Something new

In my life, the best experiences had no planned beginning; they simply presented themselves, and I acquainted myself with them. I am not a die hard advocate for new experiences, but personally, I have found them to be the best opportunities for personal growth.

New foods interact with your taste buds differently; your brain follows suit.

New sights spark your visual cortex and kickstart a process that is reminiscent of the past, excited about the present, and prescient of the future.

New sounds reverberate from your ears to your feet. You may dance.

New physical experiences, like the feeling of limestone beneath your feet in undiscovered caves, test your control over your reflexes and assumptions.

New smells may lift you towards the clouds or bring you crashing to the ground.

New experiences change the shape, size and order of our brains. The ability to change and adapt is a great gift.

Cold Sweats and Midnight Misunderstandings

It was the night before going to the Philippines and what should a appear,

A fear of immigration sending me back to Korea-r (sue me! I wanted it to rhyme).

Seriously though, I had a miniature panic attack because I thought that a technicality would keep me from entering the Philippines.

A little clarification, for the past two months, I have believed that I could enter the country for 21 days and then apply for a visa extension for 38 days once I am in the country. 

Go figure, the night before I fly to the Philippines, I get nervous that I should have applied for the VISA before leaving. I begin to think that the airline won't let me board the plane because my return ticket is for 56 days later, or worse, they will, but I won't be allowed in the country.

Additionally, I realize that I don't have Soraya's (the women with whom I am working with this summer) phone number, and if something does go wrong, I would not be able to contact her. So, I send her a flurry of emails and Skype messages at 1 in the morning. Surprisingly, she doesn't respond.

2:35am KST: Well, sleep is hopeless.

4:00am KST: I head out to the airport bus 45 minutes early.

4:15am KST: I start worrying that the bus won't stop at this station because my friend told me that once she waited here for an hour and the bus never came.

4:40am KST: The bus arrives 5 minutes before it is supposed to leave the first station (~10 minutes early). Being high strung pays off this time.

Let's skip ahead. I have no problems boarding the plane, or with immigration at the airport. And the biggest barrier to getting the visa extension is that I am wearing shorts and sandals, and there is a dress code at the bureau of immigration. Luckily, the dress code at government buildings in the Philippines is more flexible than those at bars in Boston.

Time to rest easy.

Two Days in Korea

It is an odd feeling visiting a place for just a couple days after you have lived there for a few years. It feels like I am floating. I know the patterns of daily life, but am not engaging in them. I sense the societal norms, yet have no pressure to conform to them.

I am not a tourist because I know my way around, but I have forgotten important details. Which bus do I take to get to Gangnam? Whatever, I'll just take the subway. I am in no rush. Often times the comfort of doing what is known is worth sacrificing efficiency. Oh...Huh, there is a subway line that runs directly from Jeongja to Gangnam? That's new.

As you can tell from the haphazard collection of ideas, I am having difficulty expressing myself. Maybe it is the jetlag. Maybe it is the transience of my stay. But I think it is that Korea has never felt like home.

Been A While

Listen...

No, listen...

Don't hear that? You aren't listening close enough.

You can hear the pulse of your surroundings. It mingles with your own pulse and forms a synergistic relationship with your environment. The rush of the cars, the hum of jets, commerce, key strokes. They all blend together to form one perception. One moment that will be muddled and likely forgotten. Don't lose sight of your temporality. Measured ticks and tocks become rhythms, melodies, music. 

Synapses fire; smiles form; feet tap. Follow the beat and start dancing through life.

- Inspired by Alan Watts.

Caution...

In response to such an awful event, I admonish everyone to focus on love and understanding, rather than anger and judgment.

Emotions are powerful forces. How will we use this force? For example, these moments bring us all closer together. There is a sudden and recognizable swell of compassion and altruism in the wake of these events. Yet, there is a concomitant misattribution of blame due to our lack of understanding, and with this blame usually comes anger. If this blame and anger is misdirected, then we may cause additional harm (could be mental and not just physical) to others that had no involvement in this event.

Rather than causing judgment, these events should cause us to question our assumptions. My assumption is that these sort of events shouldn't occur, but this assumption may not be valid. These acts of violence seem to be happening on a monthly, or even weekly basis now (stabbings at the Texas community college). Not to mention a daily, hourly, and secondly basis when you consider conflicts occurring in specific neighborhoods in this country, and other nations around the world.

Take this time to reflect on some possible root causes of this event. Don't rush to snap judgments. Don't point fingers. Don't give in purely to your system 1 response to tragedy. If we react to these occurrences based on our assumptions, we risk causing greater damage. Quickly consider this. The person behind this attack lost someone in a similar act of violence. He/she lives in a society notorious for its lack of justice. Might this have been a retaliation and not a provocation? Violence begets violence (just consider that this act may have been the latter violence in this sentence.)

Just to be clear, I do not condone this act in any way or under any circumstances. But I worry about our natural inclination to rush to judge others in order to protect our (often false) sense of security.

We must seek to understand the impetus of these events, because only then can we hope to prevent them in the future.

But in the meantime, don't get angry and don't be afraid. Take this opportunity to demonstrate the true power of love.

Quick Thought on Plans

Although I am consumed with my final two projects of the semester, I need to come up for air. So here is a quick not about goals, plans, and strategy.

Just like businesses and organizations, individuals need to have plans.

I as an individual have pretty much delineated the rest of my experience here at Vanderbilt. That is my 1-year plan. My longer plan is a little vague, but I believe that I will probably return to Asia, and eventually try to start my own schools that operate on a one-to-one or say one-to-five model (Profits from a school that is very profitable and serves wealthier upper class students will help subsidize the operation of 1-5 schools that operate in low-SES neighborhoods and/or developing countries). I believe that my coursework in the coming year supports this goal and vision.

