Energy Consumption, Global Warming & Go Green Movement

Global Warming – Impending Catastrophe or Infinitesimal Concern?

by George A. Miu

Every educated man and woman, it appears to the casual observer, has some opinion on the topic of global warming and the long-term effects that it will encumber us with. Being lads of an explorative and polarizing nature, Neal and I could not help but step into this sometimes-maddening debate and cast forth our own theories…

… which is really fortunate because I have not the foggiest notion as to whether or not global warming is true or not, and how it will affect us if it is. It might sound simple or silly, but I haven’t read the data, have not seen any of the experiments, have not spoken to any of the “experts”, and have encountered so many faux-connoisseurs that I would most likely miss a legitimate specialist in the field anyhow.

Nevertheless, I do have some faculties I can employ in my plodding trek through this treacherous territory. I can logically infer that increased energy consumption leads to global warming, or that it does not. Correspondingly, the inference that, if the former is true, “going green” will either yield improvements or it will not.

The easiest statement to tackle is that increased energy consumption does nothing to our planet. If so, then all the green movements are for nothing – which is okay, because I see nothing wrong with decreasing the amount of energy we use; it is, after all, less wasteful anyhow.

If the whole spiel is not a masquerade, then something must be done about it, provided we do not opt to slowly roast ourselves into water vapor over the years. If going green doesn’t actually alter the course of rising temperatures all that much, then you can wave bye-bye to the planet and flirt with the notion of immigrating to Venus, because it won’t be all that different from here soon enough.

Now, we can start thinking about how best to implement this whole “Go Green or Watch Our Beloved Rock Die”. But what is more worrisome is this: human beings crave improved lifestyles and luxury. Someday, the global economy will be developed enough to provide the upper-class American lifestyle to every person on Earth. That much is inevitable, whether it happens in 2020 or in 3030. But when it does – there’s roughly six and a half billion people who want to drive cars, live in five-bedroom mansions and keep the AC on twelve months a year. So, unless we want to start selling mildly inconvenient “green” technology to China, we better throw something together that looks and works just like the high-consumption product we were intending to replace. This has not happened yet; at least, not in every walk of life.

So let’s hope that green technology evolves faster than the global economy. If it doesn’t, we won’t live to see six billion Mustangs roaring around.

Food for thought.

Energy Consumption, Global Warming & Go Green Movement
Personal Analysis
by Neal R. Karski

Energy Consumption

The world, at a very rapidly increasing pace, has been consuming more and more energy, whether in form of electricity or crude oil. The growth of technology, use of computers, vehicles and communications medians have drastically contributed to these statistics. Although, we are clearly aware of such facts, most of us have a narrow understanding of exact effects energy consumption had or has on economics, environment, health and business. And some of us just don’t care to put the effort into obtaining such knowledge. Ever since the industrial era the United States, as the leading consumer nation of the world, has towered over every other country in the energy usage by unimaginable margins. It is even sad to say that many of the planned policies to reduce this phenomenon have been vetoed or simply disregarded by the officials who have been majorly lobbied by the corporate oil, gas and energy giants. To this day, the research of alternative sources of energy exists, yet the resolution is yet to be seen and fully put to use. But some may say “Let the mother nature suffer a little bit.”

Global Warming

The subject of global warming has been brought to attention quite often in the recent years as the U.S. politicians debated over environmental policies and European leaders attempted to congregate in hopes of improving the issues tied in with carbon emissions and toxicity on our planet. It is clear that with the increased vehicle and factory usage, we have significantly escalated the levels of carbon, exhaust, and toxin emissions into the atmosphere. Although, when looking at the temperature levels and their historical trends in different climates, it is very arduous to notice any suspicious or worrying data [that would lead us to the definite conclusion of existing global warming]. No, I am not claiming that the global warming probably is surreal, but it definitely is a long run issue. This means, it concerns our future generations and the future of our planet. We have already dug ourselves into the biggest stage of progress, and therefore environmental deficiencies. Health should be the biggest current concern, as the potential hazards tied in with carbon emissions, smoke fogs, toxins, acidic rains, etc. are and will affect the lives of many people on the global spectrum.

Go Green Movement

On a final note, I would like to express a couple observations about the Go Green Movement. It is true that the E-commerce platform and the Internet network have allowed for better, faster and more efficient usage and transfer of information. I must say: the thoughts of saving rain forests, allowing for more vegetating plantations and oxygen production do seem very pleasant and reasonable. I also hold great regard and appreciation for many new innovations that have given us the power to choose whether we’d like to “Go Green” or not. Therefore, it appears that the movement itself is a matter of choice. It is also a question of social vs. self interest, to some extent. Recycling, waste separation and efficient material production are all necessary steps in order to improve anything, sort of environmentally speaking. We have seen progress, but is it enough to make a difference? Personally, I believe the Go Green Movement will never be successful until it is utilized and executed in a collaborative effort of the whole society, or the world. Example… Does a service-provider show an honest concern for the environmental well being by giving you the option to choose between paper bills and electronic bills? Or is it just plainly a financial scheme to cut down on costs and accelerate their profits? Where does the company’s interest lie? Where does yours?

