SumBlog7

       I find that I do some of my best studying in busy, cozy environments. For me, in Central Wisconsin, they means a coffee shop. I often go to Starbucks to work on research and write up papers. I choose a place where I have a bit of space since I usually have many articles to reference, my big laptop and a big bag full of just-in-case items along with textbooks and writing utensils. I probably take up more room than I should and feel guilty about it sometimes; however, when it gets busy, I move over as to take up only one or two spaces. People seem to get a bit more protective of their space when it gets busy.

by Lori Johnson http://www.collegebound.net/blog/college-behind-the-scenes-finals-week/

       I usually focus on my work with occasional snack breaks and coffee refills. I really like being in the warm, relaxing environment especially as the days get shorter and the weather colder. Sometimes I notice other students working diligently and
      With a standpoint approach, looking at this experience subjectively, I can imagine that some might not like that I bring so much work to Starbucks and stay so long. Perhaps some might think that I don't have the internet, or a car (I am clearly visible hopping on and off my bike.) In fact, I have lightning fast wireless internet and two cars. Also, the baristas might think I'm a bit odd inquiring about calorie counts and nutrition facts on drinks (which I can't always get on the site), when in reality, I'm an athlete deep in training and need to track everything that I put in my body. Other students that I observe I'm sure have their own stories that are misinterpreted.
       The standpoint approach allows for many views to be taken to a single event or situation. In my Starbucks case I realized that the reasons that I do things and the choices I make are not always clear and not straightforward to outside. I'm sure that others encounter the same things.  We tend to make generalizations and assumptions based on people's behavior and outward appearance. This could be a disadvantage of standpoint theory. Unless we investigate further, we aren't sure about the assumptions we're making about everyone in the situation.

SumBlog6

Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote one of my favorite short stories that has stayed with me since I first read it in high school. "The Yellow Wallpaper" differs from her other writings - for example "Women and Economics" not only in content but mostly in style. The Yellow Wallpaper although quite short always seemed much longer to me; its story and main character have depth. Vivid images are painted in this story such as a woman sitting, watching the outside world ....

and the imprisoned shadows on the wall....I always get an empathetic, eerie feeling as the story progresses. We're not really sure what to think. I feel as though I'm on her side, fighting as to why she's been put there and also against her own demons in the room. I began to wonder whats real and what's in her head. 

I think this story was important for the time because not only is it a multi-layered intriguing story, but it tells us about women at the time. It makes us think about women's roles and rights. Was this woman crazy? Was she driven crazy by people or society? Who has the right to put her away in this type of "prison"? I think perhaps many women in this time suffered from what was called "nerves." She knows she's been put on medication for her condition, but obviously isn't fully aware of what's she's doing - if indeed she is wearing down the wallpaper. I'm left to wonder if it was real or not. This story of a woman put in an attic for her nervous condition makes me think of old ads from America which also play on this notion. Is telling a woman, (or man) that there a nervous condition that should be dealt with before normal introduction in society a type of opposition? I would argue yes to some degree. This was a time when people were given medicines and remedies for all kinds of problems, real or maybe not real!

SumBlog5

Harriet Martineau was an important social thinker and felt that sociology should be shared with the public. One the things she wanted to share is the thought that the law of social life is to be happy. Human happiness is most important. Despite her stress on this point, her definition is quite vague. Perhaps creating happiness to her means avoiding anomalies. An anomaly is when there is a disruption between morals and manners. Morals are society's collective ideas and shared norms, such as personal space or waiting in turn for something. Manners are those actions based on morals - like a lot of personal space in the United States and forming a line. 

For example I can think of an anomaly that occurred in my life. An Israeli friend of mine had an Israeli friend visit us (in the United States). Here, we value those things like waiting in a line at a store; whereas in Israel they don't. When the friend walked past all the people waiting in line in front of us and starting shouting to be next at a store I was appalled and embarrassed. On the other hand, it was not only completely normal for them, but she thought we were the odd, regimented ones doing this arbitrary line-forming. Our mutual friend ending up explaining the difference to us. I was enlightened and intrigued.

In the United States, sociologists have found we need a lot of personal space and are okay with telling others about our space. When morals (personal space given) and manners collide we have problems. Here's a video not only of a social experiment about personal space but etiquette of how to tell people they are too close! Very interesting on two different levels!

SumBlog4

Max Weber made important contributions to our study of sociology - namely his thoughts on bureaucratization and rationalization. Also his concept that ideal types to do not actually exist was an important one. A subset of the rationalization concept includes Weber's three forms of authority: rational, traditional, and charismatic. Rational includes written documents and law, traditional includes gender roles, marriage (things we do simply because we've always done them) and finally charismatic authority describes those groups or people who are charismatic and good speakers/leaders.

Weber sees rational authority  replacing the traditional type of authority. I tend to agree with this, at least looking at the United States. Some people in fact, seem to be worried about to much control by law and documents and refer to the country as a "police state." In comparison, a country that is considered at the top, if not the top of the list of progressive and free states is Sweden. For details on Sweden and the rest of the world visit: http://www.socialprogressimperative.org/.

Although Sweden does have written laws and police who protect the people, it is much less controlling and allows people more freedoms and access to care and opportunities which are not available in many other countries. It's not to say that Sweden is really better than other countries, but it's definitely run differently. Who knows what it will look like in 100 years? But for now, it has low employment, high standard of living and some of the happiest people on the planet. Below is a positive and critical view of Sweden and comparing it to the United States.

The video also discusses something paramount to Weber's thoughts: bureaucracy. Even though there is bureaucracy and paperwork and institutions in Sweden, people seem to trust it more than Americans trust theirs. It makes me wonder how closely trust and a country's bureaucratic system is related!