The title of this text perfectly reflects Davis’ grim vision of a future that will boast a vast majority of the world’s population housed within deteriorating cities with deep class divides which push most people into the slums and the informal economy. Davis does not view the problem of these slums as resolvable through traditional modes of assistance in the form of international aid programs and instead views these institutions, the IMF in particular, as part of the cause for the current imbalance that was created after the first wave of industrialization and mass urban migration.

Furthermore, David does see resolution of the problem of growing numbers of slums in the concept of “bootstrap capitalism” and continues only to see this situation as unavoidable, at least with our current social, economic, and political structures. Davis’ writing style is accessible to the general reader but seems mostly geared at those who would likely be detractors to his ideas, namely those neoliberal groups who receive unparalleled criticism as being responsible for part of the cause and maintenance of the problem. While the general reader with a casual interest in the future of the urban landscape throughout the world would be sated, if not unsettled by this book, it seems to be more of an attack on current systems as opposed to a prediction aimed at revealing a possible future for the purposes of pure speculation for its own sake. The most compelling and convincing argument Davis makes has to do with the conflicted role of aid organizations in the creation and continued problem of international urban slums.

Planet of Slums offers vivid descriptions of the world’s heavily populated slums in the developing world and characterizes them as existing in a hopeless informal sector that is neither tended to adequately by international organizations or host governments who have long since abandoned their urban poor, in part due to the paradigm-shifting policies of the IMF and other unilateral aid organizations. Davis is an expert at finding figures that are astounding in scope and while they do tend to lump all slums together and ignore regional, cultural and other differences, they are staggering. What remains after all the numbers are tallied and Davis’ argument is laid bare, is that the developing world’s slums that are experiencing ever-growing population numbers, despite any promises of economic advantage for those who are migrating from rural areas.

This is a marked shift from the growth of urban areas that has occurred since the beginning of mass industrialization when many rural agriculturalists migrated to cities to participate in the market economy as there are now no identifiable reasons for such migration. Nonetheless, this migration continues, in part due to the structural readjustment programs and other “aid” offered from multinational aid organizations such as the IMF that changed the ability for farmers and rural people in developing nations to adequately exist as they had done for so many centuries. Instead of receiving balanced and helpful assistance from either local or federal governments and international aid organizations, These ever-expanding slums are embracing religion, sometimes in extreme forms that have a distinct political edge, and maintaining an informal economy and way of life on the margins of the world’s society.

Instead of presenting an argument that rambles or is shrouded in a mystery that requires pages of explanation, Davis begins his book with a series of blunt statistics from credible international sources that claim that the cities are going to become home to most of the world’s population before offering country-based statistics that further assert this claim. His focus is clearly on the developing world and for several pages before a more formal description of his own purpose and argument, there is an entire page devoted to a graphic demonstrating urban population growth, a clear table with population comparisons from 1950 and modern times, and follows this up with more in-text citations of figures and facts. This not only allows Davis to establish a tone of authority for his contentious argument—something that seems almost required to establish when proposing an impossible-to-prove future projection, but it provides readers with an idea of just how powerful of a movement the new urban migration is. He situates this movement to cities within the both the context of modern and ancient history, claiming that this movement will “constitute a watershed in human history, comparable to the Neolithic or Industrial revolutions” (Davis 1) impossible to ignore by boldly declaring that his argument will be predicting an event that is on par with some of the most revolutionizing movements in the history of earth itself, not just in terms of more contemporary history.

Interestingly, media’s role in the massive paradigm shift that occurred in tandem with the Reformation did not simply influence the beginning of these great changes, but aided in the process of ushering in a new era in Europe as communication became more democratized in terms of general readership numbers, even if the controlling forces behind the media outlets themselves had distinct interests.

Although still surprisingly unregulated when compared to other forms of mass media—television, newspapers, and radio in particular—the internet presents a scenario that promises significant societal change based on societal, national, and small-group/community consciousness. This new mode of consciousness is entirely different as it is not based on the same basic concept of transmission of knowledge through media (passive consuming) but rather encourages active participation in the creation of new media outlets and strategies.

