Thursday, May 1, 2008
Why I'm Leaving SMU
I haven't told many people, but I have applied to transfer to UT Austin for sophomore year. When I chose SMU, it was the perfect fit for me. I chose SMU because I wanted to make it big in Dallas. I wanted to go to college to make connections, meet important people and get a head start on the corporate ladder.
For this, SMU is a very good school. But I soon realized how shallow my dreams were. Six months ago, I wanted to be a multi-billionaire, and I was completely convinced that I would be. I knew that SMU was the perfect school to start the rest of my life.
I can't say what exactly it was that changed in me, but I feel like I had a revelation of sorts. I no longer wanted to be a billionaire. I wanted college to be about making real friends, not just business connections, and I wanted more than SMU offered.
While that is the main reason I decided to transfer, a couple other things surfaced as well. For almost $40,000, I honestly don't believe that SMU lives up to the academic standard I was hoping for. Also, I have never been a party animal, so the greek life was pretty unappealing. Finally, I spent 14 years of my life in Austin, and I miss the laid back and friendly city. As much as people try to deny it, SMU is not a model for diversity. While there may be a few ethnically diverse people, most everyone comes from a similar background.
I will admit, I have made some very good friends here. But they too talk about transferring, and for the same reasons as me. Most everyone I talk to that considers transferring has mentioned many of the same reasons as me.
I haven't been accepted yet, I'll find out at the end of May.
Wish me luck.
For this, SMU is a very good school. But I soon realized how shallow my dreams were. Six months ago, I wanted to be a multi-billionaire, and I was completely convinced that I would be. I knew that SMU was the perfect school to start the rest of my life.
I can't say what exactly it was that changed in me, but I feel like I had a revelation of sorts. I no longer wanted to be a billionaire. I wanted college to be about making real friends, not just business connections, and I wanted more than SMU offered.
While that is the main reason I decided to transfer, a couple other things surfaced as well. For almost $40,000, I honestly don't believe that SMU lives up to the academic standard I was hoping for. Also, I have never been a party animal, so the greek life was pretty unappealing. Finally, I spent 14 years of my life in Austin, and I miss the laid back and friendly city. As much as people try to deny it, SMU is not a model for diversity. While there may be a few ethnically diverse people, most everyone comes from a similar background.
I will admit, I have made some very good friends here. But they too talk about transferring, and for the same reasons as me. Most everyone I talk to that considers transferring has mentioned many of the same reasons as me.
I haven't been accepted yet, I'll find out at the end of May.
Wish me luck.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Overpopulation of Prisons, War on Drugs, Potential Solution
I'm going to hit you with some facts (all of which are from this source: American Civil Liberties Union)
The prison population in America exceeds 2 MILLION, this is the highest in the world.
The U.S. now has one of the highest per capita incarceration rates in the world, rivaling that of Russia. Our incarceration rate is more than four times that of Canada, five times that of Britain, and 14 times that of Japan.
Two-thirds of these prisoners are serving time for non-violent crimes.
1 in 4 black men, ages 20 to 29, are in prison. A shocking 1 in 3 are on parole/probation/prison.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), 13% of all monthly drug users in America are black. (That's about the same as the percentage of the population that's black.) But 35% of those arrested for drug possession are black; 58% of those convicted of drug possession are black; and 74% of those imprisoned for drug possession are black.
There is a hundred-fold disparity between sentences for conviction of possession of equivalent amounts of crack cocaine (a drug used primarily by blacks and Latinos) and powder cocaine (a drug used primarily by whites), despite the fact that there is no pharmacological difference in the effects of the drugs on the body. Crack prosecution is 96% black or Latino. The prosecution of high-level dealers amounts to less than 5% of this.
THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT
Federal, State, and local governments spent $24 billion last year on the incarceration of non-violent criminals (many of them drug offenders) alone. This is 50% more that the entire federal welfare budget, and almost six times the amount the federal government spends annually on child care.
Administrations of Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, shows that on a nationwide average, imprisoning an addict costs $25,900 per year, while treatment costs only $4400-6800 per year.
Now you know what you're dealing with. A country that cares more about throwing a "scary, dangerous, high black man" in jail than arresting someone involved in a violent crime.
Enough with the lies, taxpayers money is being wasted on people that need help, not people that deserve to be thrown in prison. It's easy to see that the majority of the overpopulation problem is due to the war on drugs. It is also easy to see that this "war on drugs" is also more of a race war than anything else. So much for every man being created equal.
Disclaimer: I am not some pro-pot stoner, I will be using facts, and my solution is a widely held opinion.
