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Reading Research Journal When I saw the video clip for “An Examined Life” I was reminded of the work I had done in Philosophy: 1000 – Logic at Marquette University. I happen to find social philosophy and the topics of social awareness to be very interesting, under appreciated and, in some cases, over exaggerated. In having these mixed feelings I still find intellectuals opinions and insight involving our societal issues very enlightening. However, reading and listening to philosophers and scholars giving their opinions I feel they forget that they had derived their perspectives off research and reflecting. With education becoming a liability in some areas of our nation and the business of higher education is getting so expensive it is becoming hard for a lower class student to afford college or rationalize a college experience that is worth more than his parents net worth, these intellectuals in the movie and philosopher’s thoughts and perspectives can never be fully appreciated or acted upon. Reflecting on the ideas that “The Examined Life” has I believe that their ideas are a little idealistic and over simplified.
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Alexander Roth
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Alexander Roth
Deforestation: The Crime Against Ourselves
The deforestation in the South American Amazon rainforest has been polluting the earth’s air and damaging our ecosystem. Even with the large public outcry to stop clearing the rainforest there is still mass land clearing. These mass land clearings are displacing the residing organisms and are responsible in the last couple of years for endangering of many animals as well as the extinction of many organisms. The globalized producer has has exploited resources in a sensitive rainforest ecosystem in economically developing nations; taking advantage of these nation’s financial situations. Deforestation is responsible for endangering countless organisms and higher levels of greenhouse gasses and without following the proper procedures this unrestricted, unmonitored freedom will have detrimental effects on our world.
The University of Oregon teamed with a Brazilian environmental organization in publishing the article, “Amazon Deforestation and Global Environmental Phenomena” goes in depth on the repercussions of clearing rainforest for agricultural and urban needs. Since 1970 over 600,000 square kilometers of rainforest has been cleared largely due to commercial exploitation of the forest’s resources and speculated interest in clearing the land for agricultural and grazing opportunities (Butler, 2007). The oldest and most common method of clearing land is the slash and burn technique (Sudzina, 2000). This method is preferred because it takes less time then other clearing techniques and is much cheaper, however it also is extremely dangerous because trees are half carbon and by burning the trees all of the carbon is released into the atmosphere. In the Amazon at least three fourths of the deforestation is done by the slash and burn technique which releases at least 2.4 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere each year (Zuber, 1998).The increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide each year raises the world’s average temperature; which increases the sea temperatures, that causes problems like rising sea levels by melting ice glaciers (Zuber, 1998; IUCC, 1993). Discontinuing the clearing of the rainforest cannot fix the problems caused by deforestation; there must be a recovery movement. Although there has already been damage done to the world and the Amazon rainforest, simply stopping the burning and clearing of land does not solve the problem caused by the annual greenhouse gases emissions. Scientist have evidence that shows replanting trees, reforestation, decreases the patterns of warming caused by the unnatural amounts of greenhouse gases.
In a continued study by The University of Oregon and a Brazilian environmental organization an additional publication was amended to the original article “Amazon Deforestation and Global Environmental Phenomena, Part II” that moves the focus from greenhouse gas emissions to deforestation’s negative effects on the habitat, the occupying organisms and the exploitation of the inhabitants. The rainforest ecosystem is one of the most complete and the least understood ecosystems in the world and is the largest storehouse of biological diversity (Zuber, 1998). Clearing trees in an ecosystem as delicate as the rainforest has detrimental effects on the surrounding organisms and land. Trees in the rainforest have jobs besides producing fruits, oils, spices, medicines and fibers; they also protect the soil, act as watershed for some of the world’s major aquatic systems and provide habitat for a vast variety of organism (Zuber, 1998). The clearing of these trees for any reasons does more than evict organisms from their homes, it also makes the soil more vulnerable to the rainfall. However when land is cleared it is generally done so by the slash and burn method. Clearing land for agricultural purposes by the slash and burn method is an excellent start to a growing season because it deposits nutrients in the soil that was held in the plants. The slash and burn technique is used by farmers all around the world and does no different in a rainforest environment, however this common technique to have sustainable agriculture does not work in Amazon. Without the overhead protection of trees in the rainforest nutrients in the soil are washed away over time; ultimately the land cleared will no longer be able to support crops for at least 50 years for lack of nutrients to support life (Sudzina, 2000). Besides the global threats of deforestation like over flooding and emission of greenhouse gases, there are variables to consider when destructing an ecosystem as sensitive as the Amazon rainforest. There are still undiscovered, un-researched and under-researched plants in the Amazon. These plants may allow medical breakthroughs like Taxol, a drug used that enables mitosis and is necessary in chemo therapy for cancer patients, which was derived from the bark of a Pacific Yew tree (Tirgan, 1999). However, premature destruction will hinder research and discovering more helpful unknown chemicals.
Now, according to the Website Solutions to the Earth Destruction, deforestation has received a lot of negative attention and the positives have been overlooked because of it. Some of the benefits that are overshadowed are the production of jobs in developing economic states, agricultural and urban land opportunities and the collection of the forest natural resources. Nations like Brazil that struggle in developing strong economic backbones have the convenience in profiting off renewable resources. A prime example would be a nation like Brazil’s lumber opportunity. With the amount of land covered in Trees clearing it would involve the creation of jobs; not only as woodcutters, but processing plant jobs, glue makers and paper mill workers to list a few (Braasch, 2007). With cleared land comes more opportunities to build up an economy by utilizing the property wisely. Soil in the Amazon is fertile but the land is questionable because of the rain, however by splitting the land with bumper zone plants there is virtually no soil run off (Braasch, 2007). With areas not suited for agricultural development is another choice of urban development which tackles the overcrowding problems in countries like Brazil. Whatever the reason the land is used for jobs will be created to construct these areas to every countries needs. It is also speculated that in heavily forested areas there are chances for iron ore, mineral and possibly oil deposits (Braasch, 2007). Resources collected out of the forest because of deforestation can be responsible for a nation to become economically sound and becoming vital in the world economy.
