Selee, Andrew. "The New Reality at the Border." LA Times. April 3, 2013.
Selee suggests we need to rethink our idea of illegal immigrants. He cites three reasons as to why illegal immigration from Mexico has slowed down. Selee states that our border security is actually working and that illegal immigration from Mexico is the lowest it has been in 40 years. Another reason he states is that Mexico is making social progress with health care, education and the economy is actually improving giving incentives to stay. Finally, he says that the demographics are changing. People who came to the US were in the 15-29 age range and is stabilizing. So, we need to rethink this image of where illegal immigration is actually coming from.
For teaching: The author addresses that this is not the usual belief - COUNTERCLAIM - early in the discussion. He is a qualified source. Additionally, he carefully builds his argument using actual data. The argument is constructed through evidence plus analysis. He offers three strong arguments to advance his overall position. You can break it down. It would be easy to graph out w/ a Toulmin organizer.
I think the idea of immigration is always so layered because I know there are viable arguments from either side. I was in a PD session on Friday talking about how social security and that whole deal was based on the idea of more kids than older people but due to Americans not having children and reduced immigration (among other things) this is definitely not working... I don't know just made me think about it. :)
The argument presented makes the claim that the American Dream is a myth despite its ever present identity in American culture. To further the claim, the writers use evidence from a recent Red Bull Advertising campaign to demonstrate how the myth is used to "prey." on a youthful and hopeful generation of athletes. Further support follows in the form of research, statistics, and facts. The authors argue that "Red Bull ignores the structures in place that make it easier for some people to achieve their dreams than others", further supporting the argument.
I think its sad to think the American Dream is dead but I think there may be some truth as far as the way the American Dream used to be achieved. The job market has changed and so the way you achieve your dreams might be different but I still think the desire to succeed and achieve will help you get your dreams.
Lee Rannals for redOrbit.com - Your Universe Online Satelites Need Better Protection I really never thought much about space weather and the impact it has on the satellites that we have become so used to for all kinds of communications. Honestly, I don't think a lot about the technology of the communications I depend on--with increasing dependency. I know we used to joke about the influence of "space weather" on mental and emotional health. I am thinking about Lily Tomlin in "In Search of Intelligent Life" where one of her characters meets her space buddies at Woolworth's...In that vein, awareness of or sensitivity to "cosmic influences" made people question your sanity. And yet here I am, pretty nonchalant about the dependence on the satellites and reading about the concern over the viability of and investment in the satellites being threatened by cosmic influences. Interesting twist... This would be interesting to think about from a number of angles--the astrophysics, the philosophical, the cultural, even the understanding of the materials involved and how you can improve their sustainability.
Here goes- I need to install flash player so the videos will work- I'll do that in a moment :) The article was Caring for Blind Horses from- http://www.blindhorses.org/care.html I have a blind horse and just moved him to a new barn yesterday so I was checking some questions I had.
This site in general listed a lot of things I have learned but there is so little information out there that is hard to always know if you're doing the right thing. I appreciated the list of top 5 myths because they are the questions that keep you constantly second guessing yourself. I'm not sure who the people are behind this site and how credible they are but it was interesting to see their perspective. Sounds like their horses are mostly retired and on pasture. I still ride my guy. I have put him in a pasture with 3 other horses and they advise strongly against that. Time will tell if he is okay or not. So far so good. Because there is so little information out there I appreciated the different topics this site had as far as what fencing is helpful and helping a horse to navigate through your voice.
I'm going to be like the kids- hope this is right :)
This is so interesting! I grew up with horses and can't imagine what it must be like to care for a blind horse. I really like how you are naturally questioning who is behind the source.
This is so interesting! I grew up with horses and can't imagine what it must be like to care for a blind horse. I really like how you are naturally questioning who is behind the source.
I watched another Ignite video because I’d never seen one until tonight and was completely intrigued. I stumbled on Matthew Inman’s “The Oatmeal: How to Get 5 Million People to Read Your Website.” Inman does just what the video insinuates, and gives viewers a look at several examples of his much-loved web comics, like the recent “How to Use a Semi-Colon” and “How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You.” He categorizes his examples according to advice to viewers about, essentially, creating a site that audiences will love. His advice? In a nutshell, he suggests would-be site creators find material in those things that are relevant to everyone, the simply silly, and in their own knowledge gaps.
As I watched the video, I noticed a question arising, one that arises for me frequently in our culture - Why do people seem to seek out fame for fame’s sake? I’ve always had the idea that creators create, they are driven to, and then they share their creations and cultivate a genuine following. It seems foreign to me to create for the sole purpose of cultivating an audience and becoming famous. I think an exploration of this topic would be fascinating.
Interesting ideas! Immediately I think of youtube and the amount of time groups and individuals devote to creating videos. Some of this is for money, some for contributing to society, but mostly I think it's about getting "likes"
Interesting ideas! Immediately I think of youtube and the amount of time groups and individuals devote to creating videos. Some of this is for money, some for contributing to society, but mostly I think it's about getting "likes"
Zahnd, Brian. "Why I Don't Own a Gun." Brian Zahnd. Word of Life Church,2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2013
When I was wrestling with a response to Newtown and considering what I'd do if I were asked/required to carry a gun as a teacher, I took some time to reconsider my upbringing as a pacifist in a historic peace church. I wrote an essay affirming my beliefs--a practice essay using a Gretchen Bernabei text structure called "The Onion: Unlayering Our Beliefs." A friend read it and directed me to Zahnd's blog post. He captured the right conversational tone asking gun owners to be at peace with people who choose not to carry them. Zahnd doesn't carry a gun because he doesn't hunt and doesn't want to shoot people. He goes on to counter some of the arguments people make for gun ownership. Zahnd uses narrative to make his points--someone has held a gun on him on two occasions--and a blog post reaches an audience of thoughtful Christians and others like me who want more voices to add to our arguments.
Note: I'm Colleen from Ozarks Writing Project. My post shows a user name flightschool. My three Google accounts were too much to navigate to find my real user name.
I know we’re supposed to write an annotation, but I never follow the rules (yes, I’m THAT student…) I want to describe my inquiry process and how I arrived at a “big question” that could lead to discussion and debate, and—of course—writing.
Necessary background info: I recently married my longtime boyfriend of 6 years – it doesn’t feel so different, but changing my name has been a pain. Oh yeah, he’s black and I’m white. And we live in The South. Mississippi, in fact. Since we’ve been together for a while, we’re used to the stares, the whispers, the places we can’t go if we want to feel comfortable, the curious questions from darn near everyone. After 6 years, we’ve grown used to it. But then we got married in June, and the can of worms opened again! But that’s another story for another day.
^^ So that’s my background. Got to build on what we know, right? My journey continues… I love to visit the NY Times Room for Debate page, and recently came across a discussion entitled, “Is Interracial Marriage Still Scandalous?” After I said, “H***, yes!” I went on to read posts from five “debaters,” hoping to discover some wonderful insight about my own scandalous marriage. The responses were short, and posed more questions than answers. I was not satisfied.
Then I noticed an embedded link in an introductory sentence: “Does this mean that we have achieved a colorblind society, or just that hate has moved to YouTube?” That link took me To the NY Times article, “Vitriol Online for Cheerios Ad With Interracial Family,” which explores the controversy surrounding a Cheerios commercial (if you haven’t seen it, you’ve been living under a rock).