One potential solution: Decriminalize the use of marijuana.
A brief story about why marijuana is illegal in the first place. Some big businesses including duPont Chemicals were suffering losses because of hemp (not marijuana). Some government officials were investors in duPont. These government officials lied about hemp, made up scare campaigns and made marijuana, and hemp, illegal. You can look all that up if you want a more detailed explanation.
Some myths, and facts to prove them wrong:
Marijuana causes brain damage.
Wrong: in many studies done both on humans and monkeys, no amount of marijuana has ever been linked to brain damage.
Marijuana is a gateway drug.
Wrong again. While many people that try "hard" drugs (cocaine, heroin etc.) may have started by smoking marijuana, this does not mean that smoking marijuana led to the harder drugs. In fact, many people that smoke marijuana are turned off by harder drugs.
Marijuana is more dangerous than tobacco.
Wrong. Marijuana has about the same amount of carcinogens as tobacco. A cigarette smoker may smoke a pack a day, if not more. A person smoking marijuana will not be inhaling nearly as much smoke as a cigarette smoker.
Decriminalizing marijuana would lead to a drastic increase in users.
False. There is no evidence to prove that decriminalizing would lead to an increase in users. In fact, states that have decriminalized have seen almost no change in the amount of people that admit to smoking.
(sources: NORML Marijuana Myths)
Unfortunately, people believe the lies that the government continues to spew across the media. It is just like the prohibition of alcohol though. There is and will continue to be a black market for drugs, just like there was for alcohol. The biggest problem facing the government taking steps towards decriminalization is the fact that taxing marijuana would be very difficult. Unlike alcohol or cigarettes, it's not very hard to grow your own weed, so taxation is more difficult to control. If the government is not making money on it, why would they have any interest in decriminalizing it?
Let me say it again, I'm not some stoner who thinks that everybody should smoke weed and "see the light". I do think however, that decriminalizing marijuana would save tax payers billions of dollars every year and harmless people would stop going to jail.
Please comment back and give me your opinion. It doesn't really matter if you smoke or not, just tell me if I've made sense. And give me some feedback about other ways to stop the overpopulation.
The prison population in America exceeds 2 MILLION, this is the highest in the world.
The U.S. now has one of the highest per capita incarceration rates in the world, rivaling that of Russia. Our incarceration rate is more than four times that of Canada, five times that of Britain, and 14 times that of Japan.
Two-thirds of these prisoners are serving time for non-violent crimes.
1 in 4 black men, ages 20 to 29, are in prison. A shocking 1 in 3 are on parole/probation/prison.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), 13% of all monthly drug users in America are black. (That's about the same as the percentage of the population that's black.) But 35% of those arrested for drug possession are black; 58% of those convicted of drug possession are black; and 74% of those imprisoned for drug possession are black.
There is a hundred-fold disparity between sentences for conviction of possession of equivalent amounts of crack cocaine (a drug used primarily by blacks and Latinos) and powder cocaine (a drug used primarily by whites), despite the fact that there is no pharmacological difference in the effects of the drugs on the body. Crack prosecution is 96% black or Latino. The prosecution of high-level dealers amounts to less than 5% of this.
THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT
Federal, State, and local governments spent $24 billion last year on the incarceration of non-violent criminals (many of them drug offenders) alone. This is 50% more that the entire federal welfare budget, and almost six times the amount the federal government spends annually on child care.
Administrations of Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, shows that on a nationwide average, imprisoning an addict costs $25,900 per year, while treatment costs only $4400-6800 per year.
Now you know what you're dealing with. A country that cares more about throwing a "scary, dangerous, high black man" in jail than arresting someone involved in a violent crime.
Enough with the lies, taxpayers money is being wasted on people that need help, not people that deserve to be thrown in prison. It's easy to see that the majority of the overpopulation problem is due to the war on drugs. It is also easy to see that this "war on drugs" is also more of a race war than anything else. So much for every man being created equal.
Disclaimer: I am not some pro-pot stoner, I will be using facts, and my solution is a widely held opinion.
One potential solution: Decriminalize the use of marijuana.
A brief story about why marijuana is illegal in the first place. Some big businesses including duPont Chemicals were suffering losses because of hemp (not marijuana). Some government officials were investors in duPont. These government officials lied about hemp, made up scare campaigns and made marijuana, and hemp, illegal. You can look all that up if you want a more detailed explanation.
Some myths, and facts to prove them wrong:
Marijuana causes brain damage.
Wrong: in many studies done both on humans and monkeys, no amount of marijuana has ever been linked to brain damage.
