Globalization: A Whole New World

Before reading chapter one in Global Issues, Local Arguments, I can honestly say I wasn’t very knowledgeable on the matter of globalization. I wasn’t sure but the word globalization in my eyes was very much technology based; a world where technology was advancing by the minute. As a matter of fact, I went online and actually read a couple definitions of globalization before I began reading the chapter. The first of the definitions I came across was in the Webster’s dictionary that defined globalization as “the act or process of globalizing: the state of being globalized”. With that definition alone, my confusion of the matter deepened. So I began to read the first chapter with an expectation to put in plain English to me what exactly globalization is. I must add that Heinrichs did a good job of just that; stating his ideas in the most plain and effective way possible. As I began reading in the textbook, I realized globalization is very much, as I thought before, based on advancement. Not just advancement in technology but even as far as markets, economy, communication, and etc. The deeper I read, the more I realized. As positive as “advancement” sounds, there are always the good and bad to any idea. I even realized that my family was directly impacted negatively by globalization. About a year ago, my single mother of two children was laid off. She was working for one of the largest accounting firms in the world who did business for big names such as Coca Cola and Disney World. As secure as her job seemed, my mother’s “secure” job along with her whole department was relocated to a remote city in India where labor was much less expensive. As positive as the advancement was for the firm and the Indian economy, it was a negative outcome for my mother. From this point I’m excited to further explore the matter…

Thoughts on Thank You so Far

I absolutely loved the first Chapter of Thank You for Arguing. I love the authors style of writing, use of everyday language, and the fact that this books seems like something I could pick off a shelf at Barnes and Noble (aside from the definitions) and not like a textbook at all. I love the fact that in his experiment he failed at almost every attempt he made not to argue. It made him easier to relate to and more human than the average textbook author.
I also enjoyed the fact that he relates methods of arguing to things we can recognize and relate to.
At first I dreaded reading the chapter as I do when I'm about to begin any reading assignment out of a textbook but Heinrichs soon convinced my otherwise.
So far, I've enjoyed what I read and I look foward to reading more as class continues.

Thank you for arguing

I really liked the book Thank You for Arguing. I loved how I could really relate to the context of his writing. I loved the part about the food network using the same techniques as the porn industry! I also learned what a chiasmus was and how much influence it has in an argument. Lastly, I found the "but wait, there's more" pitch very interesting. The most common situation I find that being used in is an infomercial and those seem to work really well.

Globalization: The Positive Side

After reading chapter one in Global Issues, Local Arguments, I began to see globalization as a give-and-take situation. I also found it interesting and true how groups and corporations use pictures to convey specific messages. Overall, I believe the purpose of globalization is positive. There are, although, benefits and losses involved with globalization. For example, while one individual loses their job in a developed country, another individual overseas in an undeveloped country now has a job. The increase in jobs in the undeveloped country will decrease unemployment, benefiting that country. Unfortunately, the global economic system is flawed. The intention of businesses involves control and profits. This intention is even depicted on page seven. I think the arguments over globalization come down to the reality that globalization is abused by controlling businesses and people. I believe, although, steps have been made in the right direction in keeping the government out of trade and allowing markets to compete with each other.

Globalization: A bad thing?

The first chapter of Global Issues, Local Arguments made me think about globalization in a different way. I have never before thought of globalization having any negative characteristics. My views of globalization have always been much like those of the supporters mentioned in the first chapter. The "sharing of knowledge ad technologies" and the "improvement in the standard of living" this knowlege has created, has always seemed to greatly outway any negative impacts globalization could have. After reading this chapter, I have contrastly learned that there are a number of negative aspects. One critic of globalization, David Korten, believes that the increase of economic growth and consumption are not beneficial to the entirety of the world. He instead believes that reducing consumption, perserving the environment and working for social justice are the key elements that will help end world hunger and poverty. Another critic, Gustavo Esteva, also has interesting views on globalization. He believes that "global forces have threatened local spaces". I agree with this to some degree. If we are tampering with people and areas of the world we do not understand, then how are we benefiting them? On the other hand, being open minded there is no way that I can completely agree that people should only think and act locally. Looking at both extremes on the issue, I can honestly say that I am a moderate critic. I believe that globalization has many benefits, but I also believe that there is a severe "unequal distribution of benefits" being seen around the world. I feel that in order to make a solid opinion I need to learn more about the pros and cons of globalization.

Global Issues Local Arguments; First Reading

I thought the first chapter of Thank You For Arguing was very interesting and I enjoyed reading it. Heinrichs gets right to the point and makes his arguments very clear. He uses everyday language that we would use in conversations with friends, family, or colleagues, but uses it so well that it still sounds sophisticated in his writing and explanations. I like how this book doesn't sound like a textbook, especially with its allusions to such modern popular issues and media. It seems like a quick read so far, and the way the inserts on each page that highlight important definitions or ideas is very helpful. Heinrichs' style reminds me of a book I read during high school called How to Read Literature Like A Professor by Thomas Foster. Will Heinrichs actually look at arguments of Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson as the cover claims? He has already made references to Aristotle. Does Heinrichs try more "experiments" in future chapters with references to his own life?

Globalization: friend or foe?

When I think of "globalization" I think of the world as becoming more and more high tech. Which is nice because globalization allows you to communicate with people all over the world, just like in those tv commercials with people from different places all talking to each other via the computer screen. I also imagine small villages in some far away land, maybe Africa, recieving it's first hospital and school. So in the general view of things, globalization is a good thing; updating the old with the new, raising the standard of living, and ultimatley connecting people and culture everywhere. But then I recall some of the points brought up by opponents of globalization in chapter one of Global Issues Local Arguments. Their reasons for protesting globalization are good ones, which include saving the environment, creating an equal distribution of the benefits of globalization, reducing consumption, fighting for social justice, etc. When I think of all these things that are the effects and costs of globalization I start to think that maybe the ends are not worth the means. In conclusion, I think that globalization has tremendous potential to do good for all the people of this world, unfortunately, there are a number of people who would take advantage of its power in order for self-gain. The only logical way to solve this would be to place regulations on certain aspects of globalization. I think that like many other systems, globalization has to be regulated. It seems that without regulation, globalization "enriches the few at the expense of the many, replacing democracy with rule by corporations and financial elites, destroying the real wealth of the planet and society to make money for the already wealthy..." (David Korten)