That article got me to thinking about people who hide behind their keyboard to make racist comments and judgments. There’s an argument there, for sure.
Then just TODAY, on my beloved NPR Code Switch blog (frontiers of race, culture and ethnicity!), appeared this timely article: “A War of Tweets Erupts Over Latest Miss America” (she’s Indian American). AHA! More online racism!
After I read THIS article, and the arguments about what Miss America “should” look like (it goes back 30 years to the 1983 first black Miss America, Vanessa Williams), I realized that people have very different views about what makes an “American.”
And there it is. My big question: What is an American?
I love love love this. Will use it in my class. I am doing a family unit right now and the Cheerios video would fit in. I can't believe their was any controversy over it.
great question...I had a kid use the word "colored" in class the other day and it really took me by surprise..I asked what this word means ????I am not sure she understood the question...
That IS a great question...and it seems to be the subtext of a lot of political debate these days...and debate that does not dare to raise the question directly.
Great question. I agree the answer is not all that simple. My mother is white and my stepfather is black, and they have had a lot of interesting and sometimes somewhat scary encounters over the last 15 years. This would be a wonderful inquiry project.
WOW!! This has my attention and I don't really have an answer. We have a substitute teacher in our school who is also the parent of one of our students. She is from Nicaragua and has a bit of an accent, no biggie but its amazing how much I have had to speak with my kids about reacting to dialect/ accents, etc... and then just today I had to remind one of my kids that no American unless its a Native American is actually from here and why should that warrant ridicule anyway? These are not bad kids but the assumptions that are made and passed down, STILL boggle my mind.
Great question and great start to thinking about the issues in the articles and media you explored. Your post brought back a lot of memories and appreciation for the rich experiences my beautiful brown son-in-law and his family brought to my blue-white family : ) And no, racism still lives in America and confronts young couples like these everyday. : (
http://theadvocate.com/home/6356299-125/teacher-aid-sparks-heated-arguments Sentell, Will. "Teach for America Aid Sparks Heated Argument." The Advocate. June 27 2013. Web. 16 September 2013.
Sentell reports the ongoing controversy in Louisiana over State Superintendent of Education John White's advocacy for Teach for America as "a smart investment" for "subject areas where we can't find good teachers." BESE board member Lottie Beebe challenges White's defense of the $1.2 million in TFA aid, calling it a "staffing agency" and that "it makes more sense to rely on colleges and universities for teachers." White, a TFA alum, with full support from La Governor Bobby Jindal, claims that continued (and increased) funding for TFA is the solution for La's "F-rated" schools.
Observing a number of teaching positions in central/south La being filled by TFA staff and nearly all of the leadership positions in the La Dept of Education, I am personally interested in this debate (that includes "good" teacher criteria) and know that it isn't exclusive to La. There are a number of current articles/blogs engaged in this conversation, including some voices from students that I think other students would be interested in hearing. I have always found it intriguing to ask students their specific criteria for a "good" or "effective" teacher and to consider what is "good enough" for La kids.
I have mixed emotions about TFA. I teach in the Mississippi Delta, which is a popular placement region for TFA staff. With very few exceptions, these teachers don't stay around. Some even quit before their 2-year commitment is up, and schools that choose to hire TFA members are left with a constant revolving door of novice teachers with little investment in the community. I know many TFAers personally, and some are great teachers who really want to make a difference. Sometimes they do. But I firmly believe that our students benefit from more permanent educators who can build strong, lasting community and parental relationships.
I also have a lot of mixed emotions about TFA. I worked on an i3 grant around developing measures of effective teaching for the AFT/ NYSUT and read a lot of research about measuring teacher effectivness and growing teacher knowledge. It has made me a stronger believer--if that is possible--in the value of career long learning. And that makes me question the value of TFA because of the average length of time most of the candidates stay in the profession and stay with teaching communities--especially those that need a lot of resources.
Mississippi, too, has a good number of people who push for TFA. As someone who prepares traditional route teachers, I have mixed feelings about the program. Like Jennifer, I know that there are areas in our state that desperately need teachers, but it seems like (what little I know about TFA) that the commitment to teach is short term and may cause more turn-over.
I trained TFA this summer. Some are extrodinary scholars, well rounded, and personable. But that does not make a teacher. 3 or my 4 mentee were strong teachers, the other was lost. I fear for her and her students. As far as them leaving, most teachers leave the profession in 5 years. In out building 1/2 (3 of 6) have stayed past their time.
I'm torn on this one. I have several former students who have been great TFA kids, and I taught with the Mississippi Teacher Corps (modeled after TFA) for a few years. However, most of those kids are not teaching anymore. I get so horribly frustrated that we are spending so much money investing on people who will be gone in two years. Why not invest in students who promise to go back to the communities for 5 years? Pay for their undergrads and even a master's degree with the agreement that they stay in teaching for 5 years. Could we even help them buy a house in that community?
I know that Mississippi is dependent on TFA right now, but I see it as an endless cycle for our state.
Shields, Lauren. “My Year of Modesty.” Salon. Salon Media Group, 1 July 2013. Web. 16 September 2013.
Atlanta freelance author Lauren Shields writes about her nine-month, self-proclaimed “Modesty Experiment,” during which she shunned makeup and wore clothing that covered her hair, arms, and legs. Frustrated by the “costume” of the Western world and curious about the modesty practices of Hasidic women in her community, Shields began researching religious reasons for modest dress among women in the Quaker, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths. Shields said she expected to uncover issues of shame and “whose fault it is that men desire women,” but found instead a sense of pride and choice. Shields admits the experiment unveiled her own hypocrisy regarding the importance of appearance and the “Beauty Suit,” while ultimately helping her find a balance between superficiality and “feeling invisible.”
Shields uses personal narrative to caution the reader against making appearance the “cornerstone of your identity,” while describing how difficult disregarding that appearance was for her. She discusses crying as she gave away her clothes and makeup and feeling “panicked” as she noticed signs of aging. Shields returns to the theme of invisibility vs. visibility throughout.
(I am intrigued by this article for its potential for exploring ideas of beauty, voice, liberation, and more. What impact does our social media/Photoshopped culture have on ideas of modesty and beauty? How visible or invisible are we, really, and what makes us so?)
Super ideas. I've always wanted to teach a unit on beauty and the physical extremes people often take to achieve that "ideal beauty" -- plastic surgery, body modifications, foot binding, etc. There are some fascinating differences between cultures as to what "beauty" looks like.
I am interested in this also-I wonder how we have modesty in such a visible culture-eveything is public-there is no privacy. And as an aging woman myself I often feel invisible-especially since I don't do Facebook!!!!
Amy, I agree. The definition of what is acceptable to share with others has certainly changed! Then there is the ability we have to modify the images we portray and the ability of advertisers to distort reality as well.
I think this is interesting for so many reasons. I've noticed that it has become popular to write a "my-year-long-experience" book, and I wonder why that is so appealing to book sellers and buyers right now. I'm thinking of The Happiness Project and the book about being the Proverbs 31 Wife. Aside from that angle, the topic of the article is also fascinating. And it relates to the recent VMA/Miley Cyrus excitement and that idea of what is prizing modesty and what is slut-shaming. So much good stuff to think about here!
