How do we begin to think about the world?

Even before we were born there are already prior implications about the world and these were broaden when we entered our college. There are a lot of theories, ideologies and alike around us, therefore, which is which? Which ideology should we believe? Today, we no longer know what is true or what is not and the fact that we are easily lured to whatever is given to us. Also, with this we are overwhelm with the fact that everything are made easy for our own use and thus we no longer want to bother ourselves with thing that we do not want to associate ourselves with.

As we emerge in the century of globalization we are slowly declining to our sense of living. In spite the fact that the technologies we have now makes things faster and convenient for us we are trying things to be inconvenient with the world. We have already experienced a lot of calamities and for me this implies a threat that the good old world we have is facing its end faster than it was calculated. We should now stop or slow down in reaching the peak because once we get there it is already the start of our fall. We should remind ourselves what to priorities and this is to assure that there is enough resources left for everyone. This means we must learn to save and take good care of what we have right now (nature) or else little do we know there will no longer left even just a single one.

Why do we obey?

"Government is for the people, by the people and of the people" I guess this quote is no longer new to us we have heard and probably quoted this a number of times. But what does this really mean? Ever since, we were already opened to the fact that there are certain rules that we should obey and with it are people that we should take in consideration and eventually obey as well. And so with this, the question Why do we obey? comes into the scene.

I have also questioned my self why dis i obey? After some time I realized that obedience came from fear. I guess people are afraid to make their own decision and they would rather be free-riders along the way. This comes with the fact that some people don't know anything about the things they should and so they end up obeying what is said to them. Like in the government, they say that this and that rules/regulations will make our economy/lives better,and because we believe them for the reason that we don't anything about the heck they're saying we simply obey. Because they rule us, we think that they know what they are doing and they want what is best for our country. In short, obedience may be an outcome of fear and ignorance. However, obedience can also come from trust and beliefs. If one person is knowledgeable and still obeys then this tells us that what he obeys in is something worth it.

Should we or should we not obey the government? I guess the answer to the question depends on the situation. If there are reasons for the people not to obey a government then we shouldn't but if we should then by all means let us give our trust to the government. I have jotted down some factors to consider if we must obey our government. First, to obey the government the government must be unite, and when i use the term government it means all people within the state. Second, we obey the government if its concern is for the benefit and welfare of all and lastly, we obey the government if they listen to each other.

We no longer share the willigness to be one. We can never have a government that we can obey whole-heartedly because our realtionship with our fellow filipinos vanished together with colonization and globalization.

Does colonialism and slavery belongs in the past?

Our country is just one of the nation in our world that experienced thorough colonialism, being a colony of Spain for more than 300 years and lesser years from U.S and at around 3 years from Japan we can certainly tell that we are no longer new to this event. Even this scenario has been happened years ago, can we really tell that colonialism belongs to the past?

If we talk about the colonialism we expereinced before i say that it no longer exist and it really does belongs to the past. But as times goes by colonialism transforemd into a new identity and barely i can identify it as globalization. Colonialism as described by Kate manzo is a "direct political control of a perople by a foreign sate" (berntein, Hewiit and Thomas 1992: 168) as "the control by one group over another inhibiting a separate territory" (De Alva 1995: 262). And with colonialism, slavery is more or else inter-related because just by the definition of colonialism it implicates over ruling/dictatorship.

As of now, we may have not experienced DIRECT colonialism but as we open up ourselves to the world and our nation's decisions in policy making is always influenced by our relationship with other countries i can surely say that colonialism doesn't really belongs to the past, because it still exist in our present time. As for slavery, even though there are no longer direct brutal slavery happening in the world just like before, there are still slavery in the sense of oppressing the workers and not giving them proper benefits and wages.

It is really ideal to think that colonialism and slavery have already belonged to the past. It will be an ideal society if I may add. However, in our world of globalization these words may already be too strong to use but honestly and sadly speaking are still existing. However, I believe that this may be abolished if people have already learned to accept that power and superiority must no longer be prioritize and that everyone deserves equal chances and rights.

How is the world organized economically?