Yet, operationalizing this idea will require a great deal of tailoring. My goal is not to get it right all at once, but rather, to start small and gradually tailor and expand my model. The goal is not to adjust, adapt, or pivot. My goal is to incorporate additional information, experience, and input, and then transform.

...(quick addendum) Education Spending

Yes, we spend more than any other nation in the world, but that is because we are THE WEALTHIEST nation in the world. That doesn't mean that we are spending it wisely or evenly (http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/piechart_2013_US_fed). Also, federal spending on education is just 4%...really? Don't give me absolute spending numbers, I am human, I like proportions. We always are at the top in terms of spending.

Valuing Education

Teacher's compensation in America is fourth from the bottom amongst OECD countries (OECD, 2010). Seriously? We are so proud of being the wealthiest country in the world, but how can we continue to defend our lack of investment in our future citizenry?

This is truly disgraceful. I knew our public expenditure on education was pathetic, but I didn't realize it was this bad.

Seriously? Our value system, to the core, needs to be re-analyzed.

In terms of pursuing a true meritocracy, maximizing our return on our investments, and maintaining our comparative advantage in the global economy, we need to invest heavily in our education system, especially, in the communities and students that need it the most. Why? Because the majority of the population and our labor force needs help.

Another note, does nobody else find the brain drain effect to be concerning? Yes, we are attracting the best labor from around the world to the US, but this also implies that Americans skilled labor force is less competitive than other nations. How can this be? Are Americans just not capable of becoming scientists and knowledge workers? Of course not! Yet, we continually fail to meet our own demand for a skilled labor force. College graduates often have skill sets that match personal interests, but don't match the demand in the labor market. Seriously? We don't have the largest population in the world, but we certainly have a large enough population to meet our labor demands. And so many Americans are capable of more! Everyone knows somebody who is certainly intelligent but school, as it currently is designed, wasn't for them. I bet that this missed talent pool is much wider and deeper than any of us currently imagine.

...tangent after tangent...Brain drain continued...On the other end, the international students often do not return to their own countries, which especially in the case of developing nations is a huge problem! Let me be clear, I am not saying to send immigrants, international students, or anyone packing or anything of the sort. These are paradoxes that are above my pay scale, I just want more people to talk about these things. (In summary, we have a demand for highly skilled labor; our own citizenry doesn't meet this demand; we hire citizens of other nations. This is completely rational...but is it the most beneficial...maybe not for our society or theirs...fair?)

Simply, how do we not see that it is better for the country if everyone is a valuable contributor to our economy and society? An unemployed, unskilled worker should be viewed as untapped potential. But how do we get there? We invest in our education system. Let's start thinking more macro and long-term.

Education reaches down to our most core values...I hope... For example, if we all believe in the ideal of democracy, then it relies upon an engaged and educated citizenry. Why? Because ignorant and myopic participation can cause a lot of harm to a lot of people...agreed?

A lot of what I said in this post is sure to be contentious to many of you. GOOD! The only way to progress is to work past our differences and get at solutions. Then once we have collaborated to design solutions, INVEST IN THEM!

We as a nation have a lot of money, and how we spend it reflects our values. It is CLEAR that as a whole, our nation does not truly value education. My family and community did, sure, but Marblehead is a carbon copy of the American Dream. I was given this dream when I was adopted. I didn't earn it or get it by merit. Yet, this dream, for a large portion of Americans, is kept just out of reach, and one of the levers keeping it this way is the dilapidated and outdated education system. Is this fair? Is this just? Is this merit?

So where do we begin? Honesty with ourselves. For example, don't ever claim that you got where you are on your own because that just isn't true. Were you born...how did you do that without your parents? If they were "awful" parents and you made it, then that negative INTERACTION probably pushed you to separate yourself from them. Did you ever have a teacher? A friend? Did you ever have a job? Who paid you? Did you read books? Who were they written by? Be humble and realize you can't do anything on your own.

Ok, I need to get back to my studies, but I needed to rant a bit. The more you learn, the more problems you see. This is good, because seeing the problems means you can address them!

OECD. (2011). Lessons from PISA for the United States, Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education. OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264096660-en

A note about children's stories

So I am reading this children's story, seems to be going great. This dog named rover is letting everyone share his doghouse during a rainstorm. All the animals are getting along, they are cuddled up next to each other. They are keeping each other safe and warm.

Then, for no reason at all the skunk decides to spray his odeur in the dog's home, and I begin to lose sight of the point of this story. So, it is not about hospitality, sharing, and manners. That is fine. How about friendship? Meh, probably not seeing as only the dog has a name (which I refuse to use here because I don't feel like he is even the protagonist, and therefore I don't feel that he deserves any extra recognition...much like the partridge in a pear tree...nor do those gold rings deserve an extra bar in that song either...back to the point).

Furthermore, after everything, this dog is "happy he's alone." Now, don't get me wrong, learning how to spend meaningful time alone is an important skill. The inability to be comfortable alone has many negative long term effects on one's self-efficacy because that person invariably ties his/her agency to others. Yet, in first grade, in my humblest opinion, I think that it is equally if not more important to be more interested in experience acquisition, and that means spending quality time with others. If civil society is to prosper, its constituents need to be active, engaged, and amicable.

So the ending I would have liked to see is Rover and the neglected skunk in the doghouse together. And Rover, being above judgment, and befriending this character that gets a bad rap as either a smelly animal or a borderline sexual deviant (sorry Pepe and homage to Dave Chappelle).

Book Smarts vs. Street Smarts

I remember this was always a big debate in HS.

It always started off with a student who doesn't have the best GPA, making a claim that his/her classwork has no value in the real world, and that he/she prefers to have "street smarts."

