When Ben Franklin arrived in America, he was 17 years old, a fugitive, and had 3 cents to his name. After working (like a slave) for his older brother in a printing shop, he was offered the rights to start his own print shop by the governor of Pennsylvania. With letters from the governor to acquire and return to America with new equiptment , Franklin found the letters void and ended up working in London for a year and a half.
However, Franklin was not satisfied. Determined to work for himself even though from his upbringing being a printer would have been a grand achievement. He returned to the states and started a social organization called Junto with a group of friends. With money and help from this club, Junto he was able to start his own shop and publish the Penn. Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanac.
After achieving financial success at 42, he sought gentleman status. To make a long story short, almost all (arguably all) his greatest achievements happened after the age of 42. Without wealth, he would not have had the time to achieve such great things.
Throughout his life, Benjamin Franklin signed his name, with Printer after it and keep in mind, for what its worth, he never wore a powdered wig (unlike Jefferson and Washington).
The bottom line is, making money and striving to earn can be a good thing as it creates free time, and new, more powerful goals (not to mention more tax dollars helping our gov't). So always take time to think when you hear from someone, "I want to do what I love." and "I am doing it because I see earning potential and a chance of wealth accumulation." Neither are a better answer although many of us would answer with the former over the latter. However, sacrificing some of that love now for more wealth can lead to doing everything you ever dreamed of later.
As a friend of mine once sent me, "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest." ~Adam Smith
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friedman, Hot, Flat & Crowded
Thomas Friedman (The World is Flat) is coming out with a new book called Hot Flat & Crowded in September.
The book stesses the importance of a, "Code Green," initiative America needs to lead as Brazil, China, and India rise in the global economy and demanding more energy everyday.
He gave a 30 minute speech (pretty interesting especially the story at the beginning). Here is the link:
http://www.npcboc.org/private/20080611_pv_johnson_control_friedman_speech.html
This, green intiative is becoming a big deal, and you can hardly read a newspaper without some mention of the problems we could face if we do not act.
Side note: He mentions a pretty funny study in his speech, the Average american Golfer walks 900 miles per year. The Average american golfer drinks on average 22 gallons of alcolhol per year. Hence, the average American Golfer gets about 41 miles per gallon.
The book stesses the importance of a, "Code Green," initiative America needs to lead as Brazil, China, and India rise in the global economy and demanding more energy everyday.
He gave a 30 minute speech (pretty interesting especially the story at the beginning). Here is the link:
http://www.npcboc.org/private/20080611_pv_johnson_control_friedman_speech.html
This, green intiative is becoming a big deal, and you can hardly read a newspaper without some mention of the problems we could face if we do not act.
Side note: He mentions a pretty funny study in his speech, the Average american Golfer walks 900 miles per year. The Average american golfer drinks on average 22 gallons of alcolhol per year. Hence, the average American Golfer gets about 41 miles per gallon.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Can you classify yourself?
Lately I have ran into different views on many people's beliefs as to thier heritage. Mainly, younger generations whose parents may have come from another country, China, Africa, Germany, Mexico, etc. and these younger generations call themselves of that country their parents came from.
What I wonder is this, many claim they are proud of their heritage, whether it be Mexican-American, Italian-American, or African-American, however there are 2 similarities in all those that claim this pride, American being in thier heritage, and most of them (almost all) never lived in their beloved "mother country."
The bottom line is, can I claim that I am a German-American if my grandfather came over after serving in the Kaiser's army during WWI and if I have never been to Germany? I hope not. If you are born in America, no matter what other foreign blood you have in your veins, you are one thing, an American. (why is that bad)?
Lately it seems I have come across many that see this (being just an American) as negative. If we wish to seperate ourselves from the norm (which we all do) why do we choose to look to another country to help our claim, rather than to our own name? Basically why can I not say, "I am a person, an indiviual, but when needed, I am an American." Rather than, "I am German-American." Doesn't that just put me into another social institution? Maybe we want to be special but not too special or not alone and special (unique).