Mercantilism point out that whoever (state) has the power on economy is the most powerful. Being a hegemon (most powerful state) does not mean that you should have conquered the most nation-state but you portray a well maintained high economy. The world is organized into their economic status. States that are included in the G7 (Great 7) are considered the powerful states in the world and for those like the Philippines are categorizes as third world (underdeveloped).

Although, the US showed its hegemony for a long time now. It is in a way loosing it touch on the game. As we all know US is currently experiencing recession in their country, and the title of being the most powerful country is likely for them to lose. In line with this, everyone thought the land of the rising sun, was the one to takes its place whenever it ever lose track on its economy however, Japan now is starting to experience the unfaithful destiny of US. It could not have happened in the US (Bush admin.) in the first place if didn't over reacted on the war against bin laden. Bush thought the war is the answer to all problem ( but its not). Now, US is roughly has a debt of around Trillion US dollar.

As of now, all great countries are focusing their attention to the sleeping giant as it starts to awake and probably become the next hegemon of our world.

How do religious beliefs affects the politics?

"Separation of Church and State"-Thomas Jefferson.

The topic on if how does religious beliefs affects the polictics have one way or the other experienced by all states. Taking the Philippines for example, we have been colonized by the spaniards for more than 300 years and during those time the church has a big say on how polocies should be done as they quoted "this is should be done". Religous groups (specifically the Christians) then have greater power than the political leaders. They are coined as the back bone of the government. But why is that? We all know that religion and politics are very much different from each other. In my own definition the Church is there to organize and secure to spread the word of what they call God and as for the politics they are there to organize and lead a nation.

Religious belief has a great impact on people, they are united by this common belief beleiving that it is all for the glory of God. Also, we can see that all religious groups unites as one and one way or the other shares the common belief. In able for the politics to gain the heart and thrust of the people they try to "court" their way on it. They support certain religious groups (that has majority of the population) to have a larger count to public.

Example of such would be the issue of Reproductive Health Bill that may actually help our poor country face the globalize world, however because of certain beliefs that only God and God himself can decide on whether or not a couple have a child.

It all boils down on who's perception should excel over the others. What I am saying is that, everyone has certain beleifs that they have and all of them wants this certain belief to maximize the scene. If I can term it as such, I would say that this religoius and plitics issue has been going around since we don't even remember when.

Photofrom:http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5EXjOigQW0/Sr2oZ1TZqaI/AAAAAAAAAog/is0fCUZ_hq4/s320/church_&_state.jpg

How is the internet changing the way of life? (Master Lecture)

I started using the internet when I was still in Grade 6, I was thankful since internet came to my life. I was able to experienced using books, retyping each word using a type writer and do everything as ancient as possible (province life). Then internet came and it made my life easier. I was able to do my homework in shorter hours than before and I was able to learn a lot of things that our library cannot suffice.

However, when I started engaging into social sites. I have gained enemies one way our the other (I was childish before). I can even portray someone that I am not in the internet if I would like to. I have also, worsen someone's life just by using the internet.

As of today, the internet can do more things both better and worse than before. Internet can be a factor that weakens personal security. Tough we an learn a lot with the use of the internet, there are things that are bound to be kept for the safety of others.

Also, the way looking for a partner have also changed, before the males tend to go the female's house to court her or at least to sir her (for those who does not practice courtship) but today, there is what we call online dating, and some even marry each other even if they haven't seen each other in person. You can also shop in the internet, by just having your credit card number with you can buy anything around the world without going there personally.

The generation nowadays, as early as 3 years old even learn to use the computer before even memorizing the abc. The internet have thought as indeed a lot of knowledge but it also thought us how to be lazy and dependent so much on it. It thought us how to prevent from socializing personally and act as normal individuals that generations before us had. Have you ever thought life without it nowadays? I think not.

Good or Evil? (Master Lecture)

I've been asked this question a couple of times and I had answered it on different views as well. After reading Sun Tzu's Art of War I am already convinced that human beings are naturally evil. I may sound a bit morbid, but come to think of it people from the past kill each other for survival. There are a lot of fearful and horrifying things human beings can do.

