Thanks

I'm so grateful that Carol is in our class and always does such fine synopsis of our readings.  This week's economic history was a little intimidating (or boring) for someone like myself whose is more interested in cultural and political history.  The commodity chain and globalization talked about in the book seems like a new idea or approach, but the world has been turning in this way for a long time.  For such a buzz word, globalization is nothing new, is it?  I enjoyed the detail on the production of cochineal that was missing from last week's book.  And since our previous readings left me craving chocolate and sugar, I was a little afraid to read From Silver to Cocaine.  An interesting premise was put forth in the article on cocaine. The author states that, "Taking coca and cocaine as typical goods rather than uniquely spiritual or pariah substances may also temper some of the passionate politics that entangle these Andean products today." (pg. 321)  At first I thought, why?  But he is right.  Demon rum was illegal during Prohibition.  Labeling commodities "good" or "bad" is the ultimate form of personification and commodity fetishism.