Fascinating! The larger ramifications of this issue would be interesting to my students who are currently discussing dress code issues at our school. The larger ramifications of one's choice of dress, etc., would be a challenging new path for my students to explore.
Fascinating! The larger ramifications of this issue would be interesting to my students who are currently discussing dress code issues at our school. The larger ramifications of one's choice of dress, etc., would be a challenging new path for my students to explore.
What an amazing and interesting idea. It all goes back to that whole idea of beauty being on the inside. Our culture has so warped the way we see "beauty" I am intrigued by a possible experiment. :)
I think this is interesting for so many reasons. I've noticed that it has become popular to write a "my-year-long-experience" book, and I wonder why that is so appealing to book sellers and buyers right now. I'm thinking of The Happiness Project and the book about being the Proverbs 31 Wife. Aside from that angle, the topic of the article is also fascinating. And it relates to the recent VMA/Miley Cyrus excitement and that idea of what is prizing modesty and what is slut-shaming. So much good stuff to think about here!
I taught a high school course in gender and literature for many years and the issues about appearance and identity were extremely provacative--and popular--topics. Because the classes were almost always a 50/50 gender split, it was interesting to notice the difference between what students would be able to say in class and what they wrote in journals and position papers. Modesty and safety were also part of the mix--as were questions about compulsory military service for both genders, archetypes, nature vs. nurture in gender identity, etc. What a rich topic for exploration!
Hey Leeanne, wow--so much to think about here. I'm thinking about not only young girls who are "fashion slaves," but also older women who are terrified of their age--not just in clothing but hair color and laugh lines...hmmm...Then, the idea you pose about "visibility/invisibility" could certainly be explored more...
"Yet More Gun Violence" by Andrew Rosenthal New York Times September 17, 2013
This author is responding to the most recent examples of gun violence in Manhattan where two police officers fired at a man who turned out to be unarmed-the police missed him and hit two onlookers-and at the Washington Naval Yard. He argues that we should not be surprised at continued gun violence since Congress has postponed conversation on the "stand your ground law" and have done nothing in response to Newtown. I think the piece might be part of an op-ed blog but I find it persuasive in the repetition of the reality of gun use and complete insanity associated with the notion that gun control is a violation of our constitutional rights.
I, like another fellow blogger, was really stunned by the Newtown shooting. How can we keep our schools and our students safe? How do we balance perceived "rights" to gun ownership(I read the right to bear arms differently I guess) and the rights of those of us who what to live in a safe and sane world. Is this no longer possible?
Our society has become a place of an unforeseen lack of safety. All of us, as educators, are now having to deal with a different situation, where our schools are no longer safe. Until we find ways to help with the mental illnesses of those that do harm with guns we will never have safe places for our children.
I am intrigued by this post because it relates so directly to my annotation. I referred to Brian Zahnd's blog post about why he doesn't own a gun, but he also had a more recent post about "the killing idea." Zahnd says he is baffled by "the depth of American devotion to the gun," and he will advocate for a society where killing is rejected altogether. To answer Amy's question of whether it is possible to live in a safe world, Zahnd says the killing idea--mass killings of some regularity--will continue to be acted upon. He's resigned to living in a violent society, but he will not capitulate and will continue to be pro life in all things.
Wasik, Bill. "Welcome to the Programmable World." _Wired_ May 14, 2013. Web. 30 September 2013.
In this article, Wasik argues for the beauty and simplicity of a programmable world, a world in which our possessions are wired with sensors and communicate with us and each other. He builds his argument with pages of examples highlighting the how easy life could be if your coffee maker could communicate with your alarm clock which could also communicate with your lights. Your dog's tag could send you a message if it wanders too far from home during the day. Your baby's nursery could attempt to sooth the baby back to sleep before texting you while you are enjoying cocktails next door. You could not only use GPS to know that your friend is at a particular bar, but you could also triangulate his/her position to a particular stool in that bar. Who wouldn't want to live in this seemingly sci-fi but approaching reality? Wasik does acknowledge that this reliance on technology strikes a bit of fear into many hearts. We no longer trust the government or big corporations to stay out of our private lives. We don't even really trust the technology itself, envisioning computerized homes that rise up against us and lock us in. However, he quickly counters those arguments before finally assuring the reader that his life will be far more enriched by intelligent and interconnected gadgets than it will ever be by a missile launcher.
Hi, Stephanie. This is an interesting premise. In a world that is increasingly dependent upon technology, how much wonder, "beauty and simplicity" is actually lost as our lives become more programmed? This reminds me a little of the argument that kids today are over-scheduled with Little League, lessons, etc. and have no time to just be kids. Thanks for bringing us this article. I'd like to read further!
I'm skeptical myself...the part about leaving your baby to the care of your house while you enjoy cocktails next door especially bothers me. People talk about the disconnection in our lives now because of technology, and this seems like disconnectedness at its worst in the name of interconnection.
I'm really thinking of what is lost in a world of constant "conveniences" that we are told we need to be successful. For instance, I recently had to deactivate my Facebook account because I grew increasingly irritated after looking at it daily. I couldn't really pinpoint what made me so irritated, maybe it was the idea that I felt people were living out their best life now, and I was just struggling to get through a random Tuesday. I have to say, I no longer feel this big lure to waste time looking through it. Disconnectedness is at times bothersome, but at others refreshing.
Kyle Young creates through an Ignite video an emotional story in loving memory of Amy Jones Eades, dance coach of the year, who learns to appreciate life through believing in herself. As Amy instructs her dance students, she vocalizes her belief that for a person "to be on top, you have to be knocked down." Through dance, guidance, and love, Amy learns that time is a blessing, and associations with friends and personal desires, such as dancing, help people overcome negative consequences in their lives. When Amy could not dance, she felt tired and had no desire to live. While the doctors were telling Amy all the negative effects of her incurable disease, she wanted only to dance through her life never giving up, but staying strong. How can this willingness to live be instilled in every person trying to survive an incurable disease? "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass: it's about learning to dance in the rain." In loving memory of Amy Jones Eades www.youtube.com/user/kyleyoung802
I do believe that we all need to dance in the rain as the author states and I think many of us live by this or a similar mantra, but I would like more research on why some people are able to overcome adversity and others can not. Is this a behavior that can be learned?
Flory, I agree. In the classroom it is the concept of resiliency. Why is it that some kids can thrive in the most adverse of circumstances, while others face seemingly minor challenges and get off track?
Szalavitz, Maia. " Is Human Nature Fundamentally Selfish or Altruistic?" Time, Time Inc. October 8, 2012. Web. 23 September 2013.
In this article, Szalavitz refutes Ayn Rand's assertion that human nature is fundamentally selfish. She contends that Rand's notion is not compatible with current evolutionary theory and adds weight to her argument by citing studies based on the actions of 18-month-old toddlers who come to the aid of struggling parents without external incentives.
Szalavitz goes on to cite examples of societies who come to the aid of victims of natural disasters. She claims this reaction is selfless and uses it to counter Rand's claim that self-interest is the motivating factor for seemingly altruistic actions. She ends with an irrelevant (to me) example of people seeking the company of others when they feel depressed.
