A Year Without Money

I read an article about a man who lived entirely without money for a year; no income, no expenses. After finishing the story I began to try and fathom all that this would absolutely require, the bear necessities of life. Shelter, Food/Water, Heat, Tools. While this doesn't seem like much (because in the end when you strip down to living with only what you NEED it's very little) it's still a pretty difficult task. Food and water collection alone would take up probably eighty percent of your day; you would be forced to live for the most primitive of purposes, survival. There's something unbelievably simple in that, and I think that simplicity is beginning to appeal to more and more people. No bills, no car, no worries. Still, it's almost so simple, too some, it's complex. The simplicity challenges what most of us (especially Americans) know and love, consumerism. 

This article definitely inspired me. I have hopes of one day living like this. To be off the grid and on the land, what could be better...

Food Shortage, Economics, and Politics

This week in my Macroeconomics class we have been discussing the U.S. Wheat Market and how it has been affected by government intervention. Although this started as a simple exercise to explain shifts in supply and demand it has opened my eyes to something that I consider extremely morally wrong; government created food shortages.

Starting in 1929 the U.S. Government began implementing Farm Stabilization Acts. Although the goal was to stabilize prices and help small farmers it really hurt the average consumer. The government began buying up massive amounts of wheat in order to increase the demand, thus raising the price and quantity. However this supply was futile for it was not being used. Furthermore the wheat was bought using taxpayer dollars, meaning taxpayers and everyday consumers were paying for wheat they would never see and driving prices up on themselves. I understand the government's actions economically, however it is how the wheat was used that really kills me.

Initially the wheat was simply stored, however soon there was too much. The government began destroying crops and killing/drowning ranch animals. They wanted to limit the supply, keep food out of the consumers hands to "help" the economy. Finally they started paying farmers not to grow crops, a system that seems pointless and dangerously similar to welfare.

While all of these actions have some economic reasoning I just can't grasp the concept of government created food shortages, at least in America. Food scarcity is one of the greatest problems in the world today; thousands of people worldwide die everyday from malnutrition and lack of food, some even here in the United States. Looking from a moral humanitarian aspect I see this program as entirely wrong and simply outrageous. Our government is here to protect us, help us, and contribute to a happy healthy life. This just shows the power that lobbyist and special interest groups (farmers in this case) can have on the entire system and how that influence can hurt us all.

So, the next time bread, egg, or milk prices go up again you can make sure to thank good ole' Uncle Sam.

Culture, Religion, and the Environment - Intro

My name is Cody Moore. I'm originally from Austin, Texas and now live in Kailua.  I basically enjoy anything that involves being outside or in the ocean. I'm an Environmental Studies major and hope to travel the world one day.

I'm stoked to take this class. I think the Service Learning activities will be really educational; there's no better way to understand something (at least for me) than to see it. This is going to be one of those classes that is actually pertinent and interesting.


Cody Moore
ANTH 3115-1