Sebastian Ingrosso, Tommy Trash, John Martin - Reload (Live)

April 25, Chapter 12 response

Chapter 12 focuses on the evolution of humans. Some of their ancestors included the chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas (pg 434). One of the most recent predecessors of the modern human was called Homo erectus. He came from Africa. Since Africa could be very hot and difficult to live in because of the Sahara dessert, the ancestor of humans traveled to Asia. Although many species of humans have existed, many of them died out as evident in fossils discovered around the world. As humans continued to evolve, substances such as fire and tools made it easier for our species to survive. Fire substance allowed us to keep warm as well as improve our social skills while tools such as axes and scrapers contributed to the ability to build shelters as well as hunt (pg 437). Later on, humans made further advancements in times like the Aurignacien period where they showed signs of their artistic ability in cave walls. It was also around this time that the next generation of humans, the Homo sapiens, hunted larger animals like the mammoths and the world population increased very quickly in size. (pg 439) 
Apart from many of their evolutionary features such as the ability to walk on two legs, loss of hair, and the discovery of the use of fire, one major difference that sets their apart from their ancestors is their ability to socialize. The fact that humans have become nicer to one another gives them a greater potential to survive in a world filled with hardships like disease and warfare (pg 433). I think this is the most important feature of all because it gives us a sense of morality that makes life a lot easier to deal with, even on a small scale. Furthermore, it gives me a sense of pride that humans have this sophistication of knowing right from wrong, a quality that isn't very common in other animals. 

April 21, final reaction

I found this last class to be very touching. Although it was sad that everyone had to leave, there were a lot of fun things that we did to celebrate the occasion. First, Mr. Murillo brought 3 different types of pizza for us to eat. Next we got a chance to watch the videos that each group created. I thought the music selection from each video was both creative and moving. I particularly found it creative when Mr. Murillo’s face appeared in some of videos as a way to show appreciation towards him! After this, we played a game in which everyone had to stand in a circle with their backs towards the center. Each person had to close their eyes while Mr. Murillo chose each person at random to go into the center of the circle and tap someone on the soldier that best described how he or she influenced the person doing the picking. In the end we all shared something that we got out of the class. I was especially touched when Esther spoke highly of me in front of everybody. I also think she is a wonderful person that I am happy to have met in my life. I will not forget her or anyone else from this class!

April 18, Chapter 11 response

Chapter 11 discusses a topic concerning conflicts that emerge between different cultures without the intention of starting them. This begins with a process of foreigners coming to a new country. The process consists of three stage: euphoria, culture shock, and acculturation. Euphoria deals with the excitement of first coming to a new country while thinking of all the possibilities that await. Culture shock relates to how people begin to realize that the culture they are in is different from the one that they came from. Acculturation is the last stage and it involves the acceptance of the other culture and learning to work with it. (pg. 384) Unlike the Chinese students from my classroom, I can not say that I have ever truly experienced the changes that come from going to another country. Although I can't really speak for them, I can only imagine that this must be both an exciting and perhaps difficult time for them. One one hand, they're finally having a chance to tour around the US and see American sites that they're only heard about. On the other hand, it might be difficult trying to adapt to the American culture since they must communicate mostly in English to other people here and not in Chinese, their native language. I've only traveled once outside of the US in my life and that was when I went to Poland. In this instance, however, I did not have to worry to much about fitting in since I was already familiar with the language and I was staying with some family members. Hopefully someday I'll be able to visit more countries and get the chance to be more open and accepting towards other cultures. 

