While reading this, I had the impression that most of what O’Neill was saying was rebounding off the surface of my brain and out my mouth, eyes and ears. But at the same time, a deeper part of me understood what he was talking about which is the transition from the old tradition of writers writing for their own national audience, to a more universal one.
Or at least, that is what I took away from it. I’m sure if I were more accomplished in the literary field, I would know more about the references he makes. But even still, through all the foggy references, I can still see that what he says is important: the world is changing, becoming flatter, and literature (and the authors themselves) is changing, too. It is changing in a way that allows all writers everywhere to share their experiences with all people, and it allows their message to be heard and understood, no matter where they are from.
Monday, November 16, 2009
15 Ways to Fix the World: Summary
Overall, there are some decent suggestions among the 15 (a national high-speed rail line, an end to the war in Afghanistan, and a reorganization are my three favorites).
However, I think many of these plans are based on speculation and lack any convincing power if ever they would be presented formally to Congress or the American people. It will be difficult to convince people (especially today’s congressmen and women) that these ideas are worth pursuing.
When the country went through the depression, F.D.R implemented the New Deal, with a supportive congress, and flooded Capital Hill with new programs that would, he hoped, pull America out of the Great Depression.
These plans are not exclusively for the purpose of reviving the economy, but they are all aimed at the general revitalization of our world. And like I say, there is just no motivation to go through with some of them.
I know the point of making a list of ideas is to think of a lot of them, even if they are bad, and try to find one or two that will really work. To me, however, this list is just a poor effort at that. We could find many more substantial ideas than these (I don’t claim that I could do better personally, but some one can).
However, I think many of these plans are based on speculation and lack any convincing power if ever they would be presented formally to Congress or the American people. It will be difficult to convince people (especially today’s congressmen and women) that these ideas are worth pursuing.
When the country went through the depression, F.D.R implemented the New Deal, with a supportive congress, and flooded Capital Hill with new programs that would, he hoped, pull America out of the Great Depression.
These plans are not exclusively for the purpose of reviving the economy, but they are all aimed at the general revitalization of our world. And like I say, there is just no motivation to go through with some of them.
I know the point of making a list of ideas is to think of a lot of them, even if they are bad, and try to find one or two that will really work. To me, however, this list is just a poor effort at that. We could find many more substantial ideas than these (I don’t claim that I could do better personally, but some one can).
Civilize Homeland Security
The suggestion of James Fallows is to reorganize the Department of Homeland Security into a department similar to those during Eisenhower’s presidency is certainly interesting. Especially since, as Fallows points out, Eisenhower’s security spending included funding for new roads, new energy, new research and more jobs.
This plan seems more workable because it doesn’t rely on an untried or untested method; all this plan advocates is a reorganization of an inefficient government program and its success has already been seen in previous years.
But generally, I think this article brings up another issue: the government should ALWAYS be updating its programs and improving their efficiency.
This plan seems more workable because it doesn’t rely on an untried or untested method; all this plan advocates is a reorganization of an inefficient government program and its success has already been seen in previous years.
But generally, I think this article brings up another issue: the government should ALWAYS be updating its programs and improving their efficiency.
Privatize the Seas
In order to save the worlds dwindling supply of fish, Easterbrook suggests that the nations of the world agree to ‘privatize’ the seas.
Well, I suppose if you had a million police boats dispersed around the oceans of the world, yes this would be a fantastic idea. But the oceans are just too big to police. And large fisheries would very likely violate any kind of ordinance that prevented them from making money. Here again, self-interest trumps world progress.
Well, I suppose if you had a million police boats dispersed around the oceans of the world, yes this would be a fantastic idea. But the oceans are just too big to police. And large fisheries would very likely violate any kind of ordinance that prevented them from making money. Here again, self-interest trumps world progress.
Pay the Artist
This suggestion is one of the most intriguing among the group for me. I think this is because there is almost no substantiating evidence for Salmon’s claim that investment in the arts creates jobs.
Salmon says that the fact that artists spend money quickly and carefully which is why it is so beneficial. But is this true for all artists? And, again, where is the evidence that art employs more people than, say, a nation effort to construct new highways and other infrastructure programs?