All of the above are globally very open to debate.

Soccer and the World Cup

Futbol and its Significant Presence in the World
by Neal R. Karski

Soccer, or better known internationally as futbol, is the most popular sport in the world. It is played on every continent and lures in millions and millions of viewers to its sporting events. In the European countries, soccer games are the most exciting and demanded happenings that bring together ecstatic fans looking for their team’s yet another victory. Soccer games intrigue masses who proudly wear the specific colors of their teams.

The sport itself is also a huge business that sparked the competition between sports apparel giants, Nike and Adidas, and established player sales worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Soccer is also a tradition in my nations and families around the world; from generation to generation the favorite colors and team apparel are passed down and the customs continue.

In the spirit of soccer, we now celebrate the games of the World Cup. Teams around the world represent their nations and their colors to bring pride and joy back to the homeland. Some succeed, others do not. In any case, the World Cup is the most watched sporting event, which on average is viewed by 1.5 billion people (or one may think… 25 percent of the entire planet).

In every country, fans and soccer enthusiasts gather in their homes, bars, FIFA towns and malls to take part in this special occurrence. Even with an immense amount of present rivalry, the World Cup brings people closer to enjoy the competition and excitement fueled by the international matches.

The FIFA World Cup is like an Olympics grand opening, or an NFL Super Bowl, just on a bigger scale, and worldwide national pride is exemplified by people of different origins. It shows diversity, and patriotism. It takes one back to the roots. It is the event coverage most talked about in the media. It is the Cup of Nations.

FIFA World Cup – The Global Showpiece
by George A. Miu

On any given day over the next month or so, various major cities around the world will be silenced as soccer fans exile themselves to homes and pubs, fervently following their national teams, cheering them on and partaking in the carnival-like atmosphere that seems to pervade the air.

My first coherent memory of watching TV does not revolve around cartoons or movies, but rather the World Cup that took place in the USA in 1994, where my native Romania reached the quarter-finals, beating Argentina (who were favorites to win the tournament) along the way. Even though I was only 5 years old at the time, my parents allowed me to stay up till the dawning hours in order to watch the games. But what made the occasion special was that this was the first time that I became aware of substantially deeper emotions, such as nationalistic pride and unwavering support of a team that transcends performance and results.

In reality, World Cups (which occur every four years) are treated much like once-in-a-generation spectacles; the games, results, scorers and opportunities are committed to memory, to be recounted time and time again in the ensuing years. This may sound like a textbook case of nostalgia, but it is in fact a matter of various individuals becoming united for a common cause in a way that is not highly prevalent in modern society.

Patriotism, all too often, is blighted by political tension and social disagreements. But in sporting events, these feelings are placed in the relatively simplistic context of a game whose rules and tendencies run unchanged through the decades. Players rise and fall, coaches are hired and fired, and the fans live and die by their teams, always with the implied understanding that the national team is greater than the sum of all of its components.

In this era of global media and larger-than-life stadia, there is more buzz than ever around every World Cup; as a result, soccer fever is rising to new heights and allowing people to be more versed in the background of each team and every player. Consequently, every individual automatically becomes more involved and the passion for the game is increased exponentially.

Since the World Cup has been underway for several days, I encourage veteran fans and casual soccer followers alike to join in the fun and find out just how deep of a bond a simple game of soccer can create between people.

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.

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.

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.

Being a European-American

Questions of Identity, Culture and Adaptation
by Neal R. Karski

I began my journey into the unknown at the age of 12 from Eastern Europe, Poland. I had been born an American yet had spent only a couple of years there before moving to my native land. Living on the brink of the Western and Eastern worlds that diverged from each other vastly due to the varying ideologies, religions and economic policies, I was only had a small taste of the “over-Atlantic influence”. This influence largely depended on sports apparel, music and cinema products. Otherwise, Poles lived their lives the way they desired, or rather how their somewhat conservative yet recently revolutionized culture dictated.

That was before…

And now… many years later I sit back at look at the path that I have marked the steps in my life on in the United States of America as a European-American.

