Reading Reflection – Week #8

1)    What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations?

·         Angel Investors – what a great name. I have never seen a classification of investors that are called ‘angel investors,’ and it was interesting to read about these people who might invest in a venture. Of course, I knew all types of people invested in businesses, but the name ‘angel’ has never been one I am familiar with in investing.

·         What was good to read about these angels is that they more than likely would be those who would invest in a start-up business – which would likely be what I personally would need.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

·         All of it. Not that I don’t understand the content, but it is so convoluted and overwhelming, I would think many people wanting to venture out and start their own business might feel so confused and overwhelmed at all the avenues they might take, they would feel paralyzed and do nothing.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

·         Based on the above response, I would have to ask the author, where do I begin? Of course that question would need to be asked if in fact, one was confused and overwhelmed by the information in the text. The information is great, but how do we put this information into practical use.

·         Along with that question, I guess I would ask how I would know if going into business was even a wise economic decision. Obviously, I don’t want to go into unnecessary debt if there was no payoff, and while some debt is reasonable, how do I know if my business could be one of these that could handle debt.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

·         I don’t normally have anything to disagree on with the author, however, I have to say that his theory that Muslims are enraged and driven to terrorism due to the lack of economic opportunity does not resonate well with me. I believe there is a militant Islamic resentment at Western dominance, anti-imperialism exalted by revivalism. Personally, I believe that when Muslims in Europe or distinct, cohesive and bitter. I think they were not integrated well – much like what is happening on the U.S. today – and the immigrants were retentive to their ways. The U.S. was a melting pot as one point, however, today we are a salad bowl – all in the bowl but each a separate part. These young Muslims reject the majority status their parents acquiesced to, and today Europe has a nation of disconsolate Muslim offspring, who are citizens in name but not culturally or socially. I believe Muslim do not try to integrate, but want the host country to change to their cultures and social norms.

It is confusing how the first-generation immigrants kept their heads down and worked hard, so these second-generation children would be better off economically. Moreover, these same children are lured by suicidal ideology networked into their minds from thousands of miles away.

Although America has made her mistakes, I believe we were successful in finding a better balance between being integrated while remaining culturally distinct. Regardless of economics, if we don’t find a better way of living together, we will find ourselves in the biggest of all “clash of civilizations.”