Codeword: Swimming Title: Science Looks at the Sibling Effect Author(s): Ira Flatow/Jeffery Kluger Source: National Public Radio Date: September 16, 2011 Link:http://www.npr.org/2011/09/16/140537846/science-looks-at-the-sibling-effect?ft=1&f=1024
When siblings fight, on a very small and intimate scale, this could be considered the source of social change or social interests arising from (the awareness of) social inequalities. Siblings are always in constant competition, according to Kluger "(blood siblings are always in) competition for the resources of the same parents." Children are always looking to alter the dynamic of the home so it is in their favor, this also represents the social interests arising from (the awareness of) social inequalities. Every child has the goal of being the "golden child" but that usually lies in the hands of the first born, they tend to recieve the most attention. As Kluger said "21 of the first 23 astronauts were either first born or only children." According to the fundamental assumptio of Marx's theories, theory could be a force for change only if there are people who are interested in changing society because of their oppressed social position. This concept could also be applied to sibling rivalry, because of the desire for one sibling to change the dynamic of the family to benefit themselves.
sexiib22 Moneyball reviewed: A great sports movie for people who can't stand sports movies. By Dana Stevens The Slate Group, a Division of the Washington Post Company September 22, 2011 http://www.slate.com/id/2304418/?from=rss
The movie Moneyball is adapted by Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian from the nonfiction book by Michael Lewis, is a sports movie for people who don't like sports movies. When people think of sports, they tend to think of the athletes; the main people who make the team the way that it is. However, people tend to forget about the people behind the field or court, such as the General Managers and CEOs. These people are so far in the background to most fans that they don’t mind being so far back because they still make their money at the end of the day; often more than what the players make. The players don’t seem to be aware of this false consciousness, thinking they are getting a fair day’s pay. Although many people would dream to make the salary of an athlete, they still don’t receive as much as the managers. In this sense, the players are the proletariat and the managers are the capitalists. The players do all of the work, which is sometimes dangerous and can leave them with the possibility of becoming hurt and never playing again. However, it is the managers whom receive the most money from the revenue produced from the fans that were there to see the players.
Freebird Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections Emily Buchanan Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15052030 September 25, 2011
If one were to compare gender stratification to biblical creation there is a good foundation to state that God created from the bottom to the top. He first started with animals, then man and the most important, woman. The stratification of women is linked to the imbalance of social structure based on false human assumptions that men are the leaders and women are subordinates. We should not point the blame in any direction except for the errors in the human thought process. It is important to remember that humans are a species still developing and evolving. Although, women are now able to vote and run in elections in Saudi Arabia does this bring them out of oppression and subjugation? If we take a closer look we will notice that they are still covered up from head to toe. The men in this country would argue that this is based on religious beliefs but these are religious beliefs that are enforced and perpetuated by men. It seems to me that the inequality among men and women will continue unless there is a dramatic change in how we view each other, not as gendered individuals but as humans.
Molly22 Title: What We Can Learn from Solyndra’s Failure Author: Marc Gunther Source: GreenBiz.com 9/25/2011 http:www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/09/23/what-we-can-learn-solyndras-failure
The economic downturn within the United States economy illustrates that capitalism has reached its limit. The system of capitalism needs to be reformed into a system that is more fair and just. We can learn this from Solyndra’s failure. We can also learn that until capitalism is reformed into a more inclusive and fair system, The United States economy will not prosper. The United States needs to make sure that there is an equal distribution of wealth within the United States, so that everyone can have the same economic, political and cultural power to promote his or her own self interest. This will ensure that capitalism is inclusive. By providing everyone an equal say so within the economy, it will aid in preventing what happened to Solyndra to other companies from abusing taxpayers’ money. According to Marx’s Conflict Theory that is based on people recognizing their class status, class dynamics shape the organization of socio-economic life. With an equal distribution of wealth, it will provide a check and balance system that will regulate and monitor corporations who borrow taxpayers’ money to ensure that everyone has a fair means of promoting their own self-interest. Coupled with exemplifying that capitalism has reached its limit and that it needs to be reformed, it also depicts Marx’s view of revolution under capitalism in that capitalism results in economic impoverishment. Solyndra filing for bankruptcy after receiving 565 million dollars from the Obama administration, while the poor and unemployed are losing unemployment benefits and government assistance shows the economic impoverishment that exists in capitalism. The economic impoverishment is a direct result of not enough regulation and the lack of checks and balances within the capitalist U.S. economy.
Codeword – Eaton Title – Will Robots Steal Your Job? Author – Farhad Manjoo Source – The Slate Group Date of Article – September 26, 2011 Link – http://www.slate.com/id/2304445/?from=rss
In the growing world of capitalism and technology, human beings are becoming more obsolete. People are building robotics and other technology that will do certain jobs for cheaper then human beings can perform. Those robots have a higher value in the market place because they are capable of more, perform more regularly, and can cost a fraction of the amount a whole department would cost. Before when people where reduced to their value in the market place it was degrading enough, but now robots will be able to take over their jobs because the profits are higher then the worth of a human life. Capitalism has gotten out of control in the world. Although one of the biggest strengths in capitalism is the ability for technological innovation, it can no longer be considered a strength if the same people that innovated the concepts are forced from their jobs by the very technology they developed. Workers will be reduced further as a commodity, one that is not nearly as profitable as a robotic worker. With the reduction of workers, there will be an alienation of the trained workers from their skill sets and the products that they had previously produced and now cannot afford. People will be forced to work longer hours for less money just to stay competitive against the machines and they will become alienated from their human nature. People are not a means to an end, but if robotics end up becoming commonplace people will lose their place in society. Without people working, there will be less money to spend and the economy will have to struggle to stay afloat because the supply will be higher then demand. Technology innovation is a good thing, but if it forces people to become even more machine like then the market already forces them to be, then social conflict will increase and there will be a forced revolution.
