Blog 14

After reading "Corporations Unlimited" and "Democracy Ltd." in the GIG book, it changes the way I have looked at certain things. First thing that popped into my head was the Channel One involvement in schools. I went to Centerville High School, and they played that show, but I never watched it. "Channel One... produces ten-minute news programs followed by two minute advertising sequences for schools..to ensure that at least 90 percent of their students watch the programs daily." It also states that atleast 40 percent of schools are now playing Channel one to get the perks, but expose the students to new advertising within the education institution. In this chapter, they also talk about undercover marketing, where advertising happens without you knowing it by overhearing people promote a product. This cartoon is a classic example of undercover marketing happening from a bully at school who drinks Gatorade. All the students watching might start drinking it because they notice he is drinking it. "The practice is premised entirely on deception...under cover marketing demonstrates how deep the commercialization of society now runs." Every aspect of the public is being filled with corporation advertising. It started with political party sponsorship, to schools, and now to public people. Chris and Luke got their schooling paid for by being human advertisements for First USA. Of course the corporation was eager to jump on this, it attracts so much attention where the two boys will end up answering questions about the company and promoting it. They also are in contact with thousands of people a day, just walking through their campus.

The video from you tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVVtRZJ5Ouw) I found directly relates to "Democracy Ltd" where corporations are trying to gain power over politics. It discusses how the bigger corporations have enormous power without real limitations. It stresses the fact that both political parties are selling government positions to the "highest bidder." As we all know, the corporations only goal is profit, profit, profit. If corporations infiltrated the government, what would their goal be? Of course, they would not want to promote the public good, which is the prime goal of the government. "Enron's is the story of a corporation that used political influence to remove government restrictions on its operations and then exploited its resulting freedom to engage in dubious, though highly profitable, practices." Enron is just one example of corporations trying to find a way around rules that protect the general public. My favorite line in "Democracy Ltd" is "corporate social responsibility is an oxymoron." They cannot be held accountable for the duties that the government perform, therefore should not have the power that the government has obtained. This book has a main theme of corporations, by law, to promote their own interests and gain as much profit as they can. Is that what we want when it comes to running our country? Leading into the next chapter, "Brown was mainly concerned about clients who might get trapped in the gold market, which he knew would close once the World Trade Center collapsed." This is a prime example of what would happen if corporations gain the control that they want. In the face of a national crisis, their own concern is the profit and protection of themselves, not helping the public and national security. But remember, corporations have no moral or legal obligation to the public, so who would be left to protect the lives of the people involved?

Blog 12

My favorite quote from Natasha, the Kinko's co-worker, is "..in part people are kept from becoming their dysfunctional selves by working for a corporation." In the first part of her essay, she explains the big brother feeling of constantly being watched by cameras or secret shoppers that comes with working for a corporation. Towards the end, she explains the positives of benefits, not having whack job bosses, and the security. She is very happy with the balance between the two, though she realizes that Kinko's is one of the better corporations.

In The Corporation, it is said that a corporation is separate ownership from management, where one group is the shareholders and the other runs the firm. "That unique design was believed by many to be a recipe for corruption and scandal." Especially in the olden times in Europe where one of the corporations, South Sea Company, had done just that. Corporations change as technology does, which started with the invention of the steam engine, and now includes the internet. This allowed them to become more global and expand their communication. Because of this new global expansion of corporations, governments have less effect and even powerless in a sense. "Corporations now govern socciety, perhaps more than governments themselves do." This is a scary scary thought, especially after the creation of the WTO which has standards to pressure governments to change their policies and laws.

"The corporation had become a dangerous mix of power and unaccountability." Humor is the best way to get a point across, so the first cartoon pertains to the Enron crash, where poor reporting and loop holes allowed Enron to hide millions of dollars of debt, which eventually led to bankrupt. The second cartoon pertains to Pfizer who donates money, helps the city, and seems like ahighly respectable corporation. In 2009, he plead guilty to the biggest health care fraud ever. He illegally marketed 4 of the drugs his company supplies. "Capitalism with a conscience" at it's finest just to prove that all this environmental and social initiatives are an act and a game to them.

"It compels executives to prioritize the interests of their companies and shareholders above all others and forbids them from being socially responsible- at least genuinely so."

