The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/07/who-am-i-to-judge-francis-redefines-the-papacy.html
In a traditionally stiff and pretentious papacy, Pope Francis has managed to change everyone's view on the esteemed position with his more laid-back and relaxed way of leading. Aboard the papal airplane returning from his first international trip to Brazil, Francis's comments about homosexuals greatly changed the opinion that many have of the usually intolerant papacy. He said, of other homosexual priests, that “If they accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them?” he
said. “They shouldn’t be marginalized.… They’re our brothers.”
Not only his comments, but rather his entire papacy to date has strayed far from the usual path that his predecessors have taken in leading the Roman Church. While his position as sovereign of the Vatican City holds innumerable perks and benefits, Francis has utilized hardly any of them. Preferring to live in a modest guest house rather than the large papal apartments inhabited by past popes, Francis shows that he not only embraces simplicity, but believes himself to be equal to the millions that follow the religion he heads.
While not religious myself, it's indubitable that the new sovereign's actions have garnered attention from people worldwide. From his much publicized election to current actions, Francis's action have been observed by millions. The Pope's actions at diverging from the traditional form of the papacy ushers in a much needed change in what I believe to be an often troubled rule. Dating back to nearly the beginning of the millennium, the papacy has often been harsh in its critique and animadversion of controversial topics such as homosexuality and abortion. With the rule of Francis, the entire system is likely to become more tolerant and accepting of differences.
The Catholic Church may soon find itself with a more relaxed set of policies. Francis seems to truly strive for more openness and tolerance within the church. Despite centuries of predecessors steadfast and stubborn in their stance, Francis is likely to alter the beliefs and rules of the Roman Church. Francis symbolizes a new type of pope; one that will be eager to embrace all into the faith of God, regardless of differences or supposed wrongs.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Honesty Costs Mississippi Teen Prestigious Golf Title
Yahoo! Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/mississippi-teen-falls-final-hole-prestigious-u-junior-095716326.html
Nothing was unusual about Scottie Scheffler's win at the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship. He was after all, a rising star in the sport and a clear favorite to win the competition. What was surprising was the nature of his victory. His second place contender, Davis Riley, actually called a one-stroke penalty on himself at the 16th, and last, hole of the game. Scheffler, a 17 year-old high school senior, and Riley, a 16 year-old Miss. native, were nearly tied coming into the final hole. Apparently, Riley noted a discrepancy between his ball's position and where it should have originally been. "After consulting with a rules official and re-positioning his ball, [Riley's] now-par putt fell just short, and he conceded to Scheffler's tap-in par putt..." Few, if any, onlookers spotted the change and it is likely that the mistake would have gone unnoticed.
Had Riley now given himself that one-stroke penalty, it is likely that he could have tied with or beaten Scheffler. However, his integrity and sportsmanship compelled him to report the discrepancy and take second place in the prestigious competition. Scheffler was also impressed with Riley's honesty. "It took a lot of heart to do that," Scheffler told the Gazette-Journal.
Admittedly when I read the article, I found it almost foolish for Riley to penalize himself for such a seemingly small and innocuous blunder. I realized though that it is this way of thinking that separates me from great athlete's like Davis Riley. I, who lack any real sportsmanship or integrity, would have lost no sleep over simply ignoring the discrepancy. But Riley clearly understood that to do so would have been to forfeit not only his own integrity, but the integrity of the sport. The decision can hardly have been easy for Riley to make, and must have obviously struggled to accept his loss, but ultimately knew that it was the right thing to do. While his commitment to sportsmanship may have cost him one of the most prestigious golf titles outside of the PGA tour, it definitely earned him the respect of not only his opponents, but everyone who hears of his honest deed.
Nothing was unusual about Scottie Scheffler's win at the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship. He was after all, a rising star in the sport and a clear favorite to win the competition. What was surprising was the nature of his victory. His second place contender, Davis Riley, actually called a one-stroke penalty on himself at the 16th, and last, hole of the game. Scheffler, a 17 year-old high school senior, and Riley, a 16 year-old Miss. native, were nearly tied coming into the final hole. Apparently, Riley noted a discrepancy between his ball's position and where it should have originally been. "After consulting with a rules official and re-positioning his ball, [Riley's] now-par putt fell just short, and he conceded to Scheffler's tap-in par putt..." Few, if any, onlookers spotted the change and it is likely that the mistake would have gone unnoticed.
