According to Merriam Webster Dictionary,
the word own, pronounced ˈōn\, a verb, means to have (something) as property,
to legally possess (something) or to admit that something is true. One would
like to go deeper than the dictionary’s definition though. To own means to have
full control over something, tangible or tangible; taking upon the
responsibility for it.
In life you have the opportunity to
own stock in a company. You may put 5000 dollars into a company; meaning you’re
buying $ 5000 worth of that company so that you may hopefully get to
participate in their long term success. Out of free will, you put down the
money to invest and are given a receipt of purchase. In your hand is the evidence
that you now own a $5000 worth of that company. You have full control with your
money. You may add more, remove the stock, sell it, and divide it into
different shares. The company has no complete control to force you to keep your
money in the company or to use it in a different way unless you have a special
restrictive plan hindering the percentage in the company you own. The same thing goes when you buy a car. Its tangible,
the car shop has given you your files, a receipt and the keys. Unless you are
in a contract or have a restriction with the car shop, the stock and share is
yours to own. Receipts literally say ‘You gave us the full amount of money to
buy this object. We give up this item for exchange. Now, you own the item, we
own your money.’ To own, there has to be an exchange and tangible evidence to prove
the exchange. To own, the giver must give up the total percentage of the item (tangible
or not). The receiver must give up, in exchange, something of equal amount; simultaneously
giving up full control and complete authority.
In exchange both sides are
benefited. The item or worth lost, is fully restored back with the equally worth
exchange that has taken place. What happens next? Each side now has the responsibility
for their item. The company is not obligated to control your stocks worth, for
selling it, or for not making it grow as fast as you like. Having full ownership
of a stock with evidence to show you purchase means you are responsible for
actions going forward. If stock prices are falling, sell the stock. If stock
prices are rising you may buy more. The company may advice and influence your
stock decision but it your actions that would go forward to make actual change.
Your stock, your money, your responsibility; unless, the first owner didn't give
up their full ownership of the object.
Same thing goes for owning a car.
Once all necessary papers are handed over, whose responsibility is it to fuel
the car, repair damages, pay insurance? They are all the owners’ full responsibilities
unless the owner signed a lease, signed a special plan for included car
insurance or a plan that the company will supply free oil changes. In that case
the car isn't yours fully; you do not own the whole car. You rely on the company
of insurance, or oil changes and they no longer are your full responsibility.
If you take up a full plate of food, it’s yours. But if u takes up half the
plate and another person takes up the half, who plate is it truly? Full ownership
consists of taking full responsibility of an object, all responsibility.
Two concepts define ownership; a complete
exchange and full responsibility of an object. One gives so that you may receive
and vice versa. Once that is done, responsibly
is granted unto the receiver. Everything that you do, happens or exerted with
the object is up to your discretion. Therefore, only bite off what you can
chew.
Gena
ReplyDeleteI liked your blog mainly because it was so detailed. You really went all in when you researched the stocks and the car stuff, so I definitely learned some new things. I also liked how you consistently used the same stock and car analogies to explain your point. I feel it expressed a sense of structure and consistency. Only real comment is I wish you talked more about the intangible, as you mainly talk about the tangible with money and physical things.
Matt (also look at thesis, you said tangible or tangible)
You had a great idea in your head Gena, but you didn't articulate it as well as you could. You're saying that ownership is an exchange of some kind, but you don't state this in your thesis, you put it at the end. If you make your introduction, similar to your conclusion then you'll have a great beginning. You're topic sentences in your body paragraphs also need a little tweeking. You start you're body paragraphs with an example, instead of an analytical statement. The last thing is that you should lump the first part about the stock market with the second part about the stock market.
ReplyDeleteGena, I agree with both Matt and Kaela: I was really intrigued by your examples and by the use of detail in them--very effective, very compelling. I also really like your conclusion that there are two types of ownership--it's really articulate and thoughtful. Here's what's missing: one last step, to tell us "so what?" What about these two types of ownership? Why is it important to think about them this way? You dabble in the "so what" a bit when you talk about the possibility of two owners--that's the kind of thinking that will raise the stakes. So keep going, keep pushing. Where are the other complications and tensions that arise?
ReplyDelete