Many organizations and corporations are spending large sums of money to attempt to validate deforestation and have enlisted the help or have even created alternative environmental agencies that focus their organizations attention on developing solutions to disguise deforestation as a beacon of economic hope. An example of an attempt to cloak deforestation’s ugly truth is a website named “Solutions to the Earth Destruction” that produced a web page that defends deforestation by supplying the reader with the benefits of clearing parts of wildlife. The article cannot have true justice on this particular website however, it focuses on benefiting from an environmental disaster and takes a conservative approach to the issue, while the website and its members are focused on finding solutions to end destruction on earth. Also, the author’s ethos is questionable; going on a global solution website and instead of raising awareness or giving possible solutions to deforestation simply accepts land clearing as a fact and that the solution to this global crisis is to look at the benefits of deforestation. The author focused a large amount of his web page to the economic opportunities deforestation causes without offering or even mentioning the major complaints associated with deforestation; greenhouse gas emissions and harming an ecosystem. Although the benefits the author had mentioned were aimed at benefiting nations that struggle financially, he forgot to mention the companies coming into these areas are not all public South American companies, but private companies looking for cheap labor and valuable resources. Although it is true that the countries will receive compensation from the private companies for profiting off their land, it could not be enough to jump start an economy, especially without workers’ rights, minimum wage or representation; all of which are lacking in these developing nations.
While there are obvious health and moral issues regarding deforestation along with a public outcry regarding this issue there is no positive end in sight. The greed involved in today’s globalized economy does not allow public opinion to get in the way of financial success. The amount of land that is being cleared hurts the Amazon’s ecology, destroys natural habitats and displaces thousands of homes for animals. Clearly, if these companies continue to clear land from the Amazon the regions organisms will share the same fate as the 26 other species that were destroyed by deforestation; a loss we cannot afford. The loss of more under researched plant and animal species can be detrimental in developing newer, more effective medicines. Besides the threatening of animal species deforestation is threatening the life of our planet, the continued scorching of trees is increasing our greenhouse gases causing an increase in atmospheric temperatures responsible for the melting of glaciers and rising water which threatens our modern day life style.
The continuation of deforestation in the Amazon the last four decades has severely damaged the atmosphere and hindered medical research. Although these companies that clear the forest bring jobs and revenue into financially struggling states, there are methods to clearing forest that are much safer for the air levels and for the species, living in these habitats, that companies are refusing to use. It is utter insanity to think that over 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide are emitted annually because and will be the potential cause of extinction; all for a better financial lifestyle. Additionally, another underlying factor that will influence our world is the validation that financial stability is worth more than our greater good; this greed creates an even more unsafe world. In order for this environmental mess to be straightened out reforestation needs to happen and deforestation needs to stop so we can maintain living in an environment with safe levels of green house gasses.
Citations:
Braasch, Gary. “Benefits of Deforestation.” Solutions to Earth Destruction. N.p., Aug. 2007. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
Sudzina, Chris. “Final: Methods and Effects of Topical Rainforest Deforestation.” Ecology Research. University of Miami Ohio, 17 May 2000. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
Tirgan, Michael H. Taxol. N.p., Aug. 1999. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
Zuber, Robert. “What is Deforestation.” The American Forum for Global Education. Ed. Don Bragaw. University of Oregon, Aug. 1998. Web. 9 Nov. 2011.
Butler, Rhett. “Deforestation in the Amazon.” Mongabay. Ed. Journalist Independent. N.p., Apr. 2007. Web. 9 Nov. 2011.
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Alexander Roth
The deforestation in the South American Amazon rainforest has been polluting the earth’s air and damaging our ecosystem. Even with the large public outcry to stop clearing the rainforest there is still mass land clearing. These mass land clearings are displacing the residing organisms and are responsible in the last couple of years for endangering of many animals as well as the extinction of many organisms. The globalized producer has has exploited resources in a sensitive rainforest ecosystem in economically developing nations; taking advantage of these nation’s financial situations. Deforestation is responsible for endangering countless organisms and higher levels of greenhouse gasses and without following the proper procedures this unrestricted, unmonitored freedom will have detrimental effects on our world. The University of Oregon teamed with a Brazilian environmental organization in publishing the article, “Amazon Deforestation and Global Environmental Phenomena” goes in depth on the repercussions of clearing rainforest for agricultural and urban needs. Since 1970 over 600,000 square kilometers of rainforest has been cleared largely due to commercial exploitation of the forest’s resources and speculated interest in clearing the land for agricultural and grazing opportunities (Butler, 2007). The oldest and most common method of clearing land is the slash and burn technique (Sudzina, 2000). This method is preferred because it takes less time then other clearing techniques and is much cheaper, however it also is extremely dangerous because trees are half carbon and by burning the trees all of the carbon is released into the atmosphere. In the Amazon at least three fourths of the deforestation is done by the slash and burn technique which releases at least 2.4 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere each year (Zuber, 1998).The increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide each year raises the world’s average temperature; which increases the sea temperatures, that causes problems like rising sea levels by melting ice glaciers (Zuber, 1998; IUCC, 1993). Discontinuing the clearing of the rainforest cannot fix the problems caused by deforestation; there must be a recovery movement. Although there has already been damage done to the world and the Amazon rainforest, simply stopping the burning and clearing of land does not solve the problem caused by the annual greenhouse gases emissions. Scientist have evidence that shows replanting trees, reforestation, decreases the patterns of warming caused by the unnatural amounts of greenhouse gases. In a continued study by The University of Oregon and a Brazilian environmental organization an additional publication was amended to the original article “Amazon Deforestation and Global Environmental Phenomena, Part II” that moves the focus from greenhouse gas emissions to deforestation’s negative effects on the habitat, the occupying organisms and the exploitation of the inhabitants. The rainforest ecosystem is one of the most complete and the least understood ecosystems in the world and is the largest storehouse of biological diversity (Zuber, 1998). Clearing trees in an ecosystem as delicate as the rainforest has detrimental effects on the surrounding organisms and land. Trees in the rainforest have jobs besides producing fruits, oils, spices, medicines and fibers; they also protect the soil, act as watershed for some of the world’s major aquatic systems and provide habitat for a vast variety of organism (Zuber, 1998). The clearing of these trees for any reasons does more than evict organisms from their homes, it also makes the soil more vulnerable to the rainfall. However when land is cleared it is generally done so by the slash and burn method. Clearing land for agricultural purposes by the slash and burn method is an excellent start to a growing season because it deposits nutrients in the soil that was held in the plants. The slash and burn technique is used by farmers all around the world and does no different in a rainforest environment, however this common technique to have sustainable agriculture does not work in Amazon. Without the overhead protection of trees in the rainforest nutrients in the soil are washed away over time; ultimately the land cleared will no longer be able to support crops for at least 50 years for lack of nutrients to support life (Sudzina, 2000). Besides the global threats of deforestation like over