law Schools Rebecca R. Ruiz The New York Times January 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/education/10grad.html?scp=8&sq=sociology&st=cse
Marx:
This article demonstrates the impacts of the recession on the working class in the United States. According to this article, a correlation has been made between graduate school applications and the troubled economy. As a result of the insufficient amount of good jobs offered in today’s society, there has been an increasing interest in graduate schools and applications to graduate programs, such as law schools have escalated.
Without a doubt, inequality exists throughout the working or employment world. People who are part of unequal groups whether it be gender, race, economic and so on still compete against each other and those more fortunate for the best job opportunity. Employers prefer people who have the most and best background over those who have none at all. They prefer the rich and powerful over the poor and weak. This is why individuals have decided to further their education or go back to school. Due to the competitive nature of the workforce, people need leverage as they make themselves more marketable in the workforce. Although one may have an education, without purpose it is worthless and vice versa. Society has a tendency to experience recurring crises like this one, which is why people need to become aware and understand the objective situation.
1.Enfinity 2.Title: “America Is Not Yet Lost” 3.Author: PAUL KRUGMAN 4.Source: The New York Times 5.Date: February 7,2010 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/opinion/08krugman.html
Durkheim: The shift from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity is very evident in American society. Senates being able to place holds on important government decisions in order to promote their own little projects shows that America is very individualistic. According to the New York Times in the past the Senate used to be ruled by “traditions of comity, courtesy, reciprocity, and accommodation.” The collective conscience has disappeared since people no longer care deeply about collective ideas of society. Instead of doing what’s best for the group, individual senates are doing what’s best for them. These acts seem harmless at first but eventually this will make the nation ungovernable and take power away from the President, who is suppose to be in charge of the nation. Government will no longer be able to function if each senate decides to take matters into their own hands and put a pause on important government decisions in order to benefit themselves and get their own little projects funded before acting on issues that are important to society. This can result in chaos if the effects of this are felt by citizens which in turn can lead to anomie since everyone’s role is not clearly defined because the Senate is taking over the President’s job.
1. Scribe. 2.The military do more than fight – they protect our global interests 3. Jeremy Greaves 4. The Guardian 5. 9 February 2010 6. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/09/defence-policy-military-ships-britain
Marx:
This editorial on the budget proposals of the British military is a clear example of capitalism in its late stages: openly colonial, exploitative, and inherently violent. Greaves advocates spending over £5b of the money which the government takes from the public by force on what he calls "floating pieces of real estate," enormous aircraft carriers. And in an age when air superiority means everything, why would Greaves advocate such a substantial expenditure? "They proclaim us as a serious nation that is confident and prepared to protect and promote its global interests." They are, in his words, "strong enough to back up 'soft' power with the ultimate sanction of 'hard' power." They are vessels to protect Britain's global empire - through both the remaining territories, and more covert power of their international corporations. Britain is simply doing as it always has done, using military might to fund an expansionist capitalist empire. It is clear that in Britain's international trade and policy making, the "agreements" they make will be inherently exploitative as they resume the role of the hegemony.
Chichen “In a Message to Democrats, Wall St. Sends Cash to G.O.P” David D. Kirkpatrick The New York Times February 7, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/us/politics/08lobby.html?ref=politics
Marx: As I have argued before, class dynamics shape the organization of socio-economic life where a particular class controls the distribution of wealth in society in order to promote self interest. In this case, the bourgeoisie of Wall Street have begun protesting against the current government administration by contributing large amounts of money to its opposition. The bourgeoisie, or the bankers and lobbyists in this case, argue that they understand the public is hurting and wants to see punishment but they are also realizing that this punishment means stricter regulations on their current capitalistic socio-economic control. They are now attempting to regain this control by reminding the government that their financial contributions are crucial to any progress, therefore the government ought to work in their favor. However, I do not place all the blame on the bourgeoisie for their motives, as even they are trapped in the system of capitalism, desiring only more profit. When threatened with the possibility of loss of wealth, the bourgeoisie will attempt to regain stability in their favor, despite what this means for the growing number of proletariat that are becoming further alienated from society, via the 17 percent unemployment rate, as implied by a chief executive of BB&T. In situations such as this one, it is important to realize that the proletariat cannot rely on solely governmental action against the flaws of capitalism, but that it is also the responsibility of the individuals, the proletariat who are losing more as so few bankers and lobbyists control all the gain, to take action and revolt. This only exemplifies a modern day class simplification resulting in more and more property less and fewer, but wealthier propertied, who will eventually control all government action, resulting in little change to this outdated system of governing.
Hoopa "Alarm at Mumbai's Teenage Suicide Trend" Zubair Ahmed BBC News February 1, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8473515.stm
This article reiterates my argument that suicide is a social phenomenon with social causes. Hopefully, people are beginning to realize that such an act cannot be viewed in terms of individualistic characteristics or personal flaws, but rather, a product of what is occurring in the larger society. It rightfully illustrates the relationship between the social life of an individual and his or her willingness and determination to end their life. It explores why more teenagers in India are taking their lives by considering the social atmosphere, peer influences and academic pressures. By considering the impact that increasing academic pressure has on children, the author would agree with me that the suicides happening in Mumbai are indeed socially-driven. They are manifestations of the social atmosphere in which these children and young people are brought up.
In Mumbai, it is evident that people are choosing to end their lives because they do not have a balance between integration and regulation. These suicides fall into my "egoistic" category, sparked by teenagers' low integration and lack of attachment to social groups. They are detached from other members of their community, or classrooms, and are being reduced to their academic performance. This type of suicide, in particularly, has become increasingly common in modern societies as people continue to experience weakening ties with other individuals they come in contact with.
This article demonstrates that the egoistic suicides taking place are excessively individualistic. The people who choose to end their lives often do it without consideration for the people they are leaving behind, such as the distraught family members referred to in the article. Although the person may not realize it, their suicide has "devastating psychological, social and financial impacts on families and friends." This further supports my argument that the suicides in Mumbai are largely egoistic.
For as long as people experience low integration and social isolation, egoistic suicides will continue to "spiral out of control". I agree that there must be coordinated and intensified global action to prevent these suicides. I argue that an effective attempt at doing this would be to focus on reintegrating these children into social groups. This would provide them with a sense of worth and self-value, independent of their academic performance. If these kids are more integrated and feel more accepted, they will be less likely to commit egoistic suicide.
october Sinatra Song Often Strikes Deadly Chord Norimitsu Onishi The New York Times February 8th, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/world/asia/07karaoke.html
Durkheim:
While it might not necessarily be the case in the United States, there has been occurrences in the Philippines where singing a particular song at a karaoke bar can get yourself killed. Songs such as "My Way" by Frank Sinatra or John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” have been known to cause trouble if a person decides to sing and have even been taken out of the books in some areas. It seems as though there are many regulations that the people in the Philippines have to follow. Though it might not necessarily be official rules according to the government that play a role on the citizens, songs that can be considered taboo may be a factor towards a fatalistic suicide - not having the freedom to do what you want to do. Something as simple as not being able to sing a song could have an effect as to how a person might see other rules and regulations in this mechanical solidarity that might constrain them in their social environment. While trying to keep things normal, it has become habit to just avoid certain songs since they might just cause problems for unnecessary reasons.
Wrldsyrs National Labor Committee: Women Paid 10 Cents to Sew $80 Peyton Barbara Briggs BNET 4 February 2010 http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/us-newswire/mi_hb5554/is_20100204/national-labor-committee-women-paid/ai_n49035472/?tag=content;col1
Marx:
Capitalists understand that they can maximize profits by employing the cheapest possible labor available. Often, they accomplish this by setting up sweatshops in less developed countries and offer the workers lower wages then they can legally pay workers in their country. The process of offering substandard wages in sweatshop environments alienates the worker from their productive activities, the products they are producing, their fellow workers, and their human potential.
The workers in this El Salvadorian sweatshop are forced to work 65 hours per week with obligatory unpaid overtime. Each person is required to sew 255 jerseys per day in inferior working conditions. While these workers are receiving below basic subsistence needs, the employers are charging $80 per jersey produced. The workers are alienated from their products because even though the workers are making these jerseys, they are unable to afford one for themselves. Each worker is paid ten cents per $80 jersey they produce, which is 1/10 of 1% of the jersey’s retail price. The workers are alienated from each other because any “workers daring to exercise their legal right to organize a union would be immediately fired and blacklisted.” Also, the workers are alienated from their human potential because they have to slave away in a sweatshop for hours each day without a chance to improve their conditions or learn new and valuable skills.
The capitalist system encourages maximizing profits, often at the expense of the workers. With profit as the driving force, workers are often alienated from their production and their human potential.
Penny Optimism Persists in a Kentucky Town Where a Carmaker Brought Jobs Mickey Meece New York Times February 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/business/09georgetown.html?ref=business
Marx
The effect of capitalism’s grasp on society is quite apparent in the city of Georgetown, Kentucky. Here a Toyota plant has taken over and employed most of the residents. This is problematic currently as it is experiencing problems with recalls. If these problems continue and the company loses money, pauperization will become inevitable. Most of the town’s residents toil and labor for this company. They are forced into this life of mechanical labor as proletariats. Their identities have become based on this. They are valued for how much they can produce. What then will they do if Toyota’s problems cause them to lose their jobs? They will no longer know how to identify themselves. What’s more, the pending job loss will cause them severe economic suffering. The bourgeoisie individuals that own the plant are surely unhappy about the recalls as well, but class division means that the proletariat workers employed in these factories, who may not be trained for any other type of work, really stand to suffer if problems continue. This is a just and true example of how capitalism has run its course and the transition to communism must begin to take hold. However, some residents interviewed here seem to still believe in Toyota and consider themselves a part of it. This means that loss of legitimacy has not yet occurred. Although this could soon change as workers become angry and decide that the company’s work and profits are not in their best interest. Then and only then will they make their attempt at throwing over not only this specific company but the whole capitalist system.
Zapheros Obama to Senate Dems: Don't Look Back Major Garrett Fox News February 3, 2010 http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/02/03/obama-to-senate-dems-dont-look-back/ Marx: Again and again the bourgeois and their puppets continue their facade of change and “progress” from within the system. This past presidential and Congressional elections were overwhelmingly progressive in their support. A Democratic president, Senate, and House and yet nothing was accomplished. Seemingly with all the power of the state at their hands the progressives could not over come the overt proponents of the bourgeoisie. The people themselves rebel against change, against the improvement of their own lifestyles. This is because the average proletariat still dreams of becoming a bourgeois themselves and one day oppressing their fellow man. When will the proletariat finally realize that the promises of gradual change, of social advancement are but illusions and scraps thrown to them by their overseers in return for their absolute obedience and enslavement of their true nature and potential. The promises of government, of the Democrats are hollow and empty, quickly undermined if not outright forgotten. The government abhors change and only through its suppression, if not outright destruction, will change actually occur. The proletariat can not wait upon some political demagogue to champion their rights for them, the proletariat and the proletariat alone must seize upon their own desires and destiny to transform this society.
1. Buckley 2. Opel’s Strategy Has Fewer Jobs and Less Capacity 3. Jack Ewing 4. www.newyorktimes.com 5. 2/9/10 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/business/global/10opel.html?ref=business Marx: Opel’s new strategy to increase profits does highlight capitalism’s strengths. The new model, Ampera, will be a ‘greener’ innovation with its small gasoline engine that plugs in to recharge its batteries. The introduction of this new model along with other significant upgrades will certainly increase Opel’s productivity, which has recently fallen behind 8.5 percent in market share in 2007. This new strategy is part of a restructuring of the company, increasing G.M’s worldly connections. Though Opel is the European unit of G.M., the United States is the company’s largest shareholder. But with every positive increase in production comes the inverse negative effect for the worker. The workforce will be reduced by 8,300 people. The company announced Tuesday that it will be closing an entire Plant in Belgium. Once more, capitalism has reduced its workers to mere commodities that have lost their value. The laborers were exposed to the fluctuations of the market and lost. In these modern times, there is too much commerce, too much production, and when the conditions of the bourgeois are threatened, it results in this ‘new strategy,’ or the destruction of these workers' jobs.
1. Gecko 2. Volunteers Try to Dissuade Young Sex Workers on Super Bowl Weekend 3. Emanuella Ginsberg 4. CNN 5. February 6, 2010 6. http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/06/florida.superbowl.sex.trafficking/index.html?hpt=Sbin
Marx: The article discusses the influx of underage prostitutes during the time leading up to the Super Bowl, which can be explained by analyzing this trend from a Marxist perspective. Prostitution can be thought of as commodity fetishism, because it changes sexual intercourse from an act of procreation or intimacy between two people into a commodity to be bought and sold in a free market. The women who sell this commodity exhibit most of the same forms of alienation that workers in other professions experience. They are alienated from their profits because they almost always work for a pimp, especially the girls that this story features. Alienation from the product does not develop as fully as the other types of alienation because the women do have some control over the product, sex; but, because sex involves at least one other person, the women do not have complete control over their products. Alienation from their true selves and from others are also easy to recognize in this trade. The women would not spend their time selling their bodies for sex if it was not necessary for their material survival. Because the prostitution trade is subject to market forces of supply and demand, women come to see each other as competition for their profits; the women fail to see each other as anything more than an obstacle to their own survival. The article explains that the number of prostitutes in previous Super Bowl cities rose during the Super Bowl because there were more people around and they were in a party atmosphere. This increased demand for pleasure, alcohol and sex causes pimps to flood the city to increase their profits. In response to this influx, teams of volunteers are taking to the streets to attempt to educate these women about their alternatives, or to break their false consciousness. The women engage in prostitution to avoid pauperization in order to ensure their ability to meet their material needs. Eventually some women see this as their only option and resign themselves to it, they develop false consciousness about their situation. The volunteers provide the women with business cards they can use to find a way out of this business, hoping they can help at least some of these women. Marx’s solution to this problem would be the evolution to a communist society, which unfortunately does not seem to be possible.
1. Codename: Wolverine 2. Google takes on Facebook and Twitter with network site 3. Vic Gundotra 4. BBC News 5. Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 6.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8506148.stm#top
Marx,
Google has created a new strategy that is intended to compete with our nations leading internet social networks. This idea alone, shows a form of capitalism. The Google Administration thought that it would be a great idea to create a service that is integrated directly with its e-mail service Gmail. This service will allow Gmail users to post status updates, share content and read and comment on friends' posts. The site places Google directly against rival networks such as Facebook. This service will be referred to as “Buzz”. Buzz will try to capitalise on the number of regular Gmail users, which is currently around 170 million people. Buzz will have plenty of interesting new features, even features geared towards mobile users. But the Google Administration wants to find out if there is enough to entice social networkers away from sites like Facebook and Twitter.
From a capitalist perspective, Google’s creation of the “Buzz” will increase the productivity of Google. As earlier stated, the number of Google users has decreased over the years, so this creation will attract more users to utilize services that are offered by Google. This new idea from Google is an effort to rebuild relations with previous Google users. This strategy will give Google a change to regain lost users and provide services that are being offered by leading social networks. The only issue that could possibly arise is consistant competition. After beginning this new stage of productivity, Google will be forced to continue creating innovative ideas to maintain the interest of its users.
MissMD Immigrants claim Wal-Mart fire them to provide jobs for local residents Dan Frosch New York Times Feburary 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09walmart.html?em
Marx: Wal-Mart, once again has complaints filed against it by former employees, claiming that their dismissal from its Colorado store was a result of racial discrimination. As pleasing as we would like capitalism to be, the weakness protruding from the situation cannot be ignored. The 10 West African men fired from the corporaiton in Colorado represent the proletariat who suffered the collateral damage of pauperization. One of the men's inability to increase production of services as a result of his age also made him no longer but as proved to be an opportunity to replace him with a younger and less expansive worker. In this case the workers are not only consciously aware of their class and the mistreatment received from the bourgeoisie (managers) but are also taking a concrete action towards justice and revolutionizing immigrant workers positions in these companies. If only more workers were consciously aware of this and not walk under the myth that their situations cannot be changed then real revolution would breakout and we would see change to our capitalist economic system where immigrants are a commodity and a way of keeping labor value low while increasing profits.
1. StudentB 2. THE POPULISM PROBLEM 3. James Surowiecki 4. http://www.newyorker.com/ 5. FEBRUARY 15, 2010 (accessed 02/09/10) 6. http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2010/02/15/100215ta_talk_surowiecki
Marx:
Barack Obama is seen by the public as an idealist philosopher, but the electorate wants him to be more of a liberal reformer in order to bring about economic change. The economic populism of the eighteen-nineties and the right-wing cultural populism of recent years are representative of coherent ideologies unlike those of current voters.The ideologies of current voters, who adhere to a so-called new populism, represent a conglomeration of goals and ideas from both liberal reformers and idealist philosophers.
Both voters and the government seek economic change, as inequality has increased from the weak economy and poor job market, but voters are contradictory in their desires for economic change, like they simultaneously want the government to create jobs and cut the deficit. Any possible methods that would assuage the pragmatic concerns of voters are desirable, such as increasing the deficit to create jobs. Though it may not be the most ideal solution, history and theory suggest that tough economic times make people less interested in sharing burdens, as they seek to at least maintain and not downgrade their class status.
The ideologies for economic reform that are the sentiments of new populism do serve to promote change by stimulating awareness and interest, as well as by being the result of voiced opinions and grievances of voters. But as merely ideas and theories, these sentiments do not constitute a force that can change the economy. The government maintains the power and control to stimulate the economy using the methods it sees fit and to offer the plans that voters would vote on, which severely constrains the power of voters. The sentiments of new populism can potentially shape the economic path that the government chooses and determine the ideas that voters adopt and vote on with respect to specific bills, but are not actually forces to create economic change.
1. Apple 2. Obama Urges Setting Aside ‘Petty Politics’ 3. Jeff Zeleny and Helene Cooper 4.The New York Times 5. February 9, 2010 6. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/obama-urges-setting-aside-petty-politics/?hp
Durkheim,
My scholarly, sociological response to this piece of news is that President Obama may be trying to usher in a new bipartisan religion. The rituals within politics are sacred and of the utmost important, from the pin on your lapel to your rituals with lobbyists. The President had a surprise visit with the press after the first monthly bipartisanship meeting, which is a collective ritual involving a great deal of passion, yet it is for two distinct parties with differing belief systems. This monthly ceremony is intended to unite these men (and some women) under one title, Bipartisan, in order to strengthen their bond to each other and their leader. President Obama implicated that the ceremony has strengthened their bonds, telling of how the Democratic leader and the Republican leader were “out doing snow angels together on the South Lawn.”
To prove that the new religion Bipartisan is blossoming under the help of the President, I will explain how it meets the three necessary conditions of religion. Firstly, there are two ideologies that have come together to compromise, developing a united set of beliefs. Secondly, there are certainly a set of religious rights that must be followed in such a ceremony in order to uphold respect for your other Bipartisan members. And lastly, the church is the monthly bipartisanship meeting, where the members are united under the idea of compromise, thus making one large Bipartisan community.
In this piece of news the President goes on to discuss the issues brought up during the ceremony. One ideal he kept mentioning was compromise between the Democrats and the Republicans, which is the ideological framework that holds the Bipartisan religion together.
1. Elephant 2. Despite disasters, Filipinos upbeat, survey shows 3. Steven Lunt 4. CNN.Com 5. February 7, 2010 6. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/07/philippines.survey/index.html?iref=allsearch
This article proves what I have been trying to say this entire time! “Religion is the opiate of the masses”. These people suffered one huge hardship after another, from hurricanes with mass floods, the crumbling of their political system, deadly volcanoes, and people taking their ships. Yet when approaching the New Year these people are positive, they are excited and think that this New Year will hold better things. Why would these people remain in good spirits? I will tell you why because they are primarily Catholic. They have hope that their God will take away their pain and suffering, and knowing there is someone there for them has given them peace and hope. They still have pride and have encouraged everyday people to become heroes. This is the very reason for religion, when there is pain and suffering people needing something to believe in and take away their pain and confusion, and thus religion was born. This is exactly what then needed to get through these things. -Karl Marx
CKES When To Worry If A Child Has Too Few Words Perry Klass The New York Times February 8th, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/health/09klass.html
Durkheim:
The doctors finally understand! In the past, anomalies in a child’s development were attributed to biological deficiencies, ignoring any societal influences that may have occurred. The current trend now is to examine the social context in which the child is living. Communication, an important social fact, is vital to the survival of a society, and as a result speech is considered an important part of child’s development. A child’s speech will determine the ease to which that person will adjust and contribute to society. Thus, when it is discovered that speech development is delayed, doctors assume it is the product of some medical problem. While this could be the case for some, the family’s influence should not be ignored. The parent’s role in speech development is to provide a foundation upon which the child is to use to learn how to communicate with others. Some parents accomplish this better than others. For those who don’t, a further investigation into their household norms and practices will reveal more information about a retardation of speech development than any medical examination.
Valentine Greece hit by Nationwide strike over austerity measures BBC News BBC News February 10, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8507551.stm
Marx: To my fellow comrades in arm: There is little that I can say that will assuage the despair of my fellow workers who are struggling in Greece, but perhaps instead I can provide some words of encouragement. Revolt. Revolt my friends against the PIGS of Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain who are determined to fight their way out of their previous mistakes by stepping on the backs of their public workers. Revolt my fellow farmers who are tired of low government subsidies. Stand up and hold those accountable who line their pockets with the sweat of your labor and bear the brunt of their mistakes on your backs. To those from the private sector who argue that these austerity measure are a necessary evil to pay for the mistakes of the past, I say, why not pay the mistakes from your pocket? Or better yet from the pockets of those who are rightfully responsible for those mistakes. If the only way to pay for those mistakes is to freeze pay of those who work in the public sector I say the punishment does not fit the crime. Only because those who are being punished were not the perpetrators of this crime. Imposing these injustices disguised as measures will only help those who are the true criminals in this mistake. So again to my fellow wagers of war against those who have waged war against workers, REVOLT. Maintain your strike and fight to hold those in power accountable.
Cloud123 Business Benefits in the Inner City: The State of Green Business-Chicago Jonathan Bardelline Greenbiz.com February 9, 2010 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/business-benefits-inner-city-state-green-business-chicago?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
Marx:
My core belief, as many know, is that there is power and wealth in the hands of few, the bourgeoisie, who seek to find labor in the masses of the powerless and poor the proletariat. This two-class society has existed as long as there has been capitalism, and these class dynamics shape the organization of our socio-economic life. It is not surprising that these capitalists, in their entrepreneurial nature, are looking to expand their businesses in inner cities, where labor is cheap and there is room for economic expansion.
The article holds that the four main benefits of expanding business in inner city metropolitan areas are “marketing, location, human capital and financing.” This comes as no surprise to anyone who understands the function of the bourgeoisie, to grow business as cheap as possible and to make the largest profit they possible can earn. It is interesting, however, that they cite “human capital” as a benefit, for they surely do not mean human potential, as this human potential will be stripped from the workers' once they are alienated from their products, their profits, other workers, and even their own selves, eventually reduced to mere machines.
With the expansion of business in new markets, inner cities, capitalists will further exacerbate this cycle of exploitation, in which capitalists own everything and workers own, essentially, nothing except their subsistence wages. This helps highlight my labor theory of value, in that the system is corrupt and these inner city workers deserve much more than they receive, if not everything as a result of their hard work. It is important to point out, however, that both the capitalists and workers are victims of false consciousness, as neither group truly can grasp how the capitalist system affects themselves, the other group, and society as a whole. As long as there is expansion in poorer, inner city areas, where workers can be exploited for a small profit, the capitalist system will only further grow in size and financial power, until the workers can gain class consciousness and eventually revolt against the system.
1.Aaron 2.Greek unions strike against austerity plan 3.Elena Becatoros 4.The Associated Press 5.February 10, 2010 6.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iXUJvBknZVGqsBenIusBgBvWj5WQD9DPD7OG1
Leaders of the Greek republic have announced an austerity plan that will affect many of the proletariat members of the Greek society. Although leaders say they will target the members of the Greek bourgeoisie, laborers are rightfully leery of the new plan and have begun protesting. The proletariat class of Greece must rise up and let their voices be heard; otherwise the Greek government will increase taxes, the retirement age, and their control over the people of Greece. Workers must have more control over their own careers and break free from the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. My advice for the Greek proletariat would be to revolt against the bourgeoisie and take control over the country and its economy. A dictatorship by the proletariat would be the first step to a pure communism in the country, in which Greece would be a classless society.
Sting Blue Whales Croon A New Tune No Author Given NPR February 6, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123420217&ft=1&f=1024
Marx: My studies have focused on humans, naturally, but I’ve cast my sights to the new studies of blue whales and their change of singing pitches. I have always said that conflict is the engine of progress. Until the inssertion of hunting laws in the1960’s, the number of blues was low, therefore making resources scarce for reproduction, meaning it was difficult for males to find females. Some of my fellow scientists have theorized that In order to cover more distance and reach females, male singing pitches became higher. Now, forty years later, there has been a social change in the blue whales because it is more common for males and females to meet, and because of this, it seems, male whale pitches have become lower. Supply and demand has begun the process of reaching an equilibrium. Though it was humans that caused the social conflict in the first place with whale murders, it is humans that have attempted to change the problem and I am pleased to see the evolutionized status of blues, and hope it continues.
JH1988 A Mediocre Criminal, but an Unmatched Jailhouse Lawyer Adam Liptak The New York Times February 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09bar.html Marx Shon Hopwood was an oppressed member of the proletariat, searching for a place in the infrastructure of the american economy in Nebraska. He found himself robbing banks to make a living which led to him being thrown in jail for some reeducation. As a method of rising up against the bourgeois he began to study the law in prison. Instead of violently revolting from the oppressive capitalist system that only values him for the labor he can provide in prison, he decided to try to change the system from within by helping a fellow inmate file a US Supreme Court brief. His brief made the docket which is no small feat, and Shon received some support from the lawyer presenting the argument. Because of his discontent with the capitalist systems control over his means of production, Shon was able to disconnect from the capitalist mind control and find his true passion in the law. His value was not based on his labor, his ideas and creativity were what compensated him. But there is no happy ending to this story, the capitalist system is so overwhelming that it cannot be fixed by one man, its takes the entire working class, so Shon was forced to re-assimilate to the capitalist system and use his talent to produce labor. Capitalism drains everything of its purity and true value and attributes a false calculated value to it.
MrTK The Politics of Fear Editorial New York Times February 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/opinion/10wed1.html?hp
Marx:
It seems that people will do anything to get ahead. In the article it shows that many people forget the things that came before them. When looking at what the republicans are trying to do since Barack Obama is our president now, it shows that people try to tear one down so that they may get ahead. The article discusses how Obama’s administration made a wise decision regarding the failed attempt of the Christmas Day bomber. The republicans feel that instead of them sending the F.B.I. in to arrest the man, and have him interrogated, and file federal terrorism charges that it would have been better to have thrown him in military prison.
Obama spoke so much about change during his campaign, so why are we not allowing him to make the change. Unlike Bush who used the scare tactics to get re-elected, Obama is following the rules instead of making laws that deny Americans certain rights. Have we forgotten about the certain moves that were made back in the year 2004? When change was talked about it was not just for our president, but also us as a country. We as a country need to make better judgment on whom we elect to office so there will not have to deal with power moves. Also do not forget that Obama got the short end of the stick and was elected to clean up something we have been dealing with for eight years.
woohoo IT Aims to Save the World Joel Makower Greenbiz.com Fedruary 10, 2010 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/10/state-green-business-it-aims-save-world
Marx, What social force has brought about this change? What has caused companies to pay attention to and care about being "green"? I believe that society has realized that they are destroying the earth because of this capitalistic society. In capitalism is is all about production. Use value and labor value are a big part of the capitalistic society. It causes the bourgeoisie to fing the cheapest and fastest way to produce their goods. being "green" is not a cheap thing to do, so i must applaud IT for attempting to do so. I must also applaud society for realizing their negative impact on the eatrh due to capitalism. I feel that this proves that there is a step in the right direction. Astep towards communism and the end of capitalism is near.
House Somali rebels 'pour into Mogadishu' BBC News February 10, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8508176.stm Marx: Just as Feudalism was replaced by Capitalism, this type of government will one day be replaced as well, and in Somali this is becoming a reality. A classless, equal government is what is usually sought after by the proletariats. If a government is shown as having problems of inequality then often times the people who have been pushed down the most will rise up and try to create a change. In Somali this is exactly what happened. The conflict theory at its best was shown when the hundreds of Somali insurgents overran Mogadishu to end their repression. This sense of false consciousness has brought about this violence for the past 20 years. The Islamist group al-Shabab is fighting for what they believe to be their right in life, but it is questionable as to how the right way going about this is. Obviously for the past 20 years there has been uproar in a city that now deserves peace and equality among all people.
