Friday, January 21, 2011
HW 32 - Thoughts following illness & dying unit
This unit made me think a lot about a simple thing yet complicating subject, illness and dying. Doing this unit made me think a lot about pass deaths, and illnesses of people i know, which gave me a lot of thought about things in my life. One of my thoughts was not taking life for granted, because illness and death is very complex. For example when someone is ill and goes to the hospital, they still can die. Something that most people don't think about, because almost like the food unit when we we're reminded and taught that our food doesn't come from a farm that's like those in story books. This unit also made me think back about the food unit, like the commitments i made during that unit of taking care of myself by always eating right and being active. The reason i was reminded about the food unit was because just like we learned in the food unit about how corporations try to save as much money as possible, and make as much money as possible, everyone's well being is not in their best interest. So if we want to better our lives we have to make our own decisions, so in order to lower my chances of getting sick i take care of my body, by eating well and doing well for myself. This unit made me build off many of my peers thoughts about illness, and death like Matthew S. who spoke about alienation, and how it's something we somewhat naturally do because we think we know what's best for that person, when in reality we're just alienating them because they're almost non existent, and what i built off from that is that the many "regrets" and "feelings", which a lot of my class mates spoke about. Are due because of alienation. The only thing that i thought was the most nightmarish and dominant practices, was not how surgery's are done and all the complex things doctors do to help save one's life, was health care. Talking about health care made me really think about the culture we live in, where some believe that health care is a "privilege" and i think the amount of selfishness in that is really nightmarish. The American culture is built off of selfishness, "sick days", "medical bills", why do we limit peoples lives and make it harder just for someone to live, these things aren't privileges or rights or any of that it should be just plain sense of community as human beings, of having the goal to survive. And what i found most nightmarish is how other countries such as Canada, U.K. and France, don't limit peoples well being, but the united states, the "superior super power" and greatest nation in the world can blatantly in front of us limit our "rights" and do a good job fooling Americans into believing that this country is the best, even though we go through hardships. Other than that this unit has been by far one of the most interesting ones, and I like the pattern that we're following from food to illness, because they go deeper than one's health.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
HW 31 - Comments 3
Sam,
Agreeing to what Amhara said i really enjoyed you're style of writing, I apologize about the way i write my blog i have a bad habit of rushing what I'm trying to explain. Reading your blog made me want to better what I'm writing since people are going to read my work, so i thank you. Now to your blog, you did a really good job at comparing and contrasting the senior center grandfather's house. It created a new view of what a senior citizens home really looked like, because I've never been to one I've always had this view that it was this homey hospital looking place. It might be for some but maybe for not the Hallmark one. Most of all you had a really good ending for your blog, instead of having just a catchy ending, you asked questions, and answered them which flowed and carried on to become this catchy ending. So Good job.
-Rigel
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Amhara,
You're blog was really insightful, I really enjoyed the opening statement where you talk about what younger and older person would think about when knowing that their mortality is very slim. And I agree with what you said, a younger person would feel like they haven't done enough with their lives and need to experience life to it's fullest, and someone who's much older would regret about things that they wish they did or did. Which i found interesting because they're both regretting that they haven't done enough, which gave me a question. When does one live life to the fullest? I personally think that the answer to that question would be hard to answer, considering that everyone has their own way of living their life, but I'd like to hear your answer, because i can see that you have a lot on your mind which again I'd to like to hear, so nicely done.
Rigel.
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Matthew,
I think out of everyone in the class you spoke about the best topic, I believe alienation is a major part of our culture when dealing with the sick. It's one of those things in life that are right in our face, and we know it's their but we do such a good job ignoring the fact that we are alienating people on a daily basis that, it becomes second nature. Now here's I think why you're blog and topic is really important, everyone's blog all focused on the effects of knowing that someone we care about is so ill and can die is heart wrenching and when they die we get sad and try to remember them. At the same time when these people were and are alive, we try to avoid seeing them because we believe they want their space to enjoy their last moments, and when they die we hold a lot of regrets, and i believe most of that regret isn't because we wish that it was someone else, but mainly because we know that we didn't spend "enough time" with them, which is another way of saying we alienated them. Perfect job, perfect topic, perfect job.