flooding and emission of greenhouse gases, there are variables to consider when destructing an ecosystem as sensitive as the Amazon rainforest. There are still undiscovered, un-researched and under-researched plants in the Amazon. These plants may allow medical breakthroughs like Taxol, a drug used that enables mitosis and is necessary in chemo therapy for cancer patients, which was derived from the bark of a Pacific Yew tree (Tirgan, 1999). However, premature destruction will hinder research and discovering more helpful unknown chemicals. Now, according to the Website Solutions to the Earth Destruction, deforestation has received a lot of negative attention and the positives have been overlooked because of it. Some of the benefits that are overshadowed are the production of jobs in developing economic states, agricultural and urban land opportunities and the collection of the forest natural resources. Nations like Brazil that struggle in developing strong economic backbones have the convenience in profiting off renewable resources. A prime example would be a nation like Brazil’s lumber opportunity. With the amount of land covered in Trees clearing it would involve the creation of jobs; not only as woodcutters, but processing plant jobs, glue makers and paper mill workers to list a few (Braasch, 2007). With cleared land comes more opportunities to build up an economy by utilizing the property wisely. Soil in the Amazon is fertile but the land is questionable because of the rain, however by splitting the land with bumper zone plants there is virtually no soil run off (Braasch, 2007). With areas not suited for agricultural development is another choice of urban development which tackles the overcrowding problems in countries like Brazil. Whatever the reason the land is used for jobs will be created to construct these areas to every countries needs. It is also speculated that in heavily forested areas there are chances for iron ore, mineral and possibly oil deposits (Braasch, 2007). Resources collected out of the forest because of deforestation can be responsible for a nation to become economically sound and becoming vital in the world economy. Many organizations and corporations are spending large sums of money to attempt to validate deforestation and have enlisted the help or have even created alternative environmental agencies that focus their organizations attention on developing solutions to disguise deforestation as a beacon of economic hope. An example of an attempt to cloak deforestation’s ugly truth is a website named “Solutions to the Earth Destruction” that produced a web page that defends deforestation by supplying the reader with the benefits of clearing parts of wildlife. The article cannot have true justice on this particular website however, it focuses on benefiting from an environmental disaster and takes a conservative approach to the issue, while the website and its members are focused on finding solutions to end destruction on earth. Also, the author’s ethos is questionable; going on a global solution website and instead of raising awareness or giving possible solutions to deforestation simply accepts land clearing as a fact and that the solution to this global crisis is to look at the benefits of deforestation. The author focused a large amount of his web page to the economic opportunities deforestation causes without offering or even mentioning the major complaints associated with deforestation; greenhouse gas emissions and harming an ecosystem. Although the benefits the author had mentioned were aimed at benefiting nations that struggle financially, he forgot to mention the companies coming into these areas are not all public South American companies, but private companies looking for cheap labor and valuable resources. Although it is true that the countries will receive compensation from the private companies for profiting off their land, it could not be enough to jump start an economy, especially without workers’ rights, minimum wage or representation; all of which are lacking in these developing nations. While there are obvious health and moral issues regarding deforestation along with a public outcry regarding this issue there is no positive end in sight. The greed involved in today’s globalized economy does not allow public opinion to get in the way of financial success. The amount of land that is being cleared hurts the Amazon’s ecology, destroys natural habitats and displaces thousands of homes for animals. Clearly, if these companies continue to clear land from the Amazon the regions organisms will share the same fate as the 26 other species that were destroyed by deforestation; a loss we cannot afford. The loss of more under researched plant and animal species can be detrimental in developing newer, more effective medicines. Besides the threatening of animal species deforestation is threatening the life of our planet, the continued scorching of trees is increasing our greenhouse gases causing an increase in atmospheric temperatures responsible for the melting of glaciers and rising water which threatens our modern day life style. The continuation of deforestation in the Amazon the last four decades has severely damaged the atmosphere and hindered medical research. Although these companies that clear the forest bring jobs and revenue into financially struggling states, there are methods to clearing forest that are much safer for the air levels and for the species, living in these habitats, that companies are refusing to use. It is utter insanity to think that over 2.4 billion tons of carbon dioxide are emitted annually because and will be the potential cause of extinction; all for a better financial lifestyle. Additionally, another underlying factor that will influence our world is the validation that financial stability is worth more than our greater good; this greed creates an even more unsafe world. In order for this environmental mess to be straightened out reforestation needs to happen and deforestation needs to stop so we can maintain living in an environment with safe levels of green house gasses.
Braasch, Gary. “Benefits of Deforestation.” Solutions to Earth Destruction. N.p., Aug. 2007. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. Sudzina, Chris. “Final: Methods and Effects of Topical Rainforest Deforestation.” Ecology Research. University of Miami Ohio, 17 May 2000. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. Tirgan, Michael H. Taxol. N.p., Aug. 1999. Web. 4 Nov. 2011. Zuber, Robert. “What is Deforestation.” The American Forum for Global Education. Ed. Don Bragaw. University of Oregon, Aug. 1998. Web. 9 Nov. 2011. Butler, Rhett. “Deforestation in the Amazon.” Mongabay. Ed. Journalist Independent. N.p., Apr. 2007. Web. 9 Nov. 2011. -
Alexander Roth
I did not want to do my reading journal entry on the chapters of “Why White Rice” but instead on a book I am reading independently. The novel “Requiem for a Dream” by Hubert Selby Jr. has been my favorite book since my junior year of high school. The book is written in a different kind of format that challenges the reader to distinguish between who is talking and know the characters. It is a very painful story of addictions, misunderstandings and hurt relationships. The book is also a movie that is very well made and directed, but lacks a few details that takes away from the story line. I believe that I am so interested in the novel because of my own experiences with herione, cocaine, eating disorders and pill popping. I have had close friends who have died from cocaine and herione overdoses and many who are still bound by the addictive powers those drugs have. In addition, I have had problems with anorexia and bulimia that I have been battling since fourth grade and I was abusing pills in my freshman and sophomore year, I also take a share of the responsibility for introducing a few of my friends to certain drugs that has caused them to go through rehab. I do not idolize drugs any more. The novel “Requiem for a Dream” is the story of three wide eyed young adults and drug users who have ambitions of living a rich lifestyle. Financed through stealing and selling themselves for sex they start selling herione. While selling, two of them become addicted to herione and the other cocaine. This eventually leads to their split from eachother. Two go to jail, one of them has a serious infection in their arm and has it amputated, while the other one, a girl, loses her dream of becoming a designer and sells her body for cocaine and money. There is also the mother of the amputy in the novel who is a character who can relate to nearly anyone. A very shy, older woman who had lost her husband, has unconditional love toward her abusive son and self medicates through overeating. While her son is living the life of a drug dealer she is duped into thinking she will be going on a T.V. game show. Her ambitions of becoming a glamorious T.V. personality force her into taking diet pills that are low level speed and send her into a malnutritious state of insanity. The story has other twist and turns but really shows the power of American pressure to become rich and live a lazy lifestyle. I love this book.
