I was starting to become frustrated because I was almost to the bottom of the list of logical fallacies on the “Logical Fallacies and the Art of Debate” article, and I wasn’t finding anything that sounded like something I had trouble with in arguments. Then I came to the final example on the list, the Tu quoque, or the “you too” fallacy. I immediately started laughing out loud and knew I had found my weakness.
Tu quoque (I’m going to keep it in it’s Latin form because I find the language interesting, haha) is the fallacy of defending your argument by pointing out the fact that your opponent has done the same thing before. An example of this would be saying that it is ok to run a red light because you saw a police car do the same thing. I found it interesting that the article said this fallacy can actually be useful because it can determine who is doing the better job in the argument, which is something I might be able to use in my next debate!
Now I realize that the assignment was probably supposed to be geared towards argumentative essays, or actual organized debates, but I actually don’t use this form of fallacy during those kinds of arguments. I am on the other hand, guilty of this fallacy in a different kind of argument. I have often used the tu quoque tactic in many pleasant “debates” with my girlfriend, sometimes with success, but in more cases than not, with failure. I became aware of the fact that I am guilty of the “you too” tactic after my “opponent” pleasantly pointed it out to me during one of our debates. Of course, my natural response to this accusation was, “well you do it too!.”
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Big Foot Response
In the article, “Big Foot” Michael Specter argues that companies today are almost trying too hard to become “green” and that it is up to the consumers to decide what kind of carbon footprint they want to leave. I believe that his Thesis falls within the fallowing statement:
“Leahy’s sincerity was evident, but so was his need to placate his customers. Studies have consistently demonstrated that, given a choice, people prefer to buy products that are environmentally benign. That choice, however, is almost never easy. “A carbon label will put the power in the hands of consumers to choose how they want to be green,” Tom Delay, the head of the British Government’s Carbon Trust, said. “It will empower us all to make informed choices and in turn drive a market for low-carbon products.” Tesco was not alone in telling people what it would do to address the collective burden of our greenhouse-gas emissions. Compelled by economic necessity as much as by ecological awareness, many corporations now seem to compete as vigorously to display their environmental credentials as they do to sell their products.”
I think that Mr. Specter is trying to say that companies’ are trying to “go green” in order to appeal to consumers, rather than for reasons of morality or environmental conciseness.
3 Fact Checks
1. “In 1995, each of the six billion people on earth was responsible, on average, for one ton of carbon emissions.”
According to the Department of Energy and the Energy Information Administrations, in 1995 there was a total of around 5.84 Billion tons of carbon emissions. Which would make Mr. Specter’s fact true.
2. “American produce travels an average of nearly fifteen hundred miles before we eat it.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that the current estimate for how far our food travels, is in fact an average of 1500 miles
3. “This year’s Super Bowl was fuelled by wind turbines.”
It is a fact that the town of House, NM and the New Mexico Wind Energy Center helped power University of Phoenix Stadium for Super Bowl XLII. They used enough energy during the event to power 750 homes for one month.
“Leahy’s sincerity was evident, but so was his need to placate his customers. Studies have consistently demonstrated that, given a choice, people prefer to buy products that are environmentally benign. That choice, however, is almost never easy. “A carbon label will put the power in the hands of consumers to choose how they want to be green,” Tom Delay, the head of the British Government’s Carbon Trust, said. “It will empower us all to make informed choices and in turn drive a market for low-carbon products.” Tesco was not alone in telling people what it would do to address the collective burden of our greenhouse-gas emissions. Compelled by economic necessity as much as by ecological awareness, many corporations now seem to compete as vigorously to display their environmental credentials as they do to sell their products.”
I think that Mr. Specter is trying to say that companies’ are trying to “go green” in order to appeal to consumers, rather than for reasons of morality or environmental conciseness.
3 Fact Checks
1. “In 1995, each of the six billion people on earth was responsible, on average, for one ton of carbon emissions.”
According to the Department of Energy and the Energy Information Administrations, in 1995 there was a total of around 5.84 Billion tons of carbon emissions. Which would make Mr. Specter’s fact true.
2. “American produce travels an average of nearly fifteen hundred miles before we eat it.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that the current estimate for how far our food travels, is in fact an average of 1500 miles
3. “This year’s Super Bowl was fuelled by wind turbines.”
It is a fact that the town of House, NM and the New Mexico Wind Energy Center helped power University of Phoenix Stadium for Super Bowl XLII. They used enough energy during the event to power 750 homes for one month.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Instead of Spending Money on A TV, How About an ATV! (position FD)
Have you ever gone out camping or hiking and seen a group of people riding around on ATVs, and wished you could own one yourself? If you spend any amount of time outdoors in Alaska, chances are you have. Owning a 4-wheeler has probably crossed most people’s minds at one time or another, but there was most likely a thought or fear that stopped them from making the purchase. Most people think that they can’t afford an ATV, or think that owning one wouldn’t be worth the money. Although some people are hesitant to buy an ATV, they make an excellent purchase for any Alaskan because they're versatile, affordable, and even low maintenance!
Here in Alaska, finding time to have fun during the short summers is often essential in getting through the long and difficult winters. Being outside enjoying the sun and warm temperatures of summer acts as a sort of pressure release from being trapped inside all winter. Many Alaskans choose to combat this buildup of pressure by spending their free time out camping or fishing. If they only knew how owning an ATV adds to the fun and ultimate relief from what most like to call “cabin fever,” there would surely be may more ATV owners out there.
One argument people have against purchasing an ATV in Alaska, is that the summers are too short to get their money’s worth before winter. This argument is not entirely valid, and this is where the versatility of a 4-wheeler comes into play. Most would agree that ATVs are great for the summer, but not many people realize that they can be just as pleasing during the winter as well. Compared with the rest of Alaska, snow fall here in the interior is minimal, and this allows for even more riding time. Even with over a foot of snow 4-wheelers can get around with little effort, and access to new riding areas are available thanks to the frozen rivers. The only difference between riding an ATV in the summer and riding during the winter is the amount of clothing required to keep warm.