1. smlongbb 2. Gainesville Tea Party Rally Draws more than 1,000 3. Author: Cindy Swirko 4. Gainesville Sun 5. February 7, 2010 6. http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID/20100201/
Marx: The article I read concerned the emerging Tea Party Movement. The argument was that they sought to demand les government, lower taxes, and more freedom. In the mind of Marx, power, class, and ones socio-economic status shapes a person’s life and at times their expectations. These people believe that the government’s decisions are constantly counteracting their expectations. Too much government can silence the voice of the proletariat, or in this case the people of the tea party. And with capitalism comes class simplification which causes conflict. The people of the Tea Party are striving to fight against the driving of profit that engulfs the leaders of the nation. This causes conflict between classes, especially those with the middle to lower upper class who attain no power or voice in decision making. Being a somewhat exclusive organization they have an anti positivist approach. In the idea of progression and social change the only represent a specific group of Americans. Respective phrases like “Our Founding Fathers,” " nation of Christian principles” and “strictly adhering to the constitution” may cause divisiveness on many levels like race and religion. While looking at the organization of the Tea Party, I have considered the three stages of social dynamics introduced by Comte, theological, metaphysical, and positivist. What happens when people feel a need to regress back to previous stages? The tea party wants to go back to the original constitution; a Christian governed society and the ideology of the Founding Fathers. And with this, it automatically counteracts the idea of positivism. And without the next stage fully blooming humanity will never be universalized.
Loveme A Mediocre Criminal, but an Unmatched Jailhouse Lawyer ADAM LIPTAK The New York Times February 8, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09bar.html
Durkheim, Society and individuals are inseparable; our characteristics and interactions contribute to the way society will emerge. We are either integrated into society or regulated by society. Shon R. Hopwood, decided that in a situation of regulation, that he would integrate into society instead of letting himself become regulated. Usually people serving prison sentences feel over regulated; being told when to sleep when to eat, when to have visitors, etc. This leads to fatalistic suicide, because prisoners have no individual freedom. Shon decided to utilize his time in prison by educating himself on law. While in prison he became a Supreme Court Practioner. He used his talents by helping other prisoners with their cases, and helping them write petitions to the Supreme Court. With his efforts, a prisoner won his case, and was released from prison. When Shon was released from prison he continued his integration into society by obtaining a job with a printing company of Supreme Court briefs. Shon took a fatal, over reuglated situation, and turned into a positive situation benefiting himself and society for the greater good.
JSCODE Staples Launches Design Contest for Tomorrow’s Greenest Office Products GreenBiz Staff GreenBiz.com February 09, 2010 http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/staples-launches-design-contest-tomorrows-green-office-products?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
In efforts to become more economically sustainable, Staples has created a competition among ten universities to find an extraordinary eco-friendly product. According to the article, “Staples Launches Design Contest for Tomorrow’s Greenest Office Products,” Staples will be judging submissions on ‘function, potential, mass commercialization potential, and effectiveness in addressing sustainability.” Ultimately, the finalists will be presenting their products to the world on Earth Day, and will receive cash rewards for their universities. This attempt at making the world a more successful and environmentally friendly place reminds me of Karl Marx’s idea of social forces bringing about change. Marx claimed that ideas were not enough to actually create change itself but theory expressing the social interests of individuals who are oppressed can become a force of social change. In this specific situation, Staples is acting as the social force to create change. The environment is essentially oppressed and in desperate need of a huge change. The only way to create that change is for a mass of people (i.e. Staples’ employees) to create an opportunity for change. Hopefully, Staples’ example of environmental sustainability will influence not only other companies to adopt change, but eventually everyone.
casper Somali Rebels 'Pour into Mogadishu' Author not named Source: BBC News February 10, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8508176.stm
Durkheim: Somalia is clearly in a state of anomie. There is no functioning central government. Instead, there is only a small transitional government centered in the capital while Islamic militias control the rest of the country. The government has no organization or regulation. This condition of anomie is due to the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity. Because the country has been stuck in the transitional period for nearly two decades, the anomie has resulted and is only growing worse. Violence continues to plague the country each year. A loss of collective consciousness stems from the anomie and further hinders the country from developing a working central government. Until the community can make the transition to organic solidarity with a division of labor, Somalia will remain in this anomic state.
1. Minina 2. Lost, Season 6: I’m a Zombie 3. Jack Shafer 4. Slate Magazine 5. February 10, 2010 6. http://www.slate.com/id/2242745/entry/2244281/?from=rss
In the words of Durkheim:
It is evident that there is an emergence of a new religion with strong followers, the Lost religion. Since the creation of this particular television show it has created a set of believers who follow its every development. To a certain extent it has been able to integrate various individuals of society to follow collective rituals. Its followers gather every week of every new season around the television during a sacred time period that is set apart to watch this show as it develops. During this sacred religious ceremony its followers show an attitude of reverence, respect and awe as the development of the show unfolds. In the proceeding days its followers gather to talk about the show and even “blog” to others around the world whom share this emotion and belief of the sacred show. However, a believer recently has expressed that the show has lost its sacredness and has become to adopt profane elements of the everyday commonplace of television shows. However, he has expressed that he will continue to partake in the collective rituals of weekly religious ceremonies and share with other believers about the beliefs and morals show has come to represent.
stopngo43 The Rise of Building Efficiency and Retrofits: State of Green Business Forum – Chicago Leslie Guevarra GreenBiz.com February 10, 2010 http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/02/10/state-green-business-forum-2010-rise-building-efficiency-and-etrofits?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Greenbuzz+(GreenBiz+Feed)
Marx: As society shifts towards an age when everything and anything must be done to preserve what is left on the planet, there are those who inexplicably arrive to save it and still turn a profit on it. In such a capitalistic society it is easy to see how something such as becoming more efficient can become such a rewarding venture. In improving buildings efficiency you secure $18 billion a year. It never ceases to amaze where money can be made, even in something as simple helping the environment.
Dr. Mo44 What’s wrong with Android Farhad Manjoo Slate Magazine February 9, 2010 http://www.slate.com/id/2244165/ Marx, The device as we once known and loved as the telephone has evolved to something that will probably not be recognized by people of older generation. Today we have “smart” phones that do just about anything that can be done on our personal computers. Although most of these “smart” phones do the same thing, big corporations such as Apple and Google capitalize of the fact that we live in a world today that relies on convenience, and getting the most out of doing less work. These companies market their products as cutting edge and acknowledge their “smart” phone as the best. This is an modern day example of fetishism of commodity. The telephone was made to let people communicate with one another by dialing a number and hearing the person’s voice on the other end. Today, a “phone” is used for almost everything else besides talking. As the article compare and contrast the iPhone to the Google Android phones, I couldn’t help but notice how dependent we are as a society on making a single object the source of how we get many task done. I like the idea of the “smart” phone and how these producers see our need for gadgets that make our lives a lot easier and basically make us feel the need to want to get our hands on them.
1. Dixie 2. Hawaii Senate says Cutting Back on Paper Has Saved $1.2 Million 3. The Associated Press 4. The Associated Press 5. February 6, 2010 6. http://www.nytimes.com?2010/02/07/us/07hawaii.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Durkheim: The Hawaiian Senate's new methods of reducing paper waste gives support to my theory that society is geared towards rational and heirarchal authority. It supports the effeciency characteristic of my "Iron cage of Rationality". It also shows a level of calculability because the Senate is focused on the amount of paper that they are saving, rather than the fact that it was a lot of hard work for staff members and many of the lobbyists were unhappy with the change. Some groups insist that trees are being used, and things have become inconvenient, but more importantly the changes have saved $1.2 million, a quantifiable objective
The domestic environment oppresses women through the patriarchal beliefs upheld by society. The relation between man and women is an economic one. Jenny Sanford's story can be seen in homes nationwide. As women, we have been taught to not to seek individual agency, but rather seek fulfillment in helping our husbands set and execute their life projects. Jenny's forgiveness of his affairs were not only expected, but demanded. Society renders women's tolerance as moral responsibility. Mark Sanford's wealth and success in a large part was achieved due to his wife's unappreciated and uncompensated labor. Yet, not so surprisingly, she was regarded more as his "fishing buddy" than companion because according to him this was her place. -Charlotte Perkins Gilman
HalfPint "Greece hit by nationwide strike over austerity measures" No author listed BBC News 10 February 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8507551.stm
Marx:
The fact that capitalism has exceeded its usefulness can be seen in recent events occurring all throughout the world. For instance, in Greece there have been thousands of demonstrators and strikers in the streets protesting the Prime Minister's decision to freeze pension payments and collect more taxes. Such actions as these by the bourgeoisie are carried out with no concern for the deleterious effects that they will have on the masses. The fact that so many people depend on their pensions for survival does not matter to the capitalist state. The fact that these people have toiled all their lives to strengthen the state while reaping no benefits for their labor other than menial wages matters even less. What matters is that the state remains strong and the corporations continue to profit. But this is all beginning to change. The striking workers have demonstrated an increase in class consciousness as they come together to combat the greed of capitalists. Their strikes have crippled many aspects of the state, including hospitals and schools. As more of the workers gain class consciousness, they too will join the strikes and demonstrations and will soon force the capitalist state into a communist revolution.
SongBird Man goes undercover to combat child sex slavery Leif Coorlim CNN News February 9, 2010 http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/09/cambodia.wus.child.sex.trafficking/index.html
Marx
This article talked about how Aaron Cohen went undercover to a Karaoke bar in Cambodia to discover it was housing young girls and prostituting them to sex tourist. One girl Cohen met named, Jonty Thern was one of many girls rescued from the bar after Cohen had gathered enough evidence to notify the state department. Cambodia has a huge sex trafficking issue. Due to the festival that takes place along with poverty Cambodia has been a prime human sex trafficking market. The supply and demand is high from tourist and the profit is the driving force. Jonty got involved in the sex trafficking because her mom sold her to pay her debt. Jonty’s mother along with many other paupers eventually end up selling their children to bourgeoisie pimps and sometimes proletariats customers to pay off debt and make a living. There is an alienation that takes place in regards to the profits and product of their labor as well as these young girls human nature. The young girls are essentially being sold to men for profits. In return they get little to no profits, although they are selling their bodies they become alienated with themselves as intercourse takes place. Due to the fact that most of these girls are young, some as young as 13 years old it is not in their true human nature to be prostituting. I hope one day these young girls and women will raise and start a revolution!
StudentA Business Benefits in the Inner City: The State of Green Business Jonathan Bardelline http://greenbiz.com February 9, 2010 http://greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/business-benefits-inner-city-state-green-business-chicago
Marx:
Green businesses are the key to the abolition of a capitalistic society. For the past decades, capitalism has; destroyed many natural resources, made consumption of goods and services a priority, and established class systems. The bourgeoisie have abused natural resources in order to keep their businesses flourishing which in turn destroys the health of our world. With these socio-economic changes taking place due to the state of green businesses, socialism is arising from the destruction of capitalism.
Businesses are relocating in inner cities where many businesses share a collective effort for sustainability. These companies are indulging in the lucrative benefits of Going Green including: positive media coverage, marketing, human capital, and financing. These projects are also very beneficial to the proletariat. These efforts are very commendable and may lead to the extinction of capitalism one day.
Sasha Social Forum Ends With Vows to Fight Capitalism The Associated Press The New York Times January 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/29/world/AP-LT-Brazil-Social-Forum.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=capitalism&st=cse
Marx:
Capitalism is ruining the environment and the people of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The poor have no choice, but to remain poor and they are alienated from their personal freedom as a human being. Although Capitalism can easily be reorganized, the people are going to keep careful watch to be sure this doesn’t occur. People in Porto Alegre will soon cease to be treated as a commodity and more like human beings. To make matters worse, the farmers haven’t even been making adequate incomes because global warming is heating their crops and ruining their product. Hopefully until this change is seen through, the people of Porto Alegre will be socially creative and figure out a way to make due and save their crops.
1-Cronus 2-Consumers Spent Modestly in January 3-Associated Press 4-New York Times 5-February 10, 2010 6-http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/10/business/AP-US-Retail-Sales-January.html?_r=2&scp=7&sq=consumers&st=cse
In the words of Marx..
I hate to say it, but “I told you so”. I knew that capitalism would not survive. It was only a matter of time before it would start deteriorating. Socioeconomic structure like capitalism and its predecessors would inevitably produce internal tensions. In the end it will build up so much that it will lead to its down fall. It is not the way to go. For example, I read this one article in the New York Times called Consumers Spent Modestly in January. In this article, it states that people are spending a lot less than previous years.
The writer believes this is due to the high gas prices, high unemployment rate and people with tight credit. I do not understand why people wait until the moment of need to do something about it. That is why I strongly believe that people need conflict in order to fuel the engine of any type of progress.
1. sweetmay 2. student suicides worry Mumbai educators 3. Mallika Kapur and Harmet Shah Singh 4. CNN.com 5. February 4, 2010 6. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/india.student.suicides/index.html#cnnSTCText
Durkheim:
This article has just proved my theory of suicide. In India, suicide rates are increasing especially among adolescent students. In many cases, those suicides are caused by academic pressure. This case of suicide can be categorized into 3 types. The most matching group for India's case is egoistic suicide. This one is happen when people feel meaningless, and isolated from others in society. In the case of article, Indian adolescents who fail exams or missed out on getting into the college of own choices often try to commit suicide. According to my perspective, they feel that their future has no hope, their effort till the time has no meaning so that they choose to end their life. Next one is altruistic suicide. This is happen when people are too well integrated into the collectivity. Because in India, school is filled with academic pressure that ideal students should get A grade on every exmas but it is very difficult for some students. Then, they are extremely scared of being isolated from others and it also means that they must keep getting good grade on exam. However, some people are failed so that they think that they are fool and have no right to be in society. Last one is anomic suicide. This is happen when people don't know what is expected on them or they are failed something what they believed theycould. For example, a student who easily get A on exam so that he is naturally believed by others as intelligent. Then, he wants to go to the best college, but he failed. He may lose identity, hope for future and commit suicide. Trend of suicide is definitely reflected chnge of society. I would say that suicide is mirror of society.
(ontime 3:36pm) Amemyluv Binyam Mohamed torture appeal lost by UK government Dominic Casciani BBC News 2/10/10 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8507852.stm Durkheim: In 2009 a man filled charges against the UK government because of what he deemed to be tortured during an interrogation. The proceedings that where described are a perfect example of the social nature of suicide. The Man, Binyam Mohamed, was transferred to a remote location were he was separated from his society and support groups. Mohamed is from a modern society where industrialization has created organic solidarity. The torture that was given took away the commodities in which he was accustomed to and the freedom and lack of regulation that he had experienced. In order words he was taken from a society of lower regulation and put in a position were even his sleep was regulated. After some time of the interrogation, Mohamed had to be placed under suicide watch. The reason that he had to be placed in suicide watch was not because of an internal disability or problem, it was because of the society around him. Had he committed suicide it would have been a fatalistic suicide. Since he did not have any other way to escape the only way to do so was through suicide.
(ontime 3:59pm) Juice2135 'How's That Hopey, Changey Stuff?' Palin Asks Don Gonyea NPR February 07, 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123462728&ps=cprs
Summary: Gonyea describes Palin’s speech given for the first National Tea Party Convention. Relying heavily on emotional appeal, it could be characterized by her exclamation that, “I am so proud to be an American,” her rhetorical question to the audience, “Do you love your freedom?” and her assertion that America is ready for another revolution. Most of the substance of the speech was devoted to criticisms of the Obama administration, as characterized by her question (to Obama supporters): “How’s that hopey, changey stuff working out?” Specifically, Palin critiqued his weak (“un-American”) stance on foreign policy and an economic stimulus package that has wasted millions of dollars but hasn’t relieved economic pressure. When asked, in an interview following the speech, to give more information regarding the “Palin plan,” she responded: “My plan is quite simple. To support those who support the foundation of our country when it comes to the economy. It is free-market principles that reward hard work and personal responsibility.”
Marx: The “hopey, changey stuff” that Palin refers to, such as a national healthcare system that is affordable and readily available to all, or a call for reduced unemployment (and available employment that pays, at the very least, a subsistence wage, which is in itself inadequate) seems to be the rallying cry that unites a group of proletariat workers that have been alienated sufficiently so as to have developed class consciousness. That these plans for change have failed or come up short is not indicative of an inherently flawed philosophy, idea, or even execution of plans. Rather, it is a testament to the power of the capitalist to maintain the status quo. Indeed, this speech that would make a mockery of those ideas for change, as the wealthy capitalist corporations that have used their sociopolitical and economic power to slow or halt such change, seem to be in line with both capitalists and proletariats with a false consciousness. The true problem here lies in the lack of praxis on the part of the class conscious proletariat. It is up to this population of society, the one most harmed by the capitalist system, to demand change. The power of numbers inherent to the proletariat must be awakened (help others achieve class consciousness), a task that has thus far been left to chance or, worse yet, the capitalist, with his ubiquitous, subliminal advertising and other similar forms of social control. As such, a society of indifferent proletariat makes for happy capitalists. Numbers alone, however, are not sufficient to maximize human potential, for even a capitalist society in which many (even most) are content is still riddled with exploitation; after all, capitalism, to its core, must still rely on the exploitation of some for the profit of others. Moreover, praxis must come by way of revolution. Slight changes within a capitalist system (like those ridiculed in Palin’s speech) are not sufficient; rather, a change must be made towards communism if we are as a society to achieve our full potential.
Wrldsyrs Women have a terrifying 36 negative thoughts each day about their bodies … here are mine; She's lost over three stone in a year, but Lucy Cavendish is still racked by insecurities like the rest of us Lucy Cavendish BNET 15 February 2010 http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_2010_Feb_15/women-terrifying-36-negative-thoughts/ai_n49582212/?tag=content;col1
Cooley – Charles Cooley’s looking glass self is the process of imagining how others view us, the perceived judgment of that appearance, and the reactions that result from such a perception. In Lucy’s case, she believes she looks old, ugly, and fat. A man knocks on Lucy’s door and she believes that she looks terrible. Lucy believes he is horrified at her appearance. Since she believes the man at the door is horrified at her appearance, she feels insecure and begins to obsess over her weight and appearance. Regardless of whether or not the man at the door actually thought Lucy looked horrible, her initial interpretation of how he perceived her appearance resulted in the real consequence of her to feel insecure about her appearance. Lucy looked at herself through the eyes of the man at the door and concluded that he thinks that she looks horrible, which, in turn, contributed to her poor body image, her feelings of inadequacy, and her insecurity. In another instance, Lucy feels that her teeth are not white enough. She believes that having white teeth is a sign of youth and beauty. She runs into a young mother with exceptionally white teeth and feels insecure about the color of her teeth and her appearance in general. Lucy believes that people will think she is younger and more attractive if she has whiter teeth. Lucy’s belief causes her to decide that she will get her teeth whitened, even though her best friend told her that the procedure was painful. Lucy has perceived that people look at her teeth and think her teeth are not white enough. Since she believes that others believe her teeth are not white enough, she believes they think she is old and unattractive. Since Lucy has this perception of other people’s beliefs about her appearance, she is going through with a painful procedure. Despite the fact that Lucy might have white teeth, she perceives that others believe that her teeth are not white enough, which causes her to feel old and unattractive. Lucy’s perceptions of other people’s beliefs about the color of her teeth, regardless of the truth in the belief, are resulting in Lucy to decide to have a teeth whitening procedure. Lucy looks at herself through the eyes of others and makes conclusions about her perceived appearance. Regardless of whether or not these perceptions are correct, they have real consequences and outcomes in Lucy’s life and the way she feels about herself.
WCBAST #2 Sasha What to Do if You Suspect Learning Disability By LESLEY ALDERMAN The New York Times Published: February 19, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/health/20patient.html?ref=health
Mead:
The other day, while sitting at the breakfast table, I noticed my son squinting at the box of cereal while trying to read it. I asked, “Charles, what is the matter? Are you having trouble with your eyesight?” He shrugged and began to blush. Without question, I knew what was wrong. He can’t read. (Impulse) My mind began racing and suddenly I was worrying about bills from his doctor and him being made fun of in school. I immediately started to think about what could possibly be wrong with my boy. (Perception) The teacher had mentioned a while back that he had been moving along slower than the other children, but she said not to worry because many children at his age do not seem to apply their full potential. Regardless of her opinion, I began to worry. “What if he has a learning disability? What if he is mentally retarded? Maybe I am over-reacting and he simply needs to be held back a year. Is it just his vision? Am I under-reacting?” I began going crazy. If I would have let myself manipulate the situation any more, I would have had a stroke; so I decided to research about disabilities online and come to a rational conclusion rather than driving myself crazy at home. After much research, I decided to have him tested. “The cost of getting a thorough assessment by a trained professional can be steep, often as much as $5,000”, but that was worth my boy’s health to me any day. The professional explained to me that “If [he] has trouble reading…more than one issue could be at play.] He went on to explain how “people often think of reading as one thing…but it takes a cascade of skills to read. You have to be able to integrate imagery and language.” After the longest hour and a half of my life, (Consummation) we were lucky enough to find out that if he were held back a year he would fit in perfectly. After much worrying, relaxation set in and life was back to normal.
1. MickeyDog 2. A social worker's reflections on power, privilege, and oppression 3. Spencer, Michael S 4. Ads by Google 5. April 1, 2008 6. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-184287808/social-worker-reflections-power.html
From the Perspective of Marx we can see that social workers are rationalized in our society thats leads them to become marginalized. The are forced to be in the proletariate class and must organize and revolt if they are ever going to get ahead of their goals and plans. In the system, these people are oppressed with low wages, no vacations, and intense responibility. The pursuit of social justice is a core social work value Social workers promote social justice by engaging in activities that promote equality of opportunity, challenge injustice, and advance social change, particularly on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations. This is easier said than done. Oppression and systems of power are extremely complex, multifaceted, and saturate our individual psyche and external environment. As social workers committed to social justice, how do we challenge and change these systems of power? They challenge them by uniting and revolting.
At the top of each post you must list the following information: 1. Your Codeword 2. Title of the news article you choose (see suggestions below) 3. Author of the news article 4. Source of the news article 5. Date of the news article 6. Link (url) to the news article
Those six lines should be followed by your reflection from the perspective of the social theorist you choose from the list of options for each due date. A reflection is not a summary. Instead, what you are expected to do is to thoroughly read the news article of your choice and reflect on it from the perspective of one of the assigned Social Theorists. Note that your reflection may include a bit of summary, but it must not consist entirely of summarizing the article. Good reflections will analyze the issue discussed in the article from the perspective of one of the assigned Social Theorists; outstanding posts will even take the voice (write in the tone and style of) the Social Theorist. Reflections should be a minimum of one paragraph. They must be posted no later than 4pm on the due date below and the article you choose must have been published within two weeks of the due date. There are 3 points possible of Extra Credit for each post.
#1 - W. 9/29 - Marx, Engels, Durkheim #2 - W. 10/13 - Weber, Gilman, Dubois, Cooper, James, Cooley, Mead #3 - W. 10/20 - Popper, Parsons #4 - W. 11/10 - Mills, Habermas #5 - W. 11/17 - Berger & Luckman, Garfinkel, Goffman
Muzician
ReplyDeleteThe Green Upside to the Meltdown
Marc Gunther
Greenbiz.com
December 2, 2008
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2008/12/02/the-green-upside-meltdown
Marx:
Humans are very materialistic. This has been proven by the economic tumble due to the fact that so many people are living beyond their means. People demand goods, whether or not they are eco-friendly, and companies supply them. Not to mention the fact that the goods that are produced are produced by employees who's creativity cannot be shown through their work. Being more considerate of the ecosystem and environment takes time in and through the corporate world. Adaptation is key, also it's very hard to pass on going to the mall for massive sales to, instead, better your conscience by giving to those who actually are in need. This way, that which you give is an expression of who you are inside. Your giving is unique to you, which is something no corporation can control or take away from you. Social change is possible by using your social position and social interests to shape your impact on society.
Bailey05
ReplyDeleteFriday Night Lights: Helicopter Parenting
Meghan O'Rourke
Slate Online Magazine
Feb 2, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2208682/
Durkheim,
This article itself shows you how in fact individuals do make a society. It is because parent's as these do in fact hover in a sense over their children and mold them in a way in which is right for society, it's what makes society the way it is. And in effort we as society continue following these types of patterns. The type of situation that these type of helicopter parents have their children in is a type considered mechanical soldiarity in which the children keep to their tight knit groups and are not allowed to go past what these rules placed down by the "helicopter parents" have given.
Tarpon
ReplyDeleteSports Injuries May Cause Lasting Brain Damage
Jon Hamilton
NPR.org
4 February 2009
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100071753&ft=1&f=1024
In this case the proletariat would be the football players and the bourgeoisie would be the fans. The proletariat seeks a means to continue their struggle to survive in the world of professional sports; to do this they must sacrifice their bodies to maintain their playing time, and by doing so increase their appeal to the requirements of the bourgeoisie. The players know that if their abilities were to waiver and therefore cost the player time on the field; then the bourgeoisie would lose faith or lose a need for that player. The football league (industry) has an almost unlimited supply of athletes to replace the ailing ones. The fans require that the industry always be productive and more importantly running at peak production. The fans are only maintaining the arrangement of providing for the players as long as the needs of the fans are met; in this case a winning team or the best team. As a result of this interaction between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the proletariat must continue to compete regardless of the risk of physical injury. Since man is materialistic in nature the fans and the players both perpetuate the cycle; the fans need to see the competition of the game, and the players need to continue playing in order to provide for themselves and their families.
Clifford
ReplyDeleteNew Bolivia constitution in force
No Author listed
BBC News
February 7th, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7877107.stm
Marx
Bolivia wants change, and Evo Morales is the social force that is bringing about change in the country. Even though he is of indigenous descent, and of a socialist party, he acts as a liberal reformer trying to make change in his society. His ideas alone are not enough to form change, and now it seems that he has finally understood that concept. With his changes to the constitution he is creating change for the poor. The referendum he added was largely supported by the indigenous population in the country because it limited the size of rural landholdings. Evo Morales is not very well liked among the wealthy of the country, but he has still managed to make these changes because of his social position and status. I believe that social interests are determined by the position we hold in society and our class status heavily affects how we get that position. Because he was appealing to a certain group’s oppressed social position, he got backing from those in need. The people that oppressed are going to work even harder to get where they want to be when a political figure is backing them. The wealthy in the country are not for his policies and changes to the constitution because it is not giving them any sort of gain in society.
pyrrus
ReplyDeletethe clash of the stimuli
Lydia DePillis
Slate Magazine
Feb 8, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2210815/?from=rss
Marx:
The capitalist superpower is collapsing like a house of cards with private companies needing to be subsidized by the federal government. That sounds a lot like socialism, which is showing that true capitalism does not function in the long run. It has run its course and much like nature it must evolve into something new and superior to what it was. Americans are afraid of the word communism and even socialism for that matter. However their economy is heading towards the latter with breakneck speed. Eventually they will learn to accept the truth that capitalism is only a precursor to the highest form of society communism.
1. Smarley
ReplyDelete2. Looking In on the City’s Samaritans at a ‘Dark Time’ in the Land
3. Clyde Haberman
4. New York Times
5. February 2, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/nyregion
/03nyc.html?scp=6&sq=suicide&st=cse
Durkheim:
In today's modern society where organic solidarity is present and individuals and groups are interdependent, there have been an increase in social phenomena that have led to more suicidal threats. All parts of society depend on each other and when there is a downfall of one part, it can affect many people. With the poor economy and worsening stock market, people have the fear of losing themselves and losing their reasons for living. They are terrified of losing their life goals, and many may choose to end their lives as an escape. Anomic suicide will continue to increase as long as there is such a huge economic problem and the phone lines of the Samaritans suicide lines will continue to ring off the hook. Society needs to remedy the problem in order to decrease the desire for its individuals to take their own lives.
In New York there has also been in increase of callers who are terminally or chronically ill. Egoistic suicide is also very present in this society type, because individuals may feel as if they are no longer a part of society, and are just a drain. They feel as if they no longer fit into society due to their illness. It is better for them to take their own lives then to have a lonely end to their lives.
There is more than one thing that leads someone to suicide. It is a combination of many social factors, including fear of one's future, fear that they may not have good relationships and that society may not accept them. Fear is a leading factor in anomic suicides in today's world. Our nation is emotionally wounded and unless emphasis is put on fixing this, and helping those who are suffering, more people will take their lives as a last resort.
PURA VIDA
ReplyDeleteThe Case for Bankers
Jacob Weisberg
Slate Online Magazine
February 7, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2210720/?from=rss
Marx:
It is evident that humans by nature are material beings. This statement is obvious given the current economic situation that our country is in. Due to the large amount of Americans that are involved in the current banking crisis, it is easy to blame the bankers themselves for putting society in this position. Many bankers and financial representatives had nothing to do with the crisis that we are in, however; society can and will change through a movement of the people. Ideas by themselves aren’t enough to create change. A person’s social interest is determined by their class. The individuals who fall into the oppressed social position that they are in due to the banks will form an alliance of some sort in order to bring about a positive change to their situation. If this means cutting the salary of a CEO or other top executives who could possibly get us out of the crisis, so be it. There will be a liberal reform and the people will decide!
