Carly
5/8/2014 12:36:06 pm
I am still enjoying this book as it goes on. I feel like I am learning a little bit about a subject that I'm not well-versed in, and I love it. One of the things I like about this next section of book was that there was a conversation between Sam and Laura that was an economics debate. I was starting to feel like Laura was just being lectured all the time, and she had no meat to her character. She seemed like she wasn't all that intelligent, either, as she contributed very little to their debates. By throwing in the short conversation about poetry, I feel like the author really shifted it back to being a little bit even between the two. Laura knew something about a subject, and Sam mostly listened. It was a nice change to what I was seeing before.
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Sophia C.
5/8/2014 04:20:53 pm
I also felt that way about Laura, although I never thought she wasn't intelligent. It's always hard to have an opinion about a subject you don't know much about and then have to try to defend it. We have to have opinions about things though, even the stuff we aren't very knowledgeable about.
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Jackson Walker
5/8/2014 12:53:40 pm
As I keep reading this book, I'm enjoying it more and more. At first I really just payed attention to the economics aspect, but I have to admit the actually plot line (although pretty cliche) is interesting. I like to be able to learn while have the story- sort of like being taught a lecture while watching a movie in a movie theatre. It makes the learning part go down smoother (as if it was rough at all, of course).
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Rachel Deaton
5/8/2014 01:16:05 pm
I believe Sam and Laura have a great relationship. He is more of a strong communicator with all of his facts and opinions. While, Laura is softer with her facts, views and poems. I love that type of connection they have because even though Sam has a dominating personality, Laura can still fit sagacious words into the conversation. Those mere words can have a substantial impact on Sam's opinions. I think Sam enjoys that because it is probably new for someone to express their opinion back to him after what he has said.
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Rachel Maristela
5/8/2014 01:37:20 pm
I really loving this book and by far Sam is still my favorite character. Sam's different opinions of economics in the beginning when Laura started complaining about the dry cleaners were very interesting. I like how he also talked about other economic views outside of the dry cleaners situation, and connected it with her dry cleaning situation. What I also found interesting is Sam and Laura's connection that they have between each other. I can see that they both enjoy talking about economics, but felt like they had talked too much about it. It's really cute how Sam tries to not talk about economics with Laura and the way he explained what he felt in the way she spoked poetry in front of him. I think what will happen next is that Sam is going to meet Laura's family and will build a stronger connection and fall in love. <3
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Gage Gamboa
5/8/2014 01:44:39 pm
I appreciate the multiple viewpoints presented in the book. The different characters that the narrative alternates between represent several perspectives. A major perspective presented is that of economic opinions. The contrasting perspectives of the characters presents interesting opportunities for the story. It allows for heated interactions between ideologies, whether it be in the form of Krauss versus Baldwin, or Sam versus Andrew. I wonder if some characters' viewpoints will change throughout the book, being influenced by other characters.
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Meranda
5/8/2014 02:06:29 pm
I think Heather, the secretary in chapter 8, showed a lot of integrity. Even though this was a shorter chapter it showed that people who were working for Krauss were willing to stand up to him. She risked her job, which could be because she planned on quoting soon anyways, to get some possibly valuable information about the company. I think that it showed that even though Krauss seemed to be a terrible person, the whole entire company is not, there can actually be good people working for it who disagree with their boss.
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Ysabella Dawson
5/8/2014 02:39:28 pm
“’And in your world,’ Sam countered, ‘only you are fully informed. Everyone else is in need of your wisdom.’” (Page 116)
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Jordan Garcia
5/8/2014 02:44:22 pm
Sam & Lauren end up having another discussion / debate. They run into each other at the dry cleaners where Laura complains that Sam can get twice as many shirts done as she can blouses for the same price. Once again Laura is pointing out how unfair things are. Sam and she get into a discussion about competition. What Laura sees as greed, Sam sees as self-interest. I feel that it depends on what you are greedy about or what you take interest in. The comparison between the two will definitely show if an individual is taking self interest in something or if they are just being plain greedy about it. It also seems like they are getting along now after Laura goes and hangs out with Sam after seeing that his folder in the office that looked like bad news.