And it has been astoundingly difficult to identify yourself fully with the virtues of either society from the beginning. I believe this lies at the core of many immigrants who come to the United States – a melting pot of nationalities, cultures, traditions and ethnicities. In Europe, we’re taught certain ways of behavior, manners, ethics, numerous etiquettes, interaction with friends, strangers or family, and even how to exactly tie your shoe or ride your bike. Yet after attempting to carry out these “lessons” here, it seemed as if they were not effective or that many people of different ages were not familiar with them. Different land, different creed.

Throughout these years of my life here in the United States, which engulfed residing in the Carolinas and the Chicagoland, I gradually realized that as a European I needed to retain my true sense of origin, values and inner conscience, if you may. Frequently, I failed to do so, but I came right back up to tackle the challenges of adapting to a culture which was a world way. To this day, I see distinct differences in the lifestyles of Americans and Europeans and attempt to find balance – a happy median. Generally, I noticed that Europeans, like all other nationalities and ethnicities in the U.S. tend to find others of the same “kind” more comfortable to establish friendships, as they are able to relate to them on a closer level. Personally, I found that very true, yet my outgoing nature allowed me to meet other notable friends and figures that did not belong to my native realm.

But quite oft’, I would find myself confused… pondering upon my actions. My European side would say: “That’s wrong, or inappropriate,” and my American side would say: “Go on, it’s OK”. This bewilderment arose with dozens of events, people and place that I have encountered. Yet the necessities of life such as faith, family and giving back to others that I have learned to cherish in Europe have helped me to make two ends meet and I think that after linguistic and social struggles, I was able to find a spot in this country. A spot that would elevate me to progress and development of my character, and eventually success…

The Quest for Identity: Being a European-American

by George A. Miu

From the onset of my American journey, I sought to find a common denominator that reconciled my Eastern European heritage with my adopted homeland. There are two prominent parts to this task: the first is becoming wise enough to let go of any unnecessary habits, and the second is gaining enough vision so as to incorporate only beneficial thought patterns.

Without a doubt, the United States has very much to offer in terms of self-discovery and the improvement of oneself. Sure, the cynics will all sneer into their chins and say that America is evil, and that the culture has deteriorated and has proven itself to be a burden to the world time and time again. I reply that, if it were such, immigrants from all over creation would not flock to America like they do. As with all things, the US is capable of corrupting an individual who is unable to keep his-or-her-self in check; there’s all the casinos and hookers out there, waiting. But what is indicative of the fact that these define America more convincingly than, say, hard-working families hoping the send their kids to college? I am sure that the latter category is more numerous than the former. So let’s save that easy breath with which we criticize the US and use the surplus of energy to engage in legitimate reflection about what best exemplifies America.

As far as Euro-Americans go, there are several things that we must come to terms with. For the most part, Europe is not as large, plentiful or well-organized as the United States. The New World contains an over-abundance of activity that easier-living Europeans are baffled by. The adjustment cannot, and must not, occur overnight, as many born-and-bred Yanks (pardon the mild pejorative for some of you) happen to believe. At first glance, America threatens newcomers, with its bustling cities and gargantuan suburbs, the centers of a productivity that the Old World cannot conceive of matching. Eventually, the shock wears off, and the first-generation immigrant is better equipped to assimilate American-isms.

Of course, any non-American will have some kind of burden that relates to the home country. Families grow up, age, and die, societies evolve beyond what their original scope, ultimately rendering the expatriate homeless, for all intents and purposes. The longer a citizen of the EU is a resident of the US, the more irreversible the whole process becomes. The crucial matter is that we are okay with that.

Just last Thursday, I became a citizen of the United States of America, having spent five whole years here. My own, personal journey is far from completed; I would, however, be foolish to say that I have not changed – become nearly unrecognizable – with respect to who I once was. The perpetual act of dropping an outdated habit in favor of a modern one can have severe repercussions. I speak from experience when I say it’s a risk I’m more than willing to take in exchange for a shot at a better life.

Doctors in Our Society: Life Savers or Businessmen?

Doctors in Our Society: Life Savers or Businessmen?
by Neal R. Karski

Thus we arrive at the subjects of health care, medicine, doctors, health insurance, etc. In the United States, at current times, the above stated are very significant issues, politically and socially. With the continuing health care debate and political quarrels regarding who should get what in a justified manner, contemporary doctors are now pressured into making important choices. And not only will the health care professional ponder about the income he or she makes, but the moral and ethical decisions that are carried out.

The medical field, which requires a lot of schooling, experience and responsibility, is now much more competitive and the room for error is even smaller. Many more college students are taking on the challenge of extensive curriculums to “become doctors, obtain Ph.D.’s and acquire pre-fixes”. This said, plenty of doctors are forced to take measures they’re not accustomed to, to develop relationships with their patients (think customer loyalty) or simply seek excessive treatments and repetitive office appointments to culminate as much revenue as possible. Just take a second to think about it yourself… sounds familiar?

