I read multiple interesting blogs, but unfortunately only two can be mentioned. One of the interesting blogs that I read was Ben W.'s "Inconvenient Truth: Poverty is Inevitable." This really caught my eye because I realized that much of our life is dedicated to helping the less fortunate, but Ben did a good job of explaining a point of view that we usually shy away from. Ben's entry discussed how it is impossible to rid the world of its poverty because every time we solve one problem another one sprouts in a different spot, like dandelions.
In response to Ben's entry....
"When you say it like this it's upsetting to realize that everything we've worked for, in terms of relieving people in poverty, is maybe in the long term inconsequential. I think this is sometimes what we also fear as human beings, putting every ounce of effort into what we do and the result is nonexistent or lacking. As difficult as it is to admit this truth, I agree, it's a never ending cycle. I actually felt this as we were learning about the serfs and the richer merchants. Once they're plunged into that cycle, they can't get out. The merchants get rich from the profits, while having time to work on newer ideas and improving their education. The poor serfs are just rotting intellectually and they can't progress, they are without other choices (besides dying) to remain stagnate. It's one of those ideas that are paradoxical that we sometimes wish didn't come with life..."
I felt this unspoken truth as we were discussing the situation of the serfs and the rich merchants who were exploiting them. The fact that these farmers are so willing to to be exploited simply encourages the merchants. So as the serfs just work and stay stagnate, the merchants are able to progress in different areas. Just like Ben said, as much as we can say, "We could have just gotten rid of those serfs and those merchants that way there wouldn't be impoverished," the result of today and the present would be significantly different, which would arouse unthinkable problems.
The second entry that caught my attention was Ryan B.'s entry "Connection: The Kite Runner and A Christmas Carol." I've always enjoyed (and frightened) this story and always wondered what would've happened if Ebeneezer hadn't chose to go with the ghosts. Ryan brought up a point that I also saw in the Kite Runner, the idea that Amir couldn't have reached redemption without other influences, and he made the excellent connection to Ebeneezer Scrooge. While I was reading the text, I felt Rahim Khan and Assef were both instrumental towards Amir's path to redemption. For example, Rahim Khan provided the final opportunity for Amir to redeem himself (become "good" again) and without Assef, he wouldn't need to finally muster the courage to stand up to someone else, which falls under his way to redemption. Interestingly, although both Amir and Scrooge are the protagonists of both stories, they are also similar in that they have to rely on other characters to really fulfill their positions as protagonists. So, not only are they reliant on other characters to help them redeem themselves for the main issue, but literally as the protagonists.
In response to Ryan's entry..
"Cool comparison! I really enjoyed reading your connections to Ebeneezer and Amir they hit home. I especially agreed with "Neither Amir nor Ebenezer attempted to redeem themselves, rather an outside force had introduced the opportunity." I completely felt this as well (at least for Amir's character) while I was reading the book, Amir, if it weren't for other characters in the story, probably would've never been able to redeem himself. For example, for me Rahim Khan as well as Assef really were the motivators to push Amir in the right direction. In the end it's all about facing up to what you did wrong and then you'll be liberated. This is also relevant to religion."
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