1. Tribioni 2. Study: Abortions Don't Cause Mental Health Issues 3. Nancy Shute 4. NPR 5. January 27, 2011 6. http://www.npr.org/2011/01/27/133237875/study-abortions-dont-cause-mental-health-issues?ft=1&f=1024
There are many conflicts to do with abortion. However, when a baby is in the womb it is considered a fetus until it is judged by someone of higher wisdom. Only when this higher person considers the social relationship between them will it be deemed as an actual person. I am not here to discuss what abortion is or to say my beliefs on abortion. However, abortions happen for a variety of reasons. The mother does not feel it is right to have a baby, it would put more harm to the mother to have the pregnancy, there's not enough money, etc. We have heard the many reasons as to why a woman may get an abortion. It is always a problem the woman is having, however, that causes the abortion; not the abortion itself that causes problems to the woman. So, when asked if abortion causes mental health issues, the woman would have mental issues arise only if they felt guilty about the abortion. Usually a woman having an abortion needed mental help before the abortion due to some pre existing problems. If aborting a baby causes mental health issues, then what is post- partum depression? Post- partum depression occurs to woman who had their babies and are new mothers. So, does actually having your baby cause more mental health issues than aborting it?
1) Cupcake 2) Record Level of Stress Found in College Freshmen 3) Tamar Lewin 4) The New York Times: Education 5) January 26th, 2011 6) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/education/27colleges.html?_r=1
In those countries in which the capitalist mode of production reigns supreme, the value of the individual is reduced to mere capital--that is, what they contribute to the capitalist system. Humans, by nature, are undoubtably material creatures. However, the quest for capital is highly detrimental to true human potential.
It is a truly unfortunate state when young students are discouraged from the beginning of their venture into true academia. We have created a society where students enter our Universities to advance themselves within the capitalist system. The students are, of course, discouraged from creative ventures that reveal human potential. We have also seen that even within fields that should serve the Companies and Corporations, students do not have hope in their future in the capitalist system.
In Universities more than anywhere else, we would expect the mental intercourse and production of men to be defined by development. Mental intercourse has become intrinsically and inextricably tied to material development, much to the decline of mentality.
Students have become an oppressed group in capital-seeking societies, convinced they will not find the success of former generations. They must see beyond their oppression and rise up against the system, creating a revolution of the University system and a society that values human potential over capital.
1.Odnalro 2.Suicide bomber kills a top official in key Afghan province 3.Laura King 4.Los Angeles Times 5.January 30, 2011 6.http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/30/world/la-fg-afghanistan-assassination-20110130
Suicide is a private and personal act. Sometimes, however, I think to wonder if somehow society is involved in this intimate act between man and himself (or woman and herself). Suicide is sometimes caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, but it cannot always be biological.
I pose the case of suicide bombers. They sacrifice their bodies for a “greater purpose,” whether we think this purpose is positive or negative. It is not psychological. I believe it is mostly if not solely social.
This particular suicide bomber was acting on behalf of the Taliban, a terrorist group known for several suicide bombings. I am convinced that this is an altruistic suicide. Not only did the suicide bomber take his own life, he took the Taliban’s enemies with him. He put his group’s beliefs above his own life, and he carried out his group’s ambitions to impede the U.S. army.
Although suicide bombers are stigmatized in this culture, I cannot ignore the simple truth that this was selfless. That is what altruistic suicide is. Selfless suicide.
1)Rambogt 2)On day of prayer, tens of thousands mass in Tahrir Square 3)CNN wire staff 4)CNN.com 5) 2/4/2011 6)http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/04/egypt.protests/index.html
Thousands of protesters clash in Cairo, Egypt to demand the resignation of the nations dictator for the last 30 years, Hosni Mubarak. Over 5,000 people have already been injured since the violent protests began, and several others dead. The clashes between Mubarak's supporters, and those in favor of a new democratic system shows the inevitable battle between what those would call communist versus a democratic government.
A democratic government of course, coincides with a capitalistic economic system that perpetuates all of the problems plaguing the United States now. With that being said,if there is one certainty is that as long as there are oppressed people, there will always be a clash of classes, and a clash of economic and political systems and perceptions. As seen in Egypt. The issue lies with in the fact that the perception of communism as seen by the media when looking into countries such as Egypt and Cuba, is not that of the communism written in the Communist Manifesto.
It still holds true that human beings have technologically evolved our way out of the jungle in which the rules are survival of the fittest, into civilized societies that can now look toward benefiting not just the "fittest", but a greater good; all people.
It also holds true that we have the means to provide for everyone's basic necessities, such as food, water, shelter, and clothing, and should provide those basic needs. Unfortunately other forms of government that claim to be socialist or communist have not only not even met that basic requirement, but have developed a political culture revolved around personal interest (which seems to be more of a capitalist principle). Which goes on to prove, as we have seen through out history that no form of government or authority, or human based system is safe from the element of human corruption.
1.Blessing 2.Militants, Women and Tahrir Sq. 3.Nicholas D. Kristof 4.NYT 5.February 5, 2011 6.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/opinion/06kristof.html?ref=opinion
Egypt has finally seen the other side. These people see what they are being deprived of day by day which has served a good reason to revolt. It is time for the common man to be heard. And until their demands are met and structural changes in government take place, the common man will not rest from the streets.
But we must not leave out the common woman as well. There is opportunity for something more; A voice, options, something more to live for, independence, and power. More freedoms and a democratic government is the ticket to a more varied and equally distributed class and gender structure. These women see the opportunity to be able to make it on their own. They see being able to be their own person rather than property and a means to the superior gender.
The common man and women of Egypt have revolted, and they will not stop until change in governmental structure and, more particularly for women, change in gender structure has taken place.
