Are 500 Million Platonic Friends Worth 1 Good Friend?

"The Social Network" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285016/) and it's implications....

I watched this movie last night with a good friend and was left with this terrible feeling in the end... Then when I went to IMDb, I noticed that it said "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies." I think Zuckerberg missed the point. He seems like a brilliant guy that had the potential to do something really innovative and cool, which he did, but he also sold out the only friend that he had and screwed several other people over in the process. I realize that one doesn't get where they are going unless they make some sacrifices and one must always play his cards correctly, but I am a firm believer that life doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. Zuckerberg's story could have been much different if he had been more considerate of his friend, Eduardo.

Zuckerberg made a revolutionary social network wherein individuals can maintain contact with old friends, hook up with new friends and meet the cute guy that you met at the party, but in the process of making it "easier" for us to keep in contact with friends and make new friends, he sabotaged good relationships in exchange for a partnership with the "Napster." If the "Napster" was portrayed correctly, he is a selfish cad that is void of morals. Why does fame and fortune have to be a detriment?

Why can't it empower individuals to bless the lives of others and instigate meaningful change in the world? I guess in a way it did, because Egyptian youth have used Facebook as a means of instigating social change and spurring the White Revolution. We need brilliant individuals to engage societal values, religion, development, poverty, and conflict in order to change the trajectory of our global communities and alleviate some of the maladies that do not have to darken our doors. I guess that's part of the reason why I revere TWITTER and WIKILEAKS so much. They have made information more readily available to people throughout the world, which has enabled citizens to hold their governments accountable. These sites have also given them a voice to shake the shackles from their hands and feet and demand freedom, development, and change. I guess Zuckerberg has made a valuable contribution to the world, but I wish his invention didn't consume him. From the title of the movie, it is clear that he didn't learn his lesson.

Does Racial Identification Matter?

The demonstrations throughout the Middle East, namely Egypt and Jordan, have preoccupied my mind with not only the current demonstrations, but also demonstrations that our nation experienced in the 1960s. What could these pictures have in common?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/01/AR2011020106191.html

http://www.veoh.com/collection/zocomoromichaeljackson/watch/v925335k83eeECS

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/us/30mixed.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha23

I came across an interesting article about young adults today and their desire to celebrate all aspects of their race. As a multicultural American, I can appreciate the interesting tug of war that bi-racial and multicultural youth must undergo as they forge their identities. This intriguing article questions why individuals with multicultural backgrounds should be limited to identifying themselves with just one.

When I first read this article about ethnic heritage and racial identification among young adults, Michael Jackson’s song, Black or White, came to mind. After listening to the song and looking up the lyrics, I realized that Michael Jackson’s lead single from his album, Dangerous, is much more than just a “feel good” pop song. He carefully crafted a message that expressed the African American struggle through American history using key phrases like “white sheets.” Jackson went a step further by extending the victories American blacks to all races. His music video depicts a wide variety of ethnicities, cultures and peoples and celebrates heritage. He made interesting references that emphasized that no person is considered a second class citizen and all are entitled to protection and equality under the law. Regardless of the color of a man’s skin or the origins of his family, a person is judged by the content of his character instead of the color of his skin. The lines that were the most significant to me were:

… it’s not about races

just places

faces

where your blood comes from is where your space is

I’ve seen the bright get duller

I’m not going to spend my life being a color…

Although the Jackson may have an entirely different vision when he wrote this song, this portion of the song resonated with me because he recognized that ethnicity is irrelevant; the true value lies in the individual. When people are labeled and discriminated against based on race, one degrades the innate value of others and fails to see his talents, personalities, strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, one fails to allow others to teach him about perspectives and believes that may contrast from his own. In one of my economics classes, I learned that economies and markets have less inefficiency when rights are respected. If this theory is true, economies will benefit from “colorblind” producers and consumers. However, I do not argue that our society should be colorblind, but rather acknowledge and embrace the rich heritage of all within our communities by ensuring equal safety and security for all.

During Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s address to Brigham Young University students in January, she said that America is a strong nation that is continuously revitalized by the breadth of cultures, religions and races that contribute to its society. Also, in the United States, it does not matter where you came from, but rather where you are going. This is the American dream that is so alluring to so many abroad. Although the international individuals generally has a naive understanding on what is necessary to achieve the American dream, I know that with hard work and character, I can build off of the foundation that my parents laid for me and furnish an even better life for my children.

(I know I didn't tie it all together... I'm out of time for now and will edit later.)

The Questions that Preoccupy My Thoughts

What has sparked mass demonstrations in the Middle East? What changed within the authoritarian paradigm? Was it really the Wikileaks, or was there something else? Why did self mutilation and burning pre-empt the demonstrations? Was that behavior necessary to unite the masses irrespective of political, ethnic, religious and economic cleavages? Are the current demonstrations enough to convince the targeted authoritarian regimes to change? If they won’t change, will the people go far enough to dismantle them by force? Will these social changers work together to create stability and security while instituting democratic principles within their pre-existing or new governments?

