Reflection

This class was interesting to me for a number of reasons. First, I had no idea that so many things could be used in a way that actually promoted inequality. I never thought of a park bench with rails between the seats as discriminatory to the homeless and obese. I never considered that the bicycle was discriminatory to women. We even discussed the hammer as a simple tool that could promote inequality. There are so many little things that we don’t even consider technology, like a table, a chair, the lights, and the handicapped door openers. When you study the implications of these items, you can see that in a world that values justice, there is no justice for the underprivelaged. And this is a cyclical occurance. The disadvantaged continue to be disadvantaged.

I liked the way the class was set up, with weekly readings and blogs, no tests and a final paper. With material like this, it is almost impossible to conceive of an appropriate way to test your knowledge of it. But I think this is a way for you as a teacher to watch our progress and for us to learn from each other.

I enjoyed the class discussions where we aregued for a side, whether it be about building the bridge or about the advancement in life sustaining equipment. It was interesting to actually argue with the other “side.” Though, it was difficult, because I always ended up on the side that I was personally against. =)

All in all, the class was informative, and interesting.

Reflection: China/Vietnam

In class we discussed the similarities and differences between China and Vietnam. A few things that were mentioned in regards to being similar were the high population, the socialist government, the centralized government, the high labor force, the lack of funds, and the fact that they are both Asians. As far as difference goes, Vietnam has a much higher population than China. Vietnam is also very powerful in South East Asia. Vietnam and the US have a history of war as well. China is a world power and holds one of the 4 seats in the UN. They have a major outsourcing industry, and holds a lot of US debt. China also was allies in WWII.

                One thing that we discussed was the difference in how people view different jobs. Asians are not typically in social science disciplines. They typically go into areas such as physics, math and biology. Social science and liberal arts areas are not looked at as prestigious as science-based areas. This is not as much so in the US but people still tend to look to liberal arts majors as slackers sometimes. It is frustrating that in some cultures human rights and social issues are placed second to science and research.

Reflection #11 (I think??)

We’ve been discussing nuclear energy and how people view it. For the most part, people agree with the need to find an alternative source of energy other than drilling, but many people (including myself) are a little weary of the whole Chernobyl (spelling?) incident. With the dwindling supply in oil, rising oil prices, and foreign comflict, we need to find other methods for obtaining energy. This whole “drill baby drill” ideaology is a short term solution. We need to find something that will help in the long term. Our childrens’ children will be out of luck, when all of out drilling has cleaned out the resources and there is nothing left. We’ve already made steps, like the smart cars, and public transportation to reduce our consumption in oil, but  no one seems to be too into it. In certain cities, public transportation reins over anything else. For instance, in Chicago, and the suburbs, people use the train to get to and from the city. There are major train stations in most suburbs and they are almost always packed tight with comuters. Part of this, I think is because it is nearly imposisble to park in downtown Chicago, and part of the reason people use public transportation is because they don’t have to deal with rush hour traffic. I doubt that many people are thinking “green” when they step onto the bus. But whatever the reason may be, they do utilize public transportation for that. It is difficult to think that something like that could catch on here in Phoenix, but I guess we could hope that the light rail will help. This brings about another issue, and that is the cost of implementing a huge public transportation method that the masses could use. The light rail cost millions and people do not want to invest that much money… again, they are thinking in the short term. We need to consider the long term, and move away from personal use cars and towards public transportation. (Perhaps Phoenix could get rid of parking spots, that would make people less likely to drive in.)

Reflection on Gabriel’s Lecture

Gabriel discussed technology in the classroom, and we specifically discussed ASU and technology. ASU has a huge list of different kinds of technology at it’s disposal, from powerpoints, to computers, to projecters, even simple things like the automatic door openers and motion sensors that turn off the lights when no one is in the room to save energy. In his lecture Gabriel discussed our generation as the “Millenials” and how we are more technology savvy and more reliant on technology than ever before. We use laptops in class to take notes, and utilize blackboard to communicate with our teachers. Most all  teachers require that we check out email once a day and some teachers even post study guides, worksheets, and assignments on blackboad. Without access to a computer at home, a studnet would have to do all of this on ASU’s campus, which is rather inconvient. Personally, I’ve taken numerous online classes, which I find to be great, and convenient, but they would never substitute the in class, face to face interation and discussion between students.

We discussed how technology can be disadvantageous to certain people in certain ways. It can be distracting, between cells phones and ipods, students can do anything but pay attention in lecture. One thing I find sort of contradictory, though, is ASU has implemented a text messaging emergency alert plan. If a crisis were to arise on campus, a mass text message is sent out to alert students. If for example something happened in a building next to the one we are in, we would be alerted to either stay where we are or evacuate. While this is used to spread the word to students regarding thier safety, most teachers get very angry if they see a phone out in class.

This is another example of how technoglogy is used for good on campus, we are notified of an emergency almost instantly.

Election Reflection(Extra Credit)

I am one of the few people in my classes this is actually old enough to have voted in the Bush/Kerry election 4 years ago. For the experience I woke up at 4am, stood in line for an hour and filled out my ballot. This year, having already experienced the polling place lines, I decided to do a mail in ballot. I’m very happy about that and plan on doing it from now on.

I work in a book store, which is a very politcally charged venue. People come in looking for various books about the candidates and want to discuss thier views with us. We are not allowed to discuss politics, religion or anything else that may be controversial. On of the things I found very intresting this year was how many people tried to talk to me about the candidates. Everyday, at least 3-4 people would ask me who I planned on voting for, and if I was going to vote.

People would come into the store and turn Sarah Palin’s books backwards, or hide them behind Obama books. It was actually quite humerous after a while.

