1. Victory 2. Football's Brain Injury Lessons Head To Battlefield 3. Jon Hamilton 4. npr 5. October 12, 2010 6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130436629&ft=1&f=1024
In an article written by Jon Hamilton entitled, "Football's Brain Injury Lessons Head To Battlefield," Hamilton addresses several key issues regarding concussions. Hamilton notes that neurological experts are trying to take the results of the research they have done on NFL players and apply it to those in the military. Many of those in the military and those that have played football (specifically, those in the NFL) have at some point experienced a concussion or numerous ones by the end of their career. This article relates to Popper in that the science here is being used as truth. Of course, Popper would argue that science is Truth. Experts in brain injury and neuroscience have found that it is best for the brain to rest after suffering from a concussion. Consequently, experts are suggesting that based on what they have found to be "true", those in the military who have suffered a concussion should take some sort of break, whether it be a medical leave or a week of rest before returning to duty. Thus, I feel that Popper would agree with the neurological experts based on his notion of Structural Functionalism. The very essence of Structural Functionalism states that like an organism, society is made up of parts that are essential to the functioning of the whole. I believe that one of the organisms in this article has to do with the NFL. The organism in this example is the entire team. If each player on the team isn't healthy and functioning properly, the team can not progress and win games. Moreover, Popper would probably say that each player is dependent on one another to succeed in the game.
1. sr71-745 2. Prince Guilty of Servant's Murder 3. Jon Brain 4. BBC news 5. October 19, 2010 6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11571822
In this article we can see how the criminal justice system and the government have worked fairly to despite the circumstances. The Saudi prince hoped for diplomatic immunity in this case where he was charged with manslaughter. The government however did not agree and he was found guilty in a trial and could serve life in prison. This example shows how Popper's structural functionalism works. Each one of these parts relies on the other for the maintenance and perpetuation of the society. If not then our criminal justice system couldn't be dependent on the government and things might fall apart. The government expects something out of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice system expects something out of the government. Without this interdependence, chaos would erupt because we could not function as a whole.
1. FPlayer 2. How Can You Tell When a CEO is Lying? 3. Jim Zarroli 4. npr.org 5. October 18, 2010 6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130544236&ft=1&f=1024
Are we born into becoming CEOs? Instead of having animals and airplanes on their mobiles do some babies have dollars and stock abbreviations? I don’t think this is the case. People are socialized into becoming CEOs, through interaction with others and learning the ropes from the CEOs that came before them. CEOs are surrounded by their own cultural system that has its own set of norms and values. Unfortunately for all those affected by the corruption and greed of CEOs, lying seems to be learned trait in their job line. ----- It is clear that there are greater forces at work in shaping the behaviors of CEOs rather than simply individual greed or a mommy and daddy that loved money more than a hug. There has been a recent strive in the American mindset that is always focused on: money, money, MONEY. The goal is to accumulate as much as you can, as fast as you can. The personality system of CEOs is in control of these gluttonous goals, and thus works hand-in-hand with the cultural system to coerce individuals into a world of lying and deceiving into our CEOs. ----- This assumption is not based solely on personal opinion. We can make the assumption that CEOs start to think and act alike because we have found a pattern in language used by lying major CEOs. David Larcker and his Ph.D. student assistant have compared and analyzed transcripts of CEOs who have been proven to be less than honest. They have a series of clues and code words that will give off instant tips to when CEOs are lying. With such patterns and expected behavior we can see that becoming a CEO means that you are entering into a tight knit group with similar goals and values. A young upstart has to “play by their rules” in order to survive in such a cut-throat competitive market. The integration of CEOs by those that surround them and have come before them is part of the social system. As far as I can tell, with the recent recession and being exposed on daily basis to fraudulent CEOs dirt laundry on the covers of magazines, their social system is keeping CEOs well integrated into a society of lying, cheating, and scheming. Now that we’ve mastered their patterns of lying we can start to keeping CEOs honest.
1. Pena 2. Judge to rule on Va.'s health-care lawsuit this year 3. Rosalind S. Helderman 4. The Washington Post 5. October 19, 2010 6. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/18/AR2010101805971.html
A federal judge is to rule soon on Virginia’s constitutional challenge to the federal health-care law. The law in question will require everyone to buy health insurance by 2014 or pay a fine. This article is not significant because of the law it is presenting, but because it is showing that the system of health-care in the United States is being required to adapt to a changing environment. Since the new government wants everyone in the United States to have some form of health-care, the health-care system must adapt to accommodate that change.
Of course, because change happens slowly, updating the health-care system may take many years. There will probably be several more trials and appeals after this particular judge makes his ruling. However, these changes must take place for the health-care system to live on any longer. If the health-care system does not adapt to this evolving society, it will begin to negatively affect the other systems around it such as the government and education systems. If this occurs, the health-care system will die out from a lack of function. Thus, the way health-care works now must improve to fit with the government or it will become obsolete.
