The American Dream

Monique Perez
Eng 215-Final Project
December 8, 2009
The American Dream

Immigration has been a problem for several years and has gone through many generations. North America has always been known as the place where dreams come true. Immigrants come to North America with the hopes of creating a better life for themselves, to be successful and to pursue any lifelong goals and accomplishments they might have. According to John Maggs article The Economics of Being Hispanic, it discusses negative economic impacts that the Hispanic race has brought or taken away from North America.

An estimated 500,000 migrants come to the United States each year which pushes our nation to an estimated 11.6 million undocumented or illegal immigrants in the United States. Hispanic immigrants travel to the United States in the hopes of creating a better life and pursing dreams. Many Hispanic immigrants are outraged at how they are treated and stereotyped. “The largely Hispanic demonstrators say they deserve a shot at the American dream, no matter how they got here” ( Lynch & Woodyard). Hispanic immigrants are essential workers on American farms, in hotels and restaurants and on construction sites. An estimated 7.2 million illegal immigrants provide much of the unskilled muscle that the United States Information Age economy requires: 36% of insulation workers, 29% of farm hands and 27% of butchers. Many of the Hispanic immigrants do labor under harsh conditions and take any job they can get because they need to make a living and support their families.

Hispanic immigrants are mostly poor and when they arrive to the United States they take the lowest- paying jobs. They do this due to the lack of education they have received. Many of the Hispanic immigrants come to the U.S. hoping to find a better career and/or purse school to expand education and to get specialized for a certain career field. Many Hispanics immigrant have trouble attending school now with the law being so strict and not having the necessary funds to pay for school or have the ability to apply for scholarships. Many Americans complain that Hispanic immigrants are destroying our nation because they are not contributing by paying taxes, when in doubt 55% and 65% of illegal migrants have income and social security taxes withheld from their pay. Those who buy or rent homes also pay property taxes and in some communities that impost sales taxes, Hispanic migrants are paying those as well. “Despite popular suspicions that Hispanic immigrations are taking away jobs, depressing wages, and draining tax dollars, the evidence suggests otherwise” (Maggs 421).

Now, there are those Americans who feel that illegal immigrants are a direct threat to their livelihood because they feel Hispanic immigrants take way jobs. With the fall of our economy many Americans who lost their jobs felt that they could not get work because most descent jobs were taking by immigrants. “Jobless for three months, construction worker Michael Williams, 49, says the immigrant workers he sees gathered outside Los Angeles area Home Depots will work for half his customary $100 daily wage. "You have a lot of illegal aliens here," says Williams. "It takes food off the table."” (Lynch & Woodyard). The government should be looking at the employer who is paying the illegal immigrant under the table and blame the employer instead of pointing negatively at the Hispanic Immigrants as if it is their fault for our falling economy. President Bush made this statement on the issues of immigration by saying, "There are people here working hard for jobs Americans won't do." This is in fact true, I believe that Hispanics are willing to do the work that most people wouldn't like to do or normally just don't do. People hire them because Hispanics are willing to work for a cheap price and it is not because they’re not worth more money but they work for whatever they can get because at the end of the day they have a family to support just like any other person in the U.S.

“Mexican immigrants risk their lives on the way here and in the process spending most everything they’ve got” (Dougherty). Why would Hispanic immigrants want to return home? This is the land of opportunity and if they want to better themselves with a career or through school, we should allow them to try to become U.S. citizens to accomplish these goals. Regardless, of what ethnic background a person comes from should not be used to determine a person citizenship. If they are paying taxes and contributing to our economy than they should be considered American as any other person in North America. North America is land of opportunity and if that's how we view our country than we should allow others to experience it.

IMMIGRATION DEBATE
Unauthorized arrivals: An estimated 11.1 million illegal immigrants came to the USA from 1980 to March 2005, with 40% of them arriving between 2000 and 2005. Number of arrivals (in millions):
1980-1989
1.8
1990-1994
2.0
1995-1999
2.9
2000-20051
4.4

Where they work: Unauthorized workers are employed in a variety of jobs in the USA1:
Service
21%
Construction
19%
Production, installation, repair
15%
Sales, administrative support
12%
Management, business, professional
10%
Transportation, material moving
8%
Farming
4%
1 - as of March 2005. Source: Pew Hispanic Center








References:
Beedles, Bonnie and Petracca, Michael . Academic communities/Disciplinary Conventions. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall, 2001. Print.
Lynch J. David, Woodyard Chris. Immigrants claim pivotal role in economy. USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2006-04-10-immigrants-economicimpact_x.htm
Dougherty Conor. Hispanic Immigration Down With Economy. The Wall Street Journal
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/07/23/hispanic-immigration-down-with-economy/
Why Hispanic Immigration is Not a Threat to American Identity. Science Blog
http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/why-hispanic-immigration-not-threat-american-identity-12910.html
Pew Hispanic Center.2007 National Survey of Latinos: As Illegal Immigration Issue Heats Up, Hispanics Feel a Chill. December 19, 2007
http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=84
Devine, Jennifer. Hardworking Newcomers and Generations of Poverty: Poverty Discourse in Central Washington State. London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Geography and the Environment, London, UK. Nov2006, Vol. 38 Issue 5, p953-976, 24p, 3 maps.

Great work!!

Kayla,

As I went through your post I noticed how strong of a writer you are. It seems in the beginning you were hesitant but you have sure grown better through your writings and posts. I like how you write, it seems you know the perfect time to use personal opinions to help support or backup your statements. There were so many post that I enjoyed but my three favorite were "materialism", "The gay side of nature", "and "American Dream".

I liked "materialism" because your personal opinion was great! I like the direction you took in your post because I think it is one of the first that I have seen that has disagreed with the statements. I understand your point and I truly believe it is better. In the The gay side of nature post I felt you had a lot of support and great ideas. We both took a similar approach.

The American Dream post, I really enjoyed! I like your stance of opinion and completely agree with you . I agree, we really need to be looking at the company's who pay their workers under the table. Overall, your post were good and it seems you have opened up through out the semester. I did see some small grammar errors but that is about it. Thank you for your comments for this unit, wish more good writings.



Mary,

You have a great blog page, I really like the design you choose, it seems like it fits your personalty really good! :) I like how your blog always Say's smile and you have a picture of yourself smiling, its really cute! Its good to smile once in a while, I totally agree. I really enjoyed reading all of your post. They were really good and were well written very well. You are a strong writer who has developed stronger through-out the semester. It seems all of us were hesitant at first, but as the semester went on it seems we all got used to blogging and actually found it fun. You had good posts it was hard to choose but my three favorite posts were "America, A Place of Peace", "Big Spender", and "Some Shoes".

What caught my attention in your posts was how you used questions to keep your posts alive. I think the questions made everything interesting and definitely catches the readers attention. You used them very well. The some shoes post was a good story and it was something I could relate too. In the Big Spender post I like how you explained personal materials and how they are important to people's everyday life.

In the America, A place of Peace post, I liked how you explained the history of Native Americans. The information you provided was excellent and provided good support for your idea and concepts. I totally agree that Native Americans were the first to call America their home and to establish crops, etc. Overall your a good writer, thank your for your comments for this unit and wish more good writings.


Victoria,

Good writing! You have truly developed to be a wonderful writer through out this semester. I like how your post are short and simple, meaning you get straight to the point but provide good information to support your ideas and concepts. Your "Finance" post was very good. I liked how you explained the process finance.

In the post "What side of the Spectrum do you lie on??", I feel you used the class book very well to support your ideas. I think it is your best one! In the post "Money, Money, Money!", I liked how you ended your conclusion. You made the reader think for a moment on their own opinions and then you elaborated your opinion that it is an individual decision.

