Slumdog Millionaire is a newly released British film about Jamal Mailik, young man from the slums of India, who goes from rags to riches by winning India's version of the game show, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Throughout the gameshow, the movie flashes back to Jamal's childhood in the slums, where his previous experiences provide him with the answers to the questions on the show.
The movie is said to realistically portray the life of India's poor. Scenes of miles of tin roofs, busy marketplaces, children playing in garbage, Islam-Hindu conflicts, polluted rivers and poor diets give the viewer an accurate picture of everyday life for many Indians. Some of the poorest and most oppressed members of India's population are the dalits, or untouchables. The lowest caste in the caste system, most untouchables live life begging and doing anything they can to earn their next meal. Slumdog Millionaire paints the story of a boy who overcomes the hand he has been dealt in life and emerges a millionaire, though Jamal is portrayed as coming from a Muslim family and therefore would not be considered a part of the Hindu-based caste system.
Slumdog Millionaire provides a glimpse of the developing world, where the gap between the rich and the poor is immense, and countless hopes for a better life are never realized. It accurately portrays how life in India is influenced by traditional Indian culture and globalization. The fim also serves to raise awareness of how much of the developing world population lives, and presents a hopeful ending to a sad story.
-Daniel Uden 3-24-2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Spring Break 2009
I went into this year's spring break uncertain about my plans. Originally, the only travel option I was considering was my two hour drive back home to Kenesaw, NE. I felt like it would be a good time to see the family, relax, visit my friends at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and maybe make a little money working for my summertime boss. But a few days before break started, one of my high school friends called me up to talk and presented me with an alternative spring break plan. He and two of his college friends were planning a week-long camping trip at Buffalo River National Park in the Ozarks of Arkansas. I've never been down South, and a week camping in the Ozarks is right up my alley. In the end, I had a family event come up and decided to go back to Kenesaw as originally planned.
I spent the first few days of break at home. I think I took three naps the first two days (sometimes this college thing gets me pretty busy and anxious, and I don't get the sleep I should.) Then Monday night, I drove two hours south to my friend Barry's house. My friends Dayton, Dan and Nate were also there, and we hung out for a couple of days. On Tuesday night, everyone except me left for Seward, the stopping point on their journey to the Women's NAIA National Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa. I decided not to go yet, and just went back home. I stuck around home for a few more days, worked on tearing down a shed with my dad, got my haircut, did my track work-outs, and then drove 1/2 hour west to Kearney, NE, to visit my friends at UNK. I went to Campus Crusade for Christ at UNK, spent some time with my friends, and left for home the next morning.
After a few more days at home, I left for my friend Dayton's house near Madison, in northeast Nebraska. I spent Friday night there with Dayton and several other friends, then drove 1 1/2 hours into Sioux City, Iowa the next morning to watch the Concordia women, who were now in the quarterfinals of the National Championship. The women ended up losing a hard fought game to Hastings College. Saturday night, after the game, I drove a carload of people back to Seward, where I stayed until my dorm opened on Sunday morning. Overall, it was a good break, although by the end, I was very tired of being behind the wheel.
Daniel Uden 3/17/2009
I spent the first few days of break at home. I think I took three naps the first two days (sometimes this college thing gets me pretty busy and anxious, and I don't get the sleep I should.) Then Monday night, I drove two hours south to my friend Barry's house. My friends Dayton, Dan and Nate were also there, and we hung out for a couple of days. On Tuesday night, everyone except me left for Seward, the stopping point on their journey to the Women's NAIA National Basketball Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa. I decided not to go yet, and just went back home. I stuck around home for a few more days, worked on tearing down a shed with my dad, got my haircut, did my track work-outs, and then drove 1/2 hour west to Kearney, NE, to visit my friends at UNK. I went to Campus Crusade for Christ at UNK, spent some time with my friends, and left for home the next morning.
After a few more days at home, I left for my friend Dayton's house near Madison, in northeast Nebraska. I spent Friday night there with Dayton and several other friends, then drove 1 1/2 hours into Sioux City, Iowa the next morning to watch the Concordia women, who were now in the quarterfinals of the National Championship. The women ended up losing a hard fought game to Hastings College. Saturday night, after the game, I drove a carload of people back to Seward, where I stayed until my dorm opened on Sunday morning. Overall, it was a good break, although by the end, I was very tired of being behind the wheel.
Daniel Uden 3/17/2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Aid to Sub-Saharan Africa
As most nations of the world continue to advance in interconnectedness and communication through globalization, Africa continues to fall further behind. As each year passes, the inability of many African nations to provide for the basic needs of their suffering populations becomes increasingly evident, and hope for the future grows dim. Since 1960, more developed world countries have provided over $500 billion dollars of aid to African nations, in hope that their economies will be stimulated into growth in the global economy. However, now nine years into the 21st Century, there remains to be seen any significant development in the region.