Had Riley now given himself that one-stroke penalty, it is likely that he could have tied with or beaten Scheffler. However, his integrity and sportsmanship compelled him to report the discrepancy and take second place in the prestigious competition. Scheffler was also impressed with Riley's honesty. "It took a lot of heart to do that," Scheffler told the Gazette-Journal.
Admittedly when I read the article, I found it almost foolish for Riley to penalize himself for such a seemingly small and innocuous blunder. I realized though that it is this way of thinking that separates me from great athlete's like Davis Riley. I, who lack any real sportsmanship or integrity, would have lost no sleep over simply ignoring the discrepancy. But Riley clearly understood that to do so would have been to forfeit not only his own integrity, but the integrity of the sport. The decision can hardly have been easy for Riley to make, and must have obviously struggled to accept his loss, but ultimately knew that it was the right thing to do. While his commitment to sportsmanship may have cost him one of the most prestigious golf titles outside of the PGA tour, it definitely earned him the respect of not only his opponents, but everyone who hears of his honest deed.
Monday, July 22, 2013
The Problem with Coffee
The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21581727-plenty-coffee-too-few-drinkers-brewed-awakening
Arabica coffee bean farmers in Brazil have received quite a shock in the past few months. Their once prized crop has plummeted in value to just $106 for a 60kg bag. The startlingly low prices reflect an increase in popularity for newer and cheaper types of coffee, along with a dearth of eager consumers. Brazil's problems can be attributed to a number of reasons. First, the world's biggest coffee consumers (America, China, and Japan), have lost their interest in the popular morning beverage and growth in those key areas has been nonexistent. Secondly, countries that ARE seeing an increase in coffee sales are instead choosing to consume the cheaper robusta bean variety of coffee.
This increase in robusta's popularity has made it possible for countries like Vietnam to come into the global coffee market. Being a country that grows hardly any other types of coffee, Vietnam has been able to thrive and prosper despite arabica's failures in coffee sales. Brazilian farmers have also truly run out of options. Often too poor to afford to grow a new crop, the struggling farmers are left with an unmarketable crop. Further misfortunes become evident when recognizing Brazil's ironically fantastic year for coffee growth. High arabica prices in 2011 caused farmers to pour money into more acreage and crop. Now, two years later, farmers are left with a surplus of unwanted crops.
As I read this, I felt indifferent, almost delighted, by the fall of arabica coffee. Surely this meant that I would be seeing an increase in that wonderfully sugary Vietnamese coffee pumped full of condensed milk. But the realization that the failure of Brazil's failure to sell coffee was probably directly proportional to America's ability to receive slightly broke my heart. After all, Starbucks does use plenty of arabica beans for their incredibly addictive drinks. I start to wonder about how Brazil somehow lost a large majority of its American market. After all, 83% of American adults consume coffee. I had begun to think that America had grown dependent on the stuff. Coffee is as much a social beverage as is alcohol and yet we seem to have grown weary of it. Have all the articles spouting the dangers of coffee caught on?
Regardless of Brazil's failures to sell of America's failure to consume, coffee is ultimately an essential part of life for millions of drinkers around the world. Not only in my life, but in the lives of exhausted 2 a.m. procrastinators, the early bird shift worker, the late night employee, and the average 8 a.m. regular Joe, coffee acts as the stimulant for American productivity. The popular drink has long been, and always will be, an important part of not only the global farming industry, but America's lifestyle and culture.
Arabica coffee bean farmers in Brazil have received quite a shock in the past few months. Their once prized crop has plummeted in value to just $106 for a 60kg bag. The startlingly low prices reflect an increase in popularity for newer and cheaper types of coffee, along with a dearth of eager consumers. Brazil's problems can be attributed to a number of reasons. First, the world's biggest coffee consumers (America, China, and Japan), have lost their interest in the popular morning beverage and growth in those key areas has been nonexistent. Secondly, countries that ARE seeing an increase in coffee sales are instead choosing to consume the cheaper robusta bean variety of coffee.
This increase in robusta's popularity has made it possible for countries like Vietnam to come into the global coffee market. Being a country that grows hardly any other types of coffee, Vietnam has been able to thrive and prosper despite arabica's failures in coffee sales. Brazilian farmers have also truly run out of options. Often too poor to afford to grow a new crop, the struggling farmers are left with an unmarketable crop. Further misfortunes become evident when recognizing Brazil's ironically fantastic year for coffee growth. High arabica prices in 2011 caused farmers to pour money into more acreage and crop. Now, two years later, farmers are left with a surplus of unwanted crops.
