Last Exploration Response

"The Idea of a Local Economy"

Wendell Berry talks about the danger of oversimplification and how a local economy should be the answer. Berry talks about the destructiveness of our relationship to nature. I think we do abuse nature. He adds in that efficiency can be harmful because people are not working to do something they love anymore. People will do just about anything as long as they get paid. Efficiency also leads to low wages and many workers or on the other hand, machines taking the place of workers leaving people without jobs. Berry notes that, "This moral and economic absurdity exists for the sake of the allegedly 'free' market, the single principle of which is this: commodities will be produced wherever they can be produced at the lowest cost, and consumed wherever they will bring the highest price" (16-17). This statement is very true and sad at the same time. Products are made so cheap and sold for a ridiculous amount. The main point is that Berry believes in a local economy. He says we need to shorten the distance between producers and consumers. Berry makes sense-- It's crazy that most people don't know the history of the products they use. Everything we use is usually foreign, but we buy it because it is cheaper than local goods. He says that we should have a viable neighborhood, providing for one another then cherishing and protecting what we have in common. I think overall Berry makes a good point but this solution isn't something people can get used to very easily. His solution would take a lot of time and effort to make succeed but in the long run, it would probably benefit our country.

The United Nations in the 21st Century (2001) by Kofi Annan

I read the speech by Kofi Annan about why and how to better our relationships within countries and the world in general. Annan worked for the United Nations and felt very strongly about peace within the world. He said, "A forum was created-- the United Nations-- where all nations could join forces to affirm the dignity and worth of every person, and to secure peace and development for all peoples." This quote not only speaks for the corporation but also for Annan himself. Annan believes that human diversity is very important and that we gain strength by combining the foreign with the familiar. This is very true and I can relate. We learn from other people, we don't usually teach ourselves. Annan's speech was very inspiring and relates to everyone. He genuinely cares about our world's unity. He has reminded us that each and every member of a community is important.