Global Mobility

In preparation for the beginning of my MA, I've been reading two recommended texts: Zygmunt Bauman's Society Under Seige and Pierre Bourdieu's Firing Back. I haven't gotten too far in Bourdieu's book, but I'm about half way through Bauman's. Though the writing is not the easiest, I find myself getting pulled in since he uses real examples of how sociology and the world order work. Specifically he argues that our world has shifted: the space ("society") that used to be ruled by the nation-state is becoming increasingly disjointed. As global economics (supranational corporations and the "market") are ruling the world, the power of the nation-state is decreasing. This means that our society is becoming lost. Since I've not finished, I don't know yet what his solution is; he has only presented the problem.

One of the things that struck me about the most recent reading is the increasing importance of mobility. Though technology means that people can communicate and do business instantaneously, globalization also means that in order to be competitive, one must be willing to move and change. Bauman argues that since corporations inherently now move quickly to the location that most benefits them, people also need to be wiling to live this way. This means that when an opportunity arises, one needs to pick up and go. His main point is that this has divided the world: "capacity to move has become the major, perhaps the paramount stratifying factor of the emergent global hierarchy" (page 83). In other words, for the vast majority of the world population, moving or traveling at a moments notice is not possible - this increases the divide between the "haves" and the "have nots". He goes on the point out that 98 percent of the world never live outside of the country of their birth. This is not particularly surprising as moving out of one's country of birth is still a huge deal (in the future, this will become less of an anomaly). Even more striking is that 50 percent of people in Britain still live within 5 miles of where they were born. (statistics are from 2001). In some ways I find this hard to believe, but then you think about the general population. Sure, most of the people I know have moved at least 5 miles from where they were born, but I tend to know people that are highly educated and motivated, those that are in the upper part of the "global hierarchy". These people have the economic means and knowledge to go where the opportunities lie.

In short, get ready to move.

From what I've read, the consensus is that while my generation's parents may have began their lives expecting one, maybe two careers, my generation will not have that "privilege". I use quotes because each person has different views of if this is a good or bad thing. I personally view it as a positive thing - one must adapt and learn new things constantly to stay competitive (Bauman mentions this too). But, that also means that one is constantly having new experiences and new challenges. Hopefully gone are the days of sitting in a cubicle, pushing papers year after year. Long ago, I promised myself I would not do that job; I would find a job that involves being out in the world and hopefully making a difference. Maybe that sounds overly optimistic, but if one doesn't hope, the chances of what you want happening are dismal. There may be a lot wrong with the world, but that also means there is a lot to change. Dare I hope that I'll get some ideas on how? And in the process, if that means I have to move, so be it.

Another one of those things that's going around

While I'm waiting for a frustrating online system to cooperate, I'll follow Natalie and Richard by filling this out.

Where is your cell phone........................desk
Your hair.......................................curly
Your significant other..........................amazing
Your mother.....................................cook
Your father.....................................chauffeur
Your favorite thing.............................knitting
Your dream last night...........................forgotten
Your favorite drink.............................hot chocolate
Your dream/goal.................................life
The room you are in.............................attic
Your fear.......................................fire
Where do you want to be in 6 years..............warmer
Muffins.........................................okay
One of your wish list items.....................Mac
Where you grew up...............................Uptown
The last thing you did..........................swore (at online system)
What are you wearing............................clothes
Your TV.........................................laptop
Your pets.......................................imaginary
Your computer...................................semi-broken
Missing someone.................................always
Your life.......................................existing
Your mood.......................................peeved
Your car........................................non-existent
Favorite store..................................LYS
Your summer.....................................outside
Your favorite color.............................purple
When is the last time you laughed...............today?
Last time you cried.............................frustration
Where were you last night.......................Emily's
Something that you are not......................rich

Sweater Update

Yay! I'm way further on my sweater - I've got the back and the two fronts done and am working on the sleeves! The only other part after that are the button bands (to put the buttons on the sweater...) and putting it together.

Yesterday I pinned the three pieces together and took some pictures with my new camera and it's turning out really well. So, lo and behold, a couple pictures!





You can't really tell that it's all folded up, but it is...

I'm working on one other thing, but it's not ready for public exhibition yet!

This picture says it all

From Huffington Post

So much has been said today about the history of today, I just want to point out how great it is that the first family really loves and respects each other! They provide a great example to the rest of the country and the world.

Plus they're so cute!

For more generally cute pictures of the new First Family see here and here

Tagged

From Margaret

What were you doing five years ago?
(December 2003)
1. Finishing fall semester of senior year
2. Applying to college and waiting for answers
3. Playing a lot of violin
4. Helping plan our yearly New Year's party
5. Having fun with friends

What are five things on your list for today?
1. Start packing
2. Help with dinner
3. Go to Sophie's dance performance
4. Put the garbage can at the street
5. Clean my room

What are five snacks you enjoy?
1. Chocolate
2. Chocolate covered raisins
3. Quesadilla
4. Goat cheese and crackers
5. Yogurt

What are five things you'd do if you were a billionaire?
1. Hire a financial adviser (like Margaret!)
2. Pay off my college loans and set aside money for grad school and my sister's college
3. Travel, mostly to England
4. Support Child Protection International, Centro Legal, and other awesome nonprofits
5. Buy a couple condos in cool places

What are five jobs you've had?
1. Babysitter
2. Lifeguard
3. Museum Guard
4. Executive Assistant
5. Grant Writer

Who are five people you want to tag?
1. Elsabeth
2. Richard
3. Um... Natalie and Margaret already got tagged
4. and I don't think
5. anyone else reads this blog