Not only are ATVs versatile when it comes to the changing seasons, they also provide a wide array of other possibilities as well. They can be used to explore areas that would be otherwise inaccessible such as a hidden fishing hole, or a hunting spot high in the mountains. They can also be used for utility purposes, or simply as a means of enjoying fun times with friends or family.
The next argument some people have is that buying a 4-wheeler is too expensive. While there are ATVs out there that are probably out of the price range for most people, these machines are simply excessive. The extra cost comes from ridiculously large engines and luxuries such as automatic steering. A person shopping for a 4-wheeler can greatly reduce the price by sticking to an engine size that meets their needs. The most power the average adult rider would ever need is maybe 400cc, which would be enough to easily carry at least 400 pounds. You can find ATVs with this kind of power for under $5,000.00, and that’s brand new! If that kind of money is out of your price range, there is always the option to buy a used 4-wheeler and this option will cost you half as much, or even less!
While a lot of people cringe at the thought of buying used equipment, used ATVs are often more reliable than such things as used cars or snow machines. Most people worry about how long a used ATV will last them, but many owners have had their 4-wheelers for over 10 years, and they still run without any major problems. The best part of it all is the minimum amount of money that needs to go into 4-wheelers for maintenance. Most of the maintenance work can be done yourself, and doesn’t go much beyond changing oil once in a while, watching the level of coolant and tire pressure, changing the drive belt once a year, and replacing spark plugs every few years.
Now, buying an ATV is an investment of your hard earned dollar, but the pros of purchasing one far outweigh the cons. You’ll be investing your money in a very versatile piece of equipment that doesn’t have to break your bank, and won’t spend a lot of time in the shop either. Having your own ATV will also provide you with hours upon hours of fun either by yourself, or with friends and family. So instead of being the person watching all the fun, head on down to your local ATV dealer, and you can be having your own share of fun in no time!
Here in Alaska, finding time to have fun during the short summers is often essential in getting through the long and difficult winters. Being outside enjoying the sun and warm temperatures of summer acts as a sort of pressure release from being trapped inside all winter. Many Alaskans choose to combat this buildup of pressure by spending their free time out camping or fishing. If they only knew how owning an ATV adds to the fun and ultimate relief from what most like to call “cabin fever,” there would surely be may more ATV owners out there.
One argument people have against purchasing an ATV in Alaska, is that the summers are too short to get their money’s worth before winter. This argument is not entirely valid, and this is where the versatility of a 4-wheeler comes into play. Most would agree that ATVs are great for the summer, but not many people realize that they can be just as pleasing during the winter as well. Compared with the rest of Alaska, snow fall here in the interior is minimal, and this allows for even more riding time. Even with over a foot of snow 4-wheelers can get around with little effort, and access to new riding areas are available thanks to the frozen rivers. The only difference between riding an ATV in the summer and riding during the winter is the amount of clothing required to keep warm.
Not only are ATVs versatile when it comes to the changing seasons, they also provide a wide array of other possibilities as well. They can be used to explore areas that would be otherwise inaccessible such as a hidden fishing hole, or a hunting spot high in the mountains. They can also be used for utility purposes, or simply as a means of enjoying fun times with friends or family.
The next argument some people have is that buying a 4-wheeler is too expensive. While there are ATVs out there that are probably out of the price range for most people, these machines are simply excessive. The extra cost comes from ridiculously large engines and luxuries such as automatic steering. A person shopping for a 4-wheeler can greatly reduce the price by sticking to an engine size that meets their needs. The most power the average adult rider would ever need is maybe 400cc, which would be enough to easily carry at least 400 pounds. You can find ATVs with this kind of power for under $5,000.00, and that’s brand new! If that kind of money is out of your price range, there is always the option to buy a used 4-wheeler and this option will cost you half as much, or even less!
While a lot of people cringe at the thought of buying used equipment, used ATVs are often more reliable than such things as used cars or snow machines. Most people worry about how long a used ATV will last them, but many owners have had their 4-wheelers for over 10 years, and they still run without any major problems. The best part of it all is the minimum amount of money that needs to go into 4-wheelers for maintenance. Most of the maintenance work can be done yourself, and doesn’t go much beyond changing oil once in a while, watching the level of coolant and tire pressure, changing the drive belt once a year, and replacing spark plugs every few years.
Now, buying an ATV is an investment of your hard earned dollar, but the pros of purchasing one far outweigh the cons. You’ll be investing your money in a very versatile piece of equipment that doesn’t have to break your bank, and won’t spend a lot of time in the shop either. Having your own ATV will also provide you with hours upon hours of fun either by yourself, or with friends and family. So instead of being the person watching all the fun, head on down to your local ATV dealer, and you can be having your own share of fun in no time!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
How far my food traveled
Here is what I ate today:
-I started off the morning with a couple of blueberry Eggos with some Log Cabin Syrup.
-I picked my girlfriend up from work for lunch, and we went to the Red Fox where I had a cheeseburger and French fries.
-I snacked on an Oatmeal Cream Pie between lunch and dinner
-For dinner I made myself some Mac N Cheese
So I found out that Eggos are actually made by Kellogg’s, and that the Eggo plant is located in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Log Cabin syrup I put on my Eggos is actually made by a company called Pinnacle Foods, and their plant is located in Allentown, PA. I found this kind of funny, because Pinnacle foods actually makes Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup as well, so I wonder how much of a difference there really is between the two. My Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies come from a company called McKee Foods Corp. and it looks like they have plants all over the place. The closest plant they have to Alaska is in Arizona, so I would assume the food came from there. The Mac N Cheese I had for dinner was from Kraft Foods, and figuring out where exactly it came from was a little tricky. I looked on the box hoping it would tell me where it came from, but the only address on the box said Northfield, Illinois. I looked on their web site, and it said that Northfield was actually the company headquarters, so I’m assuming the actual production plant was somewhere else.