Codeword: mangos Title: Bolivia’s Evo Morales suspends Amazon’s road project Author: none listed Source: BBC news Date: 27 September 2011 Link (url): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15072166
In this news report one can see the effect that conflict has in a society. The indigenous inhabitants feel it is unfair and going against their wishes that the highway be built in the Amazon. They feel that their personal interests and rights are not being respected by the government along with President Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president. President Morales claims “it is essential for Bolivia’s development” while the rights of the indigenous (lower class) are being ignored. As we can see, class dynamics play a part in this conflict. The different interests of these two groups are determined by their class status in society. The more wealthy class (government) has the power to control and shape the way politics and the economy are to be handled. They have the power to promote their own interests, ignoring the interests and rights of the indigenous people. However, the indigenous people, conscious and aware of the conflict of interest, and the inequality in executing these decisions, they decided to form protests. The protests shows their discontent and their fervent desire for a change in the decision made by the government and president Morales. Ideas and beliefs alone are not enough to create change. Due to the protests and escalated violence, President Evo Morales has suspended work on the highway in the Amazon. - Marx
Code word: Jersey Title: First Step for Saudi Women’s Rights Author: Michael Buchanan Source: BBC News (Middle East) Date of Article: September 25, 2011 Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15055066
Since the beginning of time women were always considered second-class citizens to men. The only reason given is because they are a woman. In every society and culture, men are always having a higher power over women. This dominance is translated from culture, language, politics, and even the home. This hierarchical stratification is due to centuries of laws and regulation. In Saudi Arabia men have dominated women for years. These women for years have been waiting for the right to vote, drive, and even be educated. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has made it clear that “women has been given options and advice since the era of Prophet Muhammad.” Although having women inferior to men has a religious connotation to the Saudi’s, the fact that women can’t even drive or are given “options” are immoral. The thing that the Saudi politicians have to accept is the women are not private property. Women are human beings who can be educated, hold conversations, and make decisions just as men. Now in the 21st century there isn’t a need for the dominance of men over women. By involving women to be in the Shura Council is a great step; this start can bring around change in women’s rights.
1. cupcake 2. Michael Jackson's Doctor Conrad Murray Goes On Trial 3. Author: N/A 4. Source: BBC News 5. 27 September 2011 6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15079497
As the trial is underway for the fate of Conrad Murray, the proceedings seem to place emphasis on the integration and regulation in Michael Jackson’s life. On one hand, Defense Attorney Chernoff says that Michael Jackson took the drugs himself, which had proven to be fatal and he did this without Dr. Murray’s knowledge and consent. Jackson not only either took or was administered a lethal amount of proposal, but he also swallowed a dose of loranzepam that was "enough to put six people to sleep." Most individuals would know about the synergistic effects of drugs. especially the dangers associated with sedatives. This to me sounds like an egoistic suicide because Jackson was not involved in the community, he was not married, and he did not really have any bonds that made him feel like he belonged except for his musical community whom he did not seem to be in contact with since he repeatedly failed to show up at rehearsals. This makes it very clear that Jackson was very independent and that there was low levels of integration present in his life. This individualism definitely could have put Jackson more at risk for an egoistic suicide.
PurpishG Who was Malini Murmu? Deconstructing her through her Facebook and Twitter accounts Pooja Das Sarker PaGaLGuy September 21, 2011 http://www.pagalguy.com/2011/09/who-was-malini-murmu-deconstructing-her-through-her-facebook-and-twitter-accounts/
Malini Murmu suffered from egoistic suicide. Malini, a twenty-three year old, committed suicide after seeing her boyfriends status update on Facebook which has led police to believe that her boyfriend “abetted the murder”. I’ve interpreted suicidal actions as a social phenomena with social causes, and in this case Murmu was affected socially by what her boyfriend broadcasted. Being that she suffered from both egoistic suicidal signs, this gives leeway on developing if other events prior to this were a part of the suicide. Egoistic suicide happens mainly in modern societies where there is lower level of integration. It also weakens the ties that make someone feel like they belong. In this situation Malini was torn down emotionally and it caused her to commit suicide. -Durkheim
Codeword: HY15B Title: Shares soar on hopes for a Eurozone rescue plan Author: None listed Source: BBC news Date: 27 September 2011 Link(url): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15073218
When taking about the effect of the stock market one would not stop but think about how capitalism system has leads to greed and exploitation. Global shares have risen strongly on the growing hopes that Eurozone leaders will agree to a comprehensive package to solve the Eurozone debt crisis. Look back at all the debt crisis that has occur no one is more to responsible than the greed of capitalist people who had manipulated the market in order to exploited worker who don’t know anything about how the stock market work. The capitalists are too busy making more money to understand what they are doing until it is too late.
With this entire debt crisis that is created by the capitalists, the people who suffer the most are the workers who lost their job because companies don’t want to offer them jobs, the worker who has lost all his/her retirement saving because the stock market has drop, the worker who would have to do any type of job just to be able to put food on table for his/her family, and the worker who would have to suffer until change occurred in the system.
I it might be truth that the shares would raise when agreements are meets by the Eurozone, but there are still a lot of concerns of how this change would make any big differences in the market. The reason why is because at the end of the day we all know, the people who own the mean of production (the capitalists) will always want to make profit on the people who want to work for it (the proletariat).