Rousseau once wrote, "Good social institutions are those that know best how to strip a man of his nature, to take from him his real existence and give him one which is only relative, and to add his personality to the common unity: to the end that each individual will no longer think of himself as one, but as a part of the whole, no longer a thinking being except in the group.
What I wonder is this, many claim they are proud of their heritage, whether it be Mexican-American, Italian-American, or African-American, however there are 2 similarities in all those that claim this pride, American being in thier heritage, and most of them (almost all) never lived in their beloved "mother country."
The bottom line is, can I claim that I am a German-American if my grandfather came over after serving in the Kaiser's army during WWI and if I have never been to Germany? I hope not. If you are born in America, no matter what other foreign blood you have in your veins, you are one thing, an American. (why is that bad)?
Lately it seems I have come across many that see this (being just an American) as negative. If we wish to seperate ourselves from the norm (which we all do) why do we choose to look to another country to help our claim, rather than to our own name? Basically why can I not say, "I am a person, an indiviual, but when needed, I am an American." Rather than, "I am German-American." Doesn't that just put me into another social institution? Maybe we want to be special but not too special or not alone and special (unique).
Rousseau once wrote, "Good social institutions are those that know best how to strip a man of his nature, to take from him his real existence and give him one which is only relative, and to add his personality to the common unity: to the end that each individual will no longer think of himself as one, but as a part of the whole, no longer a thinking being except in the group.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Thomas Paine Quote
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
-Thomas Paine
I think the first part of this quote really shines a guiding light on how individuals should grow and over come certain things one uncovers in their life.
The second part is perfect for truely understanding your motives and over all beliefs. We all are or have already found something that they find true in their hearts and hopefully like Paine says their " conscience approves his conduct". Just a quote on things that I have been trying to understand in my own life.
Jones-
-Thomas Paine
I think the first part of this quote really shines a guiding light on how individuals should grow and over come certain things one uncovers in their life.
The second part is perfect for truely understanding your motives and over all beliefs. We all are or have already found something that they find true in their hearts and hopefully like Paine says their " conscience approves his conduct". Just a quote on things that I have been trying to understand in my own life.
Jones-
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Quick Read
If any one is looking for quick read you should check out a ancient Greek play by Aristophanes called "Clouds". Its a satire making fun of the intellectual trends in Athens, mainly Socrates and his followers. I read it about a year ago for class, but I just read it again and it was better than I remembered. Its not for everyone, but you might like it. Here is a link for the play online... http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/aristophanes/clouds.htm
Monday, July 14, 2008
If you find the time....
A ran into a couple interesting posts on the Freakonomics.com blog.
1. Has to do with China's 1 child rule, which has resulted in a 37 million + difference in males and females favoring women. They are claiming that males are now having trouble finding jobs, finding purpose, and finding women, leading to a rise in crime.
2. A good and longer article or interviews on the topic, How Much Do Looks Really Matter by Stephen Dubner is up. Very interesting how looks (especially when combined with charm) can literally make a person successful. Also known as the Warren Harding effect. Dubner interviews both men and women (some more intelligent than others).
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/how-much-do-looks-matter-a-freakonomics-quorum/#more-2733
1. Has to do with China's 1 child rule, which has resulted in a 37 million + difference in males and females favoring women. They are claiming that males are now having trouble finding jobs, finding purpose, and finding women, leading to a rise in crime.
2. A good and longer article or interviews on the topic, How Much Do Looks Really Matter by Stephen Dubner is up. Very interesting how looks (especially when combined with charm) can literally make a person successful. Also known as the Warren Harding effect. Dubner interviews both men and women (some more intelligent than others).
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/how-much-do-looks-matter-a-freakonomics-quorum/#more-2733
A bit late, but a thought for Independance.
THE PRICE OF COMMITMENT
FOURTH OF JULY
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.
But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
FOURTH OF JULY
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
Twenty four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.
But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education.
They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government!
Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
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