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Alexander Roth
The considerable amount of volunteered time in the United States has increased tremendously because of graduation requirements, class assignments and a strong urge from older generations to help change the conditions our society has brought itself to. Volunteers are typically engaging in community service and help “repair the broken windows” of our communities. For example, there are recycling drives where students and other volunteers go through trash organizing recyclables from trash and there are a considerable number of volunteers who will donate their time to a non-for-profit agency dedicated to helping the less fortunate. All of the services and time these people volunteer is extremely helpful and shows how there are those willing to dedicate their time for the greater good. However, when looking over my own community service hours lists I notice that the time that I dedicate is to resolve problems we create for ourselves. For instance, I volunteered over 20 hours to various recycling drive campaigns and looking at why I was dedicating time I realized that the laziness of large amount of Americans forces a small minority to clean up after them. As discouraging as that may come off to be, it will not dishearten me from helping my fellow man. The laziness I mentioned is not deliberate, but derived from ignorance and a lack of motivation. Activism is the service activity dedicated to teaching the world about the problems we face and constructing a solution that will benefit the world we live in. As simple as my defined perspective of activism seems to be, being a successful activist is probably one of the single hardest occupations. Activist do not just dedicated convenient hours to a number of general issues, but their lives to educating their communities and country of a problem and solution; trying their best to raise awareness on a specific nuisance plaguing our society, country, and/or environment. Now I am not bashing the community service work we participate in because without volunteering many issues would go unnoticed, but activists give their whole hearted effort to bettering our world for everyone else; an admirable career that should be more sought after.
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Alexander Roth
The Survivor Activity
The survivor activity is an excellent accountability exercise that pushes the reader to reevaluate every trait, dividing characters weaknesses and strengths, trying to figure out the l. While looking through the individual’s biographies the reader is compelled to keep the individuals with the most value; sacrifice those with less value or who are liable. Because this is all hypothetical the reader does not have to look at the relationships that the characters have with each other, but not looking at the situation if it was real life made this exercise turn from a simple “yes” “no” exercise into a self-evaluation exercise.
The characters I chose were specifically chosen so that may be able to work with each other. I do not see the point of saving a bunch of lives so that they may split up after the fallout. I know that families are each other’s support systems and it would be tragic if a family member had to be lost. I saw there were degrees in higher education and the people in the shelter seemed to all be knowledgeable of their community, whether it is from community work or from crime. Not to forget that this group was extremely diverse, having the three major American races: Caucasian, African American and Spanish Americans. I wanted this group to become their own support system so I tried to keep the survivors as morally righteous as possible so that they would not cheat each other and keep those who have had a strong work ethic and solid educational background. After setting those guidelines as the base foundation for this project I began writing the pros and cons of each character, even adding in personal information if I felt I knew the kind of people they were representing. Although I am judging the characters backgrounds and history, I am using my own experience with people for this exercise. I kept characters that showed tenacity and a strong work ethic because creating a post-fallout community is going to take a huge amount of effort and sacrifice and if they are too self-involved or fear the worse of people they become a liability and will risk the success of their later survival.Lastly making the final decisions for who will be allowed to live in the fallout shelter was probably the hardest part of the exercise although it might have only taken me five minutes. I decided the least helpful individuals would be Mrs. Hernandez, Jean Hernandez, Dr. Garcia, and Bobby Lang.
Mrs. Hernandez lived a misfortunate life coming from foster homes, living with heartbreak, trust issues and having to make a living off of prostitution. I am real glad that I did not have to make this decision because Mrs. Hernandez did not have a fair life and had to grow up on her own. She would be fine if she got to live post-fallout because she strikes me as a person who had to grow up on their own, a real individual. However, this new community cannot survive if individualism is the attitude of its members.
Jean Hernandez, the three week old daughter will go with her mother. She is too young to be able to survive the post fallout radiation anyways. The immune systems of five week old babies cannot beat the disease and effects of the radiation. Besides those points, babies create large amounts of waste and because there is a lack of water there would be no way of keeping her, or the other members, safe from the bacteria that she will produce.
Doctor Garcia was the person I did not want to sacrifice but because of his medical history, the two heart attacks in the past five years, he would be a liability. I understood he is a general practice doctor, who would be necessary in the new society but because there is a medical student, Mr. Newton, I honestly believe the future civilization will be fine.
Finally the last person I decided to sacrifice is Bobby Lang. Bobby’s parents are essential, in my eyes, in developing this new society but because of Bobby’s retardation he is a liability.