There is definitely more to come on this... I would love to write a research paper about this topic when I have enough time. If you run across any good references, please let me know!

Reading List 2011

This year, I want to create and conquer a book list. In my earlier years, as if I were past them, I detested reading and would avoid it whenever possible. Thanks to a rigorous major that demanded me to face the daunting task of reading heaps in no time at all, I have learned to love it! Because it adds so much to my knowledge and perspective, I enjoy it. For this year’s book list, here are a few of the books that I want to reread or read for the first time:
Freakonomics
The Lexus and the Olive Tree
Embers and Ashes
The Book of Mormon
The Holy Quran
Making Globalization Work
Fair Trade for All
Pride and Prejudice
Barriers to Democracy
Institutions and Ethnic Politics
Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life
1984
Crime and Punishment
The Scarlet Letter
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The Color Purple
The Crucible

If you can think of any other “must reads” for 2011, let me know and I will consider adding them to my list.

A look into "More Over"

http://www.cunepress.com/cunepress/booksonline/essays/etg/etg-pages/a-d/aziz.htm

Well, I apologize for subjecting you to my reading notes, but sometimes I find an article and don't have enough time to expound upon it before life gets in the way and punctuates my thoughts! "More Over" is a great essay by Barbara Nimri Aziz, a spunky Arab-American woman who refuses to allow her identity to be hijacked by stereotypes. While reading her essay, she metaphorically slapped me in the face and reminded of the damning curse of the single story (aforementioned in previous blogs.) To say the least, I realized that I need to change my perspective, fully acknowledge the accomplishments and strengths of social development in the Middle East, and capitalize on them.

Aziz claims that far too often, feminists play the "third world woman" card without showing the true story – the full story. This single story shows a disempowered and helpless female race, yet in reality, there are many successes taking place. We just fail to mention them. Instead, feminists seek out the worst situations and portray that as the sweeping majority. Her words brought me back to William Easterly's "white man’s burden" and how the "developed" and "sophisticated" West often feels that it must condescend to assist the helpless instead of empowering the able-minded. Western feminism is no exception to this phenomenon and has an agenda that paints these women as victims. We must each adapt our paradigm of viewing the situation to better lift the hands that hang down without stripping those hands of their dignity. Thank you Barbara Aziz for setting me straight!

The Power of Jon Stewart????

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/business/media/27stewart.html?_r=1&nl=us&emc=politicsemailema1

Does Jon Stewart really have the influence necessary to shame Republican senators into ending a filibuster and voting in favor of the 9/11 Bill to provide a financial support package for the 9/11 first responders. I watched the latest "Daily Show" a couple of days ago and was quite impressed that Jon Stewart not only insulted the Republican party(and Fox News)- as can be expected, but he made a valid argument as to why the 9/11 bill should be passed. I thought it was quite ironic that the first responders of 9/11 are the epitome of "American" and the event that revitalized American pride, yet the Republicans in the Senate not only refused to vote for it, but they also instituted a filibuster in attempts to kill the bill.

When Jon Stewart had Mike Huckabee from Fox News on the show, Stewart asked Huckabee why Republicans were dragging their feet on the bill, Huckabee couldn't think of a excuse. Stewart accused Fox News of making 9/11 a trite expression that is used liberally by the station to mobilize its viewers for many issues, most recently, the "terror mosque." Unfortunately, when legislation that was intended to benefit those that defended Americans on that dreadful day, Fox News as well as CBS and NBC failed to cover the issue. How is that possible? It is eerie to know that the media is so heavily intertwined with politics to the point that most watched news stations omit significant government actions because the parties have an agenda to maintain. Although I watched the episode after the show AND after the senate had passed the bill, I wonder if his voice really tipped the bucket.

Earlier in the year, there have been other pieces of legislation that have passed now that we are in the lame-duck period that previously were shot down time and time again. I find it quite interesting that the President and congress are making so much progress and actually have their noses to the grind. The Majority Whip, Senator Reid is making the senate work up until the end of the year and I am eagerly watching to see what else will transpire before the conclusion of the democratic domination.

Who knew that some late night comedy could have such an impact?

Waking Up in Frankfurt

I finally broke down and emptied my memory disk after holding out for three months. On my way home from Jordan, I took a stop in Frankfurt and went on a day trip. Although my sister and I had explored the city together, I hadn't gotten my fill and was determined to explore the city through my lens. It was much colder than the heat of Jordan, but it was worth the jacket and goosebumps! The Frankfurters were sensational, classy and well dressed. It was a lovely change in pace and provided me with a much needed stroll. Here is a quick peek into my day.