Codeword: Khaki Title: 7 arrested in alleged SAT cheating scam Author: Brad Lendon Source: CNN Date: 09/28/2011 Link: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/28/7-arrested-in-alleged-sat-cheating-scam/?hpt=us_c2
Conflict is inherent in society and it arises when student struggle to do there best in high school and all they are reduced to a number on an SAT exam to show their eligibility for college. These students gained some class consciousness and realized that they were being oppressed by these numbers, and that SAT scores do not define them, but rather they are much more than those numbers. This also plays into the labor theory of value in that students today are seen as SAT scores and not as an individual student. These students felt oppressed by their society. SAT scores can also create alienation in that we are only trying to good on one test. Other creative things we do are not seen as important as our SAT scores which can make students lose track of their creativity.
(on time) Schmady Education is the Latest Casualty in Mexico's Drug War by: Jason Beaubein NPR 9/28/2011 http://www.npr.org/2011/09/28/140854544/education-is-latest-casualty-in-mexicos-drug-war
Capitalism requires a certain status quo; a heirarchy of sorts, there must be a small class of the wealthy who own the means of production (raw materials, factories, etc) and a large working class whose labor, their ability to work, gives them economic value, and they trade this value for wealth. This balance is delicate and vital to the health of the political economy. When someone cheats, or challenges the status quo, the balance of capitalism becomes shaky.
Mexico has been in the middle of drug wars for several years now; gangs have decided it is easier to make money by creating their own informal black market than continue to struggle under the oppression and alienation of capitalism. This has created a shift in the economic dynamic of the country, where by workers, or the proletariat, are forced even further down the totem pole, oppressed now by their ignorant and greedy governing body as well as an equally greedy and much more cruel black market class.
This compression under the growing weight of several oppressive social classes has begun the process of class consciousness, the key movement towards the upheaval of capitalism. Educators in Acapulco are fed up with being extorted by criminals and ignored by their government who is supposed to be protecting them. It seems that a necessary step towards communism was for the working class and capitalist heirarchy to rupture, allowing the social change to happen from the inside.
1. Rams26 2. The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 1: L. Ron Hubbard 3. Tony Ortega 4. villagevoice.com 5. September 28, 2011 6.http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/09/l_ron_hubbard_top_25_crippling_scientology.php
This article discusses the top 25 people that have cripple the Scientology religion or movement. Number 1 being the founder himself, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. The writer goes on to say that it has been found that the writers of the “best” biographies of Hubbard turn out have a lot of false information about Hubbard and these biographers were attempting to help the movement. The article discusses many lies about Hubbard’s life that are continuously being uncovered after his death almost 25 years ago. The author says that Hubbard was a well read man and was able to take various ideas and beliefs of the time (Freud, Buddhism, Anton LeVey, among others) and create a religion of it, Scientology. According to Emile Durkheim, this is the first step to the development of a religion. The article continues to say that at the time these beliefs synthesized helped create a following, but as times change ideas and world does too. Hubbard seemed to have had a good set up for the time Scientology was created, but had micromanaged every part of the religion down to the basic religious rites too much. Hubbard did fulfill the second step of developing a religion by Durkheim , which is developing a set of religious rites. Finally, Hubbard did create the third step of having a church or religious gather point(s). According to Durkheim, has successfully created a religion, however the writer of the article believes that there are too many problems with the background of the creators of Scientology and that Hubbard did not leave enough room for Scientology to evolve and develop with the times to increase its following.
Code word: Alex12 Title of Article: Occupy Wall Street Movement Reports 80 Arrests Today in Protests Author: Candace Smith Source: ABC News Date: September 24, 2001 Link: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/09/occupy-wall-street-movement-reports-80-arrested-today-in-protests/
In his article, demonstrators gathered around Wall Street (the mecca of wealth in America) to protest the social inequality in America, and also to protest against the disproportionate distribution of wealth. The recent corruption such as the crash of the housing market and bailouts to big banks and corporations has helped to fuel this protest. When taking this article into perspective using Marx’s theory, it is clear that his theory of revolution can be applied. According to lecture, Marx theorized that revolution would come about because of “the actual economic impoverishment of a large group of people in the midst of trying to provide for their family” (Joos). This is the theme that is present in this article. Members of the American society are stepping out of false consciousness, and advancing into class-consciousness, thus realizing that the greed of the bourgeoisie has led them into this economic disaster. One of Marx’s critiques of capitalism is that Eventual loss of legitimacy- vast majority of people would wake up and realize that they are paying for these people too become richer and richer, and this is what is happening according to the article. Another critique of capitalism by Marx is the idea of overproduction leading to depressions, and in modern day society we are experiencing the negative effects of capitalism. Capitalism’s destruction of the human essence in modern day society is demonstrated by a failing economy, cutting of social programs (Medicaid, social security, etc.), is leading to the threat of a revolution. Depression, social unrest, and Proletarianization are all of the effects of exceeding the purpose of capitalism, and this is what we see everyday.
Joos, Kristen. Class Lecture. Development of Sociological Thought. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl. 15 September 2011.