1. Aliakbar 2. Gunmen kill 25 in Pakistani city 3. Undisclosed by BBC South Asia 4. BBC 5. 19 October 2010 6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11577128
There appears to be a large disjunction between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supporters and Awami National Party (ANP) members in the capital city Karachi, Pakistan. The occurrence of a shooting of this magnitude can show an analysis of a group of people similar to the analysis devised by Talcott Parsons using cultural, social, personality and behavioral system. The fact that someone would open fire on a city marketplace tells me that they value their goals as an organization more than human life. This behavior is dangerous and inhibits structural functionalism because it prevents functional activity in society. The article mentions that this is a common occurrence in politically torn Pakistan. The motivation for the political group must be great enough for these Pakistani political groups to involve themselves in this behavior, thus emulating Parsons' Action Theory in a grim manner. Parsons claimed that the social system's ability to integrate was the most important function to be served, it is clear that in Pakistan's current situation integration is lacking and there is a long road of development ahead of them. After flooding, earthquakes and now war, Pakistan is in need of genuine aid.
gmoney 'Culture of Poverty' Makes a Comeback The New York Times October 17, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/us/18poverty.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
The article “Culture of Poverty” exemplifies my four stages of activity: adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency. The activity of adaption is shown in the statement by Robert J. Sampson in which he questions those neighborhoods in the poverty trap. He asks two important questions: “When people see graffiti and garbage, do they find it acceptable or see serious disorder? Do they respect the legal system or have a high level of ‘moral cynicism,’ believing that ‘laws were made to be broken’?” Both these questions seek to determine if people have just started to cope with their external environments and if they started to become accustomed to dealing with their needs in their poor environments.
The article also talks about my second activity of goal-attainment when it states “culture is back on the poverty research agenda,” [acknowledging that it should never have been removed]. Now people aren’t afraid to be politically incorrect, and it’s the goal to change these poverty-striken neighborhoods into better suited environments for its inhabitants. There was also a realization that there is a need a comprehensive measure of the environment and that it must be considered as a structural and cultural force. These goals will fuel a better environment for these poverty-based areas. It’s important to note that these goals cannot simply be defined once and for all, while the bigger/major issue is forgotten.
The next step integration, seeks to regulate the interrelationship of its component parts. The article talks about how in “overwhelmingly liberal ranks of academic sociology and anthropology the word ‘culture’ became a live grenade, and the idea that attitudes and behavior patterns kept people poor was shunned.” This goes against my activity integration, because the attitudes and behaviors were kept isolated from the true culture. Relationships among the environment and people in those poor environments need to be meshed together to promote change.
The last activity, latency, is imperative in that it is needed to maintain and renew the cultural patterns that sustain individual motivation. In one study, Mario Luis Small, “tried to figure out why some New York City mothers with children in day care developed networks of support while others did not.” He found that “the answer did not depend on income or ethnicity, but rather the rules of the day-care institution. Centers that held frequent field trips, organized parents’ associations and had pick-up and drop-off procedures created more opportunities for parents to connect.” These along with other studies will promote culture within these poverty-striken neighborhoods and create a better environment for those in these areas.
Purple Col. Williams’ double life not uncommon Angela Mulholland CTV.ca News 10/19/10 http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101019/russell-williams-psychology-101019/20101019/?hub=OttawaHome
Talcott Parsons defined 4 systems that people of a society are constrained to in order to contribute to a social system. Parsons coined the term Functional Action Systems and further described the 4 systems as adaptation, goal-attainment, integration, and latency. This article focuses on a very highly esteemed Canadian Air Force Colonel who turned out to lead a double life. Col. Russell Williams seemed to have it all, a great marriage and family, an exciting job, and prestige. He was trusted to fly Prime Ministers and even Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Canada. The other part of his life that he kept a secret entailed him acting on his ghoulish fantasies of rape and sexual assault, and even to murder of two of his victims. How can one man appear to be so normal, yet be so morbid? He acted how he felt society wanted him to be. The first thing that stood out was he was a “family-man.” He did this to adapt to his society and his surroundings. In most of the world’s culture, if you are an average person with a great family, then there would be no reason that you would stray from the norm. Williams also held a very high position in the Canadian military, which exudes Parsons’ goal-attainment where one sets goals and reaches them in order fit in. He integrated by making sure no one knew what he did, and planning for months on end before he acted. He made sure that everything was in place so that nothing from his “dark side” would slip through the cracks and make people suspicious of him. The latent part of AGIL pertaining to Williams was the fact that he was able to keep this charade for 47 years of life; 23 of those years being a part of the military. People that lead double lives are more aware of functional action systems because they need to abide by these rules so they can fit in with their counterparts. They are always aware of their actions, and most of their actions are premeditated so that they are not uncovered. Parsons coined this for our society, but it is more of a way of life for some than it is our society’s structure.