1. MayBell 2. Islamist rebel leader pledges year of attacks in Russia 3. Matthew Chance 4. CNN 5. February 7, 2011 6. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/07/russia.airport.bombing/
Suicide seems to be a taboo subject in many cultures; however, in others it is the most gracious way to show your loyalty and love for your nation. Once taking your life is viewed as selfless act and is appreciated it immediately falls into the category of an Altruistic Suicide. By definition an Altruistic Suicide is the belief that the needs of a society is much more central than those within it. As a result a person might kill himself or herself believing they are bettering their nation. The people who committee these types of suicide usually live in a highly integrated society; however, typically a primitive one. Within this term, the idea of suicide bombers is categorized.
Doku Umarov, Islamist rebel leader, praises those who are willing to give their life up for the better of their country. He recruits people in hopes they agree to a mass killing of innocent people by taking their own life during the attack, usually in the form of a suicide bombing. He has already found 50-60 people who have agreed to the suicide and attack different locations in Russia within the next year. The self-titled Emir of the North Caucasus vowed to deliver "a year of blood and tears" to Russia, saying that there were dozens of rebels prepared to carry out attacks and for Russia to get ready.
1. Airborne 2. Cracking Down on the Super Bowl Sex Trade 3. Amy Sullivan 4. Time (CNN) 5. February 6, 2011 6. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2046568,00.html
We must examine our capitalistic society where the economy and labor force is driven by profit. The proletariat is reduced to their value as a commodity, and they lose their human essence as employers value them based on how much money they can make their company. Usually this just means workers are underpaid and treated poorly. However, this problem is made much more apparent with sex trafficking.
The Super Bowl is the largest sex trafficking event in the United States. People come from all over the United States to party during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. Police estimate that around 10,000 prostitutes were brought into Miami for last year's Super Bowl. It's estimated that even more will be present at this year's Super Bowl. Last year two men were arrested for advertising for a 14 year old girl on Craigslist. Injustices such as sex trafficking provide evidence that capitalism has extended its usefulness and will continue to worsen until the United States adopts a new economic system.
In the current model of capitalism, the economy is driven by demand for goods and services. Since there is a huge demand for sex, pimps traffic girls to provide the supply. The powerless girls are controlled by pimps, people with a great deal more resources and influence. Unfortunately for the girls, it's going to be extremely difficult for them to mobilize and break out of their position in society. Other people are going to have to speak up and empower the girls if anything is going to happen to solve this injustice. The other only option is to develop another economic system that isn't driven by profit and people are valued as a commodity.
1. Bird 2. Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above 3. Susan Saulny 4. The New York Times 5. Jan. 29, 2011 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss The article discusses how groups of multi-racial students have begun to ban together, finding common bonds in the melding of different cultures within their home. As the daughter of a Japanese mother and white father, it makes me rather happy to see this trend occurring elsewhere. Whenever I talk about identifying with Asian culture, most of my friends say, “No you don’t.” However, I think that this lack of identity comes back to the fact that I have very few other friends who are strongly multi-racial. Durkheim suggests our need for “religion.” Where we desire to have common rituals and customs with others around us. I believe that this article reflects these students’ need to have a common bond with those around them. Durkheim also said that individuals are formed by society around them. If these students are surrounded by other multicultural students, they would probably be more likely to explore the non-White side of their ethnic identities. --Durkheim
1. poopscum 2.Goodbye Office Space? The shrinking American cubicle 3.Stephine Chen 4. Cnn.com/living 5.Feb. 8, 2011 6. http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/02/08/shrinking.american.cubicle/index.html
So office space is shrinking, so what? The smaller and tighter the quarters workers need to work in should show them some self realization. They sit and type all day long at their tiny and now tinier desks... Do you really only think you are worth your "just above minimum wage" salaries? Maybe now that all these people are being shoved into smaller rooms they will realize they have larger self worth and they will enable their social creativity to change the work environment. Besides, eventually this social class and community being oppressed by smaller working spaces will rebel. This rebellion will cause such a massive change in our society that we will no longer need (be required to support ourselves) by spending 40+ hours in a tight cubicle. I think shrinking office spaces are good! Let the people be angry. Let them realize they are worth more. Let them rebel. I look forward to seeing the downward spiral of capitalism, communism... please come quickly...
1. JJBO 2. Why does Fresno have thousands of job openings- and high unemployment? 3. Michael A. Fletcher 4. The Washington Post 5. 2/2/2011 6. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020106092.html?nav=rss_email/components
The happenings in Fresno are simple depictions of flaws within the capitalist system, flaws that include estranged labour and class struggle. Our economy today is marked by a dichotomy of workers, the bourgeoisie and proletariat. Because of this we see growing trends of financial inequality, unemployment, and a dearth of employable individuals. Our capitalist nation, marked by avarice and an increasing amount of labor specialization are the reasons we see occurrences such as Fresno. These workers are being alienated further and further while the market and owners decide what labor will be the most beneficial at the time. What once was manual labor and construction has turned into more a scientific and technical trade. This in turn is causing a wage gap to increase exponentially. In fact we see the middle class wages increasing by a measly 5% a year while the elite ten percent of our nation holds over 70% of the wealth. Trends such as these show that a class-consciousness is imminent and a communist utopia is to come.
1. MAYTWOONE 2. Egypt protests: Hosni Mubarak's concessions are rejected 3. Jim Muir 4. The BBC 5. 8 Feb 2011 6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12394941
Oh, "President" Mubarak:
Look outside your window, my friend, any it should be crystal clear that your attempts to hold on to your power are pointless, as the power you once had no longer exists. Instead it has shifted, to the thousands of citizens who now shout and call for your downfall outside of your parliament, in your "Liberation Square." And isn't it liberating? For today, they call not only for your ouster, but for an ouster to the capitalist society that has persecuted and exploited them for so long. for years, you pursued trade with the West. You opened your markets to the World, to the delight of Europe and the Americas - and in so doing, turned your workers into dollar signs. You made them less than humans, Mr. Mubarak - you made them commodities, like the suit that you are wearing now. And when you made them commodities, you made them things - not humans, for now they have no value outside of what they can do, just like the suit you are wearing now. Surely you don't believe humans are suits, Mr. Mubarak? I do imagine they would be less comfortable to wear. But you continued to press on with your policies of liberalization, dropping tariffs, exploiting your workers - but at what expense?
