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1. Mohawke
ReplyDelete2. Obama Eases Policy on Medical Marijuana
3. Devlin Barrett
4. CommonDreams.org
5. October 19th, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/19-5
As Parsons:
Recently, attention has been called to the legality of marijuana. As a step towards this, medical marijuana has already been declared legal in certain states, but officials have begun attempted to crack down on patients who use the drug as well as businesses which distribute it. Following the Justice Department's policy limiting prosecution of these individuals, medical marijuana may be seen as stepping into its final stage under the Imperatives for Functional Action Systems.
The first imperative, adaptation, states that each system has to adapt to its environment. Although marijuana has previously been considered illegal in all capacities, it has now been adapted partially into the environment through the acceptance of medical marijuana in fourteen states. There has been such an opposition towards the denial of marijuana usage that it is becoming increasingly functional to incorporate into society rather than ban it entirely.
Goal attainment for marijuana comes in a number of forms throughout society. Under the system, the federal government has expressed a clear goal in accepting the sale of medical marijuana and preventing the possibility of bullying that might occur from the state level. Their goal is to accept marijuana for its medicinal purposes and the introduction of the recent policy allows that goal to be achieved. As for marijuana supporters, their aims--for now--are to maintain the establishments they have legally created to dispense the medical herb. Later on, when the system further adaptation has occurred, there may be a move to legalize the drug for any type of personal use, so securing marijuana as a legal prescription could be the first step towards reaching that ultimate goal.
By including marijuana was a new form of medical treatment, America's system has successfully performed integration. This previously illegal drug now enters some states fully integrated into the drug business, with marijuana "pharmacies," required prescriptions, and certain pricing for different brands. It has moved seamlessly into pharmaceutical distribution for the most part, strengthening its function within society.
Now the inception of this policy decreed should lay out the foundation for the system's latency imperative. This functional imperative requires that the system perform routine maintenance for its functions while motivating and encouraging higher levels of success. The Justice Department's policy will encourage that by allowing legitimate, successful dispensaries to flourish with no unfair legal ramifications. Meanwhile, any establishments that may have been illegally founded will still be met with prosecution, discouraging others from attempting to create their own unlawful businesses.
As it stands, it seems that America's system has taken on a new function by including and protecting medical marijuana sales. There is no doubt that although it may not have been functional in the past in a legal sense, the structure of our society has now adapted to the growing acceptance of medical marijuana, set out goals to attain, integrated it into the economical system, and plans to instigate latency through this new policy.
K94
ReplyDeleteSlo-Mo Cricket Chirps Reveal Secret Serenades
Christopher Joyce
NPR
October 20th, 2009
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113435034&ft=1&f=1024
Parsons:
Although my idea of fuctional action systems is intended to analyze people and the society they live in we can use this example of crickets chirps to analyze the four components of my theory. It has been shown in studies that crickets chirps, once slowed down so the human ears can hear them, can be shown to have seperate pulses for the different species. It must be assumed there is a reason that seperate cricket species have different pulses in their chirps. The idea of adaptation can explain this fact. Say two different species of crickets move into the same area, there must be a way for the females to distinguish which male she can mate with. The idea of adaptation allows the chirps of crickets to change so as to benefit them in their new environment. The seperate chirps must be present to obtain some sort of goal. This goal would clearly be to maintain the population of a specific cricket species by mating. By having different chirps the species females and males are able to find each other, mate, and therefore maintain the species. The idea of integration would mean that the female crickets as well as the male crickets of a given species must understand the system of chirps they are performing or hearing. Without the males knowing how to chirp or the females knowing what type of chirp to listen for the system would fail. This system of chirps will continue into future generations because of my idea of latency. Future generations will continue to use this system of chirps as long as it is still effective in females and males of a species finding one another.
Cat
ReplyDeleteGirl in Tuxedo Denied a Place in Yearbook
Chris Joyner
USA Today
October 18, 2009
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-10-18-yearbook-photo-lesbian_N.htm
The issue of gay rights has permeated through all systems within society, including government, and in the case of student Veronica Rodriguez, education. Because society is composed of very interdependent parts, the arguments stemming from gay rights and same-sex marriage has shown up within almost every institution. The gay rights movement has persisted strongly for decades and has come up against a fair amount of resistance. Therefore, adapting and integrating (the first and third imperatives for functional action systems) gay rights into society has been and still is a long and arduous process.
Veronica’s situation is a reflection of how the education system has been dealing with gay, lesbian, queer and transgender students. The superintendent of Veronica’s school district is confident that the law is still by their side on excluding a cross-dressing photo of a gay woman, but social goals set by lgbt activists and proponents (a growing social group) are in the process of changing the law. This tension between the lgbt movement and anti-gay groups has caused a large disequilibrium in society. The conflict will only resolve when society becomes functional again and equilibrium is established through adaptation and integration of gay rights into the larger society. Equilibrium will occur when the behavioral organism adapts society to the new environment of gay rights, when the personality system reaches the goal of including gay rights as a functional population in society, when the social system integrates gay rights, and when the cultural system maintains society by providing norms (that will include gay rights). Society must come together as a whole and agree on a solution through a consensus view.
Speedy
ReplyDeleteVatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic Church
Not Listed
CNN.com
October 20, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/20/vatican.anglican.church/index.html
Parsons
The Vatican is welcoming Anglicans into the Catholic Church. The system of religion is adapting to the changing times. The Anglicans who are unhappy with their faith now are presented with another option. Anglicans who are dissatisfied with their faith can now choose to join the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is handling this adaptation by allowing groups of Anglicans, including bishops and married priests to join their church. Both faiths have many goals for themselves. They understand what is important to each faith and what aspects they do not want to lose about their particular faiths. One goal being, unity and a diverse community of followers. The Catholic Church wants to promote culturally diversity as it always has in the past. By allowing the Anglicans to join the Catholic Church they are only working to obtain this goal along with many others. Values and beliefs are integrated into the church. Both groups have similar faith, doctrine, and spirituality. The church expects everyone to follow certain family and gender roles. The Catholic Church is allowing openly gay clergy and homosexual partners. When the Anglicans become part of the Catholic Church they will be able to retain their Anglican rites while recognizing the pope as their leader. This is an example of socialization because the Anglicans will be following certain roles and rules once they are apart of the Catholic Church.
This religious system has and will always have latency. Religion is a system that exists and persists throughout time. Religion has been around for thousands of years and it is not going anywhere. It has the ability to adapt and change as the times change. The religious system performs the pattern maintenance function by providing its followers with the norms and values that motivate them for action.