Example of this would be a soldier who has been in the war for 10 years deprived of the things he used to have. After the war the soldier tend to change his/her attitude and becomes grumpy, always mad (evil like attitude). Others say this is becuase of the psychological change or rather the traumatice experience war gave but this just brought out the real personality of the person's human being.

I guess the reason why there are people who tend to be good is that they have found the sense of having a sanctuary (a resting place). But once that sanctuary as they call it is taken away, they'll change into something bad. This does not mean that they are naturally good. It just so happens that there is something holding them to be good, but if they lose all the reasons to maintain the goodness in them then the true natural attitude of the human beings will be brought out. Also, if human beings are naturally good why do we ever think of killing? or violence? and other "evil doings"? If good is the natural attitude of humans then we should have thought of other actions to settle things. But no, ever since our history can detect war and violence had been there, the option of those who lost options and the hope of those who are about to lose.

Why are some people better than the others? (Master Lecture)

Competition is very essential to us humans. During the lecture it can be seen that poverty is not only felt here in our country but in every continent of the world. Some say that some people are better than the others because they were born with it. Some claimed that they just work hard and others do not.

For me, both statements can be a factor, however, even if one person would like to compete equally with other people there are some who abused their rights and more often than not abuse other people as well just to have a greater life.

There are already a lot of poor people who have attained the life they wanted to achieved by not stepping unto other people, and some are left alone still hopeless to get up on their feet and just simply accept what is said to be their "faith". These people should not think this way. They should know how to dream enough and maintain enough for themselves.

For me there is no rich or poor, there are just those who wants to be rich and who wants to remain or become poor. Probably, you'll ask who would want to be poor? Then ask those who wanted to get things in life as if everything is free. We will not get anywhere if we just sit around and wait for whatever comes to our hands, we should get up work hard even harder to give meaning to our life and finally live the life that is enough and supply our human needs.

What can we do to stop people from harming others?"

Its been our [people] nature to engage into violence, this is probably because of our animalistic culture of survival. If one person tend to be hurt, he/she would need to act according to his/her need not minding what the other may think about it. This sense of attitude we have cannot be easily taken for granted. A person's attitude and behavior acts on the situation that is being in-acted. And unfortunately most of the outcome is violence through war and conflict.It has been evident in our race since we (at least our specie) experienced couple of wars behind us, the most recent and long running war (Philippines) is the Bangsamorro struggle.

Our government tried a lot of negotiations before but still this conflict haven't been comprimised up to this date. In terms with other nations, states have tried and even joined forces to come up with humanitarian laws that gives human rights to people all around the globe. These laws are there and are not supposed to be taken for granted. Organizations such as UN were made and are have peace keeping operations lurking around. However, with all of these precautionary measures given, there are still those who go by the law and turn it all around.

Rules, treaty and laws are there to at least stop people from harming each other. There are punishments/sanctions allotted for every misbehavior of actors. However, even if this is a big step for stopping violence it still depends to us how peace can be inevitable. Organized negotiations are helpful but the essence of avoiding violence is a greater solution for this alarming problem.

Why is the world divided territorially?

Is it me or isn't everybody gives importance to own security/privacy, especially to one's own territory? This implies power/authority on your own territory. Despite the obvious fact that the world is geographically separated between lands and seas there is another factor why divisions occurs. From our world history we have learned that previous colonizers gives emphasis on colonizing as much land as they can and inculcate their own customs and traditions. Just like what happened in our country (Philippines) we have been colonized by numerous country such as Spain, US and Japan and all tried to inculcate their own into ours. Also, it opened ours eyes to different cultures and such.

The world is divided territorially because this gives sense of security and protection in own's property. Also, with cultural and ideological differences it would be hard to have a unanimous nation. In short, divisions happened because of differences. This gives the authority to each nation to practice their own practices without any restrictions from others beliefs and even if there are nations like Europe (which is compose of different sectors) they still differ from each other.