And then, they realized. With a revolution in Tunisia, your masses were awakened to the exploitation, to the brutality they had suffered as a result of this dehumanizing capitalism, and they followed the trail of damage all the way to you. They have become conscious, Mr. Mubarak, of the fact that all of the exploitation that they have suffered, at the hands of the companies, the police, and the government, can be traced to you.
And so today, Mr. Mubarak, they protest against brutality. But in doing so, they protest against the capitalist state that you have created, because its dehumanization of your now burgeoning proletariat is a product of the policies you chose to implement. And because they were your decision, Mr. Mubarak, they protest against you.
Will this revolution succeed? I have my doubts. Your country still appears to be a work in progress to me. Many people still suffer shortages of our most precious needs because the economy cannot provide, as opposed to merely not providing. But to reach that state, stumbling blocks needed to be removed, and they are being removed - starting with you.
1. Tebow404 2. Cornerstone University professor of creativity teaches students how to think for future 3. Terri Finch Hamilton 4. Grand Rapids Press; Michigan Local News 5. February 07, 2011, 6:48 AM 6. http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/02/cornerstone_university_profess.html
Creativity is one of the most important things to teach children from a young age. All humans are born with the capacity and desire to understand the world and how it works. In a society where we should be nurturing this creative spirit, studies have shown that quite the opposite is true. Students should want to learn, read, and expand their knowledge; but if/when they try and they are wrong, they are labeled as failures. This constant suppression of children’s ideas and thoughts has a negative effect on them. Students learn to stop speaking up, stop asking questions for the fear of being wrong, and stop “thinking outside the box.” This suppression of creativity doesn’t allow anyone to reach his or her full human potential.
This class at Cornerstone University could theoretically be the most important class many students will ever get a chance to take in college, if not their entire lives. Learning to think outside the box is absolutely crucial to ever achieving greatness. It’s important for students to adapt positive ideas about learning exclusively to gain knowledge and better themselves. If this happened, students would push aside thoughts of attending college for the sole purpose of making a profit. Society needs to reevaluate capitalism and what its negative consequences. Children and adults alike should be able to think critically at school and in the workplace. After all, nothing great can ever be achieved without dismissing the fear of failure.
1. MishaCat 2. 'Alarming' Amazon Droughts May Have Global Fallout 3. Christopher Joyce 4. NPR 5. February 7, 2011 6. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/07/133462608/alarming-amazon-droughts-may-have-global-fallout?ft=1&f=1024
There exists in this world a grave injustice, impermissible by the standards of modern life. For millennia now the oppressed denizens of a nation have doggedly pursued their work with no end in sight, no thanks for their ceaseless devotion to the betterment of their superiors.
I am speaking about the Amazon, a place each of us has doubtlessly heard of but nevertheless failed to acknowledge for the necessary service its denizens provide us. These denizens, the hardworking trees of the Amazon are valued for little more than the product they provide: oxygen.
This is do largely in part to the blind eye of the bourgeoitree. The bourgeoitree composes the managers, supervisors, and so on that oversee directly the labor of their fellow tree. They carry out the will of the carbonalists in the production of oxygen and are rewarded handsomely for the effort. Willingly, endlessly, they turn a blind eye to the suffering of proletreeriat.
This has come full circle. Recently, the proletreeriat has begun to lose heart in its role. Dissatisfaction has settled in, so deep and so rending that no tree can avoid feeling the deep, penetration rumble of its arrival. Many trees have lost the will to live altogether, choosing instead to expire rather than continue their dogged production of oxygen. After all, how have they ever benefit from such endeavors? How could they ever? The oxygen they create is taken from them and spread the world over, a precious commodity valued at the sum of their conjoined efforts and unobtainable to any single tree.
It falls now to the bourgeoitree to take action. The manager, the supervisor, they must install in the proletreeriat the will to stand tall and take action, for the proletreeriat is so downtrodden it has lost all hope for restitution. Yet only an empowered proletreeriat will have the power to right this situation, to shake these shackles and assert for the first time in centuries that they are more than the sum of their labor. And only then can equality begin to flourish.
