segment 5 CED

In relation to the Gandhi reading, our group discussed the naivety of believing people would vote with their heart rather than their dollar, as with corporations choosing to exploit the land of indigenous people despite impositions on their culture. We questioned whether the notion of utopia was ever within reach or was meant only to be an ideal that reminds people to be considerate of others. As in, is it impossible to think corporations and indigenous people could reach a compromise because it's the right thing to do or will it always be because they've been told it's the right thing to do?

Keck's essay also allowed us to consider our issue of environmental destruction relative to "framing." Corporations may try to persuade people that there are valuables to be mined from the indigenous people's land that could have direct benefits for others' lives. Environmentalist groups may remind people of the harmful effects that stem from destroying nature, the potential loss of medicinal plants, and perhaps the corporations' greed. The indigenous residents may also bring in their spiritual or cultural attachment to the land. If there is more than one way to frame an issue, is there more than one right answer?