en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2451222 Comments by student201 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/what-americans-fear/#IDComment145250380 After watching the video I realized that the video is pretty interesting and at the same time a little frightening. It seems that way because of all the images they use and because the message “Death to America”. Obviously some people are going to react to it and other not even notice it. I think that the video only helps to put things in perspective, or on the side of Arab Muslims from the Middle East. Cleary, they are showing what they think of the people that have attacked them and invaded them, so why wont they do the same to preserve their religion. Although by doing that they bring upon war and violence, but then again that is what they see and get from the Americans. And yeah it is a different view on things, but it is actually reality. And when it comes to people’s religion or beliefs they are going to fight for them no matter what. It is very understandable that they would get up and do some type of protest to support what they believe. I think that is where the fear comes in, when they see Arab Muslims actually doing something. It is possible that some people may think that the movement is going to explode and that they are going eliminating whole populations. And yes there are several incidents around the world where it’s seen that they have attacked public places. It is all about territory and who controls what. It is clear that might be the Muslim strategy to take over the world in small areas. And in the end surround the so-called enemy of the Quran and those who insult Allah. Aside from the intended violence war I think that they mean no harm, but at the same time we would like to think so. On the other hand, it may just be another video made to cause false fear. One knows that everything that comes out in the media is not true and that a lot of things are exaggerated., not only that but sometimes covered up. Overall, I think the video is thought provoking in many aspects because it brings some type of awareness to the people in the west. Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:13:16 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/19/what-americans-fear/#IDComment145250380 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/the-cost-of-empire-soc-001-blog/#IDComment143290154 Part two: Things are not going to be very good because there is going to be more fighting and invading of countries for their resources. Since, the U.S. spends so much money on military with intent to protect the American people, than people are supposed to be safe. Although very likely to happen, what would happen if the U.S. lost its military and we were the ones getting invaded what would we do? Sam has also said this in class we would not feel very happy if something similar happened. It raises a lot of ethical questions about what is really going on in this world and how things are obtained. It’s as if the media and people around us have lied to us about everything in this world. On the other hand, there are some good things, but some of the not so good is probably because of ignorance. That is by no one actually helpings us to see a little of reality. Overall I think that videos like this are awesome because the show a different perspective or something that is closer to reality to what we have been told. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:26:26 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/the-cost-of-empire-soc-001-blog/#IDComment143290154 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/the-cost-of-empire-soc-001-blog/#IDComment143290093 Part one: The video on the cost of empire is really interesting because it says about the U.S and the military that we are not use to see in the media. In a way it is the side that we don’t really want or actually hear about. I would be good to know too see if it is done on purpose or is it just happens. In a way I understand why the people in power might not say the whole truth is probably because of panic. And at the same time people are really comfortable living their lives inside the United Sates. In that sense we don’t think about it because we are the fish inside the water. It is a good thing that Sam tries to help us see this by explain it and teaching us to be aware. It is interesting how our own president that we thought was up for change and all positive things is increasing the military budget. As some people may disagree it is understandable for some things because it the long run it is just guarantying our resources and commodities. I think that once it gets to a point where the resources become really scarce than things are just not going to be very pleasant. Sat, 16 Apr 2011 03:26:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/11/the-cost-of-empire-soc-001-blog/#IDComment143290093 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/women-and-war/#IDComment141104180 I think that this video is very interesting and powerful at the same time. Although, it may not seem so, it certainly is because of people’s stories and hardships throughout war. The speaker provides a good argument that people are not thinking or looking at the other side of war and all of its negative effects. The speaker really focuses on the small and important details of the individual stories. She also provides strong description that create and image in one’s mind. Even though are image cannot be compared to what was lived it helps to see. I think that the speaker really tries to get the audience’s attention in order to get her points across. It is clear that she is informing and explaining the struggles of people to help us see a little bit of the other side. Another point she made was targeted towards inequality between men and women in the negotiating table. In some way she can have a point that women are underrepresented in the table of negotiations, but being realistic it is difficult task. In the sense, that the people in power are mostly men. Besides, war is not going to stop because each individual country is going to go for their individual interests. Is it right?? Is it wrong?? In some things it is and other its not, which makes them very debatable questions among different groups of people. It all depends on which side you end up playing. It you play the strong/winning side than everything is good, but if you play the bad side than it’s not. Every time war happens it brings many different things some are good and some are bad. On the other hand, the speaker points out that if that was our family and friend going through such hardships we would totally disagree. Some people may think of it as luck