1. Koala 2. Foreign Exchange Students Adapt to America 3. Mallory DeGregori 4. Buhach Colony 5. 2009 6. http://www.muhsd.k12.ca.us/188320318114921780/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=295592&C=6121
Four exchange students came to America to see what it was like to live here. They had to adapt to their surroundings and the different culture in America. The food, customs, school system, hobbies, and communication were very different from what they were used to in their own country. Their goal was to see what it was like to be free in America. They wanted to experience life as an American and be able to go back home and share their stories about the differences between their country and America. In order for these students to be integrated into the American society they had to make some changes. They wanted other kids to accept them, so they would have to change the way they dressed, or the way that they talked, or even the way that they acted, in order to be integrated into the school and make friends. The latent functions of the exchange program is the students making new friends and finding the American way of life either more desirable or less desirable after being immersed in it for a little while. Parson’s set up these four stages as a necessary guide that systems must go through in order to meet their needs and requirements. After examining the ways that these students went through these stages, I believe that the needs of the Exchange program have been met, but only through Parson’s four AGIL stages of a system.
1. Dolphins 2. Prince Guilty of Servant's Murder 3. Jon Brain 4. BBC news 5. October 19, 2010 6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11571822
Structural Functionalism relies on each system working together. society can be see as an organism that works together with the body. this concept relates to the article because the Prince wanted to get away with the murder because he was a Prince, however the parts of the legal system are in place for a reason. each part of the government and legal system work together to insure justice. each part has to function properly and together for functionalism and the system to work.
1. Astarte 2. Military recruiters told they can accept openly gay applicants. 3. Adam Levine 4. CNN.com 5. 10/19/2010 6. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/10/19/pentagon.gays.recruiting/
The Pentagon recently advised military recruiters that they can now accept recruit candidates that are openly gay. Sexuality will not be questioned during the application process however. Recruiters are also to advise that the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy may be reinstated in the future.
In order for a social institution to persist, it must serve a function for society. One of the four imperatives for a functional action system is that it must be able to adapt to changes in the environment. In our current social environment, homosexuality has become gradually more mainstream and accepted. As a result, the military has also needed to become more accepting. The institution of the military has some definite goals that must be reached. One of these is a high number of men and women enlisted. It was no longer beneficial to turn away thousands of applicants when the goal of the system is to encourage people to join up. Over a period of many years, changes have been slowly made within the military that eventually resulted in this decision. A functional system must also be able to endure and persist throughout time. As the decision to admit gay recruits is not yet final, this is a trial period. If the system does not work in its newer form, it will slowly revert back to the original format. However, I predict that this form of the military will in fact be able to persist and flourish. Our cultural system, which for the most part has become more approving of open homosexuality, is the force that dictates whether or not a system will have staying power.
1. mht914 2. Sensory Deception: Lab Mice Can "Smell" Light 3. Jon Hamilton 4. NPR 5. October 19, 2010 6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130653692&ft=1&f=1024
Using empirical methods of science is the only correct way to acquire any true knowledge. As displayed through using mice to understand how neurons and brain circuits respond to smells, scientists are furthering their knowledge of optogenetics. By controlling outside variables and using cause & effect methods, hypotheses about how odors are detected can be more accurately tested. Through this inductive research, the nonsensical science involving philosophy or religion to develop absolute truths can be made more unreliable. The fallacy of affirming the consequent and the falsifiability criterion for hypotheses are not present in this form of inductive research involving mice's optogenetics. Our knowledge of optogenetics in mice contributes to our knowledge of optogenetics in humans. The ability to solve olfactory mysteries greatly increases our ability to understand how different brain circuits work. It is through science only that we can acquire the necessary facts to solve these mysteries, making optogenetics more predictable. -Karl Popper
1.Aurora 2. French Police Smash Protesters' Fuel Depot Blockades 3. Eleanor Beardsle, NPR Staff and Wires 4. NPR 5. 10/20/10 6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130697440 The French government is currently trying to put through some legislation that will increase the retirement age in France from sixty to sixty two. The French people who are used to a very accommodating government are in uproar about this possible change. There are many people protesting this decision and have gone to the streets to block off certain business. Three fuel stations were blocked off by protesters several weeks ago thus not allowing gasoline stations to refill in quite some time. All of these protests have delayed flights in and out of the country, caused one third of the gas stations in France to run dry. Popper would of seen this and said that the system cannot function while a large part of the system in not working. We can clearly see this in France. A portion of the work force is no longer working for the system they are in actuality working against the system trying to cause it harm. Like an organism the system is also trying to correct the piece that isn’t working. The French government sent out troops to reopen the fuel pumping station and to dispel any of the protester who have turned violent. Popper would say that the French government its self is trying to maintain itself while the individual parts are not agreeing with the changes that need to happen. If the parts of the whole cannot cooperate and work together under a new idea of having less money than the entire system will cease to function.
