Discuss the reason(s) you chose the book that will become the topic of your third essay. Did you choose it for the story? the illustrations? the controversial topic it covers? Is it a book that you can relate to on a personal level or one that you think would be helpful to someone that you know?
I chose the book The Five Chinese Brothers, becuase it's a book that I remember reading when I was young, and I actually have recently read it to my class of 1st graders (who really enjoyed it). The way they present the characters and the talk of death make it a controversial book. It isn't one that I can relate to on a personal level, but I was interested in taking a closer look at it.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Blog #6
Write about your first impression of what you've read so far in What Johnny Shouldn't Read. Are you surprised, shocked, horrified, intrigued, disgusted, or some other adjective, by it?
So far, I'm basically disgusted with how ridiculous these parents are. They are isolating thier kids from thier peers, and depriving them of valuable instruction time. By having them read separate material from the rest of the class, they are having their kids "teach themselves", if that. I would hate to be a teacher for one of these kids, and I'm definetely not looking forward to the situations I will be in with parents like this in the future. It puts extra stress on the teachers to be constantly worrying about what they can and can't subject these few kids to. Ridiculous. I would say the parents should just pull them out of school and homeschool them, but they would just brainwash their kids too much, and it would be more damaging to our society in the long run.
So far, I'm basically disgusted with how ridiculous these parents are. They are isolating thier kids from thier peers, and depriving them of valuable instruction time. By having them read separate material from the rest of the class, they are having their kids "teach themselves", if that. I would hate to be a teacher for one of these kids, and I'm definetely not looking forward to the situations I will be in with parents like this in the future. It puts extra stress on the teachers to be constantly worrying about what they can and can't subject these few kids to. Ridiculous. I would say the parents should just pull them out of school and homeschool them, but they would just brainwash their kids too much, and it would be more damaging to our society in the long run.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Blog #5
Milton argues that society needs a free marketplace of ideas, a streaming fountain of knowledge as he calls it, in order to grow and progress. Does our media have a responsibility to contribute only objective information into that marketplace? Why?
I believe that the media should contribute only objective information into the marketplace of ideas, but at the same time, I don't think it really is their responsibilty to do so. Society can pick and choose what source they get their information from, but I think there are too many people who are too "lazy" or maybe neive to do that. The facts are out there, it's just that different media channels portray information in different ways. The solid facts are harder to find, which is why it is important to go to more than one source for your information. It's all based on what the author of that article, or report, etc. believes. They media holds a great deal of power, which is what makes them a "Tyranny of the Majority".
I believe that the media should contribute only objective information into the marketplace of ideas, but at the same time, I don't think it really is their responsibilty to do so. Society can pick and choose what source they get their information from, but I think there are too many people who are too "lazy" or maybe neive to do that. The facts are out there, it's just that different media channels portray information in different ways. The solid facts are harder to find, which is why it is important to go to more than one source for your information. It's all based on what the author of that article, or report, etc. believes. They media holds a great deal of power, which is what makes them a "Tyranny of the Majority".
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Blog #4
Three Things that Scare Me:
1. getting divorced (once I'm actually married)
2. drowning
3. jellyfish
Three People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. my sister
2. my boyfriend
3. Dane Cook
Three Things I Love:
1. golden spoon!!
2. food in general
3. the beach
Three Things I Hate:
1. driving long distances alone
2. birds
3. most drivers on the road
Three Things I Don't Understand:
1. why girls act so helpless all the time
2. why my alarm chooses to not go off sometimes
3. why macaroni and cheese always tastes better when someone else makes it
Three Things on My Desk:
1. pictures
2. my phone
3. homework :(
Three Things I'm Doing Right Now:
1. laying in bed
2. listening to music
3. drinking water
Three Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. visit Spain
2. get married and have a family
3. volunteer in Africa
Three Things I Can Do:
1. snowboard
2. eat a lot
3. math
Three Things I Can't Do:
1. sing
2. play and instrument
3. join a band
Three Things or People I Think You Should Listen To:
1. God
2. The Fray
3. me
Three Things or People You Should Never Listen To:
1. nails on a chalkboard
2. dumb people
3. kanye west
Three Things I'd Like to Learn:
1. how to wakeboard
2. how to not procrastinate
3. how to play the drums
Three Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1. sesame street
2. mickey mouse club
3. i watched a whole lot of cinderella and little mermaid
Three Things I Regret:
1. going 20 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone
2. watching the movie Saw
3. not doing more sports in high school
1. getting divorced (once I'm actually married)
2. drowning
3. jellyfish
Three People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. my sister
2. my boyfriend
3. Dane Cook
Three Things I Love:
1. golden spoon!!