I am very uncertain about this suggestion. I wish there was more to go on than a lofty accusation the arts are more profitable than infrastructure.
Salmon says that the fact that artists spend money quickly and carefully which is why it is so beneficial. But is this true for all artists? And, again, where is the evidence that art employs more people than, say, a nation effort to construct new highways and other infrastructure programs?
I am very uncertain about this suggestion. I wish there was more to go on than a lofty accusation the arts are more profitable than infrastructure.
End the Vice Presidency
While I don’t think this suggesting is vey ‘big picture’, I completely agree. The Vice President is a completely useless. His constitutional power is to settle ties in the senate (in the event that there is one) – that job can be done by someone else…just like all of the other stuff he does.
Other than the fact that I think the idea of a Vice President is stupid, I don’t think there is any real motivation to abolish the office. I mean, yes, it’s pointless. But it won’t make our government run any more smoothly, it won’t save us billions of dollars, and it won’t make us any money either. (I realize that Chaney is an exception)
Other than the fact that I think the idea of a Vice President is stupid, I don’t think there is any real motivation to abolish the office. I mean, yes, it’s pointless. But it won’t make our government run any more smoothly, it won’t save us billions of dollars, and it won’t make us any money either. (I realize that Chaney is an exception)
End All Taxes - Except One
I’m very interested in economics and the way our market has been affected by the recession, but I don’t know enough about taxes to truly understand this piece. It sounds like a good idea, but here again, there are only vague illusions to evidence of this idea’s validity.
I agree with Salam’s stance on income taxes: why are productive members of society forced to give a cut of their earnings to the government? But in order for our government to survive, they need to collect taxes, and the successfulness of this One-Tax-System can only be measured after its implementation; we won’t know how good or bad it is because its never been done.
I agree with Salam’s stance on income taxes: why are productive members of society forced to give a cut of their earnings to the government? But in order for our government to survive, they need to collect taxes, and the successfulness of this One-Tax-System can only be measured after its implementation; we won’t know how good or bad it is because its never been done.
Buy to Last
Without directly saying it, Shell is advocating that we no longer by IKEA products because they are made from illegally forest wood and they break quickly.
Well shoot, that’s a shame. On top of all the other problems in the world, I think we have better things to worry about than cheap furniture. Illegally forested wood is a bad thing, yes, but as with most other illegal activities, it will be very difficult to police this activity. And as for buying to last, doesn’t it stimulate our economy to buy more, rather than keep all of your existing things?
Well shoot, that’s a shame. On top of all the other problems in the world, I think we have better things to worry about than cheap furniture. Illegally forested wood is a bad thing, yes, but as with most other illegal activities, it will be very difficult to police this activity. And as for buying to last, doesn’t it stimulate our economy to buy more, rather than keep all of your existing things?
Unleash the Dogs of Peace
In The Atlantic’s series of 15 suggestions to save our economy, this one ranks low with me. Author James Gibney suggests that we employ private military companies to go on peacekeeping missions and to eradicate insurgencies.
Gibney believes that these fighters will be less corrupt than the UN peacekeepers that have, on numerous occasions, cooperated and made deals with the very people they are trying to disperse.
Maybe I am just suspicious of private companies, since their main goal is to make a profit for themselves, but I don’t see that our expenses due to UN failures are that great.
Gibney believes that these fighters will be less corrupt than the UN peacekeepers that have, on numerous occasions, cooperated and made deals with the very people they are trying to disperse.
Maybe I am just suspicious of private companies, since their main goal is to make a profit for themselves, but I don’t see that our expenses due to UN failures are that great.
Teach Drinking
The issue raised in this article is a difficult one for any lawmaking body to peruse. There will always be opposition, no matter what the law is.
However, the greatest problem with this suggestion is that better education does not necessarily mean there will be a decrease in drinking-related deaths or injuries. And unless there is some large national push to change the age, I think it unlikely that any person in a state or national congress will propose a change. For one thing, alcohol related incidents are too widely publicized and stir up serious emotions because many people have been affected by these incidents.