1. Yellar
ReplyDelete2. The Case for Bankers
3. Jacob Weisberg
4. Slate
5. February 7, 2009
6. http://www.slate.com/id/2210720/?from=rss
What Karl Marx would say...
It must first be noted that the current situation and the fate of these bankers is evidence that capitalism has exceeded its usefulness. Although America does not truly operate under the ideals of pure capitalism, it has followed this outdated modification of capitalism for too long and it is time to move on to the next stage in modes of production, which is communism.
The bankers themselves are not to blame. The people controlling the companies that employ and work with the bankers, such as AIG are to blame. The bankers are victims as well because they do not have prime control over the distribution of wealth like the owners and decision makers of these companies. The owners have the economic, political and cultural power to promote their own self interest.
Humans are naturally material beings that value commodities and need "stuff" to live happily. These financial firms and the people in charge of them are guilty of commodity fetishism--they want money and the commodities that can be bought with it, without valuing or recognizing the labor behind it. These firms rewarded people in ways that supported their desire to fulfill their own interests at the cost of the shareholders, ultimately cutting out the principles of labor.
Although the bankers are not truly to blame, they do help this capitalist society function. Weisberg thinks we should stop scorning them so that they risk their capital again and "get back in the game" but maybe people, mainly the laboring class, should continue to ridicule them so that they realize that the capitalist foundations they work under are wrong. Maybe if we continue to harp on them, they can create social change and invest their money into more worthwhile endeavors and their community.
Finn
ReplyDelete"Turning Cooking Oil Into Fuel for the County"
DIANA MARSZALEK
New York Times
02/08/09
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html
Marx:
Although the switch to cooking oil instead of completely diesel fuel for the city vehicles is healthier for the environment and more cost efficient, it is still working under a capitalist system. Where one job is lost (the companies that haul the oil for the restaurants), another is formed(builders and workers of the convergent plants). The division of labor is still prevalent though it may be for a better cause. The proletariat will still be hauling the cooking oil for the government and working in the convergent plant for a higher power than themselves. They will still not technically reap the same rewards for their labor as say the county commisioner that is head of the operation, who is not directly touching the oil and converting it and driving the vehicles. In this sense the beourgeoise will still prevail and exist due to the labor of the prolateriat.
1. Sparky87
ReplyDelete2. "Ethiopia Facing World's 'Most Urgent' Food Crisis"
3. Nicholas Benequista
4. One World.net
5. February 9, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04-10
Marx:
The situation in Ethiopia should come as no surprise to us in our current world. Ethiopia is an extremely poor country, and the hunger and poverty experienced by its inhabitants are a direct result of of their low capital. What has created the troubles in Ethiopia? Capitalism. Rich, capitalist countries have exploited this country and caused Ethiopia to lose its power as a nation. Even though Ethiopia's economy has grown quickly in the last five years, it is doomed to fail because it is attempting to model itself under a capitalist model, which will never work out in the long run. Western nations' attempts to help Ethiopia are a very concrete example of how the propertied class has the power to control the distribution of wealth because they have the economic and political power to do so. Capitalism has exploited countries, and then provided a helping hand. But the damage has been done, and until capitalism ceases to be the model that all countries strive for, the hunger will continue.
1. uwh01
ReplyDelete2. "Ethiopia Facing World's 'Most Urgent' Food Crisis"
3. Nicholas Benequista
4. One World.net
5. February 9, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04-10
Ethiopia is having a class crisis. The bourgeois of the nation are probably sitting in their mansions unaffected by the three-year draught, while the vast majority of the nation is suffering from the most severe cases of malnourishment and disease. The class crisis reaches beyond Africa, though, because Ethiopia depends on the UN for assistance. Ethiopia used to receive significant amounts of support from abroad, but the recent economic downfall has reduced this aid. Foreign nations are keeping more of what they produce, and Ethiopia is producing more; the gap between nations (and classes) is increasing.
A revolution is coming. Resources throughout the world are abundant enough for everyone to eat, but Ethiopia is experiencing extreme poverty and malnutrition. Further, this vulnerable state has destroyed the human essence of Ethiopians: there is no means for them to have creative, meaningful, joyful work. This revolution of capitalism will give way to the beginnings of communism, when all will eat.
Codepink
ReplyDeleteSlapped in the Facebook: Social Networking Dangers Exposed.
Bill Brenner
Network World
2/9/09
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/020909-slapped-in-the-facebook-social.html?hpg1=bn
This article is perfect example of the development of social networking online as a new form of social integration. The belief that the use of these websites (facebook, myspace, and twitter)is safe and secure meets the first standard.Also many of the sites users believe that by having the privacy settings in use will prevent hacking on their pages. When viewing the profile of a friend one develops trust with the website that the person is who they say they are. Users of these websites have to agree to a statement of rights (i.e. the terms and conditions) created by the website before beginning use of the website. The internet then becomes the church used by all of the followers of social networking. The single moral of these users is to stay connected to one another even though they are miles apart.
FredSegal
ReplyDeleteWill recession dull hip-hop's bling?
John D. Sutter
CNN.com
February 6, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/29/hiphop.bling.recession/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
The styles displayed at Grammy Awards were quite different this year. The movement away from the flashy demonstration of one’s possessions is a step in the right direction for the hip-hop community. Private property has been the source of conflict for this society for many centuries. The bourgeoisie’s shift towards a more society conscious style is an important change that should take place for the better of society. The coming together of social classes is important, for they have long been in direct opposition. The power of the upper classes has always been the ability to guide the lower classes. A shift towards conservatism and environmentalism is long awaited. The embrace of this shift by the entertainment industry is important and influential as well. As the recession continues and more jobs are lost, the lower classes will embrace the entertainers who choose to talk about important issues and identify with them during these hard economic times.
CY-CHI
ReplyDeleteFEMA Is Faulted on Aid After Hurricane Ike
The Associated Press
The New York Times
8 February 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html
Marx:
People affected by Hurricane Ike have applied to FEMA for aid in rebuilding/repairing their homes. Ninety percent of the applicants have been denied help because they “do not understand the limits of the agency’s help”. They admit that sometimes inspectors make mistakes but that in general people file claims for things that FEMA can’t/won’t help with.
People are materialistic. This is just a fact. The people of FEMA want to pay the least amount of money and hold onto inspectors that might not be as well trained but will for less money, while remaining in the good graces of the government. The people affected by Hurricane Ike want their homes restored to the way they were. With there being a housing crisis as it is, any damages that are not repaired will only lower the value of their home even more. Not to mention, that some people might feel outraged, nay, entitled, by pumping money into the government and not seeing an equivalent amount in return.
Social inequalities and social interests are the key ingredients to a change. The American people, specifically but not limited to those affected by Hurricane Ike, need to fight back and realize that they should not slink back and accept class dynamics. Especially after the absolute travesty of Hurricane Katrina. People are still waiting on FEMA. Change needs to happen now. A revolution needs to happen now.
Jules
ReplyDeleteThe Case For Bankers
Jacob Weisberg
Slate Magazine
Feb. 7, 2009
http:// www.slate.com/id/2210720/?from=rss
In the Words of Marx:
At first glance it seems apparent to blame the banking industry as a whole for the current state of the economy. But in actuality there are a select few that are rightfully to blame. Top ranking officials that work hand in hand with bankers and have the power to enact policies at will do more deserve to shoulder the blame. The present day fiasco involving investors and their negligent behavior as it relates to the downward spin of the economy was caused by this minority of people with great amounts of power acting without accounting for the necessary labour involved. The consequences of these acts of the minority of people are exact examples of the downside of fetish commodities... man, by his industry, changing the forms of material, in such a way to make them useful to him. The materialistic nature of these beings has lead our country to ruins, but someday this will all be a thing of the past as the oppressed will consolidate and make right this wrong.
Mj23
ReplyDeleteGeithner Offers New Bank Rescue Plan
Edmund L. Andrews
Feb. 10, 2009
nytimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/economy/11bailout.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
Marx:
The Secretary of the Treasure, Timothy F. Geithner spoke at the Treasury Department Tuesday afternoon. He was trying to ensure Americans that we can and will get through this economic crisis and that Wall Street would not buckle under the trillions of unsellable assets it now possesses. His plan has many holes and unanswered questions. Even as he gave the speech, the Dow Jones went down 350 points, more than four percent. Hopefully, by now Americans you see clearly like I do that capitalism is not the answer. Greed and Materialism have caused this collapse that we know see. We have tried to recieve fullfilment and happiness far to long in commodities and we are now paying dearly for it. We have dug our own graves by relying on CEO's and mortgaging companies to handle our money. They have made foolish gambles with it not caring about the consequences. We need to live in a world where the poor man is not taken advantage of by the rich whose only concern is using you to make a few dollars. This must end now. We need to start a revolution. Communism is the answer. Until we decide to do what is right we will continue to pay for what the upper class as cuased.
Ynnus
ReplyDeleteSocial Divide Sparks India Violence
Feb. 10, 2008
By Sanjoy Majumder
BBC News, Delhi
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7858157.stm
Engels
There is social conflict (inequality) in society that is caused by expected gender roles in many society structures. It is very apparent in this story about the expansion of the big city New Dehli, India. Many farmers that lived in the outskirts of the city sold their land and became "instant millionaires." The problem with this is that the people who lived in rural areas have kept their traditional values, and views of women. The men who live in the village area viewed women as lower then them and there was extreme domination of women. This is an extreme case, which unfortunately led to the violent gang-rape of a college student, but male domination is evident in most societies. In this particular situation, it is very clear that there is male domination of women because the social norm is for the women to not be allowed to travel alone or show their faces to men. When men from the village were interviewed about the gang-rape and following arrests of 11 men, he seemed very upset that the men were arrested at all- contradictory to evidence. Women may have the choice to marry who they wish, or not marry at all, but they would not be able to live as nice of a life (as is suggested by the abuse of the female college student).
ZetaBeta
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Work Program for Young is Threatened
by: Malia Wollan
New York Times
February 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Marx,
The proletarian are being threatened to lose their low paying, harsh work conditioned jobs due to budget cuts. Their work with nature in national parks such as Yosemite and the Grand Canyon is being valued as much as their pay, very little. The upper class individuals in political power believe that cutting out the California Conservation Corps work crew is necessary in order to help the $42 billion budget deficit they are facing in California. Labor theory of value is demonstrated with the lack of respect shown for the work done by these individuals because their pay is not extravagant. Capitalism has brought this state into debt it is time to attempt a system that treats every profession equally, communism. Why do they not cut the pay of professional athletes whose million dollar bank accounts can afford the pay cut, instead of cutting the ones that can't stand the loss.
Let's make these workers aware of the unjust being done to them and help them rise up against the political influence trying to shut them down.
reneeb
ReplyDeleteSenate Approves Stimulus Plan
David m. Herszenhorn
New York Times
Feb 10, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/washington/11web-stim.html?hp
Marx:
The current economic problems of the world in general and the United States more specifically is perfect evidence that capitalism has served its purpose. Instead, the government is trying to fight the inevitable by passing a near trillion dollar stimulus package. The elected officials are members of the propertied class and like always they control who gets money and how much they get.
The ruling politicians care little for the proletariat. Their lack of caring can be evidenced by the fact that they have spend billions of dollars on bankers who were responsible for their own collapse while in this most recent stimulus bill they have forty billion dollars that in large part would have gone to education. Just to further show the inequality, the people who were unable to pay for their homes were not in any way bailed out. It is in the best interest of the propertied elite to have an uneducated proletariat. This crisis should convince what doubters that remain that society should now move into the final stage of communism.
Petite
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Work Program for Young is Threatened
Malia Wollan
NYT> Environment
February 7,2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
Durkheim
As I read this article, I noted Jason Prue's inability to integrate with the society to which he belongs. The fact that we now live in a modernized society where there aren't a lot of strict rules and regulations to adhere to, leaves certain individuals questioning the need for their existence. I sense Mr. Prue loosing his sense of self and his overall reason for being in this "free world". He specifies that his living arrangements were confined to the interior of his vehicle and that there isn't a job that suits his interest. After finally joining a work corps tailored to hard luck teenagers and adults who are prison bound, the state of California are placing this youth work program on the chopping block and threating his only sense of security. The fact that my most famous work is SUICIDE; which proved this was a social phenomena with social causes, I recognized that Jason Prue could be a candidate for anomic suicide. I see that there is a greater trend in men who experience an economic downturn and clearly Mr. Prue is on that path of self destruction. He states that "if this goes down I don't know what I'm going to do"; which I assume is a cry for help. I, Emile Durkheim feel that "no living being can be happy unless its needs are sufficiently proportioned to its means, for if its needs surpass its capacity to satisfy them, then the result can only be friction, pain and a general weakening of the impulse to live."
believer
ReplyDeleteFEMA Is Faulted on Aid After Hurricane Ike
The Associated Press
The New York Times
February 8, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html?_r=1
Marx:
In this situation, FEMA would act as the Elite and the citizens in need of assistance would act as the proletariat. FEMA is in charge of distributing the goods and services while the citizens of Texas must count on FEMA to receive them. More than 650,000 applications were denied for assistance in Texas after hurricane Ike. A lawyer has found the reason is in part due to the poorly trained FEMA inspectors who are paid a flat fee per inspection and have to pay their own expenses. The system today is set up where you are only worth as much as you can earn. I feel that because of this, workers are less likely to put forth the effort and time needed to produce something efficiently, especially in the scenario of the FEMA workers. It is up to the proletariat, the residents of Texas to rise up with the FEMA workers, the bourgeois, to go up against the larger FEMA, the Elite, to get the services and money they need to rebuild their homes.
1.) Florida
ReplyDelete2.) Why do Americans Love Peanut Butter?
3.) Brain Palmer
4.) 02/09/2009
5.) Slate
6.) http://www.slate.com/id/2210837/?from=rss
Marx:
After reading this article I was able to relate some of Marx’s ideas and questions to the importance of this article. Marx philosophy deals with what brings about social changes and the kind of changes that are desirable and possible. Within the context of this article it deals with a social movement that favors Peanut Butter rather then meat. However, it took a while for this change to come about. Even though peanut butter has been around for more than a century it wasn’t until the 1920’s that it became popular. With the outbreak of meat having salmonella a lot of people started to consume peanut better, because of it’s low costs and high protein it offers. After analyzing this situation I can see how it applies to the fundamental assumptions of Marx’s theory.
I believe awareness that peanut butter provides greater health benefits than meat and costs less created a clash of social interests which allowed social change to happen. Being the more people are becoming aware of peanut butter this creates a division among peanut butter and meat. While doing my analysis I did take into consideration that class may play a role in the reason why so many American like peanut butter. Marx deals with the bourgeois and the proletarians and the difference among them. I feel that the low cost of peanut butter would be highly favored by the proletarians because it’s cheap and affordable. Being that a good portion of Americans would fall under the proletarians that probably explained why peanut butter is becoming more favor.
emmitt
ReplyDeleteThe Poodle Can't Talk Now; She's In With Her Stylist
Katie Thomas
The New York Times
February 9,2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/sports/othersports/10dogs.html
Durkheim
The process of bringing groups of people together is very important for a society to exist. Groups coming together for certain events to "celebrate" or to hang out is much needed. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is something that brings people together. This event has a high level of group interaction, which is something that is very important when studying a society. The Dog Show has many sacred rituals and collective behavior symbolizing group interaction. With an event like this people can share common beliefs as well as socialize and enjoy what they have in common. This event brings people together for them to have fun and "interact" with eachother, which is what is most important for a society to survive.
ICMA
ReplyDeleteFive Reasons The Markets Don't Like the Bank Bailouts
Jeff Cox
CNBC
2-10-09
http://www.cnbc.com/id/29121916/page/2/
Marx:
One of the main reasons the economy is not responding well in reference to the news of the bank bailout and the new Treasury Secretary's ne financial plan is because of the great uncertainty. Much of what's going on in the economy is because their is no conventional wisdom on how to handle this financial crisis. In some insistances we try to hold the economy accountable and call it a free market, which is capitalism at it best. But because of the regulation and deregulation of the market; also the bailout of many large lending institutions, it is going to be hard to be hard to bring about confidence within the economy and to get credit moving again within the credit markets.
It seems that a few people, the bourgeoisie, are controling most of the wealth within the market and their decisions are effecting the larger community, the proletariat. In order to gain long term stability there is going to have to be a shift in the current model of bourgeoiste and the proletariat. If this continues then their will continue to be people like those that are currently suffering from the economic down turn in the future.
1) Jordans (Justine Connolly)
ReplyDelete2) “Octuplets’ mom was hoping for just one more girl, ‘grandmother says”
3) Jessica Garrison and Kimi Yoshino
4) Los Angeles Times
5) January 31, 2009
6) http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-me-octuplets31-2009jan31,0,841716.story
In words of Engles:
Nadya Suleman resides in Whittier, California. Nadya has given birth to octuplets, eight children through in-vitro fertilization. However, she already gave birth to six other children previously, making her a mother of fourteen children. She and her fourteen children live in a three bedroom home with her mother and father. This woman and her lifestyle do not fit into Fredrich Engele’s patriarchal society, because she is a single woman, who has been divorced, and the father of all her children is unknown. Ms.Suleman does fit the role of a domestic bearing woman in society, because she raises her children and takes care of her household duties. As many citizens around the world have been saying about Ms.Suleman and her wrongful actions; Engles would tell her that women should be subordinate to men for the economic structure of society to be successful. Since she did not follow those rules of society her economic structure has been fruitless and hope the government will be a provider for her family. This lady proved she was not subordinate to any man, by being divorced and by having more kids after her divorce
Engles believes men are the production of the means and women are the production of human beings. Engles belief that the economical society will be functional if women are subordinate holds true to this case. If she followed by the rules her doctor set when planting those eight embryos she would of ended up with only one child instead of eight, but she didn’t not want to kill off seven of the embryos like her doctor permitted. The role men and women play in society is for the betterment of their own family, not for a grandfather to go to Iraq for work to support his grandchildren and daughter financially.
Orchid
ReplyDelete9/11 claims one more victim
Michael Daly
Daily News-NY local
September 4, 2008
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/09/03/2008-09 03_911_claims_one_more_victim.html
Durkheim:
As I read this tragic story I immediately realized that this is a case of anomic suicide. Life was good for Kenny Johannemann until 9/11 took place. With such a drastic change of having plenty of friends to none can make you feel lost and you lose a sense of who you are. Due to the intense complications that lead Kenny to suicide places him the anomic category. He took to drinking and felt that he did not have much stability in his life, especially since he would soon become homeless. This burden wouldn’t allow him to continue with life. This event took place in a modern society but everything seemed to decline for Kenny. This is a series of unfortunate events for Kenny and it seems as if suicide was definitely driven by a social phenomena.
Monkey
ReplyDeleteEconomic Troubles Bring Many to the Brink
Paul Vercammen
CNN.com
January 29, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/mentalhealth/01/28/economy.mental.woes/index.html#cnnSTCText
Durkheim
In this modern society people have been socialized to accept concept of success as having a job or career. People are distracted by the idea that they must have a job, and they must work. It becomes a part of their identity. One of the most popular conversation topics is “So, what do you do for a living?” and the answer “Oh, I don’t have a job, ” is generally not accepted. Americans are “work-aholics.” They work to make a living, and often confuse this with living to work. The economic downturn that is now affecting the whole country has had a major impact. People who have centered their lives around their careers are now finding themselves jobless, and therefore world-less. This situation drives some to extremes. These are precursors to anomic suicide. The woman on the phone is job-less. She has called the free hotline to speak with a counselor. She says she doesn’t want to live if she doesn’t find a job. This hotline was set up as a response to the rise in suicidal incidents seen recently because of the economic downturn. A few weeks ago a couple killed themselves and their children after losing their jobs. This sense of losing yourself when you lose your job is a product of the modern society and organic solidarity, and can lead to anomic suicide. The counselor on the phone tells her that she will get her professional help and sets up an psychological evaluation for the suicidal woman. This is another characteristic of the modern society and its organic solidarity, restitution. The counselor tries to find a way to restore this woman so she can function normally in society again.
Mr.Tibbs
ReplyDeleteThe Poodle Can’t Talk now; She’s in with Her Stylist
Katie Thomas
The New York Times
http://sya4110spring2009.blogspot.com/2008/12/assignment-1-due-211.html
From the perspective of Durkheim:
The Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show is a sacred event that brings about an attitude of respect and honor to those who are involved. The Dog Show creates high rates of group integration. Everyone comes with a sense of togetherness. Although they may have a difference in dog preference, they all love dogs in general. By competing they obtain group membership and strengthen their shared beliefs over time.
Everyone who participates engage in collective ritual behavior. As stated in the article, some dogs require five hours a week of grooming and it takes years to learn proper methods. This shows people have a strong desire to be involved in this sacred event. The final thing they share is their aspirations and emotions. They are aspiring to achieve the same goals and all share very similar emotions when engaging in the Dog Show.
1. Yellow Bird
ReplyDelete2. Zimbabwe opposition says it's ready for unity government
3. No Author Listed
4. CNN.com
5. January 30th, 2009
6. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/30/zimbabwe.power/index.html?iref=newssearch
Marx:
This article is discussing how Zimbabwe’s President is working with a Movement for Democratic change to help end poverty and suffering in the country. Marx would critique this situation by saying that while it is a good thing that the people have come together to create a movement for democratic change, he would not have the change be done in a democratic fashion. Instead, Marx would rather have intellectuals aid the underprivileged aka proletariat class in a movement to overthrow the government (in this case those that are oppressing the poor and suffering of Zimbabwe) and then give up their power to the people to govern and distribute material goods evenly. Marx would also say that while this movement is a step in the right direction, having a President who has the final say on the matter, and can end these negotiations at anytime, is not ideal for the proletariat. This is because the President holds more power than the proletariat and in an ideal Utopian communist society, no one has more power than his fellow man.
efollet
ReplyDeleteThe Power of Positive Deviance
Susan Worthman
Green Buzz
Feb. 10, 2009
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/02/10/the-power-positive-deviance?page=0%2C0
A positive deviance is "individuals or groups whose behavior and attitudes help them avoid problems that plague the rest of their community." This factor is key in a society. Positive deviance are the small number of individuals whom have similar ideas of the brighter side of life. They share optimistic views of situations at hand but are constricted and a part of an undifferentiated mass. What is already known is comforting and easy to agree with and abide by. Most of society's population is comfortable with this but what about the rest?
With positive deviance, organic solidarity is produced allowing for the rest of the population, individuals or small groups, to break free from the collective conscience and develop their individuality. The norm and what most of the population in a community perceives becomes weaker and more abstract. To accomplish this and gain their mutual interdependence, individuals of these small positive deviant groups must effectively communicate with one another and with others outside of their group (in their community) to establish concrete and reliable social networks. Conversation, visual media and social ties are a great bases for message. Soon these individuals will become teachers and learners and experts. Positive deviance is "solving problems by looking, and thinking, about how we act, rather than acting upon how we think."
Tadpole
ReplyDeleteTsvangirai's tough choice
Peter Biles
BBC News
February 10, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7882703.stm
Marx,
Morgan Tsvangirai has chosen to join an inclusive Zimbabwean government in an effort to move towards a more democratic governmental system. In turn he has become more a second in command to the current President Robert Mugabe, as opposed to an equal leadership. Meanwhile, the people of Zimbabewa are experience a state of collapse as Cholera reaches crisis levels and adequate food sources run slim for a portion of the population. This is the prime example of how capitalism has exceeded it's usefulness and a time for change has come, on a global scale. The proletariat are the people who are most likely to cause change but because this same group of people are most affected by disease and poor nutrition, this change is not likely to come any time soon. The dictatorship that President Robert Mugabe has assumed over the last 25 years eliminated societies influence in any form of government that will only now be changed by great conflict.
Stars
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Work Program for Young Is Threatened
Malia Wollan
The New York Times
February 8, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Durkheim
Thousands of youth’s lives are at risk due to the possibility of California Conservation Corps being eliminated due to recent budget cuts. Less fortunate, some even homeless, youths are being saved by this program. One young man goes from sleeping in his car to feeling good about himself while being evolved in the Corps. He states “If this goes down, I don’t know what I’m going to do.” The program helps disadvantaged kids to gain a chance to experience working when they might not have the opportunity to do otherwise. If the corps are taken away from these youths they will be thrown back into less fortunate situations with no where to go. This could lead many youths to experience anomic suicide. If they loose their position in the Corps they could be loosing everything they have; leaving them feeling useless and unimportant in society.
Pharaoh
ReplyDeleteArcheologist search for unbaptized babies’ grave
Shawn Pogatchink
Associated Press (Yahoo News)
February 10, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nireland_infants__mass_grave;_ylt=AikY0wjDYHI8tsxhtUt_6lY7Xs8F
Durkheim:
Baptism is a collective ritual, in which the infant begins the process of integration into society both by strengthening collective beliefs and morals and by mutually bonding the participants, in this case the children and the religious community. But when outside forces disrupt this ritual, which already generates strong emotions it becomes problematic. The issue at stake here is the status within a deeply religious society of a group that because they did not undergo the necessary rituals lack recognition. The group is children who have died without undergoing baptism. According to beliefs of the community these children died with original sin and as such do not merit burial on consecrated ground. However, due to changes within the community itself the parents of the children who where interred in unmarked graves, are demanding that church leaders apologize, identify the grave sites, and include the land to the cemetery with new grave markings.
1.Culinary Kitty
ReplyDelete2.The New Sustainability: Surviving While Waiting To Thrive
3.Julian Darley
4.GreenBizSite
5.02/10/2009
6.http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/02/10/the-new-sustainability-surviving-while-waiting-to-thrive
A Marxist view:
As humans we need possessions to survive, one of these possessions is a home. Since the proletarian cannot afford to buy a home with cash they must take on a loan with a bank. This current economic crisis the direct result of the proletarian settling for the lending practices of the banks. The proletarian should be enraged with the idea of adjustable rate mortgage that were marketed towards them because of their status as workers. However, social change is born of these realizations of inequality within our society. Barack Obama is taking action to combat the economic crisis by creating green initiatives that create jobs. Change must also come from the clash of the proletarian with businesses, such as banks. They must force the businesses to listen to their needs and adapt to fit them. It is a rare occasion when proletariats realize that the businesses need them to survive. This economic storm allows for the proletarian to demand communication between businesses and customers. Businesses will be forced to educate themselves in culture sensitivity because they must adapt to survive. In our evolution from a primitive society to one that is considered civilized we must make a transition from this capitalist society, which is clearly not working, to communism, the final stage of our societal evolution.
Rizal
ReplyDeleteObama Scores a 28 on the Change-O-Meter
Emily Lowe
Slate Magazine
February 10, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2211016/?from=rss
It is truly a comical thought when thinking about what has been occuring on the political front of the United States. Never had I thought in my wildest dreams that I would see the day when a bureaucratic democracy would show such great dedication in fixing an economic crisis. Today I smile, because I know that Marx was wrong and I was right. One of his so called "proletariat" finally rose up to take control of a messy political situation, yet a communist form of government has not yet occured! Although Mr. Obama is certainly charismatic enough to inspire without controlling, his bureaucratic administration is finally giving the much needed order that the previous administration lacked. My advice to Mr. Obama would be this though; do not let yourself become to charismatic lest you fall into a category of rulers who have associated themselves with great notoriety. Although it is true that we live in a time where traditional authority is a memory of the past, remember that you are President in a democracy, not the King of the United States. Trust that all tiers of your bureaucracy will function efficiently but most importantly that they will function under your vision of a better tomorrow.
1. Bourgie
ReplyDelete2. Turning Cooking Oil Into Fuel for the County
3. Diana Marszalek
4.New York Times
5.February 5, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html?_r=1
Westchester county official's use of 3,5000 local restaurants cooking oil to fuel cars is an example of organic solidarity. The county has accomplished to run seven vehicles off of oil and 125 vehicles off of cooking oil and diesel fuel. The partnership between the county and restaurants demonstrates a mutual interdependence of individuals and groups. In order for societies to have the upmost functionability there must be unity and this situation exemplifies two groups coming together for the common good.
Additionally, according to the article the benefits of running vehicles on cheaper and cleaner fuel is invaluable. This article exemplifies Durkheim's belief that knowledge is shaped by the social world. As a society we hav come to value "going green", combating global warming, and reducing the amount of plastic used by carrying cloth grocery bags. The use of two different sources to come together for one purpose that will benefit both taxpayers and the environment is, well, priceless.
ReplyDeleteLOLA:
ReplyDelete- “Stimulus deal 'possible' by Wednesday, lawmaker says”
- CNN's Dana Bash, Ted Barrett, Brianna Keilar and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report.