Marijuana is a gateway drug.
Wrong again. While many people that try "hard" drugs (cocaine, heroin etc.) may have started by smoking marijuana, this does not mean that smoking marijuana led to the harder drugs. In fact, many people that smoke marijuana are turned off by harder drugs.
Marijuana is more dangerous than tobacco.
Wrong. Marijuana has about the same amount of carcinogens as tobacco. A cigarette smoker may smoke a pack a day, if not more. A person smoking marijuana will not be inhaling nearly as much smoke as a cigarette smoker.
Decriminalizing marijuana would lead to a drastic increase in users.
False. There is no evidence to prove that decriminalizing would lead to an increase in users. In fact, states that have decriminalized have seen almost no change in the amount of people that admit to smoking.
(sources: NORML Marijuana Myths)
Unfortunately, people believe the lies that the government continues to spew across the media. It is just like the prohibition of alcohol though. There is and will continue to be a black market for drugs, just like there was for alcohol. The biggest problem facing the government taking steps towards decriminalization is the fact that taxing marijuana would be very difficult. Unlike alcohol or cigarettes, it's not very hard to grow your own weed, so taxation is more difficult to control. If the government is not making money on it, why would they have any interest in decriminalizing it?
Let me say it again, I'm not some stoner who thinks that everybody should smoke weed and "see the light". I do think however, that decriminalizing marijuana would save tax payers billions of dollars every year and harmless people would stop going to jail.
Please comment back and give me your opinion. It doesn't really matter if you smoke or not, just tell me if I've made sense. And give me some feedback about other ways to stop the overpopulation.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Outline for Paper
My Claim:
I want people to find a better balance in their lives, specifically by learning how to enjoy work.
My Reasons:
People will lead happier and more fulfilling lives by using some of these ideas.
Support:
I have research from the Mayo clinic showing how to better balance life. Most importantly it talks about how to take time for yourself away from work. In other words, do not let work take over your life.
It also suggests taking advantage of all your options. If your employer offers benefits and is making an effort to help you out, use them. It will show the employer that you are trying to balance your life, you will be more productive, and you will eventually end up happier.
Another of my sources is a book called Happy Hour is 9 to 5. The author in this book emphasizes that to balance our work with the rest of life, we must strive to make work fun.
By making work fun, we recognize that work is not as bad as we sometimes make it out to be, and that we can actually enjoy work instead of dreading it.
I want people to find a better balance in their lives, specifically by learning how to enjoy work.
My Reasons:
People will lead happier and more fulfilling lives by using some of these ideas.
Support:
I have research from the Mayo clinic showing how to better balance life. Most importantly it talks about how to take time for yourself away from work. In other words, do not let work take over your life.
It also suggests taking advantage of all your options. If your employer offers benefits and is making an effort to help you out, use them. It will show the employer that you are trying to balance your life, you will be more productive, and you will eventually end up happier.
Another of my sources is a book called Happy Hour is 9 to 5. The author in this book emphasizes that to balance our work with the rest of life, we must strive to make work fun.
By making work fun, we recognize that work is not as bad as we sometimes make it out to be, and that we can actually enjoy work instead of dreading it.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Crucifixions in the Philippines
I was reading an article this morning and was pretty disturbed after I finished it. This last Friday, Good Friday for Catholics, was the day 2000 years ago that Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Catholics read about it in the Bible, many of us saw the Passion of the Christ film a few years back, but never have I heard of anything like this.
The article says that "dozens" were nailed to crosses as supposed signs of "religious devotion". I think this is the most absurd possible display of devotion I have ever heard. The Catholic church in the Philippines obviously disapproved of this, but people continued anyway. It's actually somewhat of a spectacle, refreshments are sold, and there is actually a VIP seating area to watch the event. The bishop there was quoted saying: "The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it's entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see" and that "many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meager, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Even worse than this though is that the health and safety officials from the government wanted to ensure that they used sterile nails, as well as getting tetnus shots. Oh good, well at least their hands won't be infected after being CRUCIFIED!
It is impossible to justify acts like this as martyrdom especially when it is used as a spectacle for people to come and enjoy. I thought this was a disgusting and frankly immoral and I wouldn't be the slightest bit perturbed if these people were excommunicated for their behavior. Catholics believe that we are supposed to use Jesus' life as an example for our own, but he certainly did not intend for us to voluntarily crucify ourselves as some sort of example.