I guess the division helps us to recognize the differences and boundaries we can make to each and everyone. Also, this helps us to learn from each other and to improve our own with time. Moreover, this organizes or rather maximizes sense of responsibility and limits the upbringing of chaos. But now in the time of globalization, these territories are starting to loosen up because we are all connected easily unlike before. The turn back is that we might forget our ancestral root and eventually make a new civilization in the near future that there will be no more racial biases and such. I am not saying this is not good however, knowing one's ancestral roots and living it up implicates a very important thing

How do we begin to think about the world? (Master Lecture)

Even before we were born there are already prior implications we had about the world and these were broaden we already entered our college lives. There are a lot of theories, ideologies and such around us, therefore, which is which? But i meant is that which ideology should be believe then if everything seems to be true? In our time today we no longer know what is not and what is we are easily lured to whatever there given to us. Also, with this we are overwhelm with the fact that everything are made easy for every single thing and thus we no longer want to bother ourselves in minding things that not for us to associate ourselves with.

As we emerge in the century of globalization we are slowly declining to our sense of living. In spite the fact that the technologies we have now makes things faster and convenient for us we are trying things to be inconvenient with the world. We have already experienced a lot of calamities around the world and for me this implies a threat that the good old world we have is facing its end faster than it was calculated. We should now stop or slow down in reaching the peak because one we get there it is already the start of our fall (what comes up must come down. We should remind ourselves what to priorities and this is to assure that there is enough resources left for everyone. This means we must learn to save and take good care of what we have right now (nature) or else little do we know there will no longer left even just a single one.

How do we find out what's going out in the world?

In our world today we know that we are well informed through the help of radios, televisions and internet. These are our media to know what is going out around us. But is the media really a good source of information? With all due respect to media men and all individuals behind the industry this blog does not intend to bad mouth the media but rather to give my personal output about this emerging topic. These are all from my own perception and i don't encourage others to think the same thing.

Whenever we watch the television we impart the issue along on how the media portrayed it to us. For example the crazy infomercials luring around our televisions at home and even to our radios. We are all LSS (last song syndrome) to the jingle of Mr. Manny Villar his concept tells the people that we should vote for him because he has done a lot of things to our country and that he came from rags to riches and he would like to do the same in our country. True as it may be we are lured to these "facts" his infomercials are telling us but how can we know if these are really? How can we verify its validity? The same goes to other presidentiables as well. We must remember that in all works bias can never be prohibited one way or the other. Like in the media they can make a story good or bad depends on how they may portray it.

The sad part of this is that some people are actually easily lured (same goes to those who practice unity among their religion) that some no longer tend initiate on looking for the real deal. Also, sometimes media is not good in accordance with national security. I believe that some things are supposed to be left unknown until a certain time to protect the many and also to give immediate solution to the problem rather than having another problem with it.

In the case of UK, they used the media as their fourth state. Supposed it must be a watchdog a mediator (check and balance) but it became the goverment's mouthpiece after wards. In the case of our country, the media is more often than not against or does favor the government and other political officials (there is always bias). A perfect example is what happened in the presidential forum last friday. During the debate the candidates were questioned whether Pres. Arroyo made a mistake will they try to pull her down and let her pat for her mistakes and what are this mistakes are. From all candidates (mostly from the opposition) only Mr. Gibo Teodoro is part of the Administration and during the debate he didn't answer the question, however explained that in his position he cannot make a stand directly since he is with the same party as with the Pres., I guess this is also because of the respect he has with the position (Presidency). Come to think of it you can label Gibo Teodoro as a weak candidate because he is not brave enough to go against the "enemy of all" (PGMA) but for me it is simply a gentle man's act but it doesn't mean that he will not go after those who have wronged the country (he said the same thing to his speech). After Gibo's speech Mr. Ted Fallon asked the audience "Malinaw ba?" and the crowd mostly answered "hindi" For me this implied that the people wants to know the "truth" (a principle the media has implanted to everyone) without understanding deeper the questions and the answers.

Finding out things around us - world should not just lie to the lenses of the camera man's camera, the scripts written by the writers nor the words that are coming out from the newscaster/radio. announcers. People should learn how to exercise their own freewill and know better about the things around them. They should not be influenced easily but rather be guided though these news they hear everyday. Here I rest my case and just like what I said these are just all from my own opinion and I would appreciate if these ideas are to be respected.