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Abby Thompson
5/8/2014 02:58:54 pm
I thought the part where Heather is secretly copying Krauss's documents was actually pretty cool because it showed that a lot of the people who worked under Krauss really did not like him at all (If it wasn't already evident enough) and I liked how even Marge was alright with her doing it too even going as far as to help her with it, as well as Heather sending the documents to Erica afterwards. It's all super sneaky but in a way it's alright that they're doing it because they don't like Krauss and what he's been doing.
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Hannah OConnell
5/8/2014 03:05:13 pm
These chapters have really amazed me. First off, Sam is so incredibly adorable when it comes to his affection for Laura. Just his little expressions when she and him are sitting together, and when she invites him to her parents house, it's so cute! I have to say though, I felt really bad when things got heated between Arthur and Sam. It is endearing that he tried to prove his point and argument against the view of Arthur, but when his frustration and the defense on Arthur's side got a bit vicious, I personally was aggravated. I feel that Arthur had a good point but the way he defended his point was just kind of rude and fearful of other options. It was closed minded. He wasn't truly listening to Sam's argument. That is infuriating to me. Listening skills are very important. Off of the debate, when Sam said that he had over stayed his welcome, I was screaming inside. I couldn't handle the fact Laura wouldn't make eye contact with him. And with his little rage fest in his apartment! Yikes! I was rooting for more cuteness between them.
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Crystal Delgado
5/8/2014 03:07:50 pm
If you were to view Laura on her on, it is a very different person than if you were to view her as a comparison to Sam. Laura seems quieter when on her own but when a challenge arises you better stand down because she turns into a little firecracker. She sees a lot of imbalances in the world and will gladly point them out, and there is always Sam, ready to counter her. For example, their conversation at the cleaners, it was a simple trip that seemed couldn't have had an imbalance, but behold there was one and it was pointed out by Laura and countered by Sam. Their relationship seems to be rocky but also we'll balanced. It makes me wonder just how many things Laura can point out and how many things Sam can either defend of condemn. The different viewpoints help the reader understand each characters perspective in the book which helps with comprehending different arguments.
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Vivian Mason
5/8/2014 03:38:23 pm
In my last post I questioned Sam and Laura's love. I wondered how two teachers of completely different teaching styles got along so well. These chapters explained that to me. Through the poetry conversation I saw Laura take on a small bit of Sam's teaching style. Which in turn shows that they do have similarities. I wonder if they did not have these similarities, would they last? Also I took note at the secretary standing up to Krauss. It was empowering, not only to her but to women in general. It is rare to find a male author writing about a women empowering herself enough to stand up to an authoritative figure. I was impressed and intrigued, it sparked my continued reading of the novel.
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Sabrina
5/9/2014 01:20:14 am
I took note about the author's portrayl of women, and enjoyed what he wrote. Great analysis!
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Sophia C.
5/8/2014 04:18:58 pm
While I wouldn't say I'm not enjoying the book, Sam still infuriates me. I suppose you could say I understand his point of view, I just don't agree with it. It is helping me learn about economics however, which is the whole point of reading the book. What's most interesting for me, is seeing the effects of the factory being shut down in that small town. That to me really shows the most about economics, at least so far in the book. It drives home the point of how fragile an economy can be, and what just one thing can do to destroy it. I really look forward to reading more about that. Also, finding out what all these people are hearing when the book doesn't doesn't tell us. It's a bit of a mystery book as well!