1. mother
ReplyDelete2. Revised formula puts 1 in 6 Americans in poverty
3. Hope Yen
4. Yahoo News
5. October 20, 2009
6. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Revised-formula-puts-1-in-6-apf-1729082827.html?x=0
Popper
Observations made in relation to the general status of the economy in the United States has lead to the development of new testing strategies that can measure the prevalence of poverty in society. The inductive research that has facilitated the creation of this universal formula has aided in accurately, empirically defining the level of poverty in the U.S. today. Empirical data on the status of the economy is important for understanding the true societal condition. Given this new formula, predictions on the magnitude of and changes in the level of poverty are now more representative of reality. Additionally, the new formula will monitor the impact of variables such as federal assistance on national economic standings. Quantitative measurements, understanding of causes and effects, control over variables, and predictability are important aspects that lead to logical understanding of the current social structure.
Greece
ReplyDeleteNudging Recycling From Less Waste To None
Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
October 19, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20trash.html
Parsons:
With an increase in awareness of environmental issues has come what has been coined the green revolution. Going green has been used to desribe efforts to increase sustainability and recycling. A new initiative called "zero waste" is taking effect across the nation. Recycling efforts have been adapted and changed as better ways to recycle have been developed. With a changing environment has come innovative recycling strategies. The clear soda cups and utensils at Yellowstone National Park are made of plant-based plastics which dissolve when when heated for a few minutes. This is one adaptation that has been made to eliminate trash in parks. The goal of the "zero-waste" philosophy is simply to reduce the amount of waste that is being dumped in landfills. "At eight of its North American plants, Honda is recycling so diligently that the factories have gotten rid of their trash dumpsters altogether." The amount of trash being dumped into a landfill in Nantucket has decreased by 8 percent. The "zero-waste" initiative is occurring across the nation. Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Atlanta are spearheading the "zero-waste" initiative. The EPA is also on board with the program creating an integrated effort to reduce waste and increase recycling. While the "zero-waste" initiative is in its beginning stages, but recycling takes back thousands of years. It is an effort that has persisted throughout time as a way to maintain a healthy environment and survival of the human species.
1. Footlocker
ReplyDelete2. All-Hybrid Taxi Fleet Debuts in Sunny Phoenix
3. Staff
4. GreenBiz.com
5. 10/20
6. http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/10/20/all-hybrid-taxi-fleet-debuts-sunny-phoenix
Parsons:
The taxicab companies are what I would call a necessary part of society, they serve a function, which happens to be productive, and this particular company (Clean Air Cabs) satisfies my 4 Imperatives for Function Action Systems. First, they are adaptive, which requires that the system change in response to change in the environment. With all of the focus on environmental contamination and climate change, this taxicab company adapted to the change in need and created a fully hybrid company that plants trees in the rain forest too. The company has set goals to help replant the rain forest and have begun figuring ways to subsidize the planting trees using profits. The system is integrated, meaning it has blended personal values and societal norms together. Individuals value the climate and the state of the environment, so the company took the norms for running a taxicab company, such as availability of cabs, reasonable fares, and transportation, and incorporated personal values in order to integrate into society. Lastly, the system addresses the concept of latency (existing and persisting through time) by focusing in on a functional need of society and providing adequate service to fulfill that need in a way that is mindful of future concerns and events.
1.Lucas
ReplyDelete2.Nudging Recycling From Less Waste to None
3. LESLIE KAUFMAN
4.New York Times
5.October 19, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20trash.html?_r=1
Parsons:
Recycling with “zero waste” is a way to motivate people to not only recycle but also take action to protect our environment. It is an antigarbage system that hopes to simply produce less waste. For example, Ecco Restaurant in Atlanta no longer throws left over food in the garbage; left over food is taken to the compost bin.
The majority of states are in the first step of the Functional Action System. We must all adapt, we must learn and become comfortable with the idea. Cities like Atlanta are putting the “Zero Waste” into action and making sure the philosophy is Latent, here to stay. The goal of “zero waste” is trying to have as many people and institutes park take in this movement.
We aren’t free to fully partake until the movement grows locally to national. For example we don’t have access to dump our left over food in compost. If more people make it their then its is a possibility to accessible of making “zero-waste.” Sounds great but now it time to convince the rest of Americans to get moving.
Mnk86
ReplyDelete“A Moo-Moo Here, and Better Test Scores Later.”
Javier C. Hernandez
The New York Times
October 19, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/education/20farms.html?hpw
Parsons:
The education system demonstrates how socialization fosters social unity and teaches children about social status and roles. This is demonstrated by these kindergarteners from Harlem who are going on field trips to zoos in order to have a better understanding of different geographical areas to apply to standardized testing questions. Living in an urban setting, these students are brought up knowing the roles of an individual who lives in a city. The Harlem Success Academy believes that taking their children to these farms will help them when the tests ask questions about crops and agricultural yields.
Education is a social system that depends on interaction and social stratification. When children go to school, their environment and the actors in it teach them about their own status and role. The kids in Harlem are being confronted with questions about agriculture when they are used to an urban environment. Through the process of adaptation, the Harlem Success Academy is trying to reconcile this rural bias by bringing its students out to the farms. In order to make society a fully functioning organism, the education system is responsible for instructing students on cultural values and norms. Standardized tests measure how well students understand these roles. Thus, the school in Harlem is working to better inform students, so they perform better on tests, and become a fully functioning part of the system.
Codeword
ReplyDeleteObama Song Stirs Controversy
C. Johnson
NEWS10abc (news10.net )
10/20/2009
http://www.news10.net/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=69069&catid=335
Parsons:
Outcries upon outcries have piled on accord of national pride and high expectancies for President Obama. However, the allegiance to a cause -- like the celebration of Black history -- or to a country, like the United States, should be the focus of reasoning behind the “praise.”
Patriotism is extremely functional to society. The role of the patriot is to love, support, and defend one’s country. When people are united to a pledge of national betterment, they work more stably within society. The stability of a worker’s mindset is crucial to the status of a society: if one believes that their president will steer the nation in the best direction, the person is more likely to support and promote the ways in which the country is being steered. More clearly stated: if an individuals works in the same direction that the rest of the society is working in, the nation will reach its goal. Four wheels working forward function better than three rolling forward and one pulling to the side. Why should it be negative for children to support a President who has seen struggle, overcome adversity, and done great things? By singing songs with youth about Obama’s fidelity to national betterment, the nation’s newest generation of patriots is being formed.