April 11, Chapter 10 response

The main topic of Chapter 10 concerned the topic of organizational culture. Organizational culture differs from national cultures in the sense that "national cultures are part of the mental software we acquired during the first ten years of our lives..." whereas "organizational cultures are acquired when we enter a work organization as young or not-so young adults..." (pg 346) In regards to organizational structures, they have the quality of maintaining control by means of rules that people must follow. France in particular exhibits this characteristic by the way in which its the schools really stress the importance of learning in schools. (pg 345) I think that it is important to have a strong culture with rules because it maintains order in society. However, it can be also irritating and stressful for people as well because there can be so much pressure that arises from the need to do well in both work and school.
Another thing I found interesting about organizations is something the IRIC concluded about a study. They said that "employees values differed more according to gender, age, and education than according to their membership in the organization" (pg. 348). I think this is very true because people in an organization have a tendency to follow the same rules and beliefs that the organization holds. On the other hand, people who are older, for example, might have a different level of maturity than those who are younger so  they would therefore have a different feel for how responsible they are for their actions.
Furthermore, another study by IRIC observed a company called the Scandinavian Airlines System in Copenhagen. Within the study of this company, it was observed that the new boss's success came from "a superior way of catering to the needs of present and potential customers" (pg. 352) I think that this is a logical approach because it is the customers that will ultimately determine the company's success because they must make the decision as to whether they will use the company's products. Furthermore, the people working there enjoyed the time spent there since they felt that they were treated kindly by the corporation while still being able to do their jobs with breaks during the day. This is definitely how a company should function in general.

April 6, class reaction

I think Katherine and Margo did a great job with their presentation. First they began with a game in which the class was divided into two groups. The groups were asked the same questions but the way in which they were handled was different. One group (my group) had one person act as the leader and that person was in charge of making sure everyone was in the proper order when the questions were asked. The other group didn't have one specific leader each time; instead a leader was appointed to lead for each question. I thought that this game was a great way to explore the topic for discussion by getting a feel for how it feels to be lead by one person all the time versus by different people. 
Next, everyone took a quiz that determined their level of power distance and uncertainty avoidance. These two concepts necessary to determine what kind of structured society we prefer to live. I found myself to have more of a low score on both power distance and uncertainty avoidance. This means that my train of thought is more like that of Great Britain and the United States. 
After this, a short, yet efficient video was shown that discussed the differences in mechanical and organic structured environments. The mechanical structure works in the manner of "a well-oiled machine" where each part carries out each task consistently and independently. On the other hand, the organic structure is more lenient in terms of carrying out its operations. I personally thought this video was especially well chosen because of the cartoon-like images that were used to get the points across. These seemingly silly drawings, I feel make, it easier to remember such concepts because when one thinks of, say, the flower in the video one can quickly think the term "organic" which stems to the organic structure.
Finally, a Power-point stressing the main ideas of the discussion where presented. I can tell that this, along with all the other aspects of the presentation were carefully planned and well thought out. 

April 4, Chapter 9 response

Chapter 9 discusses the differences in organization among different societies. Two of the main factors that affect this are power distance an uncertainty avoidance. For example, I found it interesting when I read about the results of a survey that compared the opinions of three countries in regards to how a problem at work should be handled. The French believed in a means of hierarchy where the managers should go to the boss to resolve their problems. This means that France is a high power distance country with a high level of uncertainty avoidance. The Germans held the idea that the rules would be the answer to all the problems and that going to authority is not necessary. This indicates that Germany is low power distance country with a high level of certainty avoidance. Finally, the British thought that a lenient system in which neither the worker nor the authority were dominant in terms of decision making was best. This means that England is both a country of low power distance and low uncertainty avoidance (pg. 304). Furthermore, the ideology of the English is readily apparent from their history in the way their immigrants came to the United States to establish a democracy with government structured on system of checks and balances. Being half British myself, I would definitely agree with this train of thought. I think part of it would stem from the fact that my father, who is also British, believed in a flexible way of thinking and that authority isn't always right. 

In addition to the three organizations of society, there is also the Chinese form of government which combines the western ideas of the three branches of government and the oriental ideas which is evident by the fact that the main source of authority is given to president (pg 310). Finally, the fifth means of organization is found in the United States where the amount of uncertainty avoidance and the level of power distance is on a medium scale. This makes sense because in America one can find is many people from many different cultural backgrounds. This would result in varying trains of thought as to how a government should operate. Without a doubt, this makes it the most popular form of organization out of the 5 types (pg 15).