Thursday, May 27, 2010

Nutrition and Obesity in the U.S.

Nutrition and Obesity in the U.S.
by Neal R. Karski

Today, millions of people in the United States face the issues of choosing proper nutrition and obesity. Although the nation has recently embellished the “Stay Fit” and “Eat Healthy” propaganda, there has not been significant or visible progress toward improving or eliminating the status of the “World’s Fattest Nation”. But there have been some changes that took effect in the lives of Americans, such as: gym or fitness participation, straying away from certain types of foods, going organic, or simply cooking in a domestic setting rather than putting one’s stomach to a test of a fast food joint or a restaurant.

On my current trip to Europe, I have made a certain observation: out of the hundreds, or thousands, of people that I have come to notice with my own bare eyes, only two women have seemed to possess any kind of excess weight. Moreover, only older men [who have most likely given up their pensions of alcohol] carried larger frames, but did not have any major problems with being obese.

Now, my analyses – take it or leave it…

The United States largely depend on the consumer business provided to large corporations. The consumerism requires corporations in the food industry to produce at a faster and more efficient pace. Fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Burger King, etc, are not concerned about their client’s health; rather they are designed to volume-sell their products to generate large profits. Many animals that are raised for meat purposes are genetically induced with hormones and steroids, and they are grown at rapid rates without regard for their positive nutritional value [which often sufficiently lacks]. We frequently see others, who struggle with problems of excess fat, cholesterol and carbohydrates, yet even more frequently the eating habits are not altered and people give up on their bodies, therefore throwing away their changes of leading a healthier lifestyle.

People, on a general platform, need to be more educated about their bodies (metabolism, liver condition, cholesterol level, weight, etc.) and possess greater knowledge of the food they consume (nutrition facts, effect on the body). This notion is significantly neglected, i.e. parents do not teach or inform their children of health hazards associated with certain eating patterns or types of nutrition. Our food choices have a huge impact on our immune system and the way our bodies function, and we’re clearly not fully aware of the numbers of diseases and deficiencies that are caused by our diets. Sometimes, I advise, it’s better to ponder for a second “Should I eat this, or should I not?” or “How will this affect my body?” or “Maybe I should research the nutritional value of this or that food?”

The above-mentioned statement is much easier to accomplish, when the food we consume comes from home-made meals that we, ourselves, are capable of preparing and analyzing [given that we put the effort and time to do so].

God Bless.

Portrayal: Nutrition as Necessity, Obesity as Inevitability
by George A. Miu

Food is implicated in a strange duality in most modern cultures – it is simultaneously necessary for life, enabling people to partake in their quotidian activities, and potentially damaging, or even fatal. The distinction between the mentioned dual halves revolves around the quantity in which the food is consumed. Millions of famished people worldwide are noted to be lethargic and discombobulated as a result of a lack of nutrition, while ever-increasing numbers of First-World inhabitants are observed to suffer from the very same symptoms due to obesity.

The problems causing widespread starvation are well-documented, as they have existed since the onset of civilization. Proposed solutions are also being acted upon, at least to some degree. Meanwhile, nobody knows quite how to tackle the concept of getting people to eat less or eat more healthily while we are all surrounded by so many tempting treats that, over time, are liable to cause us grief.

Let’s be blunt about this – everyone wants to know why Europeans and Americans are becoming fatter. Personally, I point out two major factors – convenience and a mentality that stresses instant gratification.

Virtually every one of us reading this blog can count their blessings tonight, for we all live in a society in which one can find food if one are hungry. This has also caused a lot of low-quality, low-nutritional value junk to be placed out on the market; as with anything, it found a niche, which has spread. Why? Because junk food is easy to get, fairly cheap, and fast (hence the American term “fast-food”). Since we live busy lives in places that emphasize the importance of productivity, we are occasionally left with no choice but to indulge in this. If we do it enough times, especially with a sketchy metabolism, BOOM, one packs the pounds.

Furthermore, an ever-increasing proportion of people simply desire something tasty and immediate, without having to toil over the process of cooking. Subsequently, many are pushed to the dangerous precipice beyond which lies the chasm of fast-food, the above problem, all over again. Lastly, all of the variety of chips and chocolates (which are calorie-packed), designed to take the edge off the hunger, are abused beyond their means in order to instantly gratify the stomach to the fullest extent.

Combining these two factors, along with other miscellaneous ones, I am sure, yield the predicament in which society now finds itself. Fixing, it obviously requires some kind of paradigm shift of which I am not certain that humanity is capable; that is why obesity, and all of its associated side-effects, are categorized under inevitability banner.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Rising Popularity of Atheism

The Decline of Religious Belief and the Rise of Atheism
by Neal R. Karski

This article was influenced by the current situation of the particular issue, which to us is quite important in our daily lives. It is not crafted to offend anyone that reads it, rather purposed to stimulate the moral, ethical as well as theological thinking of the reader.