Blog 10

First, I think it is very important to recap on the class discussion about turning people into faster, more efficient robot-like workers. This whole idea, Taylorism, wants to improve labor productivity to the maximum and the workers do not really have to think much because that is the managers job. It takes out all social connection and each process is broken down into specific jobs that are repeated over and over again.

After reading " The Next University Drive-Thru U.: Higher Education for People Who Mean Business", it shocked me how much the University of Phoenix resembles Taylorism in an educational aspect. The main goal of this university is the product, and the fastest way possible to that "product" also known as a degree. It also wants to do this in the cheapest way possible where the Traub says "The 'practitioner' system also allowed the university to delivier coursework far more cheaply than its competitors." These instructers could be your high-end business man trying to make some extra cash, not the classic professor whose goal obviously is not the money, but the greater good of his class (hopefully). The founder is an economic historian, so he has very good knowledge of the demands of the market and how to make money by satistisfying them. Who hasn't seen the University of Phoenix ad on TV??

The next article was the "Technology Versus African Americans" which discusses why African Americans are fully equipt in the technology world. It goes back to the slave trade coming to the Americas, and from then on technology has "worked against" this racial population. Personally, it looks to be more economical than racial, though this author does not share the same opinion. I do not think that many African American children sit in a classroom and think of their ancestors and that is why they do not use or have a computer. It seems to be more inner-city related financial problems and since that is where this population is, they experience the technology lag. I am not economist or sociologist, but the Walton says "inner-city blacks in particular are in danger" and I believe that this is where the focus should be. I work at Taft Elementary, which is an inner-city school that lack the technology because of the lack of fundings. Though most are African American, it seems to be the more hardship of finding the money than because of a certain race.

I can relate best to the thoughts of the steelworker in GIG, when she talks about her job and the union. First, I did not realize that this was a woman, until she specifically said "In some instances, you have to be a union person first and a woman second." I stereotyped a steel worker to be a man, and it was a little shocking that it was a woman, but more power to her. The more important topic she talks about is the union and how it protects her from certain downfalls of working and outsourcing. She seems to be a very intelligent person and is getting a college degree because she knows her job will not be around forever. She also is encouraging her kids to go to college and not join the mill right out of high school. I relate to her outlook on preparing for the future because it is not always guaranteed to be the way that you expect.

The next reading in GIG was the ford auto worker. He was in college, but joined the factory work instead. He was heavily influenced by all the males around him because they are all factory workers as well. He describes perfectly the problems talked about in our previous class about alientation and stress."You gotta stay on your job. 'Cause if you're not there, the job's not gonna get done...o you can't stop. So it's just a lot of repetition, man. Same shit over and over. It's insane." He has a certain amount of time to do a certain job, and if he doesn't get it done, the whole line shuts down. The alienation part of doing the same thing in three minutes, over and over, all day, everyday. He even coins a label called "factoryized" to describe his situation.

The last reading was in CWW, where Thottam brings up excellent points about outsourcing issues. She explains step by step what has caused out sourcing, why it is happening, and where. Billy of Florida and Scott of Deleware are two living examples of the outsourcing threat to real families and real lives. Thottam also gives the alternative view of outsourcing for profit and competition for the companies involved. "It's just the way the business world turns" is the best quote of his essay. She does not state his opinion, but merely brings up the facts and both sides of the arguement (which is just like writing project #2).

I do not have enough information personally to state an opinion on the outsourcing issues. I am merely ambivalent because both sides of the issue have valid points, just like Thottam explains. Though, I do wish I could outsource my homework like the cartoon girl.

Blog 8

After reading the article in GIG about the software engineer, it makes me happy to think that I have gotten away from that life. He talks about having to work long days and long hours over projects way outside of the work day. He comes from Bosnia, where he worked minimum and focused on leisurely acitivities, even in the workplace. He calls overworking the "american dream" because everyone seems to be doing it and is happy.