1. Indiana 2. Canceling The School Play Won't 3. Avoid 'Kismet' 3. Scott Simon 4. NPR 5. September 24, 2011 6.http://www.npr.org/2011/09/24/140765641/canceling-the-school-play-wont-avoid-kismet
A high school in Johnstown, P.A cancelled the student production of 'Kismet' due to its feature of Muslim characters and references to Islamic culture. This had a lot to do with the recent 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks which took place on 9/11/2001. Superintendent Fleming says that he received a few complaints and did not want students to face controversy and criticism. Durkheim's notion of collective representation comes into play here. Administrators are worried that the production of this play will not only affect students negatively, but might make a statement about American culture. One aspect of collective representation is that "they are... independent of individuals in the sense that their temporal span is greater than the lifetime of any individual" (class notes 9/22). The cancellation of the play is intended to make a statement about how Americans' (collectively) feel about the terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11/01 and to say that we won't stand for it. It is sad that the only real connection this 1953 musical has to terrorist attacks is the religion of those involved.
Code Word: cotee Title of Article: "America's Love Affair With Nationalism" Author: Linton Weeks Source: NPR News Date: September 28, 2011 Link: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/28/140869378/americas-love-affair-with-nationalism
Émile Durkheim, the first academic sociologist, believed that "collective consciousness" (the shared beliefs or sentiments of members of a society) is what prevents the individual from having the innate sense of egoism. Linton Weeks' recent NPR article comments on the US' profound rise in nationalism in the last decade. In it, he mentions some of the positives and negatives attributed to nationalism. There is a strong correlation between collective consciousness and nationalism, though many people view them as divergent from one another. As a nation, we feel this collective consciousness because we share many of the same problems. After 9/11, we shared the fear of being under attack, with the economic downturn, we have shared the fear of losing our jobs; through these things, does nationalism (or "patriotism") cultivate. As described in the article, people are more inclined to by "made in America" products, despite the struggling economy because the feel like "they are doing something real for [the] economy." In our modern society, we have adapted to an organic solidarity, wherein people depend on each other through complementary means. However, with the rise in nationalism, people feel more connected through the similarities brought on by the shared sense of nationalism, which is akin to the mechanical solidarity of primitive societies. With this balance, we can expect to see a renewal of the nation. But nationalism is just a start, what we need to work towards is the concept of "pan-nationalism" and put our "'human aims' above our 'national' ones" (Guibernau).
Guibernau, Montserrat. "Marx and Durkheim on Nationalism." Understanding Nationalism. (2001).
Codeword: Carmelo Title: 7 Arrested in Alleged SAT Cheating Scam Author: Brad Lendon Date: September 28, 2011 Link: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/28/7-arrested-in-alleged-sat-cheating-scam/?npt=NP1
This article discusses a student, Samuel Eshaghoff, who would charge various students from his high school a couple thousand dollars and would guarantee high SAT scores allowing them to attend a better school than they originally anticipated, given they were to take the tests themselves. This pressure from students to perform well on the standardized tests could arise from the fact they have realized the social inequalities that have been brought against them for not performing well on tests as others would. The SAT is considered one of the most important tests in your life and it is understandable to see where kids find it important to perform well that they even considering cheating on this exam. This is all created by the social pressure from society today that it is essential to attend to college. Kids may feel like failures if they don’t attend a good school and in today’s capitalist society, that they will have limited opportunities at earning a legitimate career with just a high school diploma.
1) Lynnered 2)Saudi Monarch Grants Women Right to Vote 3) Author: Neil MacFARQUHAR 4) September 25,2011 5) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/world/middleeast/women-to-vote-in-saudi-arabia-king-says.html?scp=1&sq=saudi%20monarch%20grants%20women%20right%20to%20vote&st=cse
This is from the perspective of Durkheim...
Saudi Arabia is a country based on collective rituals. These are the rituals in which bond this country together and unite the individuals residing within it. Saudi Arabia recently completely made a 180 by allowing women to now vote. Based on the rituals of this society, this does not mean this society will now consider women at the same stature as men. They are still not allowed to drive. Theyre still not elected officials. They are still second class individuals in the Saudi Arabian society. In order for women in this country to be considered integrated into the general society a complete overhaul of the system will need to take effect. The collective goals and interests must reflect the underlying system of collective values and beliefs grouping people's interactions.
(ontime) sasha Margate Christian GP Dr Richard Scott 'crossed the line' BBC Staff Journalists BBC News 22 September, 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15021419 It can be said that religion is created by society itself; men alone have the faculty of adding something else, the ideal, to reality. Viewing religion in the sense, religious forces as human forces, lends itself to the purpose of integrated members of a society socially. Thus, religion is a natural product of social life, as well as necessary for the individual to achieve collective consciousness and experience a sense of integration with the society in which one dwells. That is to say religion may act as a certain buffer against particular suicidal individuals, namely those who tend to consider suicide as a viable option for the sake of lack of or limited integration with society. Therefore this view of religion indicates that the reason for a medical doctor to share his religious beliefs with a patient, however unnecessary the manner was in which it was said or done, was to further assist the patient towards recovery from a surgery, thoughts of suicide, and a generally vulnerable state. With this limited information, we must say that it appears as though the vulnerable individuals' belonging to a religion other than that of the doctor's either led the individual to suicidal thoughts or merely failed to aid him in a balanced integration with other members of the religion or society in general, in which case he is left in his limited individualistic state. Without being further integrated in to society, this particular individual appears destined to an egoistic or anomic suicidal state, which the doctor was merely attempting to alleviate. In summing up, it is impractical to protest against a human being attempting to integrate another modern individual in to a more stabilized tie to a social group, regardless of the appropriateness of this subject matter in a public domain.
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.