Recent statistics have shown that 70% of young adults, ages 16-24, find themselves more spiritual than religious. Also, it may not be commonly known, but the atheist movement throughout the world is accelerating and expanding in its activities due to global decline of faith. Such an example can be seen through Richard Dawkins’ “Out Campaign,” which encourages people from all faiths to reject their beliefs and foster their atheist lifestyle through the recognition of religious doubts. The contemporary social media has eradicated many elements of morality in its messages, rather concentrated its propaganda on what sells, what is popular, and what is extraordinary and eye-catching. This also gave rise to the public criticism of religious figures, i.e. Catholic Church priests, who have violated their own code of conduct and put a dark shadow on many religious institutions.

The above mentioned are just few of many clauses or potentially reasons of the declining popularity of religious practice versus spiritual contentment. Thus, I will now analyze some concepts to illustrate some of my thoughts on the subject.

Accountability

In today’s world, one values almost obsessively his or her own personal freedom and ability to freely make choices, at times regardless of any consequences. One may also fear the consequences associated with different actions and hold him or herself as the sole judge of the situation. This puts God, or any religious figure, authority, or notion, believable or not, as a party that does not have an impact in one’s life and does not hold that person accountable for the course of actions taken. Accountability, therefore, lies only in the person committing what may be a virtuous or non-virtuous action, which may not potentially be the most unbiased or fair tool of justice.

Trust

As I mentioned in the introduction paragraph, one may also have a skeptical perspective toward religious institutions due to the lack of trust in its operations. This may or may not be justifiable, yet it is a legitimate reason for concernment. Social media has shed a negative light in following the doctrines presented by one’s belief system and many marketing campaigns have placed a subliminal agenda in advertisements and products that in turn have led its markets to stray away from religion, but rather toward material goods or fanny ideas. Consequently, one’s trust in religious faith has been placed under multiple examinations, and one’s doubts have increased under pressure to reevaluate one’s own morals, values and beliefs amongst the contemporary standards of one’s society. Today, it is essential to trust in the symbolism and the guidelines that can help one lead a better, more virtuous life, in order to avoid full dependency upon the organization or belief system’s performance that is constantly questioned by critics and those who reject any notions of faith, beliefs, moral rules or Higher Beings.

Financial Well Being

To briefly conclude, it is of upmost difficulty to face the choice of acting accordingly with one’s own religious beliefs and the desire to obtain financial means [sometimes excessively, i.e. greed]. One, when put in a situation where morals and ethics are at stake of money or wealth, must sometimes choose in self accordance. As time progressed, many people [i.e. businessmen, politicians] have chosen to rid themselves of any religious ties to be able to compete in the world of commerce, live plentifully, enjoy their riches and let wealth be at the top of their charts. Frequently, we’re forced to make choices that cannot be agreeable with the basis of a particular faith we follow, and frequently the concept of financial well being prevails over the moral and ethical values we hold. In more extreme cases, this financial drive leads individuals to rid themselves of many religious beliefs they hold and sink into non-authoritative movements, such as atheism.

Resurgent Atheism – a Christian Outlook

by George A. Miu

Author’s Note: Because I have the most experience in the field of Christianity, and am not overly familiar with the traditions of other religions in the United States, this blog piece will focus, first and foremost, on the steady decline churches have undergone over the past few years.

While the rest of the world was busy setting a statistical trend in the opposite direction, I was busily fortifying my own belief that God exists, and becoming a theist after spending the better portion of my childhood and teenage years angrily denouncing any kind of religion.

Thus I went from being in one minority to another. Today, it is estimated that roughly three-quarters of Americans do not consider themselves to be religious; yet, almost all individuals are spiritual on some level. What is the cause for this decline in the power and influence that religions wield?

One of these, certainly, is that people do not like to feel as if they must adhere to certain strict regulations in leading their lives. Who, after all, desires to pray, fast and be charitable when they have commitments to the family, workplace and a plethora of other obligations to fulfill? By justifying their lack of indulgence in religious rituals with anti-theistic philosophy, it is not only possible, but positively easy, to convince the self that God does not exist, and may not care even if He did.

Furthermore, many are disillusioned with the corruption and abuse scandals that are consistently plaguing the church, and are led to believe that the clergy is no longer primarily involved in Godly matters. They take the few cases that make it to the media and permit it to overshadow the altruistic accomplishments of the majority of men and women associated with churches and religious denominations on the whole.

Last of all, many encounter the same problem that I did. They associate religion with out-dated and scientifically unsound superstitions. Yet, this is a faulty stance to take, on account of the fact that religion is meant to embrace science as a viable means of explaining God’s sublime organization of the universe as a whole. Nevertheless, the view that God is undermined by the fact that we cannot logically prove His existence is incorrect; religion has always been about a certain transcendence from the human realm. It has forever entailed an existence that is above the mind that we possess in life. But in a world of instant gratification and requirement for specifics, this is no longer acceptable.