You overall were a very good writer and seem to grow a lot through the different assignments. Some post had grammar errors but all post had good ideas and concepts. I like your blog page colors, they are very simple yet unique. Thank you for your comments on this unit, wish more good writings.

Week 12 Blog Reviews

Brittany,

I liked your "Limited Government" post, it had a lot of great detail and personal opinions toward the topic. You made good points overall on the subject the on thing I would have love to seen, was the connection between the readings and your opinions. I do have to say that our world would still exist even if we did not have government control. This is one thing I have to disagree with you on. You mentioned our world would cease to exist without governmental control but that is not necessarily true. Many centuries ago people lived on this world before a government was even structured, take the ice ages for example when their where "cave men". Although, I get the point your making I just wanted to bring that to your attention since it did not quite make sense. One thing you are right and I completely agree with you on, is that a life without government structure now is this era our life and surroundings would be chaos and so would crime rates. Your second post "Finical Fixations" is good. You used some of the readings to back up your respones, which I feel flowed very nicely. Good writing overall good post and I did not see any errors.

Jade,

I liked your "Big Brother Society" post, it was very well written! I enjoyed reading it, it seem to flow very nicely and was very interesting. I think you used the readings very well to help support your claims. Your last paragraph had important information that helped some up your ideas and I feel it fit your post very well. Did not see any errors, it was an overall well written post! Enjoyed reading it very much. P.S. I agree with you that our governmental laws have a purpose, and that purpose is not to harm us but to protect us and our rights.

Your second post "The Development of Finance", again was well written. I have to agree with you that it seems all society wants, is to want more in life and are not happy with what they have. You had a lot of info from the readings to help support your ideas and opinions which made it more interesting and compelling. Overall, good job on the writing.

Finance and Numbers!

"Money fascinates most people"! It does not matter whether we have little or lot of money because regardless we tend to always want more. For the majority of people money is a necessity to obtain the needs to survive. Money is a necessary component that we use in our everyday lives. It is a fact that without the use of money or finance most of us would not have what we have today without these components. It is true that most American want what they can't afford but it does not stop us because we finance to help us get what we cannot afford at this particular time. According to Chance and Peterson in the article The New Science of Finance, finance is best defined as the study of how money is invested and acquired. Finance emerged after World War II becoming quickly evolved into an important quest and influence on many people and institutions.

"In recent years, finance has developed into an academic discipline, thanks to borrowed elements, tools, and techniques from mathematics" (Chance and Peterson 446). People who work in valuation are constantly pursing new ideas in increasing investments or bringing in income to keep the performance of finance. "Valuation is the science that estimates what something in the future is worth today" (Chance and Peterson 448). Economists have begun to study human behavior and have tried to use mathematics to explain how individuals cope with financial issues and burdens. It seems like our economy plays a huge role in how people spend money because when we are negatively hurting in financially we tend to not want to spend and would rather try to save money or fix our financial issues.

Learning about finance is extremely important because it is a part of our everyday life and frankly most people do not understand it, which then causes financial issues. The discipline of finance is something everyone should know and understand because it can help people organize how they spend their money. Maybe if people seek financial advisor's they can help with organizing financial burdens and guide you on the right track to paying the debts off. Overall, money is an important component to everyone's life we all need it to survive.

Week 11 Blog Reviews

Brittany: For both of your post 11/3 and 11/5 did not show up. It only has "....." Was not able to comment due to no writing.

Jade:

Your 11/3 post "A Material World" was very well written! You had good concepts and outstanding structure. I really liked how you connected materialism with holidays. It is so true, and yet I am guilty of it. I believe we all are at one point. You can not help not spending around the holidays, especially Christmas! The point that you made I truly agree with because most people spend what they don't really have. Which then causes people to be financially and emotionally strained. I really liked your post, great job!!

Your 11/5 post "The Hungry Economy"was quite interesting! It was different which made it compelling to me especially all the support (findings) that you had to back up your statements. Until you spoke on the matter I never really realized how many Asian/Pacific Islander we had in the United States let alone businesses. According to your finding there were a lot of businesses which was new for me because I never knew or I should say realized that there were that many in our metropolitan area until this post. You sure did educate me, great post, great writing!

We need Government Structure!!

To think of our nation without any rules, restrictions, or a governmental system is hard to imagine. Could you imagine it? I highly believe that we need governmental control within the United States because without it there wouldn't be any structure to follow. People would be roaming the streets mad not knowing what to do and law abiding citizens would be frightened for there life and so would everyone else. Some individuals feel that our world is full of hatred and crime currently but if you think about it, if our nation had no governmental structure crime rates and everything else negative would be ten times worse compared to the rates that we have now.

Our laws were created for a reason, to help each one of us individually by protecting our rights and freedom. Laws were not created to negatively bring down our nation, they have a purpose and should be used when every possible and appropriate to the best of our ability. If people are using the Internet to commit crimes and create or participant in illegal activity then federal officials should have the authority to investigate so that they could try find the suspect(s). Our country needs to set examples and how that what these offenders are doing is illegal and will not be tolerated or accepted. Especially since the Internet is used throughout the world for almost anything. Many corporate companies use the Internet to hold private and confidential information that sometimes contains citizens address, social security, etc which is private and must people should not see it especially those individuals who are committing crime and fraud with such information.

Even though some people may disagree with certain laws or with how the government is functioning our nation, it is still good to have stability by providing and maintaining government structure. It is part of life to disagree not everybody was born to be similar or think alike, so with that of course there will be differences amongst how people feel and what they want. By not having government control will not make this country any better, if that, it would make us more vulnerable and financially unsuccessful. I know by having laws still does not deter people from committing crimes but at least we have some type of function and process that weeds out those who commit crime from those who are law abiding. "Cryptography is very useful to anyone who can't afford to leave behind a paper trail. That could be someone running an illegal gambling business or doing insider trading or distributing child pornography or arranging the details of a cocaine shipment" (McHugh 436). With cryptography being so helpful for people who are tying to commit illegal acts, why would you not want the FBI to investigate and stop these criminal offenders?

The American Dream

Immigration has been a problem for several years and has gone through many generations. North America has always been known has the place where dreams come true. Immigrants come to North America with the hopes of creating a better life for themselves, to be successful and to pursue any life long goals and accomplishments they might have. According to John Maggs article The Economics of Being Hispanic, it discusses negative economic impacts that the Hispanic race has brought or taken away from North America.

Although, I feel Hispanics have not contributed any negative impacts to our country. I believe people misunderstand our economic system and its function and automatically assume that immigrants are at fault because they are here illegally taking our work, food, and money so it is easier to blame others for their mistakes. I believe it is true that Hispanics are willing to do the work that most people wouldn't like to do or normally just don't do. People hire them because Hispanics are willing to work for a cheap price and it is not because their not worth more money but they work for whatever they can get because at the end of the day they have a family to support just like any other person in the U.S. Not only Hispanics but many other immigrants like Native Americans, African Americans, Jews, etc, have all had to work in slum jobs and live in high poverty areas. Native Americans have been miss treated and viewed abnormally for years as well. Native Americans were one of the first people to settle in American and call it their home. The Native Americans have been excellent contributors to Earth by their agriculture and farming practices. They are peace makers and they show a lot of respect to our Earth and its land. Animals are viewed sacred to them in many ways including the Earth and weather.

Regardless, of what ethnic background a person comes from should not be used to determine a person citizenship. If they are paying taxes and contributing to our economy than they should be considered American as any other person in North America. What we know about farming, agriculture, clothing, machinery, etc have all been contributed by immigrants one way or another. North America is land of opportunity and if that's how we view our country than we should allow others to experience it. It the government is strict on who is legal and who is not than we need to come up with a system for those individuals who would like to stay here and make a home in North America.

