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An article discussing how the E-Cigarette industry is quickly growing and diffusing around the world. 

After reading Danyelle's article and the one we read in class, I wonder if the increase in Chinese wages will have an impact on the industries which produce the e-cig. If the factor of cheap labor is taken away, but available somewhere else, how will that shift the distribution and manufacturing of the cigarettes.

An article discussing how the E-Cigarette industry is quickly growing and diffusing around the world. 

Worldwide food shortages are expected to become more common because of global warming. Global warming is a way that humans have modified the planet. Part of the theme of nature culture is looking at how humans modify the Earth. Shortages can also be caused by the globalization of food production. Not all countries have developed systems for food production. Countries, like those in the Middle East, that rely on other countries to import food are the ones that are expected to be impacted the most.

Great post! Does anyone think that the movement to use genetically modified seeds will be a way to adapt to global warming?

This article talks about an event currently taking place in China regarding its devaluation of currency. Specifically, this article describes the devaluation of China's currency caused by China's government and its ultimate effects on investors in the stock market. This event represents the theme of globalization, particularly, economic globalization. It is readily apparent that the devaluation of China's currency not only affected stock markets across the globe, but also seemed to affect other countries' currency as well, such as Taiwan. This can be inferred from this particular quote from the article, "Penso Advisors, a hedge fund adviser that manages money for investors like pension funds, scoped out currencies that were affected by the renminbi devaluation in an attempt to profit from the shock waves. The firm bet on the Taiwan dollar, which dropped more than the renminibi, said Ari Bergmann, founder of Penso Advisors." (Stevenson) In sum, this article demonstrates that both stock markets and various countries' currency-particularly currencies in a country with a strong economy like China-are mediums that are increasingly linking the world. The economic globalization represented by these latest events in China is best proven by the following statement: "Investors ultimately know that they cannot ignore China, given its size and influence." (Stevenson).

As seen before, the effects of war can be physically and mentally gruesome as spontaneous acts of violence unravel extreme havoc to numerous civilians. In fact, recent violence has caused insurmountable refugees (mostly Syrians, Afghans, and Eritreans) to leave their homes and embark on a journey to Europe for their safety. This portrays the example of mobility as large amounts of people are leaving their homes in hopes of a better future. This is an example of relocation diffusion. As stated on page 11 of the textbook reading, relocation diffusion brings the ideas and practices of the migrant(s) to a new region. Furthermore, this mimics the events of Ishmael (the protagonist) in the memoir, A Long Way Gone, as he leaves his nation of Sierra Leone to live a safer life in New York City. Along with mobility, the geographical theme of globalization is also represented in the article. As the number of refugees crossing the Mediterranean increased, the European Union decided to distribute the thousands of refugees across its 28 nations. As a result, the European Union itself is an example of globalization as they communicate and connect with its members. All 28 countries are connected with one another, and they communicate to solve problems regarding peace, human rights, and economic development in Europe. Moreover, nations with a greater access to technology and communication (such as the members of the European Union) have a much better chance of establishing global connections because of the resources they have. Thus, this sudden rise of refugees migrating into European nations is correspondent to the themes of mobility and globalization. However, how does the increase of migrations affect the European nations bordering the Mediterranean? What economic problems will arrive with the increase of labor and population? How will the core-periphery pattern of formal regions, in regards to Syrian culture, change as many of its civilians depart?

Nicely done, Sam. Good job weaving the current event into themes from your book. The current migration flows n the Mediterranean region have tremendous political, economic, and social implications. How do you think the cultural landscape of European countries such as Norway or Germany might change as a result of recent migration flows?

I believe as the number of cultural groups migrate, they will bring their cultural characteristics to the new region. One of them, most likely, is religion. This might affect the landscape because religious shrines or temples will now be incorporated in European nations. In turn, it will definitely diversify the architectural styles seen in the new region.

Has global poverty decreased? Find out in this article. 

The Women's Global Education Project is attempting to destroy the barriers keeping girls out of school, especially in remote, rural areas. As of now, they primarily work in Africa, providing scholarship support and encouraging family involvement and community awareness. One of the main factors that determine development is access to knowledge. It is also known that, generally, more gender equality contributes to better development. By working to improve both of these things in struggling countries, the Women's Global Education Project in helping to raise the HDI's of these countries.

