Blog 11

This week in class we discussed the concept of globalization. Globalization is defined as a set of social processes that appear to transform our present social condition of conventional nationality into one of globality. One of the largest examples of globalization that I could think of was simple trade. Throughout the course of history different forms of trading have become more and more popularized with the creation of various kind of technology. In the beginning it was just goods that could be carried across land or by ship, but as time carried on new modes of transportation were created and larger and more different items could be interchanged throughout the world. The idea of trade isn't limited only by tangible goods either, it can be extended to simple knowledge and ideas. This can be seen with our current society and the internet. Globalization is advancing at an incredibly fast rate due to the fact that information can be shared across the world instantaneously. These ideas can be seen through the Modernization Theory. The modernization theory is a process that is Western in origin, global, total, homogenizing, irreversible, and progressive. According to the modernization theory, once a country moves forward, it is nearly impossible for them to move backward. While I agree that the world is in a state of innovation and advancement, I don't necessarily believe that what is happening is irreversible. Using the film Solar Mamas as an example, there are poverty stricken countries and communities that are used as guinea pigs for new technology and new ideas. If the technology or trial run of this situation falls through, there is very little chance that the poor country would be able to maintain or continue using the technology by themselves. The only thing that can't be taken away is the change that was made in the lives of the people the technology touched. They've been introduced to something new and exciting, which means that they will hopefully work and strive to reach that same level again.

While globalization has the opportunity create great things and to push boundaries that haven't been pushed before, there are still a number of negative aspects.

http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_17/b3678003.htm

This article by business week discusses some of the pros and cons behind globalization.

Blog 10

Everyone feels fear. These fears can range anywhere from being scared of a simple spider, or being afraid of having money to purchase food or fear for your physical safety. Comparing the readings about fear to Steven Lukes' three dimensions of power theory, it is quite easy to pick out examples between the two. 

The first dimension of power, decision-making, could be explained with an example from the reading about sexual assault. Due to the fact that girls are being sexually assaulted and these assaults are generally occurring in the same type of places, examples being frat parties and bars, girls are now going to avoid those areas or always make sure that they are with friends so they are more protected. Looking at the reading about Latino immigrants, it specifically stated that the immigrants had begun taking different routes home in order to avoid the attack heavy areas of the city. These examples both fit the concept of an individual or group of people extending their power and changing the behavior of another individual or group of people. 

In the reading, the example of the Latinos that were being physically harassed could be described as the second dimension of power, setting the agenda. In this situation the Latinos aren't able to know when an individual is going to try and attack or harass them. The harasser is the one "setting the agenda" of when these attacks are going to happen. This step relates very similarly to the reading about rape on college campuses. A victim of rape isn't aware of when they are going to be attacked, only the attacker knows when they are going to make a move, therefore "setting the agenda". 

The last dimension of power is control over the political system or agenda. The reading on sexual assault can be used to explain this idea. If an individual is a victim of rape, there is generally very little chance that everyone is going to be their story. It happens often that a victim will come out with their story and that the public will either discount it or say that they are exaggerating, or even that it is their own fault that they were assaulted. An explanation for this unfortunate circumstance is the media. The media is where these situations are most often advertised, meaning that the public is being made to think that the attackers deserve sympathy, or that all individuals that say they were attacked are actually lying. 

Above is a diagram depicting Steven Lukes' three dimensions of power. While it doesn't fit in directly and expands on his ideas slightly, it still gives a good idea of what he was saying. 

Blog 9

I know you want it

I know you want it

I know you want it

The very first time I heard Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" I went from jamming to the fun beat, to being absolutely appalled. With the first few heavy dance beats and Pharrel William's call for "everybody get up," I thought that the song had great potential. Even through the pre-chorus, the song seemed fairly decent still, though probably not the type of thing I would listen to on repeat. Then the song reached the chorus. Within the first line the first line, I felt distinctly uncomfortable. After the unnecessary number of times that Thicke repeated the "I know you want it" line, I felt even more uncomfortable. After listening to the entire thing, I decided to go online and do some research about the song. The thing that surprised me the most, was the incredible amount of positive attention the song was receiving. Despite the fact that there are lines that are blatantly referring to sexual assault, the song was on shooting to the top of the charts and being played nonstop by individuals everywhere. The song gives the impression that if someone doesn't give consent, but they are showing interest, then that consent isn't necessary. This is a common misconception that society is going through currently. Sexual consent should be a common sense ideal, but it is something that has become necessary to teach the upcoming generations simply because of the false impressions that the media and a number of other resources give off. Fortunately, there have been large pushes recently to promote sexual consent, especially on college campuses. One of the largest advertisers for sexual consent is the Consent Is Sexy campaign. This campaign pushes the idea of not only making sure you are obtaining consent, but that you are also providing simple respect. Below is a link to the campaign's website. 

http://www.consentissexy.net

Sumblog 8

I thought that the interactive game of Sociopoly that we played was a great way to demonstrate inequality. In version of the game that my group played, which was divided by race, the stereotypes definitely played out the way that Professor Barry intended them too. The group that represented the African Americans and Hispanics spent the most time in jail, while the individuals that represented the Caucasians made the most money and received the most benefits. Playing through the game of Sociolopoly representing a white individual, I definitely felt a little uncomfortable. Everyone else in our game was slowly losing all of their money and getting discouraged, while my partner and I landed on every free parking and received every benefit that we could, eventually coming out incredibly on top.

It is very easy to see how this game is related to real life, much more so than how the original Monopoly game was supposed to be. It is also incredibly easy to see how it related to the Chapter 25 reading relating to affirmative action. While affirmative action comes with a negative connotation, it isn't always a bad thing. While it is unfortunate that a certain individual may get something just because of their gender, race, or ethnicity, these are also individuals that might normally be passed up for the exact same reasons. It is unfortunate that affirmative action is the way that our society needs to reach equal dispersion, but it is also an understandable way for it to begin happening.