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Meilani
5/8/2014 04:39:02 pm
I thought that the different perspectives of the HealthNet workers was really interesting because we know and hear about factories always moving outside of the US, but we don't really consider the people on the inside of it. The descriptions Cathy gave George of their decaying town was extremely saddening and it makes me wonder what lengths people have had to go to, to make ends meet when they're stuck in little towns. In Mexico, George think that the worker's living conditions are poor, but later Sam mentions that low wages in other countries are decent because it is their cost of living. I think that this is important because we can't judge other peoples' lives based on our own. While it may seem like nothing or little to us, it may hold a great deal to others. Its also interesting to see the different people within HealthNet because you see the small acts that people are doing to try to make a difference. Their incentives are different but they are an unconnected group of people working towards the same goal, like the invisible hand.
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Jessica Pollock
5/8/2014 05:04:23 pm
Laura and Sam so far throughout these chapters seem to get in to a lot of debates and deep conversations. I felt as though Laura wasn't very opinionated and didn't have as strong of a voice as Sam until she discussed poetry. She showed a little more depth to her character instead of having a sort of boring personality. I still very much enjoy reading this and learning about how economics relates to everything. Can't wait to read more and see how the relationship between Laura and Sam plays out.
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Grady Gumner
5/8/2014 06:36:49 pm
I found Sam and Laura's discussion on regulation. I have always looked at regulations, for the most part, as an overall benefit to the effectiveness of a society or economy. For example gun regulations save lives and environmental regulations keep businesses from trashing our environment. However Sam's point that businesses will simply find a way around the regulations struck me. It really went to show that all angles must be observed when looking to add regulations to any market. I also find it fascinating how Sam can explain issue like this in an informative way that does not at all talk about how he actually feels about the issue.
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Karen Barragan
5/8/2014 07:03:39 pm
I think that I can connect with Sam the most. Throughout the book, I feel as if I have developed a strong connection with him, especially throughout the discussions he has been having with Laura. His points, and arguments would have been very similar to mine, and I have never been as connected with a character. I feel as if that connection makes it easier for me to understand economics along the way. Although they both bring up valid arguments, it is very difficult to be able to argue for both sides and switch back and forth. Its almost as if when you think their relationship is going to sink, they find a way to bring it back on track, in an educated manner. I am mainly mostly focused on both of their conversations and where they will go next, because they always seem to bring a surprise.
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John E.
5/8/2014 07:04:27 pm
In these last couple of chapters we have learned a lot about Laura and Sam. We know that they have progressed in there relationship together and it will continue to progress throughout the book. It seems that Laura is always not being able to talk or say much whenever she gets into a debate with Sam. I am surprised she has not been offended by his strong willing comments and maybe she should try to voice her opinion more but like it was stated today in class this book is written by an economist. In the end this book is very good and informative when it comes to learning about economics. This is a cool way of learning and hope to continue to read stories with this same type of format.
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Cole Sargent
5/8/2014 10:22:06 pm
These chapters have been pretty interesting because of the nature of them: they are pretty much conflicts between two individuals: Sam and Arthur, Krauss and Erica, etc. The fact that they are interesting, though, sheerly because of this is quite depressing. We can't really enjoy any kind of literature or text unless is has some kind of conflict or developing plot twist. Noone could possibly enjoy a book where absolutely nothing went wrong, and I think that this is representative of economics in that we thrive with conflict. People take, and they enjoy it. Worst of all though, are people who simply enjoy conflict for the sake of conflict, such as Krauss. The fact that he, a person with about as much integrity as a small house rat, has risen so far up the hierarchy of business to become a CEO suggests that our economic system encourages and proliferates people who thrive in conflict. What the hell are we doing? Why are we throwing our monetary and natural resources to men who only seek to improve their own lives, no matter the cost to anyone elses?
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Erik Salazar
5/9/2014 12:50:19 am
Sam sure seems to be the one to comment on everything Laura has to say. I understand that he is an economist but his social skills seem to be a lacking skill he has. It seems after every comment Laura makes, Sam is there to make a remark on how her point of view is wrong and I think he himself starts to realize that his "persistance" is driving her away. He's going to need to make a change in his social ability if he wants to get closer to Laura and I'm curious how he will be able to resolve this. Looking at the other story, Health-net seems to play the role as the example of all of Sams ideas. Some people are nice and striving for the common good while others seem to only be in it for the money. Their different styles and ideas point out the different types of people there can be in the economic world.
