Comments on: Accidents of Birth and Early Success http://www.happenchance.net/accidents-of-birth-and-early-success/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:43:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: How to Get Out of a Rut (for Cheap) | Happenchance http://www.happenchance.net/accidents-of-birth-and-early-success/comment-page-1/#comment-836 How to Get Out of a Rut (for Cheap) | Happenchance Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:58:01 +0000 http://www.happenchance.net/?p=1027#comment-836 [...] about people who inspire you and do what they do. For example, when Joyce Carol Oates gets stuck on one manuscript, she simply turns to another computer and starts working on another [...] [...] about people who inspire you and do what they do. For example, when Joyce Carol Oates gets stuck on one manuscript, she simply turns to another computer and starts working on another [...]

]]> By: Mark http://www.happenchance.net/accidents-of-birth-and-early-success/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Mark Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:37:22 +0000 http://www.happenchance.net/?p=1027#comment-350 Good article as usual! So many times I wish I compare myself to other people, but i realize that's just a bad idea. Some people do get a head start. Good article as usual! So many times I wish I compare myself to other people, but i realize that’s just a bad idea. Some people do get a head start.

]]> By: Happenchance » Blog Archive » A Day in the Life of a Korean Student http://www.happenchance.net/accidents-of-birth-and-early-success/comment-page-1/#comment-276 Happenchance » Blog Archive » A Day in the Life of a Korean Student Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:45:30 +0000 http://www.happenchance.net/?p=1027#comment-276 [...] Keep in mind that I’m talking about hagwon students. Even though private hagwons are affordable for middle class families, not all Korean students are able to attend. In other words, these kids are born with an initial advantage over their non-hagown peers (See also Accidents of Birth). [...] [...] Keep in mind that I’m talking about hagwon students. Even though private hagwons are affordable for middle class families, not all Korean students are able to attend. In other words, these kids are born with an initial advantage over their non-hagown peers (See also Accidents of Birth). [...]

]]> By: Leighann Garber http://www.happenchance.net/accidents-of-birth-and-early-success/comment-page-1/#comment-228 Leighann Garber Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:14:13 +0000 http://www.happenchance.net/?p=1027#comment-228 Embarrassingly, I did not know that "Everything is Illumninated" was a book. I've seen the movie, though and loved it! I did however read the historical novel "Birds Without Wings" by Louis de Bernier. What an amazing book. And it really talks about how where you're born and who you're blessed to know can make such a difference. In this case, being born to parents of a certain religion meant you were "Greek" or "Turkish" and you got moved around to different countries, accordingly. Scary. The place where the concept of being born in a certain place or time gives you certain advantages really hit home for me was in El Paso, Texas. There is one part of the road right next to the border. There are big signs with families running that say don't pick up hitchhikers. Wal-mart, hospitals, FedEx, all the perks are nearby on the el paso side. And just across the fence you can see a "house" built out of old sheet metal. It really wakes you up. 3 feet in one direction, and you're born into US citizenship, all the perks and freedoms, many of us not even appreciating it. 3 feet in the other direction, and you have to have a visa to travel to most countries, you are more likely to be poor and have little or no education. That stupid chain link fence has so much power. Even the birds have more freedom than we do. They can cross borders with no visas, no fees, no identification. It's mind-boggling. Embarrassingly, I did not know that “Everything is Illumninated” was a book. I’ve seen the movie, though and loved it!

I did however read the historical novel “Birds Without Wings” by Louis de Bernier. What an amazing book. And it really talks about how where you’re born and who you’re blessed to know can make such a difference. In this case, being born to parents of a certain religion meant you were “Greek” or “Turkish” and you got moved around to different countries, accordingly. Scary.

The place where the concept of being born in a certain place or time gives you certain advantages really hit home for me was in El Paso, Texas. There is one part of the road right next to the border. There are big signs with families running that say don’t pick up hitchhikers. Wal-mart, hospitals, FedEx, all the perks are nearby on the el paso side. And just across the fence you can see a “house” built out of old sheet metal.

It really wakes you up. 3 feet in one direction, and you’re born into US citizenship, all the perks and freedoms, many of us not even appreciating it. 3 feet in the other direction, and you have to have a visa to travel to most countries, you are more likely to be poor and have little or no education. That stupid chain link fence has so much power. Even the birds have more freedom than we do. They can cross borders with no visas, no fees, no identification. It’s mind-boggling.

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