1)Beachbum 2)Study Tracks Drug-Related Teen Suicides 3)Jennifer Corbett Dooren 4)Wall Street Journal 5)February 9, 2011 6)http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703313304576132672563248028.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
The studies about these teenaged girls and middle aged men and their results for suicide attempts in relation to indicators such as drug use and season very much confirm my theory of egoistic suicide. The increase in drug use by these young women indicates that there is low integration and perhaps even seemingly low regulation for them. The article did not indicate whether the middle aged men were married or not but I would imagine that they were single and so they felt they didn’t really belong in the society. Their rates increased toward the holidays showing a likely correlation to that feeling of loneliness and isolation that is involved with the lack of integration in their environment. For the teenaged girls, the rates of suicide had very little variation from month to month and were pretty steady, without those peaks around certain times of increased vulnerability (Valentine’s Day, Christmas etc.). Essentially, I take this lack of variation as a presence of these isolated feelings that permeate their everyday lives as a result of the transitions that they have to go through given their period of life. There is not an annual reminder that they “don’t fit in” so instead, they feel this every day and there is no real indication that certain dates make it worse. the studies that were done are classic examples of my first reason for suicide and they confirm that it is a social phenomenon as opposed to a personal one. - Emile Durkheim
1. CGRAIDER 2. Bangladesh girl bled to death after lashing says doctors 3. BBC News writer 4. BBC 5. February 9, 2011 6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12404358 Recently a young girl bleed to death in Bangladesh. The death was the result of the beating she was given after being accused of having an affair with a married man. The married man was a fellow villager and also happened to be her cousin. Her family maintains that she was innocent of the accusations and the cousin was found guilty of rape and sentenced to a lashing but escaped during his punishment. The young, 14 years old, girl was not so lucky and received about 80 lashes which may have resulted in her death. This society is still very much a mechanical solidarity society in which individuals are expected to play their own roles. In this case, the young girl was to stay away from married individuals revealing that a mistress role leads to physical punishment sanctioned by the government. This past year, another woman died after being publicly caned for an alleged affair. The individuals in this community face repressive laws, being publicly and severely punished for actions frowned upon by their community. This environment is very likely to have high rates of fatalistic suicide without an increase in dynamic density or coming to a collective conscience. Due to a lack of freedom, high regulation, repressive laws, strict rules, etc, the number of individuals who feel depressed will increase and they are more likely to take their own lives in order to be free of the challenges of being individuals in a society that do not have a voice and must follow strict rules. If the young girl survived the lashings, she may possibly have had a great chance of developing depression and ultimately would have commited suicide as a result of the lashing and the rules set in the community that she has to follow. --Durkheim
1. Quailman 2. Labor Strikes in Egypt Spill into Border Unrest 3. Maggie Michael & Tarek El-Tablawy 4. Associated Press via Yahoo News 5. Feb 9, 2011 6. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110209/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt;_ylt=Am2Wk9LUm.XhDrfBeG3IH25vaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJlZG9mYXZiBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMjA5L21sX2VneXB0BHBvcwMxMQRzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2ZyZWVkeW91bmdsZQ--
My goal is to shed light on the reasons why these Egyptian workers are going on strike from their jobs. These men and women are now aware of the problem that human beings are being reduced to commodities. The Egyptian workers are demanding better pay because their worth as human beings is much more than what they are being paid. But even at a more complex level these Egyptian workers are realizing that they are alienated from their products. They are creating products that they themselves take no pride in making. Being a cog in the wheel is very unsatisfying and this is an example of why capitalist nations are doomed to fail. Forming a union to gain the privileges one deserves is a step in the right direction. I outlined many of these ideals in my Communist Manifesto. Not only must the Proletariat be on willing to change the government but also the middle class Bourgeoisie as well. Egypt’s people are working together in order to bring about a more equitable form of government for everyone. The Democratic Socialist state of Egypt is doomed to fail. However these workers are aware of the oppression and are interested in changing society.
These men and women also realize that the idea alone is not enough to bring forth change. They are not content to simply sit back and let themselves be taken advantage of. Action is necessary to set their ideas in motion. Ideas alone will not change the situation in Egypt. One could spread the theories of unionizing but if the workers do not stand firm together to challenge the oppressive system in front of them, then the theory will not bring change. There must be action and steps taken. For example these people are protesting and camping out in Tahrir Square in order to get President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to step down. I would also like to point out that the ideas of the Proletariat are determined by their social interests. And of course these social interests are completely dictated by their current social class. There will continue to be turmoil in Egypt until a Communist government is put in place. Socialism must be replaced so that in order to provide for the basic needs for its people. This is the only way that society’s structure will remain stable. -Karl Marx
1. Gardenia 2. “Societal Stigma and Suicide Prevention” 3. Johannes E. Hovens and G. Johannes van der Ploeg 4. Psychiatric Services – American Psychiatric Association 5. February 2011 6. http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/62/2/222-a
Suicide is a subject that most know about, but not always voice about. Within this article, van der Ploeg and Hovens speak about suicide and the influential role that society has in this matter. Society is thought to hold the power to reduce suicide by the encouragement of societal prevention and promoting well-being. Despite this finding, it is still unsure on whether or not this may be of assistance to all suicidal cases.
With this being said, there for four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. All of these types of suicides are tied in some shape or form to an irregularity happening within society. Within egoistic suicide, there is a weakened group relationship. Within altruistic suicide, there is a feeling of high integration. Within anomic suicide, there is a lack of regulation; and within fatalistic suicide, there is too much regulation. How is society supposed to aid those who are thinking of suicide when they are the problem?
Furthermore, “Society Stigma and Suicide Prevention” mentions that with the help of society they are able to uplift a person into reasoning out of the thought suicide. This can be done by finding psychiatric help, attending group session with those who are experiencing the same issue(s), crisis centers, etc. These collective rituals have the ability to produce great emotion. This allows those who have suicidal thoughts to become attached and make relationships and realize their worth. Because of this bond, victims are strengthened emotionally and are able to progress.
1. niaps 2. A Lack Of Rigor Leaves Students ‘Adrift” In College 3. Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa 4. NPR 5. February 9th, 2011 6. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/09/133310978/in-college-a-lack-of-rigor-leaves-students-adrift
According to this article, a study was conducted researching writing and critical thinking skills of students over a period of time to see if there is an increase. The study looks at how often students study and how many papers are written for their courses. The study found that the students’ are evaluating the teachers at the end of the semesters and therefore teachers feel they are doing a good job by grading easily, entertaining students and asking little of them.
Going to college nowadays is an assumed right, rather than a privilege and I think this is where we are going wrong. So what are we going to do about this? We have information from this study that conflicts with the results we should see from college students, but we cannot create change just based on these ideas. We have to look at the social interests of the people. Is education turning into something different than it was back then? Could the fact that, for some jobs a Bachelor’s degree is not enough anymore, be a reason why college is not up to the standards it should be? We are beginning to see peoples’ ideas and interests clashing in regards to education of today, so people are becoming aware that it is a problem that needs to be addressed. - Karl Marx
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. Tribioni
ReplyDelete2. Study: Abortions Don't Cause Mental Health Issues
3. Nancy Shute
4. NPR
5. January 27, 2011
6. http://www.npr.org/2011/01/27/133237875/study-abortions-dont-cause-mental-health-issues?ft=1&f=1024
There are many conflicts to do with abortion. However, when a baby is in the womb it is considered a fetus until it is judged by someone of higher wisdom. Only when this higher person considers the social relationship between them will it be deemed as an actual person. I am not here to discuss what abortion is or to say my beliefs on abortion.