Concluding this exercise was difficult, I really had to look at the facts and not personal preference. For example, Mr. Newton was a bitter person when talking about race and I did not want to have racial profiling in the future society, but because of his health, skills and age he was a perfect fit in my ideal-post fallout community. This exercise pushed me to evaluate what I knew to be imperative in this society and examine why I chose who I chose. Overall it was a self-evaluation, I could easily point out how I personally relate to each one of these individuals, and realize that their faults are also unattractive traits I have to work on. -
Alexander Roth
“Village Voice” by Hessler was the most impressive story I have read in a very long time. The story talks about Rajeev Goyal, a man who is so willing to make a difference he actually motivates those around him to act in accordance with him. Rajeev is a young adult with enough energy to fix all the world’s “third world” problems, however he is working to do so by becoming an active member in his nation. Reading this story of universal help, understanding and comitment to do good is a refreshing breath of air. Too often the news published is too negative, the idea that the world is all crime, cheating and a collection of sly actions has dominated the minds of millions, creating this idea that the only good that can be done is the good one can provide for themselves. Rajeev broke through so many obstacles just so he would be able to feed just one more person is inspring. I often have the thought of giving up after facing countless obstacles, and as unproud as I am of it I have. Rajeev gave me hope. He is a fighting force for good, not being violent or demanding something be done, creating puiblic anxiety because of his powerful emotion stirs up others’, but through his kindness and persistence he is slowly but surely affecting the lives of thousands. The funding Rajeev is raising for the Peace Corps is what I believe the majority of our tax money should go towards, not 800 billion on military. The world has enough hate to drown the weak, but the strong, like Rajeev, give hope to those who really need something to believe in.
— Peter, Hessler “A Reporter at Large. Village Voice: The Peace Corps Brightest Hope.” New York: The New Yorker. 2010. 1-10. splatter.writing101.net: The Messy Art of Writing. Web 9, February 2012 -
Alexander Roth
Eggers’ short stories were different but together, compared and contrasted, I saw a consistency in his message of writing. “Your Mother and I” was an interesting story about the adventures a husband and wife had, possibly a reflection of the lives that most married couples with kids would hope to have. I often hear stories of how an individual was on route to do some amazing things but the fact that they had fallen in love could’ve stopped them. Its often the case that marriages and relationships have coinciding interests that restrict one or both of the individuals involved. “Your Mother and I” is a wonderful dream that love and the power of single human beings have the influence to stop the unjust in the world (I.E. genocide, media controlling the minds through fear, the AIDS epidemic, etc.). The combination of “Your Mother and I” with “What it Means when…” made me reflect on how there are thousands of problems in the world ranging from economical to religious to political and so on but the fear and the shock that surrounds these events often discourages most citizens to act. For example, in “What it Mean When…” the main character saw the brutality of his own people on a man who was in our military, his initial shock not only gave him a deep feeling of regret for the mistreatment for those who give their lives for our nation but paralyzed him from accomplishing the tasks that await him for the day. “Your Mother and I” was an unreal story, but never were there mentions to regret or how sad and uncontrollable a situation was, everything was a problem with an answer. “What it Means when…” was a more human perspective on issues in our world; the average human being is so distraught at the actions that the reasoning behind them is lost. Overall the two stories were interesting reads that allowed for free thought.
Eggers, Dave. “What It Means When A Crowd In A Faraway Nation Takes A Soldier Representing Your Own Nation, Drags Him From His Vehicle and Then Mutilates Him In The Dust.” How We Are Hungry. McSweeney’s 2002: 17-18. “Splatter: The Messy Art of Writing.” Web. 01, Feb. 2012 -
Alexander Roth
Live? Die? Kill? Rough Draft
Trying to define who you are and what you are about is a difficult task. There is often a misunderstanding of one’s self and through college and the youth of our lives we begin to really understand our own thought processes and the reasoning behind our actions. Karen Michel had gone around and asked the general public three questions that, if taken literally, would inspire some critical thinking and examination of ourselves and who we have become throughout our time on this earth. However, these questions are very simple and are often pondered in our own minds: What would you live for, what would you die for, and what would you kill for? When Karen asked the questions they were in a short interview and in a setting that wouldn’t contribute to developing clean, well thought out answers. However, when I began writing notes and evaluating my life on these questions it demanded that I understand my own behavior and what I sought from myself.
Typically asking the question, what would you live for, is received with lifted eyebrows and an instant misunderstanding. Trying to explain why a person does anything that he/she does is difficult especially if they’re unfamiliar with the interviewer, but when I had the time to reflect on this question I begot answers that were the prime motives for my drive. First, to understand my stance I have I must give a brief background. I attended high school at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin on a near-full ride scholarship and had worked hard at setting goals and attaining them. I was president of my National Honor Society and was a member in three separate honor societies; I had been captain of my football and wrestling team and received all state in lacrosse; I also was class president and ran a service learning project aimed at educating inner city Milwaukee school kids on leadership and building character; I had an award named after me when I graduated and had also received a full ride to Marquette University on a Naval ROTC scholarship. I attended Marquette University in August 2011 and quickly ran into medical problems, losing my scholarship and being left with a bill for over eighteen thousand dollars. I went through a brief bout of depression and had abandoned my religion at that time asking myself, “If there was a god, how can this happen?”
However, as low as I felt I still got up every day that semester and walked to class, took notes and studied for my tests. I have a love for learning that no amount of misfortune could take away. My love for education came from different sources in my life that also drive me to be the best I can be. I came from a home where self medicating was normal. My mother was a verbally and emotionally abusive alcoholic, my father was very overweight and after their divorce in 2006 I gained over a hundred pounds between 7th and 8th grade. I was becoming dangerously obese. The saving factor in my health was attending St. John’s and finding teachers who replaced the rolls of my parents and helped me lift myself out of depression. Tim Shramek, a man who I consider to be my father today was also my history teacher for 3 years in high school and is one of my heroes. I look up to him and wanted to make him proud because his amount of effort he poured into me showed he cared and if he cared about me, then I should care about me and my future. Additional teachers and coaches also helped mold me into the person I am today and each of them contributed to my success in one or more aspects of my life. Reviewing my life and those who have helped me has allowed me to define my many reasons for living. All that embodies who I am is derived from those who helped me reach my potential. The emphasis of religion in high school allowed me to discover my spiritual self and serve my spiritual needs. The coaches pushed me and my teammates to be the little lion that roared and exercise our mind, continually pushing for more and more effort and dedication until the effort we gave on the field transcended all aspects of our lives. I live my life for those who I love and love me, for the religion I so strongly believe in, for the opportunity to learn from everything around me, to experience different and new things, and now to hopefully be able to teach.