-Rigel
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For my blog:
Amhara R:
The fact that most societies ways of handling death connect to one common worldly theme is mind blowing to think about. Especially because the common theme is so insightful: We all want to believe that we will still be apart of the world after we die. It's a beautiful thought. It is also interesting to see the many different ways humans have accomplished to fulfill this want. Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Religiously. I like the thought that all societies can have commonalities while staying true to their individuality.This makes me wonder about the other universal themes that have been expressed and repeated throughout history. I'm curious about them because they must have been so prominent for a they are agreed upon ideas.
Sam J:
Rigel,
You have really good ideas here that show a great deal of depth and understanding, but your grammar mistakes and poor wording in some parts were killing me. They took away so much credibility from your piece because the little mistakes you are making do distract the reader from the message you were trying to get at. I understand what you are trying to say in terms of the various ways of dealing with death and how your culture deals with that. I think that if you focused on one aspect of a "cultural" death, and wrote about that, then you would have a more logical train of thought that would be easier to follow.
Good start though,
Sam
Agreeing to what Amhara said i really enjoyed you're style of writing, I apologize about the way i write my blog i have a bad habit of rushing what I'm trying to explain. Reading your blog made me want to better what I'm writing since people are going to read my work, so i thank you. Now to your blog, you did a really good job at comparing and contrasting the senior center grandfather's house. It created a new view of what a senior citizens home really looked like, because I've never been to one I've always had this view that it was this homey hospital looking place. It might be for some but maybe for not the Hallmark one. Most of all you had a really good ending for your blog, instead of having just a catchy ending, you asked questions, and answered them which flowed and carried on to become this catchy ending. So Good job.
-Rigel
------------------------------------------------------
Amhara,
You're blog was really insightful, I really enjoyed the opening statement where you talk about what younger and older person would think about when knowing that their mortality is very slim. And I agree with what you said, a younger person would feel like they haven't done enough with their lives and need to experience life to it's fullest, and someone who's much older would regret about things that they wish they did or did. Which i found interesting because they're both regretting that they haven't done enough, which gave me a question. When does one live life to the fullest? I personally think that the answer to that question would be hard to answer, considering that everyone has their own way of living their life, but I'd like to hear your answer, because i can see that you have a lot on your mind which again I'd to like to hear, so nicely done.
Rigel.
------------------------------------------------------
Matthew,
I think out of everyone in the class you spoke about the best topic, I believe alienation is a major part of our culture when dealing with the sick. It's one of those things in life that are right in our face, and we know it's their but we do such a good job ignoring the fact that we are alienating people on a daily basis that, it becomes second nature. Now here's I think why you're blog and topic is really important, everyone's blog all focused on the effects of knowing that someone we care about is so ill and can die is heart wrenching and when they die we get sad and try to remember them. At the same time when these people were and are alive, we try to avoid seeing them because we believe they want their space to enjoy their last moments, and when they die we hold a lot of regrets, and i believe most of that regret isn't because we wish that it was someone else, but mainly because we know that we didn't spend "enough time" with them, which is another way of saying we alienated them. Perfect job, perfect topic, perfect job.
-Rigel
-------------------------------------------------------
For my blog:
Amhara R:
The fact that most societies ways of handling death connect to one common worldly theme is mind blowing to think about. Especially because the common theme is so insightful: We all want to believe that we will still be apart of the world after we die. It's a beautiful thought. It is also interesting to see the many different ways humans have accomplished to fulfill this want. Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Religiously. I like the thought that all societies can have commonalities while staying true to their individuality.This makes me wonder about the other universal themes that have been expressed and repeated throughout history. I'm curious about them because they must have been so prominent for a they are agreed upon ideas.
Sam J:
Rigel,
You have really good ideas here that show a great deal of depth and understanding, but your grammar mistakes and poor wording in some parts were killing me. They took away so much credibility from your piece because the little mistakes you are making do distract the reader from the message you were trying to get at. I understand what you are trying to say in terms of the various ways of dealing with death and how your culture deals with that. I think that if you focused on one aspect of a "cultural" death, and wrote about that, then you would have a more logical train of thought that would be easier to follow.
Good start though,
Sam
Saturday, January 15, 2011
HW 30 - Illness & Dying - Culminating Experiential Project
How does culture affect peoples views on death?
Every culture in the world has their own way on dealing with illness and death weather it's using a religious figure such as a monk or a priest or going to the doctor and hospitals we all have our own ways on dealing with illness.
