http://issuu.com/dazcornick/docs/app._goog._fb_final_paper.docx

Will Smith shares his secrets of success

This video is a composition of interviews of Will Smith. He talks about how easy success can be, this I'm not sure about. However, I agreed with him in saying,  there is no elaborate concept or theory behind success because as humans we were born not believing where we are is where we're going to be but rather where we are doesn't matter compared to where we're going. Basically humans were born knowing that they have to make progress, we have to do better than we did the day before and it starts at birth. This video presents the idea that every American has the potential to be successful if they really work for it or if they are willing to fight for it. In my opinion it is as if success in America becomes competition and success is measured based on how well you've done in comparison to others around you. Success is presented as an individual goal.

Examining America

Examining the blog (http://geert-hofstede.com/united-states.html) it states,

" Everybody is unique, yet social control ensures that most people will not deviate too much from the norm. Moreover, within every country regional cultural differences exist, also in the States. Americans, however, don’t need to go to a cultural briefing before moving to another state successfully."

This passage relates back to Bellah's idea that we all share a common belief in individualism. Despite all Americans wanting to feel like we are all very different, we actually share a cultural norm and anyone who seems to step out of that norm is usually ridiculed or looked down on.  In the passage it states "Americans, however, don’t need to go to a cultural briefing before moving to another state successfully." This is because, despite the different rules or culture of each state, the rules and culture are centered around a common goal or idea all Americans share. Therefore, it is easier to move around and adapt to the surroundings of different states because in each state everyone is doing their own thing in the same way.

This blog also breaks down the common culture concepts americans share and individalism ranks the highest. Individualism is decribed as

 "people´s self-image is defined in terms of “I” or “We”. In Individualist societies people are only supposed to look after themselves and their direct family. In Collectivist societies people belong to “in groups” that take care of them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty." 

American look after themselves and their direct family. this we see through the descriptions of the characters presented in Bellah's Habits of the Heart, Chapter 1. and later on in Chapter 2, the utilitarian individualism, "that in a society where each vigorously pursued his own interest, the social good would automatically emerge", the idea here is if I take care of doing my part well and raising a family to pursue individual goals, all will turn out well for society. We know this isn't true but that does not take away from the fact that it is the culture we share, this idea that all American can succeed if we all follow the individualist path. This is what the blog is saying and what Bellah is trying to get us to understand.

Likewise, is another blog for immigrants coming to America, who wish to learn the culture and how to adapt to our individualism.

http://www.nayajeevan.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25:examining-americas-cultural-values-individualism&catid=3:articles&Itemid=8

Instagram Direct

Instagram is a social network building connections. Their goal is to connect the user to the world and Instagram direct is connecting it's users closer to each other. This new feature allows its user's connection more personal, users can pick and choose who they want to see their images, versus posting images and allowing all  followers to view them. This figure allows the user flexibility in creating their community of followers. Instagram is lifestyle enclave, allowing one to create a community and choose who they want to associate with.

Steve Jobs' Commencement Speech

In his speech Mr. Jobs talk a lot about having faith in the unknown, he talks about connecting dots looking forward and our inability to do so. His faith, can be seen as a religion, religion require one to have faith in the unknown and this is what he wants us to do. Also he wants us to have faith in his new invention and we are making the choice to have faith in a new technology. I really liked his quote about having hope that all of our dots in the future will come together, makes since because as humans we are not able to know the future and that hope that everything will work out ok is something that all humans can relate to. 

He also says, "Stay hungry, stay foolish" this idea is what drove him to experiment with his circumstances and I feel if everyone adapt this idea the world would have many people who are creating, and changing the world.