well school is almost over. On monday I will be turning in an 8 to 10 page report about the expansion project in Grapevine. I've done some research but so far the only thing I have found is that the residents in Grapevine are not very excited about this expansion. I'm not sure I totally understand why. I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to situations like this, I'm pretty neutral.
To me it seems like there is a lot of room for expansion in grapevine and that hotel is nice. I don't really understand what is so upsetting about their being more to do there, but I will do my best to try and see it from both sides. These kinds of topics are a bit of a challenge for me, but we'll see how I feel at the end of the project.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
the tipping point..
Well on monday I presented the chapter I read from the tipping point. This has been my favorite book we've read thus far. I really have enjoyed talking about it. It's a very interesting way to look at how to influence change in a positive direction.
I do believe that small things can make a big difference. Ironically the chapter I was given to read was my favorite. I do think that the whole smoking teen problem is more complex than the media tries to make it seem. It is true that cigarettes are seen as cool even by non smokers like me. It is also true I never really had any "cool" friends growing up who smoked and therefore was less likely to try it myself. In fact I didn't try cigarettes until I was well beyond legal age. It never really took and here I am a non smoker. Still I think that by trying them I have become a little more understanding of the appeal they hold.
The majority of teen smoker are just experimenting and wont continue into adulthood. Still a few of these teens will end up being smokers and here is where that gray area appears. Who will become a smoker? The book has a theory that only those who are more strongly affected by nicotine will end up being addicted. So people like me who dont really get any kind of buzz are not likely to make it a habit. Beyond just being affected by it, those affected have to exceed a daily amount that they tend to smoke. It also differs depending on the person. Some will push past this barrier and fall into the addicted smoker category. Surprisingly the process takes a few years. Once again here is another gray area that is hard to define. Only some will push past this area too.
I do believe that small things can make a big difference. Ironically the chapter I was given to read was my favorite. I do think that the whole smoking teen problem is more complex than the media tries to make it seem. It is true that cigarettes are seen as cool even by non smokers like me. It is also true I never really had any "cool" friends growing up who smoked and therefore was less likely to try it myself. In fact I didn't try cigarettes until I was well beyond legal age. It never really took and here I am a non smoker. Still I think that by trying them I have become a little more understanding of the appeal they hold.
The majority of teen smoker are just experimenting and wont continue into adulthood. Still a few of these teens will end up being smokers and here is where that gray area appears. Who will become a smoker? The book has a theory that only those who are more strongly affected by nicotine will end up being addicted. So people like me who dont really get any kind of buzz are not likely to make it a habit. Beyond just being affected by it, those affected have to exceed a daily amount that they tend to smoke. It also differs depending on the person. Some will push past this barrier and fall into the addicted smoker category. Surprisingly the process takes a few years. Once again here is another gray area that is hard to define. Only some will push past this area too.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Enron part 2
Once again we watched the Enron movie. I still feel it is overdramatizing the situation. The movie blames pretty much any republican in power they can link the situation in any way to. Big suprise the Democratic representative they get backs them up on this. "Do you beleive it was a republican conspiracy?" "Oh yes!" well duh he's going to say that. It makes him look like such a good guy.
I don't know in addition to the obvious political push, I really had the overdramatization of the "macho" atmosphere. The part of the movie that talks about them being really big fans of motorcross seemed pointless. It shows photage of people on motorcycles doing flips and other dangerous stuff. It's really hard to imagine 40 and 50 years olds doing flips on a motor cycle. Yes it's not really them and I realize that, but still. I don't think it had much to do with anything.
The man with the strippers same thing. Let's not kid our selves a lot of people go to strip clubs, not just evil jerks. It's just one more detail to emberass the guy. It's not really related. It seems cheap and over sensational.
I would rather watch a real documentary without all the emotion and political push to get my facts. I have a hard time taking this movie seriously.
I don't know in addition to the obvious political push, I really had the overdramatization of the "macho" atmosphere. The part of the movie that talks about them being really big fans of motorcross seemed pointless. It shows photage of people on motorcycles doing flips and other dangerous stuff. It's really hard to imagine 40 and 50 years olds doing flips on a motor cycle. Yes it's not really them and I realize that, but still. I don't think it had much to do with anything.