However, abortions happen for a variety of reasons. The mother does not feel it is right to have a baby, it would put more harm to the mother to have the pregnancy, there's not enough money, etc. We have heard the many reasons as to why a woman may get an abortion. It is always a problem the woman is having, however, that causes the abortion; not the abortion itself that causes problems to the woman. So, when asked if abortion causes mental health issues, the woman would have mental issues arise only if they felt guilty about the abortion. Usually a woman having an abortion needed mental help before the abortion due to some pre existing problems.
If aborting a baby causes mental health issues, then what is post- partum depression? Post- partum depression occurs to woman who had their babies and are new mothers. So, does actually having your baby cause more mental health issues than aborting it?
1) Cupcake
ReplyDelete2) Record Level of Stress Found in College Freshmen
3) Tamar Lewin
4) The New York Times: Education
5) January 26th, 2011
6) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/education/27colleges.html?_r=1
In those countries in which the capitalist mode of production reigns supreme, the value of the individual is reduced to mere capital--that is, what they contribute to the capitalist system. Humans, by nature, are undoubtably material creatures. However, the quest for capital is highly detrimental to true human potential.
It is a truly unfortunate state when young students are discouraged from the beginning of their venture into true academia. We have created a society where students enter our Universities to advance themselves within the capitalist system. The students are, of course, discouraged from creative ventures that reveal human potential. We have also seen that even within fields that should serve the Companies and Corporations, students do not have hope in their future in the capitalist system.
In Universities more than anywhere else, we would expect the mental intercourse and production of men to be defined by development. Mental intercourse has become intrinsically and inextricably tied to material development, much to the decline of mentality.
Students have become an oppressed group in capital-seeking societies, convinced they will not find the success of former generations. They must see beyond their oppression and rise up against the system, creating a revolution of the University system and a society that values human potential over capital.
--Karl Marx
1.Odnalro
ReplyDelete2.Suicide bomber kills a top official in key Afghan province
3.Laura King
4.Los Angeles Times
5.January 30, 2011
6.http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/30/world/la-fg-afghanistan-assassination-20110130
Suicide is a private and personal act. Sometimes, however, I think to wonder if somehow society is involved in this intimate act between man and himself (or woman and herself). Suicide is sometimes caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, but it cannot always be biological.
I pose the case of suicide bombers. They sacrifice their bodies for a “greater purpose,” whether we think this purpose is positive or negative. It is not psychological. I believe it is mostly if not solely social.
This particular suicide bomber was acting on behalf of the Taliban, a terrorist group known for several suicide bombings. I am convinced that this is an altruistic suicide. Not only did the suicide bomber take his own life, he took the Taliban’s enemies with him. He put his group’s beliefs above his own life, and he carried out his group’s ambitions to impede the U.S. army.
Although suicide bombers are stigmatized in this culture, I cannot ignore the simple truth that this was selfless. That is what altruistic suicide is. Selfless suicide.
-Durkheim
1)Rambogt
ReplyDelete2)On day of prayer, tens of thousands mass in Tahrir Square
3)CNN wire staff
4)CNN.com
5) 2/4/2011
6)http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/04/egypt.protests/index.html
Thousands of protesters clash in Cairo, Egypt to demand the resignation of the nations dictator for the last 30 years, Hosni Mubarak. Over 5,000 people have already been injured since the violent protests began, and several others dead. The clashes between Mubarak's supporters, and those in favor of a new democratic system shows the inevitable battle between what those would call communist versus a democratic government.
A democratic government of course, coincides with a capitalistic economic system that perpetuates all of the problems plaguing the United States now. With that being said,if there is one certainty is that as long as there are oppressed people, there will always be a clash of classes, and a clash of economic and political systems and perceptions. As seen in Egypt. The issue lies with in the fact that the perception of communism as seen by the media when looking into countries such as Egypt and Cuba, is not that of the communism written in the Communist Manifesto.
It still holds true that human beings have technologically evolved our way out of the jungle in which the rules are survival of the fittest, into civilized societies that can now look toward benefiting not just the "fittest", but a greater good; all people.
It also holds true that we have the means to provide for everyone's basic necessities, such as food, water, shelter, and clothing, and should provide those basic needs. Unfortunately other forms of government that claim to be socialist or communist have not only not even met that basic requirement, but have developed a political culture revolved around personal interest (which seems to be more of a capitalist principle). Which goes on to prove, as we have seen through out history that no form of government or authority, or human based system is safe from the element of human corruption.
- Karl Marx
1.Blessing
ReplyDelete2.Militants, Women and Tahrir Sq.
3.Nicholas D. Kristof
4.NYT
5.February 5, 2011
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/opinion/06kristof.html?ref=opinion
Egypt has finally seen the other side. These people see what they are being deprived of day by day which has served a good reason to revolt. It is time for the common man to be heard. And until their demands are met and structural changes in government take place, the common man will not rest from the streets.
But we must not leave out the common woman as well. There is opportunity for something more; A voice, options, something more to live for, independence, and power. More freedoms and a democratic government is the ticket to a more varied and equally distributed class and gender structure. These women see the opportunity to be able to make it on their own. They see being able to be their own person rather than property and a means to the superior gender.
The common man and women of Egypt have revolted, and they will not stop until change in governmental structure and, more particularly for women, change in gender structure has taken place.
~Engels
1. MayBell
ReplyDelete2. Islamist rebel leader pledges year of attacks in Russia
3. Matthew Chance
4. CNN
5. February 7, 2011
6. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/02/07/russia.airport.bombing/
Suicide seems to be a taboo subject in many cultures; however, in others it is the most gracious way to show your loyalty and love for your nation. Once taking your life is viewed as selfless act and is appreciated it immediately falls into the category of an Altruistic Suicide. By definition an Altruistic Suicide is the belief that the needs of a society is much more central than those within it. As a result a person might kill himself or herself believing they are bettering their nation. The people who committee these types of suicide usually live in a highly integrated society; however, typically a primitive one. Within this term, the idea of suicide bombers is categorized.