- Cnn.com
- 02/10/09
- http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/11/stimulus.plan/index.html
As Marx the philosopher and revolutionary:
I am still waiting for Obama’s stimulus bill to go into affect. The proletariat workers are over worked and under appreciated. With the white house officials roughly estimating that the bill will be about $800 billion and go into effect, possibly as soon as today, I am ecstatic for my people. They have been alienated from their labor for too long now. The idea of social creativity is slowly disappearing. When will the capitalists realize that even they are not free?
This is the only thing keeping me from overthrowing the capitalist society to liberate my fellow modern proletariat! With the final vote in the Senate was 61 in favor and 37 opposed, it is inevitable to ever convince the entire house full of Bourgeoisie that the treatment they are given is not equal to those working twice as hard in the factories. It brings me some joy that the $70 billion to patch the alternative tax, that used to be targeted to the wealthy, is now redirected to hit many middle-class families.
therock
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Work Program for Young is Threatened
Malia Wollan
New York Times
February 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Durkheim:
After reading this article, I see anomic suicide waiting to happen. These young men who have had it hard their entire life and now they finally have something to live for, to appreciate. Most people would not enjoy sleeping in the rain and under tents, but these men appreciate it because they know that this is the first opportunity they have been given in their lives. Taking this program away from these young men will give them a sense non-value and that they have no place in society. They could lose all reason for being and resort to anomic suicide. Mr. Prue is even quoted as saying at the end, "If this goes down, I don't know what I'm going to do." Most of these young men will feel like this because they will be forced to go back and live in their cars or on the streets with no opportunity on the horizon.
1. Bella 87
ReplyDelete2. California Work Program for the Young is Threatened
3. Malia Wollan
4. NYT>Environment
5. Feb. 9, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
Durkheim
for the country's largest and oldest work program for these young adults, these young men might soon be jobless due to a budget crisis. Are we looking at a case where in modern organic societies, anomic suicide might be taking these young men's life because of the economic downfall? These young men might feel there is no reason for being and lose a sense of themselves. These young men might now know who they are? For a young man of the name Jason Prue this is exceptionally worry some after he said, "If this does down, I don't know what I'm going to do." Will this young man be able to pick himself back up considering he had nothing before except living in his car or will he commit anomic suicide?
Nikaye
ReplyDeleteMichelle Obama makes Vogue Cover
BBC News
February 11, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7883253.stm
Durkheim:
Fashion has now become a religion where a set of beliefs have been developed about what one should wear and not wear and especially pertaining to the First Lady. It is expected that Michelle should act a certain way in her outfits and the moral community is the fashion world. If Michelle did not live up to the beliefs and the fashion world she would be severely criticized especially since so much is expected of her and needs to think critically about her decisions in clothes. What Michelle wore to the inauguration was somewhat of a religious ritual in that there were high rates of group interaction where she made appearances on different tv shows that discussed her apparel and there were even polls made for the people to vote on what designer she should choose. The sacred symbols would be that of the clothing article and even designer names and labels. What Michelle Obama wears sets trends and strenghtens shared beliefs of what is the current popular style to wear.
Nikaye
ReplyDeleteMichelle Obama makes Vogue Cover
BBC News
February 11, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/7883253.stm
Durkheim:
Fashion has now become a religion where a set of beliefs have been developed about what one should wear and not wear and especially pertaining to the First Lady. It is expected that Michelle should act a certain way in her outfits and the moral community is the fashion world. If Michelle did not live up to the beliefs and the fashion world she would be severely criticized especially since so much is expected of her and needs to think critically about her decisions in clothes. What Michelle wore to the inauguration was somewhat of a religious ritual in that there were high rates of group interaction where she made appearances on different tv shows that discussed her apparel and there were even polls made for the people to vote on what designer she should choose. The sacred symbols would be that of the clothing article and even designer names and labels. What Michelle Obama wears sets trends and strenghtens shared beliefs of what is the current popular style to wear.
Scientia
ReplyDelete“The Last Stop for a Young Utopian”
Richard Fausset
LATimes.com
January 31, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-anarchist31-2009jan31,0,3296515.story?page=1
From the perspective of Karl Marx:
The story of Kirsten Brydum, and her journey to find a better world, is a perfect example of the eventual downfall of capitalism. Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point however is to change it. Activists, such as Kirsten, have been working hard to bring about this social transformation. They hold the belief that one day, people will reject a society in which goods and services are exchanged for money, and embrace something better.
Kirsten, like many opposed to capitalism, had refused to accept that we live in a world of scarcity. She saw this myth of scarcity as a production of a capitalistic society. Her proposed solution, which seems to be the only logical progression of our current society, is a world in which resources and goods are taken care of and shared equitably. The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles. Today’s current capitalistic society is no different. On her expedition, Kirsten was confronted by the poorest of the poor. In New Orleans, she saw the broken down houses and the damage that still remained three years after the Hurricane. She believed this to be a place where an autonomous, post-capitalist movement might flourish.
Kirsten’s death was a production of a capitalistic society, in which people rob and kill in order to gain some sort of material possession. Her ideals, which are consistent with those of communism, would end this misdistribution of resources and hopefully promote a sense of community and classlessness.
Betty
ReplyDeleteTurning Cooking Oil Into Fuel for the County
Diana Marszalek
NY Times
February 5, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/nyregion/westchester/08greasewe.html?_r=1
As resources are depleting daily and society must find a way to fuel its essential modes of transportation, an ecological solution has come to the aid. The use of used frying oil from various eateries is a new avenue of oil consumption and use that might eventually turn into a capitalistic opportunity. Instead of said restaurants paying to have the oil removed from their establishments, they might eventually be able to charge a small price in exchange for the oil in its use as fuel. This would make fuel cheaper to those who have access to it, hopefully those of a lower and economically needier class. This would be a great change in the way that people have been for the last few decades. Instead of being impulsive and unconcerned, they could move towards a more eco-friendly and thoughtful regime. This, of course, is all yet to be seen.
Starfish
ReplyDeleteHow To Help a Vet - Many veterans charities aren't very good. But there are other ways to aid returning soldiers
By Patty Stonesifer and Sandy Stonesifer
Slate.com
http://www.slate.com/id/2210847/?from=rss
February 11, 2009
Durkheim:
Recognizing the state in which veterans support/charities stand currently is important to see the ripple effect it has on the veterans who need this support. The inefficiency of charity programs can be reflected through the rising suicide and PTSD rates of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating anomic suicide. These men and women come back to a lack of support medically and socially, leaving them questioning what that have fought for if the citizens of America, which whom they went to protect, cannot support them.
The efforts to develop a stronger support/charity system will show these men and women, although through material standards, that people do care and appreciate their work as soldiers and that what they have done for their country has been worth while. Also, these programs can offer recovery and stability, allowing soldiers to reestablish themselves within the community with social networks and new job stability, rather then leaving them feeling lost and without a new purpose.
The current economic crisis should not be a burden these foundations and charities should have to endure because people are capable of volunteering their time, something that may help these soldiers understand their worth more than money could.
xChomskyx
ReplyDeleteBailout Plan: $2.5 Trillion and a Strong U.S. Hand
Edmund L. Andrews and Stephen Labaton
New York Times
2/10/2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/economy/11bailout.html
I believe Marx would view this time of bailouts, and such the time at which it would be necessary for the United States to evolve from a system based around capitalism to communism. This second bailout, is supposed to protect the interests of the working class, which has the highest unemployment rate since 1992, and take the country out of this harsh economic climate. However, Marx would state that as this economic decline is increasing the alienation of the working class, from the goods and services they produce. Now if this 2.5 trillion dollar bank bailout does not end in stimulating the economy enough were the working class isn’t scared to spend his paycheck and creates jobs for those hit hardest by this economic downturn (the unemployed) it will cause great conflict between the upper class capitalists and the working class.. The situation in America at the present creates conflict between the upper, and working classes, and this conflict would catalyst this change.
Marx would argue that this whole economic downturn was due to capitalism’s instability as a system. He didn’t doubt the power of capitalism to create economic growth because of investments in new technologies that could be used to improve means of production. However, this investment in new technologies is very problematic because, when capitalists invest more and more in new technologies they disregard the importance of labor and the workforce. This can be seen as a cause of the economic fallout that is currently being bailed out by Washington. This impoverishment of the proletariat (working class) would as aforementioned create a climate of dissenting outrage among the American people, and would end in a violent uprising to overturn this system. So if Geithner is not able to turn the economy around with his new bailout plan, bailing out the very banks that placed the country in such a delicate position losing over 3 million jobs, it will not bode well for the life of capitalism in America. Marx’s idea of the proletariat getting fed up with the economic collapses caused by capitalists and capitalism is shown in the wariness of the republican and democratic law makers both, because they know the voters are disgusted with the results of the previous bailout that was proposed by the Bush administration. Washington is stepping delicately across the current situation which could spark this communist powder keg of which Marx speaks, demanding more details about this new bailout for the American public, and also to help the lawmakers decide what to do with these plans laid by the treasury. The lack of details is not a negative as of right now, but if the spaces in this plan are not filled soon it will end in descent.
mmw3506
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Work Program for Young is Threatened
Malia Wollan
The New York Times
Feb. 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
I believe Durkheim would have seen this article as anther way a society is contributing to the cause of suicide. The corporation was founded for young people who were unemployed and didn't mind having a "dirty" job. The idea of this job being taken out of the market would severely limit the possibilities for employment for these people who already have a hard time finding a job. marx would classify a suicide by one of these soon-to-be former employees as an anomic suicide. He would say that the economic downturn of the society would have influenced the individual so much that they could not bear to live in a a state of mind where they have no sense of their self and reason for being. Through the event of being laid off work, these people may have no alternative for income, so they look for a way out. This type of job would engulf their whole life, so to lose it would be very devastating.
1 Phil
ReplyDelete2 19 killed in suicide Attacks on government sites in Kabul
3 RICHARD A. OPPEL JR. and ABDUL WAHEED WAFA
4 New York Times
5 2/11/2009
6 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/asia/12afghan.html?_r=1&hp
Durkheim
This suicide tragedy in Kabul was an example of Durkheim's Altruistic Suicide. Taliban suicide bombers took 19 lives in Kabul. Suicide bombers put everyone before them and thought that it would be a good idea to take everyone else with them when they commit suicide. These suicide bombers had suicide vests on and therefore the innocent people around them had no idea that the bombers were going to commit suicide around them and take them down too.
Charlie M.
ReplyDeleteSenate, House Begin Talks on Stimulus
Shailagh Murray
The Washington Post
Feb 11, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/10/AR2009021001397_2.html?wprss=rss_print/asection&sid=ST2009021001436&s_pos=
Marx:
In this article, Congress is debating over tax breaks and spending within the stimulus package. One side called for less federal spending and more tax cuts. Federal funding for programs such as Medicaid and school construction were seen by the opposers of the bill to be wasteful. This group also wanted the tax cuts for the bougoisie from the previous leader to stay in place. I find this rather amusing, that in a time of economic meltdown of a country, the debate is over who is more important in the recovery plan. Is it the proletarians or the bougois? Which is more important, education of future generations or the prosperity of a few of the current? Some members of this congress are worried of "big government" but it seems that the proletariat has had enough of a government that is too small to oversee the behavior of Wall Street.
The proletariat is suffering once again because of the greed of the bougois. The top echelon of banks, insurance, companies, and other corporations do not seem to value the workers, as they lay off employees as a sacrifice to preserve their own well-being. The middle class (who tend to be obedient to rules in society) has shrunken dramatically, allowing for the proletariat to demand change in the ways in which things operate. The working class and the middle class are becoming more aware of inequalities with the use of this amazing widget called "the internet". In this manner, the internet is a dream come true for the proletarians.
As I have observed how this economic system has operated through capitalism, my theories are being proven to be correct through the mistakes of the capitalists themselves. Capitalism can be a benefit to a people when when regulated, so that the working class is not so alienated from the means of production. But when the bousoisie abuses the capitalist system, they are doing so at the expense of the legitimacy of capitalism itself. Once this occurs, the fragile economy reveals the weaknesses of class-based economics. Thus, it is not the outrage of the proletariat as much as the carelessness of the bougoisie that renders capitalism obsolete via exploitation and overall greed.
Araby
ReplyDeleteFEMA Is Faulted on Aid After Hurricane Ike
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Times
Published: February 8, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html
Marx
If Karl Marx was reading this article, I feel that he could come up with several ways that many citizens of Southeastern Texas have become victims of socio-economic inequality. According to the article, FEMA has denied more than 650,000 requests for federal aid. Many claim that these rejections stem from the fact that the federal government is hiring inspectors that are not properly trained. These inspectors are also facing issues of timing, as they are paid per inspection and can hardly cover expenses. This is an example of the government underestimating the cost of labor for this particular agency.
Those who applied for aid are asking for help with expenses that their homeowner's insurance was not willing to pay. Many of the homes in question are not liveable and need a great deal of work. FEMA is now claiming that if anyone feels that their claims were wrongfully denied should submit an appeal. This would be helpful for those who have the means to hire a lawyer for representation and challenge their rejections. Many do not have this option and are paying on homes that have been absolutely demolished. I feel that this is a case where people who are in a vulnerable economic position have little power to sway the government and may end up being completely overlooked.
TampaBiz
ReplyDeleteWill Recession Dull Hip-Hops Bling
John Sutter
CNN
2-9-09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/29/hiphop.bling.recession/index.html#cnnSTCText
Capitalism can be measured in many ways in many groups. The Hip-Hop industry is a new powerful one that not only is very deep in capitalist roots, but its job is to show off the luxurious commodities in which it envelops itself in. It is also the ‘bling’ that the industry raps itself in. Now with an economic recession plaguing the country, it seems as if this ‘show-off’ industry is toning its money flashing down, in order to be more in line with the audience. A good example of this is famous rapper ‘Lil Wayne’, winning two Grammy Awards, performed in a plain white T-shirt, jeans, and a simple necklace. It could be that the famous rapper is low on finances, but I doubt it. It is more of theater by the still upper class trying to show they ‘understand’ the proletariat and are feeling the same woes. The lower class will continue to feed into what they believe is the real world and keep the bourgeois in their place by feeding their bank accounts.
Libra
ReplyDeleteBlessed be the Newsmakers
Stephen Bates
Slate Magazine
Feb. 11 2009
http://www.slate.com/toolbar.aspx?action=print&id=2210912
Durkheim;
According to the article, the New York Times is not making profits anymore from newspapers, and they are seeking to make the Newspaper a "tax-deductible outfit that chases donations" instead. The author of this article believes that if the Newspaper wishes to make money it should turn itself into a religion. I fully agree with the author. The New York times is already cited so widely in commmon day literature and renowned as one of the best news reporting medias around. Society creates these religions and society helped create the New York Times into a religion. The author argues that the Times already has "religious discipline and rituals". Developing beliefs and a set of rituals are the first steps to constructing a religion. The overarching church of this religion is the New York Times newspaper. The author states, "'Public corruption brings forth righteous wrath from the press's pulpit. Reporters strive to 'evoke indignation at the violation of social values,' media scholars James S. Ettema and Theodore L. Glasser observe in their book 'Custodians of Conscience'—as, they add, the prophet Jeremiah did." The New York Times brings together a big group of followers, this isnt just a nation wide following also, this is a world-wide following. This religious institute is important because it brings people together they can all talk about one topic or several topics found in the Times, and this brings a sense of unity. That is what religions do.
1. Muzician
ReplyDelete2. Another Female Suicide Bomber Strikes Iraqi Province, Killing 15 Near Courthouse
3. RICHARD A. OPPEL
4. New York Times
5. June 23, 2008
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/world/middleeast/23iraq.html?scp=5&sq=recession,%20suicide&st=cse
Durkheim:
This article is a perfect example of altruistic suicide. What is being discussed is a female suicide bomber. In past times males have been predominantly known for participating in suicide bombing, proving their efforts to die for something they believe in, believing that they are doing something to help the greater good, as well as themselves. Females are finding acceptance in this kind of activity as well. This female decided to risk her life, not because she was thinking about herself, but because she thought others would benefit from it as well. This shows the correlation between being in a primitive society and being under high integration. She knowingly knew that strapping a bomb to herself and detonating it would definitely mean death, but In her heart she felt that she was making a difference.
Flaboy6
ReplyDeleteTitle:For Catholics, Heaven Moves One Step Closer
Author: Paul Vitello
News Source:New York Times
Published: February 9, 2009
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/nyregion/10indulgence.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Emile Durkheim's Response to New York Times Article
The Catholic dioceses in the United States have begun to offer a sacred ritual that was previously discarded decades ago–the indulgence. Indulgences are acts which reduce purgatorial time by a certain number (partial indulgences) of days or years or can eliminate all of them (plenary), until another sin is committed. This return to the Catholic church, has come about partly due to the effort to get Catholics back to confession, a "happy incentive" as stated by Pope John Paul in 2001. One of the prerequisites of an indulgence is that you must have a session of confession. The Catholic authority is making a concerted effort to reintroduce this concept back into the sacred practices of their religion in order to achieve a new level of moral standing with it’s followers.
This act or reinstatement follows all the other powers the Catholic church reinforces. The act of indulgences is a way for the church to regulate the moral life of society. By having a way to reduce the purgatory sentence due to sin, the dioceses are adding on to and above the real. This activity creates a renewed sense in the person receiving this rite and he feels transformed ultimately transforming his own surroundings. Changing one's surroundings is one of the primary goals brought up in the article. Keiran Harrington, spokesman for the Brooklyn diocese acknowledges that "It's more about praying for the benefit of others, doing good deeds, acts of charity".
This act is sacred for it is not something that is done every day, therefore making it a sacred act that rises above the mundane profane world. There are special years and specific times of the year that are designated for the prayers, devotions or pilgrimages that make up the indulgences. The rarity of these acts and the important meaning behind their completion creates a crescendo of emotions and energy in man that will allow him to be transformed and renewed. The intense nature of these acts will heighten the senses and allow man to look above the real world into an ideal world. All of this cannot be achieved by man if the concept of indulgences is not accepted by the collective community.
In trying to assimilate this once abandoned concept back into the fabric of Catholic existence it becomes a tall order to find where it’s place is. There must be a collective acceptance in the community before this practice is embraced and becomes part of the religious ideal. The power of one individual cannot will the act of indulgence into society, society as a group must first accept it and then the individual can idealize it. The scrutiny that this practice is receiving from practicing Catholics is the first intuition of the existence of truth. This higher idea must be scrutinized and people must ask how this concept fits into their lives and therefore individualize the concept. The groups must accept it before it can find it’s proper space in the Catholic ideal.
Peach 89
ReplyDeleteObama scores a 28 on the Change-O-Meter
Emily Lowe
Slate Magazine
February 10, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2211016/
Marx:
As a student of Hegel, Marx would have said that the changes that this article points out about the government were eventually going to occur some time in the future. This is due to his proposal of all societies going through the 5 stages: primitive-ancient-feudal-capitalism-communism. He would not have been surprised with the fact that times are changing especially after Obama became president. This is because, according to him, liberal reformers are one of the two groups that he says want to create change. In order for them to create change they have to take action and that's what Obama is doing by putting expedience ahead of extra spending and by being straightforward about the way the government is going to handle different situations.
However, Marx would argue against the part in which the article took points away from Obama on the chart because of his administration taking the same position as the Bush administration's position on the "Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan". I believe he would defend this by saying that the different political parties are not always going to have opposing views and will eventually agree on some stuff. For the most part, he would agree with the change that is occurring because he would relate it to the possibility of conflict, which he believes to be the engine of progress. This progress is a part of the advancement of human consciousness and will lead to things getting better in a civilization.
1. Dream
ReplyDelete2. FEMA is faulted on Aid after Hurricane Ike
3. The Associated Press
4. The New York Times
5. February 8, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/09hurricane.html?_r=1
“The source of social change is the clash of social interest arising from social inequalities”. Our society in the United States faces conflict of interest’s everyday within the economy. Money is a serious matter that people can cause unfairness, differences, and change. While there are those in the high classes who demand their way with the functioning of the economy there are also those in the low working classes who are now realizing that they have a position in how the financial system should be administered. It is because of the never ending cycle between the high class and working class that economy exists. If there was no one to work the low paying jobs then there would be no high class rollers in the high positions.
There is a dependent relationship between the classes, in return the dependency affects economy and should allow everyone a voice. An example of economic unfairness would be that of the article “FEMA Is Faulted on Aid after Hurricane Ike” which states that a government funded aid organization is failing to assist more only 82,000/ 730,000 applicants that have lost or damaged their homes. There is an unfair qualification process taking place in this community that is limiting far more than half to be granted assistance. The idea of this article is to point out that those in the low ranking or non say positions in society are speaking up and fighting for what they believe is right. Marx believed that social change can be achieved through conflict that is produced by social inequalities. Government money should have a criterion in the form that it is dispersed, however, when less than a quarter of needy people are receiving help there is a flaw in the system.
Change does not occur alone there has to be a driven force that causes social change and within this small community people are driven by the unfairness of the FEMA criteria and the unqualified agents that have been making the decisions. They know the mission of the organization and they know that the money is there. It is the holding back of the money that is making the selection process unfair. A natural disaster is not brought upon by one’s self it is unexpected and in return the government should help in any way possible. These people and their lawyers are doing the right thing to be motivated and question the conspiracy going on with the aid from the government, only then will they achieve a change. Perhaps even a change in an application process, a criterion, or the amount of people being accepted.
In a small scale, this situation can be an example of Marx’s conflict theory (which was based on larger social change situations in history) and how it takes conflict triggered by inequalities that cause people to act on their realizations. This article is not going to change how the entire economic system functions in the United States but it can change it within the FEMA organization and push for a small social change in a state within our country that needs help dating back to September 2008.
1. Venezuela
ReplyDelete2. California Work Program for Young Is Threatened
3. Malia Wollan
4. The New York Times
5. February 7, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html
Marx:
Once again we find the worker, and his labour, objectified and the big picture ignored. To please a budget committee that will see savings of a mere 34 million dollars in an already 43 billion dollar state deficit, the livelihood of many young people will be stripped away. These young workers and their labour have no practical worth to the powerful. In the article Attorney General Jerry Brown says that, "kids need to get out of the concrete of the urban world and encounter the complexities of nature." Unfortunately, nature does not translate to dollar signs like the concrete jungle does for those empowered predators. Jason Prue, age 21, turned his life around with the help of the California Conservation Corps and now it may all be over. Many, including four former governors, have stood up to Governor Schwarzenegger's plan to end the country's oldest and largest work program and give back what little the worker has left.
Done4Now
ReplyDeleteTrillion Dollar Baby
Maureen Dowd
New York Times (online)
10 Feb 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/opinion/11dowd.html?_r=1
It is time for the beast known as capitalism to be slain. Unfortunately, capitalism now has become a demented phoenix [with the aide of the granted by the bail-out package]. Though it has gone up in flames, it has been rejuvenated not for the better, but for the worse. The bourgeoisies have alienated the proletariat even further. It has already been the case where this elite group has controlled a vast majority of the economy, and they have benefited from this control. Now the case is that they have turned the market sour [by taking on toxic assets]. Logic would hold that it is the bourgeoisies [Wall Street] that should thus loose out, because it is them who have been benefiting from the market; however that is not the case. This new demented phoenix is fed by the hard sewn fruits of the protectorate even more so than the original phoenix from which it was spawned[that is to say that tax payer money is what is being used to pay for this bailout]. The government has proposed that the mistakes of the bourgeoisies [toxic assets and sub-prime mortgages] should be covered at the expense of the proletariat not only with their labour, but now also with their money. What is more appalling though is that the bourgeoisies yet still control everything, and it is they, who should be loosing, that are still gaining [Wall Street executives not having their salaries capped and still receiving bonuses]. The proletariats are thus even further alienated than they ever were before. Now it is they who are paying to keep the bourgeoisies alive in that is now their money and labour that are keeping the institutions of the bourgeoisies viable, yet they still exercise no control over these forces [the bail-out package]. I say it once, and shall state it again, capitalism ha been rejuvenated for the worse and it is time for the proletariat to take control of market and put an end to the life of the demented phoenix.
1.Codeword: Parrot
ReplyDelete2.Title: Despite Odds, Women's Movement Persists In Iran
3.Author: Jacki Lyden and Davar Iran Ardalan
4.Source: NPR.org
5.Date: February 1, 2009.
6.Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100039579
Engels:
Women around the world continue to be oppressed and are still victims to persecution. They are not considered equal and have to live by traditionalists laws to where a veil and are not allowed in politics and other professional arenas, and are under a capitalistic society. Women in Iran faced many changes after the Shah was no longer in power and with the new regime under government by Ayatollah, women were no longer judges, lawyers, and other professions but instead were excluded from public economic sphere and restricted to household labor; they became non-entities or were executed. Men gained complete control in Iran as in many other traditionalist countries. “What is a boon for the one is necessarily a bane for the other.”(‘The Patriarchal Family,’ by: Engels pg. 67) In other words for every group that has a positive gain, there is a group that is oppressed and looses out; in this case it would be women. The traditionalist men gained power and as a result the women were oppressed in Iran.
Engels supported moving from a capitalistic society structure to one of communism; where it would be egalitarian, classless, stateless, and based on common ownership. Women would definitely benefit from this change and become equals and have the same economic, social, civil, and political rights as men. In order to do this Engels believed that the removal of private property is the solution to equality. He believed that whatever the ruling class gets, everyone else should also gain in the same manner.
1. Grane
ReplyDelete2. A-Rod, Bankers' Salaries, "25 Random Things," and the Grammys
3. Stephen Metcalf, Jody Rosen, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner
4. Slate Magazine
5. February 11, 2009
6. http://www.slate.com/id/2211059/?from=rss
(Marx)
The current culture today displays a strong sense of materialism. The athletes today earn multi-million dollar salaries, while law enforcement, teachers, and even health professionals get paid significantly less. With these huge salaries these professional athletes, such as Mr. Alex Rodriguez, become tempted to use steroids either to live up to their large contracts or to increase their value when the time comes for contract extension. The same effect relates with other types of celebrities. People treat these celebrities as royalty and contributes funding and ratings towards their ceremonies, such as the Grammys, while these celebrities use more of their profits towards more selfish desires rather than societal contributions. These public controversies show the examples to America that the message is to strive for material, and society is providing this material to whoever reaches high enough. The concept of materialism is increasing, and it will worsen in the future.
President Barack Obama is putting a cap on the top executives at banks. It seems as if President Obama is attempting to even out and close the gap between the middle and the upper class, and he strives to give the proletarians more comfort in their quality of life, recognizing that the elite is already quite comfortable. He believes that the labor work value of these top executives is a maximum of $500,000, implying that this number symbolizes their mental and physical capabilities. The middle class needs to lead the proletarians in an up-rise against the elite.
Facebook can be utilized as a positive tool. It provides a certain level of communication that can generate influence within the culture. Many of the young people currently have extraordinary ideas; however, ideas must be used in order to take action. Facebook can display these ideas and start the process of taking action.
pongo
ReplyDelete“Bailout Plan: $2.5 Trillion and a Strong U.S. Hand”
Edmund L. Andrews and Stephen Labaton
New York Times
February 10, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/business/economy/11bailout.html?ref=politics
Marx:
The current U.S. economic crisis represents a clash of social interests arising from social inequalities. Honest, hard-working taxpayers are angry that their money is being squandered by the bourgeois CEOs making foolish business deals. The recent election of President Barack Obama is a solid indication that the proletariat is demanding real social and economic change. In a recent speech, President Obama related that the previous administration’s economic policies involving tax cuts for the bourgeoisie were not effective in stimulating the economy and promoting growth. Their own president sees the failure of the capitalist system! The new administration’s economic plan involves a $2.5 trillion government bailout. This change in governmental policy represents the beginning of a shift away from capitalism. Such high governmental involvement in the nation’s corporations is, instead, characteristic of communism. It is obvious that capitalism has worn out its usefulness in the U.S. economic realm.
I also can’t help but to believe that more radical social change will be necessary before the struggle between the U.S. proletariat and bourgeoisie comes to an end. Although the bailout plan signifies an attempt to appease the proletariat and achieve greater equality, the bourgeoisie are the ones who are really benefiting from the plan. Banks and corporations have lost millions of dollars but are not responsible for their debts and mistakes because the government will take care of it. On the other hand, the government is not paying anyone’s mortgage or other outstanding bank debts. Instead, the proletariat are responsible for their own debts even though their tax dollars are funding the bailout. Once again, the powerful bourgeoisie benefits at the cost of the workers. This clash of interests will only be resolved by a revolution.