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Casper Rasmussen
5/9/2014 12:53:49 am
Chapter ten really made me think, about how unfair the world can be sometimes, and how much we take forgiven. It is the scene where Alice asks them to stop the car, because she want to take pictures of the kids, running around, around the small huts there is falling apart.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
5/9/2014 12:57:40 am
After continuing to read the invisible heart and hearing the economics lesson yesterday, I would like to address a question brought up during class, if a selfless person could exist or were all people self-seeking. I think I agree with many of the principles and ideas used in economics to analyze, but I think the word "selfish" is almost used improperly. I feel that because of the nature of how people interact with one another the wants and desires of others, the "selfless acts" we take become our own desires and in turn what fulfills us. For example, when a mother sacrifices for her child, she is has her children's best interest in mind, but from this action she is perhaps gaining happiness and love.
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Jessica B
5/9/2014 01:00:14 am
I was a bit disappointed with Laura's character for the first few chapters of the book because she was an english teacher who was incredibly terrible at defending her own arguments. I thought that all of the topics the Laura and Sam had discussed in the past were things Laura were passionate about, but that was proven inaccurate when the two started discussing poetry and Laura's passion was finally shown through her ideas of poetry. Sam is not afraid of what other people think of him throughout the book, which only adds to the strength of his arguments. He stands up for what he believes in rather than bashing what he thinks is bad. This is what I've noticed is different about Sam and Laura's disscussion/debate style. While Sam stands up for what he believes, Laura bashes whatever side she doesn't agree with. This is a good example of understanding the difference between positive and negative arguments.
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Sophia l
5/9/2014 01:21:36 am
Through out these chapters I have seen a change in Laura and Sam's relationship. They are having more intense conversations and I think they are have conversations more that debates. Laura I think is having more a voice about the things they have conversations about and I like that's she is getting a voice.
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Sabrina
5/9/2014 01:31:40 am
I thoroughly enjoyed the scene portrayed at Laura's parents house. I found it odd that Sam felt uncomfortable upon arriving at the party, for Sam up until now has been very confident. However perhaps Sam's love for Laura causes these concerns for he wants to make a good impression. Similarily, Laura worried about how Sam would be recieved by her family. Knowing his views and her families, especially her brothers, she realized the potential problems that would arise. After Sam leaves the party, I am confused about why Laura is upset. Knowing the people around the dinner table, wouldn't she expect this fall out? While Sam was a gentleman about the whole thing, even sending Laura flowers to apologize, Laura acted immature almost like a child. Eventually, though she came to her senses, but I still wonder why she was that upset.
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Ryan Novak
5/9/2014 02:16:54 am
After reading the dinner party scene I felt absolutely terrible for poor Sam. He is obviously a very caring man who really does care for people and emotion but people misunderstand his economic and political ideologies as him being heartless and evil. Laura's brother really drew him into the arguement knowing that Sam was going to hold the less popular view. Sam is very outspoken about his beliefs and that makes it very hard for him to function at social gatherings such as this becuase very few people will agree iwth his view. Throughout this section of chapters one also starts to notice a change in the dynamic between Laura and Sam. In the first few chapters for whatever reason, Laura would take a backseat to Sam in the discussion to the point where Sam was more of lecturing than discussing. But it has become most noticeable in their discussions in chapters seven through eleven, Laura has started to present points of her own and instead of just listening to what Sam says is fuly participating
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Chris D
5/9/2014 03:06:23 am
I really enjoy the debates between Sam and Laura throughout this book. I like how Sam doesn't really care about what others opinions but states the facts and thinks about every angle possible. But Laura on the other hand seems to really impose her views and bashes what she thinks is wrong. Actually, now that I think about it, most people argue like Laura but the winners of most arguments are those who can argue like Sam.