In the united states we ignore illness and death because we have the perception that the united states in the world and every American is powerful compared to people in other countries, but statistically speaking the average American does live longer than someone in a "third world country". In this unit we learned a lot about health care and how it works, and have spoken and read many passages about stories dealing with illness, and in every single source just like the food unit everything we see on tv or in the movies about how a person deals with illness and death is not like we imagined, when someone is sick and goes to the hospital does not mean that they're going to come out that hospital feeling better or even alive.
In other countries and cultures health care and the say someone is taken cared of is different and sometimes better than the way we take care of our ill, for instance in Canada, the U.K. and France their health policies are much different than ours the doctors make almost the same amount of money an american doctor would make but every single citizen in those countless is not denied care, which doesn't mean that people don't get sick and die, but means that atleast they'd be taken cared of regardless. Some cultures believe in natural healing weather it's through prayer or using natural resources such ad herbs and etc.
When one dies in the united states they can have the choice to how they want their body to be preserved whether it was bring cremated, hurried, frozen, or turned into diamond, they get the choice to how they die. In some other cultures some would lay the dead wrapped up in a cave that's been use for hundreds of years as a burial ground, and others they'd put a body on a raft to drift down a river steam or whatever. The idea of preserving the dead or disposing them in nature, has been going on for years for example 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt leaders would he mummified and their organs would be stored, and to this day their bodies are well preserved.
No matter where people are from are thief cultural beliefs people when they die want to be remembered and be laid to rest when they die to stay in contact in the world by being physically attached to it, even though their bodies won't move again or be able to do anything.
Every culture in the world has their own way on dealing with illness and death weather it's using a religious figure such as a monk or a priest or going to the doctor and hospitals we all have our own ways on dealing with illness.
In the united states we ignore illness and death because we have the perception that the united states in the world and every American is powerful compared to people in other countries, but statistically speaking the average American does live longer than someone in a "third world country". In this unit we learned a lot about health care and how it works, and have spoken and read many passages about stories dealing with illness, and in every single source just like the food unit everything we see on tv or in the movies about how a person deals with illness and death is not like we imagined, when someone is sick and goes to the hospital does not mean that they're going to come out that hospital feeling better or even alive.
In other countries and cultures health care and the say someone is taken cared of is different and sometimes better than the way we take care of our ill, for instance in Canada, the U.K. and France their health policies are much different than ours the doctors make almost the same amount of money an american doctor would make but every single citizen in those countless is not denied care, which doesn't mean that people don't get sick and die, but means that atleast they'd be taken cared of regardless. Some cultures believe in natural healing weather it's through prayer or using natural resources such ad herbs and etc.
When one dies in the united states they can have the choice to how they want their body to be preserved whether it was bring cremated, hurried, frozen, or turned into diamond, they get the choice to how they die. In some other cultures some would lay the dead wrapped up in a cave that's been use for hundreds of years as a burial ground, and others they'd put a body on a raft to drift down a river steam or whatever. The idea of preserving the dead or disposing them in nature, has been going on for years for example 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt leaders would he mummified and their organs would be stored, and to this day their bodies are well preserved.
No matter where people are from are thief cultural beliefs people when they die want to be remembered and be laid to rest when they die to stay in contact in the world by being physically attached to it, even though their bodies won't move again or be able to do anything.
Friday, January 7, 2011
HW 29
For many years the United States government has always had it's way at convincing Americans that it's the top country in the world and everything we have is the best in the world, best government, best rights, and best services. One of the main services and major topics that come up almost everyday when you read or watch the news is our health care. Health care in this country is probably one of the most confusing topics in this country, and the biggest joke in the planet, health care can be seen as many things in the united states a "privilege", a "right", a "scam", and many other things. In most countries in the world health care can be seen as a right, but in our culture because so many people are confused about what health care is, and how it works it's only normal that people don't know what to call it. One of the main reasons health care was formed is because people get sick, no matter who you are everyone has and can or is sick. One of the main reasons health care is confusing in our country is because of insurance. Insurance was formed hundreds of years ago when Babylon’s used to go through desserts and always lose items when dust storms came and wrecked their shipments, or were robbed by bandits, and many other dangerous obstacles occurred, and in order to not lose fully insurance was formed in order to insure any lost items and have their money returned to them. and for hundreds of more years insurance started to grow entering many fields such as the slave trade when slave traders would sink salve ships and make money off every dead slave, and all the way up to health insurance. Today almost 3/4 of Americans have health insurance, which sounds great but not all health insurance is the same, which is where things get confusing.