Firstly, what are "Street Smarts"? I was raised and educated in upper-middle class public and private schools. I can guarantee you that our version of "street smarts" vary dramatically from other communities in the county, let alone other states and countries. 

Also, how do you imagine acquiring these "street smarts"? Of course, we would all agree that experience plays a large role in developing the ability to navigate complex social environments, but how diverse are HS students' experiences? If student's don't get outside of their communities then, how are they going to learn how to survive in a world that faces the ubiquitous trend of globalization without  traveling to other states and countries? Well, I suppose we could all read books?

Basically, the whole point of education is to fill the gaps in our understanding of the world. How you fill these gaps is important, but it is not the most important. The most important piece of knowledge acquisition and learning, is that you humbly accept that you know practically nothing, and try to fill that void in a responsible manner.

This always will require a balance. Don't rush to place any type of knowledge about another. Don't assume that because you experience something that it applies to everyone. Don't assume that someone who sees something differently from you is wrong.

People need to realize that being street smart and book smart compliment each other. The goal should be to believe that you have the capability to always test your "smarts" against each other. This is not purely an additive concept, this could be a destructive process as well. Giving up beliefs that are based on falsehoods and biases are just as valuable as exploring new ideas. When we become subjects of our experiences, rather than masters of them, we become susceptible to superficial understandings of complex ideas. However, when we explore our experiences, reflect on them, and then research them further, we begin to understand that they probably aren't unique, they probably have been long considered by others before us, and we can learn from their efforts and struggles.

Nepal Scratched an Itch

The Travel Itch!

I have recently been e-mailing back and forth with the Principal of the HS that I will be working at this summer in the Philippines, and it hit me, that I will be back in Southeast Asia again this summer.

And I can't wait. There is no greater impetus for creativity than in times when you must adapt to a changed environment. Suddenly, you have to stretch your imagination just to communicate with each other (yes, they speak English in the Philippines), but I will need to make new social paths through another complex social jungle of customs, beliefs and expectations.

You can not simply bulldoze your way through this jungle, for if you do, you risk losing much of its biodiversity (more than 20,000 native species). What is destroyed can never be reclaimed. Therefore, it is essential to tread lightly, leave a small footprint, and absorb all that the country and its people have to offer.

This is exactly what I intend to do. I got my Malaria medicine today. I have my Cipro, in case I eat something that doesn't agree with my stomach. Tomorrow, I get my first Japanese Encephalitis shot. I am immunized and ready to explore.

I am ready for another transformation.

Costco

I say it once more. Don't go to Costco hungry.

It is not like I spent money on gushers and cashews, but I definitely left with three types of deli meats when I probably only needed one.

A few more interesting outcomes of today's Costco run.

Our freezer is more stocked than our refrigerator. Got tomato sauce, but no pasta. Got brie, but no crackers.

All minor regrets and excesses aside, everything will be consumed and thoroughly enjoyed.

Comparative U.S. perspective

If context matters, and different populations are...well...different, then as a multicultural society, all U.S. citizens needs to study other cultures and population groups to help them better understand their own culture.

American culture is a panoply of other cultures. Most of us are immigrants, and that diversity should be a source of strength. If we take the opportunities to explore the true international heritage of our society, we will garner a better perspective on our strengths and weaknesses.

This is not just good for social cohesion, but it is great for our economic well being as well. The broader our perspective and knowledge base becomes, the greater our ability will be to innovate and solve complex problems. If the same group of people always comes up with the same conventional solutions, do you think anything will ever change?

While I think this is destined to happen in the future given the changing demographics of this country, it would be to everyone's benefit if this were not imposed upon our society, but rather accepted, embraced, and acted upon starting today (See future post on ACCEPTANCE vs. TOLERANCE).

Start by taking the time to learn about those that you might claim that you don't understand. Then, when you think you understand them, have the humility to realize that you DON'T, and collaborate with them  so that they can fill in the missing pieces. 

Multiculturalism requires symbiosis. The first step is learning to work together. The second is relying on each other. 

Back to Work

Every now and then you need to take three or maybe for steps back to lighten your allostatic load. Stress has detrimental effects on both your well being and your ability to learn, so take a break when you can.

This week has been therapeutic. This night has been refreshingly simple.

Television and nights out can be a healthy escape from time to time, but now it is time start shifting through the gears again.

Time to finish strong!

Where is the Horizon Line?

I was looking out the window at the ground. I wondered where the Himalayas were. I had been told that they were majestic, inspirational, unparallelled. So where are they? I look up. I admire the clouds, they are white and fluffy with some interesting contrasting shadows. I begin to try and find shapes in the clouds. Well, that one looks like a face, and that one looks like a mountain...no, wait, what? I pull out my camera. Zoom. Those are mountains.

Epic? Meh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifPL5TPVi10

Nepal Debrief #1: Food

Nepalese food is very much like Indian food, plus Momo's (delicious dumplings). Lots of curry, vegetables, sauces, and some meat.

However, my stomach and taste buds need a break from those flavors at least every other day. I crave the basics: salt and pepper, meat and potatoes, cheese and bread.

This could be why on day three, I was extremely excited to find a store named "European Bakery" which was owned by a Nepalese women. It was a small bakery that was passed down to her by her father. 

I have never had a cheese croissant balance me out quite as nicely as the ones I ate in Nepal.

Nepal...Thinking.

First impressions and stream of conscious.

What is most different about my experience in Nepal from my trips to any other country , besides Korea, was that this was more for work and less for pleasure. When you are in an area for work you are looking at everything through a different lens. You are engaging with the city far below surface level. And although you begin to see the problems, you also see the endless potential.

