McIndia

What follows are a few thoughts from the last week or two in India.  This week's theme of my class was McDonaldization.  I think it was a great week and have become recommitted to the whole concept of a professor actually "teaching" something.

I didn't realize "nuisance" was a crime, I had better watch my P's and Q's.

Mean God.

This is the famous "Bull Temple" in Bangalore.  He is kind of a goofy-friendly looking god.  I sorta felt like I was in line at Disneyland.

This is a Jain Temple.  As per prior posts, I am not a good student of religion.  I don't know much about Jains other than they don't eat any foods that grow underground.  This was the first religious place in Bangalore where nobody wanted to talk to me, perhaps it was because I had garlic and onion breath from lunch.  Since nobody spoke to me, I still don't know anything about Jains.

I see that Thanksgiving is a possibility in India.  We just need to figure out a way to get real football.

Ritzer's "McDonaldization" is required reading for one of my classes.  I made my students go to McDonald's to get a feel for McDonaldization, Indian style (this didn't seem to be a problem for most of them).  I figured I needed to do the same, I ordered the "Big Spicy Paneer Wrap."  Paneer is an Indian cheese similar in consistency to firm tofu.  I have to admit this meal was pretty good, I've been trying to tell Neuilly that McDonald's fixed their food, but I don't think I can convince.  I was not ill afterwards, which is a difference compared to the U.S. Of course there is no beef in Indian restaurants, Hindu cows can graze without fear or remorse just beyond the windows featuring the Golden Arches.  The best part were the fries (patate frites for you Frenchies), they had the taste of... sniff...  Idaho.  I realize that Ritzer probably would probably want to kill me for this learning exercise in his name, but I will tell him that my "unMcDondaldized" classroom was pretty good.  We met outside under a gazebo and discussed the pros and cons of McDonaldization in India.  I felt it was a great experience. 

Sometimes random acts of creativity can make the task of grading a joy, especially in India.  This particular student wanted to share his visualization of Marx's "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844" I think it gives an much needed update to this otherwise ancient text.  

Urban gardens are pretty standard in Bangalore.  I like this snapshot because it has some contrasts.  My flat is off to the left, Oracle call center is in the background.  A grove of bananas separates us.  I want Oracle's bandwidth.