3SGTE
ReplyDelete"Why Free-Market Capitalism Will Follow Communism Into the Trash-Heap of History"
Philip Slater
Huffingtonpost.com
January 28, 2009
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/philip-slater/why-free-market-capitalis_b_161709.html
Marx:
Though I agree with your sentiments that capitalism will eventually fail, and in these times, it is almost eminent that the time is near, however capitalism will not follow communism into the "trash heap", it will however follow after the fall of capitalism. The flaw that "greed is good" is as good one to point out. What I believe for capitalism to work is that all commodities must sell for the appropriate value. Since we live in an era where greed, and self advancement takes priority, that value steadily increases to a point where everything will fail internally. Competition forces out the weaker corporations and monopolies will eventually form cornering the market in whatever commodity is being produced. To a point, capitalism will no longer be a free market and government is going to step in to take over.
1. Sweet
ReplyDelete2. California Work Program for Young is Threatened
3. Malia Wollan
4. The New York Times
5. February 7, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Durkheim,
Do to the circumstances in today’s economy; many people are losing their jobs. This is a reality for many to face and struggle with the responsibilities of everyday living. Even many of the big corporations and companies are going through budget crisis. This is true for the California Conservation Corps, the country’s largest and oldest work program for mostly hard-luck teenagers and young adults, on the chopping block. A hard decision has to be made in which the program will be eliminated and as a consequence, many of this young adults will be jobless and opportunities will be taken away from them in order to succeed and accomplish their dreams one day. Certainly many people have suffer at some point or another from existential crisis and people that feel their dream of succeeding in life will be gone, might be more prone to suffer from this. Been in a position in which you feel hopeless, like many of these young adults should feel, since their options to work for a hard future are limited, might force you to do irrational things like taking your life away since they might feel their life is purposeless. This will be an example of egoistic suicide, in which ties attaching the individual to others in the society are weak. Since the individual is only weakly integrated into the society, their suicide will have little impact on the rest of the society. In other words, there are few social ties to keep the individual from taking their own life. And they might feel that their presence in life is worthless so they might as well take their life away.
DanteBelante
ReplyDeleteFlorida’s unemployment hits 16-year high
Marcia Heroux Pounds
South Florida Sun Sentinel
11:14 AM EST, January 23, 2009
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-december-unemployment-0123,0,643976.story
Florida’s unemployment has reached a 16 year high. The article indicates that the majority of the lost jobs are amongst labor intensive jobs and in the lower income areas of the state. Marx’s concept of The Division of Labor and application of Conflict Theory are useful mechanisms for understanding this trend from a social point of view as well as predicting a possible result of the trend. The modern day Proletariat are not only being funneled into the manual labor jobs but are further being oppressed by having those jobs be first on the chopping block during economic crisis. Economically marginalized persons are further being denigrated and are being portrayed as a disposable mechanism to help combat economical depression. Rather than there being a trickle down effect creating equal cuts to all levels of employment, the bottom of the food chain is simply being cut and as they are the cogs of the Capitalist machine their removal may result in a failure of that machine. This issue may be seen as the social catalyst that will stimulate the working class to fight off their invisible hand and revolt making their grievances and marginalization visible. Perhaps the beginning of the transition from Capitalism to Communism is about to unfold and the persons once seen as simply pieces of a larger machine will become the tools by which the social and economical structure is rebuilt.
Tigers219
ReplyDeleteBlessed Be the Newsmakers
A new business model for the press: Declare itself a religion.
Stephen Bates
Slate.com
Feb. 11, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2210912/?from=rss
Marx:
The transformation of the press into a religion would be a substantial breakthrough in today’s bureaucratic society. Since the press is no longer earning profits for the newspapers, they need money to fund their projects. Some have suggested asking for donations from different companies, and others look to charge people an online fee. One way to overcome most of the fees would be to convert them into a religion. Becoming a religion would create a loophole for the press. It would allow them to portray their views of self-government on the people, without paying dues to the government. As a religion, they would be able to fulfill what they want to do, and not have to worry about capitalism. As a religion the press would receive tax benefits that would be a significant amount, and help funding. Receiving tax benefits would be considered to be help from the government, but then again it would be fighting against them. Turning the press into a form of religion would be a beneficial move for the press, and it would only be finishing what they are already becoming.
Shooting Star
ReplyDeleteEthiopia Facing World's 'Most Urgent' Food Crisis
by Nicholas Benequista
CommonDreams.org
September 4, 2008
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/09/04-10
Over time societies will grow in size causing resources to be scarce. Many societies are being affected economically hence affecting those like Ethiopia. With pure understanding one could see that those who populate Ethiopia are not at fault for their condition, where they are facing the "most urgent" food crisis. They are in drought not allowing them to grow their own own hence having them to get food imported which has quintupled in cost. Only a few in Ethiopia could survive this being that they have had only double digit growth in the past five years. Only the wealthiest in this case the strongest will succeed by demolishing the weakest. For one they could buy the only food that is left, and second 75,000 children are said to die of starvation and in this case they are the weakest because they are dependent. Ethiopia is asking for an extra 140 million, the main problem is that problems are arising all over the world causing more people to ask for help. Since people who have money are trying to hold on to every penny they have they are not distributing much and as a matter of fact are holding out and people are losing jobs. It's a chain of events because society is linked.
All these arising problems will arise in people committing acts of suicide. People are increasingly becoming stressed and isolated because of their economical problems. In Ethiopia people probably feel invisible, as if no one cares because less people are offering aid. Worldwide extreme hunger is arising as a society everyone needs together and compromise for a solution.
psalmbird
ReplyDeleteIran's Revolution turns 30
John Simpson
BBC News
February 10, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7881635.stm
Iran, once a primitive society characterized by its government, celebrates more than liberation; its a celebratory transition of a modern society. Hundreds of people filled the streets celebrating in remembrance of February 1979. For Iranians, their religion, rituals and routines have kept them grounded in these trying times. Today clearly symbolizes their ability of integration. Chants of their national anthem could be heard, echoing their strength and beliefs that are shared among them. The Iranian flag waved in the air uniting Iranians of young and old together. Two-thirds of Iran's population of 70 million are under the age of 25. While many of the attendees were too young or not alive when the revolution took place, the crowd was filled with many eager and supportive young people. One young man was seen wearing a Dolce and Gabbana jacket, with a spiked punk hair style. The young man exemplifies Iran's transition into a modern society. The youth no longer perform the same tasks or jobs as their parents; nor do they hold the same perspectives on life. Their change has come.
2."California Work Program for Young is Threatened"
ReplyDelete3.Malia Wollan
4.The New York Times
5.February 7, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
Marx
California is suffering from a large economic crisis of a $42 billion deficit. The reason the California Conservation Corps is now being threatened is because of the conflict that exists regarding scarce money. The existence of the organization is based solely on whether or not it can be afforded. When there was not a deficit, the organization was not questioned or threatened.
This conflict is also visible in the social classes themselves. The middle/upper classes are the ones creating economic and political policies, which are the ones proposing the cut of these programs. Coincidentally, the Corps is a program that created jobs for the underprivileged urban youth (lower class). Marx's theory remains just as relevant and alive.
Members of the community have organized already and are educating others about the validity and importance of the program, and are also educating on why the program is trying to be cut. Education and community building are the two necessary components for social change to occur, according to Marx, which is initiated by inequality.
I understand that when there is a limited amount of resources (in this case money), where the money is spent needs to be addressed, evaluated, and cuts will most likely need to be made. But what is a consistent pattern is that programs or areas that are always cut during budget crisis are those where the working class are affected. This shows the gap that exists between classes, something less apparent when things are going "well."
Marisa
ReplyDeleteGreen Jobs Multiplying
By Ariel Schwartz
Greenbiz.com
Feb. 10, 2009
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/02/10/green-jobs-growing-us-around-world
Marx:
Conflict is the engine of progress. A social force must take place in order to bring about change. This is exactly what is occurring now. Now that our world is going through rough times financially and our resources are being limited it is now that we must come up with new and improved solutions to solve our worries. Many countries are expecting these new green jobs to take us out of recession. The problem is who is actually capable of being employed. Not only is this a problem but also some employers offer wages beneath the poverty wage standard of $10.19 an hour in household income for a family of four. And this goes hand-in-hand with my idea that workers are alienated from the profits of their labor. Although green they are not always good jobs, and the worker is not able to gain much profit out of his/her work.
1. mokibear
ReplyDelete2. Google Taking a Step Into Power Metering
3. Matthew Wald and Miguel Helft
4. The New York Times
5. 12//9/09
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/technology/companies/10grid.html?_r=1
Google is taking a step in an undeveloped market to gain control and sharing its new product with the public. It states that the company will allow the public free access to PowerMeter, a service that follows energy consumption. This is going to improve the economy, but in terms of who has access to it. Free is a general term, free for one person may not be free to another. In our society, classes are not equal and resources are certainly not, the economy is owned and organized through those with the means to control. Who has this power? Those whom can use this service are limited to those who have technology and the salary to have internet access as well. Not everyone has the ability to gauge their electricity use or worry about their plug-in hybrid cars.
Myrtle
ReplyDeleteUS economy plan 'compromise' near
No author listed
BBC News
02/11/2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/7884537.stm
This article discusses the new "compromise" stimulus package that President Obama has been urging Congress to pass. This stimulus package, though not as large as Obama initially planned, will go a long way in easing the burden of the working class, who have suffered a great deal in the current economic climate. I must commend the President, as well as Congress, for taking such steps to improve the lives of the average American, but I cannot help but think that this is little more than a band-aid on a much deeper wound.
Seeking to "fix" the economy will do little, because our capitalist system is outdated and growing increasingly dysfunctional. Certainly, it served its purpose for a time, but we are in a new era, one which demands sweeping change. This is not the first time we have found ourselves in such an economic predicament, and we cannot fool ourselves into thinking it will be the last.
This stimulus package is proof that Americans are dissatisfied with laissez-faire capitalism. It is only a matter of time before they realize that a new system, one that ensures the liberty of all Americans, is in order, and unite to make it a reality. President Obama's election alone is proof of the power of all Americans, regardless of class, to make positive change. This economic crisis is the people's opportunity to put that power to the test.
Minkoko
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Work Program for Young Is Threatened
Malia Wollan
NYTimes.com
February 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?_r=1
The concept of social class and social structure are crucial in developing capitalism. Specifically, classes are defined through the understanding of work and labor, as well as means of production. This article demonstrates a clear division of those social classes. In the article, most of the workers who face the danger of losing their jobs are “hard-luck teenagers and young adults,” or what Marx would classify as members of the proletariat class. Since these workers have no property, their only means of survival and providing for themselves and their family are through their hands and labor. If these workers were to lose their jobs, they could very well sink down to the class that Marx calls ‘Lumpenproletariat’, the dangerous class that society chooses to ignore and disregard.
1. Cuda05
ReplyDelete2. "The Smell of Death"
3. Rod Norland
4. Newsweek
5. Jan 19, 2009
6. http://www.newsweek.com/id/180483
Durkheim:
The oppression of the Palestinian people, especially in the area of Gaza, is driving people to altruistic suicide. The Israeli army is currently under an operation in Gaza where they are carrying out air strikes as well as ground attacks. The people of Palestine’s homes are being occupied and/or demolished by these Israeli soldiers and because of the oppression they are being driven to altruistic suicide. Since in this society, collective needs of the community are put before the needs of the individual (in this case, the suicide bomber), the individual deems it necessary to end his or her own life for the better good of society. They feel it will bring about social change and give the Palestinian people what they have been wanting- national recognition as a legal state and defined boundaries for their country.
AIR888
ReplyDeleteZimbabwe PM pledges 'new chapter'
BBC News
02/11/08
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7884282.stm
In this article, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe’s states that he wants to get the country back to work and end the violence within his country. Although it is controversial whether this leader is trustworthy, his statements reflect an intent to bring about social change. Marx would recognize that Tsvangirai, being a new leader, may be intellectual elite that would be the catalyst for the conflicted groups in Zimbabwe to redistribute power and settle in the name of peace. Maybe this man will guide his people to take their own country in to their own hands and move into a period of needed social change. Promises of brotherhood are promising, but much depends on the few elite leaders. If they use their power in government in the right way, much may improve admits the turmoil and Zimbabwe could progress through the phases towards communism. Also, basic humanitarian needs need to be address so that the citizens of that country can focus on finding their own essence.
Peaches
ReplyDeleteSuicide Victim May Have Hidden Millions Abroad
Lynnley Browning
New York Times
September 16, 2009
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/suicide-victim-may-have-hidden-millions-abroad/?scp=5&sq=suicide&st=cse
Durkheim:
“…In an instant he was gone— his privileged life ended, by his own hand, with a single gunshot to the head.” In the explanation of Finn M. W. Caspersen’s death it can only be described as social phenomena that developed from the social causes surrounding Mr. Caspersen. Caspersen suffered for many years from kidney cancer and it only worsened as he neared the day of his suicide. He put his estate up for sale for $10.9 million and was relinquishing prestigious titles he held as he steered away from other philanthropic. By the narrative presented above it could be seen Caspersen taking an altruistic approach in order to spare his family because he can no longer benefit society due to his illness. To continue, another underlying cause of Caspersen’s suicide was the fact he had millions of dollars stored away in offshore accounts and owed over $100 million in back taxes. As the IRS was closing in on him he could not bear the stresses of life and decided to take it instead. Caspersen demonstrated a fatalistic approach as the oppression of society’s rules on taxes attacked him. In a short period of time Caspersen’s level of high integration became overcome by high integration which proved fatal due to his social environment.
1. Mohawke
ReplyDelete2. "California Struggles With Paroled Sex Offenders."
3. Solomon Moore
4. The New York Times
5. September 26th, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/us/27parole.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us
As Durkheim:
This article addresses one of the significant signs of the shift to organic solidarity. The weaker collective consciousness by comparison to America's pioneering years has led to the usage of restitutive laws rather than repressive ones. In colonial America, these sexual offenders would have been promptly tried by their community members and given swift, severe punishment for their actions. Public hanging or shunning would not be uncommon. Today however, restitutive laws have created the concept of parole, whereby prisoners who may have behaved well in prison are allowed to live outside of those walls with less supervision. These changes in society's laws confirm the belief that solidarity as well as collective consciousness ideals have altered.
The ways in which the prisoners are detailed leads me to wonder if my theory on suicide can be also applied to parolees. It seems that many of these parolees experience a form of anomie, wherein their alienation from society due to their deviance may affect their decisions to repeat offenses. In the case of the parolees who returned to the streets and harassed prostitutes or kidnapped underage females, there was clearly very low regulation of their activities by their parole officers, due in part to their sheer numbers. This coupled with the fact that they were released from prison to roam freer than if they were inside may have created confusion in what was expected of them. A loss of their identity as an inmate led to confusion and an inability to assimilate back into regular society, leaving their old habits as an easier option.
1.mother
ReplyDelete2.More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation
3.Libby Quaid
4.Yahoo! News; Association Press
5.September 27, 2009
6.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/ap_on_re_us/us_more_school
Durkheim,
The United States is largely represented by an organic solidarity. Higher degrees of specialization make it necessary for children to receive formal education through the school systems. The initial education that students receive in grade school provides a substantial base for further education that is important for the specialization that keeps the US at a competitive level with other nations that are also characterized by organic solidarity. However, collective conscious, as it is tied to beliefs of the government, is a lot weaker than it would be if it were connected by mechanisms found in mechanical solidarity such as religion. As a result, citizens are less likely to accept changes in the education system that will force more hours of studying upon the children. It is also possible that these increase pressures from material and non-material social facts may lead to an increase in fatalistic suicide.
Lucas
ReplyDeleteSmuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries
Elisabeth Rosenthal
New York Times
September 28, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Recycling waste is very costly. These unrecylced materials are very hazardous to our environment and to people’s health. European countries were found to be sending illegal waste hidden with legal waste to poorer countries. There is great risk placed on peoples health because if waste not recycled or disposed of in a environmentally friendly way water and air is being polluted. European countries are looking out for their social interest and their social position by reducing cost and pollution and sending waste to poorer countries. Since European countries are more economically affluent they are more powerful. Their social interest is costing African and other people in poorer countries their well-being. This is an example of social inequality; the poor countires are given a lesser value due to their social status.
Lucas
ReplyDeleteSmuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries
Elisabeth Rosenthal
New York Times
September 28, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
Recycling waste is very costly. These unrecylced materials are very hazardous to our environment and to people’s health. European countries were found to be sending illegal waste hidden with legal waste to poorer countries. There is great risk placed on peoples health because if waste not recycled or disposed of in a environmentally friendly way water and air is being polluted. European countries are looking out for their social interest and their social position by reducing cost and pollution and sending waste to poorer countries. Since European countries are more economically affluent they are more powerful. Their social interest is costing African and other people in poorer countries their well-being. This is an example of social inequality; the poor countires are given a lesser value due to their social status.
1.Footlocker
ReplyDelete2. Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries
3. Elisabeth Rosenthal
4. The New York Times
5. 26 September 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
According to Marx:
The idea of European countries selling their waste illegally to poorer countries in Asia and Africa is a quintessential example of class struggles. The poorer countries can be considered the proletariat, the working class poor, while the rich countries (who can afford to through perfectly good electronics out by the millions of tons) are the Bourgeoisie. The governments of those countries accepting E-waste and other smuggled in waste products for “recycling” or dismantling are using the unaware proletariat for their labor. Many of these workers who spend hours each day dismantling computers and other electronics in unsafe/unregulated conditions are kept almost completely unaware that they are being exposed to highly dangerous toxins for pennies per day. While the people recognize they are getting sick and their children are being born with deformities, the government preaches that if they work hard, all will be okay. This is a more modern day version of the Catholic Church’s hold on the proletariat’s work ethic in my day.
While recognizing the need for change is a step in the right direction, the proletariat must become aware that their circumstances can change and they must work to change them. The land-owners and government who control the ports and the dismantling shops where the smuggled goods are brought in and worked on have the power to control the distribution of the wealth in society, and they do. While the government officials and landowners live in nice homes with good food and water, the laborers are not paid enough to provide solid shelter and clean food and water for their families because they live in the same areas where the toxins are being released into the environment.
Revolution will result from these dire environmental circumstances when the pauperization of the proletariat continues and grows to the point of starvation. Smuggling is being stopped more and more at the export end of the deal; as less tons are exported into China, the laborer will become worth less and less because there will be less work available and more people ready to take any job available. The proletariat will rise up against this and strike and demand more, when they finally become aware that their circumstances are a-typical.
Greece
ReplyDeleteDoes poverty make people obese, or is the other way around?
Daniel Engber
Slate
September 28, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2229523/?from=rss
Marx:
Even something so personal as obesity is said to be linked to one's social class. The proletariat or working class are more likely to be obese because food options are limited in poor neighborhoods. Low income workers have less time to cook their own meals and are not financially able to join sports clubs or gyms. Being obese can make you sick which in turn can make you poor through hospital bills and missed days of work. Being poor is linked to both obesity and sickness. The "health-wealth" gradient refers to the general rule that the richer you are the healthier you are. Thus money brings one health. The "girth-wealth" gradient is the general rule that socioeconomic status and body size are inversely related. The reciprocal relationship between being poor and being in poor health is so ingrained into society that universal healthcare will not be able to counteract the effects of capitalism in the United States. Princeton economist Angus Deaton concluded that a direct redistribution of wealth might be an efficient way to improve the health of the poorest Americans. Where would this wealth come from? The bourgeoisie are unlikely to give up their wealth to improve the status of the proletariat when they have the power to control the distribution of wealth. Only the laboring poor whose health is at stake can revolt and make a change in their own lives. Action must be taken to improve their status in the world of capitalism where the upper class enjoys the perks of wealth, health, and thin bodies.
1. Speedy
ReplyDelete2. Schools Promote Waste-Free Lunches
'Trash talk' takes on new meaning as more schools promote waste-free programs
3. Karen Ann Cullotta
4. Commondreams.org
5. September, 28,2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/28-5
Durkheim
Stowe Elementary School students are being taught moral rules and social integration through the waste-free lunch program movement. Students are learning how to better the environment and make less of a carbon footprint in order to better their lives and the lives of others. The waste-free lunch program movement has been implemented for the whole school and even the parents are being integrated by being asked to send their kids to lunch with reusable lunchboxes and less pre-packaged food. The uniform look around the lunchroom is less plastic bags and more reusable containers. Student “cadets” watch over and help out their fellow students by participating in the sorting ritual after every meal. One child was even called the recycling king, a true leader who other students looked up to. The school has established a set of shared beliefs and has then taught the students how to apply those beliefs in the lunchroom. The school itself provides the single overarching moral community in which to have the waste-free lunch program movement.
Students have mutually bonded over these collective rituals of sorting their recyclables, trash, and compost materials after every lunch meal. Just like a religion, the waste-free lunch program movement integrates the students into an eco-friendly society. The collective rituals of the waste-free lunch movement bond the students, teachers, and parents, making them feel good about doing the right thing for the environment. They all become attached to these beliefs and carry them out Monday through Friday in the ceremony of school lunch time. Participating in the waste-free lunch strengthens their collective beliefs, morals, and bonds to one another.
1.Banana
ReplyDelete2.Smuggling Europe’s Waste To Poorer Countries
3.Elisabeth Rosenthal
4.The New York Times
5.26 September 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
Poor countries and their people have been paying the price for industrialization for decades now. Europe and its bourgeois are not the only places and people guilty of dumping their trash all over the proletariat; this is the epitome of the class struggle. The rich are not concerned with the plight of the poor and if they can just get rid of their problems by sending them somewhere else, why not? The people of China, Indonesia, Africa and India suffer because disposing of this electronic waste properly is far too expensive for the people of more developed countries. In addition, it is not the only the European countries or American that stand to profit from dumping our problems on other people. China for example wants the materials so they use their poor to dismantle the machinery and the poor suffer greatly, not only are they not paid enough but they are exposed to extremely hazardous materials and waste.
The poor of these countries need to realize that they are being used by their own people and by more developed nations. They need to see that the pennies they are being paid are not worth the risks and they need to rise up and attempt to create change for themselves. In addition, countries like China and Africa need to take a stand against these countries and not allow their people to be so abused by the bourgeois. Revolution will only occur when the proletariat rise up and reject their false consciousness.
1. Howard
ReplyDelete2. “U.S. Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record Ratio”
3. Peter S. Goodman
4. N.Y. Times
5. September 26, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/business/economy/27jobs.html?_r=1
Marx:
The excessive amount of people in need of a job far exceeds the amount of job opportunities that are available. This issue affects people in different ways based on their social class. I, Karl Marx, believe class dynamics shape the organization of socio-economic life. The people who are financially struggling during this economic crisis are making changes in their lives. On the other hand, the bourgeois are not feeling the impact in such a significant way, and therefore, are not feeling same motivation to make changes in their daily lives. This conflict between the proletariats and the bourgeois clearly displays how the laboring class is the vehicle to transform society.
As we can see with Debbie Kransky, the markets determine not only the value of goods and services but also the value of labor. Due to the fact that so many companies are not making good profit, the company’s workers are seen as lesser value. These companies ultimate goal is to make money and when they do not feel someone will bring that to the table they are not likely to give the person a chance. Therefore, these companies are causing people just like Kransky to lose their job, spend all their savings, and live month to month. This is the way in which markets have overtaken the course of our lives.
On the other hand, people with jobs are forced to obey certain rules and regulations to only do what they are told and hired to do. This, in turn, changes people into robots that perform functions not based on their actual intelligence or creativity, but instead to only use the part of themselves that are necessary to accomplish tasks the way in which is demanded of them. People, such as Vicki Redican, have the ability to do some much with their talents but are struggling to just pay the bills. They are being put in positions where they are taking a job just for the sole fact that it brings income. We wonder when the day will come where making money will just be a bonus to a wonderful job opportunity.
mnk86
ReplyDelete"Apple's hypocritical move to block competitors from accessing its software."
Farhad Manjoo
Slate Magazine
September 28, 2009
htt://www.slate.com/id/2229856/?from=rss
Marx:
Apple's hypocrisy as an economic power is representative of the bourgeoisie. Apple's focus is on owning the means of production for their technology. In the sense of free competition, the Palm should be able to synchronize with Apple products and allow the consumer a greater market. But Apple is tirelessly working to refute any efforts made by Palm to associate with Apple products. Apple is the clearly dominant power in terms of computer and music-sharing techonology, but it represents worker alienation from the product of its labor. Apple's competitiveness with Palm is hypocritical when Apple has worked with Microsoft in the past. And without this help from Microsoft, Apple would not have been marketable to various consumer groups. Now when it is Apple's turn to allow another company access and broaden their marketing base, Apple refuses.
In considering Apple, as the worker, in relation to its product, Apple is clearly estranged. This is a weakness of capitalism where this bourgeois power is only focused on profit instead of creating a more satisfactory and useful product. In this situation, Apple is alienated from its product by seeing its labor as only a means to an end, a focus on profit instead of sharing their technology and the means of production. Apple is a massive capitalist power that manipulates the market solely based on how to procure the greatest profit with no concern for their actual product or for the masses.
K94
ReplyDelete"Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries"
Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times
September 26th, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Weber:
Societies continue to show how they will use the different characteristics of rationality throughout everyday life. The richer countries of Europe exporting their waste to other poorer countries are showing that they are trying to maintain a sense of efficiency. Instead if choosing to deal with the waste themselves the countries with more money can instead send their waste to other countries to deal with. This is the most efficient method for them since they then do not have to worry about spending any time, thought, or man power dealing with the waste once it is gone. They are also sending this waste away to control predictability in their lives. They want to know that they can continue to live in clean and comfortable environments that do not have large dump sites as eye sores in the community they live in. This also overlaps with the idea control of uncertainties. By sending the waste away they are trying to maintain the way of life people in richer communities are used to living instead of making them deal with the amount of waste they are producing but no longer have a place to put. By sending this waste away European countries can be sure to maintain the predictability and efficiency they expect out of their everyday lives, or so they think.
tundra
ReplyDeleteFord Goes Lightweight With Alternative Materials
GreenerDesign Staff
greenbiz.com
9-29-09
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/09/29/ford-goes-lightweight-alternative-materials
Weber
In an effort to remain a business, Ford has decided to invest in technologies that are more green. They hope to stay in their iron cage of rationality by adjusting their marketing to include a new group. With the widespread knowledge about environmental risks and cars' impact on that, Ford has attempted to take measures to have control over uncertainties. The only way to stay in business is to have people who want to buy their product, so a change was in order. By reaching out to fulfill more people's needs in a vehicle, they will increase their audience. This decision was likely made after a number of market research studies to help quantify the public into something more calculable. Weber would agree this is typical of a capitalist business plan.
1. Skittles
ReplyDelete2. Guinea Protest ‘will continue’
3. No author listed
4. BBC News
5. Sept 29, 2009
6. http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/oppressed
It is unnatural to be content in a society in which a human’s social interests are not in harmony with those that control the laws and politics that govern one’s life. More so, it is not natural for one to be indefinitely content in a society that does not meet its basic human needs. Based on these two intuitive assumptions the rebellion that is currently going on in Guinea Africa is nothing short of necessary in order to evoke change that will meet the social needs of the exploited.
I once theorized that change will ensue once there is an awareness of inequality among two groups in a society. Although the crisis that now occurs in Guinea does not necessarily involve a clash between the bourgeoisies and the proletariats, it is apparent that my blueprint for revolt remains intact. As the civilians of Guinea penetrate deeper and deeper into class consciousness and become more and more aware of the inequalities that they are oppressed by, they become more induced to protest. At long last the ideas have finally turned into action. It was Inevitable that class consciousness would ignite a response against the government and its unfair election process. The government, however, only resorts to using their military to annihilate and oppress this group. This tactic used by the government is comparable to tactics used by the bourgeoisies: treat the inferior group as though they are disposable. The proletariats are reduced to a commodity, therefore they are threatened with the notion that they can easily be replaced and left without a way to earn money. Likewise the civilians of Guinea are reduced to just another “casualty” and are threatened by the weaponry of the military. Fighting against this government that has more than enough power to promote its own self interest is an uphill battle but the civilians realize that they “can’t retreat now” as do not have much to lose and plenty to gain.
codeword
ReplyDeleteChicago police seek 3 more in teen's death
Mallory Simon
CNN.com
9/29/09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/29/chicago.teen.beating/index.html
Durkheim:
“The collective ideal which religion expresses is far from being due to a vague innate power of the individual, but it is rather at the school of collective life that the individual has learned to realize” (92).
For the event that a group of young men are able to beat and kill a boy of sixteen years, analysis proves importance. All that religion affects washes out the norms of secular society; it redefines and creates a morality unique to its particular advantage. What could possess teenagers, boys, to viciously murder? Religion. Collectivity. Culture. This group, so thoroughly representing “The Ville,” participated in a cultural collectivity that demonstrated the most “autonomous source of action:” (92) the social ideals fused together by the indoctrination of a gang, a community, a history.