I need more time to process this experience before I can really write about it in a manner that can do it justice.

Now back to my 16 layover in Doha!

Dulles International Terminal

When you are settled in to spend 10 hours at an international terminal, what should you do? Sure you may do your homework, you may get some food, but you definitely should take in the diversity.

I just went to Fuddruckers and the three groups sitting around me were all having conversations in different languages. How often does that happen? It also makes me question my once myopic, English centric, view of the world.

In HS, I felt that because English is becoming the Lingua Franca, there was no reason to invest myself into learning another language. Proving once again, teenagers know nothing!

Embedded in each one of these languages is history, culture, and thousands of years of development. Language emerged and transformed for a reason, and in reality, it will continue to do so. There is no reason to believe that English won't be supplanted in the future as well.

In fact, with the increased global focus on math and science, a language that has a base-10 counting system built into it may actually be the rational choice in regards to efficiency.

I think I am losing my point. Did I ever really have one? I suppose I didn't.

Well, now I have one. Embrace other languages, don't fear or belittle them. You might find that your suspicion and frustration may transform into curiosity.

Clashes

Nervous glances, furtive smiles;
Overt barbs covered in snow.
Fanciful dances upon zestful buds.
Parries and lunges. Spilt water.

Collected drops that form small rings,
That expand and run into the laps
Of the pieces. Sacrifice the pawn.
Qh5. Game over?

Nepal: Pre-trip

This Friday I head to Nepal.

I may not be able to write every day while I am in Nepal, but I will do my best.

Anticipation, yes; expectations, no!

I have no idea what to expect. I am giddy about the idea of having another new experience.

Even though I am learning a great deal here at graduate school, it is important for me to remember that I know so little and that will never change.

Sidenote: I am watching Makers on PBS right now, and want to point out how ridiculous it is that some anti-abortion groups turned to violence. What is pro-life about firebombing an abortion clinic?

Back to Nepal!

I can't wait to look out my window on the approach to Kathmandu! My camera will be prepped and ready, but I am not sure if my optic nerve will be able to process it. Hopefully the experience will generate additional synapses in my brain and allow me to see things better!

Staying curious; loving life!

Healthy Level of Skepticism

One downside to critical thinking may be cynicism...

When you question everything enough, even rose gardens could begin to look like invasive species planted by those with aristocratic tendencies.

Don't get me wrong, the ability to think critically and creatively is essential. A lot of things need to be changed, and that will require a critical mass of problems solvers.

But every now and then, even those who want to change the world need to relax and enjoy a nice view and some casual time with friends. Otherwise, they may burn out, or run the risk of losing the belief that the world is worth changing.

Egocentrism

Egocentrism is not something that just goes away after adolescence. Every experience you have, or have had, is processed by you in a novel manner. So in some ways, your thoughts, ideas, misconceptions, beliefs, relationships, do revolve around your interpretations of the world. You cannot detach yourself from this reality.

However, what you can do is balance your own views, with sincere relationships with others. Be observant! Take into account peoples' reactions to your actions. I am not advocating for conforming to the norm. People need to understand that cost-benefit analyses of their behavior should incorporate the effects of the externalities generated from their actions. I will not go so far to say that the butterfly effect is real, but it is easy to see that your actions can definitely cause a ripple effect at least two to three degrees away from yourself. 

I think that in order to generate shared or blended value, we need to think about everything we do at least three degrees of separation away from ourselves.

For example, a person chooses to smoke indoors. That causes harm to others one degree out. 

A company pays people minimum wage. That is legal and fine one degree out, but at the second degree, if that person has a kid to take care of (maybe more), suddenly, we see that minimum wage simply isn't enough.

Three degrees! World bank gives money to the government of a developing country. Let's assume the government is not corrupt and spends the money on health and education. But the teachers and healthcare workers have not been properly trained.

What is clear is that analysis at one degree of separation is not enough, and can cause a great deal of damage to the future of humanity.

Friends

A friend is someone who you respect. If your action may affect them, then it should affect your decision. If you ask them for favors, then you should intend to return those favors.

My friend's are more important to me than I am to myself. Our friendship makes each of us stronger. There is no scale; there is no balance sheet. I build my friendships on reciprocity. One-sided friendships...or relationships...just don't work.

Yes, I may have just repackaged a Beatles song into less poetic prose, but I rely on my friends.

So, here's one for my loudest critics, my magic mirrors, my friends!

Congratulations Jess

I just want to send out a congratulations to my sister.

She has just been admitted to UCLA's M.Arch. program.

Her commitment to her passion is admirable and recognizable.

Your growth will be great.

I look forward to watching your passion take shape, and your visions to become realities.

Here is to the dreamers, the creators, and those that reinvent the way we interact with the world around us.

Love!

Debates and Questions

Just as an exercise, find someone who wants to explore a couple of these questions. It is a good learning experience.

When debates reach levels of abstraction that are unrealistic do they lose their value?

When assumptions are not rigorously tested in a variety of manners, can they ever be considered fact? Can anything be fact?

What is a healthy level of inquiry? When do you have to suddenly enter the realm of faith?

What causes change? Does culture propel or hinder change? I believe that depending on the context, it could do both.

Do you think commitment to hard work was at it's origin exogenous or endogenous?

Congratulations

I just wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate my friends Erika, Alex, Hemant, Reddy, and Saad on winning the Vanderbilt Global Health Case Competition this year. 

Good luck in Atlanta! 

Questions

So much potential: http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679201/fungi-discovered-in-the-amazon-will-eat-your-plastic

Let's go a couple steps further. If this mushroom can process plastic, then what can process this mushroom, and what long term effects will this have on the food chain? Can the toxins of the mushroom be boiled out of it? Are these mushrooms tasty? Could they be the next big ingredient? The key to progress are creative questions, that are rigorously tested and then run through the production line creating jobs. VALUE!