The man with the strippers same thing. Let's not kid our selves a lot of people go to strip clubs, not just evil jerks. It's just one more detail to emberass the guy. It's not really related. It seems cheap and over sensational.
I would rather watch a real documentary without all the emotion and political push to get my facts. I have a hard time taking this movie seriously.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Enron
Well we watched most of that movie on Enron. I'm not really sure what to think of it yet. I don't typically like films like that because I feel they are too emotional and are likely to over dramatize what happened.
Of course it was a big tragedy. I'm not going to try to take that away. It effected alot of people. It was horrendous.
To me the film had somewhat of a political agenda, which is something I'm not fond of. It's things like that, that keep me away from politics. I never feel like I'm getting the full story. Each side tries to make the other look like the anti Christ. It's hard for me to beleive either side is trying to do something "evil". I honestly just think it's different perspective.
I disagree that it was "overshadowed" I cannot even remember a time before Enron I hear about it so much. Really it's in the news alot. It had a huge impact on the economy. We can't stop hearing about it!
I hear alot of people lately blaming the President for the recession, but I don't really buy that. It's as if most people think the President has this big lever that he pulls and more or less money comes out. Money comes and goes that's just how it is. We have rises and falls. We scramble for straws to make sense of it all. Maybe we can point the finger at so and so. I just dont think the President has as much power as we'd all like to beleive.
we think we'll just put some guy in office and suddenly he does everything we've ever hoped and we're rich and happy again. To me it seems blind to assume that will fix the problem. I dont think the new president republican or democrat will magically just pull us out of the recession. I think it will run its course until it's over. I'd like to talk to people about this kind of topic but it's really hard to find a setting where someone isn't overly charged about it. My family? forget about.
Of course it was a big tragedy. I'm not going to try to take that away. It effected alot of people. It was horrendous.
To me the film had somewhat of a political agenda, which is something I'm not fond of. It's things like that, that keep me away from politics. I never feel like I'm getting the full story. Each side tries to make the other look like the anti Christ. It's hard for me to beleive either side is trying to do something "evil". I honestly just think it's different perspective.
I disagree that it was "overshadowed" I cannot even remember a time before Enron I hear about it so much. Really it's in the news alot. It had a huge impact on the economy. We can't stop hearing about it!
I hear alot of people lately blaming the President for the recession, but I don't really buy that. It's as if most people think the President has this big lever that he pulls and more or less money comes out. Money comes and goes that's just how it is. We have rises and falls. We scramble for straws to make sense of it all. Maybe we can point the finger at so and so. I just dont think the President has as much power as we'd all like to beleive.
we think we'll just put some guy in office and suddenly he does everything we've ever hoped and we're rich and happy again. To me it seems blind to assume that will fix the problem. I dont think the new president republican or democrat will magically just pull us out of the recession. I think it will run its course until it's over. I'd like to talk to people about this kind of topic but it's really hard to find a setting where someone isn't overly charged about it. My family? forget about.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Social trends and word of mouth
So we talked about word of mouth and social trends on monday. I think word of mouth is one of the most interesting ways to advertise something. It's cheap but very effective or at least can be.
I'm interested to learn more about how corporate people try to get something going word of mouth though. I don't really understand why the average person would listen to a corporate person who is boosting their own product. I'm not saying I'm against it at all. I just don't really understand it.
The story about those hush puppy shoes was really interesting. What a lucky break. It reminded me of another story about shoes though circumstances were different. The converse chuck taylors were dying out several years ago. You could buy them for like 20 bucks. Then nike swooped in and saved them. Now chuck taylor are everywhere in many different collors and patterns. Nike is really popular in Japan and over there they sell shoes in tons of patterns and designs. I guess they realized they could sell more chucks by applying that idea to here in the states. Suddenly chucks are now 40 dollars or more. I own two pairs myself. Recently the one stars started disappearing from everywhere too. I bought a pair for 20 bux and it was the last one in a shoe star. This year I noticed they signed some kind of deal with target and now you can buy them again for 30 bucks at Target. It's not word of mouth, but it was taking advantage of a social trend. Everyone I know lately has been wearing converse. A lot of young people wear them. Some like those interesting colors since a lot of the wearers are: punks, goths, indie etc.
