I am respond to Karen Situ's opening statement for her debate on altering DNA.
I feel, based off of what Karen said, that altering DNA can be a good and bad thing. For many, it is good. There are many different diseases around the world, such as caner, than cannot effectively be cured throughout the world population. If gene therapy were to allow a person to become immune to these diseases, then the world's population would not have to endure epidemics such as breast cancer, ect. Obviously, many lives would be saved and new advances in scientific technology would allow us to explore many more possibilities of gene therapy. If gene therapy was used to cure diseases, I feel that it is being used for the greater good.
DNA altering could also possibly become a bad thing. If it was used to create a "superhuman," then I feel that problems would occur. For example, if "superhumans" were created, the original genetics of a human could become potentially lost. If this happened, there would be no turning back with the new human genetics. This could be considered a possible "epidemic" if a problem occurred with this. Also, an inequality could become created in society. "Better" and "lesser" humans would be in a constant battle against each other. This again could create huge possibilities of potential problems.
Obviously, many good and bad results could occur. I feel that in the society we live in now though, unchangeable problems would occur if DNA altering became a option to some. It must be used correctly in order to become positive to society, but the chances of that seem very slim to me.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Animal Farm Mini-Essay
Napoleon and Major both used extremely influential and inspiring language to convey messages to their listeners. In both characters, the influential language was based off of a greater good; the wish to become free from human oppressors. Major, a wise old pig on the farm, started the Revolution by simply enlightening the other animals. He realized that to become free, he would need to inspire the animals, hence his "Beasts of England" song. "Soon and late the day is coming, Tyrant man shall be o'erthrown, And the fruitful fields of England, Shall be trod by beasts alone." He used his power and knowledge for the greater good of the other animals to convey a positive message. His song and speech were triumphant; the animals revolted and created Animal Farm. Once created, Napoleon, on of the pigs on the farm, became the "natural" leader of all other animals. His ideas were based off of Major. He then created the ideas of Animalism. He was an extremely influential character to the others, but the power he gained corrupted him.
Napoleon knew that with his supreme power, he could become the "dictator" of the others, which he chose to do. Unlike Major, who used his power for the good of all others, Napoleon used his power for the good of himself. "All Animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." Napoleon took control and influenced the others to follow him. In a sense, he "brainwashed them." A great example of this is Boxer. Because of the influence put upon him by Napoleon, he only worked harder because it was for the "greater good." Like Boxer, many of the other animals did the same. Napoleon used the ideas of Animalism to create a sense of control on the others; he used events to influence the others. The animals believed him because he was deemed "smarter." Major knew he could influence the animals to revolt, but did not know it would turn into a Communism.
Between both characters, a need was used to influence others; the big difference was the use of their gained power. These events happen all over the world, currently, in Tunisia. Power was used wrongly, and eventually, a new form of government was created. The book Animal Farm was based off of the communist rule in Russia. This book is an extremely important and influential book because it inspires people to do what they think is right.
Napoleon knew that with his supreme power, he could become the "dictator" of the others, which he chose to do. Unlike Major, who used his power for the good of all others, Napoleon used his power for the good of himself. "All Animals are equal, but some are more equal than others." Napoleon took control and influenced the others to follow him. In a sense, he "brainwashed them." A great example of this is Boxer. Because of the influence put upon him by Napoleon, he only worked harder because it was for the "greater good." Like Boxer, many of the other animals did the same. Napoleon used the ideas of Animalism to create a sense of control on the others; he used events to influence the others. The animals believed him because he was deemed "smarter." Major knew he could influence the animals to revolt, but did not know it would turn into a Communism.
Between both characters, a need was used to influence others; the big difference was the use of their gained power. These events happen all over the world, currently, in Tunisia. Power was used wrongly, and eventually, a new form of government was created. The book Animal Farm was based off of the communist rule in Russia. This book is an extremely important and influential book because it inspires people to do what they think is right.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Opening Statement: Facebook
I personally feel that social networks such as Facebook are more harmful to society than good. This is because they reduce real communication to emails, instant messaging, and friend requesting. There is no true friendship involved in these types of communication.
The definition of friendship is "friendly feeling or disposition."(dictionary.com). In a friendship, you communicate feeling, such as happiness. Friendship cannot exist without feeling. On a social network, there is no way to communicate true feeling. Everything is covered up by the screen in front of you. There is no way of seeing or feeling true emotion. Instead, people use emoticons such as ":D, :(." That is not an emotion. I feel that this lack of emotion could potentially be a source of communication breakdown in the future. Society could possibly base friendship off of technology rather than a "true" friendship.
Besides a breakdown of communication, I also feel that a breakdown of the English language could potentially occur. With current generations of social network users, "text language" is the popular choice of communication. Many are too lazy to put thought, feeling, or time into what they write. Instead, they choose to write abbreviations, and words that are not in the English language. Words such as "ttul, brb, lol, smh" ect. are used. Currently, I have even heard some people say "lol" along with other words in person; this signifies an extreme cutdown on lack of communication.