The second factor behind the children singing for Obama is Black History Month. Barack Obama has sealed his spot in Black history, becoming the first Black president. Should the praises be held until he dies and can’t be seen as politically correct or incorrect? Of course not! The fact that children of all races can be socialized to celebrate the achievements of those who successfully fight the repercussions of an evil past is crucial to the progress of a society. Growth would not occur without recognition; therefore, recognition is vitally functional.
Hiatus
ReplyDelete“Chronic Illnesses More Often Undiscovered, Undertreated in Uninsured”
Elizabeth Cooney
Commondreams.org
10/20/09
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/20-7
I, Talcott Parsons, do not think it is time for healthcare reform in America. In fact, I know it’s not the time (nor the place). We still have a long way to go until a consensus view can be formed on this issue, and until then, there won’t be any social change of that sort. America has more than functioned under this apparently faulty healthcare system, achieving global hegemony in the past century. The constituent parts of American Society are interdependent on one another, and the overall evolution and success of America indicates that its’ parts are more than functioning towards that end. Our healthcare system it a natural result of the increased structure needed for such a large society.
Maybe nobody wants to say it, but just as there are no winners without losers, and no up’s without down’s, there can be no “perfect” healthcare system where all benefit equally. There has to be those that fall through the cracks for this system to continue functioning. This world is becoming rapidly overpopulated and industrialized, exponentially decreasing our good earth’s limited natural resources. We can not all survive (at least not on this planet), and so if it is the uninsured that must get sick and die younger, then so be it. That role needs to be played to maintain social order.
Peaches
ReplyDeleteA Moo-Moo Here, and Better Test Scores Later
Javier C. Hernandez
New York Times
October 19, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/education/20farms.html?_r=1&em
Parsons:
Structural functionalism is the idea that good or bad; everything in society has its role and is essential for the society to continue to function. This idea is plausible, but like every idea it has strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to the social institution of public education these strengths and weaknesses are brought to our attention, especially when it comes to the American public’s education system on the emphasis put on standardized testing in this case New York’s education system. The purpose of education is to become enlightened and obtain instruction in various fields of interest. But with these test, goals other than passing the test are unattainable. “On the bus ride to the farm, the children sang rounds of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and a boy yelled, “I love pumpkin pie!” But it soon became clear that this was a field “study”— as the teachers called it — not a field “trip,” and the 75 Harlem kindergartners were going not only for a glimpse of rural life, but to rack up extra points on standardized tests.” In this society as we are moving from the home to school to the workforce, but this form of movement begins with expressive later to be ascriptive towards achievement. We are longer free to solely achieve personal goals but that of society so we fit into the system.
The education has been made functional on 4 levels. These kindergarteners are learning to adapt to rural farm life in order to fulfill goal attainment, which is passing the test that will not yet even be presented to them till the third grade. Later they begin to integrate into higher levels and the systems goals of passing this test are achieved and continued throughout their educational careers. The latency of this improves as years go on and it becomes a cycle. “Eva S. Moskowitz, who leads the Harlem Success Academy chain, rejected criticism that her efforts at preparing children for the tests are at the expense of other learning opportunities.” Even if this were to be true, the negative is also essential in keeping the system functional.
Shorty
ReplyDeleteHow To Fix the WNBAWhy the NBA's plan for selling women's basketball will never work—and what might.
Josh Levin
Slate
October 20, 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2232562/?from=rss
Parsons…
This article focuses on the so-called success of the WNBA franchise when in all actuality they system is functioning like dust. The mainstream values of the system such as the hype and higher television ratings, as well as more attendance have lessened in the past few years. The role of this system is designed to be equivalent to the NBA and set trends as records by elite players, playing at their highest peak. The role of the WNBA is to mainstream success and to host the rise in the league. Furthermore, its status as a franchise is to promote endless appeals to its audiences to capture the presence of champions and the excitement of rivalry and making an investment. The behavioral organism of the basketball league has seemed to diminish a bit. The basic biological need of the WNBA is to earn profits and attract coverage with high ratings. Seemingly, the investments have not paid off, as it’s reported that approximately $2 million are lost per year. The status of this system still has the basic need from the NBA as the WNBA would not exist if it was not for the NBA, as the majority of the WNBA is owned by the men of the NBA. The action of the WNBA league still pursuing to change different cities and locations of the teams displays how the behavior of the franchise is still motivated to persevere against the odds and endure to become an outstanding league performing to great heights. The adaptation of the WNBA has been to suspend teams that are not performing well, and to relocate other teams to newer cities in hopes for better attendance. The goal that is destined to be attained by the WNBA is to have championship series as popular as the NBA, to endorse more athletes to come and support other sports, and to put the WNBA back to the top. If the players have motivation and the support of other league members, then the system as a whole will regain the necessary elements needed to perform and function its parts together. Since the WNBA has only been in existence since about 1997, the system in comparison to the NBA must advance overtime and progress. Overall, the WNBA has become socialized into normalcy as accepting the role of females as professional basketball stars and players. The social evolution to this entire organization is to place the WNBA at the status of the NBA where it feels enabled to compete and survive at the mainstream level and triumph into victory.
Xaipe
ReplyDeleteBasic Medicare Premium to Rise 15% Next Year
By Robert Pear
The New York Times
October 19, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/health/policy/20health.html?_r=1&ref=us
The attempt by the government to reorganize our health care system is a critical part of the well-being of our society. The health care system, Medicare plans included, are a vital part of the functioning of society. Medicare serves a necessary function for maintaining and perpetuating the population. Without Medicare, or some form of health care for the elderly population, there would be as lack of order, harmony, and cooperation in the other parts of society. The health care system is dependent on the economy and rises in costs simply throws the system out of equilibrium. Without reorganization of the health care system to restore this equilibrium, no progress can be made to improve society.
The complexity of the society makes the break down of different parts of the health care system necessary for the proper functioning of the system as a whole, however increases in costs makes change necessary. Medicare is dependent on the economy, taxes, and the amount of money that the working population can put into it, hence unemployment is bad for its functioning. Fluctuations in this small part of the health care system will affect how the rest of the health care system’s pricing is determined, especially how changes in the President’s new plans for health care reform is determined. However, no matter how dire the situation may seem, the health care system, Medicaid especially will be able to function independently for a while if the whole health care system is destroyed.