Codeword: Swimming
ReplyDeleteTitle: Science Looks at the Sibling Effect
Author(s): Ira Flatow/Jeffery Kluger
Source: National Public Radio
Date: September 16, 2011
Link:http://www.npr.org/2011/09/16/140537846/science-looks-at-the-sibling-effect?ft=1&f=1024
When siblings fight, on a very small and intimate scale, this could be considered the source of social change or social interests arising from (the awareness of) social inequalities. Siblings are always in constant competition, according to Kluger "(blood siblings are always in) competition for the resources of the same parents." Children are always looking to alter the dynamic of the home so it is in their favor, this also represents the social interests arising from (the awareness of) social inequalities. Every child has the goal of being the "golden child" but that usually lies in the hands of the first born, they tend to recieve the most attention. As Kluger said "21 of the first 23 astronauts were either first born or only children." According to the fundamental assumptio of Marx's theories, theory could be a force for change only if there are people who are interested in changing society because of their oppressed social position. This concept could also be applied to sibling rivalry, because of the desire for one sibling to change the dynamic of the family to benefit themselves.
sexiib22
ReplyDeleteMoneyball reviewed: A great sports movie for people who can't stand sports movies.
By Dana Stevens
The Slate Group, a Division of the Washington Post Company
September 22, 2011
http://www.slate.com/id/2304418/?from=rss
The movie Moneyball is adapted by Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian from the nonfiction book by Michael Lewis, is a sports movie for people who don't like sports movies. When people think of sports, they tend to think of the athletes; the main people who make the team the way that it is. However, people tend to forget about the people behind the field or court, such as the General Managers and CEOs. These people are so far in the background to most fans that they don’t mind being so far back because they still make their money at the end of the day; often more than what the players make.
The players don’t seem to be aware of this false consciousness, thinking they are getting a fair day’s pay. Although many people would dream to make the salary of an athlete, they still don’t receive as much as the managers. In this sense, the players are the proletariat and the managers are the capitalists. The players do all of the work, which is sometimes dangerous and can leave them with the possibility of becoming hurt and never playing again. However, it is the managers whom receive the most money from the revenue produced from the fans that were there to see the players.
Freebird
ReplyDeleteWomen in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections
Emily Buchanan
Source: BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15052030
September 25, 2011
If one were to compare gender stratification to biblical creation there is a good foundation to state that God created from the bottom to the top. He first started with animals, then man and the most important, woman. The stratification of women is linked to the imbalance of social structure based on false human assumptions that men are the leaders and women are subordinates. We should not point the blame in any direction except for the errors in the human thought process. It is important to remember that humans are a species still developing and evolving. Although, women are now able to vote and run in elections in Saudi Arabia does this bring them out of oppression and subjugation? If we take a closer look we will notice that they are still covered up from head to toe. The men in this country would argue that this is based on religious beliefs but these are religious beliefs that are enforced and perpetuated by men. It seems to me that the inequality among men and women will continue unless there is a dramatic change in how we view each other, not as gendered individuals but as humans.
Molly22
ReplyDeleteTitle: What We Can Learn from Solyndra’s Failure
Author: Marc Gunther
Source: GreenBiz.com
9/25/2011
http:www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/09/23/what-we-can-learn-solyndras-failure
The economic downturn within the United States economy illustrates that capitalism has reached its limit. The system of capitalism needs to be reformed into a system that is more fair and just. We can learn this from Solyndra’s failure. We can also learn that until capitalism is reformed into a more inclusive and fair system, The United States economy will not prosper.
The United States needs to make sure that there is an equal distribution of wealth within the United States, so that everyone can have the same economic, political and cultural power to promote his or her own self interest. This will ensure that capitalism is inclusive. By providing everyone an equal say so within the economy, it will aid in preventing what happened to Solyndra to other companies from abusing taxpayers’ money. According to Marx’s Conflict Theory that is based on people recognizing their class status, class dynamics shape the organization of socio-economic life. With an equal distribution of wealth, it will provide a check and balance system that will regulate and monitor corporations who borrow taxpayers’ money to ensure that everyone has a fair means of promoting their own self-interest. Coupled with exemplifying that capitalism has reached its limit and that it needs to be reformed, it also depicts Marx’s view of revolution under capitalism in that capitalism results in economic impoverishment. Solyndra filing for bankruptcy after receiving 565 million dollars from the Obama administration, while the poor and unemployed are losing unemployment benefits and government assistance shows the economic impoverishment that exists in capitalism. The economic impoverishment is a direct result of not enough regulation and the lack of checks and balances within the capitalist U.S. economy.
Codeword – Eaton
ReplyDeleteTitle – Will Robots Steal Your Job?
Author – Farhad Manjoo
Source – The Slate Group
Date of Article – September 26, 2011
Link – http://www.slate.com/id/2304445/?from=rss
In the growing world of capitalism and technology, human beings are becoming more obsolete. People are building robotics and other technology that will do certain jobs for cheaper then human beings can perform. Those robots have a higher value in the market place because they are capable of more, perform more regularly, and can cost a fraction of the amount a whole department would cost. Before when people where reduced to their value in the market place it was degrading enough, but now robots will be able to take over their jobs because the profits are higher then the worth of a human life. Capitalism has gotten out of control in the world. Although one of the biggest strengths in capitalism is the ability for technological innovation, it can no longer be considered a strength if the same people that innovated the concepts are forced from their jobs by the very technology they developed. Workers will be reduced further as a commodity, one that is not nearly as profitable as a robotic worker. With the reduction of workers, there will be an alienation of the trained workers from their skill sets and the products that they had previously produced and now cannot afford. People will be forced to work longer hours for less money just to stay competitive against the machines and they will become alienated from their human nature. People are not a means to an end, but if robotics end up becoming commonplace people will lose their place in society. Without people working, there will be less money to spend and the economy will have to struggle to stay afloat because the supply will be higher then demand. Technology innovation is a good thing, but if it forces people to become even more machine like then the market already forces them to be, then social conflict will increase and there will be a forced revolution.