Note: About a year ago, my husband read The Price of Altriusm, a biography of George Price. Price was a mathematician who devised a mathematical equation that addresses altruism and self-interest in terms of evolution. I've wanted to read it but have not had the time. Since then, I've been fascinatied by the ongoing altruism vs. self-interest argument.
I agree that this is intriguing, and I'd like to know more. Could you argue that there is always a payoff, even if it is self-satisfaction and that no one can be purely altruistic? I'm don't believe that but it might be fun to argue.
I honestly don't think there is such thing as a completely unselfish act--the question is, does it matter? If we do something that is good for someone else, does it matter if it makes us feel good?
I honestly don't think there is such thing as a completely unselfish act--the question is, does it matter? If we do something that is good for someone else, does it matter if it makes us feel good?
This is a very interesting concept. We were just talking about this idea the other day in my class! Thanks for this resource. I think you did a great job of including enough information but not overloading us with specifics.
"Coaching Guide: Directing Debate & Speech Activities." The National Forensic League, 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
In the article “Coaching Guide: Directing Debate & Speech Activities,” the National Forensic League provides information for first year coaches for everything from how to organize transportation for students getting to tournaments to how to organize files for practices. Recently, I was told that I would be the new Debate Coach at my high school. The process has been incredibly stressful. Our first tournament went really well because the students seemed to enjoy getting to go to a college and experience the public speaking events, yet for me, I felt continually on edge to prepare students with a limited amount of time and funds. This information was essential in organizing transportation. Who knew that taking students an hour away on a Saturday would be such a task? Additionally, knowing such lingo as Public Forum, Duo Interpretation, and Impromptu as categories to compete in is a bit confusing for the first time judge. This guide presents a quick explanation of these categories and what to expect. Also, this guide covers information for what students should wear and bring to the competitions.
I come from a very patriotic and military family background. The men have always done their duty to their country, and I am proud of all of them-- my grandfather, father, husband(s), and son. Now, I am faced with an altogether different scenario. My granddaughter, a freshman in college, has joined the ROTC and loves it! She is a strong girl with a fierce pride in her country and a desire to serve. I am very proud of her, but I am now facing the uncomfortable idea of women in combat which led me to this controversial argument written by Robert Maginnis in his book The Cowardly Push to Get Women into Combat reviewed by Mark Thompson in Time magazine. High points of the article include the fact that it was only this year that the Pentagon has lifted its ban on women in combat duty. The rules are clear—they must jump physical and psychological hurdles, just like their male counterparts. However, Maginnis predicts that “political correctness” will push the military into lowering their standards so that they can get a quota of women representatives in the combat units. Thompson, clearly against women serving in harm’s way, also points out that women are more at risk for physical and emotional damage. Additionally, he says there are two other areas in which we should be worried. First, lower standards will inevitably degrade combat effectiveness, and the nation will be less secure. Second, women will be at higher risk for sexual assault. The main thrust of his argument is the constant mantra that the government will cave in and lower standards to meet the demands of feminists and politicians.
I remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
I remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
I remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
I remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
Forgacs, Andras . “Leather and Meat Without Killing Animals.” TED. Sept 2013. Video. 30 September 2013 http://www.ted.com/talks/andras_forgacs_leather_and_meat_without_killing_animals.html
In this video Forgacs shares why and how the biofabrication of animal meat and hide is important to our future. Humans have been using cell culture for centuries in the production of beer, wine and yogurt. However, Forgacs’ work is based on cell culture that has been done with biofabrication of human body parts that have been grown and implanted into humans.
Currently sixty billion herd animals use 33% of our ice-free land, 8% of our fresh water, and produce 18% of greenhouse gases. By the year, 2050, it is estimated there will be 100 billion herd animals. The production of leather and meat in labs would be environmentally responsible, efficient, and humane. The focus at this point has been on the production of leather
This is a really interesting topic. It seems like a good idea that is also kind of repulsive and scary. I have an emotional response to it and would like to know the science and the dangers. I think I say a news segment of a guy eating a burger, which didn't taste very good because it didn't have fat!
I haven't had a burger or steak since 1984. My high school social studies teacher said we could feed the world if we did not consume cattle. Now tell me teachers don't influence students.
Welsh, Patrick. "Years on the Job Make You Better." Room for Debate. The New York Times, The Opinion Pages, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.
Patrick Welsh argues that experience in teaching makes better teachers. This claim seemed to me at first to be a Where’s the argument? claim. As I read further in the article and thought more about the realities of the education system, it seems that even if this claim were overwhelmingly accepted as true, the actions of our educational system responds in opposition to Welsh’s seemingly no brainer claim. Although I found this article to be nothing more than an opinion piece (What a shocker that it was located in The Opinion Pages, right?) that lacked no real evidence or supported facts, the piece left me with a determined attitude to research more about experience versus cutting edge. Welsh first presents his readers with the counter-claims to his argument by discussing how many charter schools officials believe that the use of scripted lessons in the classroom is an effective means of educating students. With this model, the experience – or lack of it- has little to do with the success of student achievement. He also points out how schools all across the country replace teachers with young, inexperienced teachers rather than seasoned teachers with years of experience and higher levels of education. Welsh ends his discussion by stating that the definitive example of the significance of teacher experience can be witnessed in the many thousands of parents who request proven veteran teachers for their children.
This would pair nicely with the above post by L Rougeou on September 16, 2013 at 6:40 PM http://theadvocate.com/home/6356299-125/teacher-aid-sparks-heated-arguments Sentell, Will. "Teach for America Aid Sparks Heated Argument." The Advocate. June 27 2013. Web. 16 September 2013.
Selee, Andrew. "The New Reality at the Border." LA Times. April 3, 2013.
ReplyDeleteSelee suggests we need to rethink our idea of illegal immigrants. He cites three reasons as to why illegal immigration from Mexico has slowed down. Selee states that our border security is actually working and that illegal immigration from Mexico is the lowest it has been in 40 years. Another reason he states is that Mexico is making social progress with health care, education and the economy is actually improving giving incentives to stay. Finally, he says that the demographics are changing. People who came to the US were in the 15-29 age range and is stabilizing. So, we need to rethink this image of where illegal immigration is actually coming from.
For teaching: The author addresses that this is not the usual belief - COUNTERCLAIM - early in the discussion. He is a qualified source. Additionally, he carefully builds his argument using actual data. The argument is constructed through evidence plus analysis. He offers three strong arguments to advance his overall position. You can break it down. It would be easy to graph out w/ a Toulmin organizer.
What is a Toulmin organizer?
DeleteDebbie, Toulmin is one model of argument, but it's the model that CCSS uses for the argument standard.
DeleteI think the idea of immigration is always so layered because I know there are viable arguments from either side. I was in a PD session on Friday talking about how social security and that whole deal was based on the idea of more kids than older people but due to Americans not having children and reduced immigration (among other things) this is definitely not working... I don't know just made me think about it. :)
Deletehttp://medialiteracyproject.org/deconstructions/hard-work-conquers-all-red-bull-and-american-dream
ReplyDeleteThe argument presented makes the claim that the American Dream is a myth despite its ever present identity in American culture. To further the claim, the writers use evidence from a recent Red Bull Advertising campaign to demonstrate how the myth is used to "prey." on a youthful and hopeful generation of athletes. Further support follows in the form of research, statistics, and facts. The authors argue that
"Red Bull ignores the structures in place that make it easier for some people to achieve their dreams than others", further supporting the argument.
