TED Talk Response

In this TED talk, Niall Ferguson attempts to define the great divergence, basically trying to answer the same question "Guns, Germs and Steel" attempted to answer, only in a modern context. The second half of the TED talk argues that the rest of the world has caught up with the westers and that western civilization might actually fall. Niall Ferguson argued that there are 6 killer "apps" or ideas that led to prosperity to the western world and that is currently causing the rest of the world to catch up to the west.

I feel like Niall Fergusom uses so much ethos in this talk that I couldn't possibly even attempt to argue his points. His accent alone provides ethos, or maybe that's just me. Good thing he successfully pursuaded me. I honestly can't think of anything to add or cut from his list of ideals. I agree that the US is falling behind in the global economy, if not from his convincing charts, but from experience alone. Being a high schooler in the USA, I constantly hear how I need to try harder to help American test scores compare to those in China. Also, as an immigrant family, first generation, I constantly hear from my parents how the US school system is nothing compared to Brazil... I'm sure their exaggerating but still.

Overall I found him very persuasive and ultimately agree.

Fabian Fucan Rejects Christianity

It appears that the major reason Fabian Fucan rejects Christianity is because he sees it as a waste of life, literally and figuratively. He feels as if he wasted his earlier years on this "barbarian" faith. He points at the stupidity that is martyrdom. He despises the waste and lack of value in life. He calls those who die for religion or have no fear for their life in the name of christianity stupid.

Africa and Slavery Show me

Here's the link with the most important information (I found) in ch 26 of the book. I worked with Eddie Gelberg on getting the facts, it's his voice you can occasionally hear in the background. Go ahead and watch on mute. There's nothing significant to be heard other than the Eddie's occasional voice and typing on the computer.

http://www.showme.com/sh/?h=46hTp8y

:)

Capitalism Continued

The book defines capitalism as an economic system in which private parties make their goods and services available on a free market and seek to take advantage of market conditions to profit from their activities. Basically it allows for individuals to make their own fortunes by creating a product and selling it. The only catch is that whoever the business man is, he or she has to be smart. No one receives help from capitalism, it's like survival of the fitest. Every man for himself.

The idea of supply and demand is prevalent capitalism. See a need, fill a need, and make a profit while you're at it. The rise of Capitalism led to lots of banks opening in Europe, the beginning of business letters, and the opening of stock exchanges.

Capitalism seems all very impersonal and insensitive to me, but I guess that's what makes people rich... Wow, that's depressing. Oh well... Hahaaa. Oh, I'm tired...

Christianity and Capitalism...

1) Christianity is constantly splitting into different sects and branches because of widespread disagreement. For example Martin Luther was upset with widespread hypocrisy and the political nature of Catholiscim, so he created his own branch. Although this isn't in the book, Christianity is a belief that allows for interpretation, if that makes sense, giving people the freedom to think they know enough of the bible to split off on their own.

2) I really don't know what capitalism officially is. I think of money, business, competition and America when I think capitalism, so I assume it has something to do with that.