I left my lunch for last because tracking down the food would be a lot harder since I had no idea where the beef, veggies, or bun had come from. I know that a lot of the food is grown in one place, sent to another place to be processed, and then is sometimes packaged in a whole other area. It would be interesting (and probably a little disturbing) to know exactly where all that food did come from. Being in Alaska makes the situation even worse. I do notice a difference in the taste of foods when I travel out of state, and most people I have talked to say that the difference is due to the fact that food is usually frozen on it’s journey up to Alaska, and some of the freshness is lost because of the freezing.
-I started off the morning with a couple of blueberry Eggos with some Log Cabin Syrup.
-I picked my girlfriend up from work for lunch, and we went to the Red Fox where I had a cheeseburger and French fries.
-I snacked on an Oatmeal Cream Pie between lunch and dinner
-For dinner I made myself some Mac N Cheese
So I found out that Eggos are actually made by Kellogg’s, and that the Eggo plant is located in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Log Cabin syrup I put on my Eggos is actually made by a company called Pinnacle Foods, and their plant is located in Allentown, PA. I found this kind of funny, because Pinnacle foods actually makes Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup as well, so I wonder how much of a difference there really is between the two. My Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies come from a company called McKee Foods Corp. and it looks like they have plants all over the place. The closest plant they have to Alaska is in Arizona, so I would assume the food came from there. The Mac N Cheese I had for dinner was from Kraft Foods, and figuring out where exactly it came from was a little tricky. I looked on the box hoping it would tell me where it came from, but the only address on the box said Northfield, Illinois. I looked on their web site, and it said that Northfield was actually the company headquarters, so I’m assuming the actual production plant was somewhere else.
I left my lunch for last because tracking down the food would be a lot harder since I had no idea where the beef, veggies, or bun had come from. I know that a lot of the food is grown in one place, sent to another place to be processed, and then is sometimes packaged in a whole other area. It would be interesting (and probably a little disturbing) to know exactly where all that food did come from. Being in Alaska makes the situation even worse. I do notice a difference in the taste of foods when I travel out of state, and most people I have talked to say that the difference is due to the fact that food is usually frozen on it’s journey up to Alaska, and some of the freshness is lost because of the freezing.
The masculine art of Balloon Arches
So for my helpful Youtube video, I chose a How To instructional video that showed me how to make balloon arches. (yes… I know… how manly of me, right?) I chose this video because I am getting married this summer, and my fiancé wants to have balloon arches over the dance floor at our reception. We checked at a couple places around town to see how much it would cost to have someone do it for us, and we were a little surprised. We were shocked to find that it would be about $50.00 per 8 feet of floor space, and considering we were needing two arches that would cover about 30 feet each, we were looking at bill of about $375.00.
Now considering I myself am a starving college student, and my fiancé is currently trying to make enough money to support the both of us, it’s needless to say that this wasn’t going to work. We decided to build the arches ourselves, but the problem was that we had no clue in how to do it. I recalled the Youtube assignment and figured I could kill two birds with one stone.
I found a video that was actually part one of a two part series. It was titled Making a Balloon Arch - part 1. I was pleased as I sat and watched a short video that did not waist much time in delivering straight forward instructions. I clicked on the second video which started off showing me how to solve the problem catching run away balloons, fallowed by more balloon arch instructions.
Now considering I myself am a starving college student, and my fiancé is currently trying to make enough money to support the both of us, it’s needless to say that this wasn’t going to work. We decided to build the arches ourselves, but the problem was that we had no clue in how to do it. I recalled the Youtube assignment and figured I could kill two birds with one stone.
I found a video that was actually part one of a two part series. It was titled Making a Balloon Arch - part 1. I was pleased as I sat and watched a short video that did not waist much time in delivering straight forward instructions. I clicked on the second video which started off showing me how to solve the problem catching run away balloons, fallowed by more balloon arch instructions.
Proofreading assignment
So I listened to grammar girl's podcast on proofreading where she offered a few tips on doing a better job of proofreading one's own papers. Her tips were to read my work backwards, read my work out loud, always proofread a printed version of my work, and give myself some time. I decided to test out her strategies on my diagnostic essay since it was the paper that my English teacher was judging my writing ability on.
I was feeling fairly confident about the paper because I have already gotten into the habit of reading my papers to myself out loud. I learned this technique from my 9th grade English teacher, and I found that it truly does help find mistakes, especially in the fluidity of my writing.
So I started by trying the reading backwards technique, and of course in the first paragraph (which was actually the last paragraph in my paper) I found that I had accidentally added an "a have" that didn't need to be there. I was pleased however, to find that there weren't many mistakes in the rest of the paper. The only other thing I did notice was that I switched narrative forms from 3rd to 2nd person in the middle of my paper, and then switched back. I think Grammar Girl's fourth factor is what helped me catch this mistake. The fact that I hadn't read the paper in a little while allowed me to focus better on finding the errors.
I was feeling fairly confident about the paper because I have already gotten into the habit of reading my papers to myself out loud. I learned this technique from my 9th grade English teacher, and I found that it truly does help find mistakes, especially in the fluidity of my writing.
So I started by trying the reading backwards technique, and of course in the first paragraph (which was actually the last paragraph in my paper) I found that I had accidentally added an "a have" that didn't need to be there. I was pleased however, to find that there weren't many mistakes in the rest of the paper. The only other thing I did notice was that I switched narrative forms from 3rd to 2nd person in the middle of my paper, and then switched back. I think Grammar Girl's fourth factor is what helped me catch this mistake. The fact that I hadn't read the paper in a little while allowed me to focus better on finding the errors.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Grist Lead
I chose the article, "I'm sure there's a Baywatch joke in her somewhere" because it had a funny lead sentence. The lead sentence was "Depressed ocean news bouyed by Pam Anderson's striptease." I think this could be either a delayed lead, or an anecdotal lead.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Essay 1 Workshop
1. Thesis: A. Restate the thesis in your own words. If the thesis is a question and not an assertion, make it an assertion. Make sure the words “although” and "because" are in it.
