Shopaholic Reform: Interesting Product...

Friday, February 26

Interesting Product...

So while shopping for my new hiking boots I stumbled across these little babies, the Vibram Five Fingers.

I will admit that this is not the first time I have come across them, there was a guy in dodgeball that used to wear them religiously. I just played it up to him being strange. Apparently they have quite the following though. Their junkies claim they're great for water sports, hiking, trail running, yoga, pretty much any sport that can be tackled barefoot.

I have heard both sides of the camp on running barefoot, I for one could never do it for fear of stepping on a sharp rock or pointy stick, the thought of which makes me shudder. Anyways, I can see how they would be appealing, at least in a trail running kinda way...lots of freedom for your toes, super sticky Vibram soles (and we all know how I feel about Vibram soles) and flexible, next best thing to barefoot...only with a little added protection so I guess better than barefoot (I should check and see if they're using that slogan...if not made I should copyright it so they have to pay me for it). I'm not going to lie though, they freak me out, a lot. So you can bet I'm not dropping the $75 to $90 that they cost anytime soon.

This picture also really freaks me out! Thoughts on these things?

1 comment:

Olive said...: horrifying. you know what word i have to type in to leave this comment? ANGST. that's exactly how i feel about them too! how clever.; March 17, 2010 at 1:52 PM

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Something to Chew On...

The downside to Globalization

1. “The general complaint about globalization is that it has made the rich richer while making the non-rich poorer. It is wonderful for managers and investors, but hell on workers and nature.”¹

2. Multinational corporations are accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labor wages and poor living and working conditions), as well as a lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage.

3. Multinational corporations which were previously restricted to commercial activities are increasingly influencing political decisions. Many think there is a threat of corporations ruling the world because they are gaining power due to globalization.

4. Opponents say globalization makes it easier for rich companies to act with less accountability. They also claim that countries’ individual cultures are becoming overpowered by Americanization.

5. Anti-globalists also claim that globalization is not working for the majority of the world. During the most recent period of rapid growth in global trade and investment, 1960 to 1998, inequality worsened both internationally and within countries. The UN Development Program reports that the richest 20 percent of the world's population consume 86 percent of the world's resources, while the poorest 80 percent consume just 14 percent.

6. Some experts think that globalization is also leading to the incursion of communicable diseases. Deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS are being spread by travelers to the remotest corners of the globe.

7. Globalization has led to exploitation of labor. Prisoners and child workers are used to work in inhumane conditions. Safety standards are ignored to produce cheap goods. There is also an increase in human trafficking.

8. Social welfare schemes or “safety nets” are under great pressure in developed countries because of deficits and other economic ramifications of globalization.

As manufacturing continues to decline, so does our ability to innovate. In the long term, this means fewer well-paid jobs, lower productivity, declining wages, declining living standards and low economic growth. Globalization is a big part of this decline and will affect all jobs and all sectors of the economy. From the point of view of multinational corporations and Wall Street investors, globalization is probably viewed as a wonderful phenomenon with many opportunities. But from the point of view of American manufacturers, manufacturing workers, the middle class, professional service workers and overall economic growth, I think the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages.

-Mike Collins, The Pros and Cons of Globalization (2010)