The question that follows in Karen Michel’s interview is, what would you die for? Honestly, if my death solved whatever problem I had in mind, the world would still be left with hundreds of issues to replace whatever my death remedied. Nonetheless, my death would have to be for whatever I truly felt needed to be focused on. For the last few years in my life I have heard adults tell me and my friends that they were sorry for leaving the world we live in such disarray for the future generations. The extreme amounts of debt, the corporate greed that is relevant in almost every political office, the over hyped media that continually fills the minds of United States citizens with fear and the lack of jobs so our extremely expensive education will not be as useful as theirs was are awful previews for the life after college we will have to face. If I died and remedied these problems then our lives would be more focused on helping each other and not in the fear and panic of today’s western civilization. In addition to those problems, I have noticed a lack of commitment that is prevalent in most people today. Simple fixes and instant gratification have become so attractive that a strong work ethic is rare. While, we spoil ourselves with the internet, fast food, television, etc. we see everything done so fast and right that accidents and messing up is considered to be a sin. People are refusing to seek responsibility for their actions in all facets of life. All things considered, I would die in order that seeking responsibility became an attractive trait to have.
Understanding my reason for living and what I would like to see from the world if my death remedied a specific problem, the final question in Michel’s interview is, “What would you kill for?” Non-violent protests have been more effective in modern history and because of that, my religious and moral beliefs and from personal experience I have a firm stance about violence that it is unnecessary and barbaric. Again, for the sake of Karen Michel’s interview questions, my motives for committing murder would need to cure an incessant problem I have observed in my lifetime. I have had experiences with many alcoholics in my life. My mother is an alcoholic that relapsed after close to four years sober in August 2010. She is still struggling with her addiction and her bouts with her substance abuse. Her boyfriend was also an alcoholic, but also had problems with opiates and pills and because of his illness has negatively affected many people in his life. Outside of those two, I have been blessed to have a grandmother who is a long time member of alcoholics anonymous and through the program has found peace in her life. I would not murder for the sake that alcoholism and drug abuse stopped, but so the problems that affect those who self medicate find peace in their lives. The problems that compel heavy drug use restrict the user from reaching their full potential and clouds their judgment so the decisions they may make are not entirely reasonable. Being able to murder and cure whatever ails those who are restricted by their addictions is an extremely far-fetched thought, but nonetheless if I could violate my morals by killing, I would kill for that reason.
Reflecting on my answers to live, kill and die, I hope that my life is a reflection of my philosophy. The actions and inaction I take part in will either contribute to my goal for me and those around me or I could lose myself in the hustle and bustle of the modern western world. The demons of peer pressure and having to become whatever the world demands of me to make ends meet is not how I intend to live my life, but I cannot say that I am infallible to the evils of society. Hopefully, the thoughts and insight on my own life will keep me driven to find a peace wherever I go and keep me focused on living the life god has intended for me. I have realized through losing my scholarship and going through different bouts of depression that whatever will be, will be and losing myself whenever the unexpected and unwanted happens will hinder me from reaching my full potential and influence.
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Roberto Kobik
First off let me start by saying that was an epic paper. You have great grammar and reasoning skills. It is also visible that you put forth a great amount of work toward this paper. You spoke with great diction and by using those rather uncommon words it added to the effect of your paper and also clarified a few things better because of these detailed words. I’m not going to get very specific with the words you used because that alone would be an essay but I do believe it added to the emotion of your paper and I did notice wherever you could you put a more sophisticated word. This is the first paper that I read that has a more personal introduction and I like that. I think that by telling us a little about your past and what is important to you it helped the reader understand why you chose the specific reasons you would live, die, and kill for. It helped the reader understand your choices better for example you said you had a not so great past because your parents had issues. Then you stated that you live for the teachers and people in your life that believed in you and played a big role. Your introduction helped me understand that and if you had not written it in the style, form and order that you did it would definitely not be the same paper. Then to my understanding you would only die for something that would greatly change the world. Even though the world would still have many problems if you found something that you would truly believe in and it would impact the world in a substantial way than you would die for that. So for example that one Buddhist that lit himself on fire for a better cause is something along the same lines of what you would die for. I think the reader also gets a better idea of why you chose these reasons because you were descriptive with your beliefs and your past which has influenced your decisions and caused you to be the person that you are today. Also to my understanding the only reason you would kill for is if you found some way to free people of their addictions. Although killing is against your beliefs to kill you would for those people struggling with addictions. You’ve seen what addictions do to people and how it effects others around them like their families and for that reason it is important to you to try to stop these things. If you could somehow find a way to do that then that would be the only reason you would kill for. I did like your paper and I did understand the vocabulary you used but I know some people that are not that advanced yet and your diction might confuse them. I’m not saying to change anything it was an excellent paper I just fear for those who might get confused with the word play you used.
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Alexander Roth
Wow thank you for the complements, your words really are encouraging. Your feedback really insured that the points I was aiming for were communicated and that takes a huge weight off my chest. I must laugh reading the last bit of your peer review when you referenced my vocabulary, I tried my best not to confuse anyone (I sometimes have problems with sentence structure and run-on sentences) and I will keep in mind my audience more next paper. Thank you again for the review it was very helpful.
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Armando Cortez
I have to say it was a well-written paper I was impressed. You covered every aspect in the paper and gave interesting detail out of it. I like the way you used different vocabulary in your paper, that’s truly something I’m hoping to get better at and hopefully incorporate later on but that was good. I also did noice how you gave some emotion to your paper with some some of your personal stuff in there, that’s something I do admire about that because that’s what makes the paper better. I could say from a standpoint that I personally being able to do that because I know the reader is going to want to keep reading. And I could honesty say that I kept on reading until the end that’ how good the paper was and interesting from the beginning of it until the end. There was one part where you said you would kill in order to free people from addictions like alcholism and help them. But to me I think, this is what I have learned with going to church and being christian and reading the Bible that killing other human beings is considered a sin. It seems like you would do it anyway just for that one reason and which I think it shouldn’t be that way. Instead find other ways to try and help that cause but that’s just my opinion. In reference to the paper it was well done and your grammar was also nice as there were none that i saw. The reasoning behind every answer to the question was something that was interesting grabbed my attention much like your introduction. Overall I’d say you have nothing really to change do more papers like this and I’d say your good to go.