Dazzler 1 in 6 students is regularly bullied, survey shows Linda Carroll 10/20/10 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39758956/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
Bullying is an action necessary for society. Throughout people’s lives, they will face adversity and unfairness through the actions of other individuals who are attempting to gain an advantage. This serves the means of society, as an individual who can deal with bullying in an acceptable manner learns how to handle these issues. An individual who cannot handle bullying is therefore placed into a weaker position, but it is of their own making, so they will find a position where they do not need to be as secure in themselves. Bullying is derived from differing interpretations of norms, and from some individual’s rejection of norms, but this practice often leads them to lives as social outcasts, where they are free to express their discontent with society The increase in bullying seen recently can be seen as an indicator of an imbalanced society, so that discontented children are taking out their issues on other children rather than accepting what they see as the usual social norms. The tendency towards equilibrium should eventually balance out however, as social mechanisms correct for this over-bullying that is occurring. -Talcott Parsons
1. Gottenyu 2. Baby Born From 20 Year Old Embryo 3. J.J. Shutherland 4. The Two-Way NPR’s News Blog 5. 13 October, 2010 6. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/10/13/130535250/baby-born-from-20-year-old-embryo?ft=1&f=1024 The article discusses how a 42 year old woman was able to conceive and birth a baby from a 20 year old embryo produced by another couple’s attempts with In Vitro Fertilization. Although In Vitro often presents ethical and moral dilemmas with many, under Talcott Parsons’ perspective it is simply interacting within society as part of the overall structural functionalism. As society has grown and become more complex women who have previously been unable to bear children of their own sought different ways to have children. Medical institutions found an answer through In Vitro Fertilization that would allow these women and many couples to have children of their own. Women and couples who have low fertility are dependent on In Vitro in many cases to even have the hope of producing their own children, and In Vitro is reliant on the medical institutions and the demand of these women. Although fertility is a differentiated structure within the medical field, it is also a whole within itself with its own hospitals, specialties, doctors, and equipment. If the medical institution were to meet and untimely demise caused by something such as a poorly planned and written health care bill, In Vitro, the way we know it now, would likely phase out. Also, if the human race and society were to end, In Vitro would as well.
1. Curtrell 2. Another atheist hero 3. Don Gross 4. The Sydney Morning Herald 5. October 11, 2010 6. http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/blogs/godless-gross/another-atheist-hero/20101008-16b7t.html
We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that Pastor Terry Jones preaching intolerance against Muslims and gay people has gone too far and that we have no reason to pay any more attention to him. His words are hateful even though his is just “some anonymous freak with ugly views.” We get into trouble when we say everyone have a right to say whatever they want. When we do this, the media especially becomes too powerful. We should not try to tolerate all the crazy people in the world. (Popper)
CoAnd How can you tell When a CEO is lying? Jim Zarrolli http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130544236&ft=1&f=1024 NPR 10/18/10
Ervin Goffman. These individuals are compelled to do what they feel is in their company’s best interest. Our society has created and empowered individuals at the forefront of corporations to project images of honesty, respect and integrity to gain our utmost respect when behind closed doors they are dealing with the pressures of possible failure. Who really is to blame when CEO’s perform this way? Who really is to blame when they lie because the audience (consumers) will be disappointed if they discover faults? CEO’s of many major corporations are forced to indulge in emotional labor where their emotions must be carefully selected; it must be constructed and managed to prevent chaos; their emotions must be managed to prevent distrust. This article has demonstrated how most CEO’s have developed a type of performance to maintain this image of trust. Unfortunately, this performance includes actors that are to deceive its audience until this audience discovers the truth on their own. We should blame ourselves for Dramatugy of CEO’s in our society. We should blame ourselves when deceiving acts as such are performed. The driving force behind our society’s structure is profit. Humans tend to support an institution until they discover a weakness. This weakness is what many CEO’s fight to keep backstage. With that being said, I disagree with the author of this article, there is no way and will never be way to tell when a CEO is lying because new mechanisms will be developed to keep backstage acts backstage. Remember, we are a society driven by profit and CEO’s will not keep the same performance if it has been discovered to be a spoiled one rather new scripts will be constructed and the audience will be forever fooled.
