Chapt. 16 Answers to the Thinking Globally article: Does "Modernity" Mean "Progress"? The kaiapo of the Amozon and the Gullah of Georgia.

1. Why is social change both a winning and a losing proposition for traditional people?

With the rise of modern culture among tradition people comes many advances in standards of living. Better health care and longevity, better and sturdier homes equipped with running water and electricity, instant communication with the outside world and higher education. But other more traditional lifestyles eventually fall away. Traditional medicine based on religious beliefs are replaced by modern doctors and practices eroding the old superstitions. Old skills of self reliance are replaced by contractors, plumbers and all sorts of specialist and new regulations concerning the home. A new and ever shrinking and confusing awareness of the societies place in the universe moves from being the center of it to being on the peripheryof it.

2. Do the changes described here improve the lives of the Kaiapo? What about the Gullah community?

As stated above it improves the physical well being of the individual members but at a loss to the sense of community that was central to their society. Oral tradition with it's group interaction and knowing each other is replaced by the impersonal pronouncements of the Dianne Sawyers, Ted Kopells, and the talking heads of "Meet the Press". Community entertainment and socialization is replaced by "Two and a Half Men", "Clifford", and the big Hip-Hop concert on the mainland.

3. Do traditional people have any choice about becoming modern?

Yes they do. But the price is steep. They make take the road of the Amish, living in a self imposed semi-exile state to preserve their traditions but slowly losing their younger members to the outside world. Or they can embrace modernity but losing the traditions of of their culture that made them unique through the erosion of all that use to be negligence. They will also lose their native home to developers and land speculators who will capitalize on the new availability of their once isolated lands and it's resources.

Chapter 15 Population, Ubanization and Environment

Answers to the questions in the Controversy & Debate section. "Apocalypse: Will people Overwhelm the Planet"?

1. Do you think Earth can support 8 or 10 billion people?

Yes. There is more than enough ariable land to that is uninhabited or under inhabited that can accommodate that many people. It has been estimated that if everyone in the world would move to the state of Texas, there would be enough room for every man, woman and child to have the living space for a 1500 sq. ft home (about the size of a one bdrm apt.). Obviously people would not crowd into such a contiguous space but spread out over ariable land around the world.

2. Ninety-six % of current population growth is in poor countries. What does this mean for the future of rich nations?

Rich nations would have to stop raping the poorer nations of their natural resources and encourage those nations to use the resources for the development of their own countries.

For the the future of poor ones?

With the resources being used to develop their own societies (baring any dictatorship and government corruption) they would be able to build the infrastructures needed for their growth.

3. What should people in rich countries do to ensure the future of children everywhere?

Increase the production of the various medicine and vaccines that have cured most of their children of their countries of terminal diseases. Allow poor nations to build better water delivery systems,roads, transportation and power systems to heighten their infrastructure. Help train more doctors and medical personnel in poorer nations.

Chapt. 14 Education, Health and Medicine. "And Man Has Become As One Of Us...."...Genesis

Answer to the questions posed in Controversy & Debate The Genetics Crystal Ball: Do We Really Want to Look?

1. Do people have a right to know the future health prospects of a partner before marriage?

This is an interesting question. Many states require a blood test before a marriage license is issued although most people don't know why anymore (the test is to detect and treat syphilis, rubella, and in some states HIV). In the early 7o's it was popular in the African American community to get tested for Sickle Cell Anemia before marriage so that the couple could determine the chances of their children having the disease. My belief is that it should be up to the couple involved voluntarily but not as an enforceable legal right (it wouldn't work anyway because one or the other partner would probably be insulted and call off the wedding).

2. Should parents be permitted to genetically "design" their children?

A definite NO unless any genetic modification is to prevent a child from being born with a detectable disease or other future health problem. Genetic alteration to design a "smarter, more intelligent" child or to design certain desirable physical attributes should be banned. Not only does it smack of what the Nazi's were trying to do but would create a new class and maybe racial division of "Enhanced" people. There are many sciences fiction novels and articles of speculation that discuss the consequences of going down that road.