I'm interested to learn more about how corporate people try to get something going word of mouth though. I don't really understand why the average person would listen to a corporate person who is boosting their own product. I'm not saying I'm against it at all. I just don't really understand it.
The story about those hush puppy shoes was really interesting. What a lucky break. It reminded me of another story about shoes though circumstances were different. The converse chuck taylors were dying out several years ago. You could buy them for like 20 bucks. Then nike swooped in and saved them. Now chuck taylor are everywhere in many different collors and patterns. Nike is really popular in Japan and over there they sell shoes in tons of patterns and designs. I guess they realized they could sell more chucks by applying that idea to here in the states. Suddenly chucks are now 40 dollars or more. I own two pairs myself. Recently the one stars started disappearing from everywhere too. I bought a pair for 20 bux and it was the last one in a shoe star. This year I noticed they signed some kind of deal with target and now you can buy them again for 30 bucks at Target. It's not word of mouth, but it was taking advantage of a social trend. Everyone I know lately has been wearing converse. A lot of young people wear them. Some like those interesting colors since a lot of the wearers are: punks, goths, indie etc.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
doing what's right...
Well it is really hard to do what's right sometimes especially when it involves your job. It's very tempting to just turn a blind eye to the dishonesty in your company and just not deal with it. Your boss can make things sound like they have to be lied about in order to accomplish bigger company goals even going so far as to promise bigger things for you if you comply.
In reality honesty as corny as it sounds is definitely the best policy. Your clients and your fellow coworkers will respect you for being honest. It's not easy to be a whistleblower and I do think that sometimes its ok not to blow the whole scandal out in the open depending on the situation. Quieltly walking away is better than nothing.
our guest speaker had an experience to share with us. He told us what the company he worked for was doing and how he found it unethical. I think anyone who listened to his story would have to agree. It's just plain wrong to decieve people for profit or recognition...in fact I think it's wrong to decieve people for any reason at all.
I had a friend who applied to work at a well known gym in california. He was very excited to work there. He would be helping the company gain memmberships and they would pay him pretty decently to do that. He found out there was a catch. His employer wanted him to lie to customers and tell them he was a personal trainer to try and seal the deal. My friend is not a personal trainer he has no liscense or certificate saying that he is. Insulted my friend didn't come back the next day.
My guess is that his new employer knows that most customers will never get personal training. Most customers will buy the package deal but never even start working out. In all likely hood, these kinds of customers are not going to ask for proof or even take him up on the offer. Still it's wrong and ultimately he would be to blame for lying about his position.
We all have to protect ourselves and we have an obligation to protect our profession.
In reality honesty as corny as it sounds is definitely the best policy. Your clients and your fellow coworkers will respect you for being honest. It's not easy to be a whistleblower and I do think that sometimes its ok not to blow the whole scandal out in the open depending on the situation. Quieltly walking away is better than nothing.
our guest speaker had an experience to share with us. He told us what the company he worked for was doing and how he found it unethical. I think anyone who listened to his story would have to agree. It's just plain wrong to decieve people for profit or recognition...in fact I think it's wrong to decieve people for any reason at all.
I had a friend who applied to work at a well known gym in california. He was very excited to work there. He would be helping the company gain memmberships and they would pay him pretty decently to do that. He found out there was a catch. His employer wanted him to lie to customers and tell them he was a personal trainer to try and seal the deal. My friend is not a personal trainer he has no liscense or certificate saying that he is. Insulted my friend didn't come back the next day.
My guess is that his new employer knows that most customers will never get personal training. Most customers will buy the package deal but never even start working out. In all likely hood, these kinds of customers are not going to ask for proof or even take him up on the offer. Still it's wrong and ultimately he would be to blame for lying about his position.