that they ended in the strong country, others do not even think about it. The speaker was thankful that she was alive, but afterward felt guilty because other people died in that war. At one moment it raise several ethical questions, most people avoid them because they can seem complex. Overall, some of the things that war brings are sad, but it is something that will not entirely go away. Fri, 8 Apr 2011 22:28:00 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/04/03/women-and-war/#IDComment141104180 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/30/so-what-your-take-on-those-inequality-classes/#IDComment139286985 The inequality of classes is more than interesting because one always thinks that the inequality is not that immense, but in reality it is. We often think that one of the reasons why the people in power are there was because they worked really hard. As said in class there are a few that accomplished their wealth because of their hard work. Most of the wealth was handed down to people and for the most part their wealth keeps increasing. And as someone commented on the article why success is measured in wealth? Why can’t people leave money aside and live their lives? People can’t do that because the world revolves around money and power, and if you don’t have than you are stuck where you are. The invisible forces have a lot of impact on people because they do not decide to be born in a wealthy family or a poor family. It is clear that most people would opt out of the poor family, if they were choices. On the other hand, the people that in the middle are not part of elite or first class, but they are happy that they are not in the poor one. It is fascinating how little has changed about social classes division from the past. As Sam said in class it is what it is. At least it is good to be aware of it rather than not. And for the people that make it to the elite, how many of those come back and help brake the system. At the same time it is understandable why they don’t because they paid the price for their success. In the end it makes some sense why the world’s elite control as they please. Overall, things are going to continue to be the same for as long as the people in power stay in power. Sat, 2 Apr 2011 03:54:51 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/30/so-what-your-take-on-those-inequality-classes/#IDComment139286985 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/religion-in-the-future/#IDComment137631418 second part: That impact leads them to find a foundation of beliefs taught by our elders and society. It is when we grow up and observe the world and sees that some if not most of what was said to us is not of color pink. Meaning that one confronts reality and can see how things actually work. It is possible that we do not see everything, let alone understanding simple things yet so complex. I think that people are just putting religion aside in order to question some of the things around them. One of the possible reasons why people do that is because they are confused when religion and the reality of the world contradict each other. It is a complex subject, but from what was discussed in class it is just a large group. And for religion to fully go away it is going to be really hard because when people are afraid or need something the first thing they think of is faith/god. On the other hand there are probably people in the world that don’t even know about a god or something related to it. Overall religion has impacted the world in many ways and it will continue to do so even though people might put it aside because they are distracted by the modern and globalizing world. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:04:02 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/religion-in-the-future/#IDComment137631418 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/religion-in-the-future/#IDComment137631259 I think that even though people are saying that they don’t have a religion the foundation is always going to be there. And yes it is possible that some people lost their faith in religion for whatever reason. Also, the question of the creators existence and it’s important to people. With all the current world tragedies many people wonder if there is a god because of all the harm it is bringing to human kind. Another thing that is seen in the world of today is pure anger, wars and no peace. Although, this is debatable and can be interpreted in many different ways people have their own individual ideas. I think religion has always played an important role in most people one way or another. Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:03:29 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/24/religion-in-the-future/#IDComment137631259 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135968706 I think that yes the R-word is used several times throughout people’s everyday vocabulary. The word is also used here and there as if in a sense was a verb. In a way I can see where Frank might get offended when people use the R-word because he might think that it applies to him. I think that if the word does not apply to him than he shouldn’t get offended by the word. There are probably invisible strings throughout his life that make him think that about the R-word and his relationship with it. And being realistic it is nearly impossible to stop a whole nation from using the R-word. Even though he has Down syndrome he shouldn’t make it a negative connection with him to the R-word. On the other hand I think that a word like that shouldn’t be used to offend people and make the negative connection to people with Down syndrome. It is also understandable that when the word used it hurts some people, but they should not let a word such as that offend them. At the same time they shouldn’t allow that it happens because it is difficult to step out of what we are taught to feel. Someone can come up with a word that has the same meaning and begin to use and also spread. It’s as if it never ends because if it is not used for whatever reason than people are going to find another one with the same meaning. As for politicians people say that they shouldn’t use them but they do a lot more worse things than simply using a word. But who is anyone to judge the good, they should, the bad the should not, it’s all the same in the end. Overall I think that both sides should work at it people not connecting to the word and not using in order to degrade someone else. Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:22:44 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/03/09/the-r-word-and-the-oblivious-others/#IDComment135968706 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/stranger-kidnapping/#IDComment130726313 It is interesting to see how the news makes such a big deal of a child getting kidnapped. Not that it is a bad thing that they are informing people or the intention behind it. The video is presented to in a way to scare children and their parents. As said in class the kidnapping is very unlikely to happen, and if it does it over alarms people. Also connecting it with the idea of the lottery and the number of people winning it is very low. And yes it can happen as one can see in the video, but then again it happen in a very large city. Although the probabilities are very low society is impacted in a negative way because they are now going to walk around with fear. Another thing society might do is not let their children outside by themselves or not even go out. I think that news channels often sell fear with the stories the present to their audience. By the way, the video show the audience that the child was not talking to a stranger and there was still the intent of kidnap. Even though they make it clear to children not talk to strangers it almost happened. In other words overstressing things to children might not always prevent thing from happening. On the other hand it bring more before to children because it paralyzes them in an actual situation that they would need help because they got lost. And I think that stuff like this occurs in much more dangerous countries and people do not make it a fearful situation. As for the mom in the video it is understandable that she wants her child to never let go and be alert, but at the same time the likeliness of happening is very low. I think that society likes to think that by doing this it’s going to stop or at least not happen to them because they are taking precaution. Overall, it is definitely not a good thing that kidnapping exist, but thinking about people in society should not over react with fear. Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:15:43 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/21/stranger-kidnapping/#IDComment130726313 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/15/social-structure-shapes-free-will/#IDComment128981202 (Part 2) Although most people will not thing of this as normal, but sociology helps to understand the differences of people in other societies. I think that just because a society is larger it does not mean that it is the best thing. And like Sam said in class people like systems and don’t like change. So if a big society has little polygamy it will stay like that and probably will not change. As for the one that accepts polygamy and being females it would stay like that because it’s common and part of their society. I think it is pretty interesting that there is polygamy and with women even though it would not be acceptable in western society. It clearly shows that we should not be closed minded and be centralized in the things that are just around us and expand our mind. Even though others will take it as something wrong and unacceptable they should take the time to analyze it, but then again they are free to say their point of view. Overall, I think it has to do with culture, where you grow up, and what you open your mind to. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:28:13 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/15/social-structure-shapes-free-will/#IDComment128981202 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/15/social-structure-shapes-free-will/#IDComment128981021 (Part 1) In a way it is true that when we read or think about polygamy is only or most of the time a man with many wives. After reading the article in a way it was surprising to find out that it was acceptable in other societies. If something like that happened openly in our society people would criminalize it and see it as something wrong. It is interesting how some people before thinking about it or taking the time to understand a little bit they go towards the negative side. And one of the reasons why people take it as wrong is because of the influence they have from their religion. Also because to them it’s not common to se some one married with different people under the same roof. On the other hand, it is understandable why people think a certain way about it, which is because they are wrapped in their own little world. Another reason why because it may seem uncomfortable. Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:27:39 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/15/social-structure-shapes-free-will/#IDComment128981021 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/06/empathy-might-be-our-natural-drive/#IDComment127463267 After watching the video on the empathic civilization I was really surprised by the ideas presented on the world and some of its history. Thinking about it from that perspective it does make a lot of sense of how the world functions and it’s constantly changing. Not only does the world change, but its people in society. I think that the video holds a lot of truth because it points out how the world would be different if we had a different mindset towards the relationship of people, the world and everything else. If people in the world came together to helped towards the disaster in Haiti and the miners in Chile, why can’t we do the same for peace and innovation in the world? I think if we all came together in such manner we would be a great global civilization, acting as one making it a better place for everyone. I also understand that something like this is quite difficult to achieve, because of all the social differences that come with us. And getting/breaking through those differences or similarities will be the challenge. By the way, the ever changing world may come to end in the sense that people die and things are left behind, but at the same time people don’t want thing to come to an end. In away its and abstract idea that may not make a lot of sense, but it is something people think about from the time they realize the idea of life and death. The video also traces the entire human race to two people, which to some may be based on the concept of religion. Aside from the religion the concept of technology changing the world and bringing people together is very positive and efficient. Look at today the world is coming closer because of technology and it is passing at a really fast pace. Although, some people may think that it is moving really slow because only the more developed countries are benefitting from technology. It brings back the belief of all helping society to make it better, which means helping the undeveloped places to move forward and become one. I think that for something like this to happen people need to connect with everything around us and not be individually