The internet has effectively achieved what no newspaper or other traditional source could—it is offering the possibility for objectivity. This objectivity, however, is not located in one place or source, it is rather based on the reader’s ability and desire to cull from numerous independent and non-capitalist sources needed information and synthesize it into a whole. Additionally, through the use of small messaging communities, this process of culling and sorting through massive amounts of material, ideas, and exchanges becomes easier and outside of the bias of traditional capitalist media for the most part. While remains of the “old guard” of print capitalism still persist and remain incredibly powerful (McCheseney, 2004) there is an increasing movement online to create more distinct, free communities.

The reason why the internet and digital technologies are so much different and provide compelling case studies when contemplating the future of mass communication in the coming decades is because they are taking a path that is opposite from that great change that occurred with the first wave of media’s creation of a new reality—instead of creating one distinct consciousness (which is akin to nationalism in Anderson’s terms) the internet and related digital technologies are producing an individual and small community-based consciousness that is more like the traditional village as opposed to a global city where everyone has equal say and all voices are said to be heard at once. When Spitulnik (1993) suggests that some of the digital products that were beginning to emerge when the article was written, including “electronic town halls” these had the ability to “supplant the ‘mass’ of mass media, making them [the technologies] more individual and interpersonal. While there is no value placed on this perception, after well over one decade with those same digital technologies which have been even further refined as communication tools it seems we are not much closer to answer of whether media in this more “personal” form is creating a new consciousness with its own distinct time, place, and in a broader metaphorical sense, “nationality”.

Before beginning this discussion on the nature of the created consciousness of space, time, and the sense of shared history and community that occurs when one participates (actively or passively) in the media, it is useful to revisit Anderson’s understanding of the initial events in Europe that sparked the beginning of the media revolution—a revolutionary period that still has not ended and will not until technological advancements cease. As Anderson suggests, the Reformation and associated decline of sacred, exclusive languages (Latin being the prime example) in favor of the vernacular were cornerstones of a larger movement that occurred in 16th century Europe. In addition to the decline of unified religious theories guiding people’s understanding of their identities in society, this breakdown in the concept of divine authority as the key to state structure and identity was further exacerbated by the fruits of imperialism—namely the realization that many other cultures and societies existed outside of the sphere of knowledge and outside of the context of one’s own political and social structure. Most importantly, the issue of language and the return to the common vernacular and the associated rise of what Anderson terms as “print-capitalism” is a paramount issue because the ability to discuss and reform national and societal identity following the collapse of traditional centers of religious power, authority, and knowledge could only occur under the banner of a common language. In short, Anderson’s central, provocative point is that language created the conditions that were necessary for print media to thrive and moreover, for someone to be able to guide and then profit from this medium. With all of these tumultuous shifts in society’s understanding and acceptance certain truisms that were falling apart one by one, there was another vastly important change that took place. This issue is what Anderson (1983) refers to as “a conception of temporality in which cosmology and history were indistinguishable, the origins of the world and of men essentially identical” (p. 36) and it is in this environment that ‘print capitalism’ emerged and almost instantly began to take hold.

“Transportation accounts for a full third of CO2 emission in the United States, and that share is growing as others shrink in comparison, rising from 31 percent in 1990 to 33 percent today” (Ewing et al, 2007, p. 12). Unlike a some other states, the transportation sector is the leading contributor of greenhouses gases in the state of California (Yang et al., 2008) thus most efforts to curb these harmful emissions 80% by the year 2050 will need to begin with a close examination of the options available to revolutionize the way we understand transportation in America.

Interestingly, although many recognize the current need for resolute action to halt negative environmental consequences and fear for the impact this might have on all aspects of society, it appears that the only path to this very optimistic reduction is through the nation’s collective pocketbook. In other words, it is being proposed here that the lack of economic sustainability, not policy actions or activism, will be the driver toward this goal. With that said, under the right (or wrong, since this means financial crisis) economic conditions, the 80% reduction goal is absolutely possible but the only way this will happen is if America hits “rock bottom” in terms of its ability to handle one fuel crisis after another and instead looks to innovation rather than old standards.