We all have to protect ourselves and we have an obligation to protect our profession.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Commercials and ads that go too far...
I am not a hugely conservative person when it comes to tv, but I felt our discussion today was really invaluable. It's true that there is a definite distinction between sexy and going too far degrading any group of people. There are some ads all over the world that really cross boundaries of what is acceptable.
Here's an add for noodles in Korea...be warned don't watch it if you feel you will get too offended. It was actually bland for it's blatant sexual content. To give you a rundown incase you don't want to see it the commercial depicts a woman who looks like she is giving oral pleasure to a man but then it turns out to be ramen noodels she's slurping...pretty horrible
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1hEBBwz584M
well anyway that's all I got my brain is fried from homework today
Here's an add for noodles in Korea...be warned don't watch it if you feel you will get too offended. It was actually bland for it's blatant sexual content. To give you a rundown incase you don't want to see it the commercial depicts a woman who looks like she is giving oral pleasure to a man but then it turns out to be ramen noodels she's slurping...pretty horrible
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1hEBBwz584M
well anyway that's all I got my brain is fried from homework today
Toxic Sludge Is Good for you
“The torches of liberty contigent”- During the women’s liberation movement on Fifth Avenue, New York in 1929, rich debutant women marched in the Easter Parade smoking cigarettes. It was a big mile stone for the smoking industry because smoking was seen as something only prostitutes did and was completely taboo for women. They called their cigarettes “torches of liberty.” The whole thing seemed like a legitimate protest for equality but was actually backed by the tobacco company.
COSCA (The Coalition of Southern Africa)- Composed of Black clergyman promoted the idea of strengthening business communications between South Africa and the United States. There was talk of improving education and training for South Africans. It was all just a front group created by Pagan International. The group also had no resources or know how to carry out any of the stated goals it promised.
“Total Community Support”- Support that is made by persistently contacting people close to a specific politician and used to create a false sense of community report so that legislation is passed in that politician’s favor. Sometimes going as far as to make a board of members that are all hand picked to support the politician.
Creating a “grassroots” organization- a favorite attack against the “not in my backyard” tactic. An organization or politician asks an insider of the community to speak through or creates fake organizations that speak on behalf of the community. These companies can make strategic planning look like it is a grassroots issue.
Nevadans for Fair Fuel Economy Standards- a organization made by the auto industry in Nevada. It was made to kill the federal gas hike tax.
COSCA (The Coalition of Southern Africa)- Composed of Black clergyman promoted the idea of strengthening business communications between South Africa and the United States. There was talk of improving education and training for South Africans. It was all just a front group created by Pagan International. The group also had no resources or know how to carry out any of the stated goals it promised.
“Total Community Support”- Support that is made by persistently contacting people close to a specific politician and used to create a false sense of community report so that legislation is passed in that politician’s favor. Sometimes going as far as to make a board of members that are all hand picked to support the politician.
Creating a “grassroots” organization- a favorite attack against the “not in my backyard” tactic. An organization or politician asks an insider of the community to speak through or creates fake organizations that speak on behalf of the community. These companies can make strategic planning look like it is a grassroots issue.
Nevadans for Fair Fuel Economy Standards- a organization made by the auto industry in Nevada. It was made to kill the federal gas hike tax.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
the pharmacy...
well we talked about the pharmecutical industry in class today. I have a lot things to say about it actually. I was worried for my friend who was getting a test done, and basically waiting on some bad news. She kept getting shoved to the back burner by nurses and doctors. Their favorite question: "Well when can you come in???"
My friend would say. "I had to switch my insurance and I wont have any till march. How serious is it?" She got the run around for like three days. Come in come in come in...well...how serious is it? They finally told her to come in sometime in march to do a re-test. Now I'm sure my friend is not at death's door, but still when the question is so serious a straight answer would be nice. It's like doctors have become unfeeling...maybe they have patients every other day who find out they have cancer,but that doesnt make it any less traumatic for the person involved.