A take on wealth

Wealth is fine, in fact it is great and necessary, what I can't stand is dormant and devalued wealth.

For example, I read a little article about Gronkowski's $10k bar tab. I love how he spent $10k, what I don't appreciate is how that of that $10k the majority of that undoubtedly went to the club owner, and where will that go? Most likely, nowhere meaningful. So does this prove once again that trickle down simply doesn't work? Maybe I'm wrong, but when was the last time Casino's were known for their social conscious.

If wealth begets wealth, then where the initial wealth came from, and where the resulting wealth goes needs be considered.

George Washington Carver

Just imagine a world in which everyone aspired to be like George Washington Carver?

He innovated because he was curious and because he wanted to help others (more specifically, former slaves).

I am not going to claim that everyone has the capacity to be George Washington Carver, but I am advocating for innovators to seek more than fame and fortune, because then he/she may become satisfied after one innovation, when he/she had the ability to be a serial innovator.

"He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world." - George Washington Carver's Epitaph

Valentine's Day

Love is sweet. I love so much and so many. Love is contagious. It is one of the few thing that is inherently regenerative. If you love another, it builds both of your capacities to love. I am not talking about hear shaped chocolates, I am talking sincere positive emotion attached to another. Spreading love (not lust or obsession) is a healthy addiction. So on that note:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g

End Goals

In order to design a plan you need a goal. Whether it is for a business, a fundraising effort, a non-profit organization, an education policy.

You need to firmly establish what you are trying to accomplish, and a vision of success. Yes, there are stories about people sort of just stumbling into an opportunity and it takes off. They EXCEED THEIR WILDEST EXPECTATIONS, but another way to look at this is that the person simply didn't see or consider the full potential of an idea.

For example, if I were to set a goal to help empower 1,000,000 students (and if this number is attainable, then 10 million should not be out of the question) with critical thinking skills, and  access to additional social capital, I should not be satisfied with 750,000. Nobody should think big, then turn around and be satisfied with bigger than other people's expectations.

At the end of the day we are all primarily accountable to ourselves. We have to directly address the fact that we are great at self-ingratiation, and not that great at self-criticism.

1am

Taking the day off. I need sleep! I don't have the energy to type up another loaded tirade.

However, in the land of machines, will there be a place for humans? Although the matrix is a little absurd, automation will only continue to supplant the need for labor unless our education systems can train students to be innovative and adaptive.

Capitalism and Free Markets

I am not against capitalism and free markets. I believe that in theory all truly voluntary transactions produce social value. I also believe that the natural paradox that arises from competition and collaboration is one of the most dynamic and powerful forces towards innovation and creativity.

However, when people begin to exploit and protect comparative advantage by actively impeding competition and access to information is when neoliberal theory begins to break down for me. If the various actors in free markets maintained their comparative advantage through further innovation and creativity then I might buy into capitalism; however, inventing one thing then patenting it and keeping the information from competitors and the public, not only impedes progress, it calls into question economic theory, which relies upon rational theory and equal access to information.

Take business negotiation as an example. The person with access to more information has a much better chance of receiving a larger share of the value from any agreement. Yes, the net impact is often positive in this situation, but one party certainly gains more at the direct expense of the other party involved. Simple thought experiment: if all parties involved in a transaction shared all information AFTER the agreement were made, would both parties still be satisfied with the outcome? I suspect that this answer most likely would be no. If I negotiate with a first grader, I can probably get a lot more than I am giving up. Hopefully, most people would agree that this is unfair, but why? Is it the age difference, or that the 1st grader doesn't have the same cognitive abilities, or base of information? If it is the latter scenario, then we should apply the same judgment to anybody that exploit unequal access to information to gain a more favorable outcome for themselves.

When economic activity isn't voluntary, is often irrational, exploits inequality, and is primarily dictated by a small portion of the population, then the framework of economic theory begins to erode. Then what is left is rhetoric that is consistently exploited by those who want to protect what they have.

I tend to agree with John Mackey that we need to embrace a concept of "conscious capitalism" and begin to disassociate the market from the practice of ripping people off and hiding behind flawed theory.

Just take the time.

Evory wird ien thiis sntence iss mispeled buut yu prolly cen undersatnd whut I'em triying ot sey.

All it takes is a little bit of effort, and maybe a question, to understand someone else. How come it seems like so few of us make the attempt?

Did you muddle your way through that first sentence? Why? Did it seem like a challenge? Were you curious?

Regardless, you were somehow motivated to figure out what it was I was trying to say. Analyze that decision, and apply that same rational to trying to understand others from different backgrounds other than your own.

Romance

I believe in true love and romance! I believe that in any major metropolitan city there are at least 1000 women that I would be perfectly happy dating in the short-term, 100 of them for a long time, and 25 who, given the right circumstances, I might consider marrying.

That is my romantic estimate.

Realistically, this number is actually many times larger given the number of left-leaning, intelligent, attractive women in the world.

INFURIATING

Corrections Corporation of America

About Us (http://www.cca.com/about/) - We care so little about the citizens that we imprison, that we never once refer to them as anything other than inmates and offenders! We profit off of the incarceration of AMERICAN CITIZENS.

While I debate financial, competitive, and equitable reforms in education policy; I am always left wondering what percentage of it all is just rhetoric? I mean, this country has spent 6 times more on prisons than higher education...(http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/03/opinion/bloom-prison-spending).

When our current financial models would seem to suggest that it is more profitable to invest in prisons than people, they should be scrapped. When a society provides financial incentives to corporations to keep their cells full -- a.k.a. revoke people's freedom (in it's most literal and physical form), how can the same society ever hope to promote equitable education policy?