I think its sad to think the American Dream is dead but I think there may be some truth as far as the way the American Dream used to be achieved. The job market has changed and so the way you achieve your dreams might be different but I still think the desire to succeed and achieve will help you get your dreams.
DeleteWasn't the American Dream always a myth?
DeleteLee Rannals for redOrbit.com - Your Universe Online
ReplyDeleteSatelites Need Better Protection
I really never thought much about space weather and the impact it has on the satellites that we have become so used to for all kinds of communications. Honestly, I don't think a lot about the technology of the communications I depend on--with increasing dependency.
I know we used to joke about the influence of "space weather" on mental and emotional health. I am thinking about Lily Tomlin in "In Search of Intelligent Life" where one of her characters meets her space buddies at Woolworth's...In that vein, awareness of or sensitivity to "cosmic influences" made people question your sanity.
And yet here I am, pretty nonchalant about the dependence on the satellites and reading about the concern over the viability of and investment in the satellites being threatened by cosmic influences. Interesting twist...
This would be interesting to think about from a number of angles--the astrophysics, the philosophical, the cultural, even the understanding of the materials involved and how you can improve their sustainability.
Here goes-
ReplyDeleteI need to install flash player so the videos will work- I'll do that in a moment :)
The article was Caring for Blind Horses from- http://www.blindhorses.org/care.html
I have a blind horse and just moved him to a new barn yesterday so I was checking some questions I had.
This site in general listed a lot of things I have learned but there is so little information out there that is hard to always know if you're doing the right thing.
I appreciated the list of top 5 myths because they are the questions that keep you constantly second guessing yourself. I'm not sure who the people are behind this site and how credible they are but it was interesting to see their perspective.
Sounds like their horses are mostly retired and on pasture. I still ride my guy. I have put him in a pasture with 3 other horses and they advise strongly against that. Time will tell if he is okay or not. So far so good.
Because there is so little information out there I appreciated the different topics this site had as far as what fencing is helpful and helping a horse to navigate through your voice.
I'm going to be like the kids- hope this is right :)
This is so interesting! I grew up with horses and can't imagine what it must be like to care for a blind horse. I really like how you are naturally questioning who is behind the source.
DeleteThis is so interesting! I grew up with horses and can't imagine what it must be like to care for a blind horse. I really like how you are naturally questioning who is behind the source.
Deletehttp://igniteshow.com/videos/oatmeal-how-get-5-million-people-read-your-website-ep-69
ReplyDeleteI watched another Ignite video because I’d never seen one until tonight and was completely intrigued. I stumbled on Matthew Inman’s “The Oatmeal: How to Get 5 Million People to Read Your Website.” Inman does just what the video insinuates, and gives viewers a look at several examples of his much-loved web comics, like the recent “How to Use a Semi-Colon” and “How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You.” He categorizes his examples according to advice to viewers about, essentially, creating a site that audiences will love. His advice? In a nutshell, he suggests would-be site creators find material in those things that are relevant to everyone, the simply silly, and in their own knowledge gaps.
As I watched the video, I noticed a question arising, one that arises for me frequently in our culture - Why do people seem to seek out fame for fame’s sake? I’ve always had the idea that creators create, they are driven to, and then they share their creations and cultivate a genuine following. It seems foreign to me to create for the sole purpose of cultivating an audience and becoming famous. I think an exploration of this topic would be fascinating.
I think as we get older, we are more concerned with enjoying life instead of "cultivating an audience and becoming famous".... very interesting.
DeleteI want to go check these out now. :)
DeleteInteresting ideas! Immediately I think of youtube and the amount of time groups and individuals devote to creating videos. Some of this is for money, some for contributing to society, but mostly I think it's about getting "likes"
DeleteInteresting ideas! Immediately I think of youtube and the amount of time groups and individuals devote to creating videos. Some of this is for money, some for contributing to society, but mostly I think it's about getting "likes"
DeleteZahnd, Brian. "Why I Don't Own a Gun." Brian Zahnd. Word of Life Church,2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2013
ReplyDeleteWhen I was wrestling with a response to Newtown and considering what I'd do if I were asked/required to carry a gun as a teacher, I took some time to reconsider my upbringing as a pacifist in a historic peace church. I wrote an essay affirming my beliefs--a practice essay using a Gretchen Bernabei text structure called "The Onion: Unlayering Our Beliefs." A friend read it and directed me to Zahnd's blog post. He captured the right conversational tone asking gun owners to be at peace with people who choose not to carry them. Zahnd doesn't carry a gun because he doesn't hunt and doesn't want to shoot people. He goes on to counter some of the arguments people make for gun ownership. Zahnd uses narrative to make his points--someone has held a gun on him on two occasions--and a blog post reaches an audience of thoughtful Christians and others like me who want more voices to add to our arguments.
Note: I'm Colleen from Ozarks Writing Project. My post shows a user name flightschool. My three Google accounts were too much to navigate to find my real user name.
With MS's new open-carry laws under discussion and scrutiny right now, this topic is very interesting to many in our state.
DeleteThis a very timely and relevant topic of interest to many of us.
DeleteHi, Colleen. I'm interested in your perspective on this issue in light of your background and Christian faith. I'd love to read more!
DeleteI know we’re supposed to write an annotation, but I never follow the rules (yes, I’m THAT student…) I want to describe my inquiry process and how I arrived at a “big question” that could lead to discussion and debate, and—of course—writing.
ReplyDeleteNecessary background info: I recently married my longtime boyfriend of 6 years – it doesn’t feel so different, but changing my name has been a pain. Oh yeah, he’s black and I’m white. And we live in The South. Mississippi, in fact. Since we’ve been together for a while, we’re used to the stares, the whispers, the places we can’t go if we want to feel comfortable, the curious questions from darn near everyone. After 6 years, we’ve grown used to it. But then we got married in June, and the can of worms opened again! But that’s another story for another day.
^^ So that’s my background. Got to build on what we know, right? My journey continues…
I love to visit the NY Times Room for Debate page, and recently came across a discussion entitled, “Is Interracial Marriage Still Scandalous?” After I said, “H***, yes!” I went on to read posts from five “debaters,” hoping to discover some wonderful insight about my own scandalous marriage. The responses were short, and posed more questions than answers. I was not satisfied.
Then I noticed an embedded link in an introductory sentence: “Does this mean that we have achieved a colorblind society, or just that hate has moved to YouTube?” That link took me
To the NY Times article, “Vitriol Online for Cheerios Ad With Interracial Family,” which explores the controversy surrounding a Cheerios commercial (if you haven’t seen it, you’ve been living under a rock).
That article got me to thinking about people who hide behind their keyboard to make racist comments and judgments. There’s an argument there, for sure.
Then just TODAY, on my beloved NPR Code Switch blog (frontiers of race, culture and ethnicity!), appeared this timely article: “A War of Tweets Erupts Over Latest Miss America” (she’s Indian American). AHA! More online racism!
