An Imperial Message

This parable by Kafka is written simply, yet is almost impossibly difficult to fully understand. I think that this story is open to many different interpretations, because Kafka never really explains his true purpose to us. I found it interesting that he wanted to destroy these writings before he died, but they were still published after his death.
I think that Kafka is playing on the idea that humans are distant or removed from God in this lifetime. If the Emperor represents God in this story, then he is claiming that God is dead, or dying. But in what sense? Does he mean that God is dead in our eyes, or that he literally does not exist? I think Kafka is trying to tell us that if God had a message for us, humankind would not be able to grasp it or comprehend it in its full complexity and true nature. I think he is also saying that it is impossible to reach every person and make them understand your message, or whomever's message it may be. The "Emperor's messenger" is running a hopeless race in trying to deliver the "message" to all of the world. Kafka says it well when he states that the "world [is] crammed to bursting with its own refuse". There is a lot of crap in this world that people get stuck or slowed down in, inhibiting them from noticing the true nature of the world around them. It is impossible, in my opinion, to understand the full spectrum of reality in the current human condition.
Many figures in history have played the role of "messenger" in many different ways. Some were messengers of peace and justice, others messengers of death and destruction. But I think Einstein said it best; "Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods".

Discrimination is a Virtue

"Discrimination is a Virtue" is an article which discusses how so many people do not understand the true definition of the word discrimination. This essay by Robert Miller explains how an "entire generation has grown up believing that "discrimination" means "racism"". He further details the idea that our culture has become obsessed with the idea of equality for all people. In almost every aspect of our society, including education and politics, we try not to draw any lines between students as well as candidates.
When it comes to the Democratic presidential nomination race, little is said about the candidates' policies in the media. Their focus tends to be on skin color or gender instead of the actual issues. For example, how many people know that Barack Obama is actually opposed to gay marriage, although he does support civil unions? In general, many people seem to think that because women or black people have been "discriminated" against in the past, no real discrimination is needed in where they should place their vote. Assuming anything about a candidate based on race or gender is not fair to the candidates. We need to understand that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are two very different people with different policies. Don't get on the bandwagon with so many others and vote for one or the other based on some clouded bias.

Argument Visual

This graph shows the major producers of hydroelectric power in the United States. The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for the power generated by the Colorado River Storage Project. The graph explains that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is second in power generation only to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. This is relevant to my paper because it shows how much of a role the Bureau plays in providing power to the country. Without this source of power, alternative methods would have to be found. These would include less clean sources such as the burning of coal.