Week 10 blog reviews

Jade,

I really enjoyed reading your post A "split" second. I thought you creatively outlined your post and made it very interesting. I have been skiing before but I have never tried snowboarding. I have always wanted to, it looks so fun! It just makes me nervous I guess, not sure why I haven't but hopefully someday I will. Is is difficult? It seems it would be. Your Ahh, the irony post was very interesting. I believe it was well written and structured appropriately to your ideas and concepts. We did have similar views about the music industry, just different concepts and ideas. It was interesting and amusing to read the direction of which you took your post. I agree with you on practically everything you said. I am a hip hop fan too and whether or not its female or male the reality of the music industry is that "sex" sales. You overall post was very good and well written! Good Job

Brittany,

I really enjoyed reading your post crash. I am sorry to hear about your friend Nancie and her mom. That is a shame that had to happen to them, sounds so scary, just so glad that everything turned out OK for Nancie and her mom! I am glad to hear that the person who was driving under the influence got some type of punishment! I believe you followed the assignment criteria very well and written a good post with great ideas and concepts. Good job! Wow, Brittany your post clean lyrics: making hip hop lame, is very interesting and well written. I like the concepts you focus on. I agree with you on all the areas of hip hop that you discussed. You would think that people who find rap artist lyrics insulting wouldn't listen to their music but its hard. The fact is, their music is still good and all their really doing is expressing themselves or issues within are society. So in some way we are still supporting the lyrics. I think it is mostly done to make money because in all reality sex does sell and to artist or anyone people will do anything to make a buck, especially if your making millions. Good Job!

Materialistic!

"Materialism is the belief that one's physical possessions constitute the greatest value in one's life" (Twitchell 388). We naturally place a big importance on valuable things, thus making materialism a vital and meaningful role in our lives. To think of our world without any material possessions is difficult to do. Without materialism, our world would not mean the same as it currently does. Most of the world spends most of its energy producing and consuming goods (Twitchell). In the essay, Two Cheers for Materialism, the author James Twitchell explains that materialism is an important part of our society because we Americans make it that way. Twitchell, argues that materialism is a "vital source of meaning and happiness in the modern world" because we allow it to effect our lives physically, socially, and mentally.

The French calls the U.S. a nation of shopkeepers because of our rapid development of a mallcondo culture. There are malls practically in every city now within our society. It is the American way within all cultures to "buy things, steal things, exchange things, and horde things" (Twitchell 389). Each item or thing a person possesses has meaning to them but that meaning may not be the same to someone else or vise versa. It is safe to say that people live through things. We create ourselves through our things. And we change ourselves by changing our things (Twitchell). Our commercial culture has been blamed for causing several negative impacts within life, but is the commercial culture entirely to blame? No, it is not, although it has contributed but would not be fair to say it should be entirely blamed. Anthropologists want us to believe that consumption habits are gender-specific but I do not completely agree with that because although women tend to shop a bit more than men, the reality is that both genders do about the same amount of shopping within their own lifetime one way or another.

Accordingly to Stanley Lebergott, an economist from Wesleyan University, argues that most Americans spend money to find happiness (Twitchell 392). Consumerism causes people to get in debt because of its easy avaiablity. It is easy for people to obtain credit cards to help buy consumer goods to support their shopping habits. Materialism offers a temporary palliative against the anxiety of emptiness but with all sadness American continue to shop and spend on materialistic things. Twitchell says that "consumption will turn sour because so much of it is based on the chiemera of debt. Easy credit=overbuying=disappointment=increases anxiety."

It seems that materialism has many affects on our society. The negative debt that our country is facing right now is one prime example of what Twitchell argues. People can be affected physically, mentally, and socially from debt and the loss of materials especially those materials that have meaning. I agree that people who work hard for their money should have the ability from time to time to shower themselves or others with gifts or materials if the feel like doing so. Most people are thankful for having the opportunity to buy things they need and like, and at least they are thankful for those item they do posses and not greedy. I believe people do not like to be categorized my either upper or lower class anymore because it offends them in someway. Maybe this is what causes so many people to use credit so that they can keep up with other people and the trendy styles which then cause them to be in debt and have financial issues later. Regardless, of the issues that arise from being materialistic, the fact is is that our consumer market will continue to rise and produce more consumer goods, thus continuing this cycle.

Do Critics Stereotype Gender and sexuality?

It is safe to say that music plays a big role in people's life one way or another. Music is an artistic form that is used to help express a persons creativity. Every body listens to music whether its hip hop, classical, pop, salsa, country, or jazz. Music has been around in most cultures for decades. Music helps bring family members and friends closer and the music gives them the ability to create lifetime memories through music and dance. When listening to music it generally creates a sense of letting loose and having fun. Your able to dance and expressively show emotions through your movements or music.

Being that music is an artistic tool it should be used however the person creating it feels free in doing so. Critics or other people's opinions should not matter. The reality of the music industry or for any industry is that "sex" sells! Having the ability to promote sexiness is one good key to making money. Whether people feel negative or in favor for certain music videos, songs, clothing, shoes, or lyrics, the reality is that it is freedom of speech. People have the right to say what they want to say. In my opinion I think critics make songs sell even more because they are not afraid to say what the public feels. They get to both the good or bad if any at all on the song and portray it has either good or bad music. Depending on what critics say most people buy CD's based on their remarks to the music, so the critics have a big part in the music industry. It is no secret that this is the reason major corporations want to get involved with large music people because it is a way for them to make money.

I would have to agree that women do get more powerful or at least have the sense of being more powerful by using their sexuality as a means to make their music more popular to sellers. If men can model and show their assets than why can't women? Not saying nudely has to be involved but there is nothing wrong about a women having power because there good at what they do, lets take Beyonce as an example. She is a mega star and one of the most outstanding performers out in the music business right now. She has truly made a name for herself and has stated that she is not going anywhere through her music and dance. It is obvious that she will continue to flourish and will do so in a classy way as she has been. Overall, "sex" sells and it is what some and most music artist have to do to promote themselves and there music.

Bad day for my Grandfather!

It was a sunny, windy evening on a Thursday night in June when my brother had a baseball game. The entire family attended the game being that it was one of the all-star games and it meant a lot to my brother that everyone went to show support. My brother always seemed to get nervous on game days and it seemed like he would transfer that nervousness to my grandfather because he too could never stay still. It would make the family feel uneasy when my grandfather would walk around because he has been sick for a while now and his condition is getting worse and it is hard for him to get around sometimes. It is a little scary! Being that my grandfather is sick means nothing to him, because he never lets his sickness get in the way of him having the opportunity to show up to his grandkids functions.

My brother had won the game that evening and my brother and the entire family decided to go out for dinner to celebrate his victory. We decided to go to Peter Piper Pizza which is normally where we eat our pizza because most of the family loves the pizza from there. We had all arrived at Peter Piper Pizza and began to order what everybody wanted. When we had finished ordering we all left to go find a big table so the whole family could sit together. Once we had got the table we all began to sit down and enjoy one another conversations. What we thought was a good and sunny day suddenly changed to one of the scariest days. My grandfather went to go sit down on his chair when it suddenly clasped and completely broke causing him to fall hard to the floor. My husband was closes to him so he quickly ran to him and started to help him up. I was so scared I ran to help pick up my grandfather, at first I did not know what to do, being that I was still in shock. As we were picking him up, my poor grandfather was moaning in pain saying he was hurting but did not know what was wrong. I could not believe that no manager came out to see how my grandfather was doing; I literally had to go get someone and show them the incident. This wonderful customer who luckily was around happens to be a nurse and ran over to evaluate my grandfather. We ended up calling 911 for assistance and they came out and picked him up to take him to the hospital.