After I read THIS article, and the arguments about what Miss America “should” look like (it goes back 30 years to the 1983 first black Miss America, Vanessa Williams), I realized that people have very different views about what makes an “American.”
And there it is. My big question:
What is an American?
I love love love this. Will use it in my class. I am doing a family unit right now and the Cheerios video would fit in. I can't believe their was any controversy over it.
Deletegreat question...I had a kid use the word "colored" in class the other day and it really took me by surprise..I asked what this word means ????I am not sure she understood the question...
DeleteThat IS a great question...and it seems to be the subtext of a lot of political debate these days...and debate that does not dare to raise the question directly.
DeleteGreat question. I agree the answer is not all that simple. My mother is white and my stepfather is black, and they have had a lot of interesting and sometimes somewhat scary encounters over the last 15 years. This would be a wonderful inquiry project.
DeleteWOW!! This has my attention and I don't really have an answer. We have a substitute teacher in our school who is also the parent of one of our students. She is from Nicaragua and has a bit of an accent, no biggie but its amazing how much I have had to speak with my kids about reacting to dialect/ accents, etc... and then just today I had to remind one of my kids that no American unless its a Native American is actually from here and why should that warrant ridicule anyway? These are not bad kids but the assumptions that are made and passed down, STILL boggle my mind.
DeleteLove, love, love! I also love that you're a positive deviant!
DeleteGreat question and great start to thinking about the issues in the articles and media you explored. Your post brought back a lot of memories and appreciation for the rich experiences my beautiful brown son-in-law and his family brought to my blue-white family : ) And no, racism still lives in America and confronts young couples like these everyday. : (
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehttp://theadvocate.com/home/6356299-125/teacher-aid-sparks-heated-arguments
ReplyDeleteSentell, Will. "Teach for America Aid Sparks Heated Argument." The Advocate. June 27 2013. Web. 16 September 2013.
Sentell reports the ongoing controversy in Louisiana over State Superintendent of Education John White's advocacy for Teach for America as "a smart investment" for "subject areas where we can't find good teachers." BESE board member Lottie Beebe challenges White's defense of the $1.2 million in TFA aid, calling it a "staffing agency" and that "it makes more sense to rely on colleges and universities for teachers." White, a TFA alum, with full support from La Governor Bobby Jindal, claims that continued (and increased) funding for TFA is the solution for La's "F-rated" schools.
Observing a number of teaching positions in central/south La being filled by TFA staff and nearly all of the leadership positions in the La Dept of Education, I am personally interested in this debate (that includes "good" teacher criteria) and know that it isn't exclusive to La. There are a number of current articles/blogs engaged in this conversation, including some voices from students that I think other students would be interested in hearing. I have always found it intriguing to ask students their specific criteria for a "good" or "effective" teacher and to consider what is "good enough" for La kids.
I have mixed emotions about TFA. I teach in the Mississippi Delta, which is a popular placement region for TFA staff. With very few exceptions, these teachers don't stay around. Some even quit before their 2-year commitment is up, and schools that choose to hire TFA members are left with a constant revolving door of novice teachers with little investment in the community. I know many TFAers personally, and some are great teachers who really want to make a difference. Sometimes they do. But I firmly believe that our students benefit from more permanent educators who can build strong, lasting community and parental relationships.
DeleteI also have a lot of mixed emotions about TFA. I worked on an i3 grant around developing measures of effective teaching for the AFT/ NYSUT and read a lot of research about measuring teacher effectivness and growing teacher knowledge. It has made me a stronger believer--if that is possible--in the value of career long learning. And that makes me question the value of TFA because of the average length of time most of the candidates stay in the profession and stay with teaching communities--especially those that need a lot of resources.
DeleteMississippi, too, has a good number of people who push for TFA. As someone who prepares traditional route teachers, I have mixed feelings about the program. Like Jennifer, I know that there are areas in our state that desperately need teachers, but it seems like (what little I know about TFA) that the commitment to teach is short term and may cause more turn-over.
DeleteI trained TFA this summer. Some are extrodinary scholars, well rounded, and personable. But that does not make a teacher. 3 or my 4 mentee were strong teachers, the other was lost. I fear for her and her students. As far as them leaving, most teachers leave the profession in 5 years. In out building 1/2 (3 of 6) have stayed past their time.
DeleteI'm torn on this one. I have several former students who have been great TFA kids, and I taught with the Mississippi Teacher Corps (modeled after TFA) for a few years. However, most of those kids are not teaching anymore. I get so horribly frustrated that we are spending so much money investing on people who will be gone in two years. Why not invest in students who promise to go back to the communities for 5 years? Pay for their undergrads and even a master's degree with the agreement that they stay in teaching for 5 years. Could we even help them buy a house in that community?
DeleteI know that Mississippi is dependent on TFA right now, but I see it as an endless cycle for our state.
Ellen -
Shields, Lauren. “My Year of Modesty.” Salon. Salon Media Group, 1 July 2013. Web. 16 September 2013.
ReplyDeleteAtlanta freelance author Lauren Shields writes about her nine-month, self-proclaimed “Modesty Experiment,” during which she shunned makeup and wore clothing that covered her hair, arms, and legs. Frustrated by the “costume” of the Western world and curious about the modesty practices of Hasidic women in her community, Shields began researching religious reasons for modest dress among women in the Quaker, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths. Shields said she expected to uncover issues of shame and “whose fault it is that men desire women,” but found instead a sense of pride and choice. Shields admits the experiment unveiled her own hypocrisy regarding the importance of appearance and the “Beauty Suit,” while ultimately helping her find a balance between superficiality and “feeling invisible.”
Shields uses personal narrative to caution the reader against making appearance the “cornerstone of your identity,” while describing how difficult disregarding that appearance was for her. She discusses crying as she gave away her clothes and makeup and feeling “panicked” as she noticed signs of aging. Shields returns to the theme of invisibility vs. visibility throughout.
(I am intrigued by this article for its potential for exploring ideas of beauty, voice, liberation, and more. What impact does our social media/Photoshopped culture have on ideas of modesty and beauty? How visible or invisible are we, really, and what makes us so?)
Super ideas. I've always wanted to teach a unit on beauty and the physical extremes people often take to achieve that "ideal beauty" -- plastic surgery, body modifications, foot binding, etc. There are some fascinating differences between cultures as to what "beauty" looks like.
DeleteI am interested in this also-I wonder how we have modesty in such a visible culture-eveything is public-there is no privacy. And as an aging woman myself I often feel invisible-especially since I don't do Facebook!!!!
DeleteAmy, I agree. The definition of what is acceptable to share with others has certainly changed! Then there is the ability we have to modify the images we portray and the ability of advertisers to distort reality as well.
DeleteI think this is interesting for so many reasons. I've noticed that it has become popular to write a "my-year-long-experience" book, and I wonder why that is so appealing to book sellers and buyers right now. I'm thinking of The Happiness Project and the book about being the Proverbs 31 Wife. Aside from that angle, the topic of the article is also fascinating. And it relates to the recent VMA/Miley Cyrus excitement and that idea of what is prizing modesty and what is slut-shaming. So much good stuff to think about here!