-Karl Popper
Miyagi
ReplyDeleteNudging Recycling From Less Waste to None
Leslie Kaufman
The New York Times
October 20, 2009
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/20-8
Parsons
The notion of a zero waste society is a fairly new one in the grand scheme of our society, even recycling in general has yet to take a firm hold as one of the important values for our society. In recent years however recycling has become more exposed to the general public making it more accessible and rewarding for citizens who want to maintain the earth. The social system that has arisen from this recycling revolution can be assessed by using some the four imperatives for functional action systems. Recycling was not taken into consideration until us as a society learned about what the waste we produce does to the environment, it was finally able to adapt to the feelings of the general public to make recycling more appealing. The article begins with many different stories about how companies like Honda are finding ways to produce zero waste to the point that it has become commonplace. By being able to integrate itself into society, the zero waste movement has socialized certain attitudes in society to help change the common perception of recycling this can be seen by the community in Nantucket whose island is almost zero waste. Each individual must commit to the movement in order for it to be successful. The zero waste movement has also set some goals for the future which is to make the greater Earth a zero waste zone. They would like these ideas to become a natural part of society over time to the point where we do not have to ask people to recycle. Whether the movement can achieve latency and reach their goals remains to be seen but they are off to an exceptional start.
M_Luther
ReplyDeleteDead Law Walking
Redman, Daniel
Slate
Oct 20 2009
http://www.slate.com/id/2233014/?from=rss
(Parsons) This article discusses one of the more unsavory aspects of the NYPD, and in doing so, reveals that it will soon either change or cease to exist. There are four imperatives for a functional action system: adaptation, goal-attainment, integration, and latency. All four of these are required. In this article, it is detailed how the NYPD continue to enforce laws that have been stricken from the books (they were deemed unconstitutional) in an attempt to discriminate against homosexuals. Since they’ve been doing this for the past 26 years since the law was deemed unconstitutional, I supposed they’ve fulfilled the criteria for latency. The criminal justice system also, for the most part, integrate itself well with the rest of society. It’s clearly reaching its goals as well: it’s discriminating against these people despite the existence of laws designed to protect them. This could also be argued to show that they are not obtaining their goals, based on one’s perspective. While officially this discrimination might be violating what they claim their goals to be, their actions in public show what their real goals are, and that they are successfully obtaining them. The imperative they fail is in adaptation. Many other structures in America are moving past discriminating against homosexuals. The NYPD are not, despite repeated attempts by courts and other to make them stop. They aren’t adapting. Simply put, they will need to learn to adapt, or they will cease to exist.
Tundra
ReplyDeleteBig Brother Is Watching Your Weight
William Saletan
Slate
10.21.09
http://www.slate.com/id/2233119/?from=rss
Popper
The article talks about how our tax dollars are going to be used to discourage people from being fat. It suggests that there be an incentive offered to those who are less fat, by offering them more medical coverage or health care insurance. Those who do not meet the weight requirement will be offered less money/compensation for illnesses they develop (with the belief it was caused by their fattness). Popper would want to look at this scientifically. It sounds legitamate that people who are overweight or obese will be more likely to develop weight related diseases. They will be more at risk for type 2 diabetes, heart/artery/circulatory problems, malnutrition and over nutrition problems, and many more devastating health effects. For Popper, the measures the government wants to take emphasize predictability, cause and effect, and controlling outside variables. The government would be better able to serve a healthy population without being hindered by fat people sucking up all the money to pay for their over-comsumption that should be going to feed the literally malnourished in impoverished regions around the globe. The extra money could also be used to improve our lives in other ways. Popper would want to rely on the facts, cold hard and mean. Statistics, data, and surveys all indicate as a nation we are turning into obese complainers. Popper would say: science doesn't lie.
Seymour
ReplyDeleteDrug Coupons Hide True Costs From Consumers
Chana Joffe-Walt
NPR
October 20, 2009
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113969968
Parsons:
Social structures and institutions are functional in that they allow for the perpetuation of society. In America the drug companies serve as functional entities. Drug companies meet the four functional imperatives for functional action systems (AGIL): adaptation, goal-attainment, integration, and latency. Adaptation is seen in the drug companies’ use of coupons to combat lowering health insurance copays for generic versions of their drugs. The lower costs of generic drugs save health insurance companies money, however, they hurt drug companies’ profits and so drug companies have enacted measures to combat this threat to its livelihood. To make a profit is the goal of drug companies, which they do and so the goal-attainment imperative is met. The imperative of latency is reached in that drug companies have existed and persisted for quite some time. Drug companies perform the pattern maintenance function with their company policies as well as their policies towards the public.
The most important imperative for functional action systems is integration. Drug companies integrate adaptation, goal-attainment, and latency together which allows the system to function as a whole. The goals of the companies adapt in order to maintain latency. Drug companies also integrate its consumers with values that benefit the drug companies that fit within a capitalist schema. Since they serve both adults and children alike socialization occurs by teaching individuals their role as consumers.
Integration also occurs with other systems. Health insurance companies make it possible for consumers to afford the drug companies’ products and at the same time the economic system influences the cost of production of said products as well as other factors. Multiple systems influence each other in our society and this is seen between the interplay between health insurance companies and drug companies. While health insurance companies lower the price for cheaper generic brands in order to attain their own profit goals the drug companies counteract with coupons that allows the cost, for the consumer, to be less on the brand name drugs. Health insurance companies may react by raising their premiums. This competition between these two functional systems demonstrates the rising costs in the American economy and overall shows social change. The adaptive measures that drug companies enact indicate their evolutionary progress as a functional part of the social system as a whole, society.
ImSaari24
ReplyDeleteGreen Cities California Unveils Best Practices Website
Leslie Guevarra
GreenBiz.com
October 21, 2009
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/10/21/green-cities-california-unveils-best-practices-website
Parsons...