Once he got to the hospital they evaluated him being that he is high risk with his heart and health conditions but once over looked it turned out that he had broken his arm and was bruised from the hard fall he encountered. Peter Piper Pizza never said anything nor did anything about the situation which made most of the family mad. They tried to blame the incident on my grandfathers weight but that was a false claim being that my grandfather did not weight that much and was in fact the normal weight that he should be at his age or at least that is what the doctor said. My grandparents pursued a lawsuit with the company hoping to help with medical bills that he endured while being treated for his injuries. That day was not a good one although it started out as one. My grandfather has completely recovered from his injuries but will never go to Peter Piper Pizza anytime soon.

Week 8 blog reviews

Krista:

No post for 10/13

Ray of light

This posting was very easy to read. Everything from your structure and concepts flowed nicely throughout the entire post. You answered the question thoroughly giving detail information to support your ideas. I think you are great writer. I would have like to see more of what you thought on the topic of people not agreeing with the natural perspective of homosexuality.

Aubrie:

The science of dating

Your posting was organized well. I liked how you referred to Disney characters to explain true love fairy tales, those will always be great movies! I would have liked you to relate more with article in explaining your ideas. Do not get me wrong you did relate to the article but in your posting, you had good information, I just would have like to read more into to it. Overall, it was a good well-written posting.

Jungle to Jacksonville

I love this posting. You had so much information that it kept me intrigued throughout the whole time I was reading. I think you used the quotes very well and in places that supported your ideas. I like how you kept open mind to what is natural and what isn’t when relating to animals, human and homosexuality. Very good job.

Jade:

Happy every after

Your post was well written. From beginning to end all the information was structured very well. They way you used quotes to support your ideas really fell in and gave me a better understanding to your concept. I agree that we grow up thinking there is a prince charm out in the world but what we think is completely different to reality. Good job, really liked your post.

To be or not to be.


This post was interesting. I liked how you structured your concept and ideas. I like how you explained the authors approach to the subject and than proceeded to explain with your ideas. The quotes that you added in return helped support your ideas. Overall, this post was well written. Good job

Is Homosexuality Natural??

For many years homosexuality seems to be an uprising lifestyle within our communities. Even though it has been around for all these years it seems to be gradually becoming more comfortable for the gay community to show their ideal lifestyle freely. For many years people have been trying to understand the concept of homosexuality, linking it to causes such as error within their chromosomes (genetics problems) and/or something they are born with. Whatever the issue may be to what causes a person to become homosexual it seems to be more common in our society but yet still viewed as an abnormal behavior. People immediately accept the notion that men and women belong together, but yet are not open to the acceptance of same sex relationships. In the article, The Gay Side of Nature by Jeffrey Kluger he presents a scientist by the name of Bruce Bagemihl who wrote a book called Biological Exuberance which attempts to explain the rationality behind homosexuality and the similarities between animal and human sexuality.

"What humans share with so many other animals, it now appears, is freewheeling homosexuality" (Kluger 337). Bruce Bagemihl discovered that the animal kingdom is sexually complex acting routinely with male-female pairs but also with male-male and female-female pairs (Kluger 338). Bagemihl findings explain to some degree what is believed to be "natural" within the human behavior. If giraffes, goats, birds, bonobos, and dolphins can be sexually and physically attractive to one another than why couldn't this apply to human beings? This is the question Bagemihl is trying to answer using animals because animals and humans are both mammals which then makes us similar to each other. Bagemihl mentions that this diversity is part of our human heritage. He argues that if animals naturally bond with the same sex, then humans have that same ability. Bagemihl goes on to explain that understanding the acts of nature (animal kingdom) can help explain the human behavior. This discovery can be beneficial for those in support of this lifestyle because homosexuality is suggested in other words as a "natural" form of expressing your sexuality and free choice.

The topic of sexual identity and homosexuality will continue to be a debate now and for many years to come. Most people are free minded and are open to this topic but yet there are still those who oppose this subject and find it as a wrong act. Regardless of the opinions people have this lifestyle will continue to flourish. In my opinion, it shouldn't matter on a person's sexuality. What I ask myself is how does it physically effect your life? If it doesn't then there should not be a problem. While the discovery of same sex pairs amongst animals is seen as a positive thing for those in support of this lifestyle, those against it on the other hand will still disagree that homosexuality should not be considered a "natural" behavior for humans. It depends on the individual but it is definitely a personal choice and belief. Bagemihl stands firm in saying, "that if homosexuality comes naturally to other creatures, perhaps it's time to quit getting into such a lather over the fact that it comes naturally to humans too" (Kluger 338). I high agree to his statement!

Week 7 Blog Reviews

Krista:

You Aren't Listening!

I think you did a very good job with this post. You are an outstanding writer. I liked that you summarized Tannen's ideas into your post rather than using quotes throughout your entire post. When you did use quotes you used them at it's best because it made your points stronger. The format of the post was good. I especially liked how you gave a brief summary of the article in the beginning, than focused on some of Tannen's theories, than gave a real-life example to help illustrate these theories, and finally ended the post with a well conclusion wrapping up the ideas and concepts all together. Overall, you did very well!

Working Through it

You defined evolutionary psychology very well in your post. I like how you touched based on the subject of cheating and infidelity. This topic alone is an emotional issue and has many opinions as well. I definitely agree that cheating is one of many issues to the cause of divorce within today's society. The use of citations and summarizing that you gave made your post flow very well and was very interesting. You are a strong writer! Good Job!

Jade:

Just being a Male can be deceitful

The post itself flowed nicely. You used good ideas and theories to get you point across. The post seemed personal even though you used some of Tannen's theories. To clear up my last statement is was more of your opinion but your opinion was well stated in the post which made it interesting and easy to follow. Overall, you did a good job.

Till "Divorce" Do us Part...

This post was very well written. It was very interesting and easy to follow. The citations you used complement your thoughts and ideas very well. The conclusion was good and had strong stance in what you believed. I have to say that the beginning was a little rocky and confusing but as the post went on I began to understand the approach you were going. You did very good.

Aubrie:

Lost in Translation

I think you gave a good example to help support you ideas and thoughts. In the beginning I was not sure if you used the article in your post so I had to scroll down to see if you did. Once I saw that you did about half way down I went back to the top and read over once again. The post flowed well. The only comment I have is maybe to use the article in the beginning of your post where you develop your thesis, so the reader can get a better understanding of the direction your choosing. Another would be to strengthen your conclusion, the ending seemed short and dry. You are a good writer and the post overall was very good! :)

Is Monogamy the key?

I loved this post! This one was very well written, especially the thesis. I agree that marriages can be difficult but just because they are difficult does not mean a person or couple should quit with relationships. You made good points and the citations that you used compliments your thoughts and ideas very well.. Good job!

What's Chemistry got to do with Love!!

Love is credited for life's greatest moments, yet blamed for the most crushing sorrows (Brownlee 295). Love is what "makes the world go round"! It is the most used emotion that human beings experience and most importantly is essential to our human existence. One might ask, what is love and why is it so mysterious? I believe love means a lot more than just obtaining a marriage certificate or spending thousand of dollars on a wedding ceremony, a lot more goes into the process of following in love. In Brownlee's article Biochemistry-What's Chemistry Got to do With it? and Fisher's article After all, Maybe It's...Biology, gives numerous examples to understanding why human beings fall in love.