However, the greatest problem with this suggestion is that better education does not necessarily mean there will be a decrease in drinking-related deaths or injuries. And unless there is some large national push to change the age, I think it unlikely that any person in a state or national congress will propose a change. For one thing, alcohol related incidents are too widely publicized and stir up serious emotions because many people have been affected by these incidents.
Tell the Truth About Colleges
What Toch says about information about colleges being misleading is true, there is no doubt about that.
But I fail to see how better information about the real level of educational value prospective students can expect from their universities will help the world. Toch apparently thinks that the variable in a good collegiate education is the school itself when, in fact, it is the students.
Our nation’s declining youth are to blame for their poor educations, and to fix that problem we will need a serious cultural over-hall.
But I fail to see how better information about the real level of educational value prospective students can expect from their universities will help the world. Toch apparently thinks that the variable in a good collegiate education is the school itself when, in fact, it is the students.
Our nation’s declining youth are to blame for their poor educations, and to fix that problem we will need a serious cultural over-hall.
Give Up On Democracy In Afghanistan
As sad as I am to admit it, Bacevich has a point: our efforts in Afghanistan are futile. This is a nation that has never been subjugated by an invading army; Alexander the Great couldn’t do it; Genghis Kahn was stopped; even the mighty Soviet Union was repelled by these resilient people.
I am sad because so many lives have been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the monetary cost has been enormous. It is time we accepted that the Afghan people will be as they always have been: locally autonomous and defiant to the end.
I am sad because so many lives have been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the monetary cost has been enormous. It is time we accepted that the Afghan people will be as they always have been: locally autonomous and defiant to the end.
Welcome Guest Workers
I like this plan; I think it makes sense and would benefit many millions of people around the globe.
However, I think it would be difficult to implement, tough to manage, and extremely unpopular with Americans who are already fearful that immigrants will take their jobs.
Also, there is a potential for terrorists or spies to infiltrate our nation with this program. In fact, I’d say there is a great potential for that. How thorough can background checks be? How easy would it be for a terrorist organization to fabricate a background?
However, I think it would be difficult to implement, tough to manage, and extremely unpopular with Americans who are already fearful that immigrants will take their jobs.
Also, there is a potential for terrorists or spies to infiltrate our nation with this program. In fact, I’d say there is a great potential for that. How thorough can background checks be? How easy would it be for a terrorist organization to fabricate a background?
Rent Your Own Home
This article, one of a series of fifteen, suggests that our nations current economic crisis could potentially benefit from a policy that allows foreclosed homes to be rented out by their previous owners.
I thought this short article presented and interesting idea; I had never thought about a solution like this. It makes me wonder though, how a policy like that would adversely affect the market. I would imagine that even with this policy, some people would still not be able to afford to stay in their homes.
The article is written almost as one long sentence with several semi-colons, which I found sort of ineffective.
I thought this short article presented and interesting idea; I had never thought about a solution like this. It makes me wonder though, how a policy like that would adversely affect the market. I would imagine that even with this policy, some people would still not be able to afford to stay in their homes.
The article is written almost as one long sentence with several semi-colons, which I found sort of ineffective.
Train Detroit
This is one of my favorite ideas, since a nationwide high-speed train line would create thousands of new jobs and could provide for a newer, cheaper way to transport freight and passengers across America.
I also think it’s a good idea to start in Detroit, for the same reasons Selcraig gave: the city has several recently vacant factories that are perfect for the job. This plan is also smart because it would be one of the easiest to implement (easy is a general term, but still). Like all of these plans, it would cost a fortune, but I think Americans can get behind it because it will employ a large number of people – something everybody wants.
I also think it’s a good idea to start in Detroit, for the same reasons Selcraig gave: the city has several recently vacant factories that are perfect for the job. This plan is also smart because it would be one of the easiest to implement (easy is a general term, but still). Like all of these plans, it would cost a fortune, but I think Americans can get behind it because it will employ a large number of people – something everybody wants.