Some reasons for this lack of progress include war, famine and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, arguably one of the most detrimental factors in Africa's failure to develop is corrupt leaders. Much of the international aid poured into Africa fails to reach its target, the African people, in any real way. When African leaders embezzle and squander monetary gifts from nations such as the United States, France and Great Britain, no improvement to the countries' infrastructure results, and the people and country simply grow more dependent on further aid.
In my opinion, aid to Africa in various forms is most definetly warranted, but donor nations must intently work to prevent that aid from being hoarded by the corrupt African elite any longer. I am not capable of presenting a workable solution for donations to African nations in this blog, but I do believe that there should be stipulations and regulations attached to aid to Africa. In addition, those regulations should be closely monitored and enforced by an outside organization not subject to the local governmental corruption that is so prevalent. Any system organized for African aid should be monitored closely by an organization, such as the United Nations, to ensure that both the African nations are good stewards of the aid, and that developed nations are responsible givers. Unless this is accomplished, any future African development cannot be guaranteed, especially in these trying economic times.
-Daniel Uden 3/5/2009
Some reasons for this lack of progress include war, famine and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, arguably one of the most detrimental factors in Africa's failure to develop is corrupt leaders. Much of the international aid poured into Africa fails to reach its target, the African people, in any real way. When African leaders embezzle and squander monetary gifts from nations such as the United States, France and Great Britain, no improvement to the countries' infrastructure results, and the people and country simply grow more dependent on further aid.
In my opinion, aid to Africa in various forms is most definetly warranted, but donor nations must intently work to prevent that aid from being hoarded by the corrupt African elite any longer. I am not capable of presenting a workable solution for donations to African nations in this blog, but I do believe that there should be stipulations and regulations attached to aid to Africa. In addition, those regulations should be closely monitored and enforced by an outside organization not subject to the local governmental corruption that is so prevalent. Any system organized for African aid should be monitored closely by an organization, such as the United Nations, to ensure that both the African nations are good stewards of the aid, and that developed nations are responsible givers. Unless this is accomplished, any future African development cannot be guaranteed, especially in these trying economic times.
-Daniel Uden 3/5/2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Human Development Index
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a system used to summerize the basic developmental achievements of the countries of the world by comparing them to the development of other nations. The HDI is published by the United Nations Development Programme yearly and calculates an HDI score for each country based on three developmental aspects; health, knowledge and standard of living. Health is defined by life expectancy at birth, knowledge is gauged by combining adult literacy rates and enrollment ratios, and standard of living is found by assessing GDP per capita. 179 countries are currently ranked by the HDI on a 1.0 scale that also places countries in 1 of 3 broader developmental categories; High Human Development, Medium Human Development, and Low Human Development. The three countries with the highest HDI are Iceland, Norway and Canada. Meanwhile the three lowest scorers on the HDI are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Sierra Leone.
When looking over the complete HDI rankings, distinct patterns emerge in regard to development in different world regions. Countries considered to have "High Human Development" are concentrated mainly in the Western Hemisphere and Europe. Several Latin American and wealthy Middle Eastern countries also achieve a high HDI score, but the majority are limited to the modern Western World. Countries with "Medium Human Development" are found mostly in Central America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and a few African nations. Finally, "Low Human Development" is completely isolated in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Africa as a whole clearly lags behind the rest of the world in development. This is likely due to several factors, including wars, famines, the extensive colonization of Africa by Europeans, the unavailability and underallocation of food and natural resources, and epidemics including malaria and HIV/AIDS. It is true that most African countries have only gained their independence over the past century, and are therefore naturally behind in development. However, in many nations, development is simply not occuring, and the suffering of a growing population continues to increase in the face of war, starvation and famine. The future of the populations of African nations relies heavily on whether or not Africa can develop enough in order that the basic needs of its inhabitants can be provided for.
-Daniel Uden 3/4/2009
When looking over the complete HDI rankings, distinct patterns emerge in regard to development in different world regions. Countries considered to have "High Human Development" are concentrated mainly in the Western Hemisphere and Europe. Several Latin American and wealthy Middle Eastern countries also achieve a high HDI score, but the majority are limited to the modern Western World. Countries with "Medium Human Development" are found mostly in Central America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and a few African nations. Finally, "Low Human Development" is completely isolated in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Africa as a whole clearly lags behind the rest of the world in development. This is likely due to several factors, including wars, famines, the extensive colonization of Africa by Europeans, the unavailability and underallocation of food and natural resources, and epidemics including malaria and HIV/AIDS. It is true that most African countries have only gained their independence over the past century, and are therefore naturally behind in development. However, in many nations, development is simply not occuring, and the suffering of a growing population continues to increase in the face of war, starvation and famine. The future of the populations of African nations relies heavily on whether or not Africa can develop enough in order that the basic needs of its inhabitants can be provided for.