I had another friend who was on paxil..paxel? for anxiety because he had panic attacks. He didn't really like the way he felt on the medication and after a long time he decided he would like to get off of it. IT was really expensive and he wasn't having the attacks anymore.
well the doctor refused to get him off paxil saying he needed it. However, this doctor was not a psychologist or psychiatrist..so really how did he know?? This went back and forth of the patient insisting and the doctor refusing until my friend decided to get off the medication himself. Well that was a whole nother story..the stuff was hard to quit and he ended up cutting up little tablets into peices like an addict trying to get off drugs. It says alot about that medication doesn't it? He just couldn't afford it and the doctor wouldn't listen...
Now on how medicine only works 30 percent of the time well I have a complaint about that too! I have been on three different kinds of birth control pills because of the side effects. On the website for all three medications it clearly says that 92 percent of people will not get this side effect. well I did and its a side effect that also suggests worry. It could be something else wrong and its the number one reason women quit using the pill. Terrified i go to the doctor and tell them about my problem. They assure me its fine and I stay on the same medication for over 6 months the entire time experiencing side effects. They have changed me two other times since and it seems like my body is finally accepting this new medication..
but here's one thing that bothers me. When I told the doctor about my side effects their answer was "Oh yes..we see this all the time" Really??? Because the websites say a very few percentage will experience any problems.Yet I have on every medication and i'm not alone. I found a whole livejournal community to confide in all these women taking the medication and dealing with the side effects.
well I wouldn't have had to worry if i knew it was so common but i didnt because the website made it sound impossible and the doctors didn't tell me at first. I guess they dont want to discourage me because like i said its the number one reason women quit taking the pill. Well guess what I should have at least gotten to make that decision myself!
My friend would say. "I had to switch my insurance and I wont have any till march. How serious is it?" She got the run around for like three days. Come in come in come in...well...how serious is it? They finally told her to come in sometime in march to do a re-test. Now I'm sure my friend is not at death's door, but still when the question is so serious a straight answer would be nice. It's like doctors have become unfeeling...maybe they have patients every other day who find out they have cancer,but that doesnt make it any less traumatic for the person involved.
I had another friend who was on paxil..paxel? for anxiety because he had panic attacks. He didn't really like the way he felt on the medication and after a long time he decided he would like to get off of it. IT was really expensive and he wasn't having the attacks anymore.
well the doctor refused to get him off paxil saying he needed it. However, this doctor was not a psychologist or psychiatrist..so really how did he know?? This went back and forth of the patient insisting and the doctor refusing until my friend decided to get off the medication himself. Well that was a whole nother story..the stuff was hard to quit and he ended up cutting up little tablets into peices like an addict trying to get off drugs. It says alot about that medication doesn't it? He just couldn't afford it and the doctor wouldn't listen...
Now on how medicine only works 30 percent of the time well I have a complaint about that too! I have been on three different kinds of birth control pills because of the side effects. On the website for all three medications it clearly says that 92 percent of people will not get this side effect. well I did and its a side effect that also suggests worry. It could be something else wrong and its the number one reason women quit using the pill. Terrified i go to the doctor and tell them about my problem. They assure me its fine and I stay on the same medication for over 6 months the entire time experiencing side effects. They have changed me two other times since and it seems like my body is finally accepting this new medication..
but here's one thing that bothers me. When I told the doctor about my side effects their answer was "Oh yes..we see this all the time" Really??? Because the websites say a very few percentage will experience any problems.Yet I have on every medication and i'm not alone. I found a whole livejournal community to confide in all these women taking the medication and dealing with the side effects.
well I wouldn't have had to worry if i knew it was so common but i didnt because the website made it sound impossible and the doctors didn't tell me at first. I guess they dont want to discourage me because like i said its the number one reason women quit taking the pill. Well guess what I should have at least gotten to make that decision myself!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Corporate Responsibility
These last couple of weeks we have been talking about how to handle very sticky situations. We talked about the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars. I really was disturbed by the Cowboy's example. It seems to send a message that as long as they are winning super bowls, they are not obligated to tell the truth. I think that the way they handled it was smart in terms of saving their skin, but morally wrong. I don't even like that it was referred to as a street fight. No it wasn't they were not on the street they were not in gang...etc.