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
1. Victory
ReplyDelete2. Football's Brain Injury Lessons Head To Battlefield
3. Jon Hamilton
4. npr
5. October 12, 2010
6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130436629&ft=1&f=1024
In an article written by Jon Hamilton entitled, "Football's Brain Injury Lessons Head To Battlefield," Hamilton addresses several key issues regarding concussions. Hamilton notes that neurological experts are trying to take the results of the research they have done on NFL players and apply it to those in the military. Many of those in the military and those that have played football (specifically, those in the NFL) have at some point experienced a concussion or numerous ones by the end of their career. This article relates to Popper in that the science here is being used as truth. Of course, Popper would argue that science is Truth.
Experts in brain injury and neuroscience have found that it is best for the brain to rest after suffering from a concussion. Consequently, experts are suggesting that based on what they have found to be "true", those in the military who have suffered a concussion should take some sort of break, whether it be a medical leave or a week of rest before returning to duty.
Thus, I feel that Popper would agree with the neurological experts based on his notion of Structural Functionalism. The very essence of Structural Functionalism states that like an organism, society is made up of parts that are essential to the functioning of the whole. I believe that one of the organisms in this article has to do with the NFL. The organism in this example is the entire team. If each player on the team isn't healthy and functioning properly, the team can not progress and win games. Moreover, Popper would probably say that each player is dependent on one another to succeed in the game.
1. sr71-745
ReplyDelete2. Prince Guilty of Servant's Murder
3. Jon Brain
4. BBC news
5. October 19, 2010
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11571822
In this article we can see how the criminal justice system and the government have worked fairly to despite the circumstances. The Saudi prince hoped for diplomatic immunity in this case where he was charged with manslaughter. The government however did not agree and he was found guilty in a trial and could serve life in prison.
This example shows how Popper's structural functionalism works. Each one of these parts relies on the other for the maintenance and perpetuation of the society. If not then our criminal justice system couldn't be dependent on the government and things might fall apart. The government expects something out of the criminal justice system and the criminal justice system expects something out of the government. Without this interdependence, chaos would erupt because we could not function as a whole.
1. FPlayer
ReplyDelete2. How Can You Tell When a CEO is Lying?
3. Jim Zarroli
4. npr.org
5. October 18, 2010
6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130544236&ft=1&f=1024
Are we born into becoming CEOs? Instead of having animals and airplanes on their mobiles do some babies have dollars and stock abbreviations? I don’t think this is the case. People are socialized into becoming CEOs, through interaction with others and learning the ropes from the CEOs that came before them. CEOs are surrounded by their own cultural system that has its own set of norms and values. Unfortunately for all those affected by the corruption and greed of CEOs, lying seems to be learned trait in their job line.
-----
It is clear that there are greater forces at work in shaping the behaviors of CEOs rather than simply individual greed or a mommy and daddy that loved money more than a hug. There has been a recent strive in the American mindset that is always focused on: money, money, MONEY. The goal is to accumulate as much as you can, as fast as you can. The personality system of CEOs is in control of these gluttonous goals, and thus works hand-in-hand with the cultural system to coerce individuals into a world of lying and deceiving into our CEOs.
-----
This assumption is not based solely on personal opinion. We can make the assumption that CEOs start to think and act alike because we have found a pattern in language used by lying major CEOs. David Larcker and his Ph.D. student assistant have compared and analyzed transcripts of CEOs who have been proven to be less than honest. They have a series of clues and code words that will give off instant tips to when CEOs are lying. With such patterns and expected behavior we can see that becoming a CEO means that you are entering into a tight knit group with similar goals and values. A young upstart has to “play by their rules” in order to survive in such a cut-throat competitive market. The integration of CEOs by those that surround them and have come before them is part of the social system. As far as I can tell, with the recent recession and being exposed on daily basis to fraudulent CEOs dirt laundry on the covers of magazines, their social system is keeping CEOs well integrated into a society of lying, cheating, and scheming. Now that we’ve mastered their patterns of lying we can start to keeping CEOs honest.
1. Pena
ReplyDelete2. Judge to rule on Va.'s health-care lawsuit this year
3. Rosalind S. Helderman
4. The Washington Post
5. October 19, 2010
6. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/18/AR2010101805971.html
A federal judge is to rule soon on Virginia’s constitutional challenge to the federal health-care law. The law in question will require everyone to buy health insurance by 2014 or pay a fine. This article is not significant because of the law it is presenting, but because it is showing that the system of health-care in the United States is being required to adapt to a changing environment. Since the new government wants everyone in the United States to have some form of health-care, the health-care system must adapt to accommodate that change.
Of course, because change happens slowly, updating the health-care system may take many years. There will probably be several more trials and appeals after this particular judge makes his ruling. However, these changes must take place for the health-care system to live on any longer. If the health-care system does not adapt to this evolving society, it will begin to negatively affect the other systems around it such as the government and education systems. If this occurs, the health-care system will die out from a lack of function. Thus, the way health-care works now must improve to fit with the government or it will become obsolete.