My take on all of this is that there is no problem! Religion is not about those who are forced into it or are doing it to please others. By decreasing our overall numbers, we have upped the concentration in our ranks and paved the way for a better spiritual existence.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Corporate Greed

Addressing the Social Welfare vs. Self Interest in the Business World
by Neal R. Karski

Pause for a second, and think about the world today. The pace of money circulation standardized the time schedules of our lives and embedded each and every one of us as part of the system. This system we call the “business world”. The business week, allocated for work, and the weekend, allocated for leisure. Now, think of the direction and the schooling that you are pursuing, your current or future career, and the company you happen to be a part of. Then, stray softly to assign a location of each on the spectrum of social vs. self interest, or what is in known in terms of philosophy as the utilitarianism vs. ethical egoism range. Where do you stand? Where do the rest? Is this desirable?

This said, at this day and age we have seen an immense economic growth of companies on the global platform. Business has become an international phenomenon dependent on people’s decisions in how to allocate resources in the most efficient way and to obtain the greatest returns in forms of profit (money, wealth, capital, power). The world of commerce has become so competitive that it began to overlook many needs of those which are not part of this “race”. The continuous managerial agenda developed tasks and goals for years to come with little consideration for the issues faced by struggling nations or impoverished families surrounding these industrial giants. Efficiency, although, as taught by economics, speaks of the maximized welfare of all of those participating in the economy. Yet, as the greed of the business owners grows and bureaucratic interest reaches a sole focus of obtaining the most “opportunities,” such as wealth and power, the term of efficiency takes on a different meaning.

It is easy to criticize businesses or governments that do not align themselves with our viewpoints. But sometimes, it is somewhat refreshing and enlightening to stop your daily activities and take a look around at the domestic and international events to educate yourself and build upon your already existing base of knowledge and judgment.

Corporate greed has become a trend in the business world as large corporations and monopolies strove to eradicate small businesses and squash any competition or political action they faced. Many of us, despite the values we hold, may not have a choice but to be hired by such companies as we plan to pursue our further careers or employment opportunities in finance, advertising, marketing, writing, sports, public relations, etc. Often, we may also not realize or simply don’t care to foster any emotional or logical examinations of our own nature or the nature of the businesses. In reality, money is at the core of all commerce and it appears that philanthropy and altruism are just not powerful enough to change the ways in which we think and perceive the true necessities of our lives.

As I was having this discussion with a dear friend of mine last night, I was enlightened by a quote from Jimi Hendrix that she shared with me, and it stated:

“The world will never be at peace until the power of love overcomes the love of power.”

Corporate Greed – a Study in Tints and Shades

by George A. Miu

There is a timeless filter that humanity employs in analyzing and justifying or criticizing their collective actions. In the age of instantaneous communication and globalization, exponential growth and worldwide expansion is no longer an illusion of the megalomaniac, but rather an attainable target. How does this potential for unchecked growth affect the rest of us? Applying the filter depicted above, one can study the situation in one of two ways:

- A Study in Scarlet (Shade):

A transitory glance inside the lives of the inhabitants of the world illustrates the modern version of mercantilism. The sweat shop worker in China, the underpaid forestry expert in my native Romania, and the exhausted-yet-laboring 60-hour-a-week waiter at the local pizzeria, are all personal, observed, examples of a crooked scale in which the collective and under-appreciated efforts of many are used so as to channel money to few over-hyped executives. Untold masses of workers, ultimately, provide a handful of us with the opportunities to drive a Mercedes instead of a Honda, or floor our kitchens with Italian marble instead of linoleum.

On a universal level, it is clear that, in the twenty-first century, it is wrong to partake in heaping rich rewards upon few, in exchange for the disproportionate financial and social snubbing of many. This is a facet of corporate greed that reflects darkly unto us, and yet is not without its merits, noted below:

- A Study in Rosy (Tint):

The aforementioned fortunate few have the capacity for, and often are involved in, works of philanthropy. Universities such as the one I attend could not keep their doors open, in order to educate legions of people, if it were not for the charity of accomplished alumni. A world in which all resources were distributed perfectly amongst individuals would leave no place for successful social institutions, unless people opted to markedly sacrifice their quality of life in return for giving to an establishment. It is historically proven that previous attempts at allocating the collective wealth have brought all of the constituents of a society to the lower common denominators, and not the highest. Therefore, one can take the position that, without corporate greed and the drive to earn above and beyond what one could ever spend has catalyzed the rise of social institutions that are well taken care of. This is a brighter hypothesis, that paints humanity as far more altruistic than the Study in Scarlet.

This apparent contradiction is a topic of much debate, when it comes to discussions over how much our current corporate system can be changed. Are we willing to bolster the livelihoods of faceless and nameless people, perhaps at the expense of social organizations? Is that even a relevant question? Can one reconcile this apparent paradox? The floor is, as always, open for debate.