Another Link in the Chain

I read, “In Praise of Chain Stores” by Virginia Postrel in chapter ten of Joining the Conversation: Writing in College and Beyond. Any news I’ve ever heard about chain stores has been negative. Everything from them destroying small, local businesses to supporting labor from outside the U.S. has been thrown into the mix. Now these may have some value, but I’ve grown up always wanting to see the best in things. I also have grown up enjoying occasional shopping at the mall and eating fast food when I’m in a rush. Sometimes, it’s hard not to feel guilty for supporting chain stores due to all the negatives being passed around. This article by Postrel shed light on the positives of chain stores within the United States. These stores are comfortable to American citizens, they’ve proven themselves time and time again. When people make a move from one side of the country to the other, they know that they will be able to find a Starbucks there or a Wal-Mart there that can ease their transition; it’s like having a little piece of familiarity no matter where you go. Postrel also argues the point that it’s not the stores or restaurants that make a community, it’s the memories and the climate and the scenery. People focus too much on the brands that spatter the buildings when all they have to do is look at the people around them. While I will admit that their are negatives that come with chain stores here in America, I am glad that someone took the time to point out that there is so much more to a community than the brands that are within them.

Foot-In-Mouth-Disease

Just the other night, I was watching the Netflix series “Orange Is The New Black.” The main character, Piper Chapman, had just entered prison. During her first meal, a woman came up to her table and slipped her a yogurt cup. Piper thanked her profusely, adding how disgusting the prison food was. Who was the generous bearer of yogurts? The cook herself. With that little slip-up, Piper began getting starved out. She was refused meals every day for a week! Had she kept her mouth shut, she would have stayed on good terms and avoided hunger. I cannot even count the number of times individuals have ruined their careers and lives because of the stupid things they say. Sometimes people are even only remembered by what they had said in the heat of the moment. I’m sure everyone can remember a time where they may have slipped something inappropriate on a small scale, but some people do it on a massive scale! Just think of all the politicians in the world, half of them have probably done this during a debate, interview, or speech. What causes such major accidents? Well, humans are social by nature; we talk, gossip, text, on a daily, even hourly, basis. We want people to hear our thoughts, to agree with us, have our back. Sometimes we just share our information with the wrong people, the people who it may actually directly affect and we just didn’t know. Other times, we get caught up in the heat of the moment. Maybe it’s been a long day and you get it an argument with your significant other; things get said that are hurtful and mean. Of course we never really mean these things, we just speak before we consider the consequence. All people really need to know is summed up in the anonymous quote, “Sometimes not saying anything is the best decision. You see, silence can never be misquoted.” Maybe if more people heard this, they could save themselves a lot of heartbreak.

Going Digital

Donovan Mikrot wrote an essay titled “Download This: Why Digital Rights Management is a Bad Idea for Hollywood.” Within this essay, he gives information about digital rights management software that prevents people to “rip” the music or videos that they have purchased. To an average American citizen this seems like a great idea, it ensures that the companies and artists responsible get the funds that they worked for. Mikrot, however, informs us that this is in fact detrimental to the technological advancements, consumers, and media companies. I found this article to be very interesting for many reasons. For one, I grew up thinking “ripping” things was wrong, people deserve what they work for, but this essay shows the good that can come from being able to. For two, Mikrot points out that a consumer who pays for a product has the right to be able to use it in whatever way they want for their personal use. DRM can obstruct this from occurring. And finally, I learned that having barriers such as DRM can prevent developments in the technological realm. Mikrot used the example that before a copyright act was in place, inventors were able to create the VCR. After the copyright act, this technology was seen as illegal. This seems like such a trivial thing, but looking back on my childhood technology such as the VCR is a big part of my memories. I wish Hollywood could read this essay and take Mikrot’s advice. 

Career Outlook

“Grads in Health Care Fields See Bright Job Market” from U.S. News by Katherine Hobson talks about the growing healthcare field, why it’s expected to keep growing, and who will benefit from it. According to the article, “the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a net job growth of almost 3 million healthcare jobs in the decade ending in 2020, a 29 percent increase.” One reason they gave for this growth is the free health care for the uninsured starting in 2014. Since those who couldn’t afford going to the doctor before will now be able to, hospitals and clinics will be much busier. Doctors aren’t the only ones who will benefit from this, physician assistants and advanced practice nurses (e.g. nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives) also enjoy easier job placements and higher salaries.

Finding this article was a very encouraging to me as I am planning to become a nurse practitioner. After I graduate, I shouldn’t have much trouble finding a job with high enough pay to support a comfortable lifestyle. Also, it is encouraging to know that I will be able to treat those who previously couldn’t afford medical attention, which would improve the overall health of our country. The healthcare industry is one that will be around forever. Everyone will need medical attention at some time or another. This article reinforces that statement and puts me at ease as I prepare to spend thousands of dollars on my education.