2. food in general
3. the beach
Three Things I Hate:
1. driving long distances alone
2. birds
3. most drivers on the road
Three Things I Don't Understand:
1. why girls act so helpless all the time
2. why my alarm chooses to not go off sometimes
3. why macaroni and cheese always tastes better when someone else makes it
Three Things on My Desk:
1. pictures
2. my phone
3. homework :(
Three Things I'm Doing Right Now:
1. laying in bed
2. listening to music
3. drinking water
Three Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. visit Spain
2. get married and have a family
3. volunteer in Africa
Three Things I Can Do:
1. snowboard
2. eat a lot
3. math
Three Things I Can't Do:
1. sing
2. play and instrument
3. join a band
Three Things or People I Think You Should Listen To:
1. God
2. The Fray
3. me
Three Things or People You Should Never Listen To:
1. nails on a chalkboard
2. dumb people
3. kanye west
Three Things I'd Like to Learn:
1. how to wakeboard
2. how to not procrastinate
3. how to play the drums
Three Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1. sesame street
2. mickey mouse club
3. i watched a whole lot of cinderella and little mermaid
Three Things I Regret:
1. going 20 mph over the speed limit in a construction zone
2. watching the movie Saw
3. not doing more sports in high school
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Blog #3
John Stuart Mill contends that society functions best when it is built upon a practice of doing no harm:
"[T]he sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise."
Do you agree or disagree with Mill that governments have no right to interfere with an individual's liberty unless that individual's behavior will cause harm to someone else? Why?
I agree with Mill's position on the government's rights. I think that the government was put in place to create order and a sense of safety for the governed. The people should have the right to live thier lives freely, uninterupted by government. Government should only intervene when necessary; they should intervene when one individual or group is interupting anothers freedom or life. If someone is going to harm themselves, or someone else, the government should step in. Mill stated:
"The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our
own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to
obtain it."
The problem now is deciding what actions or words will cause harm. The government has the power to decide right from wrong, and it might not coincide with the opinions of the public. If someone's opinion or expression is viewed as harmful to the public, the government could intervene. Hate speech is harmful to those targeted, even if it isn't causing physical harm. I believe that there is a fine line between what can be viewed as harmful or not, in terms of speech. I think certain things will always be debated, and laws will be made and changed.
"[T]he sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise."
Do you agree or disagree with Mill that governments have no right to interfere with an individual's liberty unless that individual's behavior will cause harm to someone else? Why?
I agree with Mill's position on the government's rights. I think that the government was put in place to create order and a sense of safety for the governed. The people should have the right to live thier lives freely, uninterupted by government. Government should only intervene when necessary; they should intervene when one individual or group is interupting anothers freedom or life. If someone is going to harm themselves, or someone else, the government should step in. Mill stated:
"The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our
own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to
obtain it."
The problem now is deciding what actions or words will cause harm. The government has the power to decide right from wrong, and it might not coincide with the opinions of the public. If someone's opinion or expression is viewed as harmful to the public, the government could intervene. Hate speech is harmful to those targeted, even if it isn't causing physical harm. I believe that there is a fine line between what can be viewed as harmful or not, in terms of speech. I think certain things will always be debated, and laws will be made and changed.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Blog #2
According to Milton, how or why does truth become a heresy if a person believes things only because his pastor or government tells him so? Why does Milton find this practice dangerous?
According to Milton, truth becomes heresy if a person only believes the things his pastor/government tells because they are only hearing a censored version of the truth. The truth will still be exchanged and shared, and when they hear the truth, it will contridict what their pastor or government tells them. People will take this truth as sinful, or unlawful.