The law-abiding citizen would not be able to stomach what four have been prosecuted for, for what three more are being searched for: the motiveless murder of a teenaged boy on his way home from school. However, gang violence highlights collective representations in the same light that many non-violent cultures do. The screams by ‘us’ overplay those of ‘them.’ We are better, stronger, more righteous. We have reason, we have numbers. A color instills a pride. A symbolic object or tattoo strikes our awareness, our appreciation. The rise of a weapon triggers an automatic apathy. The familiar setting compliments our confidence… Collectively we represent a strong, gang culture. The logic is infallible…
1. Seymour
ReplyDelete2. 'Modern Slave' Migrants Toil in Italy's Tomato Fields
3. Silvia Aloisi
4. Reuters
5. September 29, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/29-5
Marx:
In southern Italy workers are suffering under the effects of capitalism. During times of economic hardship immigrant workers travel to southern Italy in order to find work in the tomato fields. The authorities allow these illegal immigrants to work due to the benefits that they bring to the economy with their cheap labor. However, the standard of living for these workers is abysmal. The availability of basic resources or materials, such as shelter and clean water, is scarce. The value of the worker is quantified into how many tomatoes he/she can pick and the value of the worker is determined by the value of the tomatoes. The relationship between the laborer and the labor is transformed into an objective relationship in which quantity determines value. This commoditization of human labor is a direct result of capitalism.
The objectification of the laborer results in the estrangement of labor. Alienation occurs on multiple levels, between worker and himself, worker and others, worker and product, and from the act of labor itself. The worker loses species being, loses his humanity, since his labor is controlled by outside forces with no room for creativity or autonomy. The worker also becomes interchangeable with others since his labor is transformed into a commodity. Alienation occurs between the worker and the product since the worker lacks control over the product after production. In this case those who pick the tomatoes, the illegal immigrants, are alienated from the tomatoes in that the finished product is often used in restaurants, the likes of which the workers are not able to afford. With the low pay and long hours with no rewards other than insufficient pay the illegal immigrants lack satisfaction with the work they are performing, their alienation from the work itself. The alienation that occurs is result of the objectification of the laborers and labor.
The poor conditions seen in southern Italy and experienced by the illegal immigrants show the devaluation of laborers as separate from the labor itself. Under capitalism these poor conditions persist due to the benefits that they bring to the economy. This commodity fetishism, where social relationships are reduced to relationships between commodities, is a negative affect of capitalism. The workers in southern Italy are aware of their poor position; however, until they decide to rise up significant change will not occur. The acknowledgment of the need for change is not enough for change to occur but rather those oppressed the workers, need to force change.
1. GraffitiDrk
ReplyDelete2. US Accepts Hamid Karzai as Afghan Leader Despite Poll Fraud Claims
3. Gilles Whittell
4. CommonDreams.org
5. Sept 29, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/29-4
Marx:
Social interest is determined by class status. Hamid Karzai is one of the elite by having earned the title of Afghan Leader he is not in an extent of control. Therefore although, the United States has discovered the fact that the polls that elected him were fradulent since he has the majority of support it outweighs the fact that he cheated. The only way change can happen is if a great amount of support was placed behind this issue to force a re-vote in which a strict assesment of votes should be taken, or even a revolt of the people is the only thing that can cause government change. For now the elitest will strive, unless the proletariat class rises to overthrow the Govt. and restablish a govt. that fullfils their necessities.
- Hiatus
ReplyDelete- “Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries”
- Elisabeth Rosenthal
- NYT – Environment
- September 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
I must start with a confession: I was wrong…sort of. During my lifetime, I had foreseen our economic stage on the peak of an evolutionary transformation from the capitalist to the communist. I was working in a context very different from today’s, and there is no way that I could have predicted the exponentially rapid development of advanced technology that allowed for globalization. In this globalization, the world order is dominated by an increasingly unjust, unequal, and more powerful elite minority. The rise of the “middle class” was a post-industrial façade that was allowed solely to create a false consciousness within the proletariat. They are told to believe in opportunity and meritocracy by those that have mostly only “merited” their elite status by being born to rich parents. The advent of global capitalism has simply increased the income gap between the rich and the poor, providing a greater consolidation of power to a smaller bourgeoisie than ever before.
“Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries” is a perfect example of how globalization has turned domestic class struggles into international hypocrisy. The richest of the rich among countries set “higher” environmental standards on proper waste disposal, yet turn right around and break their own rules by sending this dangerous and hazardous Western waste off to developing countries that have lower dumping standards (who are desperate for money and willing to do more to make it). This way, the bourgeoisie nations can claim the moral/ethical/environmental high-ground while taking advantage of the vast power/economic (same thing in capitalism?) dominance they hold over developing nations. Ironically, while these proletariat nations may be more willing to deal with our Western waste, they are also less equipped to handle these hazards, creating a much greater and more imminent danger. The bourgeoisie knows this, but uses this as a mechanism to keep the proletariat in check.
Capitalism will still fall…but I’m sorry this transition is taking this long. The bourgeoisie are a talented bunch, and they have adapted and manipulated their retention of power with a great mastery of deception. The recent global economic crisis is only further proof that we are in a failing system, and more and more of the proletariat are buying into this every single day. They must become and stay aware of the false consciousness of entrepreneurship and opportunity and realize that they are on the bottom rung of the economic ladder not due to their own failures, but rather because of their exploitation by a greedy global oligarchic bourgeoisie.
Shorty
ReplyDeleteBuild a Better Bulb for a $10 Million Prize
ERIC A. TAUB and LEORA BROYDO VESTEL
The New York Times
September 24, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/technology/25bulb.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Durkheim:
The fact that the invention of a reinvented light bulb is severely in need shows the transformation to a more modern organic society that in which Durkheim believed in. The move to a more modern light bulb displays the breakdown in the division of labor for people to perform a more specialized task in meeting the needs and expectations of the most popular used type of light bulb. Overtime it seems as if society has grown and the 60-watt light bulb has become very inefficient. The pressure is now on to come up with a new creation of a more sufficient light bulb that would decrease the scarcity of resources.
As society evolves to become more modern, the light bulb has an increase for improvement and the companies which can be referred to a the division of laborers are seeking out to produce organic solidarity based on the companies that enter into the contest to display their product as being the upcoming most efficient 60-watt light bulb. Because our society is marked by large vast companies, each industry has come up with a different version of the light bulb in which they think will be the best and these industries are fulfilled by different individuals that create unique structures of the same product to represent their company.
The idea of Collective Conscience can be represented by the different networks and companies that entered into the contest as a group; sharing a collection of ideas and not singling the ideas as one individual knowing all the ideas. I believe too, that this idea and notion of their must be an underlying system of collective values and beliefs to guide people interaction in the pursuit of collective goals, is comparable by the fact that the contest was created on the basis as a system to create a new structure while also adding value in the sum of money for the prize winner of the contest as well as immense power through having guaranteed contracts. Overall, the scientific aspect and knowledge of light bulbs should be used to guide social reform in representing a significant way to save energy. The objective is to employ the new longer lasting lighting device of compact LED bulbs will give explanations and hold industrialization together over time.
Rainpda
ReplyDelete'Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water'
Todd Woody
NY Times
September 29,2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/energy-environment/30water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: The only way that capitalists are going to be defeated is if the people become aware of their situations and create the change that they want to see. In this article there is a German company who wants to come into a commmunity and develop solar farms that would help the people use less energy. The problem with this is they want to use the water supply to do so. In this community there are farmers who live off of the land and use the water supply, if the company were to come in they would deplete the supply and take over. The community became aware of the situation and instead of allowing this company to come in and do what they wanted, they stood up and said no, this can not happen. The community rallied together and took the issue to their city council who took there side and argued that the company can't come in and use their resources. The people did not allow the big government to do what they wanted to do, they were aware of the situation and saw how it would affect them and they did something about it. They are not waiting on someone else to create change for them, they saw what needed to be done and they did it themselves.
Cat
ReplyDeleteIndia Outsourcing: Pay is Down, Competition is Up
Mehul Srivastava
Business Week
September 23, 2009
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/sep2009/gb20090923_316936.htm
Marx
Over the past couple decades, outsourcing labor has become a popular way for capitalists to decrease costs and increase profits of their products and even services. The United States has outsourced production mainly to China, India, and the Philippines. The proletariat in these countries are more disconnected from the fruits of their labor because they are creating products that will be used in a country thousands of miles away from their own. Capitalists have ignored the complaints of American citizens that outsourcing has drained job opportunities and broken local communities dependent on large factories. The American proletariat were alienated from their work, but nonetheless were dependent on their subsistence wages. The developing countries that provide cheaper labor are the capitalist’s playground. They do not care that workers in India and China are earning even less than their American counterparts and are even more distanced from the profits of their labor, the products of their labor, and other workers. Their species being has been lost in the powerful dynamics of international trade and corporations’ bottom lines. Currently, this alienation has become more emphasized due to the global recession. Laborers in developing countries, such as India, are living in a more competitive environment where they can be easily replaced if they are displeased with their decreasing pay. The capitalists in the developing countries and United States are working together to act in their own self-interest by suffocating human creativity and rendering the proletariat even more powerless.
ImSaari24
ReplyDeleteSmuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries
Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times
September 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
I chose to analyze and reflect on this particular article from the perspective of Karl Marx because it is a painstakingly clear example of how class dynamics continue to shape the organization of social life. Let me just get started by stating that Marx would be absolutely livid after being exposed to a simple news article of this magnitude. Wealthier countries (the “Bourgeois”) such as the United States and the Netherlands have been caught red-handed attempting to ship millions of tons of hazardous electronic waste and soggy household trash to poorer countries like Indonesia, India, Ghana, Egypt and Nigeria (the “Proletariat”) to avoid the high costs properly recycling or disposing it. Marx would likely suggest that the fate of humanity is in the hands of the people, and if we continue to cold-shoulder such massive issues as these, it will be no time at all before the capitalist system loses legitimacy. This loss could potentially lead to the capitalist destruction of the human essence, possibly resulting in a large-scale revolution. I could picture him using this news article to rile up the proletariat masses by telling them they are the only way to transform humanity for the better, without really knowing the consequences of a true communist system. Marx would likely be a little surprised to see the capitalist agenda still governing the majority of wealthy countries throughout the world, considering he suggested that capitalism had fully developed itself and society was ready to enter a new mode of communist production nearly 200 years ago…
RAWR!
ReplyDeleteGulabi Gang Comes to Delhi
Rajeev Tyagi
Mid-day.com
9/18/2009
http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/sep/180909-Gulabi-Gang-Pink-Sareers-Protest-BundelKhand-corruption-Delhi-news-Sampat-Pal.htm
Engels:
All over the world men dominate women through their better access to economic and social resources. Women have been excluded form the social sphere and consigned to a lower position in the home to ensure property rights are passed down to legitimate children. The economic dependency is especially apparent in Uttar Pradesh, India, where women are routinely starved, beaten, and otherwise abused because of their second class social status. However, a movement among the women of the region seeks to change things. The Gulabi Gang is a group of women demanding the overthrow of corrupt government officials and equal rights for women. The gang teaches women how to sew, work in agriltural fields, and do other sorts of labor so that they may support themselves. They also teach women how to defend themselves from men. The women of the Gulabi Gang carry pink sticks with which they beat men men who try to abuse them or other women. On September 17, 2009, the Gang rallied in Delhi, wearing their signature pink saris and demanding that their voices be heard and their demands met. They say that if they are not heard they will march on the winter session of Parliment. Though their uprising is not unsurprising in a country where half the population is subjugated, their methods will not create the equality they hope for. To truly stop the abuse and exploitation private property rights must be abolished. If their are no private property rights, there will be no need to subjugate women to make sure that a man may pass his land down to legitimate offspring. If land is owned communally, women will no longer be forced to marry for economic support and may stsnd on equal footing with their male counterparts.
Luna
ReplyDeleteWall Street Lower on Economic Unease
By Jack Healy
The New York Times
September 30th, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/business/01markets.html?hp
Marx:
It seems that people these days continue to believe that the economy is going to fix itself! This morning the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 110 points (1.1%). Not only is this bad in and of itself, but this also negated the value of many rising stocks purchased earlier this week. Also, economists have predicted that our unemployment rate will continue to rise to 9.8 percent, but the amount of jobs lost will slow to around 180,000. Economists think that's slow?!
One man, Mr. Saluzzi, even went so far as to state "You can't just keep pressing and hopin the market's going to go up every day."
Mr. Saluzzi is absolutely correct! Ideas alone are not enough to create change (especially with regards to the economy) in this world. What is necessary is a social interest due to class status. If only those hwo are most affected (those suffering from the high unemployment rate) would rise up and fight for economic equality! Even if someone had a theory regarding how to get America out of this economic downturn, a theory alone cannot creat change. Instead, a theory can be transformative if and only if peopel want to change society because of their oppressed social position. The laboring class is the vehicle needed to get us away from capitalism (whose extreme negative consequences we see every day) and toward communism! We need to stop the alientation and estrangement of our laborers and insead transition to a society where unemployment doesn't affect millions. That society is a community of sharers; that society involves communism.
1. Eastside
ReplyDelete2. Gore Vidal: ‘We’ll Have a Dictatorship Soon in the US’
3. Tim Teeman
4. Commondreams.org
5. September 30, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/30-4
Durkheim sought to develop a “positive science” of society where the goal was to learn about the “laws” of the social world. Solidarity is so important because there must be some level of unity among members of a society if it is to exist. We live in a society that is torn into sections of democrats, republicans, liberals, and bi-partisans. Unity exists only in diminutive forms within our society and only is expressed when egotistical interests are at stake. This article is from the perspective of one man and does not collectively express the opinion of the majority in our society, but this opinion could essentially translate into the attitude of the masses. He says: “One thing that I have always hated in my life is LIARS, and we live in a nation full of them.” A nation cannot be united if its members are not learning and abiding with the laws, essentially creating an atmosphere where we can learn and build one another up in a positive light.
The article also puts down religions, saying that it has “infected the political bloodstream, with America becoming corrosively isolationalist”. Durkheim believed that religion would act as a means through which to bring members of the society together not a means to tear society down. As we continue to murder every foundation of our society and ignore what should be our learning experiences, we will never gain the knowledge to shape the social reform that we desperately need.
OxMan
ReplyDeleteSmuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries
Elizabeth Rosenthal
September 26, 2009
NY Times
www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Karl Marx:
Globalization has advanced many aspects of life in the 21st century, but it has also created a new beast which I could not have imagined 200 years ago. The bourgeois/proletariat dichotomy is no longer restricted to large cities but has grown to such a massive scale that I can venture to say that whole clusters of countries can be deemed the bourgeois, as opposed to reserving this title for a handful of mid-level managers in Paris. From this global capitalist system, a select few countries have emerged as the bourgeois (all of Europe, The United States, etc.) and because it is economically beneficial, have disregarded the well-being of the less fortunate proletariat countries (China, India, and the African continent). As the article states, it is four times as expensive to properly dispose of harmful items in Europe than it is to pack them in a shipping container and send it all away to China. These poor countries are not fighting this injustice because as they are trying to catch up with the rest of the world, they are happy to have this inexpensive raw material, regardless of whether or not their children are handling rusty pipes and toxic chemicals. Because both ends of this trash chute are satisfied with the arrangement, we in the middle are left with the seemingly impossible task of closing it.
G8RGRLBB
ReplyDeleteThe Next Culture War
David Brooks
The New York Times
September 28, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/opinion/29brooks.html?_r=1
Marx,
The oppressive nature of the capitalist system disassociates American people from their personal moral beliefs and generates a strong materialism consciousness that destroyed the humanistic values that created a great nation. David Brooks discusses the need to unify as right and left wing, liberal and conservative, to reconstruct the foundation of American economic participation. The fundamentals of capitalism were never successful for the American people, in fact it was the bourgeois and aristocracy that flourished under the unregulated system the United States first employed. It was not until the subtle uprising of the proletariat workers that any reconstruction of economic policy was arranged. The flexibility of democracy allotted minor relief from the oppressive nature of capitalism but did not adequately provide for the release of the proletariat from their bondage to property.
Brooks’ article suggests a look into the fundamental principles of the American economy. The system has reduced people to their possessions or their careers and removed the creativity and passion from their lives. Without passion the only thing that separates man form the machine with which he works is the blood flowing through his veins.
1. love143
ReplyDelete2. Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries
3. Elisabeth Rosenthal
4. The New York Times
5. SEPTEMBER 26,2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27watse.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
I felt that this story was an excellent example of The Marx's cooncept on social class struggles. The issues discussed are that European countries are illegally selling their waste to the pooper countries of Asia and Africa. Unfortunately, this is a common situation seen amongst societies. The bigger and affluent countries of Europe know that they can excercise their advantages over those countries of lower social and political staus. From Marx perspective, the poorer countries are the proletariat and the Europeans countries are the Burgeoisie. The countries government that accept the "e-waste" use their proletariats for labor, and it is their job to dismantle and recyle the electronics in very poor and dangerous working conditions. The waste products that they are exoosed to have high levels of toxins and are causing birth defects and health problems within their families. They are kept unaware of the complications and consequences of their labor. It is up to the proletariat to become self-aware and understand that their circumstances must and CAN change. Those who are in charge of the wealth distribution are reaping the benefits while others are struggling to survive. Once the realization of their situation is established, a revolution will occur and the proletariat will strike.
M_Luther
ReplyDeleteAlternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need for Water
Todd Woody
The New York Times
September 29, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/energy-environment/30water.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx: Though small in scale, events such as this are what will eventually incite the Proletariat to overthrow the Bourgeoisie. Those in power seeking to improve their own lot at the cost of the poor have gone too far: seeking to monopolize a town’s water source, even changing the law to do so, to support their own financial gain is not going to be accepted by the workers. Using vast amounts of land to harness solar power, they ignore dry cooling methods in favor of wet cooling methods solely because of the increased profit margins. Their wet cooling methods, though cheaper, will consume 20% of the town’s drinkable water supply despite the law forbidding them to use drinkable water. All they see is profit, even if comes at the expense of the species being of other men. These plants will create jobs, jobs that will then be needed to afford the higher costs of water (which, as man is a material being, is necessary for his survival), water which may no longer be attainable through the wells that previously supplied it. These townsfolk will have to work in these solar power plants to survive, and in the name of profit, the workers’ species being will be denied. The workers won’t see the benefits of their labor without paying for it, nor will they see any profit from it apart from their labor value (which will likely be undervalued). Additionally, one’s true human nature cannot be expressed in a factory: all creativity is squashed in favor of performing a single repetitive task. Ultimately, instances such as these will show the proletariat that their plight is unfair; that they are being taken advantage of. When that happens, they shall rebel against the capitalist society that has oppressed them for so long, and overthrow it in favor of a more equitable society, a Communist one. Without the efforts of those in other locales, though, one single city will not overthrow an entire nation. They will need help from others in the same situation as them. The entire Proletariat class will need to combine together, and when it does, it shall be unstoppable. So to hasten forth that day, I say to you: workers of America, unite!
J32828
ReplyDeleteMichael Moore tells Democrats 'Find Your Spine' on Heath Care
Markham Heid
Common Dreams
September 30, 2009
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/09/30-3
Marx
The separation between classes has gone on for too long. The proletariat voices have been silenced throughout history, yet now they are speaking against their treatment. "The anger has been simmering beneath the surface" for the lower class. Resources have not been evenly distributed; resources such as health care and medicine. They are struggling to sustain life, while the capitalists have more than enough resources to share. The conflict is beginning to rise, and change will soon come. They are now beginning to realize that they have a voice, many are uniting behind one voice that stands out in the crowd.Michael Moore is the perfect example of a proletariat taking his voice and spreading it to the masses. He is nothing out of the ordinary, just a representative for millions around the nation whose voice has been silenced for too long.
The years of tragedy that have been allowed to happen because many could not afford treatment, this hurt and anger is beginning to shift the way many see their circumstance. They are beginning to realize that they are worth so much more than what their jobs pay them. With the knowledge and possible change on the way it is imperative for the proletariat to rise up and voice their opinions.
1. Charlie
ReplyDelete2. “A Primer on Racism”
3. Richard Thompson Ford
4. Slate
5. September 30, 2009
6. http://www.slate.com/id/2231002/pagenum/all/#p2
From Engel’s Point of View:
The article takes a look at how even though here in America we say we are all equal; there is still strong racism in the United States in just about every way of life. I see this as just another step in the development of the country. We went from treating the African American community as slaves, to letting them join the community but still segregated, to being allowed to chase any dream they have, going to college, taking higher positions in companies if they can prove they deserve the jobs, to today where those who have succeeded are fully welcome in the workforce and encouraging equality in the workplace. The article brings up several places where there is still not total equality among the African American community, such as communities, hiring in the workplace, and in sports where funding is necessary. This is a step system and we will eventually move to a completely equal relationship between all races in the United States. As long as property and land designate who is a made man in America it will be impossible for this race to be completely equal. White men have been in rule for quite some time. As the article mentions having Obama as a president is certainly a step in the right direction, continuing to have a proportion of African Americans reach their goals, but we cannot all be equal until there is not property and land to make the white man the superior race in the United States.
1. Bernie
ReplyDelete2. Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries
3. By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
4. The New York Times
5. September 26, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
This article is a good example of the power of the rich. Instead of class struggle in a nation, it can be seen worldwide. It is just like the rich to dump their trash in poorer countries. Europe can be compared to the bourgeoisie and the poorer countries like Africa, Asia and South America to the proletariat. It still holds that the richer class has more power to control the distribution of wealth in society. By Europe dumping wastes in poorer countries it proves that they are only concerned about themselves and their self interest. Less developed countries do not have the means to dispose of the waste and once it’s there, it’s not Europe’s problem anymore.
Technology has expanded greatly due to capitalism, as expected as well as mass production, however, who would have thought this would be a vehicle to create an even bigger gap between the high and low class? Europe has exercised its power over poorer countries and there is not much the poorer countries can do about it.
Not only is it polluting the environment, but it is also contaminating the people who live in those countries. The workers who pick through it picking out the salvageable parts are inhaling, touching and ingesting hazardous toxins.
This is an unfortunate situation that globalized capitalism has created but will hopefully gain some recognition to the fact that lower class oppression is observed in many aspects in society.
1.Seazer
ReplyDelete2.Alternative Energy Projects Stumble on a Need For Water
3.Todd Woody
4.The New York Times
5.09/29/2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/energy-environment/30water.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
As Karl Marx stated, humans are material beings and need materialistic objects to survive. As society continues to grow and become more advanced, people need more and more to satiate their greedy needs. When it comes to the distribution of these material things, and the economic power to obtain them, the wealthy class ultimately controls the means.
So in relation to Marx, I felt as if this article did a superb job of characterizing his sociological theories by describing a contemporary dilemma. The article dealt with the possibility of building two large solar energy farms in rural Nevada, however; this development would come at a price. Although the new solar farms would produce lots of energy and create hundreds of jobs, it would come at the price of consuming 1.3 billion gallons of water annually. So in regards to Marx, I felt as if this dilemma depicted problems of capitalism that he described and the greed that society has to obtain their material possessions. The solar energy and new jobs that the farms would provide symbolizes capitalism and its nature of striving for material wealth along with supply and demand. This need that society feels is evidently very strong because overall, people are willing to exchange an immense supply of precious natural resources in order to gain something that they truly do not need. This has actually sparked a war over who has the rights to such an enormous supply of water. Ultimately, the wealthy are in control of this supply. The public is divided between those who will profit from the sale of this water and the energy it will produce; the wealthy, and those who are concerned with its impact on the environment. This represents a conflict between the proletariat and the powerful ruling class. So the question is, how far will be go in order to fulfill our capitalistic desires, and will we do it even if it means possible destruction of the environment? Overall, I feel as if the answer is yes.
1.Bahamas
ReplyDelete2.Smuggling Europe's Waste to Poorer Countries
3.Elisabeth Rosenthal
4.The New York Times
5.September 27, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
Exporting waste illegally to poor countries has become a vast and growing international business— our social interests are determined by our social position, and nothing else. Europe shows no care or sympathy for the children that often dismantle construction debris containing toxic chemicals or the fact that burning the excess garbage causes pollution in the air and water and releases heat-trapping gases, which is linked to global warming. Europe only cares about their self interest and what’s the easiest, cheapest way to dispose of their garbage, nobody cares about the poor countries. The European countries are seen as the ruling class or bourgeoisie, and the other countries, such as China, Indonesia, India, and Africa, are seen as the working class or proletariat. Because of these other countries economic status, it is hard to put a stop to the illegal garbage dumping, which is an illustration of social inequality. The poorer countries are the ones that are suffering while the ruling class smuggle their waste illegally overseas.
anakin
ReplyDeleteHere’s why health care must be reformed
Posted by John L. Smith
http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/smith/Heres_why_health_care_must_be_reformed.html
9/30/09
Karl Marx
This article shows that our society is moving in the directiion of communism. The lower to lower-middle class are starting to realize that they are being denied certain rights that should be granted to everyone. And even people of more affluence are starting to realize the same. These people have started to exercize their voice and demand change.
RMUSTANG
ReplyDeleteSmuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries
Elisabeth Rosenthal
New York Times (nytimes.com)
September 26, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Marx:
This is a most disastrous hour, in which the model of capitalism, the relationship between capitalist and proletariat, can be seen among nations themselves! Even nations are materialistic, a trait shared with man. This reality allows for social stratification among the highest levels of social structures; the state. Even now, few men profit from the labor of many, and states increase their economic empowerment by exploiting the economic weakness of others.
In this case, companies housed within the world’s wealthiest nations, the United States and many European nations, profit from illegally exporting waste material to countries seeking to increase wealth such as China and India. In many instances, this waste becomes the raw materials provided by capitalist, who then allocate the task of harnessing products from these resources to the people of poorer nations. It should be of no surprise that some of the same countries playing the role of the proletariat in this capacity with waste management are victimized by large companies and the World Bank for control over their own water!
Countries are becoming alienated with fractions of their exports depending on leftover materials. Unfortunately, these countries experience false consciousness. This false consciousness suggests that by becoming the dependent party of this economic system, these states will one day be able to rise and be amongst their owners. However, this phenomenon will not be realized. By accepting this role, many states have already become alienated and experience subsistent wages; others are closely following. Unless class consciousness is realized, even China will be further victimized by capitalists.
Gorgoron
ReplyDeletemichigan tells lisa snyder to stop baby
Aol news
september 30
http://news.aol.com/article/michigan-tells-lisa-snyder-to-stop-baby/692754?icid=main|main|dl2|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fmichigan-tells-lisa-snyder-to-stop-baby%2F692754
Karl Marx- Women being threatened by government for babysitting neighbor's children.
Lisa Snyder is a woman doing a good deed for the community by watching the children of her neighbors as they wait for school. These children are less likely to be hit by cars, picked up by strangers, or get themselves into bad situations while unsupervised. From a Marxist standpoint, this is a division of labor, and yes, the worker is putting labor into something she cares about. However, the fallacy of this system, that of the neighbor lending a helping hand is that it is not a situation the state government should have become involved it. If the woman wants to put in labor of watching other's children she has the right to open a daycare, as long as it is fully governed by the law. However this law in particular is a capitalist effort to control a business with an attempt at hiding it's Socialist characteristics. A truly capital state would not have a law governing businesses, especially "businesses" that do not involve either party benefitting financially.
Gorgoron
ReplyDeleteDorm sex ban at tufts university
Aol news
September 30
http://news.aol.com/article/dorm-sex-ban-at-tufts-university/692852?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fdorm-sex-ban-at-tufts-university%2F692852
Dorm bans sex in front of roomate-Durkheim
This is an example of how people make up a society. The society of people within that University that make up those living in dorms to be exact, their behavior on a year to year basis affects the rules and therefore affects the behavior of students after them. How roomates behave in front of one another is typically private, especially when it comes to their respective sex lives, however it is becoming very public with this new rule. Because of several isolated incidents of several students in the "society" the rules were affected, forever.
(ontime, emailed Tues)
ReplyDeleteShorty
Build a Better Bulb for a $10 Million Prize
ERIC A. TAUB and LEORA BROYDO VESTEL
The New York Times
September 24, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/technology/25bulb.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Durkheim:
The fact that the invention of a reinvented light bulb is severely in need shows the transformation to a more modern organic society that in which Durkheim believed in. The move to a more modern light bulb displays the breakdown in the division of labor for people to perform a more specialized task in meeting the needs and expectations of the most popular used type of light bulb. Overtime it seems as if society has grown and the 60-watt light bulb has become very inefficient. The pressure is now on to come up with a new creation of a more sufficient light bulb that would decrease the scarcity of resources.
As society evolves to become more modern, the light bulb has an increase for improvement and the companies which can be referred to a the division of laborers are seeking out to produce organic solidarity based on the companies that enter into the contest to display their product as being the upcoming most efficient 60-watt light bulb. Because our society is marked by large vast companies, each industry has come up with a different version of the light bulb in which they think will be the best and these industries are fulfilled by different individuals that create unique structures of the same product to represent their company.