The next reading in CWW was "High Tech Stress", which emphasized the new technology that is leading to the over working of employees. The first thing that stood out to me was the word "karoshi" from Japan, which literally "death by overworking." The funny thing is when googling "karoshi", there are games coming up called "Karoshi Suicide Salary Man". If that isn't the perfect way to get out your work fustrations. Anyways, this article also emphasizes the new ways of management by group. I think this is a bit ridiculous, because people already have enough peer pressure around them besides having more than one boss. This group management also encourages andon boards. These things light up when stress is being put on the routine to show the weaker points. All of this causing even more stress on the worker because it looks like their fault and they need help. The next topic in this article is about the biological clock. The pace of the workplace is far too fast for the human body.

The hours being put in, the institution of work taking over our life, and constantly being over stressed is all too much. The statistics in the CWW article are astounding, showing the increase of stress and machines. There is a passage referring to all the health problems coming from this new technology, via stress. If you asked the software engineer from Bosnia, he would say that Americans don't know what they are missing, so this stressful life is the only way of life to get things done.

Blog 7

After reading the essays in Changing World of Work having to deal with the service class, it makes me reflect on my experience in that industry. My first job ever was at a pizza place called Marion's, where I was constantly under pressure of time, managers, and customers. It always had a busy rush and it was the same routine over and over again. Just like in "On the Front Lines of the Service Sector," I was very stressed from this job to the point that I eventually quit.

Looking back, I realize that this job and all the other related jobs out there, require more skills than given credit. The time management and customer skills needed to perform these jobs are not really taught anywhere in school. They are things that are learned, referred to as "local expertise" in the essay. Yes, these jobs are jobs that no one wants, but that is because of all the pressure involved with the low pay.

Reading "Scripted Talk" changes the way I feel about going to Starbuck's for coffee in the morning. The fact that they have a certain timed list that they have to follow to greet the customers seems very robotic to me. It makes conversing with them feel more artificial, because it is. I like the way at the end of the essay, the nonhierarchial organizations are run. The more democratic way seems idealistically better, but the final descisions and interests in the company would rely on who? There are many questions that I would like to ak the Seward Cafe and how their processes run.

Looking back again at my job at the pizza place, it was a learning experience. Though these jobs are highly "scripted" and low status, there are many learning opportunities in them. Just like all the essays seem to agree, these job are held by teenage kids who are more than likely holding their first job. Being new to the work force, these jobs can help teach supervisor respect, time management, working under stress, and other little things that can be translated to the real world after the "Mc-Job."

Blog 6

After reading the "Creative Class" essay, I think it takes many professions away from the other hierarchy made for social classes. Things like engineers, analysists, lawyers and higher paying jobs fit in more with the upper class sense of identity. While writers, opinion-makers, and artists, who are in the same "creative class" will not have the same economic and grouping as the others. Also, throughout his essay, he lists two different groupings of this class, I think it is way too broad of a category. Then, he talks about the non creative class, the "service class." Which, I think he talks about far too bitterly. He needs to have a conversation with the Dalai Lama because he completely makes some jobs look so unimportant. Maybe it is because I agree with the Dalai Lama about every job having a purpose, but he gives this group a sense of inferiority. It did not shock me after reading this, to go back and read his biography and see that he is a writer and professor.

In gig, I decided to read about Heidi Klum's job as a super model. The way she talks so nonchalantly about being famous is humbling. She downplays how big she is, and seems like it hasn't gone to her head. Florida would put her in the "super creative core", but Klum does nothing more than take pictures. Yes, fantastic beautiful pictures but she has not "created meaningful new forms." Then I read Wendy Day's job experience as an avcocate for rappers. Which would fall into "service class" because of the lack of creativeness. Though the job is about diversity and interpretation of music, I get the feeling this job wouldn't cut it for Florida's standards.

Blog 5

After reading the essay "Media Magic: Making Class Invisible", it made me think about mass media a lot differently. The statistics in the opening paragraph about how much TV Americans really watch is a poor reflection of our society. On top of that, the mass media control that is getting smaller is not going to improve in the future. There needs to be changes made and more informational media being broadcast that help the greater good of society.

One of the main points in this essay is about the poor. It clearly is a major issue in America. There needs to be more beneficial awareness about the forty million people that need help. There needs to be more broadcast on the real facts like the policies that are making people lose jobs, they are not all crack addicts, the poor affect society as a whole, and other things like that. I think it would make people realize the issue at hand and will be more willing to help if the poor are made to look like real people, just like them.