In other words, the proposed reduction by 2050 is possible, but only in the context of an economic revolution powerful enough to shake the country from its consumption-driven stupor and get most cars off the road through this economic force, as opposed to by slow legislation and even slower research, development, and creation of non-traditionally powered vehicles.

California was among the leaders in the nation to institute a broad measure to curb current and future greenhouse gas emissions with its executive order (S-3-05) and related Global Warming Solutions Act (in 2005 and 2006 respectively). Such legislation, which was based on levels of emissions from 1990, aimed to make the 80% cuts in greenhouses gases but a fundamental problem is that no one seems to know how. As Yang et al. (2008) note, despite the existence of such legislative actions, “strategies for meeting this ambitious target have not been clearly defined, and the technology and policy options are not well understood” (vii) thus there is no sense that this is viable or practicable legislation at all. Measures such as these with stringent requirements for future cuts in pollutants are numerous but as of yet, there is little agreement about how to reach this target.

With a projected doubling of California’s population by 2050 and due to the fact that no current technologies alone offer a “magic bullet” to reach the 80% target, there are several questions about what approaches will support need for affordable transit in all forms while maintaining the emissions standards. Still, there are several changes that can be combined such as “improving efficiency, utilizing alternative fuels, and reducing travel demand” (Yang et al. 2008) although there seems to be more widespread agreement that the most efficient way to the target goal of eliminating greenhouse gases in line with the proposed 80% means restricting travel demand.
There are several proven alternatives to greenhouse gas-emitting transportation fuels such as biofuels and the use of electric cars. Pacala and Socolow take the approach of breaking down the components of meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets through the use of “wedges” which represent slices of the “pie” of the portfolio of solutions to the problem. Most scholars are in agreement that it is best to begin employing a range of technologies rather than focusing on just one, and to this end, they suggest that “A wedge of biofuel would be achieved by the production of about 34 million barrels per day of ethanol in 2054 that could displace gasoline, provide the

Although we tend to think that environmental damage that results in the loss of life—human or otherwise, is a recent trend caused by greenhouse gasses and global warming the article demonstrates how humans in Mayan civilization might have destroyed their own environment or at least might have further contributed to its destruction in conjunction with natural climate changes. Human settlements, even ones we consider prehistoric and thus somehow innocuous disrupt a balance that nature can eventually restore, but is devastating to settlements if lost. While it is at once oddly comforting to know that we are not the only ones of our species, historically speaking, to destroy ourselves by annihilating our environment, it equally unsettling as this may be our future. Scientists thousands of years later, examining our plastic and pollen residue will see our fate and speculate on how we might have caused it.

In essence, what Canvas on Demand does is simply make a large photo print of your picture and they print on the canvas size of your choosing. In short, aside from the material being printed on and the size itself, this is no different than printing out a normal photo. All it does is require some special photo printing equipment that can handle the sizes and the weight of the canvas. This is not rare or hard to find equipment and any print shop near your home will probably be able to print your pictures on canvas, just like Canvas on Demand does, but without all the added costs (their prices are high to begin with) of shipping and all the extras they try to sell you. Besides, by going to a local print shop instead of using a company like Canvas on Demand or its competitors, you are supporting a local business.

The most attractive aspect of using a local print shop for its photo printing equipment is that there are far more options available to you. As long as you have a  high resolution photograph to use for canvas printing (it should be at the very maximum resolution you can get it, otherwise it will look pixilated) you are then free to use Photoshop to add all kinds of effects that photo printing services like Canvas on Demand and others do not offer. If you are good with Photoshop, this will allow you to make minor color or skin corrections, to add the kind of light effects you desire, and to make it look exactly the way you want to. This can become a work of art to be printed on canvas because you have made it your own. What photo printing services like Canvas on Demand are doing is no different that the photo printing on the sweatshirts you see at those Midwest mall kiosks. It’s just printing on something big and without any effects to soften or background the photo, it looks kind of cheap, like, well, a photo that happens to be printed on canvas.