1. Aliakbar
ReplyDelete2. Gunmen kill 25 in Pakistani city
3. Undisclosed by BBC South Asia
4. BBC
5. 19 October 2010
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11577128
There appears to be a large disjunction between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supporters and Awami National Party (ANP) members in the capital city Karachi, Pakistan. The occurrence of a shooting of this magnitude can show an analysis of a group of people similar to the analysis devised by Talcott Parsons using cultural, social, personality and behavioral system. The fact that someone would open fire on a city marketplace tells me that they value their goals as an organization more than human life. This behavior is dangerous and inhibits structural functionalism because it prevents functional activity in society. The article mentions that this is a common occurrence in politically torn Pakistan. The motivation for the political group must be great enough for these Pakistani political groups to involve themselves in this behavior, thus emulating Parsons' Action Theory in a grim manner. Parsons claimed that the social system's ability to integrate was the most important function to be served, it is clear that in Pakistan's current situation integration is lacking and there is a long road of development ahead of them. After flooding, earthquakes and now war, Pakistan is in need of genuine aid.
gmoney
ReplyDelete'Culture of Poverty' Makes a Comeback
The New York Times
October 17, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/us/18poverty.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
The article “Culture of Poverty” exemplifies my four stages of activity: adaption, goal attainment, integration, and latency. The activity of adaption is shown in the statement by Robert J. Sampson in which he questions those neighborhoods in the poverty trap. He asks two important questions: “When people see graffiti and garbage, do they find it acceptable or see serious disorder? Do they respect the legal system or have a high level of ‘moral cynicism,’ believing that ‘laws were made to be broken’?” Both these questions seek to determine if people have just started to cope with their external environments and if they started to become accustomed to dealing with their needs in their poor environments.
The article also talks about my second activity of goal-attainment when it states “culture is back on the poverty research agenda,” [acknowledging that it should never have been removed]. Now people aren’t afraid to be politically incorrect, and it’s the goal to change these poverty-striken neighborhoods into better suited environments for its inhabitants. There was also a realization that there is a need a comprehensive measure of the environment and that it must be considered as a structural and cultural force. These goals will fuel a better environment for these poverty-based areas. It’s important to note that these goals cannot simply be defined once and for all, while the bigger/major issue is forgotten.
The next step integration, seeks to regulate the interrelationship of its component parts. The article talks about how in “overwhelmingly liberal ranks of academic sociology and anthropology the word ‘culture’ became a live grenade, and the idea that attitudes and behavior patterns kept people poor was shunned.” This goes against my activity integration, because the attitudes and behaviors were kept isolated from the true culture. Relationships among the environment and people in those poor environments need to be meshed together to promote change.
The last activity, latency, is imperative in that it is needed to maintain and renew the cultural patterns that sustain individual motivation. In one study, Mario Luis Small, “tried to figure out why some New York City mothers with children in day care developed networks of support while others did not.” He found that “the answer did not depend on income or ethnicity, but rather the rules of the day-care institution. Centers that held frequent field trips, organized parents’ associations and had pick-up and drop-off procedures created more opportunities for parents to connect.” These along with other studies will promote culture within these poverty-striken neighborhoods and create a better environment for those in these areas.
Purple
ReplyDeleteCol. Williams’ double life not uncommon
Angela Mulholland
CTV.ca News
10/19/10
http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101019/russell-williams-psychology-101019/20101019/?hub=OttawaHome
Talcott Parsons defined 4 systems that people of a society are constrained to in order to contribute to a social system. Parsons coined the term Functional Action Systems and further described the 4 systems as adaptation, goal-attainment, integration, and latency. This article focuses on a very highly esteemed Canadian Air Force Colonel who turned out to lead a double life. Col. Russell Williams seemed to have it all, a great marriage and family, an exciting job, and prestige. He was trusted to fly Prime Ministers and even Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Canada.
The other part of his life that he kept a secret entailed him acting on his ghoulish fantasies of rape and sexual assault, and even to murder of two of his victims. How can one man appear to be so normal, yet be so morbid? He acted how he felt society wanted him to be.
The first thing that stood out was he was a “family-man.” He did this to adapt to his society and his surroundings. In most of the world’s culture, if you are an average person with a great family, then there would be no reason that you would stray from the norm. Williams also held a very high position in the Canadian military, which exudes Parsons’ goal-attainment where one sets goals and reaches them in order fit in. He integrated by making sure no one knew what he did, and planning for months on end before he acted. He made sure that everything was in place so that nothing from his “dark side” would slip through the cracks and make people suspicious of him. The latent part of AGIL pertaining to Williams was the fact that he was able to keep this charade for 47 years of life; 23 of those years being a part of the military.
