Please discuss your overall impression of improvements you've made in your academic skills set in terms of researching, reading, writing, and discussion.
All the academic work which we have done in ELP in order to improve our academic skills was not new to me as I have been doing this sort of work in school before coming to ICU. However, learning about reseaching from the begining again and also doing work which requires much reading, writing and discussing has helped me improve my skills as I was able to go over the fundamental aspects of each skill. The skill which I improved most on would be my writing skills. Although I had been writing essays and reports since middle school, I had never fully thought of or thought out the structure of my essays. By writing essays along with an outline, it really helped me improve my structuring skills which I greatly feel has helped me write more pursuasive essays.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Blogging Assignment # 7
"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal" - Albert Einstein, 1917
This quote expresses Einstein"s negative view of technological progress. He states that this process is "like an axe", which is a dangerous tool, "in the hands of a pathological - a mentally disturbed condition (the free dictionary) - criminal", a definition of a person who is guilty of violating or doing wrong to innocent people. It is obvious by this quote to understand Einstein's negative attitude towards technology. Imagine a person who is in a mentally disturbed condition holding an axe. I think many would imagine a person swinging an axe around uncontrollably, creating harm where ever that person goes. This situation is what Einstein has stated is like technological progress which can be understood that he believes has a negative, harmful effect on the people. i think this prediction that the technological progress is taking an effect "like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal" is very likely to become reality. The progress may become out of our control as innovations are being invented in expotential speed as explained by Garreau in Radical Evolution. I do not think humans will be able to control and adapt to the pace of technological innovations, hence, reality is most likely to become a Hell scenario.
This quote expresses Einstein"s negative view of technological progress. He states that this process is "like an axe", which is a dangerous tool, "in the hands of a pathological - a mentally disturbed condition (the free dictionary) - criminal", a definition of a person who is guilty of violating or doing wrong to innocent people. It is obvious by this quote to understand Einstein's negative attitude towards technology. Imagine a person who is in a mentally disturbed condition holding an axe. I think many would imagine a person swinging an axe around uncontrollably, creating harm where ever that person goes. This situation is what Einstein has stated is like technological progress which can be understood that he believes has a negative, harmful effect on the people. i think this prediction that the technological progress is taking an effect "like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal" is very likely to become reality. The progress may become out of our control as innovations are being invented in expotential speed as explained by Garreau in Radical Evolution. I do not think humans will be able to control and adapt to the pace of technological innovations, hence, reality is most likely to become a Hell scenario.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Blogging Assignment #6
Q: What does the term "the law of unintended consequences" mean to you?
"The Law of Unintended Consequences" is the scenario which result to consequences which are unintended or not predicted. These consequences can have negative effects or results such as the creation of three new races; the enhanced, natural and the rest. However, I think unintended consequences also can have positive effects on people. For example, people can discover new things in scenarios which they did not predict. Hence, I think we should accept consequences and make something out of it, even those which are unintended as they can have an important meaning in ones life. I also feel that I think this way because I think everything that happens in life is fate. :)
"The Law of Unintended Consequences" is the scenario which result to consequences which are unintended or not predicted. These consequences can have negative effects or results such as the creation of three new races; the enhanced, natural and the rest. However, I think unintended consequences also can have positive effects on people. For example, people can discover new things in scenarios which they did not predict. Hence, I think we should accept consequences and make something out of it, even those which are unintended as they can have an important meaning in ones life. I also feel that I think this way because I think everything that happens in life is fate. :)
revised: Blogging Assignment #5
I have decided to change my topic.
I will discuss and explore the question proosed by Jay Deragon in the article The Influence of Techology on Humanity: Is technology influencing humanity or is humanity influencing technology?
Thesis: Technology is influencing humanity as it is changing human nature however, humanity is also influencing technology as it can be the nature of humans to create and use technology in life.
I will discuss and explore the question proosed by Jay Deragon in the article The Influence of Techology on Humanity: Is technology influencing humanity or is humanity influencing technology?
Thesis: Technology is influencing humanity as it is changing human nature however, humanity is also influencing technology as it can be the nature of humans to create and use technology in life.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Blogging Assignment #5
Essay 2 Topic & Thesis
I.T and biotechnology are developing rapidly. As Garreau states in Radical Evolution, the curve of these two innovations are continuously rising without stabilizing. Not only are these innovations modifying our surrounding environment and making things easier to do in our daily lives, innovations to modify human beings are being created and likely to increase, such as genetic modifications, and implantation of machine-like qualities into humans. However, if these innovations increase and become ubiquitous, we are very likely to become "inhumane" (eg. not being imperfect). Will this mean our attitudes towards "humane" will change? What is "humane" in the first place? Can we say that modified humans are humane?
(i still need to think about what im going to write about it my essay..)
Topic: Technology and Humanity
Thesis: The rapid increase of technology will change our attitudes towards humanity.
I.T and biotechnology are developing rapidly. As Garreau states in Radical Evolution, the curve of these two innovations are continuously rising without stabilizing. Not only are these innovations modifying our surrounding environment and making things easier to do in our daily lives, innovations to modify human beings are being created and likely to increase, such as genetic modifications, and implantation of machine-like qualities into humans. However, if these innovations increase and become ubiquitous, we are very likely to become "inhumane" (eg. not being imperfect). Will this mean our attitudes towards "humane" will change? What is "humane" in the first place? Can we say that modified humans are humane?
(i still need to think about what im going to write about it my essay..)
Topic: Technology and Humanity
Thesis: The rapid increase of technology will change our attitudes towards humanity.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Blogging Assignment #4
Q: How do you feel about the "enhanced" students described on pages 7 to 8 of chapter 1 of Radical Evolution?
