Part I: 7. Begging to Differ - Charity at the Threshold (pg29-33)
In the chapter 7,“Begging to differ,” John Bloom provides a different perspective towards begging. He pointed out the fine line between begging as a social phenomenon in the olden days, compared to a sign to injustice in the society. As seen in the chapter, the two paintings – Beggars at the door and Feeding the Hungry, Bloom stated “the beggar’s condition did not symbolize injustice; it was nothing more than a fact of lie and object of pity.”On the other hand, begging in a spiritual and religious context can be seen as a path towards enlightenment. It is through giving up all the materialistic presence that bridge the individuals towards liberation of the mind. Bloom also talked about how begging transformed itself through the Internet. Websites such as Cyberberg.com provide a way for people who are in need to ask for help, and at the same time fulfill donor’s desire to help and chartable nature. Begging has its negative side, but the act of giving also has its importance in humanity.
Genius of Money Part I: 12. Free Market Money in a Pop Iconomy (pg.47-50)
This article is really concise but deliver a lot of information to make its readers to think. First the author was talking about artists, and how they use money as art subject. Then he transfer smoothly from the “work of art” to the talking about free market economy. The role of money played in the different systems: as values for accounting transactions, or systematic reward for competitive behavior. Toward the end of the article, the author refers back to the artists and make a parallel analogy to the free market economy.
Chap7 seems really interesting. Usually I avoid any eye contact with beggers and don't make donations. It never came up to me that broadcasting pity stories over talent shows or social medias were the same as "begging".
ReplyDeleteChap12: I find the idea fascinating that the images on dollar bills represent free market economy. I used to believe that the dollar bills carried the historical culture of a country, since every visitor would probably obtain a dollar bill and the small piece of paper gave them the first impression of the country.
Chapter 7: It is interesting to think about the concept of begging. Are people begging because they are just lazy or is their begging a sign of total hopelessness and defeat. I think the hard thing with giving to beggars is that you can never be sure when they are total strangers.
ReplyDeleteChapter 12: One of the chapters that I read highlighted this concept of money as art. The physical pieces of money grew in value solely because they were now considered art. There is no inherent value in art, it can't help you survive etc., yet prices are set arbitrarily and are often times views as having greater value solely because they have a higher price tag.
In Chapter 7, that is a really interesting way to think about begging. Is begging really the surrendering of your materialistic presence? After all, you are asking for the key to what others use for materialism, money.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 12, it sounds like there is a focus on the presence of literal money in art? That is interesting, and I can definitely see the connection, since it is strange that we all have this fascination with these strange sheets of paper.
We will never know why that person need to beg, whether he really need that money for a living, or just simply don't want to work. In Hong Kong, people will always tell you not to give money to those beggars because they are controlled by a group. Those money will be given to those controllers, the beggar is a "job". They hired to be a beggar.
ReplyDeleteChapter 7: I agree that feeding beggars doesn't show respect or justice. It shows that the beggars are of low social status and rich people only pity them to give them food. However, giving away to help poor people is a good thing. Only that few people would be willing to do that.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting perspective on begging. The differences between beggars who are out there asking for things they actually need - food and water - versus beggars that are just panhandling for some quick cash. I feel like the former would be the true beggar.
ReplyDeleteChapter 7: I like that concept of begging, it is very interesting. I feel like there are a lot of mixed beggars out there. A lot of times you think you see the ones who genuinely need help, and when you help them, you find out that 10 minutes later they went to use your money for alcohol or drugs. It makes you not want to give money to them anymore so the ones who really do need the money never get it.
ReplyDeletechapter 7: It's a ver complicated phenomenon to see people on their knees begging. I have a mixed feelings about this. On one hand, they are people who don't fight for their own lives and they are hoping someone will just show up and given them free lunch. On the other hand, I understand no body actually want this for themselves, giving up their dignity and begging to survive.
ReplyDeleteChapter 12: the multi-facet of money makes people wonder if other items could eventually have the same functionality. I guess even if that thing really exists, it will just become another form of money.
I think feeding beggars won't fundamentally solve the issues. If I were a giver, I would make use of my money or resources to try to help the poverty issues from the roots. I think it's useless just to donate or give them food so they can sustain on those for, say, one more year. It's useless and it's waste of resources. Using money on creating jobs for those people and training them to learn skills is the sustainable way to solve poverty.
ReplyDeleteSociety is to uniformed.., beginning to differ is crucial, we have to take steps to be active and color the world with our own colors
ReplyDelete