3. Should genetic research companies be allowed to patent their discoveries so that they can profit from the results, or should this information be made available to everyone.

Another tricky question. All discoveries that would cure of prevent disease, illnesses and birth defects should by available to everyone. The rest is unclear. Looking back the previous question what if in the future a group of people were to be sent to colonize the planet Mars. Should they be genetically altered to better withstand the atmospheric and gravitational conditions that they would live under? That should be patented. While these questions are in the realm of science fiction right now, they may be science fact sooner than we think.

"And Man Has Become As One of Us, Except He does Not Have Immortality"...Genesis

And I might add.....WISDOM.

Response to "Should We Save the Traditional Family"

1. I do think that families should put their children welfare first over their own happiness, unless there is physical or emotional violence involved. Whether working a combined 60 hrs as ONE part of the solution depends on the type of work the parents are in. Other factors should be repeal of the no fault divorce laws, change of attitudes towards errant mothers, heavier penalties for childlike behavior of divorcing couples, etc.

2. That is may be true and divorce should be granted for physical or emotional abuse by either party.

3. We should adapt a traditional family code of responsibilities that will universally fit all changing family patterns

Chapter 12 - Economics and Politics. "Denmark, Here I Come"

Answers to the question posed in the Thinking Globally article "Want Equality and Freedom? Try Denmark"

1. What evidence of less income inequality might you expect to see in Denmark if you were to visit that country? As mentioned in the article low unemployment, equality in upper level schooling, equality in health services, near equality in standards of housing and transportation.

2. Would you be willing to pay most of your income in taxes if the government provided you with benefits such as schooling and health care? Yes. I would look upon it as an essential service much as we do police, fire and military protection here in the U. S.

3. Do you think most people in the United States would like to have our society become more like Denmark? While it would seem that most people would like such services, our heavily ingrained belief that having such benefits would somehow strip us of our rights and that we would become a controlled and complacent society will keep us from moving in that direction for generation to come. Just look at how we reacted to a capitalism based universal health care proposal. I knew a female bartender who wasn't making much money that was against any form of health care assistance even though her daughter was have medical problem that she could not afford and had no one to help her in her support system. She firmly believed that any form of universal health care was leading us down the road to the dreaded "Communism" (though if asked she couldn't define the term).

Chapter 11 Race and Ethnicity, Answers to "New Dialoque on Mixed Race"

1. Whether I agree or not America thinks so. While many Americans state that we should stop using racials designation a just be "Americans" most are the first to such hyphynated terms as "Irish, Italian, or Polish-American. And racial conotations will always be used for desciption purposes.

2. It could be both in that it could be the way that they feel they best express themselves culturally and well as an insight into their political views.

3. It would be nice but the fact is that we need such boxes because people will see such differences.

Chaprt 10 Gender Stratification Women in the Military

As far as women in the mitilary goes I feel that women should be allowed to fill any position in all the armed forces. Whether infantry, airborne, fighter pilot, or Navy Seal all positions in the milary are based on training and merit. The physical and psychological differences can be surmounted by the training involved in military life.

Chapt. 9 Global Stratification

Comments on "Bottom of the Barrel", a Newsweek article on pp.260-261.

Human labor trafficking not only exist in 2nd and 3rd world countries, it also happens here. Another story based in Kansas City, Mo. In 2008 it was found that a local Ice Cream Truck Vending company was importing young workers from the former Soviet Union with a promise of high wages and educational opportunities. When the arrived their passports were confiscated, and they were put to work driving Ice Cream Trucks that circle neighborhoods to sell Ice Cream bars. They were forced to live in the warehouse and sleep on cots. They were lock in every evening and their pay was withheld for "room and board". Their employers were from other former Soviet countries. one of those "..stans". Finally the ring was broken up. Some of the employers escaped, other arrested. I don't know what happened to the "students". Yes, even in the heartland of America it happens.