Codeword: mangos
ReplyDeleteTitle: Bolivia’s Evo Morales suspends Amazon’s road project
Author: none listed
Source: BBC news
Date: 27 September 2011
Link (url): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15072166
In this news report one can see the effect that conflict has in a society. The indigenous inhabitants feel it is unfair and going against their wishes that the highway be built in the Amazon. They feel that their personal interests and rights are not being respected by the government along with President Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president. President Morales claims “it is essential for Bolivia’s development” while the rights of the indigenous (lower class) are being ignored. As we can see, class dynamics play a part in this conflict. The different interests of these two groups are determined by their class status in society. The more wealthy class (government) has the power to control and shape the way politics and the economy are to be handled. They have the power to promote their own interests, ignoring the interests and rights of the indigenous people. However, the indigenous people, conscious and aware of the conflict of interest, and the inequality in executing these decisions, they decided to form protests. The protests shows their discontent and their fervent desire for a change in the decision made by the government and president Morales. Ideas and beliefs alone are not enough to create change. Due to the protests and escalated violence, President Evo Morales has suspended work on the highway in the Amazon.
- Marx
Code word: Jersey
ReplyDeleteTitle: First Step for Saudi Women’s Rights
Author: Michael Buchanan
Source: BBC News (Middle East)
Date of Article: September 25, 2011
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15055066
Since the beginning of time women were always considered second-class citizens to men. The only reason given is because they are a woman. In every society and culture, men are always having a higher power over women. This dominance is translated from culture, language, politics, and even the home. This hierarchical stratification is due to centuries of laws and regulation. In Saudi Arabia men have dominated women for years. These women for years have been waiting for the right to vote, drive, and even be educated. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has made it clear that “women has been given options and advice since the era of Prophet Muhammad.” Although having women inferior to men has a religious connotation to the Saudi’s, the fact that women can’t even drive or are given “options” are immoral. The thing that the Saudi politicians have to accept is the women are not private property. Women are human beings who can be educated, hold conversations, and make decisions just as men. Now in the 21st century there isn’t a need for the dominance of men over women. By involving women to be in the Shura Council is a great step; this start can bring around change in women’s rights.
1. cupcake
ReplyDelete2. Michael Jackson's Doctor Conrad Murray Goes On Trial
3. Author: N/A
4. Source: BBC News
5. 27 September 2011
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15079497
As the trial is underway for the fate of Conrad Murray, the proceedings seem to place emphasis on the integration and regulation in Michael Jackson’s life. On one hand, Defense Attorney Chernoff says that Michael Jackson took the drugs himself, which had proven to be fatal and he did this without Dr. Murray’s knowledge and consent. Jackson not only either took or was administered a lethal amount of proposal, but he also
swallowed a dose of loranzepam that was "enough to put six people to sleep." Most individuals would know about the synergistic effects of drugs. especially the dangers associated with sedatives. This to me sounds like an egoistic suicide because Jackson was not involved in the community, he was not married, and he did not really have any bonds that made him feel like he belonged except for his musical community whom he did not seem to be in contact with since he repeatedly failed to show up at rehearsals. This makes it very clear that Jackson was very independent and that there was low levels of integration present in his life. This individualism definitely could have put Jackson more at risk for an egoistic suicide.
PurpishG
ReplyDeleteWho was Malini Murmu? Deconstructing her through her Facebook and Twitter accounts
Pooja Das Sarker
PaGaLGuy
September 21, 2011
http://www.pagalguy.com/2011/09/who-was-malini-murmu-deconstructing-her-through-her-facebook-and-twitter-accounts/
Malini Murmu suffered from egoistic suicide. Malini, a twenty-three year old, committed suicide after seeing her boyfriends status update on Facebook which has led police to believe that her boyfriend “abetted the murder”. I’ve interpreted suicidal actions as a social phenomena with social causes, and in this case Murmu was affected socially by what her boyfriend broadcasted. Being that she suffered from both egoistic suicidal signs, this gives leeway on developing if other events prior to this were a part of the suicide. Egoistic suicide happens mainly in modern societies where there is lower level of integration. It also weakens the ties that make someone feel like they belong. In this situation Malini was torn down emotionally and it caused her to commit suicide.
-Durkheim
Codeword: HY15B
ReplyDeleteTitle: Shares soar on hopes for a Eurozone rescue plan
Author: None listed
Source: BBC news
Date: 27 September 2011
Link(url): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15073218
When taking about the effect of the stock market one would not stop but think about how capitalism system has leads to greed and exploitation. Global shares have risen strongly on the growing hopes that Eurozone leaders will agree to a comprehensive package to solve the Eurozone debt crisis. Look back at all the debt crisis that has occur no one is more to responsible than the greed of capitalist people who had manipulated the market in order to exploited worker who don’t know anything about how the stock market work. The capitalists are too busy making more money to understand what they are doing until it is too late.
With this entire debt crisis that is created by the capitalists, the people who suffer the most are the workers who lost their job because companies don’t want to offer them jobs, the worker who has lost all his/her retirement saving because the stock market has drop, the worker who would have to do any type of job just to be able to put food on table for his/her family, and the worker who would have to suffer until change occurred in the system.
I it might be truth that the shares would raise when agreements are meets by the Eurozone, but there are still a lot of concerns of how this change would make any big differences in the market. The reason why is because at the end of the day we all know, the people who own the mean of production (the capitalists) will always want to make profit on the people who want to work for it (the proletariat).
