Week 12 Blog Reviews

I am SO SORRY but for some reason, my blog reviews for Lauren and Susan didn't show up because I somehow created two posts and the one with your reviews I clicked "save as draft" instead of "publish." I am VERY SORRY ladies!

Dierdre: I completely agree with your post “Yes or No to Gov’t Control.” You did a very good job arguing both sides of the spectrum. I especially liked your last paragraph because the voice you used clearly shows that you feel strongly about not letting the government control everything. You brought up the point that living in a democracy allows us certain rights, and some of those rights are stated under the first amendment. Great way to support your position!

I really enjoyed reading “Money Madness.” You seemed to really grasp the concept of finance and how it came about. I liked how you started off with an introduction, then moved into a more historical background, and ended with a great summation that finance really is about “making more money.” Awesome job!

Lauren: I really liked the way you chose to introduce your topic for “Two Sides of the Spectrum!” It was a great way of showing the chronology of how we’ve been brought up having to abide by a set of rules. I also liked your second paragraph because you didn’t hold anything back; I could tell that you have zero tolerance for libertarians. Even though you also feel strongly about not allowing the government to have total control, you put it in a way that made a lot of sense: you would rather have strong restrictions than total chaos. Great post!

First of all, awesome title: “Moneychangers.” Very clever! You always have such great introductions for your blog posts, and your intro for this post made a not-so-interesting topic seem highly interesting to me! You covered a lot of the ways that other academic disciplines have influenced the world of finance, and your ending was perfect: short, sweet, and to the point! Way to go!

Susan: In, “Is Governmental Intervention the way to Go?” I could tell that you feel strongly about this topic, especially with the way you worded your intro. I agree with you completely that sometimes we can’t always trust the government because of the things they’ve done in the past, but where would we be without them? I really liked the example you used at the end about all the people that come up to you and ask you to sign petitions. I think that all of us that attend classes at the Tempe campus can relate, because we’ve been through it. Your conclusion was definitely the strongest point of your post. Great job!

For “Money Makes the World Go Round,” you did a really awesome job of spicing up the subject of finance! I had a really hard time finding how best to approach it but it seems like you had no difficulty whatsoever! That’s when your writing is at its best, when the words just flow together and you made is seem effortless. I also liked you conclusion for this post. Terrific writing this week!

Crunching Numbers

A line from the musical Cabaret says “money makes the world go round.” Indeed, we see the validity of this quote all around us in present days. Our society relies heavily on money, and everything has its price. For the most part, if people want to eat, they go to a market to buy groceries or they eat out. We obviously can’t walk around in our birthday suits, so we are forced to purchase clothes anywhere we can from the Goodwill to Neiman Marcus. There isn’t a day that goes by that someone somewhere in the world doesn’t use money. Compared to other areas, the academic discipline of finance (the study of how funds are obtained and invested) is still only a teenager, having come to the spotlight from economics after World War II (Chance and Peterson 447). Currently, many fields have contributed to its every growing popularity.

One possible explanation for finance’s sudden rise in status could be attributed to the uncertainty of today’s economy. Buying, selling, and investing in stock is a risky step to take, but thankfully, there is such a thing as valuation. According to Chance and Peterson, “valuation is the science, and sometimes the art, of estimating what something in the future is worth today” (Chance and Peterson 448). John Burr adds that “the appropriate price for stock is the present value of all future dividends paid to its owner” (Chance and Peterson 448). This knowledge comes in handy on many levels, but mostly importantly, it gives one a bit of assurance as to how his/her money should be handled and what steps to take to guarantee than none of it is lost.

Since business has a lot to do with crunching numbers, mathematicians have made a great impact in the world of finance. Bachelier’s model, Brownian motion, Ito’s Limma, Black-Scholes model, and many other equations have attributed to a better understanding of this discipline. As a result of the Brownian motion, economists were able to create “various new pricing schemes”; after the Black-Scholes model, “corporations and investment fund managers were barraged with new products, such as swaps, structures notes, asset-backed securities and exotic kinds of options” (Chance and Peterson 448). Many people might not be fond of mathematics, but it is clear that a greater indulgence of this complex subject can lead to definite comprehension of financial matters.

