Those Who Fall Behind Will Stay Behind

Topic: Globalization
Source: This weeks chapter was on Globalization and its effects
Relation: A good friend of mine got into a discussion about Globalization, where we both found out we have polarizing viewpoints.
Description: While taking a walk downtown my friend was expressing his concern about how a Walmart was going to be moving into the Eureka area. As a point of contention he pointed out how local items are always cheaper, and I happened to disagree. So a bet was born. We both had $20 dollars to spend, my objective was to only spend that money at a chain store, while his objective was to only spend that money at "mom and pop" stores. Whoever got the most for there money would win. 
Analysis: When we returned from our separate trips we both had an almost equal amount of items, the main difference was that my items said "Made in China" whereas most of his didn't have a "made in" label. It was important to note however that all of my items came from a single store, but my friends items came from trips all over town over the course of a day. In my personal opinion I feel having a single store to go to for all my shopping needs is far more effective then burning a day running around from store to store. So while globalization might have its ups and downs it comes down to what the populace wants, which is cheap and easy, especially in this economy.

It's a game of chess, played in real time, by gladiators in suits of armor

Topic: American Football

Source: Its Super Bowl Sunday, the onetime of the year where you can just about guarantee that the majority of your friends will be sitting in front of a T.V.

Relation: This week’s lesson was about the dilemmas of development and how it can affect cultures in major ways

Description: While watching the game someone brought up how everyone becomes a fan for whichever team makes it to the Super Bowl just so they can say that they supported the winning team, even though come next year the majority of the people who supported the winning team will go to supporting only whoever makes it to the Super Bowl. This discussion turned to politics and how people will only support whoever happens to be popular at the time of a major election (eg. Presidential). This discussion slow morphed towards how projects are only popular as long as they don’t affect the individual who is supporting the project. (eg. The building of a bypass over someone’s home)   

Analysis: This relates to our subject matter in many ways. Mainly pointing out that many people will not support causes that affect them on a personal level. They will however support a cause that affects other people but will benefit them the most. However should a cause affect them personally they will do one of two things. 1. They will say that everything is working against them but will not do anything to help fight the situation, they will expect someone else to take up the banner to fight for them. Or 2. Fight back with everything they have but still lose and end up dejected and broke on the side of the road.

How does this relate to football? Think about it, you support a team because they make it to the superbowl, but then they lose. Do you ever admit that a team that you started to follow because they were doing well lost, or do you ignore the problem and hope it goes away. ..

Me? Oh I support the same team no matter what, never mind they haven’t been to the super bowl in my life time.