OCR Text |
Show •' -fl mion Questions of the conscience The College Times MONDAY, January 14, 2008 Full frontal absurdity: the naked truth abou GregWilcox Life writer The shades ofgrey in America's consumer culture So my first step towards conscience consumerism was to start buying American made. This seemed logical, because*however critical I am of the United States, I still deeply desire the success of my neighbor. I also saw it as an opportunity to rail against the sweatshops dominating countries like Mexico, India and most notably, China. Just maybe, if we all stop buying products stamped with "Made in China" we can begin Eleanor Cleverly -Takahashi to tackle the breach of international labor Editor in Chief standards so prevalent around the world. Oh how naive I was. I walked through One of my most grand new year's resolutions for 2008 is to become a more consci- the isles of Target, Best Buy and Univerentious consumer. It has been something that sity Mall and found that 9 out of 10 items I have struggled with for many years, along I picked up were Chinese made. China has with vegetarianism and having to brush my the most rapidly evolving economy, which teeth a Full two times a day (I think that is now sits as third largest in the world. In fact, in the last thirty years, China's economy has kind of asking a lot). doubled nearly three times over. There is definitely an up side to brushIn 2004, American's bought $162 "biling my teeth. I love the feeling afterward, of a bright, blissfully clean mouth, but the lion more in goods from China than we sold act itself is tedious and I tend to gag when I to the country. As consumers, we are capforce the toothbrush down my throat in or- tivated by their ability to promise us lower der to do a thorough tongue cleaning. Con- and lower prices each and every year. This, science consumerism poses the same prob- many say, comes at the expense of China's millions of mistreated factory workers. But, lem for me. In a world where an average American unlike the assumption that our purchases imis faced with thousands of consumer choices poverish other nations, the more American's everyday, it is impossible to avoid partaking load up on laptops, DVD players and iPods, in our culture's constant need for product the higher the standard of living is afforded consumption. We face it when we wake up for the average Chinese man or woman. That may not be saying much since the in the morning and grab that hot Starbuck's coffee, when we stop to buy gas and wander Cultural Revolution forced China's billion, into the quik-e-mart for a candy bar and a person population into utter ruin, but it runs marked down copy of Bruce Springsteen's counter to our belief that consuming goods Greatest Hits. It even follows us to church from developing nations is akin to exploias we make sure our embossed copies of the tation. Without U.S. consumption, China's Book of Mormon are in-tow and that our exponential progress would come to a grinding halt, and they know that. CTR rings are securely placed. They are so invested in our continued When I think of how much time I actually spend contemplating my next purchase, consumption that they are one of the most I get queasy in the gut, knowing that I am aggressive lenders to the United States. In buying into a culture that invariably impov- 2004, China doubled the amount it had inerishes nations, pollutes the earth, and de- vested in the U.S. securities market only two teriorates a desire to cultivate my mind and years before, the new figure amounting to instead emphasizes one of cultivating my $480 billion. This also means that the more we consume of China's products on credit, wallet. So the question then posed is, how do I the more indebted to the nation we become. These issues are not the trivia] problems become a more conscientious consumer? I decided to take one small step at a time. Or, of having to brush my teeth twice a day, or at least I thought it would be a small step. even of the bleeding gums I encounter after We have all heard arguments on the ills ap- going months without flossing. It is closer parent in American jobs shipped oversees. along the lines of having a 23-year-old, unWe feel criminal as we listen to stories of dergraduate student of liberal arts walk into developing nations overtaken by multina- a dental surgery with a chisel in hand. Glotional corporations who exploit local popu- balization has intertwined our two nations so lations in order to provide each of us with closely that it seems impossible that either notebooks to write in, pens to write with, will survive without the other, and it makes and pocket protectors to shield our Chinese* the process of picking out a Chinese made T-shirt all the more complex. made JCPenney oxford shirts. STAFF • & •.'