Two Views, One Country

One of the greatest things about living in America is our vast range of political ideologies. There are some who believe that the people need government intervention in their lives at all times, because letting them always get what they want would lead to the general population running amuck. In John McHugh’s essay, “Politics for the Really Cool,” we read about Sameer Parekh who has a few ideas of his own about how much control our country’s administration should have. He is a libertarian, which Merriam-Webster Online defines as “a person who upholds the principles of individual liberty, especially of thought and action.” In other words, he believes that the government should have no say in what he does, liberating him of any boundaries. In my point of view, I find valid arguments for both sides of the spectrum, so I see myself somewhere in between.

On the one hand, I am not fond of the idea that government officials have the power to pry into any aspect of my life. I know the importance of the Patriot Act, which authorized federal agents to tap into telephone conversations, e-mails, text messages, etc. after the September 11^th attacks because it’s supposed to be used as a security measure, but in my opinion, they’ve taken it way too far. In my social work class this semester, I learned about a sixteen-year-old boy named Ashton Lundeby who was arrested in the middle of the night by the FBI and other officers. He was charged with making a series of bomb threats, and they knew this because they tracked the IP address which led them to his computer. However, Ashton’s mom claims that someone had stolen his son’s IP address and made it look like the threats had come from him. The FBI has NOT been able to prove that Ashton is at fault yet he remains incarcerated at a juvenile detention facility. If the government that is supposed to protect me from terrorists is using their powers unjustly, how am I supposed to trust them?

On the other hand, I can’t imagine how chaotic this country would be without SOME form of government control. Currently, “the government policies what can be claimed about a prescription drug, what can be said in a real estate ad, who can talk about a publicly traded stock, and who can finance a political ad” (McHugh 440). If the president’s administration DIDN’T manage all of these things, there would be no point for different types of Advil, Benadryl, or because no one would know what they would be used for. Real estate ads might include vulgar language inappropriate for children to hear and anyone could run for office without the people knowing anything about them. Although our government can sometimes step out of line, there’s a reason why we still have them around.

Week 11 Blog Reviews

Deirdre: In “Goods for a Reason,” I really liked how at the end of your first paragraph you switched between the two sides of the issue. It was very reminiscent of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which I enjoyed because I could see the internal struggle you were going through (you know materialism is bad but at the same time you don’t see what’s so wrong with wanting to have nice things.) In your third paragraph, you brought out a different side of materialism in holy holidays that I had previously failed to see. We always talk about people wanting to buy the best gifts for their loved ones but I had never thought about all the money spent on decorations! Unfortunately, our family is guilty of that; very thought-provoking post!

For your post “Slovakia Calling,” I was grateful that you included a geographical description because I had no idea where that was! You included a lot of interesting facts about the Slovakian people and I feel like I have a better understanding of who they are and how they relate to the American economy. Great job this week!

Lauren: In “A ‘Mallcondo’ Culture,” you brought up an excellent point about materialism during the holidays. When I was helping my nieces and nephews shop for last minute Halloween items this year, I did notice that Christmas decorations were already being displayed but I hadn’t thought of it in the commercial aspect of corporate America completely skipping over Thanksgiving. I agree with you that materialism also has its advantages. I know that after I get a haircut or buy something for myself, it makes me feel good to do something for me, especially because I know that I’ve earned my money. You did a great job mixing in quoted from the text with your own personal views!

For “Korean Immigrants,” I really liked how you started off writing about the Korean migration and how they’ve changed the American economy and waited until the very end to tie it together with the essay we read. It was a great way to switch things up and it flowed really well overall. I had previous knowledge about how Koreans have helped shape our economy but you provided excellent facts that made me gain a better understanding of who they are! Awesome writing!