Love is not always what you see in movies, whereas people fall in love at first sight and live happily ever after. Instead love is caused by a chemical called oxytocin which fosters the bond between mothers and children and is said to be the fuel to romantic love(Brownlee 295). The oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger to help guide the behavior that creates the emotion love. Another love messenger in the brain are the endorphins (the body's own version of drugs). The high levels of endorphins induce a state of happy relaxation, making "researchers believe the power of endorphins to affect mood may play a crucial role in bonding" (Brownlee 297). Passionate, love affects the entire human body by making the stomach turn, increasing heat rate, making the inner palms sweat, etc. These sensations come from the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve "signals between our innards and our brains, conveying information upward about our internal state and sending orders down from the brain to the heart, the stomach, the lungs, and the sex organs" (Brownlee 297). According to Brownlee, love is impossible without the vagus nerve, which then makes it essential to the human body.

Human beings are very similar to animals especially the way we establish mates and love. Most people believe that love is a natural emotion that comes to them in time when it applies but it is not really a natural emotion, instead its a learned trait. What people do not realize is that they use this trait quite frequently but are not aware of its processes. For instances when women flirt they smile at their admirer, open their eye wide to gaze at him, and as the women walks away she tilts her head down giggling nervously hoping her admirer approaches her. I do not think woman are aware that they do these things its more of an instinct or learned act that they use in aid to attract the opposite sex. According to Fisher, "eye contact between the sexes is permitted, men and women often stare intently at potential mates for about two to three seconds during which their pupils may dilate" (Fisher 300). The dilate in the eyes is a sign that there is extreme interest between two people who gaze that long to each other. You cannot simply ignore other people who have fixed eyes on you, its impossible, you must respond. The gaze triggers emotions from the brain called approach or retreat.

The human body as I have pointed out has some chemistry and biological explanations to why human beings fall in love and are attracted to the opposite sex. Knowing scientific explanations can change human beings perception of what love is and how it forms. I have always thought that love can be obtain thought "love at first sight", or love could happen with anybody anywhere. I always thought love was unexplainable, it just happened and if it did it was meant to be. Understanding how and why love is formed can change our cultural traditions. They way we look at people would considerably change, it would be more on materials and physical appearance then the inner soul. I think love should stay mysterious and fairy tale-like because it makes the relationship more interesting and fun. It gives individuals possibilities and the existence to love someone for themselves than for their physical appearances or material objects. Love is a great felling, at times you can't live with it but yet you can't live without it!

*Saving Monogamous Marriages*

According to Buss's in his article he simply wanted to examine evolutionary predictions about sex differences and see "whether men desire youth and physical attractiveness and whether women desire status and economic security" (Beedles 264). It is common to say that Buss's statement is true but that would be stereotyping all men and women in that category, which I find not fair since all individuals are different and don't think alike. It is safe to say that women do want security and want a man who can protect them not only physically but financially as well. Wrights mentions that "human beings are designed to fall is love, but aren't designed to stay there" ( Beedles 280). I definitely agree that everyone at some point in their life falls in love, but that person they fell in love with may not be the person that is necessary right for them. I highly stand to the importance of preserving heterosexual, monogamous marriages because it is important to our families and our future generations. It is what humans were made to do. According to the Book of Genesis of the bible, the first man and woman was created by God thus forming "Adam and Eve". The history of "Adam and Eve" is the major reason to why men and women are magnetically attracted to each other, which than creates short-term or long-term relationships with the opposite sex. It is not a surprise that people in relationships let alone in marriages have problems, it is the way life is, everyone one has problems and disagreements were just not made the same. We are all uniquely different from each other, not one person thinks the same, so it is expected to have differences.

From my experience and most women we grow up believing in fairy tale stories and happily every endings. You expect that your true love is out there and once found the two of you will get married, have kids, and live a wondering happy marriage that last forever and forever. I at least thought that when I was a little girl but obviously as I got older I understood the work that relationships need to be successful. "Despite their best intentions and vows of lifelong love, half of all married couples end up divorcing" (Beedles 262). This is not surprising because in this generation divorce rates are at its highest than it was years ago especially around our ancestors time. According to Darwin's theory of sexual selection there are two key processes by which evolutionary change can occur. Those two keys are the preferences for a mate and competition for a mate. Meaning once you obtain a mate you most consistently fulfill his or her needs and wants and make sure you retain the mate because if you don't there is always someone else ready to take your place.

The overall importance of preserving monogamous marriages is passing down the family line. Being able to pass genes and keeping the generation of family continuing and expanding, in my opinion is very important. If we took that a way our whole concept of living would no longer be of existence. We can not let the bad times change our natural way of living. I think people give up to quickly on fixing the issues they have within their marriage. Obviously there are times when it is a must to get rid of a mate especially if they are experiencing inflicted physical and/or psychological abuse from their significant other. "Divorce is a human universal that occurs in all known cultures" (Beedles 271). Divorce is so common now in our society that it seems to be getting more accepted. I ask myself, should it be? I think people need to wait longer before the rush into relationships and pursue marriage. Getting to know the other sex is important because were two uniquely different people and that alone causes issues but I think if we are capable of dealing and negotiating disagreements we can preserve monogamous relationships.

He said/She said (WILL YOU LISTEN)!!

Disagreements are something mostly everyone has experienced at some point in their lifetime. Men and women are uniquely different and with that so is our communication level. According to Tannen women create relationships by exchanging secrets, and ultimately find conversations as a way of establishing friendships. Women want their husbands to be not only their lover but their best friend, in whom they can be themselves and discuss anything with. I could relate to this because I see my spouse as my best friend and the person I could share anything with and not be judge upon. Men establish friendships a lot differently than women by talking less and doing more active things together like sports,etc. Which can explain why some disagreements that my spouse and I have had end up the way they do.

The other evening I was at home relaxing with my spouse when I had brought up a conversation dealing with our vacation plans. We had planned a vacation a while back and it is coming up in the next couple of weeks and I was doing some last minute arrangements. I simply wanted his opinion on the type of excursions he would like to do on our vacation. I dislike it when I have to choose everything, its not fun! I like it to be 50-50 not just me making plans and he knows that. He actually is really good and giving me his input but I guess that particular day I got the impression like Tannen says, "He just doesn't care"! With my spouse not saying much on the topic and the body language he was giving made a disagreement occur. Now what could have been just on the vacation topic now turned into to "why are you ignoring me"? Everything went south all from a misunderstanding.

Tannen mentioned an example about a guy that would cover his eyes to concentrate on what his girlfriend was telling him so he can get a better understanding and listen properly. The girlfriend took it as if the boyfriend was playing around or suddenly going to sleep. This example that Tannen gives reminded me of my spouse and I because when I was talking to my spouse he began to lay down with his eyes closed as well. I took it as if he was ignoring me but when I asked him he said he was paying attention but I was not used to that body language. When we normally have conversations we mostly sit and look at each other and tell one another about our day. I was wrong about my spouses body language, I should have not jump to conclusions. Tannen's article on sex, lies, and conversation has great ideas to help resolve or at least explain the issues of disagreements between the opposite sex. Now that I know Tannen's ideas hopefully it can help me with disagreements in the future whether it be with my spouse or any individual of the opposite sex.

Week 6 Blog Reviews

Jade: I haven't seen the movie Sorority Row yet, but I have seen previews of the movie and I cannot wait to watch it! I like how you detailed the movie in your posting. Even thought I have not seen the movie yet you gave me an idea through your descriptions on what I will be looking at. I agree with you that movies either have a significant other or accomplice with them while they are committing serious crimes. These types of story lines do make movies more interesting to watch.

Yes, it was interesting reading your post "cheers to the future" due to the fact we had the same subject but yet two different perspectives. I like the way you made your points relate to your examples, they fit very well. You mentioned great technology examples to back up your perspective. You did really good! I think your a good writer and can't wait to read your future postings.