Doku Umarov, Islamist rebel leader, praises those who are willing to give their life up for the better of their country. He recruits people in hopes they agree to a mass killing of innocent people by taking their own life during the attack, usually in the form of a suicide bombing. He has already found 50-60 people who have agreed to the suicide and attack different locations in Russia within the next year. The self-titled Emir of the North Caucasus vowed to deliver "a year of blood and tears" to Russia, saying that there were dozens of rebels prepared to carry out attacks and for Russia to get ready.
-Durkeim
1. Airborne
ReplyDelete2. Cracking Down on the Super Bowl Sex Trade
3. Amy Sullivan
4. Time (CNN)
5. February 6, 2011
6. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2046568,00.html
We must examine our capitalistic society where the economy and labor force is driven by profit. The proletariat is reduced to their value as a commodity, and they lose their human essence as employers value them based on how much money they can make their company. Usually this just means workers are underpaid and treated poorly. However, this problem is made much more apparent with sex trafficking.
The Super Bowl is the largest sex trafficking event in the United States. People come from all over the United States to party during the week leading up to the Super Bowl. Police estimate that around 10,000 prostitutes were brought into Miami for last year's Super Bowl. It's estimated that even more will be present at this year's Super Bowl. Last year two men were arrested for advertising for a 14 year old girl on Craigslist. Injustices such as sex trafficking provide evidence that capitalism has extended its usefulness and will continue to worsen until the United States adopts a new economic system.
In the current model of capitalism, the economy is driven by demand for goods and services. Since there is a huge demand for sex, pimps traffic girls to provide the supply. The powerless girls are controlled by pimps, people with a great deal more resources and influence. Unfortunately for the girls, it's going to be extremely difficult for them to mobilize and break out of their position in society. Other people are going to have to speak up and empower the girls if anything is going to happen to solve this injustice. The other only option is to develop another economic system that isn't driven by profit and people are valued as a commodity.
-Marx
1. Bird
ReplyDelete2. Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above
3. Susan Saulny
4. The New York Times
5. Jan. 29, 2011
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
The article discusses how groups of multi-racial students have begun to ban together, finding common bonds in the melding of different cultures within their home. As the daughter of a Japanese mother and white father, it makes me rather happy to see this trend occurring elsewhere. Whenever I talk about identifying with Asian culture, most of my friends say, “No you don’t.” However, I think that this lack of identity comes back to the fact that I have very few other friends who are strongly multi-racial.
Durkheim suggests our need for “religion.” Where we desire to have common rituals and customs with others around us. I believe that this article reflects these students’ need to have a common bond with those around them. Durkheim also said that individuals are formed by society around them. If these students are surrounded by other multicultural students, they would probably be more likely to explore the non-White side of their ethnic identities.
--Durkheim
1. poopscum
ReplyDelete2.Goodbye Office Space? The shrinking American cubicle
3.Stephine Chen
4. Cnn.com/living
5.Feb. 8, 2011
6. http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/02/08/shrinking.american.cubicle/index.html
So office space is shrinking, so what? The smaller and tighter the quarters workers need to work in should show them some self realization. They sit and type all day long at their tiny and now tinier desks... Do you really only think you are worth your "just above minimum wage" salaries? Maybe now that all these people are being shoved into smaller rooms they will realize they have larger self worth and they will enable their social creativity to change the work environment.
Besides, eventually this social class and community being oppressed by smaller working spaces will rebel. This rebellion will cause such a massive change in our society that we will no longer need (be required to support ourselves) by spending 40+ hours in a tight cubicle. I think shrinking office spaces are good! Let the people be angry. Let them realize they are worth more. Let them rebel. I look forward to seeing the downward spiral of capitalism, communism... please come quickly...
Sincerely, KM
1. JJBO
ReplyDelete2. Why does Fresno have thousands of job openings- and high unemployment?
3. Michael A. Fletcher
4. The Washington Post
5. 2/2/2011
6. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020106092.html?nav=rss_email/components
The happenings in Fresno are simple depictions of flaws within the capitalist system, flaws that include estranged labour and class struggle. Our economy today is marked by a dichotomy of workers, the bourgeoisie and proletariat. Because of this we see growing trends of financial inequality, unemployment, and a dearth of employable individuals. Our capitalist nation, marked by avarice and an increasing amount of labor specialization are the reasons we see occurrences such as Fresno. These workers are being alienated further and further while the market and owners decide what labor will be the most beneficial at the time. What once was manual labor and construction has turned into more a scientific and technical trade. This in turn is causing a wage gap to increase exponentially. In fact we see the middle class wages increasing by a measly 5% a year while the elite ten percent of our nation holds over 70% of the wealth. Trends such as these show that a class-consciousness is imminent and a communist utopia is to come.
1. MAYTWOONE
ReplyDelete2. Egypt protests: Hosni Mubarak's concessions are rejected
3. Jim Muir
4. The BBC
5. 8 Feb 2011
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12394941
Oh, "President" Mubarak:
Look outside your window, my friend, any it should be crystal clear that your attempts to hold on to your power are pointless, as the power you once had no longer exists. Instead it has shifted, to the thousands of citizens who now shout and call for your downfall outside of your parliament, in your "Liberation Square." And isn't it liberating? For today, they call not only for your ouster, but for an ouster to the capitalist society that has persecuted and exploited them for so long. for years, you pursued trade with the West. You opened your markets to the World, to the delight of Europe and the Americas - and in so doing, turned your workers into dollar signs. You made them less than humans, Mr. Mubarak - you made them commodities, like the suit that you are wearing now. And when you made them commodities, you made them things - not humans, for now they have no value outside of what they can do, just like the suit you are wearing now. Surely you don't believe humans are suits, Mr. Mubarak? I do imagine they would be less comfortable to wear. But you continued to press on with your policies of liberalization, dropping tariffs, exploiting your workers - but at what expense?
