tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022354377530449289.post333487032223130943..comments2011-01-24T08:27:07.792-05:00Comments on Summer at Brown: 2009 Ivy League Connection: Gross Domestic ProductDennis Shemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07106247464730295713noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022354377530449289.post-4038779875592910962009-06-26T13:22:05.747-04:002009-06-26T13:22:05.747-04:00Dennis,
It used to be far easier to calculate and...Dennis,<br /><br />It used to be far easier to calculate and interpret GDPs but in today's economy we've tried to embrace a world market so much that the infusion of imports and exports confuses things.<br /><br />While it may seem that the reason for importing so much of what we buy was done solely so corporations could maximize profits--and that wouldn't be far off--one of the main reasons for all of these trade agreements is that it helps stabilize the world and prevents wars (and even revolutions).<br /><br />Because the economies of China and the US are so intertwined these days do you think that either could afford to go to war against each other? And even in our defense industries, we have so many of our products made overseas (electronics, steel, textiles, etc.) that we would be hard pressed to mobilize if we had to do without those products from the other countries. Even shipping is owned by other countries so in the event of a war, how would we get our products back and forth?<br /><br />I'm betting that much more of yesterday's discussions revolved around Michael Jackson than they did of Farrah Fawcett. Even though MJ became a hit 40 years ago while FF was big 35 years ago (LONG before any of you were around to witness their fire), MJ remained a star in some form or fashion even if it was merely as the crazy guy showing up in news reports all of the time.<br /><br />And while you might be able to find reruns of Charlie's Angels (the TV show), it's pretty easy to find music videos and CDs of MJ.Don Gosneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9022354377530449289.post-25418302858581840662009-06-26T07:54:50.727-04:002009-06-26T07:54:50.727-04:00So am I. I am very excited to take the group out f...So am I. I am very excited to take the group out for a tour of local area Universities. I am glad that you are doing well and handling the course. The one thing that would be useful for me in reading your posts is to see how you feel your experience here at Brown compares to the time that you had last year at Columbia.<br /><br />Yes, human beings shift conversations very fast and Michael Jackson has a special place in the history of this country and in this world. He actually touches a lot of cultural moments in time. His very early years cover a time of conflict in this country and his rise through Motown Records is a day when the communities of Black and White did not cross much. <br /><br />His career then as it was defined in those days "crossed over" into what Whites characterized as main stream music. His music was always accepted in the black community, but that is a different discussion for a different day, I have to get on this plane to see you tomorrow.<br /><br />Anyway, continue to discuss not just your class, but what you see with the two campuses of Brown and Columbia.<br /><br />Take care.<br /><br />Charles T. Ramsey, Esq.<br />School Board Member<br />West Contra Costa<br />Unified School DistrictCharles Tillman Ramseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698891858507901393noreply@blogger.com