When I went to Thanksgiving last week my parents asked me if I had heard about what happened in India. I hadn't, so they told me that there were terrorist bombings and buildings taken over and Pakistan was being accused of the attacks, etc. I was very surprised to hear of such a terrible thing and I was shocked that I hadn't heard anything about it earlier. I realized that we're in a bubble here at Columbia. Or at least I feel like it. I never watch tv and I barely ever get the chance to read the paper and if no one else does either, how will we ever know what's going on in the outside world? Question 1. Do you also feel like you're in a bubble? 2. Do you feel guilty about not being able to read the paper and watch the news and stay up-to-date with the world? 3. Does it matter if we know what's going on out there? 4. Is it our duty to be knowledgeable world citizens? 5. If we know about these horrible things what can we do about them?

I was motivated today to take a look at the paper and I saw that GM is asking for $18 BILLION to prevent its collapse. I feel like one day I'm going to look outside my window and the world will be in ruins, having crumbled while I was inside intensely focused on reading the "great books" or writing that paper.

Also watched this disturbing video today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA98U0Csers
I just can't believe that this kind of thing goes on, it acceptable among men, and nothing is done about it. It's disgusting, how can they call themselves human?

But then, what is human? And who gets to decide what's right? Are there fundamental rights and wrongs and if so how come some people just don't see them as so? Are we allowed to go into another country and tell them what to do? Where is the line? When do we need to step in?