Although the housing market is still volatile, home ownership is a good investment because owning can build equity, it can be cheaper than renting, and owning a home means the home can eventually be sold for a profit or a bigger house.
B. Does the thesis state the author's position on a controversial topic? Is it at the end of the first paragraph?
Yes, the author’s position is stated clearly at the end of the first paragraph.
2. Reasons: List below the author's reasons for holding his or her position. Are they listed in the thesis, or in the body of the essay? They should be listed in the thesis, and expanded upon in the body of the essay.
A. Owning a house can build equity
B. Over a few years owning a home can be cheaper than renting
C. Owning a home means the home can eventually be sold for a profit or a bigger house
All of these points were listed in the first paragraph, and were also expanded upon in the “body” of the essay.
3. Audience: Who is the author's audience? Do they already agree with the author, or is the author writing to the opposition? How can you tell? Give specific examples.
This essay would be good for people who are trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home. I would say that the majority of the readers of this essay would be undecided as far as their position on this topic, but there would be a few readers who would disagree with his arguments. You can tell that the author is writing against the opposition because he states what the opposing argument might be, and gives his own counter argument.
4. Counterargument: List the counterarguments (arguments of the author’s oppositions) used in the essay (there should be at least three). Does the author adequately address these arguments? Do you think there are other arguments that could be addressed? Do you see any logical fallacies?
A. “The argument can be made that one could put what they would save from the difference on renting as to owning a home and invest it.”
The author addresses the argument by saying that doing so would “require very discipled (I think it was supposed to be disciplined?) financial work and being in a cheap rental unit.”
B. “Some may still say that renting is the cheaper way because of the other expenses that is paid by the owner of the rental property like taxes, insurance, and maintenance.”
This argument is addressed by saying that most property managers pass expenses down to their renters.
I may be wrong, but I don’t know if I would keep the section about how renting is good if the renter is planning on moving or rent is cheap. To me this seems kind of counter-productive because you’re making an argument for the other side. I would however, keep the part where you talk about where the value of owning a home comes from.
C. Section 3 seems like a paragraph of facts that would be a better fit for the “building equity” section. I think you might run into a hard time distinguishing between your first and third points because they are related to each other. If you wanted to keep your third point the same, I would focus mostly on the benefit of a buyer being able to upgrade their home. This could be a tricky argument to support though, because the opposition could argue that not everyone makes money when they sell their home.
5. Title:
There is currently no title for the essay. Your audience will most likely be renters looking into buying a home, so I would try to focus on that fact, and come up with a title that would be attractive for them. Maybe, “Landlord Getting You Down? Why Not Be Your Own!”
6. Introduction: Is there a catchy lead sentence? What is it? If there isn't one, what would you suggest?
The lead sentence isn’t necessarily a catchy one, but it is an interesting statement that would probably attract renters who are thinking about buying a home. The lead sentence is, “In the long term owning a home makes a far better financial sense than renting.”
7. Conclusion: How does the author conclude the essay? What do you think of it?
There is currently no conclusion for the essay. Just remember to restate your main points, and a teacher once told me that the goal of the conclusion is to keep your audience thinking about the topic after they’re done reading. So keep that in mind!
8. Flow/Transitions: Does each paragraph expand upon the thesis? Do the paragraphs flow? Which paragraphs have bumpy transitions?
The rough draft wasn’t quite in essay form. The author had all the main points and arguments in the body, but they did not have any transitional sentences. The body did fallow the sequence of the thesis statement, which was good.
You have an interesting subject, and a good rough draft, my only other observation is to watch the grammatical structure in your final draft. Good luck!
Although the housing market is still volatile, home ownership is a good investment because owning can build equity, it can be cheaper than renting, and owning a home means the home can eventually be sold for a profit or a bigger house.
B. Does the thesis state the author's position on a controversial topic? Is it at the end of the first paragraph?
Yes, the author’s position is stated clearly at the end of the first paragraph.
2. Reasons: List below the author's reasons for holding his or her position. Are they listed in the thesis, or in the body of the essay? They should be listed in the thesis, and expanded upon in the body of the essay.
A. Owning a house can build equity
B. Over a few years owning a home can be cheaper than renting
C. Owning a home means the home can eventually be sold for a profit or a bigger house
All of these points were listed in the first paragraph, and were also expanded upon in the “body” of the essay.
3. Audience: Who is the author's audience? Do they already agree with the author, or is the author writing to the opposition? How can you tell? Give specific examples.
This essay would be good for people who are trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home. I would say that the majority of the readers of this essay would be undecided as far as their position on this topic, but there would be a few readers who would disagree with his arguments. You can tell that the author is writing against the opposition because he states what the opposing argument might be, and gives his own counter argument.
4. Counterargument: List the counterarguments (arguments of the author’s oppositions) used in the essay (there should be at least three). Does the author adequately address these arguments? Do you think there are other arguments that could be addressed? Do you see any logical fallacies?
A. “The argument can be made that one could put what they would save from the difference on renting as to owning a home and invest it.”
The author addresses the argument by saying that doing so would “require very discipled (I think it was supposed to be disciplined?) financial work and being in a cheap rental unit.”
B. “Some may still say that renting is the cheaper way because of the other expenses that is paid by the owner of the rental property like taxes, insurance, and maintenance.”
This argument is addressed by saying that most property managers pass expenses down to their renters.
I may be wrong, but I don’t know if I would keep the section about how renting is good if the renter is planning on moving or rent is cheap. To me this seems kind of counter-productive because you’re making an argument for the other side. I would however, keep the part where you talk about where the value of owning a home comes from.
C. Section 3 seems like a paragraph of facts that would be a better fit for the “building equity” section. I think you might run into a hard time distinguishing between your first and third points because they are related to each other. If you wanted to keep your third point the same, I would focus mostly on the benefit of a buyer being able to upgrade their home. This could be a tricky argument to support though, because the opposition could argue that not everyone makes money when they sell their home.