As I read this, I felt indifferent, almost delighted, by the fall of arabica coffee. Surely this meant that I would be seeing an increase in that wonderfully sugary Vietnamese coffee pumped full of condensed milk. But the realization that the failure of Brazil's failure to sell coffee was probably directly proportional to America's ability to receive slightly broke my heart. After all, Starbucks does use plenty of arabica beans for their incredibly addictive drinks. I start to wonder about how Brazil somehow lost a large majority of its American market. After all, 83% of American adults consume coffee. I had begun to think that America had grown dependent on the stuff. Coffee is as much a social beverage as is alcohol and yet we seem to have grown weary of it. Have all the articles spouting the dangers of coffee caught on?
Regardless of Brazil's failures to sell of America's failure to consume, coffee is ultimately an essential part of life for millions of drinkers around the world. Not only in my life, but in the lives of exhausted 2 a.m. procrastinators, the early bird shift worker, the late night employee, and the average 8 a.m. regular Joe, coffee acts as the stimulant for American productivity. The popular drink has long been, and always will be, an important part of not only the global farming industry, but America's lifestyle and culture.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Unicorns in Modern Culture
The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21579429-cloisters-marks-its-75th-anniversary-celebration-unicorn-horn-plenty
The Cloisters, founded in 1938, recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. For those lacking the fine art knowledge that a rare few possess, The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum specializes in showcasing the art and architecture of Medieval Europe. To be frank, I had absolutely no interest in the (what I thought snooty) on-goings of a fine art museum, but this article from The Economist immediately caught my eye. Rather than feature the works of a well-known Renaissance or Baroque artist, The Cloisters has chosen to put its focus on displaying a series of tapestries known as the "Search for the Unicorn".
As comical and ridiculous as you may find this (or perhaps it's just me), this is not in fact the first time the esteemed museum has presented these works. The majestic Unicorn Tapestries are in fact some of The Cloisters' most famous works. Given to the museum in 1938 by John D. Rockefeller Jr., the history and meaning behind the famous works still remain a mystery. The exhibition is actually a vast display of everything possibly unicorn. There are manuscripts, unicorn horns (narwhal horns actually), and detailed paintings. The lengthy tapestry shows the unicorn "[...] trapped, [escaping], pursued by noblemen and, finally, is speared and returned to the castle." Source: NY Times
At this point I'd like to apologize for the lengthy summary and the equally long analysis that will soon follow. But I can't help but wonder why the idea of the Unicorn has managed to intrigue and fascinate children and adults alike throughout the centuries. Something about the paintings' ability to tell a story and stir up childhood imaginations and fantasies have made the Unicorn Tapestries immensely popular among an audience of all ages. It's the elusive qualities of the unicorn that have made it such a popular myth for so long. Historians, researchers, and even ordinary citizens have been unable to either confirm nor deny the existence of the mythological creatures. While many may scoff at and ridicule the seemingly childish exhibit, I believe the unicorn serves as a reminder of childhood innocence and faith. Ultimately anything extant in the magical world of Harry Potter is unlikely to be real. But like the possibility that they might all become wizards, children all cling on to the belief in the mythological and surreal, because it intrigues and excites them, and fills them with a sense of awe and mystery. In the end, The Cloister's decision is more than a simple choice to display unicorn tapestries. Their choice to exhibit the unicorn, a symbol of innocence and hope, is a chance for them to awaken and arouse the dormant feelings of hope and wonder that lay submerged in the adult mind.
The Cloisters, founded in 1938, recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. For those lacking the fine art knowledge that a rare few possess, The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museum specializes in showcasing the art and architecture of Medieval Europe. To be frank, I had absolutely no interest in the (what I thought snooty) on-goings of a fine art museum, but this article from The Economist immediately caught my eye. Rather than feature the works of a well-known Renaissance or Baroque artist, The Cloisters has chosen to put its focus on displaying a series of tapestries known as the "Search for the Unicorn".