DeleteFascinating! The larger ramifications of this issue would be interesting to my students who are currently discussing dress code issues at our school. The larger ramifications of one's choice of dress, etc., would be a challenging new path for my students to explore.
DeleteFascinating! The larger ramifications of this issue would be interesting to my students who are currently discussing dress code issues at our school. The larger ramifications of one's choice of dress, etc., would be a challenging new path for my students to explore.
DeleteWhat an amazing and interesting idea. It all goes back to that whole idea of beauty being on the inside. Our culture has so warped the way we see "beauty" I am intrigued by a possible experiment. :)
DeleteI think this is interesting for so many reasons. I've noticed that it has become popular to write a "my-year-long-experience" book, and I wonder why that is so appealing to book sellers and buyers right now. I'm thinking of The Happiness Project and the book about being the Proverbs 31 Wife. Aside from that angle, the topic of the article is also fascinating. And it relates to the recent VMA/Miley Cyrus excitement and that idea of what is prizing modesty and what is slut-shaming. So much good stuff to think about here!
DeleteI taught a high school course in gender and literature for many years and the issues about appearance and identity were extremely provacative--and popular--topics. Because the classes were almost always a 50/50 gender split, it was interesting to notice the difference between what students would be able to say in class and what they wrote in journals and position papers.
DeleteModesty and safety were also part of the mix--as were questions about compulsory military service for both genders, archetypes, nature vs. nurture in gender identity, etc. What a rich topic for exploration!
Hey Leeanne, wow--so much to think about here. I'm thinking about not only young girls who are "fashion slaves," but also older women who are terrified of their age--not just in clothing but hair color and laugh lines...hmmm...Then, the idea you pose about "visibility/invisibility" could certainly be explored more...
Delete"Yet More Gun Violence" by Andrew Rosenthal New York Times September 17, 2013
ReplyDeleteThis author is responding to the most recent examples of gun violence in Manhattan where two police officers fired at a man who turned out to be unarmed-the police missed him and hit two onlookers-and at the Washington Naval Yard. He argues that we should not be surprised at continued gun violence since Congress has postponed conversation on the "stand your ground law" and have done nothing in response to Newtown. I think the piece might be part of an op-ed blog but I find it persuasive in the repetition of the reality of gun use and complete insanity associated with the notion that gun control is a violation of our constitutional rights.
I, like another fellow blogger, was really stunned by the Newtown shooting. How can we keep our schools and our students safe? How do we balance perceived "rights" to gun ownership(I read the right to bear arms differently I guess) and the rights of those of us who what to live in a safe and sane world. Is this no longer possible?
Our society has become a place of an unforeseen lack of safety. All of us, as educators, are now having to deal with a different situation, where our schools are no longer safe. Until we find ways to help with the mental illnesses of those that do harm with guns we will never have safe places for our children.
DeleteI agree with the comment that we need to identify and find ways to help those with mental illnesses. That would make us all safer.
DeleteI am intrigued by this post because it relates so directly to my annotation. I referred to Brian Zahnd's blog post about why he doesn't own a gun, but he also had a more recent post about "the killing idea." Zahnd says he is baffled by "the depth of American devotion to the gun," and he will advocate for a society where killing is rejected altogether. To answer Amy's question of whether it is possible to live in a safe world, Zahnd says the killing idea--mass killings of some regularity--will continue to be acted upon. He's resigned to living in a violent society, but he will not capitulate and will continue to be pro life in all things.
DeleteWasik, Bill. "Welcome to the Programmable World." _Wired_ May 14, 2013. Web. 30 September 2013.
ReplyDeleteIn this article, Wasik argues for the beauty and simplicity of a programmable world, a world in which our possessions are wired with sensors and communicate with us and each other. He builds his argument with pages of examples highlighting the how easy life could be if your coffee maker could communicate with your alarm clock which could also communicate with your lights. Your dog's tag could send you a message if it wanders too far from home during the day. Your baby's nursery could attempt to sooth the baby back to sleep before texting you while you are enjoying cocktails next door. You could not only use GPS to know that your friend is at a particular bar, but you could also triangulate his/her position to a particular stool in that bar. Who wouldn't want to live in this seemingly sci-fi but approaching reality? Wasik does acknowledge that this reliance on technology strikes a bit of fear into many hearts. We no longer trust the government or big corporations to stay out of our private lives. We don't even really trust the technology itself, envisioning computerized homes that rise up against us and lock us in. However, he quickly counters those arguments before finally assuring the reader that his life will be far more enriched by intelligent and interconnected gadgets than it will ever be by a missile launcher.
Hi, Stephanie. This is an interesting premise. In a world that is increasingly dependent upon technology, how much wonder, "beauty and simplicity" is actually lost as our lives become more programmed? This reminds me a little of the argument that kids today are over-scheduled with Little League, lessons, etc. and have no time to just be kids. Thanks for bringing us this article. I'd like to read further!
DeleteI'm skeptical myself...the part about leaving your baby to the care of your house while you enjoy cocktails next door especially bothers me. People talk about the disconnection in our lives now because of technology, and this seems like disconnectedness at its worst in the name of interconnection.
DeleteI have to agree - I find this imagined world frightening.
DeleteI'm really thinking of what is lost in a world of constant "conveniences" that we are told we need to be successful. For instance, I recently had to deactivate my Facebook account because I grew increasingly irritated after looking at it daily. I couldn't really pinpoint what made me so irritated, maybe it was the idea that I felt people were living out their best life now, and I was just struggling to get through a random Tuesday. I have to say, I no longer feel this big lure to waste time looking through it. Disconnectedness is at times bothersome, but at others refreshing.
DeleteKyle Young creates through an Ignite video an emotional story in loving memory of Amy Jones Eades, dance coach of the year, who learns to appreciate life through believing in herself. As Amy instructs her dance students, she vocalizes her belief that for a person "to be on top, you have to be knocked down." Through dance, guidance, and love, Amy learns that time is a blessing, and associations with friends and personal desires, such as dancing, help people overcome negative consequences in their lives. When Amy could not dance, she felt tired and had no desire to live. While the doctors were telling Amy all the negative effects of her incurable disease, she wanted only to dance through her life never giving up, but staying strong. How can this willingness to live be instilled in every person trying to survive an incurable disease?
ReplyDelete"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass: it's about learning to dance in the rain."
In loving memory of Amy Jones Eades
www.youtube.com/user/kyleyoung802
I do believe that we all need to dance in the rain as the author states and I think many of us live by this or a similar mantra, but I would like more research on why some people are able to overcome adversity and others can not. Is this a behavior that can be learned?
DeleteGreat question! I had to watch the video three times to make it to the end without crying.
DeleteFlory, I agree. In the classroom it is the concept of resiliency. Why is it that some kids can thrive in the most adverse of circumstances, while others face seemingly minor challenges and get off track?
DeleteSzalavitz, Maia. " Is Human Nature Fundamentally Selfish or Altruistic?" Time, Time Inc. October 8, 2012. Web. 23 September 2013.
ReplyDeleteIn this article, Szalavitz refutes Ayn Rand's assertion that human nature is fundamentally selfish. She contends that Rand's notion is not compatible with current evolutionary theory and adds weight to her argument by citing studies based on the actions of 18-month-old toddlers who come to the aid of struggling parents without external incentives.