•< Modern day Joans of Arc exist among us. You'v% seen them on TV, running like mad, purpose in their eyes, as they literally show all they have to the world. Using the bffld medium of nakedness to prove a point. Like calves in a.Todeo, they run, desperately trying to avoid inevitable capture for as long as possible before facing the consequences of their, lewd act. Braving angry athletes, campus discipline, and the arm of the law in an act of sheer bravery. Streaking is a phenomenon that intrigues many. So, why do these individuals go to such lengths to display themselves in the buff to hundreds, nay, thousands of people? Is there a deeper meaning or are they just sick in the head? Doing research no further than Wikipedia, one can become somewhat educated on the renegade art-form of streaking. Surprisingly, streakers have a tendency to move on to better things. For example, the first recorded streaker was a man named George William Crump in 1804, George would eventually become involved in U.S. government. According to Wikipedia, the first recorded incident of streaking by a college student in the United States occurred in 1804 at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), when senior George William Crump was arrested for running nude through Lexington, Virginia, where the.university is located. Robert E. Lee later sanctioned streaking as a rite of passage for young Washington and Lee gentlemen. Crump was suspended for the academic session, but would later go on to become a U.S. Congressman and Ambassador to Chile. A congressman? And still, this is not all. Streaker Sheila Nicholls, who frequently streaked cricket games in Australia, now enjoys a successful music career. It would seem streakers tend to be successful people. College campuses are legendary for streaking. Across the nation, nearly every institution has organizations dedicated to practicing it. At the University of Chicago, it is tradition for the cross-country team to run stark naked through the main library at 10 p.m. the Sunday before finals week. Maybe UVSC should adopt this tradition? It is also interesting that streakers seem to be fairly fit individuals. Its almost as if they have a secret society that trains in the tradition of Sparta to go out and do battle, or in this case, expose themselves. Still, why do these individuals insist on public indecency and giving your grandma a heart attack? I had a roommate (his name was Nate) who streaked twice in high school: At the homecoming game and the last day of school during his senior year. I'm sure he had no deeper meaning other than for the sake of comedy his naked endeavors induced. Perhaps as a political statement against America's religious right, streakers perform their au naturel art. Certainly this is an effective way of saying "I'm not ashamed of my body, neither should you be!" while religious zealots tend to view such acts as a slippery slope down to Sodom and Gomorrah. It could also be a statement against materialism. Clothes certainly can be a societal measurement of status, but the streaker boldly proclaims, "I object to this vain society!" by not hiding and letting it all, pardon the pun, hang out. Yet, streakers most valid statement is one requesting the rest of us to just lighten up and not take life so seriously. They remind us of how ridiculous it is to pretend we are somebody we are not, and encourage us to pop the inflated balloon of vanity and hypocrisy. After all, underneath clothes, everybody is naked. Equilibrium is established. In sum, let us embrace these brave men and women. Cheer them on as they challenge societal views by way of manic nakedness. Streakers: America's last hope. I N F E C T I O N Given our school's history as a trade/vocational school, would you be pleased to see it transition toward more of an arts-focused school? Why or why not? Please state if there is some other direction you would prefer to see our school take. I think that a performing arts center would be a splendid idea (if it receives approval and funding). There is no reason why UVSC/UVU should not reach its full potential, as long as funding is available to help pay for it. A performing arts building will certainly open a plethora of options for those who have chosen this as their major. It will also make more room in the LA building. As far as UVSC being an arts-focused school, I don't see a problem with that, since everything they teach has at least one thing to do with "arts" in some way or another. So, I think that both ideas are worth taking into consideration. However, One thing that I would like to'see change (and every other student can agree with me) is either a drop in tuitiori^bill and fee costs; or just simply find a way to not to have tuition shoot straight thiftugh the roof (as many are antici- pating). Anyway, the idea is It may not be what the great. Interesting blog; it is school was set up for, but well put together. -Robert I think a school focused on Jones the arts would be a fresh, new look to go along with I would say that having our fresh, new name. Plus, a few art programs added to the shift in the focus would the curriculum wouldn't be set us apart from other major a bad idea. It would be nice schools in the state, and who to not only study and prepare the hell doesn't want a little for the jobs we'll eventu- more of that!?! -David Lewis ally be doing, but to also appease the interests that we may have on the side when I look forward to my alma we're not working. I doubt mater becoming not just a that a nurse only cares about degree mill, but a center for their profession and that's social dialogue, progressive it; I'm sure they might have research and arts funding. an opera streak in them that The new performing arts they indulge when they have center is one of the many spare time. An arts program steps I hope UVU will take could greatly improve upon in order to continue down this thought, not to mention that road. -Eleanor Cleverlythe career opportunities it Takahashi provides by its own standing. I'm for it. -Aaron Wilson Well, our school is definitely not sports focused. It would be nice for us We are known as a trades theater people to have some- school. It could be good to where to go. -Keym Kristof- add arts to the resume that is UVU. -Merinda Pearee fersan Here are the blueprints for the new performing arts center. Would you trades guys please get it built and then get the hell out? |