As comical and ridiculous as you may find this (or perhaps it's just me), this is not in fact the first time the esteemed museum has presented these works. The majestic Unicorn Tapestries are in fact some of The Cloisters' most famous works. Given to the museum in 1938 by John D. Rockefeller Jr., the history and meaning behind the famous works still remain a mystery. The exhibition is actually a vast display of everything possibly unicorn. There are manuscripts, unicorn horns (narwhal horns actually), and detailed paintings. The lengthy tapestry shows the unicorn "[...] trapped, [escaping], pursued by noblemen and, finally, is speared and returned to the castle." Source: NY Times
At this point I'd like to apologize for the lengthy summary and the equally long analysis that will soon follow. But I can't help but wonder why the idea of the Unicorn has managed to intrigue and fascinate children and adults alike throughout the centuries. Something about the paintings' ability to tell a story and stir up childhood imaginations and fantasies have made the Unicorn Tapestries immensely popular among an audience of all ages. It's the elusive qualities of the unicorn that have made it such a popular myth for so long. Historians, researchers, and even ordinary citizens have been unable to either confirm nor deny the existence of the mythological creatures. While many may scoff at and ridicule the seemingly childish exhibit, I believe the unicorn serves as a reminder of childhood innocence and faith. Ultimately anything extant in the magical world of Harry Potter is unlikely to be real. But like the possibility that they might all become wizards, children all cling on to the belief in the mythological and surreal, because it intrigues and excites them, and fills them with a sense of awe and mystery. In the end, The Cloister's decision is more than a simple choice to display unicorn tapestries. Their choice to exhibit the unicorn, a symbol of innocence and hope, is a chance for them to awaken and arouse the dormant feelings of hope and wonder that lay submerged in the adult mind.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Facebook's new Graph Search threatens my sanity and privacy
Slate: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/07/08/facebook_graph_search_privacy_nightmare_is_preventable_if_you_change_your.html
All of Facebook's 1.11 billion users will soon have access to the long awaited Graph Search. For the past six months, a select group of users have had the opportunity to test the site's much publicized and hyped feature. For those unaware, Facebook has been constantly testing and experimenting with a new search feature (Graph Search) that will index everyone's public posts and ultimately make it easy for anyone to find them. With a few clicks, it becomes easy to find old posts, pictures, or comments that were made years ago. This new feature, along with all the other new things Facebook does, was met with resistance and contempt from its users, who denied the need for a search option that they've labeled as a "privacy nightmare". And I get it. I, like them, most likely have ugly and embarrassing posts and photos that I'd rather not let see the light of day. To suddenly be faced with the daunting task of trying to hide them all from the prying eyes of friends and relatives greatly irks me. I don't think Facebook really understands that all of its users regret posting at least half of the things that have graced their public profiles. And yet, Facebook believes its some kind of museum and insists on being the type of museum that has free admission and lets just about anyone in to peruse and scrutinize all of the exhibits. It surprises me that Facebook came to the conclusion that the new Graph Search was called for, when really, pretty much anything the company does is challenged and opposed by the majority of its users. Perhaps it's because I can't really get over all of the horrific and embarrassing pictures that I'll have to delete or hide, but I truly believe that a large majority of users will have little use or love for the new feature. Posts that had meant to be hidden will soon be available for easy public viewing. And while I'll be among the horde of teenagers that are ridiculed for 6th grade statuses, I'll realize that it's about more than a few minutes of embarrassment and shame. Ultimately, it comes down to Facebook's respect for its users privacy and peace of mind, two things that it can no longer ensure with the arrival of Graph Search.
All of Facebook's 1.11 billion users will soon have access to the long awaited Graph Search. For the past six months, a select group of users have had the opportunity to test the site's much publicized and hyped feature. For those unaware, Facebook has been constantly testing and experimenting with a new search feature (Graph Search) that will index everyone's public posts and ultimately make it easy for anyone to find them. With a few clicks, it becomes easy to find old posts, pictures, or comments that were made years ago. This new feature, along with all the other new things Facebook does, was met with resistance and contempt from its users, who denied the need for a search option that they've labeled as a "privacy nightmare". And I get it. I, like them, most likely have ugly and embarrassing posts and photos that I'd rather not let see the light of day. To suddenly be faced with the daunting task of trying to hide them all from the prying eyes of friends and relatives greatly irks me. I don't think Facebook really understands that all of its users regret posting at least half of the things that have graced their public profiles. And yet, Facebook believes its some kind of museum and insists on being the type of museum that has free admission and lets just about anyone in to peruse and scrutinize all of the exhibits. It surprises me that Facebook came to the conclusion that the new Graph Search was called for, when really, pretty much anything the company does is challenged and opposed by the majority of its users. Perhaps it's because I can't really get over all of the horrific and embarrassing pictures that I'll have to delete or hide, but I truly believe that a large majority of users will have little use or love for the new feature. Posts that had meant to be hidden will soon be available for easy public viewing. And while I'll be among the horde of teenagers that are ridiculed for 6th grade statuses, I'll realize that it's about more than a few minutes of embarrassment and shame. Ultimately, it comes down to Facebook's respect for its users privacy and peace of mind, two things that it can no longer ensure with the arrival of Graph Search.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)