Brush up on your Photoshop skills and take a great photo to work with. Clean it up, make it unique, remembering the whole time that there is the same setting on Photoshop that companies like Canvas on Demand use that offers several paintbrush tools (and by doing your own photo printing on canvas, you can choose the depth of the brushstrokes and their direction). Next, find a print shop that has the right photo printing equipment by calling them and just telling them what you want to do. Chances are, if they can make signs on fabric, this is no problem. Take your high resolution finished photo to this print shop along with your desired canvas. The printer can help you size them to fit and voila! There you have it, a far cheaper, much less generic-looking photo printed on canvas that you did yourself for less money and more bang for the buck.

You need to shop around for the best health care coverage, just as you would with anything else.  Don’t just assume that the plan with the lowest monthly premiums is the plan for you.  Read what is covered and what isn’t.  On the same note, don’t assume that your current plan is your only option.  Check on all other plans that are available.

2.  Consider going with a higher deductible.

Are you and your family healthy?  Do you make infrequent trips to the doctor?  You may save more money annually by going with a higher deductible, even it does mean paying a higher co-payment on those infrequent visits.

3.   Know which prescriptions costs less

Do you know which prescriptions are covered by your plan?  You can get this list from your insurance company.  Once you have it, you can share it with your doctor and hopefully find a medication on the list that is helpful to you.

You should also compare the medications you are taking with those that you can get at some drug stores at cheaper prices.  Many drug stores like Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Krogers now have many prescriptions for inexpensive prices.  Check to see if any of your medications compares to these.

4.  Don’t skimp on your regular doctor and dentist visits.

Our bodies are like our cars.  They need those regular checkups to make sure we are running smoothly.

5.   Avoid accidents and consider risks based on potential costs

Of course, it’s human nature to avoid accidents and we try to take precautions when taking part in sporting or other activities by wearing helmets, knee guards, etc. With these high costs of health care, you may be forced to change some of your recreational habits to reflect your understanding of the true cost of an injury you might sustain.

6.  Ask for samples

This is especially helpful if you are taking an expensive medication or if you have problems taking many medications.

7.   Wash your hands and teach your family to do so

Wash away those virus germs before they make you sick, in the first place.

8.   Join discount clubs.

There are discount clubs to help with prescription prices, dental visits and even purchasing eye glasses.  Join some and see if they can help you save money.Check out such sites as ameriplanusa.com, careington.com healthinsurance.com.

9.  Actually read your medical bills and save receipts

Mistakes happen.  But if you actual pay attention to those bills and save those receipts, you can dispute any bill that you all ready paid.  Plus, you will have the proof to back up your claim.

10.  Ask for generics

Generic prescriptions are usually comparable to their name brand counterparts.  Yet, they are less expensive.

You make little adjustments, you may actually save a little bit of money on everything, including health care costs.  Plus, you can do this without sacrificing your needs.

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Here is a scenario to consider:

You are driving to a relative’s house, and are in a terrible car wreck.  The wreck has rendered you completely unresponsive.  Your cell phone is found by the paramedics.  In your phone you have hundreds of phone numbers saved, but who should the paramedics call?  This is where ICE comes in.

What is the ICE plan? 

It is now standard procedure for all paramedics to follow the ICE plan when coming across cell phones at the scene of an accident.

This is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone. The paramedics will check the cell phone for contacts.  When they do, they are taught to check for listings under the heading ICE.  If there are more than one contacts, they will be listed as ICE1, ICE2, and so on.  This allows the paramedics to know which friends or relatives that should be contacted in the case of an emergency or illness.

How do I update my cell phone to ICE?

Simply go into your contacts and add in your emergency contacts.  Instead of putting the name of the contact, list them as ICE.  This will signal the paramedics that they are the one to contact in case of emergency or illness.  This can be very important.  Many times we will need blood, or allergy history, or even a list of current medications to get the proper treatment in these emergency situations.  This will allow emergency personnel to get this information when you are unable to give it.  Most cell phones will still allow you to put in a seperate listing for those contacts under the normal names as well.  For those that use blue tooth technology, this will still allow you to call them via name and voice recognition.