Just an idea in all, but if this so-called carbon tax is passed wouldn't it raise the price of goods? But then again, I guess companies have to make up the deficient somehow.

It's crazy to think that a company has so much power that even though it is depleting water supplies and causing pollution it is still not shut down. This is probably due to lack of knowledge consumers have and the mass of money that the company has.

Earlier this week an unnamed space rocket, launched by SpaceX exploded just minutes after the launch. The purpose for this rocket, named Dragon, was to conduct a resupply mission for the International Space Station. Dragon's cargo included 2 tons of goods, including 1,500 pounds of food and provisions for the crew. It was not clear what caused this rocket to fail after launch but an investigation will be conducted very soon. This event relates to two major themes in Human Geography. The first theme is Globalization. Globalization represents the modern technological age, in which improved worldwide transport and communication allowing for the instantaneous diffusion of ideas and innovations as seen on page fourteen in the Themes Of Human Geography Textbook. By launching the rocket into space, SpaceX is improving communication between other nations that are using the International Space Station. Also, this rocket would have accelerated the technological age by providing influential information and hardware. In addition, this current event relates to the theme of Cultural Landscape. Cultural Landscape explains what a region or area actually looks like in relation to its physical features. Even though space is a foreign place to us humans it has its own Cultural Landscape, such as stars and galaxies. Thus this small rocket, loaded with supplies, can aid researchers in the Space Station acquire more information of the Cultural Landscape in space. In conclusion, Dragon's crash has been a very popular current event and relates to two various themes of Human Geography, including Globalization and Cultural Landscape.

Excellent analysis. Thank you! Here is an interesting resource from NASA about their attempt to map Mars (http://www.engadget.com/2015/07/10/nasa-mars-trek/).

"The Global Partnership for Education is the only multilateral partnership devoted to getting all children into school for a quality education in the world's poorest countries." 58 million elementary-school aged children were out of school in developing countries in 2012. The Global Partnership for Education seeks to coordinate a global effort to provide a quality education to boys and girls alike, putting the poorest and most vulnerable first. They want to see a quality education for all children so that they are able to live up to their potential and contribute to society. The GPE is made up of 60 developing countries, donor governments, international organizations, the private sector, teachers, and civil society or NGO groups. They help their developing country partners to prepare solid plans for the improvement of education. Members mobilize to achieve the goals and enroll more children in school for a better education.

According to new research it's estimated that global carbon emissions will reach 40 billion tons 2014, a record high in human history. If carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere exceeds 3200 tons then the global temperature average will see a 2 degrees Celsius increase since the Industrial Revolution. The Earth hasn't actually seen any mind-blowing drastic changes in the environment because of climate change but this 2 degree threshold is where things start to change and it might actually be a big threat. carbon-dioxide in the air increases every year not at a linear rate but an exponential one. There's already ~2000 tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its estimated that another 1200 tons will be emitted in the next 30 years. That's our generation. What can we do to prevent the rise in the global temperature average, and what is already set in stone?

Another great post and excellent question. What do you think, APHUG? Interesting doc. ...http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/01/executive-order-preparing-united-states-impacts-climate-change

With the speedily approaching presidential election, Republican and Democratic candidates have taken over the news with their ideas and justification as to why he or she should be the next president. After the Benghazi crisis occurred in 2012, there was much controversy over the Islamic militants and their violent action that caused the death of several US government officials. Later, the controversy expanded when it was discovered that Hillary Rodham Clinton was using a personal server and email accounts while serving as the Secretary of State (2009-2013). While at the time, Clinton downplayed the issue, the national security issue has come back to bite during the current election. This prime example of Globalization can be examined in several ways. The emails sent information that then affected people and cultures on the other side of the world. Also, the emails have spread ideas across the United States and have shifted some Democratic support to Bernie Sanders, the other popular candidate. Politics and current world events are often linked together and can leave negative and positive effects on the opposite sides of the globe.

I agree with your statement at the end about the negative and positive impact of globalization around the world. How may this be apparent in the books you all read this summer?