Susan: When I first started reading “Buy Now,” you made me change my view of materialism instantly. My parents have always taught me that it’s ok to have nice things but that spending too much on particular items is unnecessary and greedy. But as I was reading, your thoughts made sense. If I work hard for my money, why can’t I spend it however and on whatever I want, regardless of the cost? As I finished reading your final paragraph, my views on materialism switched again. We shouldn’t be defined by how flashy our possessions are but it seems inevitable in this day and age. You did an awesome job of incorporating both sides of this topic! Now I am curious as to what your position on this matter is :)

To start, I really liked your title “Polish Prosperity.” You always use such great alliteration! I really liked your introductory paragraph because it really captures the views of why immigrants journey to the United States. I also enjoyed reading your post because it was such a personal topic for you and instead of having to use books and the Internet to do your research, you were able to use your family as a resource. Keep up the great writing!

Armenians in America

The United States would not be what it is today had it not been for the immigrants who settled in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. They paved the way for people of other countries and cultures to start a new life in America. My parents migrated to the United States twenty years ago from Mexico hoping to find better job opportunities so that they could provide a more stable environment for their children. In his essay, “I Have a(n American) Dream,” John Maggs explores the contribution Hispanics have made to the American economy, particularly in the work industry, and their position on the economic ladder as compared to other ethnic groups, according to their socioeconomic status. However, Hispanics are not the only ones that have added their two cents in to America’s melting pot. Another ethnic sub group worth mention is the Armenians.

The first known accounts of the Armenian exodus to America began in the 1890’s. During this time, the Ottoman Empire’s fall was quickly approaching, and “its prosperous Christian minorities became the targets of violent Turkish nationalism and were treated as giavours (non-Moslem infidels)” (Takooshian). As a result, thousands of Turkish Armenians were massacred, and millions more were killed during World War I (Takooshian). These two events caused the Armenians to flee to the United States: “ First, from 1890-1914, 64,000 Turkish Armenians fled to America before World War I. Second, after 1920, some 30,771 survivors fled to the United States until 1924, when the Johnson-Reed Immigration Act drastically reduced the annual quota to 150 for Armenians. The third wave to America began following World War II, as the 700,000 Armenians who earlier had been forced from Turkey into the Middle East faced paroxysms of rising Arab/Turkish nationalism, Islamic fundamentalism, or socialism” (Takooshian).

Before this assignment, I didn’t even know that the Republic of Armenia existed, but after doing some research, I am amazed at the role they’ve played and continue to play in the American economy. For example, a pharmacist named Kristapor Der Seropian created the long-lasting green dye in the 1850’s that continues to be used in printing U.S. currency nowadays (Takooshian). As they were trying to get settled in after leaving their country, “Armenians often found quick success with import-export firms and acquired a distorted reputation as "rug merchants" for their total domination of the lucrative oriental carpet business” (Takooshian). Most surprising to me was that the current rock group “System of a Down” or SOAD consists of four men of Armenian descent. It just goes to show that this country is only made better by the talents of other cultures and ethnicities.

Sahagian, Luder Tavit. “Armenian Immigration to America.” http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/cur/kane98/kane_p6_immig/armenian/Luder.html

Takooshian, Harold. “Armenian Americans.” Countries and Their Cultures. http://www.everyculture.com/multi/A-Br/Armenian-Americans.html

Thou Shalt Not Covet

In the late 1700’s, American colonists became increasingly frustrated with the British government because of the taxes being placed on their goods. Hadn’t they settled a new land to escape oppression and gain the freedom they had longed for? Even in today’s society, it is no surprise that immigrants continue to journey to America in the search of independence, and being a resident or citizen of the United States doesn’t come without its perks. James Twitchell writes that “the freedom to buy what you want [is] what most foreigners immediately spot as what they like about our culture, even though in the next breath they will probably criticize it” (Twitchell 391). If you don’t have the money right when you need it, that’s not a problem! Credit cards were created for that very purpose. In order to be “with it”, one has to stay updated with the latest trends, and that’s just not possible without rolling out the dough.

However, materialism doesn’t come without its downfalls. Among other things, it gives us the excuse of becoming pack rats out of the fear that anything we throw out might one day come back in style. Sadly, “according to some estimates, [Americans] have about four times as many things as Middle Europeans, and who knows how much more than people in less developed parts of the world?” (Twitchell 389). Houses that have been constructed within the past few years have even been built in larger scales than in the 1950’s to accommodate all of our accumulating possessions (Twitchell 389). Materialism has made us covet bigger and better things but at the same time, we refuse to throw out the ten year old vase that we keep hidden on the top shelf of the cupboard even though it hasn’t been used in years.

