I just listened to a recent “PRI’s To the Best of Our Knowledge” podcast with guest speaker Cameron Sinclair, creator of the nonprofit organization, Architecture for Humanity. This guy is awesome! He has created this organization to use modern design to create buildings, homes, and communities for those who are in desperate need of help. For example they have been employed to design housing for victims of the recent tsunami in Southeast Asia and hurricane Katrina. His firm lives for good design. They believe with proper design they can change the world, improving the lives of all. Just imagine is we all worked to improve the world around us, using out talents to help those in need. Be sure to check out their site.
Also if anyone is dying to buy me a gift I would love their book: Design Like you Give a Damn. Send it to 7409 University Station, Provo, Utah 84601
In no way disappointing, “Freakonomics,” by Steven Levitt and Steven Dubner unravels social mysteries like tinfoil from the heart shaped chocolate Kate gave to me after church. Steven Levitt, a daring economics (if there is such a thing), demonstrates the power of economics and statistical data analysis to answer interesting social questions. For example Levitt suggests the 1990 U.S. crime drop was due to the legalization of abortion in 1973 with Roe v. Wade. Throughout the book he places, what most consider cultural truths, on trial: spanking, reading to children, socioeconomic status of drug dealers, the power of names, and how to get good test scores. His book is witty, fun to read, and actually makes economics and statistics seem, if not interesting, fun. I would recommend this book to everyone with an open mind and anyone in need of a paradigm shift.
Jimmy Carter, what a man. In his newest book, “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid,” Carter suggest the only sure way to peace is not a separate Palestinian state, but the creation of a nation that includes all races and religions. As Israel’s philosophy is to take as much away from anyone non Jewish as possible, any time there is a laps in US pressure or attention, it’s unlikely a Palestinian state would mean much as most of their cities would be surrounded by walls, their holy sites confiscated, mass poverty, and an inability for economic growth. A Palestinian state would cause continued poverty, political frustration and, I know we hear it too much, a breeding ground for anti-Israel individuals. The only hope is to create a state which includes all religions, races and people who have equal political say. Opening boarders, falling walls, extending votes and sharing resources and jobs is the only way for Israel to secure peace.
The U.S. might do some of the same as well. If we reduce our consumption then share our excesses, technologies and politics with others we will do more to bring peace and security to our nation than all the weapons, strategic planning and torture chambers in the world.
The book is really interesting. A recommendation for anyone interested in global politics, the Middle East or US foreign policy. Carter’s book does an excellent job explaining the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and has interesting suggestions for peace.
While resonating with truth and insight into current American politics, John Perkins’ novel, “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,” reads as if straight from the tabloid rack. While internet research found little to disprove the contents of his book, many suggested his accusations and descriptions were exaggerated. In essence John Perkins claims to have been an economist working for a large consulting firm, Chas. T. Main, under contract from the government to try and seduce countries into taking loans from the World Bank or USAID to purchase expensive infrastructural improvements (damns, telecommunications systems, oil refineries). Perkins’ job was to exaggerate the projects statistics, falsely demonstrating that investment into the proposed project would reap outstanding benefits for the country. When the country could no longer repay their loans because projects failed to reach their advertised potential, the country then became a lackey to the American government. Thus being forced to allow the US to pillage their resources (mostly oil), use their vote, allow military bases to be built, and open their markets for US goods.
Throughout his book he references personal involvement in the schemes, sites cooperate manipulation, and indites high powered government officials. His examples are pointed, breath taking, and heart breaking. If even 70% true, his novel contains gobs of insider information into the corruption and marriage of government and cooperation. Perkins’ book, in addition to the insight into American international involvement, also brings new light on current political situations. In almost every chapter he references current day events, corporations, and political leaders. While at times I had difficulty telling fact from fiction, the book is worth a read…even if you just listen to the book on tape. Even if you’re not convinced, at least it will raise an eyebrow.
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