I found this chapter to be rather significant as it played a huge role in the creation of ‘modern’ Latin America. As portrayed in the document which is an interview between an American journalist and the President of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz, one can acknowledge the physical transformation in the country’s landscape as connections between Mexico and other countries increased in the early 20th century, accelerating the pace towards a ‘civilized’ and constructed society. The export boom as defined by Dawson was a “tragedy which inequalities deepened and were further entrenches, where certain forms of violence intensified and the victimization of the region at the hands of the outside world was re-inscribed through a unique global system.” This transformative step that was taken by various Latin American countries, specifically Mexico as the document shows, was a step in my perspective towards an unsustainable form of living. The need (greed) for more became more widespread among Latin America and local systems were unable to keep up with the consumerist mindset of the people inhabiting these areas, therefore, a global system became a much more prioritized and wanted system by the elites, the ones who controlled and shaped Latin America’s future. I feel like this dream towards a more ‘connected’ and ‘integrated’ global system is a trap where people feel more connected because of the greater access to resources, technology and an increase in the capability of what one can do. However, it neglects very important environmental concepts that form part of who we are. The relationship between humans and their environment was completely forgotten and the focus was put merely on humans. Just as we saw in prior readings were men were receiving an unequal amount of rights compared to women and slaves, in this new “export boom” society, the main focus is given to the human species, forgetting the components that make up who we are– nature and the valuable ‘resources’ they provide for our survival.  Thus, complex civilizations are formed, with cities becoming centres of trade creating a materialistic world where goods and services are exchanged converting resources as infinitely able to be extracted rather than understanding the limits to a balanced world.