Personally, I jump back and forth on the fence between the positive and negative arguments of materialism. On the one hand, I feel that if I have worked hard for the money I earn, I should be able to treat myself to nice things, despite what they cost because ultimately, I’m spending my own money and am hurting no one else’s pocket. On the other hand, my parents brought me up with the knowledge that, while it might be nice to possess articles of higher value, ultimately, they are just worldly goods. They might bring me pleasure while I am alive but when I leave this world, I can’t take them with me. Instead of allowing others to define who I am by what I own, I should let my actions speak for themselves.

Week 10 Blog Reviews

Deirdre: You’re post “Want a Fun Day? Simply pay $4.75 via E-Z Pass” was great! You definitely incorporated the dark humor that Michael Petracca used in his essay and it really set the tone for what you wrote. When I first started reading, I was a bit confused with your explanation of the bridge but I thought it was very clever of you to switch back and forth between stories and tie them all in together. It reminded me of the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button when Benjamin is relating a series of events and how each one together led to Daisy getting hit by a taxi cab and ending her dancing career. It just made me think that if your dad might’ve been in a different lane or had maybe left for work earlier, he never would’ve gotten into an accident. I know it’s just a typo but your title says “wany” instead of “want.” Just letting you know in case you missed it :)

“Music: All About the Money Maker” made me think of the movie Mean Girls (I’m sorry for all of the movie analogies!) because although the movie was intended to over exaggerate the stereotype that girls call each other “sluts” and “whores,” there is a lot of truth in that exaggeration. I agree with you that a large part of this name calling becoming socially acceptable is because of the music industry. Your last paragraph was very strong and if you elaborate more, this post definitely has potential to become an essay. Apart from a few grammatical errors, I really enjoyed reading your posts and I look forward to working with you this unit!

Lauren: For your post, “Custom Made Furniture,” I liked the humor you were able to integrate at the end of your story even though almost getting your thumb completely chopped off is no laughing matter! I also liked the explanation you gave about how your uncle had many years of experience making furniture because it made a nice twist to your story. You would think that after using appliances such as his Craftsman table saw for so long, his chances of having an accident would be minimized. I also liked that you didn’t just say that it was a table saw but included the brand. It was reminiscent of Petraccas’ essay. Great job!

In “Parental Advisory,” you seem to be very knowledgeable of hip-hop and how it relates to different cultures, particularly in your opening paragraph. I could tell that you are passionate about this topic and have definitely done your research. Although it saddening that music lovers pay big money to buy albums full of vulgarity and sexually explicit lyrics, unfortunately, that is what our world has come to. I know it’s only your second post but I can certainly see you developing these ideas into an essay! You know a lot about hip-hop and I think you would enjoy writing about something you care a lot about! My only suggestion is to re-read what you write before you post it because I noticed a few grammatical errors. Other than that, keep up the great writing!

Susan: First off, let me just say that I’m exciting to be in your group again! I really enjoyed your writing last unit and I look forward to seeing your writing develop! I loved your post “Free Upgrade.” You used a lot of great literary techniques! The sarcasm for one was excellent. There was also a lot of colorful language and alliteration (Blackberry bliss, sloppy seconds) that enhanced your story. I could truly relate to your experience because I also have T-Mobile and upgrading my phone was no simple matter. I am also the youngest of six children so I know all about hand-me-downs and being picked last. And of course, sales people always get you with those extras! Great job making this story relatable to a big group of people!

I completely agree with your post “Move Over Miley.” I find it amazing that music sung by the Beatles, the Shangri La’s, and Elvis can still be found on radio stations despite how long ago they were recorded. I highly doubt that the music that has come out of our generation will stand the test of time. There is hardly any substance to what is being sung about nowadays. You made a very excellent point that music sung by tweens is crossing over to the adult radio stations and vice versa. The other day while picking up my nieces and nephews from school, we tuned in to Radio Disney and the Black Eyes Peas were playing. I don’t think their music is always appropriate for younger audiences and I’d like to see the barrier between the adult and kid radio stations become clearer.