Codeword: Khaki
ReplyDeleteTitle: 7 arrested in alleged SAT cheating scam
Author: Brad Lendon
Source: CNN
Date: 09/28/2011
Link: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/28/7-arrested-in-alleged-sat-cheating-scam/?hpt=us_c2
Conflict is inherent in society and it arises when student struggle to do there best in high school and all they are reduced to a number on an SAT exam to show their eligibility for college. These students gained some class consciousness and realized that they were being oppressed by these numbers, and that SAT scores do not define them, but rather they are much more than those numbers. This also plays into the labor theory of value in that students today are seen as SAT scores and not as an individual student. These students felt oppressed by their society.
SAT scores can also create alienation in that we are only trying to good on one test. Other creative things we do are not seen as important as our SAT scores which can make students lose track of their creativity.
(on time)
ReplyDeleteSchmady
Education is the Latest Casualty in Mexico's Drug War
by: Jason Beaubein
NPR
9/28/2011
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/28/140854544/education-is-latest-casualty-in-mexicos-drug-war
Capitalism requires a certain status quo; a heirarchy of sorts, there must be a small class of the wealthy who own the means of production (raw materials, factories, etc) and a large working class whose labor, their ability to work, gives them economic value, and they trade this value for wealth. This balance is delicate and vital to the health of the political economy. When someone cheats, or challenges the status quo, the balance of capitalism becomes shaky.
Mexico has been in the middle of drug wars for several years now; gangs have decided it is easier to make money by creating their own informal black market than continue to struggle under the oppression and alienation of capitalism. This has created a shift in the economic dynamic of the country, where by workers, or the proletariat, are forced even further down the totem pole, oppressed now by their ignorant and greedy governing body as well as an equally greedy and much more cruel black market class.
This compression under the growing weight of several oppressive social classes has begun the process of class consciousness, the key movement towards the upheaval of capitalism. Educators in Acapulco are fed up with being extorted by criminals and ignored by their government who is supposed to be protecting them. It seems that a necessary step towards communism was for the working class and capitalist heirarchy to rupture, allowing the social change to happen from the inside.
1. Rams26
ReplyDelete2. The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 1: L. Ron Hubbard
3. Tony Ortega
4. villagevoice.com
5. September 28, 2011
6.http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/09/l_ron_hubbard_top_25_crippling_scientology.php
This article discusses the top 25 people that have cripple the Scientology religion or movement. Number 1 being the founder himself, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard. The writer goes on to say that it has been found that the writers of the “best” biographies of Hubbard turn out have a lot of false information about Hubbard and these biographers were attempting to help the movement. The article discusses many lies about Hubbard’s life that are continuously being uncovered after his death almost 25 years ago. The author says that Hubbard was a well read man and was able to take various ideas and beliefs of the time (Freud, Buddhism, Anton LeVey, among others) and create a religion of it, Scientology. According to Emile Durkheim, this is the first step to the development of a religion. The article continues to say that at the time these beliefs synthesized helped create a following, but as times change ideas and world does too. Hubbard seemed to have had a good set up for the time Scientology was created, but had micromanaged every part of the religion down to the basic religious rites too much. Hubbard did fulfill the second step of developing a religion by Durkheim , which is developing a set of religious rites. Finally, Hubbard did create the third step of having a church or religious gather point(s). According to Durkheim, has successfully created a religion, however the writer of the article believes that there are too many problems with the background of the creators of Scientology and that Hubbard did not leave enough room for Scientology to evolve and develop with the times to increase its following.
Code word: Alex12
ReplyDeleteTitle of Article: Occupy Wall Street Movement Reports 80 Arrests Today in Protests
Author: Candace Smith
Source: ABC News
Date: September 24, 2001
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/09/occupy-wall-street-movement-reports-80-arrested-today-in-protests/
In his article, demonstrators gathered around Wall Street (the mecca of wealth in America) to protest the social inequality in America, and also to protest against the disproportionate distribution of wealth. The recent corruption such as the crash of the housing market and bailouts to big banks and corporations has helped to fuel this protest. When taking this article into perspective using Marx’s theory, it is clear that his theory of revolution can be applied. According to lecture, Marx theorized that revolution would come about because of “the actual economic impoverishment of a large group of people in the midst of trying to provide for their family” (Joos). This is the theme that is present in this article. Members of the American society are stepping out of false consciousness, and advancing into class-consciousness, thus realizing that the greed of the bourgeoisie has led them into this economic disaster. One of Marx’s critiques of capitalism is that Eventual loss of legitimacy- vast majority of people would wake up and realize that they are paying for these people too become richer and richer, and this is what is happening according to the article. Another critique of capitalism by Marx is the idea of overproduction leading to depressions, and in modern day society we are experiencing the negative effects of capitalism. Capitalism’s destruction of the human essence in modern day society is demonstrated by a failing economy, cutting of social programs (Medicaid, social security, etc.), is leading to the threat of a revolution. Depression, social unrest, and Proletarianization are all of the effects of exceeding the purpose of capitalism, and this is what we see everyday.
Joos, Kristen. Class Lecture. Development of Sociological Thought. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl. 15 September 2011.