I dont know if it is true but I've heard michael irving came from a rough background where he was somewhat of a thug. Even if this is true, I don't feel there is any justification for stabbing someone in the throat with scissors. Ok so he came from a violent environment, well now he has to play by new rules. It is part of the deal. That is why there is a zero violence policy. It's not right to excuse someone's behavior based on their background. ITs almost like saying...oh it's fine you used to commit crimes and its fine if you do it now. Its not fine...period.. also referring to a fight between to guys in a locker room saying its a street fight if they are not former thugs..sounds racist. Like oh they are both black it must be a street fight. That really seems pretty negative to me.
On the stars? I think its an entirley different situation. Hopefullky no scissors or any other weapon was involved. I'll call this a white lie. It didn't really hurt anyone so yeah I think it was an ok move. I dont really think they have to report every time a couple of team members fight.
I dont know if it is true but I've heard michael irving came from a rough background where he was somewhat of a thug. Even if this is true, I don't feel there is any justification for stabbing someone in the throat with scissors. Ok so he came from a violent environment, well now he has to play by new rules. It is part of the deal. That is why there is a zero violence policy. It's not right to excuse someone's behavior based on their background. ITs almost like saying...oh it's fine you used to commit crimes and its fine if you do it now. Its not fine...period.. also referring to a fight between to guys in a locker room saying its a street fight if they are not former thugs..sounds racist. Like oh they are both black it must be a street fight. That really seems pretty negative to me.
On the stars? I think its an entirley different situation. Hopefullky no scissors or any other weapon was involved. I'll call this a white lie. It didn't really hurt anyone so yeah I think it was an ok move. I dont really think they have to report every time a couple of team members fight.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Cosmopolitanism Chapters 5 and 6
Well I do admit I'm starting to come around a bit more on some of the author's ideas. I took some time to read and really think a lot about it. It has been a good source of discussion in my family.
However I feel that one fact is very over looked in the book. I remember it being mentioned in class. "Why haven't we stopped all war by now." I think this is an impossibility. People have been engaging in war for as long as we as humans have been keeping records. It sounds terrible to say, but I honestly believe that war is a part of being human. No matter how times change people at their core remain the same. We are flawed, selfish, and emotional. No amount of logic or education will erase that. Am I saying war is good or right? No not at all. I just think that it is something we all choose to fight. Not very many people on this earth would say war is good. Some believe it is a necessary evil. No matter how you look at it good or bad, it is a big part of our history as humans. We should always strive for an ideal, but saying there will be no more war is like saying there will be no more theft, arson, murder, jealousy, anger, etc.
also on spanking. My parents never really spanked me, but if I had been super rebellious they would have. I don't know if spanking is necessarily wrong, but I do agree it should be a last resort. Why should hitting be the first option? It really shouldn't and there are more peaceful ways you should at least try first.
However I feel that one fact is very over looked in the book. I remember it being mentioned in class. "Why haven't we stopped all war by now." I think this is an impossibility. People have been engaging in war for as long as we as humans have been keeping records. It sounds terrible to say, but I honestly believe that war is a part of being human. No matter how times change people at their core remain the same. We are flawed, selfish, and emotional. No amount of logic or education will erase that. Am I saying war is good or right? No not at all. I just think that it is something we all choose to fight. Not very many people on this earth would say war is good. Some believe it is a necessary evil. No matter how you look at it good or bad, it is a big part of our history as humans. We should always strive for an ideal, but saying there will be no more war is like saying there will be no more theft, arson, murder, jealousy, anger, etc.
also on spanking. My parents never really spanked me, but if I had been super rebellious they would have. I don't know if spanking is necessarily wrong, but I do agree it should be a last resort. Why should hitting be the first option? It really shouldn't and there are more peaceful ways you should at least try first.
Monday, January 21, 2008
first blog of the semester....