5. Title:
There is currently no title for the essay. Your audience will most likely be renters looking into buying a home, so I would try to focus on that fact, and come up with a title that would be attractive for them. Maybe, “Landlord Getting You Down? Why Not Be Your Own!”
6. Introduction: Is there a catchy lead sentence? What is it? If there isn't one, what would you suggest?
The lead sentence isn’t necessarily a catchy one, but it is an interesting statement that would probably attract renters who are thinking about buying a home. The lead sentence is, “In the long term owning a home makes a far better financial sense than renting.”
7. Conclusion: How does the author conclude the essay? What do you think of it?
There is currently no conclusion for the essay. Just remember to restate your main points, and a teacher once told me that the goal of the conclusion is to keep your audience thinking about the topic after they’re done reading. So keep that in mind!
8. Flow/Transitions: Does each paragraph expand upon the thesis? Do the paragraphs flow? Which paragraphs have bumpy transitions?
The rough draft wasn’t quite in essay form. The author had all the main points and arguments in the body, but they did not have any transitional sentences. The body did fallow the sequence of the thesis statement, which was good.
You have an interesting subject, and a good rough draft, my only other observation is to watch the grammatical structure in your final draft. Good luck!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Eric Allie Cartoon
I believe that there are a couple of jokes within Eric Allie’s cartoon, “ Potato Chip that looks like a messiah.” I think the cartoonist is trying to show his opinion about the lack of important or interesting information on the news, but he is also showing his opinion about how the news these days is all about the presidential race. If you were a die-hard republican, you could also make the argument that the cartoon is making a joke about how some democrats are making Obama sound like he is going to be the next savior, or “messiah.” The cartoon, as is the case with most political cartoons, contains a message that is perceived differently by people with varying background and political views.
Mark Fiore Response
The animated cartoon by Mark Fiore seems to be an attempt to make a mockery of our society in general. I don’t really know if he is making much of an argument so much as he is stating his apparent distaste for the shape of our economy through his own artistic expression. I think he makes a lot of really good points throughout the animation, and it took me 3 or 4 times of watching it to catch all of his points, or “evidence” if you want to call it that. I do think that this cartoon is geared towards people with more of an understanding of what is going on. Someone who didn’t know much about the state of our economy probably wouldn’t get much out of the cartoon.
There is also a lot of sarcasm in his animation, and I would say he uses this as his biggest technique in mocking the government and the people of the U.S. He also uses a little bit of humor, and the mix of sarcasm and humor makes it hard to distinguish whether he is just poking fun at the situation, or if he is actually trying to offend people. I agree with his opinion on our economy, but if I disagreed, I don’t really know how I would react to the cartoon. Part of me would most likely be offended, but at the same time, you can’t be mad at someone for stating their opinion.
There is also a lot of sarcasm in his animation, and I would say he uses this as his biggest technique in mocking the government and the people of the U.S. He also uses a little bit of humor, and the mix of sarcasm and humor makes it hard to distinguish whether he is just poking fun at the situation, or if he is actually trying to offend people. I agree with his opinion on our economy, but if I disagreed, I don’t really know how I would react to the cartoon. Part of me would most likely be offended, but at the same time, you can’t be mad at someone for stating their opinion.
My Shitty First Draft!
In the essay, “Shitty First Drafts,” by Anne Lamott, she talks about writing the first draft of a paper. She says that the best way to do it is to let everything come out, and write it down. She points out the fact that no one is going to see the first draft anyway, so there is no point in focusing too much on structure or making sense. The way she writes helps make her point because her writing style almost makes you feel like you’re having a conversation with her. She mentions more than once how her friends have given her advice on certain subjects, and she tells a story about how she used to write for her column. The essay wasn’t so much formal and factual as it was straight up advice. The good thing about it was that it all flowed and still made sense, which was kind of her point. If you get all of your thoughts out there, you’re more likely to come up with good material.
While I was reading the article, I found myself thinking, “yeah, I do write better when I’m feeling less refined.” I totally agree with her advice about writing a first draft. I find that I do a lot better writing when I’m just flowing, and letting ideas come out, rather than typing a sentence and then going back to make sure it made sense. When I try to do that, I end up taking twice as long, and the papers always seem to lack character and feeling. I think the things Anne Lamott had to say were all really great pieces of advice, and will help me to write better in the future.
While I was reading the article, I found myself thinking, “yeah, I do write better when I’m feeling less refined.” I totally agree with her advice about writing a first draft. I find that I do a lot better writing when I’m just flowing, and letting ideas come out, rather than typing a sentence and then going back to make sure it made sense. When I try to do that, I end up taking twice as long, and the papers always seem to lack character and feeling. I think the things Anne Lamott had to say were all really great pieces of advice, and will help me to write better in the future.
Would You Put a Price On Fun? (position RD)
Have you ever gone out camping or hiking and seen a group of people riding around on ATVs, and wished you could own one yourself? If you spend any amount of time outdoors in Alaska, chances are you have. Most people think that they can’t afford an ATV, or think that owning one wouldn’t be worth the money. Although some people are hesitant to buy an ATV, they make an excellent purchase for any Alaskan because they're versatile, affordable, and even low maintenance!
Here in Alaska, finding time to have fun during the short summers is often essential in getting through the long and difficult winters. Being outside enjoying the sun and warm temperatures of summer acts as a sort of pressure release from being trapped inside all winter. Many Alaskans prefer to spend their free time out camping or fishing, and owning an ATV only adds to the fun and ultimate relief from what most like to call, “cabin fever.”
One argument people have against purchasing an ATV in Alaska, is that the summers are too short to get their money’s worth before winter. This argument is not entirely valid, and this is where the versatility of a 4-wheeler comes into play. Most would agree that ATVs are great for the summer, but not many people realize that they can be just as pleasing during the winter as well. Compared with the rest of Alaska, snow fall here in the interior is minimal, and this greatly increases the riding time for ATV owners. Even with over a foot of snow 4-wheelers can get around with little effort, and access to new riding areas are available thanks to the frozen rivers.