If there were enhanced students aroung me, I think I would feel very uncertain about myself. I would also feel somwhat hopeless as they are able to do so much more than what I am capable of doing. However, these enhanced people are inhumane and not natural. Therefore, I feel that these people should not be created as it will lead to problems when comparisons are made between natural humans and enhanced humans. Also, I think enhanced humans would feel uncertain about themselves too as they have qualities of a human and a robot, creating them to question what they are.
If there were enhanced students aroung me, I think I would feel very uncertain about myself. I would also feel somwhat hopeless as they are able to do so much more than what I am capable of doing. However, these enhanced people are inhumane and not natural. Therefore, I feel that these people should not be created as it will lead to problems when comparisons are made between natural humans and enhanced humans. Also, I think enhanced humans would feel uncertain about themselves too as they have qualities of a human and a robot, creating them to question what they are.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
CA Blogging Assignment #3
Q: Humans have always tried to modify the environment outside themselves to improve their lives. Now, the modifications are being done inside humans. How will this change human nature?
Humans have always modified their environment such as cutting down trees and making homes in order to make their life better or easier. Today, modifications which are considered to improve life are taking place inside human beings. For example, operations which modify the insides of a human being to cure medical problems. However, these modifications can also include genetic modifications such as regrowing body parts to genetically modifying unborn babies to create an ideal child or human. Although modifications within a human being can improve a human's life greatly and maybe necessary, genetic changes can and will change the nature of human beings as modifying genes is not a natural occurance in humans, resulting to debates whether genetic modification can be considered ethical or not.
Humans have always modified their environment such as cutting down trees and making homes in order to make their life better or easier. Today, modifications which are considered to improve life are taking place inside human beings. For example, operations which modify the insides of a human being to cure medical problems. However, these modifications can also include genetic modifications such as regrowing body parts to genetically modifying unborn babies to create an ideal child or human. Although modifications within a human being can improve a human's life greatly and maybe necessary, genetic changes can and will change the nature of human beings as modifying genes is not a natural occurance in humans, resulting to debates whether genetic modification can be considered ethical or not.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
revised: Blogging Assignment #2
I have restated my thesis a little AGAIN.
My thesis is now,
The fact that minor gender identities are being discriminated by the society for identifying themselves in the gender they feel comfortable is unethical, hence, there is a need for the society to have a more flexible and accepting attitude towards gender, as there are more that two types of gender categories in the world.
Firstly, I will explain the fact that there are differences between sex, gender and gender identity.
This will explain concept of gender minorities.
I will then explain the types of genders humans self identitfy in and the issues each type faces.
Lastly, I will explain why they face these issues and the effects which will help me explain why there is a need for the society to have a more flexible and accepting attitude towards gender.
In conclusion, I will sum up the idea that gender is broad and should not have limitations, it is natural to not be able to associate with the gender / sex one is, and is necessary for the world to understand this and change their views towards gender minorities.
:]
My thesis is now,
The fact that minor gender identities are being discriminated by the society for identifying themselves in the gender they feel comfortable is unethical, hence, there is a need for the society to have a more flexible and accepting attitude towards gender, as there are more that two types of gender categories in the world.
Firstly, I will explain the fact that there are differences between sex, gender and gender identity.
This will explain concept of gender minorities.
I will then explain the types of genders humans self identitfy in and the issues each type faces.
Lastly, I will explain why they face these issues and the effects which will help me explain why there is a need for the society to have a more flexible and accepting attitude towards gender.
In conclusion, I will sum up the idea that gender is broad and should not have limitations, it is natural to not be able to associate with the gender / sex one is, and is necessary for the world to understand this and change their views towards gender minorities.
:]
Saturday, September 17, 2011
CA Blogging Assignment #1
The topic I chose for essay 1 is identity in gender.
The reason for why I chose this topic is because identity is a major interest of mine and I wanted to approach it from a perspective I have never gone into depth before - gender.
For the essay last trimester we did concerning culture, I researched the types of identities of Zainichi Koreans and realized that identity is something we create according to what we feel comfortable as or what we can understand and relate to, not just heritage or physical appearances, such as gender. Therefore, identity regarding gender is not formed by the physical traits which create one to be male or female, it is what one feels comfortable as or can understand.
However, females who do not act female or vice versa are not appreciated or accepted by the majority of the society. I feel that this is discrimination and a form of violation agaisnt humanity as they are restricted in freely expressing themselves. Hence, there is a need to change the society's attitudes towards identity through gender.
My thesis statement for my essay (as of now) is, although gender is a way to classify humans, it should not be used in the process of identifying them as gender is not only restricted as just two types.
:)
The reason for why I chose this topic is because identity is a major interest of mine and I wanted to approach it from a perspective I have never gone into depth before - gender.
For the essay last trimester we did concerning culture, I researched the types of identities of Zainichi Koreans and realized that identity is something we create according to what we feel comfortable as or what we can understand and relate to, not just heritage or physical appearances, such as gender. Therefore, identity regarding gender is not formed by the physical traits which create one to be male or female, it is what one feels comfortable as or can understand.
However, females who do not act female or vice versa are not appreciated or accepted by the majority of the society. I feel that this is discrimination and a form of violation agaisnt humanity as they are restricted in freely expressing themselves. Hence, there is a need to change the society's attitudes towards identity through gender.
My thesis statement for my essay (as of now) is, although gender is a way to classify humans, it should not be used in the process of identifying them as gender is not only restricted as just two types.
:)
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