I chose to analyze and reflect on this particular article from the perspective of Talcott Parsons because its main focus really illustrates a more modern example of structural functionalism, and the mutual integration of society toward a sustainable goal. In this article, the reader learns of a popular non-profit website devoted to assisting other communities in their attempt to “go green” by listing efficient ways to save energy, recycle garbage, and preserve natural resources. Each city that becomes a member of this website agrees to adopt and implement some sort of sustainability plan that aims for a functional society with less environmentally harmful methods of production or services. Parsons would likely be quite pleased with this effort to integrate society in order to execute the four Imperatives of a functional action system. These cities in California began this shift toward a more environmentally friendly means of production, which clearly portrays society’s adaptation through adjustment and transformation of the social world. The next step was the adoption of a sustainability plan, which explains how each society defines a set of goals and mobilizes enough resources to attain them. These cities would then become more integrated through control of components within a coherent whole. Finally, a sustainability plan that persists throughout time creates a sense of latency, and will continue to motivate individuals to perform pattern maintenance functions in an effort to lengthen the success of their individual sustainability plan. Parsons might conclude by stating that any social system’s ability to integrate is the most significant function they could possess. Without integration, there could never be progress…
1. Eastside
ReplyDelete2. As Hybrid Buses Get Cheaper, Cities Fill Their Fleets
3. Micheline Maynart
4. The New York Times
5. October 20, 2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22BUS.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons
I chose to focus on Parsons and his theory of Structural Functionalism. The price drop in the production and manufacturing of hybrid vehicles has allowed bigger cities to add hybrid buses to their fleet of motor vehicles. With the addition of these buses which run on diesel fuel and electricity, our cities become less boisterous and far less polluted. As our nation has taken a somewhat technological evolutionary change, we have had to stimulate adjustments in parts of our society to move towards a new equilibrium. Although hybrid cars were not a necessity 20 years ago, with our scientific advances we have become prone to create “new necessities” that have driven new innovations that are now required to make our society operate smoothly. This process might not seem like a big deal to some but you have to recognize the fact that many different parts of our society had to come into concurrence for this progression into the new age to take place. Although many economists have gone against the idea of going all out monetarily for these new buses (their cost of production is around 1 million dollars), environmentalists have countered their fiscal complaints with health concerns. The attribution of the new line of buses has caused different parts of our society to amend altering views with the goal of coming to a common agreement. Economists have been needed to surmise the cost and benefits while environmentalists have also done their part to positively contribute to the operation of this new system.
1. Luna
ReplyDelete2. Vatican Bidding to Get Anglicans to Join Its Fold
3. Rachel Donadio and Laurie Goodstein
4. The New York Times
5. October 20th, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/world/europe/21pope.html
Popper:
Pope Benedict XVI and the Vatican have recently encouraged Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church. They will be able to keep some of their traditions while still embracing ideas against gay marriage and female bishops, ideas that some Anglicans hold and others don't.
I cannot understand why this event is even occurring. Philosophy and religion are nonsense. The scientific method and other empirical methods are the only way to gain true knowledge. Religion is unverifiable. Two important concepts emerge. Religion (here, Roman Catholicism) has a fallacy of affirming the consequent; in other words, people who believe in religion are not looking for another answer to their existential questions. Also, there is no falsifiable criterion for hypothesis: there is not even a way to disprove the hypotheses that some organized religions support. Yes, there are universal laws that govern human action, but natural science is the only way to find truth and meaning.
1.Bahamas
ReplyDelete2."Nudging Recycling from Less Waste to None"
3.Leslie Kaufman
4.The New York Times
5.October 20, 2009
6.http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/20-8
Parsons:
"I believe that action = behavior with motivation." An anti garbage movement called "zero waste" is moving from the fringes to the mainstream, taking hold in school cafeterias, national parks,restaurants,stadiums, and corporations. We all must adapt to this change, we must learn and become more comfortable with this idea and then we'll all work together and be on our way to a healthier environment. I believe "zero wastes" mission is for this idea to be a natural and normal part of humanity. The system has sat goals and if we mobilize our resources, we will attain them. "We really aren't free. We're constrained by the needs of the social system" and for the system "zero waste" to work, we must exist and persist throughout time. Each individual plays an important part in the social structure and like Mr. Johnson said "it will take a lot longer to get average Americans to compost" but if we all intergrate our beliefs, values, and norms we can make this happen faster then we think.
Howard
ReplyDelete“Clouds Ahead for Microsoft”
Caitlin McDevitt
Slate Magazine
October 18, 2009
http://www.thebigmoney.com/features/todays-business-press/2009/10/18/clouds-ahead-microsoft
Parsons:
A great way of analyzing Microsoft’s current development is to use my, Talcott Parsons, theory of the four imperatives for Functional Action Systems. By doing this I will observe how Microsoft has gone about adapting to the current society, how it has continued to obtain goals, how it has integrated in society, and its’ latency. Due to the changes in what people desire, Microsoft is currently adapting by trying to reinvent itself so that it can receive as much publicity as its’ competitors. Its’ goal is to produce devices that are convenient and desirable to the consumer so that their product offers benefits to the consumer that other competitors do not offer. The next step for Microsoft will be to combine the adaptations of their new invention and the goal of creating a product unique and desirable to consumers. The final step is the latency step where Microsoft will continue to create products that help consumers successfully and simplistically complete their daily tasks, so that Microsoft will continue to sell their products no matter what their competitors produce. The key for Microsoft at this turning point is to be sure they are aware of the new needs and desires of their consumers and create products that standout from other competitors’ products. Although I often referred to this theory at a macro level, to societies, we can see how large businesses often are confronted with similar tasks to achieve so that they can continue throughout the years. Due to the fact the societies are constantly changing, the businesses must constantly stay in sync with the societies so that they do not fall behind and lose their reputation. Microsoft has been around for many years; therefore, it is obvious that Microsoft has made many adaptations to their business to keep the recognition they have gained over the years.
1.Skittles
ReplyDelete2.Taser Advice: Don't Aim at Target's Chest
3.Robert Anglen
4.Commondreams.org
5.Oct. 21, 2009-10-21
6.http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/21-6
Parsons,
The criminal justice system-without the latency of this of this system the society would certainly suffer. That is why it is crucial that we come to an agreement on the role of these cops. My ideologies persist and I still advocate that change will come from agreement. So in order for us to be free from stagnation and lean towards progress we must all reach an agreement with the roles of these cops and their use of tasers. The opposing views from the taser officials, civil-rights lawyers, and human-rights advocates could easily escalate into something that impedes society’s level of integration. If there is not a consensus among society then how will police officers know how to perform their roles based on the expectations of that role? If they are all doing the same thing and is pleasing to some and displeasing to others then you already begin to see the beginning of disintegration within society (a split in the expectation of their roles. The role of police officers entail protecting the people, and it is apparent in this article that some believe that shooting tasers at a suspects chest is unnecessarily harming (and not protecting) the people. Police officers are a vital element of the criminal justice system, thus the confusion of their roles, and inconsistency with their expectation will inevitably lead to a criminal justice system that is inconsistent and unreliable...and how could society expect to function with a system like that? An agreement needs to be met so that society can move beyond this issue and work on other ways to improve the criminal justice system and not continue to rehash over issues that leave us in a stand still.
