Week 2

Video 1: Globalization:
I found it appropriate that Johan Norberg decided to open his film in front of a Swarovski Crystal store, a store that symbolizes wealth and status. The Swarovski stores house exquisite crystals and jewelry sold to those why can dish out for their swanky price tags. Norberg's depiction of globalization was truly persuasive. He did a great job in convincing the viewer that globalization is needed in order to help developing countries realize their aspirations of becoming a developed, wealthier country. However, I would like to know who funded the video. I have never heard such a vast pro Nike argument. The video made the corporation out to be the best thing that could happen to Vietnam and it would be interesting to know how and why he choose to recognize them as such. I am also interested in learning more about how the people of Kenya can work on obtaining their property rights. It was amazing to me that cell phones have made such a wide impact on literally all social classes worldwide. Although the video was quite thorough and persuasive, I would have liked to see more of the opposing arguments. We are told what the globalization protesters are doing, but not precisely why.

Video 2: Globalization and Politics of Public Health
"Is public a dirty word?" asked one of the commentators. The constant indifference of many people to a community's well being has always astounded me... but it makes perfect sense if we consider "public" a dirty word. People want to live their 'private' lives and not have to worry themselves with the issues, regardless of how important, of others. This is evident in the issues surrounding the Marshall Islands that were discussed. How were they ever cleared to test the nuclear and hydrogen bombs on those inhabited islands? Someone is responsible for the health of those people and it is an understatement to say that the care and consideration they have received has been a disappointment. It is unacceptable to me to treat people as such disposable objects... moving them from their homes and then allowing they to live in known nuclear activity. Their life style along with their culture was destroyed by those bombs. The needs and demands of the people need to be fulfilled, and not by what the Americans deem necessary, but by what the real demands of the communities are. In the video we hear so much about the problem, but no suggestions as to how to alleviate it. What do we do to lessen the life expectancy gap? the health disparities? to better the health of the poor?