In Michael Moore’s movie Sicko, Moore explains how health insurance companies have different policies of what covers what or who can be covered such as pre existing conditions, and if someone had or has a pre existing condition than they might not be allegeable for health insurance. Than Moore compares the United States health insurance, to Canada, the U.K., and France where health insurance isn't a privilege it's something everyone has because they understand that people get sick and need care, and they don't care about pre existing conditions.
The thing about the united states is that not only is our government stubborn but so are it's people, one of the reasons our government doesn't want universal healthcare is because it’s seen as being socialist, and American citizens believe that as well, but you would think that Americans with crappy health insurance companies or who don’t have health insurance would be for universal health insurance. President Barack Obama, tried to bring that to Americans, and it took him a year for him to make it happen because people we're against it.
In Michael Moore’s movie Sicko, Moore explains how health insurance companies have different policies of what covers what or who can be covered such as pre existing conditions, and if someone had or has a pre existing condition than they might not be allegeable for health insurance. Than Moore compares the United States health insurance, to Canada, the U.K., and France where health insurance isn't a privilege it's something everyone has because they understand that people get sick and need care, and they don't care about pre existing conditions.
The thing about the united states is that not only is our government stubborn but so are it's people, one of the reasons our government doesn't want universal healthcare is because it’s seen as being socialist, and American citizens believe that as well, but you would think that Americans with crappy health insurance companies or who don’t have health insurance would be for universal health insurance. President Barack Obama, tried to bring that to Americans, and it took him a year for him to make it happen because people we're against it.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
HW 28 Comments 2
For Matthew S., Damn, this blog was a tough read. Reading your blog made me realize how normal and unreal death is, and how much you think you may know someone. The first thing is that your aunt and uncle are really strong even after losing 4 sons, which is a lot to begin with, and the second is that knowing you all these years Matt never did i ever think you had a lot of deaths in your family because you're so optimistic. I think you're almost like your aunt because you move on even when something hurts. All in all your blog was powerful, and made me learn something new about you, the only thing i can say for your next blog is spelling you had a few typos, see you later man.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
HW 28
"I really like the contrast between family and age, it really commented and contrasted issues about how in life we stigmatize those who are older because they seem like they're useless. But when one takes the intiative to get to know their older peers they learn that their isn't much of a difference between the both of them." - Mason
Saturday, January 1, 2011
HW 27
My great grad aunt is 94 years old, and for the past several years she's been getting slower and slower, when she walks or cooks, or anything she used to do normally but now at a slower paste, but it's obvious that she's aging. When i talk to her she always gives me the same answer "I'm living, but my body is getting weary, but what can you do?" which to me is an honest answer to saying I know I’ve been around for a long time, but i don't know how much longer i have. My great grand aunt reminds me of Morrie a bit from Tuesdays with Morrie accepting that they don't have a long time left, but instead of thinking of death, they both enjoy the moments they have/had while still living, and mentoring people who are younger than them. Over the years I’ve gotten close to my great grand aunt and every time we see each other we talk about things in life, friendships, relationships, family history and I've learned a lot. Because of my grandaunt i realized life has not changed much, when it comes to conflicts and situations. As a child I’ve always had this stigma of old people being in the same category as people with autism, because they we're almost useless in our society, but not in a bad way but as if they've always been old, even though i knew we all get old, but I judged based on what i saw at that present time. When i speak to my grandmother and she talks about her life as a teenager and other times in her life like her marriage and etc. I realized two things, she's been around for a long time, and that I’ll probably someday be that age talking to my grandchild or someone younger than me influencing and lecturing them about moments of my life, and they'll realize that life is a constant flow of moments, and that people go but life keeps going. Getting closer with my great grand aunt made me realize that when the day comes I'll be hurt and miss her because I got to know her, and talk and sit down and see them. This year there's been a few deaths, which has been a turning point in my life, because before that i never heard of any deaths and if i did it was no one i knew so i felt bad for their families but didn't know what to think. A couple of months my good friends father died, 3 days after i hung out at his house, and when i saw his father i shook his hand and said a few words to him and he was fine, and three days later he died during a business trip to brazil from kidney failure. And that struck me, because i actually spoke to the man, and felt him is what made it almost unreal, because I had literally just seen him, and to hear like that how someone can just die is what made me realize that life is fast paste, sometimes things can hit hard. And if that can happen to my friends dad than it can happen to anyone when one day, someone dies without any warning, but at the same time that experience with my friends dad somewhat go me ready for the unexpected.
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