1) Bernie
ReplyDelete2) As Hybrid Buses Get Cheaper; Cities Fill their fleets.
3) Michelle Maynard
4) New York Times
5) 10/20/2009
6) http://www/nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22bus.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons:
This article is a wonderful example of a system integrated into society that may or may not stand up to the test of time. The biggest trend of the past couple of years is to go green. As our society continues to see the pollutions' affects on our envirionment and new ways to stall global warming arise, we have depended on new technologies that lower the risks of living in a polluted environment. New hybrid buses have become a hit in the cities since they have gotten cheaper. To see if this new system is a functional part of society it has to fit into the 4 Imperatives for Functional Action Systems. Our society has been able to adapt to these changes so far because its cheaper and has gained support. As long as new problems dont arise from the dangerous battery or from the initial high cost, it should continue to be a positive adaptation. So far this system has made goals, gain support for helping the environment, transport people in the city at low cost, and reduce the harm to the environment. As long as these goals continue to be reached, the system should continue to be a part of the society. And finally, only time will tell if the new buses will be integrated and last a long time. The way the new transportation system meets the other criteria, I would predict that it will meet the others and continue to be a functional system in our society.
Seazer
ReplyDeleteFinding Ease, Efficiency and Fun on a Scooter
DEXTER FORD
The New York Times
10/20/2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22SCOOT.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons,
All throughout American society, the skyrocketing of gas prices has been a major concern. Although gas prices have recently gone down and started to become less erratic in nature, the recent jump to an average of almost four dollars a gallon has made a traumatic mark amongst our population. People have finally started to let go of their gas guzzling vehicles and think about a more economic and efficient means of transportation. Due to this drastic switch in economic mindset, the used of scooters has reached an all time high.
When regarding Parson’s theory of Structural Functionalism, it is safe to say that the recent emergence of scooter usage in American society reflects many of his key concepts. The fact that scooters average about 70 miles to the gallon is a major focal point when drawing parallels to his theory. When concerning the cultural system, which pertains to values, Americans are trying to fulfill the desire to act accordingly to the normal values of society. There has been a recent switch in American society regarding economic efficiency and people who drive scooters are trying to fulfill this goal by using a means of transportation that doesn’t reflect such an excess of fuel usage. By driving scooters, people obtain new statuses and roles as well. According to Parsons, they are necessary to meet biological needs. The status and role of a scooter driver is now someone who is conscious of the economy and environment. This is seen as a positive thing nowadays, and the aspiration towards a socialized goal, such as this, is necessary for the survival of society.
Giving up ones gas guzzler also sheds light on Parson’s theory of the imperatives for functional action systems. According to Parsons, a system must be able to adapt to changes in the environment. The switch to scooters reflects this by showing how Americans have adapted to factors such as the declining economy, limited resources, and environmental concerns such as global warming . Resources such as gasoline are becoming incredibly scarce nowadays. Therefore, people are adapting to more efficient methods of transportation such as driving scooters.
Overall, the recent scooter boom is attributed to the fact that goal attainment is very important in regards to the survival of a functioning society. The goal in this case, is to become more efficient with resources such as oil. This is because it has become valued in society to become economically and environmentally conscious. Americans have also had to adapt to these standards in order to survive on an economic and personal level as well. This adaptation is major part of a societies ability to survive. There are, however; latent and manifest functions of this scooter trend. A manifest function would be something intended such as saving money, helping the economy, and saving the environment from green house gases. A latent function would be the fact that the abandonment of gas guzzling vehicles has unified our society on an evolutionary progressive level.
Rainpda
ReplyDelete'Spare a Dime for the Times?'
Menachem Kaiser
Slate
10/21/09
http://www.slate.com/id/2233151/?from=rss
Parsons: In the article that author is talking about how the New York Times has to lay off workers, but they did not give a reason why. People have offered to for more for online content or even donate funds so that they would not have to do that. The question that was presented was can a publicly traded company like the New York Times except donations. With the company needing money in order to keep their workers shows that structures are interdependent and that things can not exist separate from each other. The company has been operating without donations but the time has come where they need some help and without the help they maybe able to survive but for how much longer. The newspaper can must learn to adapt to what is happening now in the economy and if it can go to being a nonprofit caompany it should so that it can be able to grow through deductible donations. in order to acheive its goal to get the news out everyday to thousands of people they are going to need people to do the work and if donations allow people to keep their job, the other people at the commpany would not have to do more work which could slow down porductivity. Changing from a for profit to a non profit would place limits on what the paper could do but it would give them more structure which would decrease the chance of the company going under. Lastly being a nonprofit would give the workers sense of job security, and would allow them to keep their job even if they make less than before, they would still be able to work and support themselves.
1.Gorgoron
ReplyDelete2.Youth sports is an enterprise worthy of a bailout.
3.JIM LITKE
4.The Associated Press
5.10/21/09
6.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2IjFPq3Qe0L86EEJirZUhMz-igwD9BFC1U80
Sports
Talcott Parsons and Structural-Functionalists alike, would say that sports serve important functions in our society and should be justly rewarded. In fact, a sports team is a microcosm ( a little world; a world in miniature) of the broader society, where everyone learns their roles and contributes to the broader running of the system (winning games). People who are not as qualified or talented should not make it to the top ranks, and those who do must have the best character, discipline, and skill level of all competing athletes. Structural-Functionalist would say that sports serve the ritualistic function of keeping society bonded and people (the athlete, teams ,and fans) in solidarity with each other. Also, Structural-Functionalists would say that when rapid social change occurs (e.g. high school sports suddenly become commercialized), sports must make some adaptations and changes but that they will survive and remain pretty much unchanged. The best athletes deserve the money they get because they help us as a society determine who we are and establish a sense of togetherness. “Role players” are never unfairly discriminated against but serve a positive function for the team (e.g. being a practice player to help the first-string get better).
RAWR!
