Make your voice heard!

Recently New York hosted the climate summit at which many important figures attended; among them was Leonardo DiCaprio. Being a well known figure, Leo’s presence was very influential. His performance was a prime example of the power one individual can have in the big picture. In today’s society, most people have the tendency to overlook the potential they have to change the outcome of something. We never believe in ourselves and what we can do to leave a lasting impression on others because we don’t realize our potential. Activists like DiCaprio have discovered the power of their voice and are speaking for a cause that they feel passionate about. If more younger people realized the fact that many of their problems can be solved if they all voiced their opinions and took action, then perhaps there would be a greater efficiency in our society. Becoming an activist is not a difficult matter; one has to gain the courage to step up and challenge the current circumstances and propose a better alternative. The truth is, many people who are unsatisfied with something, already have their own idea of how to change it or improve the situation. Activists have a huge impact on how a situation turns out because if the louder their “voice” is the more likely something will change. If you’re tired of watching nothing being done, take action and make an effort to change what you aren’t satisfied with!

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/27/i-am-all-for-a-list-activists-in-the-right-role

The internet connects us.

In today’s day and age, the internet has become such a key component in our lives that sometimes we should stop and think of what exactly the internet means to us. It is a mind boggling concept that people can transmit information across the world as well as receive all forms of communication through an arbitrarily defined concept of “cyberspace”. Although it is true that the internet enhances our lives almost indefinitely, once must also consider the possibility that the internet can be used against us. The nature of people has remained the same and the internet has definitely not changed them; there are people who still want to inflict harm onto others. Hackers are using the internet as a way to retrieve important and personal information about individuals, corporations, or even countries. There are constant threats and insults that are transmitted over the internet at any given moment of the day. People who harm others are just using a more convenient way to hurt their victims; in their hands the internet is a dangerous weapon. Although the internet has been incredibly useful for individuals, businesses, as well as anyone who wishes to communicate, research, or share their ideas effectively, the internet has also been a more effective and efficient way for people to hurt one another.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/commentisfree/2014/sep/26/internet-changed-everything-nothing-serious-business

CVS Caremark, the country’s largest drugstore chain in overall sales, announced that it will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products by the end of October. This decision could have been influenced by the pressure that they received from the general public and the government regarding the safety of these products. In terms of business ethics, CVS has faced a lot of controversy and negative feedback because they have been the leading store that has these products available. The company wants to make revenue and profit, so they want to sell as much as they can; however, because these products are not healthy and will create negative externality, the selling and distribution of said products is heavily regulated. Although the decision to stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products will cause CVS an estimated two billion dollars in lost sales, there have been too many complaints and too many negative responses from the public. In an attempt to fix any damage CVS has caused to its consumers, they are sending 26,000 pharmacists and nurse practitioners to help patients manage their chronic problems that they had developed through their consumption and use of cigarettes and tobacco products. This is a prime example of how important and influential business ethics can be to a company or to society.