en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2456136 Comments by gringosmasher13 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/18/war-through-the-ages/#IDComment144260450 In the video War Through the Ages we were able to visually see all the wars since way back in history, we were able to see where they happened, and also an estimate of how many deaths occurred by judging how large the explosion was. You begin to notice that this idea of war was a commonly accepted idea all around the world since wars and battles were going on all over the globe, so it makes you think why were certain areas much worse than others? It’s actually very simple to explain it comes down to the location whether there was either a powerful empire located there or valuable resources. You’ll notice in the beginning of the video there weren’t so many explosions and they weren’t nearly as large as the ones in the later years. This is because as time passed technological advances and an increase in the human population it allowed people to more easily travel across the landscape of the world. This also caused empires to grow larger and larger until they were beginning to intrude on the land of another empire which caused disputes which then lead to wars over land. This wasn’t the only thing that wars were fought for they were fought for things like different beliefs, different resources, or just an empire trying to display their true power through war. Later on in the video some massive explosions came up during the times of the 1st and 2nd world wars where as we know, hundreds of thousands of people were killed because of world powers trying to expand and take over the world itself. Then came the wars we are more familiar with the ones occurring in the Middle East, these were because of resources that were heavily valued like oil. As I watched though I noticed that there haven’t been almost any attacks or wars at all on the US soil. The two battles which did occur were just terrorist attacks in which the country which did it to us suffered a punishment 100x worse than they inflicted to us. This shows that people who are part of such a large empire like the US is now are not afraid of the idea of war because our military is so large and powerful. This is foolish because you do not realize the pain and suffering that goes on in war and all the lives of loved ones that are lost forever. Sociologically speaking war is going to be around as long as there are empires that have wants or needs for something another country may have, they will do whatever it takes to get it including war. It’s sad to know war will be here forever but it is an idea will all must accept in the end. Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:57:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/18/war-through-the-ages/#IDComment144260450 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment143266740 I believe this is a problem which isn’t only of the transgender but the normally sexed people even with one detail there will be a problem or difference we must fix. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:04:38 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment143266740 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment143266677 . There will always be that human habit of classifying a different type of person into their own category hence beginning an idea of separation of that certain kind of species. Mr. devroure didn’t lose his job or position because of his job performance or ability but instead for what he was born as, a “freak”. He wasn’t given a choice or option he was forced into this and he lived as well as he could with what he was dealt but nonetheless things like these regulations by a categorical government which break us all into different groups and tribes which enabled him to hold a position that he was well able to do. His whole life he was a man, felt like a man, and lived like a man so why is it fair to say it doesn’t matter how you have always lived you are a man woman no matter what you do or better yet what you sacrifice. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:04:18 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment143266677 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment143266610 In most cultures the idea of a being crossing the boundaries of the separate genders is a crazy idea. It is because in society the roles and power each sex has been very discriminated thus never equal. All around the world each religion and cultural sect has always had the overall feeling that transgender are unequal and weird. No matter the area or the group of people all around the world there was a mutual feeling toward the bi genders or transsexual a certain type of disgust or racism was always present. Just like when there was a very heavy amount of racism towards the blacks it was a global impact since various and a number or European countries felt and held them at the same level. Also in each culture even if they weren’t all the same tone of skin slaves existed in each and every empire. Transgender and their debate of sexuality has been a age old thing like the color of skins and sexual orientation in the sense they have been around forever. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:03:54 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/transgendered-complications/#IDComment143266610 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/30/so-what-your-take-on-those-inequality-classes/#IDComment139262344 Those are the invisible strings Chris was mentioning when describing how all of us in society all take that common belief that success is measured in wealth not happiness and that we just assume the way things are, are the way things should be. We sit back and accept that these millionaires deserve every single cent they have and every lambo they own. This brings me to the next point that Chris brought up in his blog, which is that you only have one life to live and there are no redos so you know what you got to do what you got to do. Even thought it man mean going around the rules or taking some decision that other people don't see to put yourself ahead in the end its survival of the fittest. We all only have that one chance to do what we want in our lives and we're all going to try to make it the most enjoyable and memorable experience possible which means some thing may have to be given up to achieve this like keeping out pure integrity. This has been since the beginning of time and society has shaped us all to have the same fighting competitive character. Just like Chris said...it is how it is and thats the way it always will be. Sat, 2 Apr 2011 02:04:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/30/so-what-your-take-on-those-inequality-classes/#IDComment139262344 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/30/so-what-your-take-on-those-inequality-classes/#IDComment139261374 When reading chris's response to Sam's question I had to say that he managed to cover the same topics that were running through my head when I read the proposed question. A bunch of us in our society always forget the wonder and ask how all those wealthier than us got to where they are, somtimes fairly and other times by cheating. Like Sam said even the ones who do cheat usually don't manage to get caught or have to pay any type of punishment for it instead they get to enjoy and indulge themselves in the weath they immorally gained. As a society we have gotten to the point where people will do anything even if that means stepping on a few other people, to reach success. When people in our society think of success we do not rate it by how happy the person is who it is, or how they got there, we rate it based on their material possesions like Chris said. Cars, property, clothes, jewelry, where they send their kids to school everything that has to do with money are the our key tools in judging how successful a person is which is totally wrong. Sat, 2 Apr 2011 02:00:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/30/so-what-your-take-on-those-inequality-classes/#IDComment139261374 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment136877996 I believe after winning that grand sum of money the appeal to become a rich, greedy, snobby, and cocky person is very strong to any human being. In my case being raised from a working class family and being looked as not as “good” to the wealthier population it would be a great risk to me. In the end you have to think to yourself, “does money really bring happiness?” Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:15:58 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment136877996 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment136877762 All the sudden you won’t be Billy the adorable nephew they once had but Billy that rich, spoiled, and undeserving nephew that should be giving your family members a piece of the pie. After this thought we have now lost the way our family treated us and the ways our friends acted towards us, now I ask you again is all that money worth it? If that wasn’t enough to make you believe that winning the lottery can be tragic think about the risk you will be putting yourself in. After winning all that money people will know and hear your name so when going to a store or just parking your car at the mall you will have to watch your back even in your house. The people who had already had problems with you will be infuriated knowing that all this money has come into your lap, you might see that they try to steal from you or, even as bad as had happen in some occasions, kill you. The anti has gone up now to risking your safety, losing your friends and family, but there is another thing you should consider that will happen if you win the lottery which I personally think is the worst one of all, losing yourself after becoming wealthy. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:14:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment136877762 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment136877680 When people think about wishes one that always is brought up is “winning the lottery” because people figure that if you have more money you will be happier regardless. This isn’t necessarily the case in real life though if well thought about, imagine one day going from where you are to being extremely wealthy. One of the things that will occur is that the people who have known you for all these years and have been at your side will all the sudden change the way they act around you or change what they expect from you. After one realization we have one cost given up since gaining all this money, true friends, now me personally I don’t believe there is a price you can put on my friends but maybe to some people you can. Friends are friends though what about your families though do you think they would act the same around you after winning all that money? The sad part of it is that they will be the first ones to change because, even though they might be the ones who’ve loved you and cared for you since your birth, people change in the presence of money. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:13:57 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/28/the-lottery-as-a-blessing-or-a-curse/#IDComment136877680 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135949690 . I know if my brother or family member was mentally retarded I would take great offense to people saying it even if I know they didn’t mean to offend me directly, I believe the problem is that people haven’t taken enough time to think of what they’re actually saying and they haven’t taken the time to get to know someone with that problem. I believe if more people in society were made more available to seeing this and getting to feel how they feel, this occurrence would decrease a great amount. My personal opinion is that they should try to get rid of this terrible slang, but my personal opinion is also that people will keep using it unfortunately nonetheless even myself. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:12:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135949690 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135949652 . Its so mind boggling to think that this happens each and every day and no one is ever saying “hey man, that’s offensive”. The only thing sadder than knowing that is that if you did say that your friends would problem look at you and laugh or be confused; this is because of what society has made of the “R word” a common application. It has even made its way up to politicians using it to describe other people or other parties, the elected officials that are supposed to be the best of us and represent us are using such inappropriate language. Those are the things that cause us to feel that maybe it isn’t so bad to use that term even as a joke, but mental retardation is no joke to the people who have it and their loved ones it is actually one of the hardest things to coupe with and takes an extreme amount of courage to tackle. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:11:56 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135949652 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135949600 When I first looked into this post I was so oblivious to this issue I didn’t even know what Sam meant by the “R word”. This shows how I along with thousands of other people am not aware of the common curse we use which we might take to be so offensive but to others who live it, it hurts so much. Throughout my life I was never directly affected by the issue or mental retardation personally, so this might be why I didn’t realize how painful it can be when I use it as everyday common insult or joke. It is very similar to the “F word” in the sense people may not literally mean that they are calling another person or their friend a faggot but they just mean it as a joke. Nonetheless to the person who is gay this can crush their feelings and make them extremely offended. Its so mind boggling to think that this happens each and every day and no one is ever saying “hey man, that’s offensive”. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:11:41 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135949600 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/what-would-make-this-guy-less-white/#IDComment134338394 People might think their appearance might be why with his high up pants and tucked in shirt but I don’t believe this to be it so much as the way he comports himself. I’m sure if that man was wearing the stereo typical attire of a black man and used a bunch of slang that black men use people would still say “he’s so white!” because of how the person is doing it. Same goes if an African American dresses like the man in the video and comports himself like the man in the video people would think he was very “white” as well even though he is obviously black. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 02:01:09 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/what-would-make-this-guy-less-white/#IDComment134338394 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/what-would-make-this-guy-less-white/#IDComment134338369 For example when he makes reference to why the location of the holster is near your genitalia he phrases it as “how often does someone look at your zipper”. He continues to laugh awkwardly after saying that joke and just reinforces his image as a type of just plain out awkward man, if it were up to me I would say “how often do people try to check out your package that they’re even notice a gun? If anything they would think you were excited”. In addition to his awkwardness as he explains this holster he embellishes each step with extra words and statements that are completely unnecessary to explain what is the point of this product. It is because all of these factors that you really look at this guy and think he is really is “very white”. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 02:01:03 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/what-would-make-this-guy-less-white/#IDComment134338369 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/what-would-make-this-guy-less-white/#IDComment134338294 People put different labels on different things in their lives that make the distinction between one thing and another. That spurs the question what is the difference between someone being “white” and another person being “even whiter” or “really white”. In most cases it is not based on how close their tone of skin or if they are more pale than another person, usually it is referring to the demeanor in which the person acts or comports themselves. In the video this man comes off as being very white and this makes us wonder why this is, why is this guy whiter than Sam Richards? Well I believe that behavior that has characteristics such as awkward, overly proper, very clean (not vulgar), corny, and the way they speak defines how “white” a person can be. In the video the man who presents this holster really scores high in every one of those characteristics. During his presentation he speaks somewhat slower than you are normally used to hearing and he also is very clean with his speech; making sure to use all proper English without using any curses or foul language. You also watch and gain this awkward feeling which he delivers by being very awkward after saying certain things. Sat, 12 Mar 2011 02:00:40 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/what-would-make-this-guy-less-white/#IDComment134338294 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024680 The only reason why I mentioned in the beginning that I am not fully against conformity because there are times where we must have order and need to conform in order to unite together, such as war. Aside from the few circumstances I don’t think conformity should be a goal to obtain by so many people and we’d be surprised how much happier we could be, if we just acted as ourselves. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 00:00:41 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024680 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024630 Acts of conformity also happen when people are just out in the world with strangers because they do not want to be the one that sticks out. Just like in the video when all the people faced the opposite way all the subjects didn’t want to seem different so they changed their direction just to be in unison with the majority. One subject kept following all the silly antics they were doing, but it didn’t seem silly to him because everyone else was doing it. A similar situation would be a group of friends smoking cigarettes and a kid at the same party sees them, but he doesn’t smoke, still he might get the urge to walk over and ask for a smoke just because everyone else there is doing it. An obviously silly act but they don’t feel silly doing it, because the majority is doing it. I believe that individuality is the way to go with anything in life, you won’t be living your life like you would like unless you live it the way you want to. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 00:00:34 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024630 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024525 For me I believe people need that feeling of security and that common bond they can have with other people so they don’t feel so alone. It’s just like when a group of friends decides to start dressing one way that even if one of the kids doesn’t want to change the way he or she dresses will change just to stay part of the group. Sad to think that if that one kid would’ve stayed true to themselves and keep their own style that maybe they would have lost their group of friends. In the end I believe you should always do what you want and act as you feel because you cannot deny you. If your friends wouldn’t want to hang out with you because a certain way you dress or certain things you like to do then you know what, they aren’t really your friends. I believe a great quote that applies to this is from Dr. Seuss and it goes like this, “those who care don’t matter, and those who matter don’t care.” Sat, 5 Feb 2011 00:00:14 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024525 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024481 The point the video is obviously trying to get across is that people will always follow the pack and try to fit in as part of the group even if it goes against what they would want to do in a given situation. When it comes to the topic of conformity I have a very specified look to it because I am not on either side of the radical spectrum. I believe that full conformity is wrong and we all seem like zombies; which destroys individuality and extinguishes authenticity. Our country alone wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for the original settlers wanting to be different and break away from the rest of the pack in Britain. One of the most beautiful thing we can do as free beings is be ourselves, no one can make us do anything so you have to wonder why people always try to fit in with the rest of the social norm. Fri, 4 Feb 2011 23:59:51 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126024481 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment124447425 He isn’t different from the rest of us, we have a lot in common with these people and I believe if others read articles like this one or gave them more of a chance to show themselves they would change the way they think as I did. Maybe it takes something as drastic as life in prison for us to truly dig deep within ourselves and ask why? In the end that is the only way you could not only survive but progress with a sentence in jail for life. Whatever the situation is coming to be in unison with oneself is truly one of life’s most beautiful but most difficult acts. Another act which people may find difficult to believe that inmates do it is showing compassion. Showing compassion isn’t an act someone evil does, it is a sign of understanding and sympathy it is something these inmates do for each other day in and day out. It makes you think, maybe they really aren’t what we think of them as maybe they’re not monsters; they are just humans like you and me. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 01:19:23 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment124447425