If you ever talk to parents about social networks, they usually always tell you to "be careful." This is because of "online predators" that participate in these networks. They can be anyone, from an old man, to a young adult. The problem is they have no good intentions while on these internet sites. Their intention is to look for little girls/guys for their own reasons. Predators make online socializing dangerous. Many people carelessly become friends with random people. This leads to issues.
Social networks create problems in the society we live in. They stop true communication, and allow for online predidatoin. These are problems for society that need to be fixed. It is okay to use a social network to some extent, but many are using them past the line of regular communication.
The definition of friendship is "friendly feeling or disposition."(dictionary.com). In a friendship, you communicate feeling, such as happiness. Friendship cannot exist without feeling. On a social network, there is no way to communicate true feeling. Everything is covered up by the screen in front of you. There is no way of seeing or feeling true emotion. Instead, people use emoticons such as ":D, :(." That is not an emotion. I feel that this lack of emotion could potentially be a source of communication breakdown in the future. Society could possibly base friendship off of technology rather than a "true" friendship.
Besides a breakdown of communication, I also feel that a breakdown of the English language could potentially occur. With current generations of social network users, "text language" is the popular choice of communication. Many are too lazy to put thought, feeling, or time into what they write. Instead, they choose to write abbreviations, and words that are not in the English language. Words such as "ttul, brb, lol, smh" ect. are used. Currently, I have even heard some people say "lol" along with other words in person; this signifies an extreme cutdown on lack of communication.
If you ever talk to parents about social networks, they usually always tell you to "be careful." This is because of "online predators" that participate in these networks. They can be anyone, from an old man, to a young adult. The problem is they have no good intentions while on these internet sites. Their intention is to look for little girls/guys for their own reasons. Predators make online socializing dangerous. Many people carelessly become friends with random people. This leads to issues.
Social networks create problems in the society we live in. They stop true communication, and allow for online predidatoin. These are problems for society that need to be fixed. It is okay to use a social network to some extent, but many are using them past the line of regular communication.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Political Power
I feel that political power can corrupt anyone in control of it. The problem with this form of power is the obvious fact that corruption faces anyone. The corruption can come in the form of their own desires of another party's desires. Yes, the political representatives can have good intentions, or appear too, but there seems to always be a story behind theirs.
In America, a democracy was created in replace of a monarchy during the American Revolution. In the beginning, the system was used correctly. No control came over it. Currently, that is the exact opposite. Powers such as Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, the Bilderburg Group, ect. have extreme influence over how are government is run. Essentially, in some cases, it doesn't matter if the Presidents of our country have good intentions, because they are controlled by these powers. In most current cases though, such as the Bush Administration, the President willfully took control of this power for simply money.
In America's current situation, "the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer." America's economy is currently based off of capitalism. It may seem to be that the "American Dream" is easily acquired because of this, but in reality, it is extremely difficult. That is because corporate powers, along with others who have influence in our government, make it this way.
Basically, America's government is largely controlled by other powers. These in turn influence the "President" of our country. Like in "Animal Farm," I feel that our country will soon(hopefully) revolt. The people cannot stand this much further. A revolt will idealy occur in which the democratic government is rightfully controlled.
I feel that George Orwell's opinion on political power would be that it can be easily corrupted. Obviously from reading his views based on "Animal Farm," he feels that without the correct governmental ideas, rightful political control will not be existent, as seen in the book. The book is based off of Communism, which always goes wrong; Democracy is harder to corrupt.
In essence, I feel that political power is controlled by not only the "leader" of the country, but can also be controlled by other powers.
In America, a democracy was created in replace of a monarchy during the American Revolution. In the beginning, the system was used correctly. No control came over it. Currently, that is the exact opposite. Powers such as Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, the Bilderburg Group, ect. have extreme influence over how are government is run. Essentially, in some cases, it doesn't matter if the Presidents of our country have good intentions, because they are controlled by these powers. In most current cases though, such as the Bush Administration, the President willfully took control of this power for simply money.
In America's current situation, "the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer." America's economy is currently based off of capitalism. It may seem to be that the "American Dream" is easily acquired because of this, but in reality, it is extremely difficult. That is because corporate powers, along with others who have influence in our government, make it this way.
Basically, America's government is largely controlled by other powers. These in turn influence the "President" of our country. Like in "Animal Farm," I feel that our country will soon(hopefully) revolt. The people cannot stand this much further. A revolt will idealy occur in which the democratic government is rightfully controlled.
I feel that George Orwell's opinion on political power would be that it can be easily corrupted. Obviously from reading his views based on "Animal Farm," he feels that without the correct governmental ideas, rightful political control will not be existent, as seen in the book. The book is based off of Communism, which always goes wrong; Democracy is harder to corrupt.
In essence, I feel that political power is controlled by not only the "leader" of the country, but can also be controlled by other powers.
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