The next argument, which is really more of a worry, is that buying a 4-wheeler is too expensive. While there are ATVs out there that are probably out of the price range for most people, these machines are simply excessive. The extra cost comes from ridiculously large engines and luxuries such as automatic steering. A person shopping for a 4-wheeler can greatly reduce the price by sticking to an engine size that meets their needs. The most power the average adult rider would ever need is maybe 400cc, which would be enough to easily carry at least 400 pounds. You can find ATVs with this kind of power for under $5,000.00, and that’s brand new! If that kind of money is out of your price range, there is always the option to buy a used 4-wheeler for half that much.
While a lot of people cringe at the thought of buying used equipment, buying a used ATV is much safer than buying such things as used cars or snow machines. Most people worry about how long a used ATV will last them, but many owners have had their 4-wheelers for 15 years or longer, and they still run without any major problems. The best part of it all is the minimum amount of money that needs to go into 4-wheelers for maintenance. Most of the maintenance work can be done yourself, and doesn’t go much beyond changing oil once in a while, watching the level of coolant and tire pressure, changing the drive belt once a year, and replacing spark plugs every few years.
Now, buying an ATV is an investment of your hard earned dollar, but the pros of purchasing one far outweigh the cons. You’ll be investing your money in a very versatile piece of equipment that doesn’t have to break your bank, and won’t spend a lot of time in the shop either. Having your own ATV will also provide you with hours upon hours of fun either by yourself, or with friends and family. So instead of being the person watching all the fun, go out and have your own!
Here in Alaska, finding time to have fun during the short summers is often essential in getting through the long and difficult winters. Being outside enjoying the sun and warm temperatures of summer acts as a sort of pressure release from being trapped inside all winter. Many Alaskans prefer to spend their free time out camping or fishing, and owning an ATV only adds to the fun and ultimate relief from what most like to call, “cabin fever.”
One argument people have against purchasing an ATV in Alaska, is that the summers are too short to get their money’s worth before winter. This argument is not entirely valid, and this is where the versatility of a 4-wheeler comes into play. Most would agree that ATVs are great for the summer, but not many people realize that they can be just as pleasing during the winter as well. Compared with the rest of Alaska, snow fall here in the interior is minimal, and this greatly increases the riding time for ATV owners. Even with over a foot of snow 4-wheelers can get around with little effort, and access to new riding areas are available thanks to the frozen rivers.
The next argument, which is really more of a worry, is that buying a 4-wheeler is too expensive. While there are ATVs out there that are probably out of the price range for most people, these machines are simply excessive. The extra cost comes from ridiculously large engines and luxuries such as automatic steering. A person shopping for a 4-wheeler can greatly reduce the price by sticking to an engine size that meets their needs. The most power the average adult rider would ever need is maybe 400cc, which would be enough to easily carry at least 400 pounds. You can find ATVs with this kind of power for under $5,000.00, and that’s brand new! If that kind of money is out of your price range, there is always the option to buy a used 4-wheeler for half that much.
While a lot of people cringe at the thought of buying used equipment, buying a used ATV is much safer than buying such things as used cars or snow machines. Most people worry about how long a used ATV will last them, but many owners have had their 4-wheelers for 15 years or longer, and they still run without any major problems. The best part of it all is the minimum amount of money that needs to go into 4-wheelers for maintenance. Most of the maintenance work can be done yourself, and doesn’t go much beyond changing oil once in a while, watching the level of coolant and tire pressure, changing the drive belt once a year, and replacing spark plugs every few years.
Now, buying an ATV is an investment of your hard earned dollar, but the pros of purchasing one far outweigh the cons. You’ll be investing your money in a very versatile piece of equipment that doesn’t have to break your bank, and won’t spend a lot of time in the shop either. Having your own ATV will also provide you with hours upon hours of fun either by yourself, or with friends and family. So instead of being the person watching all the fun, go out and have your own!
Overfishing of Our Oceans (exploratory)
The oceans are abundant with what seems like an endless array of fish and other marine life. Unfortunately, the truth is that these animals are anything but endless. This fact is especially true for fish, which are caught by both commercial and recreational fishermen. At the rate we are going, it won’t be long before there aren’t any more fish to catch, and that is why I would like to do my paper on improving and carrying out better fishing regulations.
Fishing regulations are used to restrict the amount of fish a recreational fisherman can catch, and there are separate regulations for those who hold a commercial fishing license. The problem with these regulations, is that much like other forms of law, there are either loop holes or people who simply do not bother to abide by the rules. The World Wildlife Foundation states on their website that both of these facts are reasons why the fish population is becoming depleted.
I am interested in this topic because I myself am an avid fisherman. I have been fishing since I was a little boy, and I have witnessed the depletion of some of these fish myself. In particular, the various types of salmon along with grayling and trout have been greatly effected. My father and I have memories of catching grayling on nearly every cast in certain rivers, but because of over-fishing, catching ten fish in a full day now constitutes a “good” day. Not only have the numbers of fish been dwindled, but the size of these animals is not what it used to be. The older this fish, the bigger it gets, (up until a certain age) but the problem is that most of the fish are being caught at a young age, and so the chances of finding a “whopper” on the other end of your line has greatly decreased.
I would be more than willing to spend the rest of the semester on researching and thinking about this topic. As a matter of fact, thanks to the long winter here, I often think about fishing while anticipating the coming of summer. While most of the time I am day dreaming about bragging to my friends about the killer fish I’m going to catch, I do often think about the problems with over-fishing here in Alaska. It would be very interesting for me to not only learn more about the problems we have her in Alaska, but about the global problem as well.