Szalavitz goes on to cite examples of societies who come to the aid of victims of natural disasters. She claims this reaction is selfless and uses it to counter Rand's claim that self-interest is the motivating factor for seemingly altruistic actions. She ends with an irrelevant (to me) example of people seeking the company of others when they feel depressed.
Note: About a year ago, my husband read The Price of Altriusm, a biography of George Price. Price was a mathematician who devised a mathematical equation that addresses altruism and self-interest in terms of evolution. I've wanted to read it but have not had the time. Since then, I've been fascinatied by the ongoing altruism vs. self-interest argument.
This is intriguing. I'd like to believe in altruism and that self-centeredness is just a factor of immaturity.
DeleteI agree that this is intriguing, and I'd like to know more. Could you argue that there is always a payoff, even if it is self-satisfaction and that no one can be purely altruistic? I'm don't believe that but it might be fun to argue.
DeleteOoh! I like this!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI ditto Jen's response! Very cool concept.
DeleteI honestly don't think there is such thing as a completely unselfish act--the question is, does it matter? If we do something that is good for someone else, does it matter if it makes us feel good?
DeleteVery intriguing! I read a bit about this topic last year and just didn't get enough. Thank you for sharing this.
DeleteI honestly don't think there is such thing as a completely unselfish act--the question is, does it matter? If we do something that is good for someone else, does it matter if it makes us feel good?
DeleteThis is a very interesting concept. We were just talking about this idea the other day in my class! Thanks for this resource. I think you did a great job of including enough information but not overloading us with specifics.
Delete"Coaching Guide: Directing Debate & Speech Activities." The National Forensic League, 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2013.
ReplyDeleteIn the article “Coaching Guide: Directing Debate & Speech Activities,” the National Forensic League provides information for first year coaches for everything from how to organize transportation for students getting to tournaments to how to organize files for practices. Recently, I was told that I would be the new Debate Coach at my high school. The process has been incredibly stressful. Our first tournament went really well because the students seemed to enjoy getting to go to a college and experience the public speaking events, yet for me, I felt continually on edge to prepare students with a limited amount of time and funds. This information was essential in organizing transportation. Who knew that taking students an hour away on a Saturday would be such a task? Additionally, knowing such lingo as Public Forum, Duo Interpretation, and Impromptu as categories to compete in is a bit confusing for the first time judge. This guide presents a quick explanation of these categories and what to expect. Also, this guide covers information for what students should wear and bring to the competitions.
I come from a very patriotic and military family background. The men have always done their duty to their country, and I am proud of all of them-- my grandfather, father, husband(s), and son. Now, I am faced with an altogether different scenario. My granddaughter, a freshman in college, has joined the ROTC and loves it! She is a strong girl with a fierce pride in her country and a desire to serve. I am very proud of her, but I am now facing the uncomfortable idea of women in combat which led me to this controversial argument written by Robert Maginnis in his book The Cowardly Push to Get Women into Combat reviewed by Mark Thompson in Time magazine.
ReplyDeleteHigh points of the article include the fact that it was only this year that the Pentagon has lifted its ban on women in combat duty. The rules are clear—they must jump physical and psychological hurdles, just like their male counterparts. However, Maginnis predicts that “political correctness” will push the military into lowering their standards so that they can get a quota of women representatives in the combat units. Thompson, clearly against women serving in harm’s way, also points out that women are more at risk for physical and emotional damage.
Additionally, he says there are two other areas in which we should be worried. First, lower standards will inevitably degrade combat effectiveness, and the nation will be less secure. Second, women will be at higher risk for sexual assault.
The main thrust of his argument is the constant mantra that the government will cave in and lower standards to meet the demands of feminists and politicians.
I remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
DeleteI remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
DeleteI remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
DeleteI remember when the combat duty ban was lifted and all the controversy it ignited. This could lead to some interesting questions/conversation about equal rights and women's suffrage.
DeleteOK... can anyone tell me why I have FOUR identical responses above? Huh???
DeleteForgacs, Andras . “Leather and Meat Without Killing Animals.” TED. Sept 2013. Video. 30 September 2013
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ted.com/talks/andras_forgacs_leather_and_meat_without_killing_animals.html
In this video Forgacs shares why and how the biofabrication of animal meat and hide is important to our future. Humans have been using cell culture for centuries in the production of beer, wine and yogurt. However, Forgacs’ work is based on cell culture that has been done with biofabrication of human body parts that have been grown and implanted into humans.
Currently sixty billion herd animals use 33% of our ice-free land, 8% of our fresh water, and produce 18% of greenhouse gases. By the year, 2050, it is estimated there will be 100 billion herd animals. The production of leather and meat in labs would be environmentally responsible, efficient, and humane. The focus at this point has been on the production of leather
This is a really interesting topic. It seems like a good idea that is also kind of repulsive and scary. I have an emotional response to it and would like to know the science and the dangers. I think I say a news segment of a guy eating a burger, which didn't taste very good because it didn't have fat!
DeleteI haven't had a burger or steak since 1984. My high school social studies teacher said we could feed the world if we did not consume cattle. Now tell me teachers don't influence students.
DeleteSorry, I left off my source!
ReplyDeleteThe Cowardly Push to Get Women into Combat
By Mark Thompson @MarkThompson_DCJuly 25, 20130
Read more: http://nation.time.com/2013/07/25/the-cowardly-push-to-get-women-into-combat/#ixzz2gQ4ms1Ft
I have been ill so I will post my annotation a little later this evening. So sorry!
ReplyDeleteFeel better, Darla!
DeleteFeel better, Darla!
DeleteWelsh, Patrick. "Years on the Job Make You Better." Room for Debate. The New York Times, The Opinion Pages, 29 Aug. 2013. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.
ReplyDeletePatrick Welsh argues that experience in teaching makes better teachers. This claim seemed to me at first to be a Where’s the argument? claim. As I read further in the article and thought more about the realities of the education system, it seems that even if this claim were overwhelmingly accepted as true, the actions of our educational system responds in opposition to Welsh’s seemingly no brainer claim. Although I found this article to be nothing more than an opinion piece (What a shocker that it was located in The Opinion Pages, right?) that lacked no real evidence or supported facts, the piece left me with a determined attitude to research more about experience versus cutting edge.
Welsh first presents his readers with the counter-claims to his argument by discussing how many charter schools officials believe that the use of scripted lessons in the classroom is an effective means of educating students. With this model, the experience – or lack of it- has little to do with the success of student achievement. He also points out how schools all across the country replace teachers with young, inexperienced teachers rather than seasoned teachers with years of experience and higher levels of education. Welsh ends his discussion by stating that the definitive example of the significance of teacher experience can be witnessed in the many thousands of parents who request proven veteran teachers for their children.
This would pair nicely with the above post by L Rougeou on September 16, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Deletehttp://theadvocate.com/home/6356299-125/teacher-aid-sparks-heated-arguments
Sentell, Will. "Teach for America Aid Sparks Heated Argument." The Advocate. June 27 2013. Web. 16 September 2013.
I am so sorry . . . I am unable to chat on the chatroll because I am getting an Over Capacity message tonight.
ReplyDelete