Chapt.8 Social Stratification. Seeing Sociology in Everyday Life

Answers to the questions at the end of the article "When Class Gets Personal: Picking (with) Your Friends.

1. Why do you think Max felt that two college teachers would not enjoy spending time with him?
Most people in our society base their friendship around the level of education they've received. We tend to associate with those who have a similar range of vocabulary.

2. How does his reaction suggest that people take social position personally?
We tend to think that people with a higher education, especially those people whose professions exhibit such disparity, are better than we are. That we would have nothing in common. Not only in our incomes but our interest.

3. Can you think of a similar experience you have had with someone of a different social position?
No. Actually I can't.

Chapt. 7 Deviance. Hate Crime Laws: Do They Punish Actions or Atitudes?

In 2006 I moved back to the continental United States (Kansas City) from 20 years of living in the Caribbean. In 2007 a trio of young white men were drinking at a bar in a Northeast section of the city. After a while they got into their car circled the neighborhood until they found a early 30's year old Black man coming home from work, lunch pail in his hand. They jump out of their car pushed him into an ally and beat him to death. When asked why they did it they said they just wanted to kill a black man.

In Chapt. 7 on pg 189 in the THINKING ABOUT DIVERSITY article, the subject is Hate Crime Laws. Here are my answers to the questions at the bottom of the article.

1. Do you think crimes motivated by hate are more harmful than those by, say, greed?

Yes I do. Hate crimes are more brutal. The dragging of a man tied with a chain behind a pick up truck. Tying a person to a tree and beating them to death. A beating by someone for robbery is quick and usually doesn't result in death or crippling. The opposite is usually true with hate crimes. Why? It is perpetrated to have an impact on the community that is the intended receiver of the message. "Stay in your place!" "Leave!"

2. Do you think minorities such as African Americans should be subject to the same hate crime laws as white people?

Yes. However it is very rare for such occurrence. Crimes of Black people beating/killing whites almost always fall into 4 categories: greed (robbery), drugs, perceived disrespect, and rape.

3. On balance, do you favor or oppose hate crime laws?

I favor them. Why? While hate crime laws will not change attitudes (only time will change that) it will make those who contemplate doing them (since that are always premeditated over a period of time) think of the consequences if they know that they (the laws) are rigorously enforced.

Chapt. 6 Sexuality and Society: On Teen Pregancy

On Teen Pregnancy

I think the most important issue in this chapter was teen pregnancy. the text states that there are about 750.00 teen pregnancies per year in the U.S. As the book states most teens do not have the maturity to take care of themselves let alone raise a child (many adults either, but that is another issue). Most will not complete high school. Forget about college. They usually end up living in poverty. Or worse selling drugs or become strippers to raise their child which may lead to jail or prostitution.

Efforts could be made to reduce and stem the growth of teen pregnancy be providing birth control counseling at middle and birth control at high school. For those teen unfortunate to become pregnant during their high school years child care should be provided by the schools so that the teens (both mother and father) can continue their education.

Chapt. 5 Groups and Organiztions

In Chapt. 5, Groups and Organizations, the article in Controversy & Debate (Computer Technology, Large Organization and the Assault on Privacy) discusses many real problems on today world of the every increasing use of the microchip to advance wider communication and other technology. Anyone with just a little knowledge can steal someone Else's identity, tack a persons real time movements from afar via their cell phone are microchips in their car, or monitor what we watch on TV or check out from the public library. It is the price we pay for the new connivance of the new technologies. On my Facebook account I've found out that by being completely open on things that are already public and closely monitoring what is post I can proactively control that aspect of my life. On other things (cell phone, car tracking) I just accept it.