Photograph from http://www.simply-speaking.co.uk/images/media_training_image.jpg

What will happen if we don't think in human terms?

As of today, we live in benefit of globalization. People can easily access their homework and researches through internet, with just a click on the keyboard they can now be informed about the things others still intend to look out for by them selves. This is just one of the effects of Globalization our generation is actually enjoying and might probably eat up our economy and even our lives - world if we don't watch out.

Around the 19th century, the concept of globalization has begun. Its main purpose is to integrate countries and people around the world trough enormous reduction of costs of trade and such. It is true that globalization has done a lot things for the world especially in the economic sector. But as globalization emerge in our time we can see changes around us, and these changes are not just innovations of new technologies but ruins caused by natural calamities that are directly caused by natural calamities and indirectly caused by globalization.

Globalization is really a good thing if it is handled by the right hands and if rules are implemented to its purpose. As I quote Stiglitzs claim, he said that " Globalization did not serves its purpose instead it had increase a number of poverty in people all over the world." This is actually true if we look at the business sectors, not all of the countries are benefiting from we call globalization. This is why there must be greater study and understanding that must be taken by all humane involve to prevent things from defeating its self.

Have you ever wondered, what process our technology now a days undergo before we enjoy them inside our home? We must realize that in every technology we use (which we use 24 hours a day) we contribute to the fast ruins of our mother earth. If people don't think in human terms and everyone would just want to continue to work out to be the hegemon of the world probably all of our natural resources will run out in a nick of time. Globalization is really promising and has a lot of advantages but if we are not careful it can be cause greater problems than solutions. People must set aside the urge for power and learn to generate what we already have. I guess we must now learn to slow down a bit and save up what is still there left for us, because who knows? if eveything would continue how they are now we might probably face our own 2012 in the near future.

pictures form www.tcnj.edu/~darakjy2/globalization.jpg

Why does politics turn to violence?

As we all know the national elections in the Philippines is fast approaching and from what can we see form the previous crime of all times (Massive massacre done by Ampatuan) has gravely emphasizes a very INHUMANE action. Let us not forget the trend of political killings, vote buying to the public, theft (corruption) and such. And so why does politics turn to violence?

This simply tells us that not thinking in human terms shaken the purpose of humantry. People on their own ways are acting out of the system that has been made to give peace and order to the human race. In our generation nowadays, we merely think of material thing that almost hinders us from the moral values we have. Also, aside from the basic necessities of clothes, food and such we give highly appreciation to POWER, whether in politics or in other sectors. Power is given the primary role of life. People think nowadays that whoever has the power will definitely live life to its fullest. Incapability of one to stay in a position or to garner a position will occur in the absence of others, and most of time the death of the other is the answer to this. That is why there are a lot of political dynasties and private armies lurking around because those who has them want to gain everything they have as long as they can.

Another reason would be GREED, even thought some have already attain what they wanted, they always want more and more. They won't stop until they have all for their selves alone. Thirdly, would be ENVY, they want it because they don't have it -- yet.

You may ask, is there a sense? I say yes, this is because if a person attains position in an higher office, he/she can have the authority (in approving projects that involves money) that they'll corrupt sooner or later. However, is it logical? I say no, this is because once these politicians who does violence, they'll be putting their family as well as their own safety into risk as long as they live. There will be no peace of mind left for them to have.

People now a days, tend to be materialistic. They kept on attaining things that are tangible and they no longer take care of more important intangible things. Power, greed and envy -- these are the reason why politics turn to violence. However, come to think of it it

With this, we must keep in mind how important our actions are and that we are not the only beings in the world, and no matter how we hide from IT, IT will still be able to find us back.
is not limited to politics alone but in all aspects of life.

Politics has been like this and will always be unless everyone have learned to give importance to life and not to the things that can soon run out and vanish through time.

Pictures from http://nottsantimilitarism.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/hk-philippines-ampatuan-massacre.jpg