The idea of Collective Conscience can be represented by the different networks and companies that entered into the contest as a group; sharing a collection of ideas and not singling the ideas as one individual knowing all the ideas. I believe too, that this idea and notion of their must be an underlying system of collective values and beliefs to guide people interaction in the pursuit of collective goals, is comparable by the fact that the contest was created on the basis as a system to create a new structure while also adding value in the sum of money for the prize winner of the contest as well as immense power through having guaranteed contracts. Overall, the scientific aspect and knowledge of light bulbs should be used to guide social reform in representing a significant way to save energy. The objective is to employ the new longer lasting lighting device of compact LED bulbs will give explanations and hold industrialization together over time.
Codeword: studentA
ReplyDelete(rest of the post) Voting has a long history in the United States and we view it as a privilege and a right. Often times we think of past struggles that lead to the passing of bills which gave all races, creeds, and genders the right to cast a vote. It is these ideas that encompass a collective reality and again share the commonality of morality as its reason to contribute to the decisions of our government through voting.
As we can see through a progressive point of view, what becomes important of collective conscience depends on the times and struggles of a nation. When a powerful country like ours is starving for jobs, education reform, and so on, the members of the society feel responsible for making sure we all receive what we need. With that being said, the collective reality of casting a vote to make a difference still lives in the hearts and souls of the American people now and for decades to come.
7138
ReplyDeleteFiring Immigrant Workers Divides Los Angelos
Julia Preston
New York Times
September 29, 2009
NYtimes.com
Marx
The proletariat have continuously been mistreated in the American Capitalists society. However, the illegal proletariat's jobs are in danger because the American government do not want them in this country. On the other hand, businesses want these workers because they provide labor at a cheap, reliable price. But the alienation of these workers is horrible; capitalists use their skills and alienate them from their true human nature. The capitalists do not allow them to bring out their real potential and also alienate them from the profits of their labor. These 1,800 workers should rise against the capitalists government and fight back because under their current government they will not receive any freedoms. The only way to gain autonomy is to create a proletariat revolution and disobey the powers that exists. If these steps are taken precisely, then the proletariat will rise and vanish capitalism. They will no longer feel the effects of pauperization and wealth will be more distributed through use of a communist system. This fair communist society will all of of poverty.
Miyagi
ReplyDeleteSaudi Youths Lashed After Clash
No Author listed
BBC News - Middle East
September 29, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8280704.stm
Durkeim: After reading this article about the treatment of young children who were celebrating on a holiday in the city of Khobar reminded me of some of the aspects of what is known as a primitive society. From what was gathered in the article and previous knowledge about the subject, the society in question does seem to have a bond held together by strong traditional practices that are never questioned by any, even the ones receiving punishment. One of these traditions was not to celebrate on this particular holiday the way the students did, and the punishment was 30 lashes. The mindset of one of the children who was subjected to this treatment might also closely match the mindset of a person who commits fatalistic suicide. The youth in Khobar lives in a stringent society where the rules eventually get to become to much to handle for the individual who has lost many of their unique aspects as a person due to the strict rules. When the pressures mount they commit fatalistic suicide, although the children in Khobar might share similar feelings I do not think that they will go through with it for it being looked down upon in the Islam faith. The fact that a person’s incivility is limited in this culture points to some of the culture being less complex because the society has the overbearing power over the individual and limits them with rules to follow. The children decided to commit what could be called a profane act on a sacred day.
North America's Pro Sports Leagues Make Big Plays to Go Green
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Eric Meliton
GreenBiz.com
Oct 1, 2009
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/10/01/north-americas-pro-sports-leagues-make-big-plays-go-green
Marx
Within our society there is always the oppressed and the ones who are in control. When you think of the environment this idea of oppressed is lost. Within the article it talks about changing our surroundings to better society as a whole. The Earth is not in good condition and we need to do everything to help make it better before an extreme revolution of the Earth giving out on us will be inevitable. The sports world (privileged) has made some efforts in an attempt to better the status of the Earth. The NFL, NBA and MLB all have began to recycle and use environment sufficient products. These powers are in very high positions and they are attempting to alter the Earth’s well being.
1. Footlocker
ReplyDelete2. “The Stereotype of the Jangled New Mother”
3. Susan Burton
4. Slate
5. 10/12/09
6. http://www.slate.com/id/2231321/entry/2232271/?from=rss
Cooley:
In my book, The Looking Glass Self, I lay out 3 principal elements of the looking glass self, which depicts the statement: I am what I think you think I am. The first principal element is the imagination of our appearance to the other person. Next is the imagination of their judgment of that appearance. Last is a feeling (perhaps pride or shame) as a result of the imaginative judgment. Susan Burton writes in her article about being stereotyped as a “jangled new mother”, or so she thinks. Burton, having had previous experience in an office setting fell deeply into the Looking Glass Self. First, Burton imagined her appearance to the other women in the office. She remembered being a twenty-something in an office setting and what that felt like, so she was very able to picture how the other women saw her- old. Next, Burton imagined the others judgment of her appearance; she even goes so far as to quote another author to describe herself as “jangled” and “high-strung”. She believes that if she had acted differently or drank more on Beer Friday that the other women in the office wouldn’t have seen her as the typical high-strung working mom. Lastly, Burton feels confident and capable of balancing her life, yet still seems to feel somehow unsatisfied at work because she is not doing the most difficult or time-consuming pieces. Susan Burton’s previous experiences and judgments of women in the office in her past made her uniquely susceptible to the Looking Glass Self and fulfilling that she was what she thought the other women thought she was.
Babydoll
ReplyDeleteRecession Spurs Interest in Graduate, Law Schools
Rebecca R. Ruiz
The New York Times
January 9, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/education/10grad.html?scp=8&sq=sociology&st=cse
Marx:
This article demonstrates the impacts of the recession on the working class in the United States. According to this article, a correlation has been made between graduate school applications and the troubled economy. As a result of the insufficient amount of good jobs offered in today’s society, there has been an increasing interest in graduate schools and applications to graduate programs, such as law schools have escalated.
Without a doubt, inequality exists throughout the working or employment world. People who are part of unequal groups whether it be gender, race, economic and so on still compete against each other and those more fortunate for the best job opportunity. Employers prefer people who have the most and best background over those who have none at all. They prefer the rich and powerful over the poor and weak. This is why individuals have decided to further their education or go back to school. Due to the competitive nature of the workforce, people need leverage as they make themselves more marketable in the workforce. Although one may have an education, without purpose it is worthless and vice versa. Society has a tendency to experience recurring crises like this one, which is why people need to become aware and understand the objective situation.
1.Enfinity
ReplyDelete2.Title: “America Is Not Yet Lost”
3.Author: PAUL KRUGMAN
4.Source: The New York Times
5.Date: February 7,2010
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/opinion/08krugman.html
Durkheim:
The shift from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity is very evident in American society. Senates being able to place holds on important government decisions in order to promote their own little projects shows that America is very individualistic. According to the New York Times in the past the Senate used to be ruled by “traditions of comity, courtesy, reciprocity, and accommodation.” The collective conscience has disappeared since people no longer care deeply about collective ideas of society. Instead of doing what’s best for the group, individual senates are doing what’s best for them. These acts seem harmless at first but eventually this will make the nation ungovernable and take power away from the President, who is suppose to be in charge of the nation. Government will no longer be able to function if each senate decides to take matters into their own hands and put a pause on important government decisions in order to benefit themselves and get their own little projects funded before acting on issues that are important to society. This can result in chaos if the effects of this are felt by citizens which in turn can lead to anomie since everyone’s role is not clearly defined because the Senate is taking over the President’s job.
1. Scribe.
ReplyDelete2.The military do more than fight – they protect our global interests
3. Jeremy Greaves
4. The Guardian
5. 9 February 2010
6. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/09/defence-policy-military-ships-britain
Marx:
This editorial on the budget proposals of the British military is a clear example of capitalism in its late stages: openly colonial, exploitative, and inherently violent. Greaves advocates spending over £5b of the money which the government takes from the public by force on what he calls "floating pieces of real estate," enormous aircraft carriers. And in an age when air superiority means everything, why would Greaves advocate such a substantial expenditure? "They proclaim us as a serious nation that is confident and prepared to protect and promote its global interests." They are, in his words, "strong enough to back up 'soft' power with the ultimate sanction of 'hard' power." They are vessels to protect Britain's global empire - through both the remaining territories, and more covert power of their international corporations. Britain is simply doing as it always has done, using military might to fund an expansionist capitalist empire. It is clear that in Britain's international trade and policy making, the "agreements" they make will be inherently exploitative as they resume the role of the hegemony.
Chichen
ReplyDelete“In a Message to Democrats, Wall St. Sends Cash to G.O.P”
David D. Kirkpatrick
The New York Times
February 7, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/us/politics/08lobby.html?ref=politics
Marx:
As I have argued before, class dynamics shape the organization of socio-economic life where a particular class controls the distribution of wealth in society in order to promote self interest. In this case, the bourgeoisie of Wall Street have begun protesting against the current government administration by contributing large amounts of money to its opposition. The bourgeoisie, or the bankers and lobbyists in this case, argue that they understand the public is hurting and wants to see punishment but they are also realizing that this punishment means stricter regulations on their current capitalistic socio-economic control. They are now attempting to regain this control by reminding the government that their financial contributions are crucial to any progress, therefore the government ought to work in their favor.
However, I do not place all the blame on the bourgeoisie for their motives, as even they are trapped in the system of capitalism, desiring only more profit. When threatened with the possibility of loss of wealth, the bourgeoisie will attempt to regain stability in their favor, despite what this means for the growing number of proletariat that are becoming further alienated from society, via the 17 percent unemployment rate, as implied by a chief executive of BB&T. In situations such as this one, it is important to realize that the proletariat cannot rely on solely governmental action against the flaws of capitalism, but that it is also the responsibility of the individuals, the proletariat who are losing more as so few bankers and lobbyists control all the gain, to take action and revolt. This only exemplifies a modern day class simplification resulting in more and more property less and fewer, but wealthier propertied, who will eventually control all government action, resulting in little change to this outdated system of governing.
Hoopa
ReplyDelete"Alarm at Mumbai's Teenage Suicide Trend"
Zubair Ahmed
BBC News
February 1, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8473515.stm
This article reiterates my argument that suicide is a social phenomenon with social causes. Hopefully, people are beginning to realize that such an act cannot be viewed in terms of individualistic characteristics or personal flaws, but rather, a product of what is occurring in the larger society. It rightfully illustrates the relationship between the social life of an individual and his or her willingness and determination to end their life. It explores why more teenagers in India are taking their lives by considering the social atmosphere, peer influences and academic pressures. By considering the impact that increasing academic pressure has on children, the author would agree with me that the suicides happening in Mumbai are indeed socially-driven. They are manifestations of the social atmosphere in which these children and young people are brought up.
In Mumbai, it is evident that people are choosing to end their lives because they do not have a balance between integration and regulation. These suicides fall into my "egoistic" category, sparked by teenagers' low integration and lack of attachment to social groups. They are detached from other members of their community, or classrooms, and are being reduced to their academic performance. This type of suicide, in particularly, has become increasingly common in modern societies as people continue to experience weakening ties with other individuals they come in contact with.
This article demonstrates that the egoistic suicides taking place are excessively individualistic. The people who choose to end their lives often do it without consideration for the people they are leaving behind, such as the distraught family members referred to in the article. Although the person may not realize it, their suicide has "devastating psychological, social and financial impacts on families and friends." This further supports my argument that the suicides in Mumbai are largely egoistic.
For as long as people experience low integration and social isolation, egoistic suicides will continue to "spiral out of control". I agree that there must be coordinated and intensified global action to prevent these suicides. I argue that an effective attempt at doing this would be to focus on reintegrating these children into social groups. This would provide them with a sense of worth and self-value, independent of their academic performance. If these kids are more integrated and feel more accepted, they will be less likely to commit egoistic suicide.
october
ReplyDeleteSinatra Song Often Strikes Deadly Chord
Norimitsu Onishi
The New York Times
February 8th, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/world/asia/07karaoke.html
Durkheim:
While it might not necessarily be the case in the United States, there has been occurrences in the Philippines where singing a particular song at a karaoke bar can get yourself killed. Songs such as "My Way" by Frank Sinatra or John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” have been known to cause trouble if a person decides to sing and have even been taken out of the books in some areas. It seems as though there are many regulations that the people in the Philippines have to follow. Though it might not necessarily be official rules according to the government that play a role on the citizens, songs that can be considered taboo may be a factor towards a fatalistic suicide - not having the freedom to do what you want to do. Something as simple as not being able to sing a song could have an effect as to how a person might see other rules and regulations in this mechanical solidarity that might constrain them in their social environment. While trying to keep things normal, it has become habit to just avoid certain songs since they might just cause problems for unnecessary reasons.
october
ReplyDelete*Date should be February 6th, not 8th as previously written.
Wrldsyrs
ReplyDeleteNational Labor Committee: Women Paid 10 Cents to Sew $80 Peyton
Barbara Briggs
BNET
4 February 2010
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/us-newswire/mi_hb5554/is_20100204/national-labor-committee-women-paid/ai_n49035472/?tag=content;col1
Marx:
Capitalists understand that they can maximize profits by employing the cheapest possible labor available. Often, they accomplish this by setting up sweatshops in less developed countries and offer the workers lower wages then they can legally pay workers in their country. The process of offering substandard wages in sweatshop environments alienates the worker from their productive activities, the products they are producing, their fellow workers, and their human potential.
The workers in this El Salvadorian sweatshop are forced to work 65 hours per week with obligatory unpaid overtime. Each person is required to sew 255 jerseys per day in inferior working conditions. While these workers are receiving below basic subsistence needs, the employers are charging $80 per jersey produced. The workers are alienated from their products because even though the workers are making these jerseys, they are unable to afford one for themselves. Each worker is paid ten cents per $80 jersey they produce, which is 1/10 of 1% of the jersey’s retail price. The workers are alienated from each other because any “workers daring to exercise their legal right to organize a union would be immediately fired and blacklisted.” Also, the workers are alienated from their human potential because they have to slave away in a sweatshop for hours each day without a chance to improve their conditions or learn new and valuable skills.
The capitalist system encourages maximizing profits, often at the expense of the workers. With profit as the driving force, workers are often alienated from their production and their human potential.
Penny
ReplyDeleteOptimism Persists in a Kentucky Town Where a Carmaker Brought Jobs
Mickey Meece
New York Times
February 8, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/business/09georgetown.html?ref=business
Marx
The effect of capitalism’s grasp on society is quite apparent in the city of Georgetown, Kentucky. Here a Toyota plant has taken over and employed most of the residents. This is problematic currently as it is experiencing problems with recalls. If these problems continue and the company loses money, pauperization will become inevitable. Most of the town’s residents toil and labor for this company. They are forced into this life of mechanical labor as proletariats. Their identities have become based on this. They are valued for how much they can produce. What then will they do if Toyota’s problems cause them to lose their jobs? They will no longer know how to identify themselves. What’s more, the pending job loss will cause them severe economic suffering. The bourgeoisie individuals that own the plant are surely unhappy about the recalls as well, but class division means that the proletariat workers employed in these factories, who may not be trained for any other type of work, really stand to suffer if problems continue.
This is a just and true example of how capitalism has run its course and the transition to communism must begin to take hold. However, some residents interviewed here seem to still believe in Toyota and consider themselves a part of it. This means that loss of legitimacy has not yet occurred. Although this could soon change as workers become angry and decide that the company’s work and profits are not in their best interest. Then and only then will they make their attempt at throwing over not only this specific company but the whole capitalist system.
Zapheros
ReplyDeleteObama to Senate Dems: Don't Look Back
Major Garrett
Fox News
February 3, 2010
http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/02/03/obama-to-senate-dems-dont-look-back/
Marx:
Again and again the bourgeois and their puppets continue their facade of change and “progress” from within the system. This past presidential and Congressional elections were overwhelmingly progressive in their support. A Democratic president, Senate, and House and yet nothing was accomplished. Seemingly with all the power of the state at their hands the progressives could not over come the overt proponents of the bourgeoisie. The people themselves rebel against change, against the improvement of their own lifestyles. This is because the average proletariat still dreams of becoming a bourgeois themselves and one day oppressing their fellow man. When will the proletariat finally realize that the promises of gradual change, of social advancement are but illusions and scraps thrown to them by their overseers in return for their absolute obedience and enslavement of their true nature and potential. The promises of government, of the Democrats are hollow and empty, quickly undermined if not outright forgotten. The government abhors change and only through its suppression, if not outright destruction, will change actually occur. The proletariat can not wait upon some political demagogue to champion their rights for them, the proletariat and the proletariat alone must seize upon their own desires and destiny to transform this society.
1. Buckley
ReplyDelete2. Opel’s Strategy Has Fewer Jobs and Less Capacity
3. Jack Ewing
4. www.newyorktimes.com
5. 2/9/10
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/business/global/10opel.html?ref=business
Marx:
Opel’s new strategy to increase profits does highlight capitalism’s strengths. The new model, Ampera, will be a ‘greener’ innovation with its small gasoline engine that plugs in to recharge its batteries. The introduction of this new model along with other significant upgrades will certainly increase Opel’s productivity, which has recently fallen behind 8.5 percent in market share in 2007. This new strategy is part of a restructuring of the company, increasing G.M’s worldly connections. Though Opel is the European unit of G.M., the United States is the company’s largest shareholder.
But with every positive increase in production comes the inverse negative effect for the worker. The workforce will be reduced by 8,300 people. The company announced Tuesday that it will be closing an entire Plant in Belgium. Once more, capitalism has reduced its workers to mere commodities that have lost their value. The laborers were exposed to the fluctuations of the market and lost. In these modern times, there is too much commerce, too much production, and when the conditions of the bourgeois are threatened, it results in this ‘new strategy,’ or the destruction of these workers' jobs.
1. Gecko
ReplyDelete2. Volunteers Try to Dissuade Young Sex Workers on Super Bowl Weekend
3. Emanuella Ginsberg
4. CNN
5. February 6, 2010
6. http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/06/florida.superbowl.sex.trafficking/index.html?hpt=Sbin
Marx:
The article discusses the influx of underage prostitutes during the time leading up to the Super Bowl, which can be explained by analyzing this trend from a Marxist perspective. Prostitution can be thought of as commodity fetishism, because it changes sexual intercourse from an act of procreation or intimacy between two people into a commodity to be bought and sold in a free market. The women who sell this commodity exhibit most of the same forms of alienation that workers in other professions experience. They are alienated from their profits because they almost always work for a pimp, especially the girls that this story features. Alienation from the product does not develop as fully as the other types of alienation because the women do have some control over the product, sex; but, because sex involves at least one other person, the women do not have complete control over their products. Alienation from their true selves and from others are also easy to recognize in this trade. The women would not spend their time selling their bodies for sex if it was not necessary for their material survival. Because the prostitution trade is subject to market forces of supply and demand, women come to see each other as competition for their profits; the women fail to see each other as anything more than an obstacle to their own survival.
The article explains that the number of prostitutes in previous Super Bowl cities rose during the Super Bowl because there were more people around and they were in a party atmosphere. This increased demand for pleasure, alcohol and sex causes pimps to flood the city to increase their profits. In response to this influx, teams of volunteers are taking to the streets to attempt to educate these women about their alternatives, or to break their false consciousness. The women engage in prostitution to avoid pauperization in order to ensure their ability to meet their material needs. Eventually some women see this as their only option and resign themselves to it, they develop false consciousness about their situation. The volunteers provide the women with business cards they can use to find a way out of this business, hoping they can help at least some of these women. Marx’s solution to this problem would be the evolution to a communist society, which unfortunately does not seem to be possible.
1. Codename: Wolverine
ReplyDelete2. Google takes on Facebook and Twitter with network site
3. Vic Gundotra
4. BBC News
5. Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
6.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8506148.stm#top
Marx,
Google has created a new strategy that is intended to compete with our nations leading internet social networks. This idea alone, shows a form of capitalism. The Google Administration thought that it would be a great idea to create a service that is integrated directly with its e-mail service Gmail. This service will allow Gmail users to post status updates, share content and read and comment on friends' posts. The site places Google directly against rival networks such as Facebook. This service will be referred to as “Buzz”. Buzz will try to capitalise on the number of regular Gmail users, which is currently around 170 million people. Buzz will have plenty of interesting new features, even features geared towards mobile users. But the Google Administration wants to find out if there is enough to entice social networkers away from sites like Facebook and Twitter.
From a capitalist perspective, Google’s creation of the “Buzz” will increase the productivity of Google. As earlier stated, the number of Google users has decreased over the years, so this creation will attract more users to utilize services that are offered by Google. This new idea from Google is an effort to rebuild relations with previous Google users. This strategy will give Google a change to regain lost users and provide services that are being offered by leading social networks. The only issue that could possibly arise is consistant competition. After beginning this new stage of productivity, Google will be forced to continue creating innovative ideas to maintain the interest of its users.
MissMD
ReplyDeleteImmigrants claim Wal-Mart fire them to provide jobs for local residents
Dan Frosch
New York Times
Feburary 8, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09walmart.html?em
Marx:
Wal-Mart, once again has complaints filed against it by former employees, claiming that their dismissal from its Colorado store was a result of racial discrimination. As pleasing as we would like capitalism to be, the weakness protruding from the situation cannot be ignored. The 10 West African men fired from the corporaiton in Colorado represent the proletariat who suffered the collateral damage of pauperization. One of the men's inability to increase production of services as a result of his age also made him no longer but as proved to be an opportunity to replace him with a younger and less expansive worker.
In this case the workers are not only consciously aware of their class and the mistreatment received from the bourgeoisie (managers) but are also taking a concrete action towards justice and revolutionizing immigrant workers positions in these companies. If only more workers were consciously aware of this and not walk under the myth that their situations cannot be changed then real revolution would breakout and we would see change to our capitalist economic system where immigrants are a commodity and a way of keeping labor value low while increasing profits.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. StudentB
ReplyDelete2. THE POPULISM PROBLEM
3. James Surowiecki
4. http://www.newyorker.com/
5. FEBRUARY 15, 2010 (accessed 02/09/10)
6. http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2010/02/15/100215ta_talk_surowiecki
Marx:
Barack Obama is seen by the public as an idealist philosopher, but the electorate wants him to be more of a liberal reformer in order to bring about economic change. The economic populism of the eighteen-nineties and the right-wing cultural populism of recent years are representative of coherent ideologies unlike those of current voters.The ideologies of current voters, who adhere to a so-called new populism, represent a conglomeration of goals and ideas from both liberal reformers and idealist philosophers.
Both voters and the government seek economic change, as inequality has increased from the weak economy and poor job market, but voters are contradictory in their desires for economic change, like they simultaneously want the government to create jobs and cut the deficit. Any possible methods that would assuage the pragmatic concerns of voters are desirable, such as increasing the deficit to create jobs. Though it may not be the most ideal solution, history and theory suggest that tough economic times make people less interested in sharing burdens, as they seek to at least maintain and not downgrade their class status.
The ideologies for economic reform that are the sentiments of new populism do serve to promote change by stimulating awareness and interest, as well as by being the result of voiced opinions and grievances of voters. But as merely ideas and theories, these sentiments do not constitute a force that can change the economy. The government maintains the power and control to stimulate the economy using the methods it sees fit and to offer the plans that voters would vote on, which severely constrains the power of voters. The sentiments of new populism can potentially shape the economic path that the government chooses and determine the ideas that voters adopt and vote on with respect to specific bills, but are not actually forces to create economic change.
1. Apple
ReplyDelete2. Obama Urges Setting Aside ‘Petty Politics’
3. Jeff Zeleny and Helene Cooper
4.The New York Times
5. February 9, 2010
6. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/obama-urges-setting-aside-petty-politics/?hp
Durkheim,
My scholarly, sociological response to this piece of news is that President Obama may be trying to usher in a new bipartisan religion. The rituals within politics are sacred and of the utmost important, from the pin on your lapel to your rituals with lobbyists. The President had a surprise visit with the press after the first monthly bipartisanship meeting, which is a collective ritual involving a great deal of passion, yet it is for two distinct parties with differing belief systems. This monthly ceremony is intended to unite these men (and some women) under one title, Bipartisan, in order to strengthen their bond to each other and their leader. President Obama implicated that the ceremony has strengthened their bonds, telling of how the Democratic leader and the Republican leader were “out doing snow angels together on the South Lawn.”
To prove that the new religion Bipartisan is blossoming under the help of the President, I will explain how it meets the three necessary conditions of religion. Firstly, there are two ideologies that have come together to compromise, developing a united set of beliefs. Secondly, there are certainly a set of religious rights that must be followed in such a ceremony in order to uphold respect for your other Bipartisan members. And lastly, the church is the monthly bipartisanship meeting, where the members are united under the idea of compromise, thus making one large Bipartisan community.
In this piece of news the President goes on to discuss the issues brought up during the ceremony. One ideal he kept mentioning was compromise between the Democrats and the Republicans, which is the ideological framework that holds the Bipartisan religion together.
1. Elephant
ReplyDelete2. Despite disasters, Filipinos upbeat, survey shows
3. Steven Lunt
4. CNN.Com
5. February 7, 2010
6. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/07/philippines.survey/index.html?iref=allsearch
This article proves what I have been trying to say this entire time! “Religion is the opiate of the masses”. These people suffered one huge hardship after another, from hurricanes with mass floods, the crumbling of their political system, deadly volcanoes, and people taking their ships. Yet when approaching the New Year these people are positive, they are excited and think that this New Year will hold better things. Why would these people remain in good spirits? I will tell you why because they are primarily Catholic. They have hope that their God will take away their pain and suffering, and knowing there is someone there for them has given them peace and hope. They still have pride and have encouraged everyday people to become heroes. This is the very reason for religion, when there is pain and suffering people needing something to believe in and take away their pain and confusion, and thus religion was born. This is exactly what then needed to get through these things.
-Karl Marx
CKES
ReplyDeleteWhen To Worry If A Child Has Too Few Words
Perry Klass
The New York Times
February 8th, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/health/09klass.html
Durkheim:
The doctors finally understand! In the past, anomalies in a child’s development were attributed to biological deficiencies, ignoring any societal influences that may have occurred. The current trend now is to examine the social context in which the child is living. Communication, an important social fact, is vital to the survival of a society, and as a result speech is considered an important part of child’s development. A child’s speech will determine the ease to which that person will adjust and contribute to society. Thus, when it is discovered that speech development is delayed, doctors assume it is the product of some medical problem. While this could be the case for some, the family’s influence should not be ignored. The parent’s role in speech development is to provide a foundation upon which the child is to use to learn how to communicate with others. Some parents accomplish this better than others. For those who don’t, a further investigation into their household norms and practices will reveal more information about a retardation of speech development than any medical examination.
Valentine
ReplyDeleteGreece hit by Nationwide strike over austerity measures
BBC News
BBC News
February 10, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8507551.stm
Marx:
To my fellow comrades in arm:
There is little that I can say that will assuage the despair of my fellow workers who are struggling in Greece, but perhaps instead I can provide some words of encouragement. Revolt. Revolt my friends against the PIGS of Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain who are determined to fight their way out of their previous mistakes by stepping on the backs of their public workers. Revolt my fellow farmers who are tired of low government subsidies. Stand up and hold those accountable who line their pockets with the sweat of your labor and bear the brunt of their mistakes on your backs. To those from the private sector who argue that these austerity measure are a necessary evil to pay for the mistakes of the past, I say, why not pay the mistakes from your pocket? Or better yet from the pockets of those who are rightfully responsible for those mistakes. If the only way to pay for those mistakes is to freeze pay of those who work in the public sector I say the punishment does not fit the crime. Only because those who are being punished were not the perpetrators of this crime. Imposing these injustices disguised as measures will only help those who are the true criminals in this mistake. So again to my fellow wagers of war against those who have waged war against workers, REVOLT. Maintain your strike and fight to hold those in power accountable.
Cloud123
ReplyDeleteBusiness Benefits in the Inner City: The State of Green Business-Chicago
Jonathan Bardelline
Greenbiz.com
February 9, 2010
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/business-benefits-inner-city-state-green-business-chicago?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
Marx:
My core belief, as many know, is that there is power and wealth in the hands of few, the bourgeoisie, who seek to find labor in the masses of the powerless and poor the proletariat. This two-class society has existed as long as there has been capitalism, and these class dynamics shape the organization of our socio-economic life. It is not surprising that these capitalists, in their entrepreneurial nature, are looking to expand their businesses in inner cities, where labor is cheap and there is room for economic expansion.
The article holds that the four main benefits of expanding business in inner city metropolitan areas are “marketing, location, human capital and financing.” This comes as no surprise to anyone who understands the function of the bourgeoisie, to grow business as cheap as possible and to make the largest profit they possible can earn. It is interesting, however, that they cite “human capital” as a benefit, for they surely do not mean human potential, as this human potential will be stripped from the workers' once they are alienated from their products, their profits, other workers, and even their own selves, eventually reduced to mere machines.