If truth becomes heresy, then truth would be spoken underground. Milton, says this is dangerous because there would be a sense of secrecy and mystery if these ideas weren't out in the open for everyone to hear or be aware of.
He also felt that progress would stop. If the truth isn't known and new ideas aren't shared, then society would cease to advance, or evolve. Pastors and government want people to conform, and only believe the information that they give them. Milton feels conformity is dangerous. People would not be to allowed to grow intellectually and ask questions.
According to Milton, truth becomes heresy if a person only believes the things his pastor/government tells because they are only hearing a censored version of the truth. The truth will still be exchanged and shared, and when they hear the truth, it will contridict what their pastor or government tells them. People will take this truth as sinful, or unlawful.
If truth becomes heresy, then truth would be spoken underground. Milton, says this is dangerous because there would be a sense of secrecy and mystery if these ideas weren't out in the open for everyone to hear or be aware of.
He also felt that progress would stop. If the truth isn't known and new ideas aren't shared, then society would cease to advance, or evolve. Pastors and government want people to conform, and only believe the information that they give them. Milton feels conformity is dangerous. People would not be to allowed to grow intellectually and ask questions.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Blog #1
If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why?
Probably like a lion or shark or something just so other animals wouldn't mess with me. Or a dog so I could be someone's pet. They have it pretty easy.
List five non-living things that you can't be without.
My cell phone (unfortunatley I feel naked without it), my car, FOOD (I'm always eating), rainbow sandals, water bottle
Are you a reader, writer, speaker, thinker, or listener?
A listener and a thinker.... and definetly NOT a writer
What is the one book you'd want to have with you on a deserted island? Why?
A survival book
In a group setting, do you lead or follow?
Depends on the setting, but usually a leader
Turn on your iPod or MP3 player and set it to SHUFFLE. What are the first five songs that play?
Hey You - Foolish Things, Divine Romance - Phil Wickham, Blood Red Summer - Coheed and Cambria, Vienna - The Fray, Two Hands of a Prayer - Ben Harper
What is your best personality trait? Your worst?
Best would probably be that I'm caring and my worst is probably my indecisiveness
An anonymous donor has given you $1000. What do you do with it?
I would use it to travel somewhere. It wouldn't get me too far, but it would help
Name a movie that you have seen more than twice. What do you like about it?
Clueless. Just one of those movies that will always put a smile on my face. Along with my Friends DVD's
What is the best advice you've ever gotten, and who gave it to you?
This question is really hard to answer for some reason. My high school AP Government teacher, Mr. Mamer, always told me to give myself more credit. I would always do what I needed to get by in that class, and he knew that I was capable of more.
Probably like a lion or shark or something just so other animals wouldn't mess with me. Or a dog so I could be someone's pet. They have it pretty easy.
List five non-living things that you can't be without.
My cell phone (unfortunatley I feel naked without it), my car, FOOD (I'm always eating), rainbow sandals, water bottle
Are you a reader, writer, speaker, thinker, or listener?
A listener and a thinker.... and definetly NOT a writer
What is the one book you'd want to have with you on a deserted island? Why?
A survival book
In a group setting, do you lead or follow?
Depends on the setting, but usually a leader
Turn on your iPod or MP3 player and set it to SHUFFLE. What are the first five songs that play?
Hey You - Foolish Things, Divine Romance - Phil Wickham, Blood Red Summer - Coheed and Cambria, Vienna - The Fray, Two Hands of a Prayer - Ben Harper
What is your best personality trait? Your worst?
Best would probably be that I'm caring and my worst is probably my indecisiveness
An anonymous donor has given you $1000. What do you do with it?
I would use it to travel somewhere. It wouldn't get me too far, but it would help
Name a movie that you have seen more than twice. What do you like about it?
Clueless. Just one of those movies that will always put a smile on my face. Along with my Friends DVD's
What is the best advice you've ever gotten, and who gave it to you?
This question is really hard to answer for some reason. My high school AP Government teacher, Mr. Mamer, always told me to give myself more credit. I would always do what I needed to get by in that class, and he knew that I was capable of more.
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