Chapt. 4, Seeing Sociology in the News - "Putting Your Best Cyberface Foward"

Chapter 4 - Social Interaction in Everyday Life - impression management. I am currently involved in using impression management through my Facebook Page Chef Clarence Shields. It is my way of networking with the culinary world to help me with my culinary education and hopefully new career. In it you will find contact of over 2000 culinary professionals from every segment of the profession. Students, Executive Chefs, Food Writers, Food Stylist, Sommeliars, Etc. There are also about 30 or so family and friend as contacts too. Am I engaged in "impression management". Definitely YES. I do not stray from the truth. I am a Chef having been a Pitmaster at a Famous BBQ restaurant in Kansas City, MO. and am graduate of a culinary school in Kansas, City also. I use real photos of my present self. My resume is post on there with my real address and phone number. To advance in today work world (especially when starting a new career at my age) one must use all the tools available. Cyberspace via Facebook, Linked In, YouTube (just ask Justin Beiber), etc. is a great asset that can be used to accomplish ones goals. Visit me at Chef Clarence Shields on Facebook.

Chapter 3 Controversy & Debate- Are We free Within Society?

In reading the article "Are We Free within Society?" on page 91 I tend to agree with Meads analysis that while we are greatly influenced as individuals be society, we also can rebel against the restraints society tries to put on us and chart our own course through the murky waters of life. Therefore I ascribe to the poem by William Earnest Henley that my parents made us learn when we were young. "Out of the night that covers me,Black as the pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul."

Chapter 2 - Seeing Sociology In Everyday Life

In the article on page 45 of Chapter 2, New Symbols in the World of Instant Messaging is discussed. Here are my answers to the questions at the end of the article.





1. What does the fact the we create new symbols all the time suggest about culture?





The ever increasing amount of new symbols to represent ideas, believes and concepts in our lives come from the changes that occur as new technology, greater communication amungst people around the world and new ideals in politics, morality and spiritualality occur. The invention of the automobile lead to new symbols in the form of signs to communicate rules of the road which have in turn been adapted (the no crossing symbol of a red circle with a diaganal slash through it for example) to a variety of concepts both the communication of ideas in health (no smoking), politics (no to a legilative bill), and morality (no to abortion) for example. The simple creation of the "smiley face" for a radio station's promotion has benn blown up into a variety of symbols to express all sorts of emotions and concepts that are recognized around the world.





2. In terms of age, what catagory of people are most likely to use this type of communication? Why?





People born after the rise of personal computer, the cell phone, and the invention of email. It was during this time (actually some years before with the wider availablity of long distance telephone calling) that the art of personal letter writing began to diappear. The use of abbreviations came about because of the space restrictions of instant messaging.





3. What other kinds of synbols can you think of that are new to your generation?




I can't think of any at this time.

August 17, 2011

In Tuesdays discussion of the general tenants of Sociology I found Sociological Theory and the three theoretical approaches - structural-functional, social-conflict and symbolic-interaction - the most interesting.

The Structural-Functional Approach seems to follow an authoritarian model. A form that from the onset seems to come from "the top down" in a way. Rigid. Standardized. With an assumed perfection that if anything doesn't conform to the norm (manifest functions) it is labeled as a social dysfunction. But because social dysfunctions exist another approach was discovered/created. That being the Social-Conflict Approach.

The Social-Conflict Approach seem to exist in opposition to the previous method but in reality is a way to explain socials dysfunctions by three sub categories of conflicts: class conflict, gender conflict and race/ethnic, and I would add to this subgroup cultural conflict. But even in these subgroups there are dysfunctions that need further examinations; so the Symbolic-Interaction Approach was formed.

In the Symbolic-Interaction Approach, the daily interplay between individuals are based on the interpretations of the manifest functions that are constantly coming into conflict (one or more of the three conflict sub categories) with each other. How they (each individual by themselves or as a collective) respond to the symbols associated with the manifest function either create new manifest (new norms) or new dysfunctions that either become part of an individuals value system or the groups (neighborhoods/city/town/state/nation/church/etc).

And the wheel starts turning again.