And then, they realized. With a revolution in Tunisia, your masses were awakened to the exploitation, to the brutality they had suffered as a result of this dehumanizing capitalism, and they followed the trail of damage all the way to you. They have become conscious, Mr. Mubarak, of the fact that all of the exploitation that they have suffered, at the hands of the companies, the police, and the government, can be traced to you.
And so today, Mr. Mubarak, they protest against brutality. But in doing so, they protest against the capitalist state that you have created, because its dehumanization of your now burgeoning proletariat is a product of the policies you chose to implement. And because they were your decision, Mr. Mubarak, they protest against you.
Will this revolution succeed? I have my doubts. Your country still appears to be a work in progress to me. Many people still suffer shortages of our most precious needs because the economy cannot provide, as opposed to merely not providing. But to reach that state, stumbling blocks needed to be removed, and they are being removed - starting with you.
Sincerely,
Karl Marx.
1. Tebow404
ReplyDelete2. Cornerstone University professor of creativity teaches students how to think for future
3. Terri Finch Hamilton
4. Grand Rapids Press; Michigan Local News
5. February 07, 2011, 6:48 AM
6. http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/02/cornerstone_university_profess.html
Creativity is one of the most important things to teach children from a young age. All humans are born with the capacity and desire to understand the world and how it works. In a society where we should be nurturing this creative spirit, studies have shown that quite the opposite is true. Students should want to learn, read, and expand their knowledge; but if/when they try and they are wrong, they are labeled as failures. This constant suppression of children’s ideas and thoughts has a negative effect on them. Students learn to stop speaking up, stop asking questions for the fear of being wrong, and stop “thinking outside the box.” This suppression of creativity doesn’t allow anyone to reach his or her full human potential.
This class at Cornerstone University could theoretically be the most important class many students will ever get a chance to take in college, if not their entire lives. Learning to think outside the box is absolutely crucial to ever achieving greatness. It’s important for students to adapt positive ideas about learning exclusively to gain knowledge and better themselves. If this happened, students would push aside thoughts of attending college for the sole purpose of making a profit. Society needs to reevaluate capitalism and what its negative consequences. Children and adults alike should be able to think critically at school and in the workplace. After all, nothing great can ever be achieved without dismissing the fear of failure.
Best,
Karl Marx
1. MishaCat
ReplyDelete2. 'Alarming' Amazon Droughts May Have Global Fallout
3. Christopher Joyce
4. NPR
5. February 7, 2011
6. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/07/133462608/alarming-amazon-droughts-may-have-global-fallout?ft=1&f=1024
There exists in this world a grave injustice, impermissible by the standards of modern life. For millennia now the oppressed denizens of a nation have doggedly pursued their work with no end in sight, no thanks for their ceaseless devotion to the betterment of their superiors.
I am speaking about the Amazon, a place each of us has doubtlessly heard of but nevertheless failed to acknowledge for the necessary service its denizens provide us. These denizens, the hardworking trees of the Amazon are valued for little more than the product they provide: oxygen.
This is do largely in part to the blind eye of the bourgeoitree. The bourgeoitree composes the managers, supervisors, and so on that oversee directly the labor of their fellow tree. They carry out the will of the carbonalists in the production of oxygen and are rewarded handsomely for the effort. Willingly, endlessly, they turn a blind eye to the suffering of proletreeriat.
This has come full circle. Recently, the proletreeriat has begun to lose heart in its role. Dissatisfaction has settled in, so deep and so rending that no tree can avoid feeling the deep, penetration rumble of its arrival. Many trees have lost the will to live altogether, choosing instead to expire rather than continue their dogged production of oxygen. After all, how have they ever benefit from such endeavors? How could they ever? The oxygen they create is taken from them and spread the world over, a precious commodity valued at the sum of their conjoined efforts and unobtainable to any single tree.
It falls now to the bourgeoitree to take action. The manager, the supervisor, they must install in the proletreeriat the will to stand tall and take action, for the proletreeriat is so downtrodden it has lost all hope for restitution. Yet only an empowered proletreeriat will have the power to right this situation, to shake these shackles and assert for the first time in centuries that they are more than the sum of their labor. And only then can equality begin to flourish.
--Karl Marx
1)Beachbum
ReplyDelete2)Study Tracks Drug-Related Teen Suicides
3)Jennifer Corbett Dooren
4)Wall Street Journal
5)February 9, 2011
6)http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703313304576132672563248028.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
The studies about these teenaged girls and middle aged men and their results for suicide attempts in relation to indicators such as drug use and season very much confirm my theory of egoistic suicide. The increase in drug use by these young women indicates that there is low integration and perhaps even seemingly low regulation for them. The article did not indicate whether the middle aged men were married or not but I would imagine that they were single and so they felt they didn’t really belong in the society. Their rates increased toward the holidays showing a likely correlation to that feeling of loneliness and isolation that is involved with the lack of integration in their environment. For the teenaged girls, the rates of suicide had very little variation from month to month and were pretty steady, without those peaks around certain times of increased vulnerability (Valentine’s Day, Christmas etc.). Essentially, I take this lack of variation as a presence of these isolated feelings that permeate their everyday lives as a result of the transitions that they have to go through given their period of life. There is not an annual reminder that they “don’t fit in” so instead, they feel this every day and there is no real indication that certain dates make it worse. the studies that were done are classic examples of my first reason for suicide and they confirm that it is a social phenomenon as opposed to a personal one.