Aubrie: I absolutely love the way you took your topic with the posting "the fracturing of the family" because it is completely different from mine. You give great detail in explaining the growth of our technology and have to agree that technology is definitely alienating us from family members. I cannot even remember the last time we took family pictures! Goes to show how much we rely on technology such as cell phones, computers, etc. You do a job at explaining this!

Sorry to say, but I have not seen the movie Troy yet. Although you gave such good detailed information of the movie that it pictures a great image in my mind. I am for sure going to rent it so that I can expand my image and knowledge of the movie so that I can get a better understanding of your concepts. You did do a good job with the article!

Krista: I like your ideas. You are right that cell phones are every where now a days! I admit I use my phone all the time, without it my day would not function correctly being that its way I communicate personally and work related. You gave good examples of how and why technology is expanding but the only thing I did not see was how it was in relation to gay or lesbian identity. I would have like to see your ideas on this subject and how you would of relate it! You did a good job!:) Look forwarded to more of your postings.

I haven't seen the movie Descent yet but I plan on renting it so I can get a better understanding of how you are relating your concepts and examples together. I think you outlined the movie very well. The outline gives my the ability to view in my mind what the movie would look like. I wish you would have related to the article a bit more just to get more of an understanding to what you were explaining as a "real wild women" to be in that particular movie that you chosen. Overall, you write very well and look forward to more of your postings! good job :)

Hidden Stories: Capitalism and Gay Identity

In the article Capitalism and Gay Identity, John D'Emilio discusses several good points as well as an interesting viewpoint to the understanding of homosexuality, homosexual identity and capitalism that I have never consider to have had any relation before but find it very interesting. D'Emilio explores the relationship between the rise of capitalism and homosexuality. In the seventeenth century the family was truly an interdependent unit of production. They had farmed land that was owned by the male head of the household where the man, women, and children would all work together to farm their food and produce all the goods they consumed. The home was a workplace, the survival of each member depended on the cooperation of the entire household. Families would have seven children or more to help produce grain because it was necessary for survival. In the nineteenth century people began to sell their labor power and work for wages, thus families were no longer considered an independent unit of production. According to D'Emilio homosexuality was caused by the rise of capitalism. With the ability to find work out side from the home men were no longer having to work at home to tend to farm land, therefore the need to marry or have kids was no longer necessary. D'Emilio says that capitalism had knocked down the material foundation away from family life, thus creating an opening for homosexual identity. Once family households were not seen as a way of survival and instead was seen as a personal choice rather than a requirement is when homosexual identities began to appear in our society.

Throughout the years the American family has changed dramatically. It is obviously that science, technology and capitalism has advanced our American lives. As science and technology enhanced it push away the family structure apart because it gave Americans the means to be independent and free. With the technology that we have today gay and lesbians are capable of getting sex changes done to fit their lifestyle. Gay men are able to adopt kids to create the family like structure they want but with a same sex person. Same for lesbians, they are able to get pregnant using clinics that donate sperm to create that family like structure as well. Homosexuals are like heterosexuals they still want that loving family structure the only difference is their preference. With technology being so advanced homosexuals are able to live a heterosexual-like life being gay or lesbian to what fits there lifestyle.

As I look at today's families things are very different to as they were in the past. People do not have seven or more kids anymore if any children they most likely have two, one or sometimes even none. Marriage does not seem to mean the same as it did when my grandparents got married. Many people have broken families whose parents have split up.I have seen people get married for wrong reasons and quickly divorce in a short time after. A man and woman can be together for along time, have kids and never be married. Even though these families are still families within themselves there just different from past generations. People can argue whether the growth of technology and capitalism is positive or negative but the fact still remains that the growth of each will change society and American lives regardless.

"Real Wild Women" and/or "Wild Real Man"

As I began the assignment I started to think of “wild real men” and “real wild women” characteristics. Movies did not naturally pop in my head until I read the readings and then I began to think of movies that had these characteristics. The movie I choose to use is the movie “Enough”, starring Jennifer Lopez. In this movie is a woman who tries to flee her marriage with her daughter and does it successful by living a life under a new identity. After many years of turmoil and threats from her husband she realized it would never end unless she really did something about it, so she finally fights back.

The movie features Jennifer Lopez, Tessa Allen, Bill Campbell, Dan Futterman, Juliette Lewis, and Noah Wyle. The movie is about a working-class waitress named slim (Jennifer Lopez) who meets the man of her dreams named Mitch (Billy Campbell) one day at the dinner where she worked. Slim and Mitch ended up getting married and after the arrival of their first child Gracie (Tessa Allen), her picture perfect life shatters when she discovers Mitch’s hidden possessive dark side, controlling and abusive ego. Terrified for her daughter’s safety, Slim flees with her daughter trying to live a life under a new identity and look. Mitch continues to stalk Slim and harassing and threatening her, she realizes that it will never end unless she does something. She seeks a lawyer in the attempt to get him arrested and out of her life but the lawyer insist that she has waited too long to report it and there is nothing that can be done. The lawyer notifies her that self-defense is the only thing that can save her. Finally, Slim is forced to fight back so she seeks a personal trainer to help her learn good techniques in fighting and protection. In the end slim engages Mitch with a physical and psychological battle, showing him that she has had ENOUGH!

In the article “Seduction and Betrayal in the Heartland: Thelma and Louise”, the author mentions how this article is related to revenge and how it is viewed when women act this behavioral trait. The author goes on to describe the Thelma and Louise movie as avoiding “the trap of superficial gender – war movies, typified by female-abuse –and –knee –jerk revenge plots” (Boozer 212). I believe the character Slim played by Jennifer Lopez exemplifies a good “real wild women” because Slim is so pissed off about the abusive she is receiving from her husband that she wants revenge but instead of killing him she takes a different approach and fights back in self-defense. Mitch the husband of Slim, played by Billy Campbell also exemplifies a good “wild real men” in my opinion because behind closed doors he is this abusive, controlling and mean individual but to others he is known as a clean cut, loving man who loves his wife and family very much. The only trouble that I noticed about this film if your comparing to societal ideals is that the ending of the movie is not quite the same to real-life abusive situations. Not many women fight back, nor take classes to learn how to protect themselves. Instead most women go with the flow of life and do nothing, when in fact they should! No person deserves to be treated that way, regardless of the excuses.

Week 4 Blog Reviews

Melissa Burton- 9/15 & 9/17 post are unavailable ( no most submitted).

Melissa Paulo - 9/15 & 9/17 post are unavailable (no most submitted).

Mesann Huynh- I agree with you the more that I looked at Frida Kahlo's painting the more it became difficult to choose just one image when there was several outstanding ones to choose from. I really enjoyed the picture that you choose; it expresses a lot of emotion. You did a good job at detailing the picture; you describe the objects in the picture very well. I could understand were you got the idea of her being one with the Earth that could be very much so but they way that I interpret it is as a way of expressing sadness and being stuck in a position where she is unable to get away because she has feelings within her heart, which is why you see the roots coming out of the chest (heart) to indicate that particular feeling. Overall, you did very well, the only thing I could critique is to make sure you re-read before you submit the posting because I saw a few missed inputted words that did not make sense in certain places. :) To answer your question on my Frida Kahlo painting I do believe that if it wasn't for Rivera, Frida would have love to stay in Mexico where she felt happier to be.

The wright summary was well written. It touched on most of the key points. I agree, machines do not have common sense are incapable of expressing or even feeling emotions. I believe machines should never be programmed to have such power, they should only be used for the basic needs of what they're used for now. They should not be programmed to be human like! You mentioned this is your posting and I have to say I completely agree.

