(no subject)
Today in class I was forced to consider the state of the global economy and the vicious cycle of poverty into which the majority of third world countries are locked. Like most other Americans, I prefer not to think about these things. The US does have the power to change the status quo but due to a multitude of mostly selfish reasons, we won't be doing anything about it anytime soon. These countries rely on the income they get from their exports, but they have to devote so many resources to producing the exports that they don't have enough resources left for their own people. Or big business has edged out the small farmer, preventing him from eking out a living on his own land. We were watching a documentary that highlighted the tribulations of those in several countries, showing brief statements from locals, as well as economists.
The next time you people are bitching about random day-to-day stuff, think about how fortunate you are. How many of you really think about your place in the global economy? Consider where your clothes are made, where your food originates, things like that, and try to imagine who held before you the product you now have in your hand.
Nothing like corporate greed. At least fertilizer here doesn't cost 4 days' wages like it does in Brazil. Sometimes we all get so absorbed in our own bubbles that I forget there are people who have more pressing concerns than whether Tom and Penelope broke up, or what the latest high-priced must-have is.
When the bombing in Spain occurred, it didn't really register because I didn't think I knew anyone who'd be directly affected. I was talking to one of my friends the other day, and he told me that one of our old friends had just gotten back from Europe. Turns out he was somewhere else and getting ready to catch the train, but he decided to stop and have a beer. He missed the first train, and that was the one that was bombed. Cue suspenseful music.
The next time you people are bitching about random day-to-day stuff, think about how fortunate you are. How many of you really think about your place in the global economy? Consider where your clothes are made, where your food originates, things like that, and try to imagine who held before you the product you now have in your hand.
Nothing like corporate greed. At least fertilizer here doesn't cost 4 days' wages like it does in Brazil. Sometimes we all get so absorbed in our own bubbles that I forget there are people who have more pressing concerns than whether Tom and Penelope broke up, or what the latest high-priced must-have is.
When the bombing in Spain occurred, it didn't really register because I didn't think I knew anyone who'd be directly affected. I was talking to one of my friends the other day, and he told me that one of our old friends had just gotten back from Europe. Turns out he was somewhere else and getting ready to catch the train, but he decided to stop and have a beer. He missed the first train, and that was the one that was bombed. Cue suspenseful music.