Another main topic in this essay is the wealthy. The perception of "if your not with us, your against us" that is broadcasted in the mass media, makes it harder to help the poor. There needs to be more light brought to the diversity of the class division and how the influence of the rich needs to be changed. A classic example of this is in Polyestra's essay, where her parents are so fascinated with the rich life that they become obsessed.

This essay was a real eye opener to the ways that the mass media, controlled by the rich of course, has brain washed the country. They teach the middle class to blame, fear, and idolize different types of people. All of this happening, while the rich accumulate massive amounts of wealth. If the mass media was run by a different social class, ie. the middle class, there issues would be presented in the public eye. Though all of this upper class control in the mass media is happening, there is not a lot that will change it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv4_YMl9k0w
((some kid's english project on youtube to John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change" song))

Blog 4

After reading the essay "The Just-Add-Water Kennedys and Barbecue Bread Violence" by Polyestra, I think her humor within it is quite amusing. She has a better attitude about the way her parents are trying to shape her and her sister than her sister's response. Instead of getting upset about not being accepted into the higher class standards, she jokes and is not upset when the boy says she will never marry into his class.

The American dream and "class jumping" are interrelated depending on how you interpret the American dream. Everyones measure of success is different, there fore achieving the american dream is more possible for some than others. If one's American dream is to be billionare when you are middle class, then that might be harder than the American dream of having a successful and happy life. "Class jumping" to Polyestra is starting out middle class and being raised to be upper class, just like her parents did. It is trying to make more money, marry into the higher class, and go to college.

I think the best word to describe Polyestra's situation is "status inconsistancy" according to sociology. This happens when your goals, ideas, and cultures are not consistent to each other according to class orders. In her case, she thought like a middle class person, but when her parents got rich, her materialistic world suddenly became upper class. The two clashed and it put her in a tough situation. For her parents, it was the opposite. They thought and dreamed like they were upper class, and in reality, they were still middle class. That is why it was easier for them to adjust to their sudden wealth from the reality business.

I have known a family who has "class jumped" from middle to upper class very recently. It became more evident of their instant wealth because they started accumulating nicer cars, remodeling their house, and eventually moving to a bigger house just like in Polyestra's case. I have also known families who have "class jumped" from upper class to middle class which also happened later on in the essay. There attitude was still of the rich and better off, though their material possessions and debt showed other wise.

Personally, my parents are middle class and proud. My dad is in the military and my mom is a pre-school teacher. Both are happy with what they have and where they are in life. They raised me to follow my dreams and aspirations on what I like and not what they want for me. I am content to stay in the class I was born, big houses and luxury items like boats do not interest me as it did Polyestra's family. I plan to become a high school teacher, live in a suburban area, and live a simple happy life. (It's kind of ironic I found this photo after posting the same one on my other blog. This couple portraying "American Dream" do not seem to be too happy either.)

Blog 3

After reading Judis's essay on the decline of mortality, I agree that the new capitalism is not to blame. Despite the fact that 78 percent of Americans believe that there is a moral decline in young Americans, there has been other better things that Judis points out that have come from this era.

The protestant work ethic sounds like a great idea on the surface to me, everyone working and saving up money to make it to the after life. It also encouraged self denial in order to save up the money that would get you into the after life. The goal of life on earth was getting to the after life and being successful in work would apparently get you there. Work was also viewed as something to keep you away from "idle hands" because those would lead to sinful ways. Everything was aiming to the future prospect of salvation, and not in the present time.

After the Industrial Revolution and the Great Depression had come and gone, a new America was left. There was new needs and new wants. All of which the Protestant work ethic did not encourage. These new things focused on happiness and the good life, not hard work and salvation. Leisure activities have been encouraged by everyone, which were previously viewed as leading to sinful ways.

From this new capitalism, Judis points out that feminism, sexual liberation, and environmental movements. All of their goals are aimed to achieving the good life whether it be equal opprotunity or healthier living styles. These things probably would never come from Protestant ethic era because they focus only on the afterlife.

In both views of work, the labor being done is still a means and not an end. From the Protestant work ethic view, labor is the means to which you get to salvation in the after life. You do it to get somewhere later after you are dead and gone. The present view on work is a means to get to happiness and leisure time that you can do what you love. You work to get money to "buy happiness" like traveling or golfing.