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Alexander Roth
Thank you very much for your feedback, it is appreciated. I do understand what you mean about killing and even though I tell the reader I am a christian I would still partake in the sinful act of murder, but I did try to emphasize that only on these specific (an somewhat unrealistic) conditions would I ever do such a heinous crime. Your comments were encouraging and I am glad to know that religion is such an inspiration in your life.
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Amber Bey
I found it funny reading the first sentence of your first paragraph and remembering that this was exactly how I felt when I began writing my paper. I think your opening was great, and it really caught my attention. I immediately noticed that you have amazing diction and writing style, which is imperative for essays. I think the best essays are those with interesting stories within them, and you often chose stories to depict how you felt about a certain circumstances. In mentioning storytelling, your second paragraph really touched me. I am astounded that you had to endure such difficult times. It makes me ashamed in myself. While I am always complaining about such minute things like writing papers and cleaning, there are people like you who are pushing through such negative life changing situations. I am very sorry that such a terrible thing happened to such a driven person, but I am also happy to hear that you were able to fight through some of life’s difficulties.
Something else that stood out in your essay is the fact that your parents were not always around to encourage you. I think I can somewhat relate to you in this way. My parents are divorced as well, and my dad has never really been in my life to motivate me. Besides that, I thought it was a good idea to make close relationships with your teachers. That will most likely guarantee extra help and good grades. Although you mentioned how your teachers and coaches helped you through life, I think you could have told more stories to back up these feelings. This would have made your answer to the first question more descriptive.
I think your decision on what you would die for is very interesting. It is not something I would ever think of myself, but I do believe you have some solid points. I agree that society is so overly wrapped up in the media’s views, that they do not have their own opinions. People should focus more on how they could contribute to society, and stop believing everything portrayed on the television and computer. I believe this myself, but unless televisions and computers somehow become banned, people will always follow what other people with high status are saying. You dying could never change the thoughts and opinions of the rest of society. It is a wonderful thing that you think about other people besides yourself, but in this case the only thing you can do is worry about your own judgments.
I greatly respect your answer to the last question. Reflecting back on it makes me upset to think about how many people suffer from addiction. I am not sure what possesses these people to want to harm themselves, but it would be an amazing thing to be able to stop. I know numerous people that are victims of addiction as well. It is something that makes my stomach hurt thinking about, so I definitely know how you feel. I agree that I would kill for a cure to addiction.
Your essay was compelling and overall fantastic. I think you did a good job of getting your point across. I enjoyed reading about your life and the important events that have shaped it.-
Alexander Roth
Amber, thank you very much for your kind words and insight on my essay. I will try to put more background information regarding my coaches and teachers. In the “What would I die for?” part of my essay I found your comments helpful. In that specific part I wanted my death to have an impact on the world I left, and I found it sweet of you to remind me that judgements and thoughts could not be controlled, but for that exact reason is why I wanted my death to be dedicated to changing one specific attitude (the attitude on accepting responsibilities). I am sorry to hear that you have had your own experiences with addicts, it is a stomach churning provocation and a tear jerking realization that our friends and family suffer from problems that has them reduced to self medicating to handle them. I found your peer review to be a well written, perfect example of what Mr. McGuire wants from his students and an efficiently written response that brought up issues that I would not have realized. Thank you very much for the time you spent.
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Corey Gallai
I thought this was a well written paper. I liked the personal connections that the writer used in this paper. In my opinion that always makes a paper better. You have a great style for writing papers. I’m sorry to hear about the things that you have had to encounter in your life.
It seemed like you lived for the school you went to. You had the teachers give the guidance you needed when your parents weren’t there. I think it is always to try and make good relationships with teachers. I have always tried to do that. I liked that the coaches have also been there to help you. If you could have given a specific description that would have helped out with the first question a little bit more.I found you section on what you would die for interesting. I did not think of it that way before. I believe society is headed in a bad direction and we need to find a major way to fix it before it really gets too late! People need to find ways to help out in life. We need to stop worrying about ourselves and see what we can do to help others around us.
I also liked your section about what you would kill for. It is sad that so many people die from drug addictions and alcohol addictions. I think you have a strong point for what you would kill for.
Overall, this was a great essay. I could see that you really took the time to write this paper. I liked all the personal stories you added. They helped make the paper more interesting to read. This paper wanted me to keep reading until the end. You did a great job addressing the questions that Prof. M wanted. Keep up the great work!!!
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Alexander Roth
Thanks Corey for your input. Its kind of funny to see the directions your 8th grade classmates took isn’t it. I initially wasn’t too excited to see you read my essay, I thought I would have been easier to take feedback from those who do not know who I am, but your response is inspiring me to realize that what I have to say is not completely idiotic. Thank you very much for spending some of your time reviewing my essay and writing a response, it is duly noted.
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Alexander Roth
My idea of ecological literacy is an understanding of how the natural systems of the earth work in order to maintain our livable environment. A person who is eco-literate can understand the ecosystem and using the principles of the ecosystem can help create sustainable communities. However, becoming eco-literate is not obtained with a diploma or school certificate, but through active community work in a person’s own community or region will allow that person to obtain knowledge and become more familiar with his/her surroundings and can acknowledge the interdependence in their community. The individuals who have dedicated their time to understanding their own community and their region can see the harmful waste production their community creates or the mass use of unneeded electricity and how it not only effects the environment but everyone in the neighboring population. Acknowledging the problems with local ecosystems allows for human interference so that we can change our behavior and possibly remedy any problem (I.E. Recycling programs, informing residents about local ecosystem problems). Those who are eco-literate understand the relationship between our ecosystems and society. I do not believe I am eco-literate in my current community because I have not examined the effects of my community’s behavior or observed any environmental concerns. Although I have not seen any red-flag problems in my own ecosystem I do not have a solid grasp on problems prevalent in nature so having an education in this field will contribute to becoming eco-literate. However, those who are more eco-literate than me have organized recycling drives in my residential community and my participation could be taken as a step in becoming eco-literate.
Capra, Firtjof. The Web of Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1997 -
Alexander Roth
The grading contract seems fair. However, will the class be given an example peer review essay? If not will we have a class dedicated to revising each others papers?
Armando Cortez, 
Amber Bey, and 
Roberto Kobik are discussing. 