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Karye
5/10/2014 10:08:07 am
I had this same thought too. Most people are going to argue exactly like Laura but the people with a strong debate tend to win such as Sam.
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5/9/2014 04:02:46 am
There is another debate with Sam and Laura. This time its about how Sam pays less than Laura at the dry cleaners. Laura brings up how Sam can get twice as many shirts done than Laura can with her blouses for the same exact prices. Laura should stop complaining about the price range. She's complaining because she's washing blouses, and his washing shirts. She's being very delicate with her blouses, and Sam is being careless with them. Sam is probably throwing all his shirts in one load while Laura is using probably 2 loads.
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Trevin Kraus
5/9/2014 04:36:02 am
Once finishing the dinner party scene I was really taken back by the aggressiveness of Laura's brother. I felt awful for Sam who was attacked for his mere beliefs by a stranger to him. Was astounded me even more was Laura's lack of courage to restrain her brother from verbally attack Sam. Even after Laura's brother Andrew attacks Sam, Sam has the manners to not only leave to prevent further disagreements but also apologize to the host for someone else's wrong doings.
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Chelsea
5/9/2014 04:42:51 am
I found these few chapters interesting and different. I really enjoy how they argue over little pointless stuff, it gives the story more excitement. This story also gives a more authentic feel to real life situations. Although I feel that Laura can't defend her arguments, her points aren't spot on. It also seems as if she is not passionate or doesn't care for the topic, unlike Sam. I thought that maybe in these chapters these two would end up together, but I guess not because after Sam met the family it seemed that they did not like him.
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Karye
5/10/2014 10:06:41 am
When Sam was at the dinner party with Laura's family I felt so bad for him. I had hoped everything was going to be smooth and well but there was a plot twist when her brother started to attack him with debate. I wondered what his motive was for that and why Andrew couldn't let it go. I could relate to Sam again because he was so passionate about the topic and didn't want to be polite and shut his mouth, he simply couldn't help it but got mad at himself afterwards. This happens to me so often and I wish I could also stop myself. A learning experience I guess. It was interesting to see Laura chime in with her thoughts about how she understands the argument, but i was surprised she didn't further defend Sam. I was proud of him for trying to leave gracefully, though.
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Lance Shuler
5/10/2014 12:15:01 pm
It suprises me alot about Sam and Laura as I never thought they would get together with so much they agreed with. It's interesting because it's that wierd type of love where although you hate something, you can't help but taking care of it. And even though there is hate between them, they seem to be able to make it through the hatred and Sam now is stopping at nothing to prevent them from being together. Even with the hatred of Laura's entire family Sam is still able to make through it. I want to see how this actually will turn out later in the book.
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Paris Gramann
5/10/2014 12:27:18 pm
Wow, the part with the photographer and the businessman made me feel so bad for the new employees. If the company could hold an entire town in good economy, you would think they could at least pay their new employees a bit more in order to have better homes. This is reflective of both America and Mexico. We should treat others better if we are going to outsource and Mexico's people would benefit more if Mexico had regulations that required higher pay for the employees.
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Salina
5/11/2014 05:26:13 am
In these chapters I found it interesting how Sam and Laura continue to argue over somewhat pointless things. But it also makes me want to keep reading, I sometimes feel like their a married couple. Even though after meeting Sam Laura's family doesn't like him, especially her brother. I still have a feeling though that they will get together. However Sam wouldn't be happy because Laura is always complaining, she even complains about how Sam pays less at the drycleaners. I think Laura needs to be more open minded.
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Katie Cooke
5/11/2014 08:34:13 am
As I continue to read this book I find out a lot more about economics that I ever have. I had always assumed that economics was solely the study of numbers but while reading this book my view has changed. The debates between Sam and Laura display a whole new side of economics. It reveals that economics is less a study of numbers and more a study of behaviors, of how people will react and think and why and how often. And even when the topic seems trivial and the argument pointless it still holds a lesson within itself that reveals a whole new side to economics.