On election day I had classes and I worked. It seemed that everywhere I went the majority of people had “I voted” stickers on. It was interesting to me, because usually the people who vote are the minority. This year, though if someone didn’t vote they were actually reprimanded by others. It was absolutely amazing and inspiring to see so many people get out and vote. It was also very cool for stores to offer discounts to those with “I voted” stickers on. Starbucks gave away free coffee, Ben and Jerrys Ice cream gave away free ice cream, this new restuarant called “Shanes Rib Shack” by my work gave away free lunch!! It was delicious by the way, chicken fingers, fries and a drink!! =]

My point is, this election was huge not only because we’ve elected the first African American president, but also because of the passion of the voters to actually make thier voices heard.

President-elect Barack Obama will bring amazing changes to our country and I am proud to have voted for him.

Reflection #10- Economy + Justice

The speaker, Dr. Wilson (I believe) was interesting. He read from the slides most of the time, but I did feel that he was knowledgable about his topic and felt very strongly about it.  I would have liked a more basic definition of his theories, because I am by no means a economist. In fact, economy is second only to history as my least understood topic. I don’t really understand the complexities of his plan/theory, but from what I grasped, I think that it is unrealistic.

One of his big things was providing computers to everyone to learn from the internet. One of the problems with this, if that the people who work with schools (teachers, administrators, even janitors) will end up losing thier jobs to technology. Another problem I see, is the fact that in no way will the internet ever be a comprable learning environment to small, discussion based classes. I’ve learned the most from my smaller, in person discussion based classes than I’ve ever learned over the internet.

Also, he says that people only need to work two days out of the week. This seems a little ridiculous to me, and I’m not sure I understand. But one of the biggest problems I see with this is that these people will have less interaction with other people, may become lazy and unproductive when they sit at home all day rather tahn working. In an ideal world they might use that extra time to volunteer, or help a charity, but I do not think that is the reality.

I think, in general, the speaker has some good ideas and a passion for the economy. And I respect that he does understand that the likelyhood of this theory becoming reality is small. I believe he even said at the end, that given the current economic crisis, he is not even sure if his plan is the best or would even work now.

Reflection on Nuclear Energy/weapons

Honestly I feel that I still don’t really know enough about nuclear energy to be able to make a decision on whether or not I like it, or agree with using it. However, after I did some research on Chernobyl I am more than a bit weary. I think that with all the other possibilities we have; wind, solar… we should only use nuclear as a last resort.

As far as the article we read, I did find it interesting. I wonder why the UK seems to think that they are not accountable towards the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, and I also wonder why they tried to get this passed without the input of thier citizens. The increase in Trident missles effects everyone on the globe! After the U.S. decreased our supply of nuclear weapons, they increase thiers. It seems unfair. I think that while peace is always a goal, we cannot give up our nuclear weapons when countries that don’t like us have them. It’s practically attempted suicide on our part. While I despise the idea of a nuclear war, it does seem like it could happen, and I would expect the US to be prepared to defend ourselves. Nuclear technology scares me, because it is sterotyped too much with war, hatred and destruction. As I said, I am a strong supporter of peace, but we must not let our desire for peace stand in the way of our ability to defend outselves if an attack was made.

Reflection

In class Tuesday we discussed global warming and the climate changes. I have recently been concerned with the environment and the climate change. I try to recycle when I can, and I don’t use plastic bags. I do little things but I try. I had never truely considered, however, that global warming was an inequality issue. It shocked me to hear it discussed in class, because I never thought of it promoting inequality. I think it’s important to discuss consequenses of things rather than the intent when discussing inequality. I highly doubt that anyone intended on destorying the world, and the least advantaged more so than others. However our actions have impacted everyone differently. The actions that we’ve taken to bring about global warming have not only damaged the upper class, the the lower class as well, and even more so than the upper class. The lower class is the ones who have to suffer, just like everything else.

The lower class loses more with the climate change. Air conditioning is expenisive, and the temperature is rising.. Also, we have to consider how what we are doing effects different parts of the world differently. The icecaps are melting, when the North Pole changes, everything changes. Are the people in the 3rd world countries able to adapt to this change? Probably not as well as Americans.

As always, the consequences of our actions has led to an inequality.

Reflection

We discussed this week the effect of DNA on equality/inequality.

I believe that DNA does promote inequality, mainly because only people who have been in trouble before have thier DNA on file, and this can prove to be dangerous. DNA makes jurors overlook personal testimony, and dismiss any other possible evidence. I very strongly disagree with creating a database of everyones DNA. This is a clear violation of our right to privacy. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Those who give up freedom for security deserve neither freedom nor security.” What this quote means to me, is that if people give up thier freedom to allow themselves put in a database, under the premise of a need for security, then they are giving up both thier right to freedom and security. We must stand up for ourselves and out freedom. DNA can also be mishandled, and mis interpreted. My DNA would very likely be at my work. I get paper cuts all the time there. Lets say some crime is commited at my work. My DNA is found. Does that mean that I’m a suspect? The mass possibility of some kind of misinterpretation of DNA causes me to question its ability to determine the “truth.”

DNA is unfair and inequal to many people.

Reflection #5

I personally find that I agree mostly with John Rawls. I think that the idea of justice as fairness is accurate. John Rawls suggests that under a “veil of ignorance” an individual would set fair rules for society and then they would follow them. This would allow for fairness, but not necessarily equality. It provides for opportunities for advancement for those who work harder and attempt to advance. It does require that the least advantaged receive some kind of benefit. The problem with utilitarianism is that it provides only for the “greatest good for the greatest number.” This does not allow for the importance of the happiness of the individual.

Rawls also assumes that all humans are rational and that a rational being would make rational decisions under this “veil of ignorance.” The “Veil of Ignorance” basically means that if one did not know their place in society, ie; class, race, gender, age, sex, they would make decisions that would make everyone happy, regardless of their position in society.