1. Indiana
ReplyDelete2. Canceling The School Play Won't 3. Avoid 'Kismet'
3. Scott Simon
4. NPR
5. September 24, 2011
6.http://www.npr.org/2011/09/24/140765641/canceling-the-school-play-wont-avoid-kismet
A high school in Johnstown, P.A cancelled the student production of 'Kismet' due to its feature of Muslim characters and references to Islamic culture. This had a lot to do with the recent 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks which took place on 9/11/2001. Superintendent Fleming says that he received a few complaints and did not want students to face controversy and criticism. Durkheim's notion of collective representation comes into play here. Administrators are worried that the production of this play will not only affect students negatively, but might make a statement about American culture. One aspect of collective representation is that "they are... independent of individuals in the sense that their temporal span is greater than the lifetime of any individual" (class notes 9/22). The cancellation of the play is intended to make a statement about how Americans' (collectively) feel about the terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11/01 and to say that we won't stand for it. It is sad that the only real connection this 1953 musical has to terrorist attacks is the religion of those involved.
Code Word: cotee
ReplyDeleteTitle of Article: "America's Love Affair With Nationalism"
Author: Linton Weeks
Source: NPR News
Date: September 28, 2011
Link: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/28/140869378/americas-love-affair-with-nationalism
Émile Durkheim, the first academic sociologist, believed that "collective consciousness" (the shared beliefs or sentiments of members of a society) is what prevents the individual from having the innate sense of egoism. Linton Weeks' recent NPR article comments on the US' profound rise in nationalism in the last decade. In it, he mentions some of the positives and negatives attributed to nationalism. There is a strong correlation between collective consciousness and nationalism, though many people view them as divergent from one another. As a nation, we feel this collective consciousness because we share many of the same problems. After 9/11, we shared the fear of being under attack, with the economic downturn, we have shared the fear of losing our jobs; through these things, does nationalism (or "patriotism") cultivate. As described in the article, people are more inclined to by "made in America" products, despite the struggling economy because the feel like "they are doing something real for [the] economy."
In our modern society, we have adapted to an organic solidarity, wherein people depend on each other through complementary means. However, with the rise in nationalism, people feel more connected through the similarities brought on by the shared sense of nationalism, which is akin to the mechanical solidarity of primitive societies. With this balance, we can expect to see a renewal of the nation. But nationalism is just a start, what we need to work towards is the concept of "pan-nationalism" and put our "'human aims' above our 'national' ones" (Guibernau).
Guibernau, Montserrat. "Marx and Durkheim on Nationalism." Understanding Nationalism. (2001).
Codeword: Carmelo
ReplyDeleteTitle: 7 Arrested in Alleged SAT Cheating Scam
Author: Brad Lendon
Date: September 28, 2011
Link: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/28/7-arrested-in-alleged-sat-cheating-scam/?npt=NP1
This article discusses a student, Samuel Eshaghoff, who would charge various students from his high school a couple thousand dollars and would guarantee high SAT scores allowing them to attend a better school than they originally anticipated, given they were to take the tests themselves. This pressure from students to perform well on the standardized tests could arise from the fact they have realized the social inequalities that have been brought against them for not performing well on tests as others would. The SAT is considered one of the most important tests in your life and it is understandable to see where kids find it important to perform well that they even considering cheating on this exam. This is all created by the social pressure from society today that it is essential to attend to college. Kids may feel like failures if they don’t attend a good school and in today’s capitalist society, that they will have limited opportunities at earning a legitimate career with just a high school diploma.
1) Lynnered
ReplyDelete2)Saudi Monarch Grants Women Right to Vote
3) Author: Neil MacFARQUHAR
4) September 25,2011
5) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/world/middleeast/women-to-vote-in-saudi-arabia-king-says.html?scp=1&sq=saudi%20monarch%20grants%20women%20right%20to%20vote&st=cse
This is from the perspective of Durkheim...
Saudi Arabia is a country based on collective rituals. These are the rituals in which bond this country together and unite the individuals residing within it. Saudi Arabia recently completely made a 180 by allowing women to now vote. Based on the rituals of this society, this does not mean this society will now consider women at the same stature as men. They are still not allowed to drive. Theyre still not elected officials. They are still second class individuals in the Saudi Arabian society. In order for women in this country to be considered integrated into the general society a complete overhaul of the system will need to take effect. The collective goals and interests must reflect the underlying system of collective values and beliefs grouping people's interactions.
(ontime)
ReplyDeletesasha
Margate Christian GP Dr Richard Scott 'crossed the line'
BBC Staff Journalists
BBC News
22 September, 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15021419
It can be said that religion is created by society itself; men alone have the faculty of adding something else, the ideal, to reality. Viewing religion in the sense, religious forces as human forces, lends itself to the purpose of integrated members of a society socially. Thus, religion is a natural product of social life, as well as necessary for the individual to achieve collective consciousness and experience a sense of integration with the society in which one dwells. That is to say religion may act as a certain buffer against particular suicidal individuals, namely those who tend to consider suicide as a viable option for the sake of lack of or limited integration with society. Therefore this view of religion indicates that the reason for a medical doctor to share his religious beliefs with a patient, however unnecessary the manner was in which it was said or done, was to further assist the patient towards recovery from a surgery, thoughts of suicide, and a generally vulnerable state. With this limited information, we must say that it appears as though the vulnerable individuals' belonging to a religion other than that of the doctor's either led the individual to suicidal thoughts or merely failed to aid him in a balanced integration with other members of the religion or society in general, in which case he is left in his limited individualistic state. Without being further integrated in to society, this particular individual appears destined to an egoistic or anomic suicidal state, which the doctor was merely attempting to alleviate. In summing up, it is impractical to protest against a human being attempting to integrate another modern individual in to a more stabilized tie to a social group, regardless of the appropriateness of this subject matter in a public domain.