Week 7 Blog for SOC 200 - Stratification

Do I think Social Class is important today?  Yes, it is important because the more money you have the more opportunities you will most likely have.  Money makes society thrive, yet I dont believe it makes the "world" spin, I believe human beings in general do that.  I was raised to not care how much money somebody has or to even care about somebody's social class, I just care about how nice you are and how we are able to relate to each other.  Not saying to ignore somebody's financial capabilities, but it shouldnt be a deciding factor on whether or not to associate with them, yet these days I see it a lot.  I also see people take advantage of people simply for materialistic purposes which is real sad.  Yet I think some people get carried away and only focus on money, not saying it doesnt matter cause it does, it can make life easier or harder, but a lot of people are out of touch with reality when they base all their decisions on money only.  People are complex beings and money simplifies us, materialism is a pretty simple concept.  I was raised middle class, although in some ways we have had our share of "new money" we still conduct ourselves as most middle class/blue collar families do.  Its important to be able to socialize with people of all classes, and get to know ppl in other classes than yourself, thats why I think being smack dab in the middle has its advantages, cause you have more in common with the top and the bottom.  You never really get solidified, you just learn how to relate to all people better, rather than fortifying yourself in wealth, or lack-of.

Week 6 Blog for SOC 200, Lonely Americans

Do I think Americans are more isolated in modern times due to technology? Yes and No. No because the web and cell phones and text messaging allows us to contact people we know and people we love (or people we dislike) at any given time. We can leave them voicemails instead of sending a letter by horseback, or trying to decypher morse code. Everything is EASIER these days, therefore it has become effortless to relay detailed info to others. We can let you know anything with a click of a button. We have our lives open for display on social networks (see video below).

So that is the NO part of my answer. The YES part of my answer is I believe sometimes we communicate too much. I think rumors spread easier these days, friendships are more fragile since if your "best" friend today pisses you off, your chat-room bud in Tokyo may make your new "best" companion to confide in for a while. People get famous on youtube and next thing you know they are touring the world singing "BABY BABY BABY OOOOH" wow, yes technology can isolate an American. Quality friendships are hard to come by these days, but i dont solely blame technology even though i can see it as a contributing factor. Along with the increasingly "dog-eat-dog" American society we live in. People just dont trust anyone anymore, everyone has had their heartbroke, credit card stolen, popularity hijacked, and a less-than loyal significant other at one point or another, and its hard to find the "substance" and "deepness" in todays commercialized society, where its all about what car you drive and what store you shop at. Not about who you are as a person. Thats the main factor why i think Americans are so "isolated."

Week 5 Blog - Conformity vs. Deviance

Just watched this video, which was a PBS documentary, unfortunately only the trailer is available on youtube. The video really makes us question the reason why people really deviate from the law and go to jail. I reccomend the full video to anyone curious, it was really interesting, and definitely leaves you hungry for answers. I think our criminal justice system is flawed in our country. We imprison 750 people per 100,000 on average every year in America. Even the Russian Federation imprisons over 120 less people on average. I think our system is easily exploited and abused. It sometimes victimizes innocent people, when even 1 innocent person behind bars is too many. It also many times shows too much leniency to repeat offenders or people who committed serious and inexcusable crimes. Appeals many times are not shown the proper attention and judges/attorneys tend to generalize often, as well as operate strictly on the premise of finacial motivation, abandoning some pivotal moral principles. Cases aren't treated as uniquely and not investigated as adequately as they should be, mostly due to financial reasons. This is why I believe our system is flawed, but then again, what system isn't flawed? -in any country....