ReplyDeleteRights-Africa: Female Circumcision Still a Vote Winner
Wambi Micheal (Kampala)
Glabal Issues.org
October 19, 2009
http://www.glogalissues.org/news/2009/10/19/3173
Parsons:
In this article, the author expresses horror at the idea that female circumcision has not yet been totally banned in Uganda. That it is, in fact, unlikely to be banned in the near future, as it is such an important part of their culture and a woman's social standing. The author's outrage is misplaced however, because, as female circumcision is such an enduring part of Ugandan society, it must serve a function in that society or it would already have ceased to exist. The parts of societies that are enduring, are those parts that serve a function in that society. If a new social institution does not serve a function in the society, it will fail to thrive and cease to be. By the same token, if an existing social institution or part of society ceases to be functional it will wither and die. As in biological organisms, appendages that are no longer useful in social organisms will eventually cease to be, though they may survive for a short while before they eventually succumb. The part of society or social institutions that endure are those that serve a specific function in that society. Even the parts of society that we would deam "bad" by social convention, such as poverty, crime, or (in this case) female circumcision, must provide some function or they would have died out long ago. Instead, things like crime and poverty are ubiquitous in all societies across time. It is laike the old saying: SOmeone has to do the dirty work. NOt everyone can be a CEO, someone has to take out the trash. By the same token, because female circumcision is still done, even though it is against the letter of the law in many places, it must serve some purpose in that society. Just because the function is not always obvious does not men it isn't there. Female circumcisin has served a girl's right of passage into woman hood, a control against female promiscuity, and a mark of respectability in Uganda for centuries. It serves important functions in that society and will continue to exist as long as it continues to perform those functions.
1. LOVE 143 143
ReplyDelete2. Obama Eases Policy on Medical Marijuana
3. Sheena Hill
4. Commondreams.com
5. Oct 19, 2009
6. http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/19-5
Parson's:
Medical Marijuana advocates nervously await the outcome of Barack Obama's request to the United States administration for policy changes regarding the legality of medical marijuana use; currently medical marijuana use is already leagal in 14 states, including Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, and Michigan etc...
Recently, despite governmental plans, the DEA has continued to crack down on dispensaries and pateints; however, the Justice Department has issued a new policy memo that disencourages officials from attempting to prosecute marijuana users who are in compliance with their state laws. This illustrates Parsons theory of Functional Action Systems. It is critical that each social system adapts to its surrounding enviroment; before medical marijuana use was completely illegal but in recent years, it has been adapted slowly and gained acceptance in 14 United States. According to Bruce Mirkin, commincations director for Marijuana Policy Project, eloquently states "This is a major step forward... moves the federal government dramatically toward respecting scientific and practical reality." The goal attainment is clear under the acceptance of our federal government to accept sales of medical marijuana and it medicinal uses; the new policy created will achieve that goal and as of now, marijuana advocates will control its current and legal function. The completeion of intergration will occur once our government embraces the legality of marijuana use. Once fully embraced, integration will set in with pharmacutical sales of marijuana, prescriptions, etc... this would lay out the groundwork for the last of these functions to occur, latency. I believe that this system will serve its important functions in society and will continue sucess in its future.
1) 7138
ReplyDelete2)Send Lawyers, Guns, and Money: Anti-Obama paranoia is good for at least one business
3)Daniel Gross
4)Slate
5)10/21/09
6)Slate.com
Parsons:
The new President of the United States has instilled much worry and fear into some of the countries citizens. Although some may believe this fear is negatively effecting the economy, it is not true for everyone. Specifically, the Freedom Group which is a part of Cerebus Capital Management has actually increased business since the new administration. They are a gun and ammunition company which has succesfully utilized my theory of Imperatives for Functional Action Systems or "AGIL". Given that the current state of the country they have adapted to the demands of the population by providing more guns and ammo; since citizens believe Obama will institute stricter gun laws in the near future. Concurrently, Freedom Group must set a certain goal, which may be to increase gun sales, and complete it because it will harbor more profit. Without goal-attainment, the company will remain stagnant and eventually fail.
Given that all workers within Freedom Group do not agree with everything the tea baggers and political rightists say towards Obama, they must integrate. By use of integration they will be able to see eye to eye with the political parties and provide them with better services; because ultimately it will drive profit higher. If Freedom Group stays within there social system and socializes to their role as a gun and ammunition producer who sells weapons to "Obama haters", then they will show latency and persist through time. But if they do not abide by this system, their business will begin to fail as it did during the American car crisis.
RMUSTANG
ReplyDelete‘Green’ and ‘Luxurious’ in the Same Sentence
Lawrence Ulrich
The New York Times
October 21, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22HYBRID.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons:
Here we see a classic example of my proposed Action System. It is well known that businesses seek to generate revenue, ideally to maximize revenue and minimize expenses. However, to categorize them by this degree of simplicity fails to convey the structural system in place and undermines the intricacies of said system. The car industry is no different, which is shown within the context of this article.
Car companies have recently been coerced to address issues, potential problems that compromise the longevity of said businesses as well as heavily relied upon transportation. Legislatures have imposed new fuel efficiency requirements in response to the ever present threat of global warming. In conjunction with this, the ideology of the patron has shifted; consumers want to “go green.” Green models that currently exist are unappealing due to lack of significant trade-off value, design or other factors.
Faced with an otherwise uncertain future, car companies have begun to respond to the calling of their environments. They are adapting, the first imperative for Functional Action Systems. Car companies, more specifically, producers of luxury models such as Mercedes, Cadillac and BMW have shifted research toward constructing hybrid cars that maintain all desired characteristics of a luxury vehicle. Fuel efficiency has also been upgraded by increasing the mpg of future models.
The next imperative, goal attainment has received a boost as well. Survival may be the more pertinent goal, but on a lower level are goals that are vital to company, system sustainability. Hybrid cars must be designed to provide all of the positives of a green vehicle and look stylish. As stated in the article, patrons want to be able to ‘have their cake and eat it too!” Driving the shift from traditional guzzlers to cars powered by lithium-ion batteries is an example of another goal that needs to be attained.
The system hierarchy, corporate executives, managers and so on, integrates these new societal values (greenness) into the consciousness of employees, engineers and laborers. Outside, in the larger, state-controlled system, car companies undergo a process of integration and are expected to drive the shift toward environmentally friendly transportation alternatives to those currently in place.
Lastly, theses system must remain latent and continue to exist. The automotive system is motivated to act and in doing so, will continue to survive. Eventually, the current threat of making the transition to greenness while maintaining luxury standards will pass. As demonstrated, even car corporations can be explained through Functional Action Systems.