I suppose I should start by explaining what groups I am in. I am a female student, a daughter, a girlfriend, an employee of Savoya, a nerd, a reader, a writer, an artist, a music lover,and a procrastinator. I feel these descriptions do not paint an accurate picture of what kind of person I am. I wasn't sure I totally understood the exercise.
I read the first two chapters of Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. I'm not sure I agree with everything, but I will have to read more. To me it's always seemed like a cop out to say that everyone is right in their own way. I don't believe that and I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to try to convince people who are in religions that preach an absolute truth. You are basically asking them not to believe their religion because most religions are all or nothing. That's why I thought it was kind of silly the author used the two religions that have been fighting for thousands of years as an example. It's as if he has some kind of magical answer no one has ever thought of.
It doesn't seem very "cosmopolitan" of him to not see that. I mean don't get me wrong. Do I want peace in the middle east??? Of course!! I'm not in anyway a part of that fight, but I do realize that it is a little more complicated than just coming to a mutual understanding.
People look and strive for certainty in this world. For a lot of people religion gives them this certainty. It gives them an answer for what is happening in the world, and this answer is often absolute. Who wants to believe in a god or gods that aren't sure of their own answers? People are almost religious by nature.
Now this is not to say that all parts of cosmopolitanism are bad. I am a big believer in getting to know and understand other cultures. I love all kinds of food from all over the world. I like to watch international movies. I like to read international books. I would love to travel. I think it's sad when people don't want to look outside their own country to learn or experience something or someone new.
Lastly I will talk about these flogs. Well I do really like the harmless and obvious kind of flogs. I Think it's a great marketing tool. For instance, the "Cloverfield" movie just came out. There have been clever marketing techniques to hype this movie for over a year now. The first was a fake drink company called "Slusho" that the main character is going to be vice president of. They even had a commercial contest and a website. They also put the drink in some popular shows such as "Heroes." The movie company began releasing small clues in longer trailers and in other areas. The company even created fake blogs for every member of the cast. In these blogs were small clues and events that would ultimately lead up to the day of the attack on Manhattan. Everyone new these blogs on Myspace were not real. It was just entertainment and not meant to deceive but to get people involved in the movie.
I just thought I'd point out one positive example
I read the first two chapters of Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers. I'm not sure I agree with everything, but I will have to read more. To me it's always seemed like a cop out to say that everyone is right in their own way. I don't believe that and I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to try to convince people who are in religions that preach an absolute truth. You are basically asking them not to believe their religion because most religions are all or nothing. That's why I thought it was kind of silly the author used the two religions that have been fighting for thousands of years as an example. It's as if he has some kind of magical answer no one has ever thought of.
It doesn't seem very "cosmopolitan" of him to not see that. I mean don't get me wrong. Do I want peace in the middle east??? Of course!! I'm not in anyway a part of that fight, but I do realize that it is a little more complicated than just coming to a mutual understanding.
People look and strive for certainty in this world. For a lot of people religion gives them this certainty. It gives them an answer for what is happening in the world, and this answer is often absolute. Who wants to believe in a god or gods that aren't sure of their own answers? People are almost religious by nature.
Now this is not to say that all parts of cosmopolitanism are bad. I am a big believer in getting to know and understand other cultures. I love all kinds of food from all over the world. I like to watch international movies. I like to read international books. I would love to travel. I think it's sad when people don't want to look outside their own country to learn or experience something or someone new.
Lastly I will talk about these flogs. Well I do really like the harmless and obvious kind of flogs. I Think it's a great marketing tool. For instance, the "Cloverfield" movie just came out. There have been clever marketing techniques to hype this movie for over a year now. The first was a fake drink company called "Slusho" that the main character is going to be vice president of. They even had a commercial contest and a website. They also put the drink in some popular shows such as "Heroes." The movie company began releasing small clues in longer trailers and in other areas. The company even created fake blogs for every member of the cast. In these blogs were small clues and events that would ultimately lead up to the day of the attack on Manhattan. Everyone new these blogs on Myspace were not real. It was just entertainment and not meant to deceive but to get people involved in the movie.
I just thought I'd point out one positive example
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