Also, just as a side note, kids in juvenile detention centers don't take the TIMSS or PISA tests...hmm...I wonder how they would affect the United States' mean Reading, Math and Science scores?

Our failing education system is clearly not just affecting our future workforce; it is having a dramatic effect on social justice as well (http://www.all4ed.org/blog/new_pew_report).

Just the idea...

Is this a first world concept?

For instance, I have an old pair of boxers that has been washed pretty much every time I have used them; so, they are very clean. But the thought of using them as a rag to clean surfaces is a bit unsettling...right?

I mean, just the idea of something that covered your gender distinctive physicality to be used as a sanitary towel seems unclean.

I wonder what percentage of people in the world would actually feel this way... This concept of rejecting the act of recycling products for other uses seems like a bit of a luxury... Or should this be the end goal... Should we aspire to help everyone reach this level of analysis...?

I don't know, but hyper-sensitivity to minor ideas certainly feels like a first world problem.

Fear

Why does the US give billions to fight HIV/AIDS when Pneumonia and Diarrhea are the primary causes of child mortality?

I suspect that it might be fear.

The US is very well prepared to deal with most diseases, but HIV/AIDS continues to pose a serious threat to our sense of security.

Therefore, by eradicating the spread of this terrifying epidemic, our nation may perceive this as a blended value proposition. Containment keeps us safe.

Because we don't perceive easily treatable diseases as threats, helping others overcome these health concerns is seen as charity or a political gesture of diplomacy. There may be no perceived public benefit in addressing issues abroad that are not also domestic problems. Is saving millions of lives not a valuable enough proposition?

It becomes valuable when you begin to think of these problems as long-term investments. The next generation could be our new trade partners. They could become contributing members to the global economy and expand the global GDP by trillions of dollars. However, in order to see these tangible results would require patience, which is a trait that most of us lack.

But, if it takes a cause like HIV/AIDS to get us to care, then it is certainly better than nothing!

Listen and Learn. Don't Lecture

Let me start off by saying that I am still learning this lesson!

Here are some quick notes about this.

If you are too verbose, the person you are talking to (not with) will most likely (a) lose interest or (b) get lost.

You may come off as an arrogant know it all.

If you don't listen to others, you are missing the entire point of social interaction.

You most likely don't know any better than anyone else. You just know differently.

PREACH, PREACH, PREACH: RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS! But in reality, if relationships are unbalanced and are not reciprocal, then the result will be suboptimal. This imbalance may manifest itself in the form of boredom, arguments, sadness, bitterness, divorce, etc.

Sum-Sum

The key feature of the mission-driven, microfinance banks that I am most impressed with is the intrinsic blended value of the loan itself.

When the banks' profits are directly tied to the success of the borrowers. They recognize the value that the borrowers bring to the business relationship, and do not view them purely as customers. By  turning borrowers into stakeholders, and encouraging their participation in the companies' decisions about lending practices, they are demonstrating true commitment to social ownership and their social mission.

Ok, back to work...

Commitment

Dreams, goals, aspirations...blah, blah, blah... 

You should be looking for something you want to commit yourself to because ideas, organizations, and groups that you are only casually involved with, will not only eventually become dull, but they will suffer from your non-committal.

Isn't there a phrase about giving 100% or nothing? Well that is nonsense. Just be upfront about what you can give. For example, if someone asks me to help on a project and I tell them I can give them an hour a week, I will give them 100% for an hour, but that certainly is not 100% of my overall effort.

If you can't make a commitment at all, then don't! I have learned this lesson in a variety of contexts. None of them have been fair to at least one other party involved. 

If it is a relationship, then it is unfair to the more committed partner(s). 

If it is in a company, then it is only fair to you and your employer for you to quit! Life is not meant to be lived in a half-despondent state.

But the worst is doing things halfway, but claiming otherwise.

Ads revisited

Superbowl ads just make me sad. Things that aren't offensive are blown out of proportion, and things that should be offensive are ignored. Sexism...still kind of ok apparently, but anything that could possibly be construed as racism causes controversy.

Also, does anybody else take issue with the blatant exploitation of our patriotism? Or even worse, that the corporate world believes that the American dream is consumerism, rather than justice and freedom? (Even worse, is the corporate world right?)

And all the food commercials were for unhealthy fast food, or yet another sports drink (Mio) that claims to be filled with nutritional ingredients like Polysorbate 60.

But hey at least our grandfathers and grandmothers are setting a good example by acting like 20 year olds. Living the dream... (See above).

Are advertisements a reflection of true market demands, or are they simply false representations of reality?

When Beyonce can wear practically nothing and gyrate her hips in a very sensual manner, but a commercial doesn't allow a child to accurately describe child birth our nation's morals are clearly muddled.

Also, when advertisements for alcohol are shown pretty much every commercial break, how can we expect high school students not to try drinking? Pitbull loves to drink, the most interesting man alive clearly wouldn't be that way without Dos Equis, and pirates wouldn't be pirates without rum...duh.

We need better role models in our ads, our shows, our lives!

Accidents and Mishaps...

are hilarious.

Given the right context, anything can be funny. Recreating that context is difficult.

Superficiality in the moment is often overlooked, but upon reflection, its vapid nature is revealed.

Ummm... I like burritos.

Who are the most influential people in your life? My parents, Lincoln, and Da Vinci.

Well-to-do means F&*#ING RICH!

Chicken and Waffles never made sense to me, until I ate them. Somethings are really just meant to be experienced.

The best part of waking up is anything but Folger's in your cup.