Here is a link to the article: Filipino Crucifixions
The article says that "dozens" were nailed to crosses as supposed signs of "religious devotion". I think this is the most absurd possible display of devotion I have ever heard. The Catholic church in the Philippines obviously disapproved of this, but people continued anyway. It's actually somewhat of a spectacle, refreshments are sold, and there is actually a VIP seating area to watch the event. The bishop there was quoted saying: "The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it's entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see" and that "many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meager, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Even worse than this though is that the health and safety officials from the government wanted to ensure that they used sterile nails, as well as getting tetnus shots. Oh good, well at least their hands won't be infected after being CRUCIFIED!
It is impossible to justify acts like this as martyrdom especially when it is used as a spectacle for people to come and enjoy. I thought this was a disgusting and frankly immoral and I wouldn't be the slightest bit perturbed if these people were excommunicated for their behavior. Catholics believe that we are supposed to use Jesus' life as an example for our own, but he certainly did not intend for us to voluntarily crucify ourselves as some sort of example.
Here is a link to the article: Filipino Crucifixions
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Catching Up
I've been out of the loop for a while and decided to check out some blogs and give out a few comments, check them out here:
Friendship Quantity vs. Quality
Save Darfur
Textbook Knowledge
Who Killed JFK
Affirmative Action
Feel free to disagree with me, that's the best way to get a conversation going.
Friendship Quantity vs. Quality
Save Darfur
Textbook Knowledge
Who Killed JFK
Affirmative Action
Feel free to disagree with me, that's the best way to get a conversation going.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Happiness isn't easy
Good topic, always an interesting one. I found it here and there are some controversial points in it. Read it and let me know what you think. I just scratched the surface, it's a very dense issue. Check it out here.
Ballerina in Blue
Ballerina in Blue
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Money can't buy happiness? What?
Going to a school like SMU, it's easy to see materialism every corner you turn. Whether its an Aston Martin on the boulevard, a Gucci purse, or someone talking about their villa on Lake Como, there certainly isn't a shortage of wealth here. Talking about the pursuit of happiness will make many people question their long held beliefs. Why can't a fast car make me happy? I have the nicest handbag and that makes me feel happier than the other girls. My villa is bigger than anyone elses, and theirs doesn't have a helicopter pad, so I'm obviously a happier person than they are. These ideas are driving society down the drain. People get so caught up in what they have that they no longer realize what actually makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside. What ever happened to stopping to smell the roses, long walks on the beach and laying with friends looking at the stars? Seriously, it sounds cliche, but why can't we actually do things like this more often?
SMU seems to be a big popularity contest. Much more than highschool was even. And this contest isn't play fair and by the rules, it's brutal, dog-eat-dog, I can spend more money than you and look better than you because of it. WHY!? This attitude is superficial and shallow, and to be honest, won't make you happier. The quote, "Money doesn't buy happiness" is often refuted with, "Whoever said that must have been poor." But really think about it... what is it about that car, purse or villa that makes you think you are happy? Life is way too short to get caught up on such things; we have more of an opportunity now than ever to change our thinking and focus on those things that truly make us feel joy inside. I'm not here to define it, because every person is different. I'm just trying to get people to look deeper in themselves, what is it that makes you feel like you're fulfilling your possibilities?
Some may call me a cynical poor kid, others may say I hit the nail on the head... Think what you want, but take my points to heart and remember that the best time to find yourself is right now.
SMU seems to be a big popularity contest. Much more than highschool was even. And this contest isn't play fair and by the rules, it's brutal, dog-eat-dog, I can spend more money than you and look better than you because of it. WHY!? This attitude is superficial and shallow, and to be honest, won't make you happier. The quote, "Money doesn't buy happiness" is often refuted with, "Whoever said that must have been poor." But really think about it... what is it about that car, purse or villa that makes you think you are happy? Life is way too short to get caught up on such things; we have more of an opportunity now than ever to change our thinking and focus on those things that truly make us feel joy inside. I'm not here to define it, because every person is different. I'm just trying to get people to look deeper in themselves, what is it that makes you feel like you're fulfilling your possibilities?
Some may call me a cynical poor kid, others may say I hit the nail on the head... Think what you want, but take my points to heart and remember that the best time to find yourself is right now.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Intro to Web Logging
The two articles we read gave me a new perspective on blogging. I never was interested in it, nor did I ever plan to have my own. The articles showed me the benefits and potential learning opportunities from having one. The most important thing to keep in mind, in my opinion, is that no matter what, there is always someone out there smarter than any of us. The opinions, ideas and reflections of others often times inspire the most deep thought by us. The potential learning opportunities are exciting to me and hopefully this experience will be as fulfilling as I expect it to be.
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