If you’ve read this far, it’s probably not hard to see which side of this argument I am on. I love to fish, and I love seeing others, especially younger kids, enjoying fishing as well. The passion we share is floating a lure down the river and feeling the tug of a monster fish on the other end. Unfortunately, because of overfishing problems, that feeling is becoming less and less common. Not only does the problem take some of the fun out of fishing, but it also has other bad side effects as well. According to the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC), the decreasing amount of fish in the sea also means a decrease in food for other marine life. The NCMC also lists problems such as a decline in fishing jobs, and depletion of food source for people who are dependant on fish. I believe these are all major problems that need to be fixed, and the sooner the better. Because of the advancement in fishing technology, large fishing ships are depleting the fish population faster and faster every year. The government needs to step in and tighten up the fishing regulations, especially those regulating the number of fish commercial fisheries are allowed to take.
Of course on the other side of the argument are the commercial fishing companies. The owners of these companies earn their living by grabbing as many fish as they can so that they can sell them to canneries, restaurants, or grocery stores. The funny thing about this is that while they are earning plenty of money now, they are ruining their business for the future. Over fishing leads to smaller numbers of fish, and the result is that these companies end up running out of fish to catch, and therefore lose their own business. Greenpeace gives a good example in the 1992 collapse of a cod fishery in Newfoundland, Canada. In this particular example, over 40,000 jobs were lost.
There are plenty of other subjects to go over on the topic of overfishing, and that is why I believe it will make for a good research topic. As an avid fisherman myself, it will also help keep me interested in the topic, and in return, help me write a quality research paper.
Sources
“Problems: Poorly Managed Fishing. Our Oceans Are Being Plundered.” World Wildlife Foundation. © May 10, 2007. http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/problems/problems_fishing/index.cfm
“The Threats to Our Ocean Fisheries: Overfishing, Bycatch and Marine Habitat Loss”
National Coalition for Marine Conservation. © 2008. http://www.savethefish.org/about_ocean_fisheries_overfishing.htm
“Overfishing.“ Greenpeace.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/oceans/overfishing
.
Fishing regulations are used to restrict the amount of fish a recreational fisherman can catch, and there are separate regulations for those who hold a commercial fishing license. The problem with these regulations, is that much like other forms of law, there are either loop holes or people who simply do not bother to abide by the rules. The World Wildlife Foundation states on their website that both of these facts are reasons why the fish population is becoming depleted.
I am interested in this topic because I myself am an avid fisherman. I have been fishing since I was a little boy, and I have witnessed the depletion of some of these fish myself. In particular, the various types of salmon along with grayling and trout have been greatly effected. My father and I have memories of catching grayling on nearly every cast in certain rivers, but because of over-fishing, catching ten fish in a full day now constitutes a “good” day. Not only have the numbers of fish been dwindled, but the size of these animals is not what it used to be. The older this fish, the bigger it gets, (up until a certain age) but the problem is that most of the fish are being caught at a young age, and so the chances of finding a “whopper” on the other end of your line has greatly decreased.
I would be more than willing to spend the rest of the semester on researching and thinking about this topic. As a matter of fact, thanks to the long winter here, I often think about fishing while anticipating the coming of summer. While most of the time I am day dreaming about bragging to my friends about the killer fish I’m going to catch, I do often think about the problems with over-fishing here in Alaska. It would be very interesting for me to not only learn more about the problems we have her in Alaska, but about the global problem as well.
If you’ve read this far, it’s probably not hard to see which side of this argument I am on. I love to fish, and I love seeing others, especially younger kids, enjoying fishing as well. The passion we share is floating a lure down the river and feeling the tug of a monster fish on the other end. Unfortunately, because of overfishing problems, that feeling is becoming less and less common. Not only does the problem take some of the fun out of fishing, but it also has other bad side effects as well. According to the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (NCMC), the decreasing amount of fish in the sea also means a decrease in food for other marine life. The NCMC also lists problems such as a decline in fishing jobs, and depletion of food source for people who are dependant on fish. I believe these are all major problems that need to be fixed, and the sooner the better. Because of the advancement in fishing technology, large fishing ships are depleting the fish population faster and faster every year. The government needs to step in and tighten up the fishing regulations, especially those regulating the number of fish commercial fisheries are allowed to take.
Of course on the other side of the argument are the commercial fishing companies. The owners of these companies earn their living by grabbing as many fish as they can so that they can sell them to canneries, restaurants, or grocery stores. The funny thing about this is that while they are earning plenty of money now, they are ruining their business for the future. Over fishing leads to smaller numbers of fish, and the result is that these companies end up running out of fish to catch, and therefore lose their own business. Greenpeace gives a good example in the 1992 collapse of a cod fishery in Newfoundland, Canada. In this particular example, over 40,000 jobs were lost.
There are plenty of other subjects to go over on the topic of overfishing, and that is why I believe it will make for a good research topic. As an avid fisherman myself, it will also help keep me interested in the topic, and in return, help me write a quality research paper.
Sources
“Problems: Poorly Managed Fishing. Our Oceans Are Being Plundered.” World Wildlife Foundation. © May 10, 2007. http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/problems/problems_fishing/index.cfm
“The Threats to Our Ocean Fisheries: Overfishing, Bycatch and Marine Habitat Loss”
National Coalition for Marine Conservation. © 2008. http://www.savethefish.org/about_ocean_fisheries_overfishing.htm
“Overfishing.“ Greenpeace.
.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Reading Response: Reefer Madness
It seems that the author of the article is attempting to reach out to a broad audience. He or she is obviously trying to attract a newer audience by giving the article the clever yet misleading title of "reefer sadness," but is also bringing in readers who are more familiar by adding the sub-title, "Scientists will study coral in this International Year of the Reef." The feeling from the article is that the author just wants to raise people's awareness about what is going on in the world, so I would asume he or she is targeting a pretty general audience.
The author tries to engage the audience by using a combination of humor and a "shock and awe" strategy. the title of the article its self is a comical spin off of the documentary, "Refer Madness," and he or she continues by "accidentaly" calling this year the "International Year of the Reefer" insted of the proper, "International Year of the Reef." The author also tries to shock the reader by quoting the IUCN in saying, "If we don't do something about climate change, the reefs won't be with us for much longer."