I like the analytical aspects of poker, the psychological field experiments, the purveyors of truth and dishonesty, and the spectrum of human fallacy. Without money, these elements disappear. Proof that extrinsic motivation can in many instances be the impetus for intrinsic motivation.

Sweeping generalizations about motivation are dangerous. If you find something that motivates you, run with it!

Dialogue: Gender Inequity

Men and women are not the same. Inequalities run both directions. In order to address gender inequity, we, as two distinct genders, need to engage in discussions built upon humility and mutual respect. The goals of these conversations should be to form a deep understanding of each other. If most conversations about gender occur within each group (e.g. males with males and females with females), how can we hope to unify our differences?

Suggestion.

Read this: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-secrets-male-mind.htm, then start a conversation with someone of the opposite gender about it.

Debates

When conflicting ideologies leads to a showdown, most likely the participants in that pissing match don't walk away having learned anything new. They are too dead set in proving that they are right or better than their "opponent." However, debates revisited. Aren't they there to help us get at deeper truths and greater understanding of our surroundings? If this is the case, then shouldn't we be willing to listen and learn from a variety of perspectives?

Furthermore, if say a concept or ideology is pervasive, and for the most part false, how do you counteract that idea and mentality? Do you push back and reject their ideas, or do you investigate it further and point out minor flaws in the logic, allowing the supporters of false concepts to eventually reject it on their own? I think it ties to critical thinking. Question everything. If you run out of questions, you have simply ceased to be curious.

Dichotomies

We have to stop looking at the world in binary terms. It is not a male and female, minority and majority, optimistic and pessimistic, conservative and liberal, developed and developing world. Every relationship involves interaction. Every pair exists because of its relational difference from the other.

The world is a series of paradoxes, all of which exist to contribute to it's self organizing nature. The more you try to push against and reject opposing viewpoints, the stronger they become. The culmination of such futile efforts, is just further conflict.

Fantasies and Push-Pops (a.k.a. Random, Wacky Post)

Subtlety, gracefully grazing grey suits.
Fairy tales, whirlwinds of wisdom and wisecracks.
Forgetful, tepid, timeless or tremulous.
Happiness, faithful forgiveness of future failings.
Aging, boring, no; bleak, no; blithe, bet-your-ass!
Fairness, information, investment, interest, and internet.

Schoolwork

Schoolwork is starting to trump blogging. I will be sure to at least share one idea a day though.

Since 1975, 3 million refugees have been resettled in the US (U.S. Department of State, http://www.state.gov/j/prm/ra/index.htm). How many have you interacted with?

Sleep

Although I am a large advocate for living life to the fullest. Focusing on goals and achieving them. "Tirelessly" pursuing your passions....

But all of those axiomatic statements need to be tempered with at least one realistic constraint. If you never sleep enough, you will either accomplish these tasks in an inefficient manner, or you won't accomplish them at all.

So take a break sometimes. Sleep twelve hours in a day to make up for your other 6 days that, on average, you slept less than 7.

Today, I slept 11 hours, and it felt great!

Crazy Stat

The amount of information that was produced in the world from 1999-2002 almost matched that of all prior, produced knowledge (Jukes & McCain, 2002).

- Jukes, I., & McCain, T. (2002, June 18). Living on the future edge. InfoSavvy Group and Cyster.

In a world that is changing so rapidly, we need to start conceptualizing the present as a living past, and always have our minds focused on the future.

Just talking about social profits!

Look! Big Business! Your purpose is to serve a social good. You provide goods and services that are demanded. You are there to provide jobs to the public. You are social entities. Accept it! 

If you are "people"start acting humanely. Stop killing your customers (polluting, locking sweatshops during fires, pay-day lending to people who are financially illiterate --> suicide).

If you start treating people better and building the capacities of a larger segment of the population, you will begin to see the potential of what C.K. Prahalad refers to as the fortune at the bottom of the pyramid.

Crying During Movies

Yea, so, I have a tendency to cry in movies. "Big Whoop, Wanna Fight about it?" (Family Guy, Season 2, Episode 21).

Simplicity

Maybe the key to solving poverty is specialization. Maybe all organizations should have very specialized and targeted mission statements rather than trying to tackle all problems at once. Maybe redundancy is the greatest threat to efficiency. Maybe our personal desire to do good keeps us from actually doing so. Maybe people value recognition more than impact.

Maybe's are starting points for do's, but only if we closely monitor their progress and weed out the don'ts.

Meritocracy is a Myth

Meritocracy is just a euphemism for inequality. Let's stop pretending that people simply get what they deserve, and that the key to success is hard work.

Not even your ideas are purely your own. They are constructs of shared knowledge and experience. We must start with the acknowledgement that the distribution of capital is inherently unequal, then we must ask ourselves if this is fair.

I believe it isn't fair. That does not make me a socialist. I believe in justice. I believe in equal opportunity. I believe that everyone should be free to try and reach their full potential.

I grew up in an upper-middle class suburb of Boston. I hit the jackpot. I couldn't tabulate all the intangible benefits I have received in my life just because of this incredible stroke of good fortune.

Merit requires us all to start from the same place. However, in the real world, some people start at the finish line.

Two Quick Thoughts About Heartbreak

If one part is bruised, just focus on something else that you love, and you will be surprised how quickly you heal.

If you love enough, your heart will never break because you will always have something from which to draw happiness.

Professional Sports

Professional sports are entertaining, but when a fumble recovery is more important than a concussion, we need to rethink our valuation of sports.

I like watching people accomplish amazing feats of strength and athleticism, but even more meaningful to me are the moments when players inspire us with their sportsmanship.

Beginning of a Song

Broken Brooms

The circles and squares and stars on the screens,

Are the shapes and shapers of dreams.