Alexander Roth, 
Corey Gallai, 
Roberto Kobik 1:38 am on February 27, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
PEER REVIW PROJECT 2
Well written paper you have wrote. You have picked a very interesting topic that is also rather unheard of in todays society. A lot of people often hear problems such as hunger or homelessness but this is a topic that is rather rare yet just as important. I do agree that something should be done to preserve the rain forest and its organisms. The lack of forest and greenery to absorb carbon monoxide is causing this worlds atmosphere to become worse causing us to have more climate changes. A lot of wildlife specifically rare wildlife that only survives in that environment is also becoming endangered. You must have been thinking outside the box when you picked this topic. You did however put “has” twice in the first paragraph in the fifth line. I also learned a lot more things that I did not know about this issue by reading your paper. You included a good sum of information throughout your paper, informing the reader well on the issue. You give many consequences to what will happen if you destroy the rainforest and you also give reasons why the rainforest is useful. You say that there are still many undiscovered and un researched plants. I think it is good to include many pros and cons throughout your paper. You provided a lot of good information throughout the paper giving the reader a good idea of the situation. I think the paragraph you included about the website and how it favors for deforestation even though the name says other wise is pointless. You do also need to add ways that this issue is being solved currently and how we as society can help. The main goal of this paper was to persuade a reader to act. Although you included a lot of information about the topic and benefits to not destroying the forest, you did not give any information on how I can help. There is also no contact information included for those interested to help. Also the form you wrote it in was a little wrong because it is not an essay but more of a pamphlet or brochure type thing. So the six or seven questions or main ideas you should address should be also titled as if a reader were looking through an ad for example. So you could title every few paragraphs as stated in the project directions. The goal is to persuade me to help and inform me on how I can help if you have successfully persuaded me. So b reading your detailed paper the information has persuaded me to look into this problem more but I do not know what I can do to help. When listing the ways you can help you should also mention specifically what duties one would have. As others in their papers just simply said volunteer, it would be better to state the specific job you can do. So if I were to volunteer will I be protesting, spreading the word around to others, or chaining myself to a tree so they can not cut it. All of this information would be handy to incude in your paper so the reader knows the whole overview.
Amber Bey 10:24 am on February 28, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I thought your introduction was attention capturing and clever. Deforestation is a topic that most people would probably skip over or ignore, which is why it is a good topic to inform people about. It is also a problem that could end up affecting the entire world. Hopefully this will cause more people strive to stop it. I thought your introduction was very informative and an overall great start to the paper.
It is sad to think about how money hungry humans are. Your essay made me realize that people do whatever it takes to rake in cash; even if it includes harming the entire ecosystem. People do not realize that deforestation can greatly affect our future generations. It seems like the only thing people care about is doing whatever it takes to make as much money as possible right now. If people do not realize how harmful this issue is, then many problems could occur. I did not know that burning trees could let out toxic chemicals to the environment. I did not know carbon was so harmful. I could tell that you took the time to focus on every issue that relates to deforestation.
Knowing that the rainforest is a place of unknown treasures it is unbelievable that people are so willing to destroy it. There could be so many unknowing species in this unique place and we may never know because of this issue. People may be cutting these trees down for no reason, since the soil is being ruined without the shade from the trees. This is a great reason to prove to people that cutting down the rainforest is absolutely nonsensical. Not being able to harvest on this land will make it more useless.
Even though deforestation could cause more job opportunities for our society, it will still harm many species in the future. I would think keeping the planet a safe place for every living thing would be more important than worrying about making money. It is kind of a selfish thing to only be worried about the present generations, knowing that there are many that will eventually suffer from the problem. These people are our great grandchildren.
It is ridiculous that there are no organizations willing to attempt to limit deforestation. As long as people are making money off of it, nothing will change. It seems terribly wrong for organizations to actually disguise deforestation and make it look like something that will help the economy. Knowing that the companies that are doing the deforestation are private companies looking for cheap labor makes it even worse. It’s upsetting that humans can be so selfish.
This paper made me realize how damaging deforestation is to the earth. I never really thought about it on this level before. I knew that deforestation killed animals and hurt the ecosystem, but it did not know all of these facts about the burning carbon and everything else. Your paper made me desire to go out and slap the people who believe deforestation is acceptable. I thought this paper was very informative, and you have a great writing technique. It seemed like you did a great amount of research. I thought you could have added a little more about organizations against deforestation and how people could help. Other than that, this was a great paper.
Armando Cortez 2:23 am on March 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Well first off i think it was interesting topic to begin with, that was one of the social issues I was leaning on doing but anyways for the most part it was pretty good. I liked how in your paper you were able to use alot of positive affects and the negative affects of this followed by enough information to really make a reader like myself really understand. actually reading your paper was really insighting for me because I actually was able to now really understand how this a major issue in the society today. I never really looked at it from the perspective that you were coming from but with what you gave made me realize that it is a growing issue and it should be done something about it as soon as possible. Endangering species is something I never really took into account but now with some of the information that you gave in your paper it’s making me really think. Although I said it’s pretty good for the most part i think maybe if you can add how we can all help as a society to try and stop this deforestation from happening, I think it would help out much more. But for the most part it really did get me thinking and it’s something we are taking for granted not really taking it to consideration at all. That to me speaks volumes that us as a society don’t care of ehat could happen if something like this continues to happen because it is still happening as we speak. It really does suck how no one organization would be willing to do anything about this cause instead they try and look at the bright side of it all when in reality there is no bright side only a sad nightmare with deforestation present. But overall it, it was fine paper like I said it was one that i was thinking of doing but for the most part you had some good information backing up why they should stop doing what they are initially doing globally with deforestation. Labeling some of the paragraphs could also be helpful in the long run you know maybe for the future, but that’s just something little for the majority of the paper I liked it, your on the right path to getting better.
Armando Cortez 2:39 am on March 1, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I would also like to say that deforestation to me has really also let me see that there are many resources that can be done as you mentioned in your aper and it really is sad how they are only caring about how much money going to get out of that situation. Like if money is the only thing in the world and it’s not that’s what these people have to get through there thick skulls. they should stop making this about the who gets the bigger deal out of it and actually look at how this a is a big problem and they should be doing something about deforestation somethimes I guess it could be called ignorance but knowing how they’re dong things i don’t really know what to think of it now. Hpefully someday there will be something done, who knows all we can do is hope .