Redesign the Dollar
Bierut thinks it is time to redesign our currency because “the quickest fix for a brand in trouble, some say, is nothing more than a cosmetic makeover.”
Again, maybe these economic concepts escape me, but this seems like a complete waste of time. We’d have to spend money designing it, printing it, and distributing it. And what do you think will happen to all of the green backs? Are little money gnomes (leprechauns) going to come out at night and exchange the new for the old? It will take time and money for this plan to even begin to be useful; and it seems to me that its affect will be negligible.
Again, maybe these economic concepts escape me, but this seems like a complete waste of time. We’d have to spend money designing it, printing it, and distributing it. And what do you think will happen to all of the green backs? Are little money gnomes (leprechauns) going to come out at night and exchange the new for the old? It will take time and money for this plan to even begin to be useful; and it seems to me that its affect will be negligible.
End the Corporate Income Tax
To be honest I didn’t really have any idea what this article was talking about. Having no knowledge of this tax, and a very brief list of information as to how it affects our lives adversely, I don’t really know whether or not this suggestion is of any merit.
Here again though, it seems to me that the author is making unfounded assumptions. It seems like there is a common theme in many of these articles to make bold allusions to ‘serious’ problems we need to fix, but the suggestions provide sketchy information and loose ideas about the way it will benefit our society.
Here again though, it seems to me that the author is making unfounded assumptions. It seems like there is a common theme in many of these articles to make bold allusions to ‘serious’ problems we need to fix, but the suggestions provide sketchy information and loose ideas about the way it will benefit our society.
Sex and the Single Wizard
It is very difficult to categorize my impression of this article. The author James Parker is, at once, convincing, confusing, intriguing, complementing and critical. Awesome, right?
No matter how contradictory Parker gets, I really enjoyed reading this essay. Because much of what he says about Harry Potter is completely true and the way he says it is very amusing; there is a general sarcastic tone that surrounds his comments.
Jumping from personal opinion on Rowling’s writing style, to views on the various directors of the movies, to the moral questions raised by the book, to its stance on religion, Parker covers many areas, sometimes with unnecessary repetition.
No matter how contradictory Parker gets, I really enjoyed reading this essay. Because much of what he says about Harry Potter is completely true and the way he says it is very amusing; there is a general sarcastic tone that surrounds his comments.
Jumping from personal opinion on Rowling’s writing style, to views on the various directors of the movies, to the moral questions raised by the book, to its stance on religion, Parker covers many areas, sometimes with unnecessary repetition.
The 12:39 to Matanzas
The 12:39 to Matanzas
I leafed through this month’s issue of The Atlantic hoping to find some interesting essays.
I found this essay between a story about Basque mixed drinks and Goolge’s fear of competitors (I mention that to both acknowledge the wide variety of stories and to demonstrate how uninteresting some of them are).
Being found of world travel myself, I had hoped this essay would be a short but interesting recollection of a trip to Cuba, a place that is inherently fascinating to Americans as it is one of the few places we are not allowed to go.
But no, it was not that.
The author, Michael Scott Moore, briefly described his experience on a train in Cuba. This particular train was formerly owned and operated by the Hershey Corporation but now run as a cheap form of travel for locals and tourists.
In truth, I think this would be an interesting experience for someone to have. But the way Moore shared it in his writing made it seem very unremarkable and difficult to relate to.
I leafed through this month’s issue of The Atlantic hoping to find some interesting essays.
I found this essay between a story about Basque mixed drinks and Goolge’s fear of competitors (I mention that to both acknowledge the wide variety of stories and to demonstrate how uninteresting some of them are).
Being found of world travel myself, I had hoped this essay would be a short but interesting recollection of a trip to Cuba, a place that is inherently fascinating to Americans as it is one of the few places we are not allowed to go.
But no, it was not that.
The author, Michael Scott Moore, briefly described his experience on a train in Cuba. This particular train was formerly owned and operated by the Hershey Corporation but now run as a cheap form of travel for locals and tourists.
In truth, I think this would be an interesting experience for someone to have. But the way Moore shared it in his writing made it seem very unremarkable and difficult to relate to.
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