selfish. In other words, we are moving slow towards reaching that point. Sat, 12 Feb 2011 03:11:24 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/02/06/empathy-might-be-our-natural-drive/#IDComment127463267 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment126068859 First post "correct post" It was very interesting to read a letter from an inmate and find out a little bit about his one experience as an inmate. I’ve always had wondered about their life in prison and if they do change. After reading this letter I realized that they do and that they learn to appreciate and understand the simple things of life. I think that a number of people probably would not expect this from people in jail. In a way it is sad that they have to experience something like that inside a jail. At the same time it’s good because they get to understand some of the complexity of something taken as simple. It is true that a number of people might go through their day and not think of something they did. Reading the letter has definitely helped to see a little more about prison than what we are overwhelmed by society. Another thing that I find amazing is how both men come together and forget about their hate. In the end it tells me that even though they did what they did they still have a beating heart. On the other hand there are others who do not believe in this and think that it is some type of escape for the inmates. I think there are different opinions about the idea of compassion, but I guess some don’t realize the large idea behind it. The so called normal people never take the time to think about the simple things in life and throughout our day. And for those that do; some of them are afraid of saying something because of society. Overall, I think that it was a good read that helped changed my idea about prisons and that people can learn to appreciate the simple and complex things like compassion. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 04:07:24 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2010/04/21/letter-from-an-inmate/#IDComment126068859 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126064836 The video may seem funny or cause us to laugh because there are people laughing in the background, which in a way shows again how we try to conform to society. The video itself is simple, but at the same time interesting because it helps us see social conformity from an outside perspective. In the video other people as myself would feel a certain way being the one not the same because it’s different. It may also seem that you are loner, which pressures people into doing what everyone else is doing. Even thought that might not be always the right thing people do it to fit in. Fitting in has always been a challenge and in a way a fear because if one doesn’t do it than you are not wanted. I guess sometimes people think that doing what everyone else is doing the best thing because it’s the majority. In a way I can see that because it’s really hard to say no, even when your instinct tells you otherwise. And I would say that we have all done something similar to the video in society without even noticing or thinking about it. It is understandable because we are always surrounded by different people and that’s where we first become aware of the world and later imitating the example. I think it’s amazing how much society impacts in our everyday lives. From a very young age we are taught how to behave around certain people or places. If people in society did not criticize those who don’t fallow conformity in a negative way than maybe there would be more people fallowing their instincts. Although, the video tries to send a certain message on conformity it also raises a lot of questions. In reality it is hard to go against what the large group is doing because there are many things out our control that pushes us to do, act, or say certain things to fit in. Conformity is all about fitting in and not being the odd one out. It is so important because as human beings we have an internal emotion that makes us feel better if we fit it. It just makes us think that we are in a way special and we belong somewhere. Sat, 5 Feb 2011 03:44:01 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/30/conformity-rules-the-day/#IDComment126064836 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/i-too-am-free/#IDComment124470681 Although, people have many different views on freedom and interpret it in many ways I would say that his take on freedom is pretty interesting. I like how the writer sees freedom in a mental way and not so much in a physical aspect. One can take its freedom for granted and don’t really appreciate what is around us. People go days, weeks, months, and years without observing what is around them. Not only that but the simple things in life that seem of no importance. As the inmate realizes the things he misses from the outside worlds that are just the smallest things in our everyday life. After reading the letter I thought about the many things I am able to do without even thinking about it. And all the joy that brings to my life, all experiences that shape my life. On the other hand from what was talked in class we are not completely free because of everything that comes behind us. All of that shapes and changes our decisions that we make in life and our environment. Most of what we do is not completely free everything that we do is shaped by someone or something we don’t always see. As the person in prison misses all of those things from life he might not see that they come from memories he had. Those memories were moved by other people and a different mindset. He states that he has reached in a way mental freedom, but at the same time they are in way choices of other people. I think that you can have many different opinions and point of views that support him or go against from what the writers thinks. Even though there are different sides one can’t deny that it gets one to think even just a little bit about our everyday lives. And about all the simple things in life we take for granted and go without noticing them. It is sad that sometimes are freedom has to be taken away in order to realize the simplicity and joy of life in this world. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 04:08:42 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/27/i-too-am-free/#IDComment124470681 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cm%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment123711674 soc 001 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:56:07 +0000 http://www.worldinconversation.org/2011/01/10/last-name-%e2%80%9cm%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-intense-debate/#IDComment123711674