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Brianna Barboza
5/11/2014 01:18:48 pm
No wonder they say "opposites attract". Sam and Laura have a pretty interesting relationship, despite their various differences in opinions. The story is rather well written and relatively engaging, seeing both sides of the argument. However, I wouldn't particularly say that this book is my cup of tea/coffee. But it's funny, seeing how I can relate to Laura and how she always has an opinion about something and getting into these passionate discussions on what she believes in. This book is pretty decent!
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Andrew Ledezma
5/11/2014 05:00:22 pm
I believe that the verbal assault by Laura's brother was appalling, but served to teach us an important lesson in standing and being a bystander. In Humanities 3 this year, the motto of the course has been to think critically and act empathetically. The verbal assault is not the lesson that I took away from this section of the book, it is Laura's inability to defend Sam, and watches carelessly from a distance. This ended terribly for the both of them, with the relationship between these two characters, and the true personality of Laura, come into light. I suppose that if Laura intervened in the problem and stood up to her brother, the problem would be lessened. Laura did not think critically, or act empathetically. She acted cowardly and it resulted in a harsh verbal assault.
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rebecca
5/12/2014 02:17:06 pm
I feel like i'm being tricked. I am in love with the book at this point, or at least Sam and Laura. I feel like i'm being tricked into learning about economics...I do have to say however, that the manner in which lauras brother treated sam was pretty horrible. These chapters have me wondering what the real underlying cause of this is though? where am i going? where is sam going?I can not wait to findout more.
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Adrian Schnepp
5/12/2014 04:14:34 pm
I'm continuing to enjoy the dual nature of the storyline, the theoretical economics and the application of actual buisnesses and corporations. It's interesting to see how Sam constantly proclaims that less regulation is needed to ensure a more free, more open marketplace, which will in turn benefit consumers and the employees of those buisnesses, while in reality we see how HealthNet, one of these corporations, has a totally corrupt CEO who cares about nothing besides cutting corners to make more money. It's a foil to the perfect economic theory of Sam, a social foil, any wonderful, perfect system falls apart when you throw people into the mix. I really hope the two storylines collide at some point in time, and with the documents Sam just recieved, we may see just that. Shall be interesting to follow.
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Halee Robinson
5/14/2014 02:33:07 pm
Over the course of the chapters so far, we have seen Laura and Sam becoming fonder of each other and the company of the other. Sam never disliked Laura, i think, but the feeling (or lack there of) was not mutual. Laura went from having a hatred for Sam, to being mildly annoyed at his point of view, to finding amusement in his theatrical debating, to enjoying his company, to liking him enough to invite him to a dinner party. And I'm assuming that we will see the relationship progress even more.
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Malia Mendiola
5/16/2014 02:45:03 pm
I've really enjoyed all the different storylines going on. Surprising and well entangled plots that snap together in the end, like mystery novels, make me really happy. I can't wait to see more parallels of Sam's theoretical economics and Healthnet. Sam holds the our current model of a free market is perfect, in the sense that it couldn't be better. He is very particular with his language which I appreciate. At the same time, I think I'm missing something. Healthnet has set up factories in Mexico and China where their workers' wages are less than a dollar a day. Sam thinks there should be no restrictions because bad CEO's are not rewarded. But is Healthnet's CEO is already in power. He isn't working for anyone's respect or approval. His position of wealth and power already command respect, so self-interest holds no motivation for him to be a good traditionally moral CEO. Where are the restrictions for him? What would Sam say to him? Sam foiled his dinner opponent (Laura's brother) easily with grand and logically sound theories. But he never discussed moral responsibility. Sure, a CEO's only job is to make profits but when there is corruption, whose job is clean up?
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