I will now attempt to distinguish between the two of types of doctors, briefly and to the best of my mental abilities.

The Life Savers

I’ve once had my doctor cook up a three month prescription for one of my medications to prevent re-occurring charges for trivial 15-minute “maintenance” appointments. This showed me that instead of re-scheduling me monthly and adding on the bill, the doctor was rather more concerned about my well being, not the cash outflow from my pocket. I’ve had many experiences with doctors, both positive and negative, and I was able to pinpoint the differences between the ones who truly cared about fulfilling the rightful duties of their professions, and those who were solely after their self-interest. The Life Savers are doctors who know and understand the pain their patients go through… and are inspired by their ethics and goals to cure and treat the illnesses that those patients are faced with. They are the heroes of our society, who regardless of patients possessing low or high quality insurance; strive to help out of satisfaction for making others’ lives better. The money comes in regardless, from a plethora of sources, when the number of patients is consistent and the doctors retain high ratings and positive review scores. The Life Savers are doctors that can be characterized as trustworthy, reliable and communicate intently to foster a healthy relationship with their patients.

The Businessmen

Doctors… or money-making, money-hungry machines? Take your pick. The competitive industry, as I said before, has forced the doctors to look more closely at their financial pools and expunge more costs out of their patients. But not all of the doctors did so, just the Businessmen who decided their revenues from the medical profession are the top priority over their patients’ complex cases of illnesses, diseases and injuries. The Businessmen will use trickery and persistence to ensure the patient returns to their office as frequent as possible, on the pretense that the follow-up appointments are necessary regardless of the patient’s condition. They are at times entangled in the corporate scandals, bureaucratic conspiracies and may be involved in contingent agreements with hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers, who pay them “commission”. These Businessmen are not doctors; they’re vultures that are waiting for patients and illnesses to arrive at their doorstep and bring them yet another treasure chest of material value, not a human being’s joy of being healthy.

My advice: Next time that one should pick a doctor or continue to see one, there is much room for prior analysis and research to pick the right one.

God Bless Friends

Doctors in America – Honorable Healers or Harbingers of Hoaxes?
by George A. Miu

There is no grandiose secretive veil surrounding the fact that an “MD” suffix is equivalent to a comfortable financial life in the United States, where a six-figure salary is all-but-guaranteed. Nowadays, it seems like all of the obstacles that an aspiring doctor must overcome are mere necessary sacrifices in the hunt for riches and prestige. This mindset is tearing our nation apart and has the potential to cause harm to a great deal of people.

Nevertheless, there are many devoted health professionals out there, whose career choice had nothing to do with money, and who ought to be praised by the rest of us. Sadly, the practice of putting on a humane face, declaring an undying love for medicine, and laughing all the way to the bank, is an increasingly common one. At least this is how masses of “pre-med” undergrads, situated in colleges all over creation, regard the status quo.

This is folly! Besides the obvious risks involved in terms of medical competency, we are gradually inching towards ushering in a generation of doctors who lack the devotion and selflessness that their forefathers took for granted, even if the expertise is intact.

Suppose that ObamaCare, the insurance “overhaul” that has just been passed in congress, saves the government money, as we are being led to believe; this necessarily entails that medical professionals pocket less. In that case, I smell an exodus, which will result in shortages of doctors the likes of which have never been seen in first world countries.

On the other hand, suppose that Obama et comp are wrong, and that the new system will actually bankrupt America. Consequently, doctors will be rolling around in money, but the profession will lose the luster that attracts so many honest people towards it. This will, of course, result in shortages of doctors the likes which have never been seen … well you get the point.

I am certain that there are scores of fine doctors out there, who are being overworked and under-appreciated. By making the process of education so mercenary, we are opening the door for opportunists, glory-seekers and greedy-types, who have no business being in the industry, and who go against the philosophy instilled by the honest individuals I have just praised. The harbingers of hoaxes are well on their way to overrunning the honest healers, and transforming one of the most crucial professions in society into a financial game. No civilized society must allow this to come to pass.

So, I encourage all of us to take action and plead with one another so that we may stop propagating megalomaniacal doctor-stereotypes, in which we fantasize of easy money in exchange for little work and much glory. I ask medical schools to reduce the classroom requirements (but not too drastically) in favor of extended volunteer time in clinical settings, and not laboratories. Finally, I ask all who are involved in the process of guiding individuals towards medical school to be more discerning in their assessments of who is truly enamored with the profession, and who is doing it for ulterior motives. The signs will always be there for those who seek them out. Drop the algorithm, and bring back the human elements in the admissions processes. Then, maybe we’ll even be healthy enough to give ourselves a pat on the back when we’re older.