The suspense of the now and fear of the future,

Statically collect our rivers and streams.

From AM to Gamma we perform electric dances

When a mother says to her child, “don’t be afraid,

Of all of the past mistakes that you’ve made.”

Idleness and ignorance are often to blame.

Most of us search for meaning.

By establishing unshakable rules.

But when they all bend and splinter,

What’s left are our broken brooms.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

When you begin to whittle away at task that seem insurmountable; you begin to realize that they are a series of much more manageable tasks.

So rather than writing something off as impossible, just start to do what you can. That one act could present you with an infinitely larger set of opportunities.

Market Failures

Questions in class today:

"Is a lack of access to clean drinking water a market failure?"

Response: Unequivocally, YES! Everyone has an guaranteed intrinsic demand for water, and the supply does not meet the demand. That is a market failure.

"How about smart phones?"

Response: YES! We live in a knowledge society and all of our macro level concepts --rationality, meritocracy, utility, justice, etc.,-- hinge upon our ability to access and process information. Some might argue that ignorance is bliss, but those who are ignorant also are not reaching their potential. (Also, see "The Three I's" in Banerjee, A. and Duflo, E. book Poor Economics). Simply put though, there is an astronomically large unmet demand for greater access to information (Digital Divide), and the supply (smart phones) does not match the demand. MARKET FAIL!

Kayak, Expedia, CheapAir, Try again!

Yes, it is more convenient. True, often times it does work out.

However, I just found an itinerary to Nepal for under $1400, while Expedia's and Kayak's cheapest flights, respectively, are coming up as $1991 and $2105.

It would seem that the ability to do a little investigation on your own is quite valuable, and that shortcuts based on aggregate data may not always be the best options.

Small world

So completely random, and sort of crazy, but in my social entrepreneurship class today, I found out that one of the girls who I am collaborating with went to Middlebury and that we have mutual friends and acquaintances.

I would kind of like to see a visual map of my social networks. Is there a program out there? I am beginning to wonder if it is my network or the world that is small.

Great Days

Sometimes you just have a great day!

Today was one of those days. It is a simple equation. My motivation to live an active and vibrant life is greater now than it was at the beginning of the day.

Quote of the day:

"I would argue that collectively 'we' actually know much more than any 'one' of us has the bandwidth to appreciate. By engaging people from areas across the spectrum in gathering a sampling of existing organizational and intellectual capital across various silos of activity we might possibly better inform specific efforts within each silo," (Emerson, 2003, p. 3).

Emerson, Jed (2003). The Blended Value Map: Tracking the Intersects and Opportunities of Economic, Social and Environmental Value Creation. BlendedValue.org. Retrieved on January 14, 2013 from http://www.blendedvalue.org/wp-content/uploads/2004/02/pdf-bv-map.pdf

Patterns of Personal Change

People change. Through interaction, experience, and reflection we, as people, are never static and always influenced by a complex set of forces. Change is natural. In fact, everything that has led us to our present state is all memory at this point, and subject to change and distortion. We have to embrace our limitations, understand that we are changing, and try to steer that process towards a better vision of ourselves.

Note to self: Balancing pride and humility is difficult. The ideal equilibrium varies from situation to situation. Deep consideration of our strengths and weaknesses, as well as strong relationships with people who will give us honest feedback, are the gauges that help us calibrate our egos.

Escapees

When one has responsibilities and commitments, one might feel shackled. One's goal might be to escape and live a freer life; a carefree life. This will never by my aspiration. I will never stop caring because I would stop conversing, and in turn, stop acting.

Timing

Clocks or tides?
The consistency of both relies on overlapping forces.
One is a convention and the other is a hobby.
Time as a concept that is reliant upon the world in which it exists.
If the Earth's rotation were to change speeds, what might be the effects?
It seems less intimidating from afar.
However, on the most readily perceivable level, it is a nuisance.

Vanderbilt Basketball

That was a very exciting game.

Down by 14 with 10 minutes to go, and shooting around 28% does not usually inspire much confidence or interest in a game, but when a team's defense is pretty solid, there is always a chance.

A couple of three's later, all of a sudden the arena is filled with energy and excitement, and this energy carries the Dores to a 58-60 defeat (due to a horrible missed shot clock violation).

When a team starts to perform well, the energy of the crowd can lift them even further. However, if a team is flat, it is very difficult to set them into motion.

Alright, clearly I know nothing about college basketball, but it was definitely a fun evening.

Hall of Fame, not Infamy

I support the empty class of 2013.

What do Halls of Fame represent? What purpose do they serve?

Is it about remembering people who embody everything we cherish about tradition and sportsmanship, or is it purely about the numbers?

Is sport purely about entertainment, or is it about something more?

We should only commemorate those worthy of serving as role models for the future. Players who *cheat should not be remembered. I am fine with letting them live out the rest of their lives with their fraudulent millions, but I refuse to accept that just because of their records with asterisks that their names should be enshrined.

Jackie Robinson's, Hank Aaron's, J.L. Wilkinson's, Roberto Clemente's, etc. Hall should not be tainted by the infamous.

Thank You

I just want to express my sincere appreciation to all those in my life. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I love you all.

29

I am not sure what it is even supposed to feel like to be 29. I certainly don't feel old. Age is a funny thing. It doesn't necessarily signify wisdom or experience anymore, and with modern medicine the definition of middle aged is closer to 50 than 30. If I go nuts at thirty and completely alter my life course (which does not seem likely at this point) it won't be a mid-life crisis. It will be a young adult life crisis.

I just know that for 29 years I have taken a remarkable journey that has led me here. I am so thankful for everyone who I have ever interacted with because that experience has in some way made me who I am today. Today, like everyday, is an amazing shared gift. Please enjoy it!