When reading Behind the Beautiful Forevers, there was a constant theme of political power and corruption. Asha, a popular wife of an unsavory drunk in Annawadi, desired to have a position of power to prove that she was in control of her family. She used her cell phone to organize meetings with other politicians in order to hopefully be one of few female slumlords. Later on in the story, the reader learns that the "meetings" were intimate times between her and various politicians to gain their support and assistance. Like Clinton with the personal emails, she eventually got herself in trouble but rather than facing trial in court, she was thrown into the back of a van, never to be seen again. Politics can make people do things that they never would have, all for the desire for power and respect.

This article is connected to the recent deal made between The UN agency and Iran. The deal essentially removed any sanctions on Iran, and allowed them to grow in the global market again. That agreement in itself shows a relationship between The UN and Iran, since they did strike a deal. However, as this article outlines, it also brings the relations between the UN and Israel into play. Since Iran, a country that has mentioned on several occasions that they wish to wipe Israel of the map, will soon have a much larger economy, and with that much more money, it is rightfully suspected that they may use that money to help to carry out there plan. This enrages Israel not only because the UN made a deal with a country that wishes to destroy them, but also because that deal may very well help them to accomplish that goal. That is why Israel is demanding to know every last detail of the situation, which is what this article covers. With all of the relationships and connections brought up by this topic, it is clearly related to the geographic theme of globalization. In the end however, the question brought up by this really is, will Iran actually destroy Israel, and if so how much credit should go to this deal?

The film industry is trying to bring the dangers of advancing terror groups into light. Groups like ISIS are spreading fear and influence across regions like the Middle East, but they are also spreading their influence to places all around the world. Social media outlets have made this spread of ideas possible and able to thrive. Globalization or the interconnection between all of us in this day and age has given us the ability to spread and receive ideas like these with ease. Anyway, important people that run the film industry may realize the importance of this danger and decide that they should spread it to get the audience to realize it as well. It's a case of hierarchical diffusion and I believe that their goal is eventually expansion diffusion. It's all about spreading ideas to where they're not necessarily regarded as widely. I know for a fact that the war on terror isn't as prevalent in our minds as it is in the people that are collateral damage from it. Filmmakers are trying to change that with themes that act like metaphors to the situations going on right now in war-torn areas. These producers and creators of films take advantage of the popularity of the medium to display their ideas and spread them. However, will these messages make their way through to the public? Will they see that the war on terror is sometimes as bad as the films' problems? Will the medium have any effect on the progress we make with ridding the world of these groups of terror?

You got it. The film industry has certainly been a vehicle for globalization. We tend to trust ideas from those we admire and respect or from mediums such as Youtube that are easily accessible. Invisible Children came out with a Youtube video a few years ago about the African war lord, Joseph Kony. https://youtu.be/Y4MnpzG5Sqc How might something similar be created about ISIS?

Yes, I remember this video. I had watched it when it had caught so much traction. I think a huge difference between Kony and ISIS is that I feel like not many people really knew about Kony while the news has basically insured that everybody knows about ISIS. When it's a new topic, people may be more interested in finding out more about it, like with Kony. But I feel like if a Youtube video like that was created for ISIS, it might not gain the same traction because it has been covered heavily for the past year. That's why I'm so intrigued with the hidden themes in movies because I feel that subtlety is the best way to bring forth new ideas without being overbearing.

Iris Global is an organization that helps people living in poverty in several countries in southern Africa. This charity improves the quality of life for many people living in Africa by providing disaster relief, starting farms in villages, helping people gain access to clean water, and much more. This charity helps with the development of several countries in Africa by reducing the levels of poverty seen there. Decreasing the amount of poverty in a country will boost its HDI since people not living in poverty can better the economy of the country they are living in by focusing on working instead of just barely surviving.

**I will discuss how to use Diigo in class this coming week. Read this NYTimes article, make highlights in the text related to anything meaningful about globalization (KI #3 topic). I would like you to also add one comment or question in the comment box.

10/2 Class Activity APHUG students: Highlight one thing from the text that suprised you the most. Then, create a post-it note in the document that summarizes the most important thing you took away from reading this article.