1. GraffitiDrk
ReplyDelete2. Finding Ease, Efficiency and Fun on a Scooter
3. DEXTER FORD
4. NYTimes.com
5. 10/20/2009
6.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22SCOOT.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons
My structural functionalist theory clearly delineates the basics to the craze of the scooter in the United states. For instance in terms of adaptation, the scooter is America adapting to the economic and increase of gas prices. Essentially following other countries like France and Italy where they are currently widely used. Further the idea of the scooter fulfills Goal Attainment by acquiring the goal of efficiency, and economic transportation. The scooter also is easily integrated within the transportation system as it falls under the same category as any other 2 wheeled vehicle that is acceptable on US roadways. Since the scooter is seen as a trend it fulfills the idea of it having latency, when one person has one other will follow. Essentially the scooter is a way of transportation that is sociologically relevant due to its structural functional basis.
1. Charlie
ReplyDelete2. ‘Green’ and ‘Luxurious’ in the Same Sentence
3. Lawrence Ulrich
4. The New York Times
5. October 21, 2009
6. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22HYBRID.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons:
This is a prime example of my classic theory of action, and the four imperatives for Functional Action Systems. Over the past few years we have seen a shift towards Green. Going green is taking over America, little steps at a time. We need to follow this green to improve the environment; we are being bombarded with these messages on a daily basis, from stopping into the local grocery store and being asked to buy reusable bags, to cars. Hybrid cars have taken off in the past few years. But what comes to mind? The Prius and other lower end cars that do not let Americans keep their status we hold so highly in our vehicles. Many people in America did not feel these cars truly met their lifestyle no matter how “Green” the cars were. So therefore my first step imperative for functional action occurs! Adaption, there was a demand for luxury green cars, and look who has delivered, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Land Rover, Porsche, Cadillac, and Infiniti are all delivering luxury green cars! Not only are these cars more luxurious but they have designed them to be more Green. The goal they are trying to attain is to get the part of America with money to jump on the hybrid bandwagon and still have the status that they expect to have. These cars will need to be integrated into the social system so that these people want to buy this car. The company has done a good job of helping to integrate it by it saving money on gas in the long run. These companies and the rest of the country are definitely hoping for the latency of the going green project to be long and perform well. If we can not integrate this Green movement into the American way of life then it will not be able to be latent, so we must work to make the social institutions of America believe that going green is a important concern for everyone, including the wealthy.
not late - emailed at 3:39pm on Wed
ReplyDeleteJ32828
Urban America Is Catching the Scooter Craze
Dexter Ford
New York Times
October 20, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22SCOOT.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
From Parsons
Transportation has become an integral part of present day’s society. Many Americans use their own cars; some ride the bus and few ride motorcycles. Few towns and cities have ever had to experience a shift in the types of transportation used. With the changing economy Americans are beginning to feel the downturn especially when filling up their family SUV. Scooters have now become a happy alternative for the gas guzzling car.
Americans are adapting to a changing national economy, the current environment is changing, and Americans have less money for extravagant cars and the price of their gas.
The goal might have to be set that fewer cars be made and used, and more scooters, bikes, and motorcycles are put into use. The function of getting to and from certain places will still be in place, but the means of getting there will shift.
With many college towns utilizing scooters, bikes, and mass transit systems, the hope is that cities will catch on. In the article New York City was highlighted for their changing means of transportation. Hopefully, this trend will continue and not prove to be a fleeting memory.
The positives of scooter transportation are that many will find their wallets filled rather than depleted; the transportation structure will still serve its function, just in a different way. Also, the environment will be better served with scooters as opposed to Hummers. Integrating scooters into daily transportation would be a positive.
Beaner
ReplyDelete"How Business Can Make the Changes the World Needs." by Matthew Wheeland
Greenbiz.com
October 21st, 2009
http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/10/21/bsr-2009-how-business-can-make-changes-world-needs
Parsons
At the Business For Social Responsibilities Conference in San Francisco, many have been discussing the idea of using this recession and rebuilding period to restructure corporate goals and implement more environment-friendly policies. There have been many pleas with large businesses to keep environmental factors in mind and do set out to execute plans that will help us all in the long run rather than simply making changes that work for the time being. Countries like Sweden and Denmark have been spearheading green initiatives and will soon make it inevitable for US businesses to catch up. There has also been an urgent outcry for our government to begin requiring that corporations report the negative effects that they have on the environment to the general public. This reporting would aid in encouraging corporations to be more conscious of their environmental practices.
As a structural functionalist, Parsons would say that the dependence that our country has had on oil and the practices that big businesses have executed since Industrialization were absolutely necessary for our country to progress as quickly as it has. He would probably argue that technology would have never gotten to this point if we had not had a negative impact on the environment.
However, in the 3 key aspects of his theory, Parsons claimed that large-scale institutions are independent, they carry a "normal" equilibrium, and when that equilibrium is disturbed, reorganization occurs. One may view the recent scientific discoveries about global warming and other environmental troubles as the catalyst that has disturbed the equilibrium in the business world. At this point, a restructuring is in order and a change must occur to restore that equilibrium. With the chance of catastrophic weather patterns, chemicals that cause birth defects and other ailments, as well as a whole host of other issues, it seems as though there is no other choice.
Anakin
ReplyDeleteEducation Reform's Moon Shot
Arne Duncan
the Washington post
Friday, July 24, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072302634.html
parsons
The secretary of education, in my opinion, wrote this article to back up the president's decision on how we are going to reform education. So many people have their own opinions as to how education should look like, including the president. However, what people do not understand is that the way education is set up is essential for the system to be able to exist in the first place. Social systems are like organisms with essential parts. Parts of that system that are not essential to that organisms existence would either not be part of that system, or on its way out of it. Therefore, an attempt to change the system is obsolete and an unrealistic moral effort that would create more problems than good.
Bob Marley
ReplyDeleteFill it up with Electricity, Please
Matthew Wald
New York Times
October 21, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/automobiles/autospecial2/22ELECTRIC.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Parsons
Trying to figure out a better solution to help cars run has longed plagued society. Gasoline prices have continued to go up. With this innovative idea of using electricity so cars can run, we have adapted to necessary uses for our environment. We are going to a time where gasoline will not fuel or engines but just electricity. Our goal as a society is to find cheaper way for our cars to run and also make a better environment. If we do not use gasoline this leads to less pollution. All manufactures will integrate this new way to fuel or cars with electricity. In the future every car will have all the same parts and ran by an electric form. By integrating this new system in our society our environment will be tied into our economy, making things cheaper and cleaner. This latent effect would then create the social norm for society to use electricity instead of gas to fuel our cars.