-Daniel Uden 3/4/2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
National Geographic Photograph: The Arctic North
This National Geographic Photograph shows two arctic adventurers dragging their sleds across the ice. Since the arrival of the famous American Explorer Robert Peary at the position he believed to be the geographic North Pole of the Earth in 1909, expeditions to the far north have continued over the past century. Although current calculations show that Perry was in fact about 60 miles short of the pole, his historic journey is credited as the first known venture of man into this extreme polar region.
I enjoy this photograph because it shows the extremity of climate on the Earth. Even today, as man has effectively subdued and inhabited much of Earth's surface, areas like this remain untamed and untouched by man. Yet even across the harsh arctic ice, the same sun sits above the horizon.
I confess to having a fascination with desolate places and with journeying across the wilderness. Although all of my adventuring experience is on a very small scale and limited to what I still consider to be habitated places, the lure of exploring new places never grows old. I don't think that it's the beauty or physical features of a place that fascinate me so much, it's more the thought of being somewhere someone else has never been, or at least few people have ever been.
I am always reminded of the words of King David in Psalm 139. I feel that they capture the beauty of existence for me as I consider that nowhere on, inside, or outside this Earth is out of the direct line of sight of my God. No matter how far man may roam, the Almighty God will be everywhere around him.
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your Presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you, the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
-Daniel Uden 2-19-2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Cuban Travel Ban
Since Fidel Castro's 1959 siezure of power in Cuba, the United States has maintained a hardline approach in its opposition of the communist regime. In 1962, under the leadership of President John F Kennedy, the United States enacted a trade and travel embargo against Cuba. Forty-six years later, the embargo still stands, but is currently being challenged by a bill in Congress. The proposed bill would drop travel restrictions between Cuba and the United States.
This proposal comes at a crucial point in Cuba's history, as long-time Cuban President Fidel Castro has recently stepped down and the nation continues to experience economic hardships. A lifting of the ban would likely pump United States tourism dollars into the Cuban economy and serve to strengthen the Communist regime now under the leadership of Fidel's brogher, Raul. The prospect of economic benefits and better relations with the United States may make reform-based dialogue between the neighboring nations possible. However, it is unlikely that Cuba will significantly alter its stance on human rights and individual liberties for its people. Unless the Cuban Government is willing to address these fundamental issues in regard to the treatment of its population, I do not believe that any form of financial support of the Castro regime is appropriate at this time. The United States must focus on ways to support the Cuban people, not the Cuban Government.
-Daniel Uden 2-19-2009
This proposal comes at a crucial point in Cuba's history, as long-time Cuban President Fidel Castro has recently stepped down and the nation continues to experience economic hardships. A lifting of the ban would likely pump United States tourism dollars into the Cuban economy and serve to strengthen the Communist regime now under the leadership of Fidel's brogher, Raul. The prospect of economic benefits and better relations with the United States may make reform-based dialogue between the neighboring nations possible. However, it is unlikely that Cuba will significantly alter its stance on human rights and individual liberties for its people. Unless the Cuban Government is willing to address these fundamental issues in regard to the treatment of its population, I do not believe that any form of financial support of the Castro regime is appropriate at this time. The United States must focus on ways to support the Cuban people, not the Cuban Government.
-Daniel Uden 2-19-2009
Venezuela Suspend's Oil Sales to Exxon Mobile
http://xrl.us/begh3v
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Venezuelan oil boom brought livlihood to Venezuela and the surrounding region. Today, Venezuela, an OPEC member, still relies heavily on its ability to export oil to the rest of the world. Venezuela is currently the fourth leading source of United States oil imports.
Late last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez cut off his nation's oil sales to Exxon Mobile, an American based oil and gas corporation. The announcement follows a recent dispute over the attempted Venezuelan nationalization of Exxon's oil assets in the country. Historically positive Venezuelan-US relations have been strained since Chavez's election in 2000. Chavez has often threatened to cut off all Venezuelan oil exports to the United States altogether. If carried through, this act would severely strain the economies of both nations. As United States President Barack Obama considers future United States foreign policy with Venezuela, the continued availability of United Sates oil resources will undoubtedly remain an important factor.
-Daniel Uden 2-16-2009
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Venezuelan oil boom brought livlihood to Venezuela and the surrounding region. Today, Venezuela, an OPEC member, still relies heavily on its ability to export oil to the rest of the world. Venezuela is currently the fourth leading source of United States oil imports.
Late last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez cut off his nation's oil sales to Exxon Mobile, an American based oil and gas corporation. The announcement follows a recent dispute over the attempted Venezuelan nationalization of Exxon's oil assets in the country. Historically positive Venezuelan-US relations have been strained since Chavez's election in 2000. Chavez has often threatened to cut off all Venezuelan oil exports to the United States altogether. If carried through, this act would severely strain the economies of both nations. As United States President Barack Obama considers future United States foreign policy with Venezuela, the continued availability of United Sates oil resources will undoubtedly remain an important factor.
-Daniel Uden 2-16-2009
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