How widespread is ICE?

Most every paramedic and emergency personnel is aware of ICE and a growing number of people are doing this.  It takes five minutes to do, and might be the key to you surviving a dangerous situation in the future.  It would be well worth it to take the time to update your cell phone with ICE.

1.  Forget about the brands – Brand names are without a doubt the biggest reason that people lose money buying groceries.  Some people simply only buy one brand regardless of the price.  Saving money on new brands, or brands on sale is an easy change anyone can make.  If you only like the taste of one brand, their is a good chance that you have not sampled others.  Brand name simply makes very little difference with most food items.  There are some exceptions, but very few.

2.  Clip coupons – Is it a pain? Yes.  Is it embarrassing?  Not anymore.  The stigma of cutting coupons disappeared the day that gas went over four dollars a gallon.  Cut those coupons and use them religiously.  The savings are significant, and you will be glad come the end of the month.

3.  Use coupons wisely – Some shoppers take the coupon craze a bit to literally.  Just because something is half price, it is not going to help you if it is an item that you will not use.  Never buy an item simply because you have a coupon.  Only enhance your shopping bill by using coupons on items you will actually purchase anyway.

4.  Buy in bulk – Did you find an awesome deal on an item that you purchase regularly and that does not go bad?  Buy it up!  Bulk purchases are wonderful if you are buying those items that are needed on a regular basis.  Be careful not to go overboard though, and keep one month at a time in mind.

5.  Subscribe to the email weekly –  Every major grocery chain puts out a weekly sale ad.  Most of these grocery stores offer an email subscription service that sends these bargains to your inbox.  There is no better way to find all the bargains in your area, and to take advantage of the savings.

6.  Shop several grocery stores – Loyalty is one thing, but ignoring a great sale at the competing store up the street is just silly.  If you have to go shopping for groceries anyway, you might as well save money doing it.  If this means hopping to a couple of stores to find the bargains, make that committment.  Over time, the savings can be drastic.

7.  Use the web for savings – You would be shocked at the number of websites that actually are dedicated to saving you money at the grocery store.  Do a simple Google search and you will find a wealth of information.  Coupon sites, store reviews, and online specials are a great source of unexpected savings at your grocery store.  Check out the resources at the end of this article for some great sites.

8.  Pay attention to the sell by dates – You know that you are guilty of this one.  You buy a product, get it home, and find that it has gone bad within a day or two.  Read the labels, and find out how to pull from the back.  Always check the sell by dates, however, as not all stores rotate correctly.

9.  Look for sales before you need them –  It is imperative to your wallet that you pay attention to the sales, and think about what you will need in the coming weeks.   For example the back to school items are a heck of a lot cheaper the weeks prior to when you need them.  Also, holiday items can be had for a fraction of the cost they will be when the holiday actually hits.

10.  Set a budget and bring your calculator – This is the absolute most important thing you can do to save money at the grocery store. It will eliminate your impulse buying, and keep you on the straight and narrow when checking out.  Those candy bars will not look so good if they take you over the budget.

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Resources:

Great websites to help you save online:

www.coupons.com

www.smartsource.com

We never realized that some of our major businesses which have been around for years would all of a sudden no longer be secure.  Never considered they would no longer be there.  Never even thinking that we could no longer rush out in the middle of the night and find that much needed item.

Since 2004, the nation has seen some of the worst economic conditions in the last twenty years.  Food has increased not the usual and what was considered reasonable two or three cent an item per year, but twenty and thirty cents per month.  Daily increases in the cost of oil has sent our country into what some think is an economic crisis of epidemic proportion.

Bankruptcies are now peaking. Each day, the company I work for receives at least two new notifications of formerly what were considered stable businesses, filing Bankruptcy. So, the issue we have to now deal with is, when you give an individual a gift card, how long will that gift card be valid.  Businesses will not deny an individual a sale.  If you walk into a business and request a gift card, they are going to accept your money.  There is no way the cashier is going to say, “sorry sir or  ma’am, we will be filing for bankruptcy or closing our doors tomorrow.”  So, the question is, “how does the consumer protect themselves?”