People that lead double lives are more aware of functional action systems because they need to abide by these rules so they can fit in with their counterparts. They are always aware of their actions, and most of their actions are premeditated so that they are not uncovered. Parsons coined this for our society, but it is more of a way of life for some than it is our society’s structure.
1. Koala
ReplyDelete2. Foreign Exchange Students Adapt to America
3. Mallory DeGregori
4. Buhach Colony
5. 2009
6. http://www.muhsd.k12.ca.us/188320318114921780/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=295592&C=6121
Four exchange students came to America to see what it was like to live here. They had to adapt to their surroundings and the different culture in America. The food, customs, school system, hobbies, and communication were very different from what they were used to in their own country. Their goal was to see what it was like to be free in America. They wanted to experience life as an American and be able to go back home and share their stories about the differences between their country and America. In order for these students to be integrated into the American society they had to make some changes. They wanted other kids to accept them, so they would have to change the way they dressed, or the way that they talked, or even the way that they acted, in order to be integrated into the school and make friends. The latent functions of the exchange program is the students making new friends and finding the American way of life either more desirable or less desirable after being immersed in it for a little while. Parson’s set up these four stages as a necessary guide that systems must go through in order to meet their needs and requirements. After examining the ways that these students went through these stages, I believe that the needs of the Exchange program have been met, but only through Parson’s four AGIL stages of a system.
1. Dolphins
ReplyDelete2. Prince Guilty of Servant's Murder
3. Jon Brain
4. BBC news
5. October 19, 2010
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11571822
Structural Functionalism relies on each system working together. society can be see as an organism that works together with the body. this concept relates to the article because the Prince wanted to get away with the murder because he was a Prince, however the parts of the legal system are in place for a reason. each part of the government and legal system work together to insure justice. each part has to function properly and together for functionalism and the system to work.
1. Astarte
ReplyDelete2. Military recruiters told they can accept openly gay applicants.
3. Adam Levine
4. CNN.com
5. 10/19/2010
6. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/10/19/pentagon.gays.recruiting/
The Pentagon recently advised military recruiters that they can now accept recruit candidates that are openly gay. Sexuality will not be questioned during the application process however. Recruiters are also to advise that the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy may be reinstated in the future.
In order for a social institution to persist, it must serve a function for society. One of the four imperatives for a functional action system is that it must be able to adapt to changes in the environment. In our current social environment, homosexuality has become gradually more mainstream and accepted. As a result, the military has also needed to become more accepting.
The institution of the military has some definite goals that must be reached. One of these is a high number of men and women enlisted. It was no longer beneficial to turn away thousands of applicants when the goal of the system is to encourage people to join up. Over a period of many years, changes have been slowly made within the military that eventually resulted in this decision.
A functional system must also be able to endure and persist throughout time. As the decision to admit gay recruits is not yet final, this is a trial period. If the system does not work in its newer form, it will slowly revert back to the original format. However, I predict that this form of the military will in fact be able to persist and flourish. Our cultural system, which for the most part has become more approving of open homosexuality, is the force that dictates whether or not a system will have staying power.
1. mht914
ReplyDelete2. Sensory Deception: Lab Mice Can "Smell" Light
3. Jon Hamilton
4. NPR
5. October 19, 2010
6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130653692&ft=1&f=1024
Using empirical methods of science is the only correct way to acquire any true knowledge. As displayed through using mice to understand how neurons and brain circuits respond to smells, scientists are furthering their knowledge of optogenetics. By controlling outside variables and using cause & effect methods, hypotheses about how odors are detected can be more accurately tested. Through this inductive research, the nonsensical science involving philosophy or religion to develop absolute truths can be made more unreliable. The fallacy of affirming the consequent and the falsifiability criterion for hypotheses are not present in this form of inductive research involving mice's optogenetics. Our knowledge of optogenetics in mice contributes to our knowledge of optogenetics in humans. The ability to solve olfactory mysteries greatly increases our ability to understand how different brain circuits work. It is through science only that we can acquire the necessary facts to solve these mysteries, making optogenetics more predictable.
-Karl Popper
1.Aurora
ReplyDelete2. French Police Smash Protesters' Fuel Depot Blockades
3. Eleanor Beardsle, NPR Staff and Wires
4. NPR
5. 10/20/10
6. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130697440
The French government is currently trying to put through some legislation that will increase the retirement age in France from sixty to sixty two. The French people who are used to a very accommodating government are in uproar about this possible change. There are many people protesting this decision and have gone to the streets to block off certain business. Three fuel stations were blocked off by protesters several weeks ago thus not allowing gasoline stations to refill in quite some time. All of these protests have delayed flights in and out of the country, caused one third of the gas stations in France to run dry. Popper would of seen this and said that the system cannot function while a large part of the system in not working. We can clearly see this in France. A portion of the work force is no longer working for the system they are in actuality working against the system trying to cause it harm. Like an organism the system is also trying to correct the piece that isn’t working. The French government sent out troops to reopen the fuel pumping station and to dispel any of the protester who have turned violent. Popper would say that the French government its self is trying to maintain itself while the individual parts are not agreeing with the changes that need to happen. If the parts of the whole cannot cooperate and work together under a new idea of having less money than the entire system will cease to function.
