A long open road...: Broken Window Fallacy

This pic was taken on the webcam on my new laptop! It's kinda funky cuz the sun was hitting the camera weirdly, but this is the setting of my blogging. The fountain outside the business school at ASU, I sit here writing to the music of the water rushing through the fountain...so peaceful :)

Did you guys ever learn about the Broken window fallacy in econ? Basically, someone suggested that some one breaking a window (someone else's window) would stimulate the economy because of the measures that it would take to fix the window (the glass guy, etc.) However, this is a fallacy because it is not true, the cost of fixing the window and the un-voluntary-ness of the exchange makes it actually a detrimimant to the economy. If you want to know a more clear, and accurate explanation, look it up on google.

Though this is a fallacy, and stealing and vandalism is WRONG, I think the original person who thought of this as somewhat of the right idea. I think it is important to always look for the good in every situation, even if it is an unfortunate one which seems to have no positivities to it. You see, this passed weekend, I was a victim of the Broken Window, someone thought to benefit from breaking my car window and stealing my laptop. Now, I don't understand why...wait scratch that I think it might have something to do with the fact that I left it out in the open on my passenger seat and they probably thought they would somehow benefit from the situation. Survival of the fittest I guesss, every man for himself. Now my reaction was full of tears, not for the laptop and window for they can be replaced, but I was crying out of the violated feeling I felt, a feeling that I wasn't safe. I also think that it brought a sense of disappointment in my heart; I was disappointed in humanity. I guess I had developed a certain optimism for this world; that it is filled with good and genuine people. The fact is though, that we are all broken and full of sin. I feel so blessed to have been set free through my faith in Jesus Christ, but so many in this world are slaves to sin. I just pray that they will someday find the fullfillment in life that only Christ can bring. So, this is one positive thing that I can take from this situation, at least my eyes and heart are now open to the broken people in this world, I just pray that I can let them in, with open arms and be a light unto this world, that they may come and know the true Savior.

Another thing I learned from this situation, is to be aware of my possessions and surroundings. So often, especially when I am stressed out, I tend to focus only on what I need to do. I become like a walking zombie, completely unaware of the people and places around me and entirely immersed in my thoughts. Hence, the reason I left my laptop without even thinking completely exposed in my car. Now, in one of my classes we talked about this concept of perceptual narrowing. This concept is based on the idea that when your body is in a physically aroused state (i.e. stress or anxiety), you have a greater ability to focus, hence your perceptions narrow on to this specific object/task. Now, this concept is only supposed to pertain to motor control, but I think it relates to life in general as well. Before, I mentioned my focus on only the task at hand when I am stressed, and my inability to see the broad picture. Well, what if I was able to focus that energy toward God. You know, be aroused for God...I believe this would be what truly being on fire for God would look like. To be excited and physically aroused for Him, our perceptions and thoughts would turn toward Him and allow us to narrow our focus on God. Insodoing, not only will it give us peace within ouselves, but it would translate to the world around us. Because walking with Christ not only involves loving and focusing on God, but the second greatest commandment is loving and focusing on others.

So, in short, being on fire for God will inturn enhance our focus on God which will in turn open our eyes and hearts for the people of this world.

Now, I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads it, probably doesn't but oh well. Here are some photos of things that I have noticed by simply opening my eyes :)