Maastricht, Marijuana and the European Dream

 

The City of Maastricht is located in the Netherlands and is known as the home of the Euro.  Every backpacker and college student are familiar with Holland's laws on Marijuana.  People are allowed to smoke any place desirable and are usually able to buy the drug from coffee shops. However, the Major of the city decided to ban foreigners from smoking marijuana because he claims that pot smokers make for "lousy tourists". In addition, he further says that "tourists just sit in their cars and smoke, litter, park illegally and do not appreciate the architecture or art of the city". The issue of Marijuana being sold to foreigners and tourists relates to the guidepost that states Economic actions often generate secondary effects in addition to their immediate effects.  

This guidepost relates to the clip because since the Mayor banned foreigners from smoking marijuana, several businesses in the drug industry have been shut down due to the lack of customers. Many coffee shops are going out of business and only a few still exist.  In addition, the locals that live in the city of Maastricht do not approve with the mayor's decision and have grown to dislike him. In order for the locals to continue smoking they need to sign an agreement with the coffee shops which unfortunately is sent to the government.  

"Either everyone smokes everywhere or no one does"

RS1 - How To Be A Genius

 

This Blog post expresses my opinions about the article “How to be a Genius”, By David Dobbs. This article emerged in the September 2006 edition of the “New Scientist”. The main point of this article focuses on the aspects that guide an individual to become a genius. The article allows us to comprehend that in order to be recognized as a genius, people need to endow many hours to their work and studies.

 This is a key factor of the article because it describes how no person is born a genius but has the opportunity to be made into one. People have to work hard if they want to succeed over their competitors, as well as, being acknowledged for their accomplishments. Many individuals have the prospective to become a genius at an early age by exemplifying advanced learning abilities. However, even if an individual is born with a higher IQ or other beneficial qualities, they will not be able to achieve more without hard work and dedication.  Dobbs explains that if you want achieve success and greatness in life, individuals need to apply time and effort to reach their goals. 

Dobbs uses Tiger Woods as an example by exclaiming that “he seems magical on the golf course, but he was swinging a golf club before he could walk, got great instruction and practiced constantly from boyhood, and even today outworks all his rivals.” He further says that “his genius has been laboriously constructed”. Dobbs implements that Tiger Woods was born with a natural talent and that he became successful because of the dedication and effort he has displayed over the years in his career. In my personal experience, I have also realized that time and dedication is key factors in achieving any goal. I have been playing tennis since I was 8 years old. When I reached Middle school I tried out for the tennis team and made it but only as an alternate. My couch gave us the opportunity to be able move up in our playing positions if we improved. It was with a lot of practice and devotion that I soon became a better player and held one of the best positions on the team.