Dazzler
ReplyDelete1 in 6 students is regularly bullied, survey shows
Linda Carroll
10/20/10
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39758956/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
Bullying is an action necessary for society. Throughout people’s lives, they will face adversity and unfairness through the actions of other individuals who are attempting to gain an advantage. This serves the means of society, as an individual who can deal with bullying in an acceptable manner learns how to handle these issues. An individual who cannot handle bullying is therefore placed into a weaker position, but it is of their own making, so they will find a position where they do not need to be as secure in themselves.
Bullying is derived from differing interpretations of norms, and from some individual’s rejection of norms, but this practice often leads them to lives as social outcasts, where they are free to express their discontent with society
The increase in bullying seen recently can be seen as an indicator of an imbalanced society, so that discontented children are taking out their issues on other children rather than accepting what they see as the usual social norms. The tendency towards equilibrium should eventually balance out however, as social mechanisms correct for this over-bullying that is occurring.
-Talcott Parsons
1. Gottenyu
ReplyDelete2. Baby Born From 20 Year Old Embryo
3. J.J. Shutherland
4. The Two-Way NPR’s News Blog
5. 13 October, 2010
6. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/10/13/130535250/baby-born-from-20-year-old-embryo?ft=1&f=1024
The article discusses how a 42 year old woman was able to conceive and birth a baby from a 20 year old embryo produced by another couple’s attempts with In Vitro Fertilization. Although In Vitro often presents ethical and moral dilemmas with many, under Talcott Parsons’ perspective it is simply interacting within society as part of the overall structural functionalism. As society has grown and become more complex women who have previously been unable to bear children of their own sought different ways to have children. Medical institutions found an answer through In Vitro Fertilization that would allow these women and many couples to have children of their own. Women and couples who have low fertility are dependent on In Vitro in many cases to even have the hope of producing their own children, and In Vitro is reliant on the medical institutions and the demand of these women. Although fertility is a differentiated structure within the medical field, it is also a whole within itself with its own hospitals, specialties, doctors, and equipment. If the medical institution were to meet and untimely demise caused by something such as a poorly planned and written health care bill, In Vitro, the way we know it now, would likely phase out. Also, if the human race and society were to end, In Vitro would as well.
1. Curtrell
ReplyDelete2. Another atheist hero
3. Don Gross
4. The Sydney Morning Herald
5. October 11, 2010
6. http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/blogs/godless-gross/another-atheist-hero/20101008-16b7t.html
We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that Pastor Terry Jones preaching intolerance against Muslims and gay people has gone too far and that we have no reason to pay any more attention to him. His words are hateful even though his is just “some anonymous freak with ugly views.” We get into trouble when we say everyone have a right to say whatever they want. When we do this, the media especially becomes too powerful. We should not try to tolerate all the crazy people in the world. (Popper)
CoAnd
ReplyDeleteHow can you tell When a CEO is lying?
Jim Zarrolli
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130544236&ft=1&f=1024
NPR
10/18/10
Ervin Goffman.
These individuals are compelled to do what they feel is in their company’s best interest. Our society has created and empowered individuals at the forefront of corporations to project images of honesty, respect and integrity to gain our utmost respect when behind closed doors they are dealing with the pressures of possible failure. Who really is to blame when CEO’s perform this way? Who really is to blame when they lie because the audience (consumers) will be disappointed if they discover faults? CEO’s of many major corporations are forced to indulge in emotional labor where their emotions must be carefully selected; it must be constructed and managed to prevent chaos; their emotions must be managed to prevent distrust. This article has demonstrated how most CEO’s have developed a type of performance to maintain this image of trust. Unfortunately, this performance includes actors that are to deceive its audience until this audience discovers the truth on their own. We should blame ourselves for Dramatugy of CEO’s in our society. We should blame ourselves when deceiving acts as such are performed. The driving force behind our society’s structure is profit. Humans tend to support an institution until they discover a weakness. This weakness is what many CEO’s fight to keep backstage. With that being said, I disagree with the author of this article, there is no way and will never be way to tell when a CEO is lying because new mechanisms will be developed to keep backstage acts backstage. Remember, we are a society driven by profit and CEO’s will not keep the same performance if it has been discovered to be a spoiled one rather new scripts will be constructed and the audience will be forever fooled.
blah blah
ReplyDelete