With the expansion of business in new markets, inner cities, capitalists will further exacerbate this cycle of exploitation, in which capitalists own everything and workers own, essentially, nothing except their subsistence wages. This helps highlight my labor theory of value, in that the system is corrupt and these inner city workers deserve much more than they receive, if not everything as a result of their hard work. It is important to point out, however, that both the capitalists and workers are victims of false consciousness, as neither group truly can grasp how the capitalist system affects themselves, the other group, and society as a whole. As long as there is expansion in poorer, inner city areas, where workers can be exploited for a small profit, the capitalist system will only further grow in size and financial power, until the workers can gain class consciousness and eventually revolt against the system.
1.Aaron
ReplyDelete2.Greek unions strike against austerity plan
3.Elena Becatoros
4.The Associated Press
5.February 10, 2010
6.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iXUJvBknZVGqsBenIusBgBvWj5WQD9DPD7OG1
Leaders of the Greek republic have announced an austerity plan that will affect many of the proletariat members of the Greek society. Although leaders say they will target the members of the Greek bourgeoisie, laborers are rightfully leery of the new plan and have begun protesting. The proletariat class of Greece must rise up and let their voices be heard; otherwise the Greek government will increase taxes, the retirement age, and their control over the people of Greece. Workers must have more control over their own careers and break free from the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie. My advice for the Greek proletariat would be to revolt against the bourgeoisie and take control over the country and its economy. A dictatorship by the proletariat would be the first step to a pure communism in the country, in which Greece would be a classless society.
Sting
ReplyDeleteBlue Whales Croon A New Tune
No Author Given
NPR
February 6, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123420217&ft=1&f=1024
Marx:
My studies have focused on humans, naturally, but I’ve cast my sights to the new studies of blue whales and their change of singing pitches. I have always said that conflict is the engine of progress. Until the inssertion of hunting laws in the1960’s, the number of blues was low, therefore making resources scarce for reproduction, meaning it was difficult for males to find females. Some of my fellow scientists have theorized that In order to cover more distance and reach females, male singing pitches became higher. Now, forty years later, there has been a social change in the blue whales because it is more common for males and females to meet, and because of this, it seems, male whale pitches have become lower. Supply and demand has begun the process of reaching an equilibrium. Though it was humans that caused the social conflict in the first place with whale murders, it is humans that have attempted to change the problem and I am pleased to see the evolutionized status of blues, and hope it continues.
JH1988
ReplyDeleteA Mediocre Criminal, but an Unmatched Jailhouse Lawyer
Adam Liptak
The New York Times
February 8, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09bar.html
Marx
Shon Hopwood was an oppressed member of the proletariat, searching for a place in the infrastructure of the american economy in Nebraska. He found himself robbing banks to make a living which led to him being thrown in jail for some reeducation. As a method of rising up against the bourgeois he began to study the law in prison. Instead of violently revolting from the oppressive capitalist system that only values him for the labor he can provide in prison, he decided to try to change the system from within by helping a fellow inmate file a US Supreme Court brief. His brief made the docket which is no small feat, and Shon received some support from the lawyer presenting the argument. Because of his discontent with the capitalist systems control over his means of production, Shon was able to disconnect from the capitalist mind control and find his true passion in the law. His value was not based on his labor, his ideas and creativity were what compensated him. But there is no happy ending to this story, the capitalist system is so overwhelming that it cannot be fixed by one man, its takes the entire working class, so Shon was forced to re-assimilate to the capitalist system and use his talent to produce labor. Capitalism drains everything of its purity and true value and attributes a false calculated value to it.
MrTK
ReplyDeleteThe Politics of Fear
Editorial
New York Times
February 9, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/opinion/10wed1.html?hp
Marx:
It seems that people will do anything to get ahead. In the article it shows that many people forget the things that came before them. When looking at what the republicans are trying to do since Barack Obama is our president now, it shows that people try to tear one down so that they may get ahead. The article discusses how Obama’s administration made a wise decision regarding the failed attempt of the Christmas Day bomber. The republicans feel that instead of them sending the F.B.I. in to arrest the man, and have him interrogated, and file federal terrorism charges that it would have been better to have thrown him in military prison.
Obama spoke so much about change during his campaign, so why are we not allowing him to make the change. Unlike Bush who used the scare tactics to get re-elected, Obama is following the rules instead of making laws that deny Americans certain rights. Have we forgotten about the certain moves that were made back in the year 2004? When change was talked about it was not just for our president, but also us as a country. We as a country need to make better judgment on whom we elect to office so there will not have to deal with power moves. Also do not forget that Obama got the short end of the stick and was elected to clean up something we have been dealing with for eight years.
woohoo
ReplyDeleteIT Aims to Save the World
Joel Makower
Greenbiz.com
Fedruary 10, 2010
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/10/state-green-business-it-aims-save-world
Marx,
What social force has brought about this change? What has caused companies to pay attention to and care about being "green"? I believe that society has realized that they are destroying the earth because of this capitalistic society. In capitalism is is all about production. Use value and labor value are a big part of the capitalistic society. It causes the bourgeoisie to fing the cheapest and fastest way to produce their goods. being "green" is not a cheap thing to do, so i must applaud IT for attempting to do so. I must also applaud society for realizing their negative impact on the eatrh due to capitalism. I feel that this proves that there is a step in the right direction. Astep towards communism and the end of capitalism is near.
House
ReplyDeleteSomali rebels 'pour into Mogadishu'
BBC News
February 10, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8508176.stm
Marx:
Just as Feudalism was replaced by Capitalism, this type of government will one day be replaced as well, and in Somali this is becoming a reality. A classless, equal government is what is usually sought after by the proletariats. If a government is shown as having problems of inequality then often times the people who have been pushed down the most will rise up and try to create a change. In Somali this is exactly what happened. The conflict theory at its best was shown when the hundreds of Somali insurgents overran Mogadishu to end their repression. This sense of false consciousness has brought about this violence for the past 20 years. The Islamist group al-Shabab is fighting for what they believe to be their right in life, but it is questionable as to how the right way going about this is. Obviously for the past 20 years there has been uproar in a city that now deserves peace and equality among all people.
1. smlongbb
ReplyDelete2. Gainesville Tea Party Rally Draws more than 1,000
3. Author: Cindy Swirko
4. Gainesville Sun
5. February 7, 2010
6. http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID/20100201/
Marx:
The article I read concerned the emerging Tea Party Movement. The argument was that they sought to demand les government, lower taxes, and more freedom. In the mind of Marx, power, class, and ones socio-economic status shapes a person’s life and at times their expectations. These people believe that the government’s decisions are constantly counteracting their expectations. Too much government can silence the voice of the proletariat, or in this case the people of the tea party. And with capitalism comes class simplification which causes conflict. The people of the Tea Party are striving to fight against the driving of profit that engulfs the leaders of the nation. This causes conflict between classes, especially those with the middle to lower upper class who attain no power or voice in decision making. Being a somewhat exclusive organization they have an anti positivist approach. In the idea of progression and social change the only represent a specific group of Americans. Respective phrases like “Our Founding Fathers,” " nation of Christian principles” and “strictly adhering to the constitution” may cause divisiveness on many levels like race and religion. While looking at the organization of the Tea Party, I have considered the three stages of social dynamics introduced by Comte, theological, metaphysical, and positivist. What happens when people feel a need to regress back to previous stages? The tea party wants to go back to the original constitution; a Christian governed society and the ideology of the Founding Fathers. And with this, it automatically counteracts the idea of positivism. And without the next stage fully blooming humanity will never be universalized.
Loveme
ReplyDeleteA Mediocre Criminal, but an Unmatched Jailhouse Lawyer
ADAM LIPTAK
The New York Times
February 8, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/us/09bar.html
Durkheim,
Society and individuals are inseparable; our characteristics and interactions contribute to the way society will emerge. We are either integrated into society or regulated by society. Shon R. Hopwood, decided that in a situation of regulation, that he would integrate into society instead of letting himself become regulated. Usually people serving prison sentences feel over regulated; being told when to sleep when to eat, when to have visitors, etc. This leads to fatalistic suicide, because prisoners have no individual freedom. Shon decided to utilize his time in prison by educating himself on law. While in prison he became a Supreme Court Practioner. He used his talents by helping other prisoners with their cases, and helping them write petitions to the Supreme Court. With his efforts, a prisoner won his case, and was released from prison. When Shon was released from prison he continued his integration into society by obtaining a job with a printing company of Supreme Court briefs. Shon took a fatal, over reuglated situation, and turned into a positive situation benefiting himself and society for the greater good.
JSCODE
ReplyDeleteStaples Launches Design Contest for Tomorrow’s Greenest Office Products
GreenBiz Staff
GreenBiz.com
February 09, 2010
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/staples-launches-design-contest-tomorrows-green-office-products?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Greenbuzz+%28GreenBiz+Feed%29
In efforts to become more economically sustainable, Staples has created a competition among ten universities to find an extraordinary eco-friendly product. According to the article, “Staples Launches Design Contest for Tomorrow’s Greenest Office Products,” Staples will be judging submissions on ‘function, potential, mass commercialization potential, and effectiveness in addressing sustainability.”
Ultimately, the finalists will be presenting their products to the world on Earth Day, and will receive cash rewards for their universities.
This attempt at making the world a more successful and environmentally friendly place reminds me of Karl Marx’s idea of social forces bringing about change. Marx claimed that ideas were not enough to actually create change itself but theory expressing the social interests of individuals who are oppressed can become a force of social change. In this specific situation, Staples is acting as the social force to create change. The environment is essentially oppressed and in desperate need of a huge change. The only way to create that change is for a mass of people (i.e. Staples’ employees) to create an opportunity for change. Hopefully, Staples’ example of environmental sustainability will influence not only other companies to adopt change, but eventually everyone.
casper
ReplyDeleteSomali Rebels 'Pour into Mogadishu'
Author not named
Source: BBC News
February 10, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8508176.stm
Durkheim:
Somalia is clearly in a state of anomie. There is no functioning central government. Instead, there is only a small transitional government centered in the capital while Islamic militias control the rest of the country. The government has no organization or regulation. This condition of anomie is due to the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity. Because the country has been stuck in the transitional period for nearly two decades, the anomie has resulted and is only growing worse. Violence continues to plague the country each year. A loss of collective consciousness stems from the anomie and further hinders the country from developing a working central government. Until the community can make the transition to organic solidarity with a division of labor, Somalia will remain in this anomic state.
1. Minina
ReplyDelete2. Lost, Season 6: I’m a Zombie
3. Jack Shafer
4. Slate Magazine
5. February 10, 2010
6. http://www.slate.com/id/2242745/entry/2244281/?from=rss
In the words of Durkheim:
It is evident that there is an emergence of a new religion with strong followers, the Lost religion. Since the creation of this particular television show it has created a set of believers who follow its every development. To a certain extent it has been able to integrate various individuals of society to follow collective rituals. Its followers gather every week of every new season around the television during a sacred time period that is set apart to watch this show as it develops. During this sacred religious ceremony its followers show an attitude of reverence, respect and awe as the development of the show unfolds. In the proceeding days its followers gather to talk about the show and even “blog” to others around the world whom share this emotion and belief of the sacred show. However, a believer recently has expressed that the show has lost its sacredness and has become to adopt profane elements of the everyday commonplace of television shows. However, he has expressed that he will continue to partake in the collective rituals of weekly religious ceremonies and share with other believers about the beliefs and morals show has come to represent.
stopngo43
ReplyDeleteThe Rise of Building Efficiency and Retrofits: State of Green Business Forum – Chicago
Leslie Guevarra
GreenBiz.com
February 10, 2010
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/02/10/state-green-business-forum-2010-rise-building-efficiency-and-etrofits?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Greenbuzz+(GreenBiz+Feed)
Marx:
As society shifts towards an age when everything and anything must be done to preserve what is left on the planet, there are those who inexplicably arrive to save it and still turn a profit on it. In such a capitalistic society it is easy to see how something such as becoming more efficient can become such a rewarding venture. In improving buildings efficiency you secure $18 billion a year. It never ceases to amaze where money can be made, even in something as simple helping the environment.
Dr. Mo44
ReplyDeleteWhat’s wrong with Android
Farhad Manjoo
Slate Magazine
February 9, 2010
http://www.slate.com/id/2244165/
Marx,
The device as we once known and loved as the telephone has evolved to something that will probably not be recognized by people of older generation. Today we have “smart” phones that do just about anything that can be done on our personal computers. Although most of these “smart” phones do the same thing, big corporations such as Apple and Google capitalize of the fact that we live in a world today that relies on convenience, and getting the most out of doing less work. These companies market their products as cutting edge and acknowledge their “smart” phone as the best. This is an modern day example of fetishism of commodity. The telephone was made to let people communicate with one another by dialing a number and hearing the person’s voice on the other end. Today, a “phone” is used for almost everything else besides talking. As the article compare and contrast the iPhone to the Google Android phones, I couldn’t help but notice how dependent we are as a society on making a single object the source of how we get many task done. I like the idea of the “smart” phone and how these producers see our need for gadgets that make our lives a lot easier and basically make us feel the need to want to get our hands on them.
1. Dixie
ReplyDelete2. Hawaii Senate says Cutting Back on Paper Has Saved $1.2 Million
3. The Associated Press
4. The Associated Press
5. February 6, 2010
6. http://www.nytimes.com?2010/02/07/us/07hawaii.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Durkheim:
The Hawaiian Senate's new methods of reducing paper waste gives support to my theory that society is geared towards rational and heirarchal authority. It supports the effeciency characteristic of my "Iron cage of Rationality". It also shows a level of calculability because the Senate is focused on the amount of paper that they are saving, rather than the fact that it was a lot of hard work for staff members and many of the lobbyists were unhappy with the change. Some groups insist that trees are being used, and things have become inconvenient, but more importantly the changes have saved $1.2 million, a quantifiable objective
Private1
ReplyDeleteJenny Sanford's Gentle Revenge
Hanna Rosin
Slate
Feb. 10, 2010
http://www.slate.com/id/2244253/?from=rss
The domestic environment oppresses women through the patriarchal beliefs upheld by society. The relation between man and women is an economic one. Jenny Sanford's story can be seen in homes nationwide. As women, we have been taught to not to seek individual agency, but rather seek fulfillment in helping our husbands set and execute their life projects. Jenny's forgiveness of his affairs were not only expected, but demanded. Society renders women's tolerance as moral responsibility. Mark Sanford's wealth and success in a large part was achieved due to his wife's unappreciated and uncompensated labor. Yet, not so surprisingly, she was regarded more as his "fishing buddy" than companion because according to him this was her place.
-Charlotte Perkins Gilman
HalfPint
ReplyDelete"Greece hit by nationwide strike over austerity measures"
No author listed
BBC News
10 February 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8507551.stm
Marx:
The fact that capitalism has exceeded its usefulness can be seen in recent events occurring all throughout the world. For instance, in Greece there have been thousands of demonstrators and strikers in the streets protesting the Prime Minister's decision to freeze pension payments and collect more taxes. Such actions as these by the bourgeoisie are carried out with no concern for the deleterious effects that they will have on the masses. The fact that so many people depend on their pensions for survival does not matter to the capitalist state. The fact that these people have toiled all their lives to strengthen the state while reaping no benefits for their labor other than menial wages matters even less. What matters is that the state remains strong and the corporations continue to profit.
But this is all beginning to change. The striking workers have demonstrated an increase in class consciousness as they come together to combat the greed of capitalists. Their strikes have crippled many aspects of the state, including hospitals and schools. As more of the workers gain class consciousness, they too will join the strikes and demonstrations and will soon force the capitalist state into a communist revolution.
SongBird
ReplyDeleteMan goes undercover to combat child sex slavery
Leif Coorlim
CNN News
February 9, 2010
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/09/cambodia.wus.child.sex.trafficking/index.html
Marx
This article talked about how Aaron Cohen went undercover to a Karaoke bar in Cambodia to discover it was housing young girls and prostituting them to sex tourist. One girl Cohen met named, Jonty Thern was one of many girls rescued from the bar after Cohen had gathered enough evidence to notify the state department. Cambodia has a huge sex trafficking issue. Due to the festival that takes place along with poverty Cambodia has been a prime human sex trafficking market. The supply and demand is high from tourist and the profit is the driving force. Jonty got involved in the sex trafficking because her mom sold her to pay her debt. Jonty’s mother along with many other paupers eventually end up selling their children to bourgeoisie pimps and sometimes proletariats customers to pay off debt and make a living. There is an alienation that takes place in regards to the profits and product of their labor as well as these young girls human nature. The young girls are essentially being sold to men for profits. In return they get little to no profits, although they are selling their bodies they become alienated with themselves as intercourse takes place. Due to the fact that most of these girls are young, some as young as 13 years old it is not in their true human nature to be prostituting. I hope one day these young girls and women will raise and start a revolution!
StudentA
ReplyDeleteBusiness Benefits in the Inner City: The State of Green Business
Jonathan Bardelline
http://greenbiz.com
February 9, 2010
http://greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/09/business-benefits-inner-city-state-green-business-chicago
Marx:
Green businesses are the key to the abolition of a capitalistic society. For the past decades, capitalism has; destroyed many natural resources, made consumption of goods and services a priority, and established class systems. The bourgeoisie have abused natural resources in order to keep their businesses flourishing which in turn destroys the health of our world. With these socio-economic changes taking place due to the state of green businesses, socialism is arising from the destruction of capitalism.
Businesses are relocating in inner cities where many businesses share a collective effort for sustainability. These companies are indulging in the lucrative benefits of Going Green including: positive media coverage, marketing, human capital, and financing. These projects are also very beneficial to the proletariat. These efforts are very commendable and may lead to the extinction of capitalism one day.
Sasha
ReplyDeleteSocial Forum Ends With Vows to Fight Capitalism
The Associated Press
The New York Times
January 29, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/29/world/AP-LT-Brazil-Social-Forum.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=capitalism&st=cse
Marx:
Capitalism is ruining the environment and the people of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The poor have no choice, but to remain poor and they are alienated from their personal freedom as a human being. Although Capitalism can easily be reorganized, the people are going to keep careful watch to be sure this doesn’t occur. People in Porto Alegre will soon cease to be treated as a commodity and more like human beings. To make matters worse, the farmers haven’t even been making adequate incomes because global warming is heating their crops and ruining their product. Hopefully until this change is seen through, the people of Porto Alegre will be socially creative and figure out a way to make due and save their crops.
1-Cronus
ReplyDelete2-Consumers Spent Modestly in January
3-Associated Press
4-New York Times
5-February 10, 2010
6-http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/10/business/AP-US-Retail-Sales-January.html?_r=2&scp=7&sq=consumers&st=cse
In the words of Marx..
I hate to say it, but “I told you so”. I knew that capitalism would not survive. It was only a matter of time before it would start deteriorating. Socioeconomic structure like capitalism and its predecessors would inevitably produce internal tensions. In the end it will build up so much that it will lead to its down fall. It is not the way to go. For example, I read this one article in the New York Times called Consumers Spent Modestly in January. In this article, it states that people are spending a lot less than previous years.
The writer believes this is due to the high gas prices, high unemployment rate and people with tight credit. I do not understand why people wait until the moment of need to do something about it. That is why I strongly believe that people need conflict in order to fuel the engine of any type of progress.
1. sweetmay
ReplyDelete2. student suicides worry Mumbai educators
3. Mallika Kapur and Harmet Shah Singh
4. CNN.com
5. February 4, 2010
6. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/india.student.suicides/index.html#cnnSTCText
Durkheim:
This article has just proved my theory of suicide. In India, suicide rates are increasing especially among adolescent students. In many cases, those suicides are caused by academic pressure. This case of suicide can be categorized into 3 types. The most matching group for India's case is egoistic suicide. This one is happen when people feel meaningless, and isolated from others in society. In the case of article, Indian adolescents who fail exams or missed out on getting into the college of own choices often try to commit suicide. According to my perspective, they feel that their future has no hope, their effort till the time has no meaning so that they choose to end their life. Next one is altruistic suicide. This is happen when people are too well integrated into the collectivity. Because in India, school is filled with academic pressure that ideal students should get A grade on every exmas but it is very difficult for some students. Then, they are extremely scared of being isolated from others and it also means that they must keep getting good grade on exam. However, some people are failed so that they think that they are fool and have no right to be in society. Last one is anomic suicide. This is happen when people don't know what is expected on them or they are failed something what they believed theycould. For example, a student who easily get A on exam so that he is naturally believed by others as intelligent. Then, he wants to go to the best college, but he failed. He may lose identity, hope for future and commit suicide. Trend of suicide is definitely reflected chnge of society. I would say that suicide is mirror of society.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete(ontime 3:36pm)
ReplyDeleteAmemyluv
Binyam Mohamed torture appeal lost by UK government
Dominic Casciani
BBC News
2/10/10
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8507852.stm
Durkheim:
In 2009 a man filled charges against the UK government because of
what he deemed to be tortured during an interrogation. The
proceedings that where described are a perfect example of the
social nature of suicide. The Man, Binyam Mohamed, was transferred
to a remote location were he was separated from his society and
support groups. Mohamed is from a modern society where
industrialization has created organic solidarity. The torture that
was given took away the commodities in which he was accustomed to
and the freedom and lack of regulation that he had experienced. In
order words he was taken from a society of lower regulation and
put in a position were even his sleep was regulated. After some
time of the interrogation, Mohamed had to be placed under suicide
watch. The reason that he had to be placed in suicide watch was
not because of an internal disability or problem, it was because
of the society around him. Had he committed suicide it would have
been a fatalistic suicide. Since he did not have any other way to
escape the only way to do so was through suicide.
(ontime 3:59pm)
ReplyDeleteJuice2135
'How's That Hopey, Changey Stuff?' Palin Asks
Don Gonyea
NPR
February 07, 2010
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123462728&ps=cprs
Summary:
Gonyea describes Palin’s speech given for the first National Tea Party Convention. Relying heavily on emotional appeal, it could be characterized by her exclamation that, “I am so proud to be an American,” her rhetorical question to the audience, “Do you love your freedom?” and her assertion that America is ready for another revolution. Most of the substance of the speech was devoted to criticisms of the Obama administration, as characterized by her question (to Obama supporters): “How’s that hopey, changey stuff working out?” Specifically, Palin critiqued his weak (“un-American”) stance on foreign policy and an economic stimulus package that has wasted millions of dollars but hasn’t relieved economic pressure. When asked, in an interview following the speech, to give more information regarding the “Palin plan,” she responded: “My plan is quite simple. To support those who support the foundation of our country when it comes to the economy. It is free-market principles that reward hard work and personal responsibility.”
Marx:
The “hopey, changey stuff” that Palin refers to, such as a national healthcare system that is affordable and readily available to all, or a call for reduced unemployment (and available employment that pays, at the very least, a subsistence wage, which is in itself inadequate) seems to be the rallying cry that unites a group of proletariat workers that have been alienated sufficiently so as to have developed class consciousness. That these plans for change have failed or come up short is not indicative of an inherently flawed philosophy, idea, or even execution of plans. Rather, it is a testament to the power of the capitalist to maintain the status quo. Indeed, this speech that would make a mockery of those ideas for change, as the wealthy capitalist corporations that have used their sociopolitical and economic power to slow or halt such change, seem to be in line with both capitalists and proletariats with a false consciousness.
The true problem here lies in the lack of praxis on the part of the class conscious proletariat. It is up to this population of society, the one most harmed by the capitalist system, to demand change. The power of numbers inherent to the proletariat must be awakened (help others achieve class consciousness), a task that has thus far been left to chance or, worse yet, the capitalist, with his ubiquitous, subliminal advertising and other similar forms of social control. As such, a society of indifferent proletariat makes for happy capitalists.
Numbers alone, however, are not sufficient to maximize human potential, for even a capitalist society in which many (even most) are content is still riddled with exploitation; after all, capitalism, to its core, must still rely on the exploitation of some for the profit of others. Moreover, praxis must come by way of revolution. Slight changes within a capitalist system (like those ridiculed in Palin’s speech) are not sufficient; rather, a change must be made towards communism if we are as a society to achieve our full potential.
Wrldsyrs
ReplyDeleteWomen have a terrifying 36 negative thoughts each day about their bodies … here are mine; She's lost over three stone in a year, but Lucy Cavendish is still racked by insecurities like the rest of us
Lucy Cavendish
BNET
15 February 2010
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_2010_Feb_15/women-terrifying-36-negative-thoughts/ai_n49582212/?tag=content;col1
Cooley –
Charles Cooley’s looking glass self is the process of imagining how others view us, the perceived judgment of that appearance, and the reactions that result from such a perception. In Lucy’s case, she believes she looks old, ugly, and fat. A man knocks on Lucy’s door and she believes that she looks terrible. Lucy believes he is horrified at her appearance. Since she believes the man at the door is horrified at her appearance, she feels insecure and begins to obsess over her weight and appearance. Regardless of whether or not the man at the door actually thought Lucy looked horrible, her initial interpretation of how he perceived her appearance resulted in the real consequence of her to feel insecure about her appearance. Lucy looked at herself through the eyes of the man at the door and concluded that he thinks that she looks horrible, which, in turn, contributed to her poor body image, her feelings of inadequacy, and her insecurity.
In another instance, Lucy feels that her teeth are not white enough. She believes that having white teeth is a sign of youth and beauty. She runs into a young mother with exceptionally white teeth and feels insecure about the color of her teeth and her appearance in general. Lucy believes that people will think she is younger and more attractive if she has whiter teeth. Lucy’s belief causes her to decide that she will get her teeth whitened, even though her best friend told her that the procedure was painful. Lucy has perceived that people look at her teeth and think her teeth are not white enough. Since she believes that others believe her teeth are not white enough, she believes they think she is old and unattractive. Since Lucy has this perception of other people’s beliefs about her appearance, she is going through with a painful procedure. Despite the fact that Lucy might have white teeth, she perceives that others believe that her teeth are not white enough, which causes her to feel old and unattractive. Lucy’s perceptions of other people’s beliefs about the color of her teeth, regardless of the truth in the belief, are resulting in Lucy to decide to have a teeth whitening procedure.
Lucy looks at herself through the eyes of others and makes conclusions about her perceived appearance. Regardless of whether or not these perceptions are correct, they have real consequences and outcomes in Lucy’s life and the way she feels about herself.
WCBAST #2
ReplyDeleteSasha
What to Do if You Suspect Learning Disability
By LESLEY ALDERMAN
The New York Times
Published: February 19, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/health/20patient.html?ref=health
Mead:
The other day, while sitting at the breakfast table, I noticed my son squinting at the box of cereal while trying to read it. I asked, “Charles, what is the matter? Are you having trouble with your eyesight?” He shrugged and began to blush. Without question, I knew what was wrong. He can’t read. (Impulse) My mind began racing and suddenly I was worrying about bills from his doctor and him being made fun of in school. I immediately started to think about what could possibly be wrong with my boy. (Perception)
The teacher had mentioned a while back that he had been moving along slower than the other children, but she said not to worry because many children at his age do not seem to apply their full potential. Regardless of her opinion, I began to worry. “What if he has a learning disability? What if he is mentally retarded? Maybe I am over-reacting and he simply needs to be held back a year. Is it just his vision? Am I under-reacting?” I began going crazy. If I would have let myself manipulate the situation any more, I would have had a stroke; so I decided to research about disabilities online and come to a rational conclusion rather than driving myself crazy at home.
After much research, I decided to have him tested. “The cost of getting a thorough assessment by a trained professional can be steep, often as much as $5,000”, but that was worth my boy’s health to me any day. The professional explained to me that “If [he] has trouble reading…more than one issue could be at play.] He went on to explain how “people often think of reading as one thing…but it takes a cascade of skills to read. You have to be able to integrate imagery and language.”
After the longest hour and a half of my life, (Consummation) we were lucky enough to find out that if he were held back a year he would fit in perfectly. After much worrying, relaxation set in and life was back to normal.
1. MickeyDog
ReplyDelete2. A social worker's reflections on power, privilege, and oppression
3. Spencer, Michael S
4. Ads by Google
5. April 1, 2008
6. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-184287808/social-worker-reflections-power.html
From the Perspective of Marx we can see that
social workers are rationalized in our society thats leads them to become marginalized. The are forced to be in the proletariate class and must organize and revolt if they are ever going to get ahead of their goals and plans. In the system, these people are oppressed with low wages, no vacations, and intense responibility.
The pursuit of social justice is a core social work value Social workers promote social justice by engaging in activities that promote equality of opportunity, challenge injustice, and advance social change, particularly on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations. This is easier said than done. Oppression and systems of power are extremely complex, multifaceted, and saturate our individual psyche and external environment. As social workers committed to social justice, how do we challenge and change these systems of power? They challenge them by uniting and revolting.