I'm not 100% sure which part of the article is supposed to be the thesis statement, but I believe it is a combonation of a cited fact, "The World Conservation Union says that warming seas and increased hurricanes affected more than half of Caribbean coral reefs in 2005..." and the author's opinion, "... a devastation likely to become a regular event." The thesis is located after the "hook" or part of the article where he or she trys to draw in the reader.
The author does a good job in stating facts and giving the source of the facts, but I feel that he or she leaves out a good amount of information that would be helpful to the readers. For instance, the author states in the end of the article that, " reefs are natural storm barriers and support an estimated 25 percent of all marine life." The author would have added a stronger argument if they would have talked a little more about how the reefs create barriers or how they support 25 percent of marine life.
The author tries to engage the audience by using a combination of humor and a "shock and awe" strategy. the title of the article its self is a comical spin off of the documentary, "Refer Madness," and he or she continues by "accidentaly" calling this year the "International Year of the Reefer" insted of the proper, "International Year of the Reef." The author also tries to shock the reader by quoting the IUCN in saying, "If we don't do something about climate change, the reefs won't be with us for much longer."
I'm not 100% sure which part of the article is supposed to be the thesis statement, but I believe it is a combonation of a cited fact, "The World Conservation Union says that warming seas and increased hurricanes affected more than half of Caribbean coral reefs in 2005..." and the author's opinion, "... a devastation likely to become a regular event." The thesis is located after the "hook" or part of the article where he or she trys to draw in the reader.
The author does a good job in stating facts and giving the source of the facts, but I feel that he or she leaves out a good amount of information that would be helpful to the readers. For instance, the author states in the end of the article that, " reefs are natural storm barriers and support an estimated 25 percent of all marine life." The author would have added a stronger argument if they would have talked a little more about how the reefs create barriers or how they support 25 percent of marine life.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Diagnostic Essay
In today's world, internet is making everything easier and more convenient. Everything from sending letters to filing taxes has been made easier by the invention of the world-wide-web. Attending classes and earning your degree is no exception to this statement. Today, people of all ages are taking classes over the internet. Students may be simply learning a new skill, or working towards a degree from a university. However, some of these people may find it a little more difficult than they expected. Their difficulty is due to the fact that taking an on-line class takes more responsibility, better self-teaching ability, and the desire to do well in class.
Say for instance, someone graduated high school and decided to take some college classes over the internet. They are used to showing up to class and having a teacher there to guide them through each step of the learning process. The teacher will tell them where to look for information in the text book, give them daily reminders of when assignments are due, and
periodically check their work to make sure the student is on the right track. While taking the on-line classes however, the student is much more responsible for getting his or her work done properly and turned in on time. It is at the student's discretion when to do their work, and there wont be many (if any) reminders given that an assignment is due.
Not only does the student need to be more responsible about getting their work turned in on time, but they also need to be able to teach themselves from time to time. During a normal class, the teacher is giving the lectures and leading the discussions, making sure all the students are keeping up. If a student has a question, all they need to do is raise their hand and ask. A majority of the time, when taking web courses, you log on to your "class" and there is a list of assignments and their due dates. It's up to the student to read your text and come up with the answers to any of the questions your self. While the teachers of internet courses will usually help when asked, a person will have a difficult time getting through the course if they are unable to teach themselves at least part of the time.
Of course all other points are mute if the student lacks the desire to do well in the class. Some people would say that the same desire is needed for regular classes as well. While this is true, the necessity is amplified when it comes to on-line courses. High school, and even some college classes, are set up in such a way that if a student just shows up and pays mild attention to what goes on in class, they can pass without much effort. If someone applied the same work ethic to a web-based course, the results would be much more negative. If the student doesn't want to get on-line to do an assignment, they will not receive a score, and their grades will drop. A student has to have a strong desire to do well in order to make some of the sacrifices internet classes require.
So even though the internet does give easier access to classes and degree opportunities, that doesn't mean it makes it easier to pass those classes. In order to do well in an on-line course, a student needs to be responsible, have the ability to teach themselves, and a have a strong desire to do well. An internet based class may not be right for everyone, but for those people who have the right characteristics to do well, they can be a great way to learn a new skill, or even earn a degree.
Say for instance, someone graduated high school and decided to take some college classes over the internet. They are used to showing up to class and having a teacher there to guide them through each step of the learning process. The teacher will tell them where to look for information in the text book, give them daily reminders of when assignments are due, and
periodically check their work to make sure the student is on the right track. While taking the on-line classes however, the student is much more responsible for getting his or her work done properly and turned in on time. It is at the student's discretion when to do their work, and there wont be many (if any) reminders given that an assignment is due.
Not only does the student need to be more responsible about getting their work turned in on time, but they also need to be able to teach themselves from time to time. During a normal class, the teacher is giving the lectures and leading the discussions, making sure all the students are keeping up. If a student has a question, all they need to do is raise their hand and ask. A majority of the time, when taking web courses, you log on to your "class" and there is a list of assignments and their due dates. It's up to the student to read your text and come up with the answers to any of the questions your self. While the teachers of internet courses will usually help when asked, a person will have a difficult time getting through the course if they are unable to teach themselves at least part of the time.
Of course all other points are mute if the student lacks the desire to do well in the class. Some people would say that the same desire is needed for regular classes as well. While this is true, the necessity is amplified when it comes to on-line courses. High school, and even some college classes, are set up in such a way that if a student just shows up and pays mild attention to what goes on in class, they can pass without much effort. If someone applied the same work ethic to a web-based course, the results would be much more negative. If the student doesn't want to get on-line to do an assignment, they will not receive a score, and their grades will drop. A student has to have a strong desire to do well in order to make some of the sacrifices internet classes require.
So even though the internet does give easier access to classes and degree opportunities, that doesn't mean it makes it easier to pass those classes. In order to do well in an on-line course, a student needs to be responsible, have the ability to teach themselves, and a have a strong desire to do well. An internet based class may not be right for everyone, but for those people who have the right characteristics to do well, they can be a great way to learn a new skill, or even earn a degree.
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