Blog Assignment #2 - Hum 101

Why are so many people uncomfortable with the idea that many problems don't have a single solution? Give an example of a current controversy in which there are different factions arguing that theirs is the one RIGHT answer and explain why there is in reality no one right answer to the issue.

People like to have the answer, it is human nature. Most do not like the idea of room for uncertainty. Not only is is difficult to explain a person's outlook on something if it is not a proven fact, but it is time consuming, and especially in our world now, quick and easy are the growing trends.

Creationsim vs. Evolution is a big time example of an unresolvable current controversy. Both make valid points, but where this controversy gets tricky is with it's inclusion of Religion. It is a direct hit to the believer's sense of self and egocentrism to believe in one or the other. Evolution is the belief that the world was made by the big bang theory, and that all animals now evolved throughout time. A big believer and theorist in this isCharles Darwin Those who support his theories are known as Darwinists.It is science vs. religion. And almost no one wants to be labeled a non believer in Christ, but what do they do when there is scientific proof of Darwinism? Most people do not chose one. Like me for example. I am a religious person, but i also see how people get sucked into Evolution. I think they both happened, but that is not good enough to some people. It is hard to fit into our minds that all of this could just be, but at the same time, i do think there is an ultimate creator, he just used scientific processes to create. How is that not logical?

The big bang theory, while seemingly legitimate does leave gray areas. It says, in essence ' well this could have happened, but there is no way to tell if that is what happened'. It is hard to give credit to either side, because there is not solid proof. There is the bible, but to have done research on it, it was mass produced in interpreted by many different people, religions, populations, etc. So is it 100% credible?

There are many different points made from both sides. Creationism, and evolution. If the world was full of level headed people, it would be okay to believe in both. but to believe in one, is to be anti-religion, and to believe in the other is to ignore scientific findings. The choice is yours.

BLOG ASSIGNMENT #3! "Wake up call"

1. Montag says, " We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?" What does Montag consider to be “important” or “real?” When was the last time you were really bothered about something important and real? What was it and what did you do about it?

This topic hit home in a big way with me, and probably really does with many people. Montag is talking about the importance of value, and the value of skills and family and sentiment.

"we need to be really bothered every once in a while"

A wonderful example of this is death. When someone close to you dies, what if the first thing that you think of? Besides sadness, or tragedy (if it was one), is that normally a person will start to question. And question everything from religion, to predestination , the next person to die, and the effects this has had on everyone. And to think of how one person leaving can change your entire world, and how yet on the global, or even national scale, the deceased person is just one more statistic. 

For example, in 2007, a dear friend of mine, and many others passed away in a car accident. It was such a tragedy, and at his memorial, all of his friends were there. As i sat towards the back, linked with my best friend, puffy with watery eyes like myself, i just watched. I observed and soaked in every moment, everyone's faces. In this rough crowd of teenage boys, I saw the change, i saw the realization in their faces. Some delinquents, some druggies, some skaters, and most, not so established or fully satisfied with their lives thus far. I watched their faces change, as i felt myself change. It was a wake up call. That life is short, and precious. And i cannot speak for anyone else, but i felt that i now needed to take hold of life, take fun of life and embrace it, because now it was not fair that he could not, when he was a kid who lived life so much. i felt the obligation to live and love life for him now, because he would have lived it to the fullest if he were able to. I felt this was a wake up call. And that it was much needed.
Like what Montag was describing, people tend to become complacent, and take things for granted. So there needed to be something to do that for them. They needed to be snapped out of their trance, and remember what it is really all about.

Assignment #1 Hum101

"1.   Given that the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending, is it patriotic to shop? " 

          Patriotism, red, white, and blue flags, football, a ford truck, and apple pies - are just some of the things that comes to mind when thinking of America, and being patriotic. But to be a real patriot, a citizen must also do things like support the military, vote, pay taxes, and why yes, shop. Listed in the question, the United States economy is based on consumer spending, the welfare and economic status depend on those girls getting together and going on a shopping spree! If no one bought anything, or went out to eat, no one would get paid, so no one would have money, and we would all be broke and on the street, nearly animals! It is the circle of life in the 20th century, the rotation and exchange of the American dollar.  

          Not only is it fun to shop, but the need and desire to shop has helped play a role in the advancement of technology. Because Americans wanted to shop, it became easier to shop, and technology gave purpose.  

          Some may argue, or re-butte that to survive in America, especially in our current state of recession, that it would be wise to not shop. But rather to save, pay off bills, and to spend wisely to ensure a comfortable living state. But, of those of us who are aware of the trickle down theory, in the long run, spending money in the shopping market, is better for the economy, maybe not with immediate gratification, but is it not a common goal to want what is best for the future generations, to make the world, (especially America) a better place!?  

          It is no secret that a lot of American products are not made in America, nor by American workers. So the argument there would be that the money from the sale of that product is not being returned to the American system. This, while it reveals some reality, is not entirely true. For one, the taxes added on to the item stay in America, so even if the money made from the actual item itself leaves America, the taxes will stay. Second, the seller (store) gets a cut of the profit, so that will stay. And thirdly, and the most important point of this list, is that if people shopped more, America, and product making corporations would have more money to make, and pay American workers. The big reason that America has things like sweatshops, is because people in other places will take lower wages to do the same work. But if more people shopped, America would be able to pay reasonable wages for the amount of inflation in America. So we could have American workers in American factories making such things as clothes, shoes, bags, etc. And being paid a good wage for it.   

         Shopping is supporting American economy, and slowly but surely, the economy will get better the more money is spent in the American shopping industry, and the better future economy our children will have. So get the girls (or guys) together, and head to the mall!

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