Frida Kahlo and Artictic Identity: Self Image of her between Mexico and the U.S.

http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/davis/davis8-28-08.asp

Self Image of Frida Kahlo on the border between Mexico and the United States,1932:


Like several of her other paintings the painting that I choose is a self image of herself being pulled in two different directions. The Self Portrait on the Border Between Mexico and the United States, shows that she see’s both places in different ways and to her they could never be irreconcilable. The first thing that grabs my attention is the pink dress and elbow-length white gloves she is wearing. It is if she is going to attend a dinner party. On the left side of the picture is everything that represents Mexico to her. Coming out of the ground are flowers. The skulls and artifacts on the ground represent her Mexican heritage El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). This ceremony honors the dead and assures the continuity of life. The sky is clear showing the sun and moon vividly. The building in the picture is an old hand made building showing creativity and hardworking. Everything on the Mexico side is imaged as environmental.

On the right side of the picture is everything that represents the United States to her. You can see the American flag but it is being covered by pollution from huge industrial corporate company’s. An example of one that she names in the picture is Ford. There are pictures of several huge sky buildings on the U.S. side. The picture also shows how American’s use electricity, on the bottom of the picture is a fan, satellite, and a light bulb to indicate the use of electricity. The cords of these objects are implanted in the ground like roots, so instead of seeing flowers and trees you see a mechanized world. Everything on the United States side is imaged as not environmentally friendly to the world, instead we focus more on machinery equipment.

It is clear through the image that she would rather live in Mexico then the United States because in the picture it shows her holding the Mexico Flag. It is where she was born so it makes sense that she would feel comfortable representing Mexico. Reading on her history she had moved to the United States because of Diego Rivera acceptance to work in industrialized company’s. If is wasn’t for her deep commitment to Rivera, Kahlo would have preferred to stay in Mexico were she was comfortable. Frida Kahlo had profound feelings of nationalism for her country and her people, thus this is why I choose this picture because I too have great pride in my country even though we have our flaws.


“High society here turns me off and I feel a bit of rage against all these rich guys here. I have seen thousands in the most terrible misery without anything to eat and with no place to sleep. It is terrible to see the rich having parties day and night while thousands and thousands of people are dying of hunger” - Frida Kahlo

Robert Wright "Can Machines Think?"

As Robert Wright wrote in his article, the main question he continuously asked was “Can machines think?” Wright focused mainly on technological advances and the way it could affect our society and viewpoint. He used an example of a chess game played by Kasparov, a man and the Deep Blue, a computer to exemplify that Kasparov was trying to help defend human dignity from computers. The Deep Blue had won the chess match, thus making human dignity less meaningful. “It isn’t just that as these machines get more powerful they do more jobs once done by people” (Beedles 140). This quote from the article is a good example of explaining that computers are not naturally learning new tasks, human are programming them to do so.

Wright says, “The better these seemingly soulless machines get at doing things people do, the more plausible it seems that we could be soulless machines too” (Beedles 140). Human beings began to feel less unique as computer technology expands. Robert Wright states that “the point is simply that as the information age advanced and computers get brainier, philosophers are taking the ethereal existence of mind, of consciousness, more seriously, not less” (Beedles 140). Thus, many researches are bringing up consciousness as a prominent question throughout this article to find an agreeable meaning. The researchers in artificial intelligence state that the hardest thing for computers to do is the simple stuff. Computer cannot make small talk, recognize faces, or even tell jokes. Computers may be faster and smarter but there incapable of showing or expressing emotion, they lack real human qualities. As Wright says, “the lights are on, but is anyone home?”

In Wrights article defining what is and what is not consider consciousness is unrealistic because not one philosopher can agree to the same. Wright provides viewpoints from other philosophers like David Chalmers and Daniel Dennett. Daniel Dennett believes consciousness is no longer a mystery, consciousness is simply the brain, and clearly we’re all machines if we think. David Chalmers believes that with technology expanding so does the mystery of consciousness. Wrights states that some people feel that it would be going against God, because some people believe that he was the one who created it and if so the one that could take it away. This article definitely makes you think about the following questions. What will humans do, if technology and computers can do it all? Will there be a place on this Earth for us anymore? Would are existence even be necessary? Overall, in Wrights article the one thing AI and the philosophers know how to do, is disagree to agree.

Week 3 blog reviews

Melissa Burton- In you’re posting about thoughts and ideas you explained the definition of both words very well. I would have liked to hear you explain in your words how you think these words are connected, or if you think there not. You briefly discussed it but0 should would of I would have liked to see more of your thoughts on that subject. Overall, I think you explained both very well and used them as good examples.
On the posting about machines surpassing the human brain, I would have to agree that machinery would not be able to replace the human touch. Feelings are important, its human nature, one thing it’s not is taught. I do not believe you can teach computerize machinery to feel, at least I hope not at this point or ever in the future.

Melissa Paulo- Could not review did not do postings 9/8 and 9/10.

Mesann Huynh- I like your approach to the use of robots. It’s funny because we both referred to the movie “I, Robot”, in two different ways. You looked at it in a positive way and then turned it around to a negative way. I on the other hand took the movie and used it as a negative approach. Yes, computers and robot are and could be smarter than the human brain. There is no doubt that there faster at solving problems but is that all they can do? I like how you mentioned robots as a machine that can do it all, but most importantly help us. Like you said humans have a lot more complex issues that robots would never be able to experience nor understand.
I would definitely have to say that I agree as well to your statement that life lessons are learned through mistakes. It may not be the case for everyone but I would say the majority learns through experiences. The mind works in weird ways. I’m not good with names unless I’ve known you a long time but the one way that helps me remember someone is through the face. It seems that is the only way that I could remember.

Can Computers think?

According to Minsky, sophisticated computer programs equals to and even surpasses the human consciousness. Minsky is passionate with creating programs that mimic the characteristics of human intelligence. Minsky is developing a program called Magnus and once completed it will exhibit characteristics, such as learning, language, and knowledge representation which are normally connected with consciousness. Minsky says that “memory of inner states is the key attribute of consciousness” (Beedles 120). The human brain has limited records and hardly can remember their recent experiences, let a lone a lifetime. However, a computer can be programmed to uphold records of its internal states and then trace back through them if needed. Minsky goals from my understanding are to one day have computers know and understand common sense, be able to interpret language and sentences but to overall look like the human brain with several neural nets.

Minsky views speculate that he believes computers are smarter than human’s. I think he feels that the human brain is limited to certain activity and capabilities then computers. I believe computers can process things faster than human beings can. In some sense, they can be smarter than a human can, but is that the way life should be lived? I do not think so. Technology is without a doubt expanding rapidly and is used on a daily basis by millions of people. I am not saying that technology is bad, its definitely useful and necessary but to a certain extent. What technology should not be is put into a human form. Why do we need robots? Are people that lazy and not capable of providing things for themselves. With that type of technology why do human’s need to exist?

There can be many reasons to this subject but the most important is that human’s produce feelings, whereas computers and electronic devices do not. A good movie that I can use to apply my example is the “I, Robot” featuring Will Smith. This movie was based on technology, robots, and high advanced computer software. In the movie, the computer software began to over run the robots internally, having them create illegal actions but the main purpose to what they wanted was to over rule human existence and the way of life. The computer software wanted to control everything, which is ridicules; I do not think technology should be that highly advanced. Technology is a necessity but what scares me is that one day it will be the only way of life. Computer’s in my opinion should not be smarter or highly advanced then human’s, they last thing this country needs is to be overruled by human like robots or computers.