Personally, I would rather live in today's society than the Protestant work ethic era. Despite the "moral decline" being debated because of physical pleasure, leisure, and different goals of life. Back then, it seems everyone worked, and when you weren't working you worked some more so you wouldn't commit sin. Not only that, but you inherited your job from your parents. There seemed no time to do things you loved. Now, happiness is encouraged, despite more conservative people look at it as sin. Getting a job you love, not one that is a means, is encouraged though Judis does not discuss this in his essay. Finding an end in the present life is more possible now, than it was back then. (They look excited to be working)

Blog 2

After reading the multiple outlooks on work in the GIG book, all of them have very unique outlooks on what they do.

When it came to the Walmart welcome guy, his attitude toward his work is the best. He enjoyed his job very much and made sure the small things for his customers, like carts stacked, were in order. He enjoyed his bosses and even set up his own hours to be with his wife more. His job would be more of a calling because he doesn't look at it as just a greeting job but as helping people find their happiness. He sees the broader aspect of it and the Dalai Lama would be very proud. He enjoys what he is doing, gives him a feeling of self worth, and even says he has "a bit of an edge in this" when it comes to his positive outlook.

The UPS driver had a very rough first job. He was yelled at everyday and never positively reinforced. He hates some of his clients that he delivers for and even calls them shit. His job is definintally not a calling because he gets no joy out of it besides porn in some client's bathrooms. He fakes sick and even says he cannot trust his bosses. His job has the potential to be a calling because he loves to drive, but his work atmosphere makes it very hard to do so. At the very end of his story, he even admits that he should be able to find meaning in his job, but can't. If he had worked for an different truck company, maybe just driving a truck full time, he could call it a calling.

The mom's attitude about being a mother is viewing it as hard work. She begins by explaining all the manual labor and lack of sleep she gets. She compares herself to a pack animal when it comes to taking them to the park and the only part she enjoys while there is the other moms. She realizes she doesn't view it as a calling at the beginning of her story and even blames society for this saying today there isn't enough support for a family. Towards the end, she admits to not regretting giving up her other career and loving her children. If the Dalai Lama was concerned, this would be her calling because she does it for her kid's well being.

The second grade teacher attitude toward her work is very positive. She loves what she does, despite some of her problem kids. She had a rough start to her teaching career, but talking about it she has the heart to laugh it off and see some of the things she obsessed about as silly. She had no idea what she wanted to do at the beginning of college, but she never shows any doubt or regret for teaching. I can relate to the second grade teacher the most, despite both of us wanting to be teachers. She was petrified at the beginning of her career and thats the way I feel right now. She also feels like she is a person that should be a teacher, and I couldn't have said it better. She realizes the financial hardships that come with her job, but according to Hooks she has found the "right livelihood."

blog

After reading about the opinions of Dalai Lama and Bell Hooks and happiness at work, an individual can make their work more rewarding by following their calling and teaching others to do the same. It should not be about the money, but the joy in the work being done. Now, it is easy to distinguish between a way to make money and a calling in my own life.

The Dalai Lama discusses the differences between a job, a career, and a calling when it comes to work. While a calling can have many reasons related to the view of the work being done. In my life, I have had a job and a calling. My job was working at a pizza place when I was a teenager. The only reason I had this job was to make money that I could spend else where. I did not enjoy my job when I was there, and often complained when i was leaving. I felt no happiness from this job nor desire to return after i quit. In contrast, a calling I have experienced was when I was a Student Orientation Leader over the summer for UC. Not only was I impacting 30 new students on a daily basis, I was working for the sole purpose of taking pride in what I was doing. I was extremely happy going to work and enjoyed even overtime hours (yes crazy). Though it is not a permanent job, it helped me realize my calling was to educate others which lead me to changing my major to secondary education. Even the Dalai Lama comments that teaching high school is one of the careers that is easier to call a calling than others.

Bell Hooks talks about education and "right livelihood" where a enjoyment in work is from a calling. To achieve this, one must follow their career dreams. I have found work that "makes your life sweet" as Bell would say. Though I am still pursuing it, as I said before, education and teaching others is my passion. It makes my life more enjoyable, and with that I think Hooks and the Dalai Lama would be proud.