- Emile Durkheim
1. CGRAIDER
ReplyDelete2. Bangladesh girl bled to death after lashing says doctors
3. BBC News writer
4. BBC
5. February 9, 2011
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12404358
Recently a young girl bleed to death in Bangladesh. The death was the result of the beating she was given after being accused of having an affair with a married man. The married man was a fellow villager and also happened to be her cousin. Her family maintains that she was innocent of the accusations and the cousin was found guilty of rape and sentenced to a lashing but escaped during his punishment. The young, 14 years old, girl was not so lucky and received about 80 lashes which may have resulted in her death. This society is still very much a mechanical solidarity society in which individuals are expected to play their own roles. In this case, the young girl was to stay away from married individuals revealing that a mistress role leads to physical punishment sanctioned by the government. This past year, another woman died after being publicly caned for an alleged affair. The individuals in this community face repressive laws, being publicly and severely punished for actions frowned upon by their community. This environment is very likely to have high rates of fatalistic suicide without an increase in dynamic density or coming to a collective conscience. Due to a lack of freedom, high regulation, repressive laws, strict rules, etc, the number of individuals who feel depressed will increase and they are more likely to take their own lives in order to be free of the challenges of being individuals in a society that do not have a voice and must follow strict rules. If the young girl survived the lashings, she may possibly have had a great chance of developing depression and ultimately would have commited suicide as a result of the lashing and the rules set in the community that she has to follow.
--Durkheim
1. Quailman
ReplyDelete2. Labor Strikes in Egypt Spill into Border Unrest
3. Maggie Michael & Tarek El-Tablawy
4. Associated Press via Yahoo News
5. Feb 9, 2011
6. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110209/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt;_ylt=Am2Wk9LUm.XhDrfBeG3IH25vaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTJlZG9mYXZiBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMjA5L21sX2VneXB0BHBvcwMxMQRzZWMDeW5fYXJ0aWNsZV9zdW1tYXJ5X2xpc3QEc2xrA2ZyZWVkeW91bmdsZQ--
My goal is to shed light on the reasons why these Egyptian workers are going on strike from their jobs. These men and women are now aware of the problem that human beings are being reduced to commodities. The Egyptian workers are demanding better pay because their worth as human beings is much more than what they are being paid. But even at a more complex level these Egyptian workers are realizing that they are alienated from their products. They are creating products that they themselves take no pride in making. Being a cog in the wheel is very unsatisfying and this is an example of why capitalist nations are doomed to fail. Forming a union to gain the privileges one deserves is a step in the right direction. I outlined many of these ideals in my Communist Manifesto. Not only must the Proletariat be on willing to change the government but also the middle class Bourgeoisie as well. Egypt’s people are working together in order to bring about a more equitable form of government for everyone. The Democratic Socialist state of Egypt is doomed to fail. However these workers are aware of the oppression and are interested in changing society.
These men and women also realize that the idea alone is not enough to bring forth change. They are not content to simply sit back and let themselves be taken advantage of. Action is necessary to set their ideas in motion. Ideas alone will not change the situation in Egypt. One could spread the theories of unionizing but if the workers do not stand firm together to challenge the oppressive system in front of them, then the theory will not bring change. There must be action and steps taken. For example these people are protesting and camping out in Tahrir Square in order to get President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to step down. I would also like to point out that the ideas of the Proletariat are determined by their social interests. And of course these social interests are completely dictated by their current social class. There will continue to be turmoil in Egypt until a Communist government is put in place. Socialism must be replaced so that in order to provide for the basic needs for its people. This is the only way that society’s structure will remain stable.
-Karl Marx
1. Gardenia
ReplyDelete2. “Societal Stigma and Suicide Prevention”
3. Johannes E. Hovens and G. Johannes van der Ploeg
4. Psychiatric Services – American Psychiatric Association
5. February 2011
6. http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/62/2/222-a
Suicide is a subject that most know about, but not always voice about. Within this article, van der Ploeg and Hovens speak about suicide and the influential role that society has in this matter. Society is thought to hold the power to reduce suicide by the encouragement of societal prevention and promoting well-being. Despite this finding, it is still unsure on whether or not this may be of assistance to all suicidal cases.
With this being said, there for four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic. All of these types of suicides are tied in some shape or form to an irregularity happening within society. Within egoistic suicide, there is a weakened group relationship. Within altruistic suicide, there is a feeling of high integration. Within anomic suicide, there is a lack of regulation; and within fatalistic suicide, there is too much regulation. How is society supposed to aid those who are thinking of suicide when they are the problem?
Furthermore, “Society Stigma and Suicide Prevention” mentions that with the help of society they are able to uplift a person into reasoning out of the thought suicide. This can be done by finding psychiatric help, attending group session with those who are experiencing the same issue(s), crisis centers, etc. These collective rituals have the ability to produce great emotion. This allows those who have suicidal thoughts to become attached and make relationships and realize their worth. Because of this bond, victims are strengthened emotionally and are able to progress.
--Émile Durkheim
1. niaps
ReplyDelete2. A Lack Of Rigor Leaves Students ‘Adrift” In College
3. Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa
4. NPR
5. February 9th, 2011
6. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/09/133310978/in-college-a-lack-of-rigor-leaves-students-adrift
According to this article, a study was conducted researching writing and critical thinking skills of students over a period of time to see if there is an increase. The study looks at how often students study and how many papers are written for their courses. The study found that the students’ are evaluating the teachers at the end of the semesters and therefore teachers feel they are doing a good job by grading easily, entertaining students and asking little of them.
Going to college nowadays is an assumed right, rather than a privilege and I think this is where we are going wrong. So what are we going to do about this? We have information from this study that conflicts with the results we should see from college students, but we cannot create change just based on these ideas. We have to look at the social interests of the people. Is education turning into something different than it was back then? Could the fact that, for some jobs a Bachelor’s degree is not enough anymore, be a reason why college is not up to the standards it should be? We are beginning to see peoples’ ideas and interests clashing in regards to education of today, so people are becoming aware that it is a problem that needs to be addressed.
- Karl Marx