What to Look Out for Before Buying a Gift Card

Companies begin to show, maybe not obvious but minor, small subtle signs that will be a hint to a regular customer of a problem. Something like mints that are normally placed on the counter offered free in the past are no longer available.  You may notice the number of regular personnel has declined.  Or even, the uniforms once immaculate are now maybe showing not much, but a hint of wear.

You must be extra aware of the warning signs when purchasing gift cards.  Never purchase gift cards from a store or business your or the receiver are not familiar with. The small stores or businesses if open  for only a short period of time will not be able to replace, refund or provide a substitute if the business is closed.

Or what about the restaurant that opens for a period of time, generally offering the most delicious foods at the onset.  A few months later, the doors are closed and no one is available to answer your questions.  Gift cards to these establishments are no longer any good and cannot be used at any other location.

Timeless Gift Cards That Never Expire

There are gift cards that span time: gift cards that will not expire and can be used indefinitely. There are gift cards that can be used whenever you wish, wherever you wish.  These are the cards I would recommend an individual purchase when giving a gift card.

For example: the Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Bahama Breeze are all owned by the same individual.  His gift cards offer the owner the option to be used at any of these chains.  There is no expiration date on the cards and if you have ever ventured inside of one of these restaurants, I am sure you would agree, there seems to be no chance of an issue or problem indicated.  We all have to eat, so the card will probably be used quickly and the meal will be highly enjoyed.

Credit Card Gift Cards

The very best choice offered when purchasing a gift card for anyone is to consider purchasing gift cards with the MasterCard, Visa or American Express Logo.  These cards are prepaid for amounts up to $500.  The receiver has the ability to use the card for purchases at locations anywhere within the continental United States and some countries abroad.  The convenience of using these cards is undeniable.

The user will have no issues to worry about.  If there are any problems with the card, the receiver can simply contact the buyer for receipt information.  I have even known of some givers providing the receipt along with the card.  In case there is any problem, the receiver has the receipt available.

The credit card gift cards are absolutely the best.  The user is not required to select from one specific business; they may use the card at any location accepting the MasterCard, Visa or American Express Card.  The cards do not expire.  If the business they considered making a purchase from goes under, they simply choose a different business.

There you have it.  Gift cards are a major source of convenience for the giver and the receiver.  The problem occurs when the receiver may waits too long to use the card, the card may be misplaced, forgotten, or the business goes under.

If you are sure the person you are purchasing the card for has one specific item in mind, you know the exact price, they are headed there the very next day to make the purchase, go ahead and give them the gift card. But, remember it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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A few months ago I purchased a gallon of milk at a local grocery store only to bring it home, open it and pour a cup of it that was lumpy and rancid. I returned the gallon to the store and did receive a replacement gallon of milk along with apologies. Last week I purchased a container of strawberries at another local grocery store. I opened the container in anticipation of enjoying the mouth-watering, succulent fruit only to find that every strawberry in the container had mold on it. I was very disappointed to say the least.

Buying items at the grocery store only to find they are bad when you get them home can be extremely irritating. Check expiration dates on products. You might think it’s a waste of time or not necessary but it really is best to check especially on products such as milk or coffee creamer. Inspect fruit carefully. Of course this may be difficult to do if it is packaged. Ask to speak directly to the store manager if you purchase a product that is beyond its expiration date or otherwise unacceptable for consumption. Keep your receipt. You should be entitled to a refund or exchange of product. After all you spend enough money purchasing your groceries so the items you buy should be good.

Grocery shopping can be time consuming especially when shopping for a large order and the result is often that people don’t have the time to really pay attention to every items they place in their cart. It may take a little bit longer to inspect the quality of your products but in the long run it is worth it. The next time you go shopping make sure that you have the time to shop carefully and are not rushed. Consciously choose the items you buy rather than just making the rote motion of choosing the same products without much attention to your purchases. It pays to shop carefully.

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