Consciousness,Thoughts, & ideas? pg96(Directed Freewrite)

What is consciousness? Frankly, it’s the most unanswered question containing to the brain. Consciousness is defined as a state of awareness of ourselves and of the world around us. A persons consciousness can consist of whatever their aware of at that particular point of time. It can be thoughts, feelings, sensations, and/or perceptions of the world. Better yet consciousness is described as a stream of thoughts. To William James, or better known as the father of American psychology, consciousness is not a fixed state or a collection of disconnected thoughts and experiences but rather it is a continuous process of thinking in which one thought flows into another (Nevid, J.S. (2009). Essentials of psychology concepts and applications (2nd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin). What is a thought? A thought is the process of thinking, or the power to imagine. Thought and consciousness are very compatible, the mean quite the same thing. To think or to have a thought is the same as being in a state of consciousness.

What is an idea? An idea is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, as “a plan for action; something imagined or pictured in the mind; a central meaning or purpose, concept, conception, notion, impression”. When one thinks of an idea and thoughts, you don’t think of it meaning the same, you think of them as two different words meaning completely different things. However, they may have differences but more importantly they are very well-matched. The definition of idea mentions that it’s an imagine or picture in the mind, which is quite similar to the definition of a thought. When I put these two concepts together I think of the thought being the initial result and then the idea. The idea to me is taking on the action of the thought, so a thought would need to occur before action could take place (idea).

Thoughts, ideas, feelings, sensations, and/or perceptions are feed through electric signals through the brain. Those electric signals let humans know what emotions, thoughts, or sensations there having at that particular time. We all experience this on a daily basis, it’s just no one realizes it. I think its human nature to be questionable, let alone to process ideas and thoughts. If humans did not do that then people wouldn’t experience anything or have knowledge on anything. Humans are inquisitive and creative, besides electric signals it is just the way humans were created, it’s a superior gift.

Week 2 Blog Reviews

Melissa Burton - Hello Melissa, I enjoyed reading your "online impression blog". I find it very interesting that you have taken an online class out of the country. I bet it was fun. If you don't mind me asking what school did you take that course from? How was it? Do you mostly take online classes? I would have to agree with you when you say that people get to know one another more in an online courses then in face-to-face interactions. Although, it is safe to say that both have there positives and negatives.

For your "can we be good without god?" posting, I agree with you because I think its a personal opinion if someone wants to believe in God or not. Everybody can do day to day actions and involve God or not, again it's there choice. Now do I believed its makes you mad which ever way you choose, no. Can it make you good, well I thinks that is defined by everyone a little differently. Like you said all religions are different and all believe in different things, so it will never be right to say whats good or wrong because it is looked at differently by each religion. So one thing good for one religion, may not be good for others, so its hard to say.


Melissa Paulo- Could not critique 09/01 and 09/03 postings.


Mesann Huynh- In your online/lecture course posting, I can relate to you because blogging is the first for me as well. I agree, it is definitely easier to express things online than in front of the class. I know for myself I hate giving speeches and/or presentations. Although, I will do them when required but even though I am not horrible at giving them, its just the fear that I have towards them. I believe its common, and a lot of people experience the same thing. Large lecture halls are not the place to have good face-to-face interactions, because there are so many people, it would be impossible to remember or get to know everyone, except those that sit next to you. Like you said, every relationship needs time, that is why it is good to compromise your time according to all of your relationships. Technology is on the rise, I do see it as a good thing its just our responsible to keep up with it and learns its areas.

For your "life without god" posting, I found it interesting to know that you are Buddhism. I am taking REL 101 as an elective and as a class we are learning about different religions and their aspect and beliefs. I am learning about Hinduism right now and inside of that is Buddhism. When you began to talk about your beliefs I knew exactly what you were talking about. I think everyone at some point looses connection with their religion but I think all in time a person can reconnect with their religion. I think people can be good without God, they do not necessarily need a religion to make them good. At the end of the day, its about the strong morals and commonsense that makes an act good.

Is there good without God?

The question here to be answered is, can we be good without god? I would like to think so because I believe it’s how the person lives their life and acts out their morals and beliefs to the everyday lifestyle. I was raised in traditional Catholic beliefs and my family would constantly stress the importance of continuing the practice by attending mass and finishing sacraments. I wouldn’t change anything I’ve learned because I truly believe those teachings, beliefs and morals have shaped who I am today. Everyone learns right from wrong in their own way, and if there wasn’t a “god” or religion to believe in people would still find a way to make their life’s as positive as they can. This is why religions exist; people need something higher to believe in to make them feel excepted in some sense reassurance of life now and after death. When people commit sin they need to be assured that they will be forgiven and rebirth through the beliefs of the religion.

Lisa Conyers and Phillip Harvey said in the book that, “a religious person is more likely to commit a crime than a non-religious person (Beedles pg 63).” It goes on to say that the more religious society is the higher in crime rates. Lisa Conyers and Phillip Harvey also said that, “studies indicate that a believer in a religion is less likely to do a good deed than is a nonbeliever (Beedles pg 63).” This is easy to believe because when a person commits a crime and they do prison time, all of a sudden they claim they were touched by god and religion. They began to preach on how changed they are and began residing biblical readings and prayers. Regardless of how committed they are to the religion now, most if not all re-offend. There are a small percentage of those individuals who use religion as an actual savor to change their lifestyle.

Every one commits sin one way or another, were not all perfect, we will never be. If I wasn’t brought up Catholic I wouldn’t think of myself as bad, I would just have learned positive morals in a different way. Faith, religion, and beliefs are simply a personal option and opinion. The only person that controls you is yourself, no one else. I do not always seek “god” for my questions in hope of an answer, instead I seek guidance and use my own knowledge and common sense to get me through my life struggles. At the end I believe a person can be good without god, it’s definitely a personal belief.

The Individual Sel "SELF"

Well the obvious between an online class and a traditional class is the face-to-face interaction. Being in an online class you do not get that face-to-face interaction with classmates as you would with traditional classes, but I ask myself, is that true? I tend to believe that a person can go a whole semester in a classroom and physically not say a word to anyone, maybe to the professor, but typically not to a classmate, unless it is required. I have seen it, and I am sure many others have as well. Does it make that person, bad? NO, some people are just not capable of expressing themselves through talking. It could be fright, anxiety, just a list of numerous reasons. I think first impressions with traditional classes focus more on appearance and then on course work. My first impression with making a blog for this course was fun. I have taken many online courses and this is honestly the first online class that has required a blog site and has required us to introduce ourselves. I really enjoyed it because it lets the person individualize themselves. Lets the individual show their creativity and oppose their opinions, without being judge or frown upon. You can really understand, relate, and comprehend all of the bloggers entries.

Orson Scott Card tries to find the core of “true self”. He states that every person has multiple versions of themselves in different settings. He questions, “Is there some core of “true self” underneath the various masks we put on for different people and different situations?” (Beedles pg 32). Card suggests that these masks are not indeed masks but rather different facets of our “true self”. I could relate to that because the way I speak to my parents and grandparents (family in general) is a lot different than they way I would speak to my co-workers or friends. Card questions are we in fact our “self” if this is taking place and I feel like I am being myself at all times no matter who I am around but I obviously feel more comfortable sharing information with certain people than I do others, so I guess in some sense I am not being my “true self”.

Erving Goffman presentation of self presents the more obvious, because he states that we manage our selves in face-to-face interactions. Erving Goffman says, “When an individual appears in the presence of others, there will usually be some reason for him to mobilize his activity so that it will convey an impression to others which it is in his interest to convey (Beedles pg. 44).”Meaning we define people as we meet them, to get a sense of whom they are, to understand their individuality and we use it in a social setting. I could relate to this because as Goffman says a person does this to learn what is expected from me will in return be expected from them, which will then be the best way to call their desired response (respect).

I agree with Gergen when he says, “the technologies of social saturation expose us to an enormous range of persons, new forms of relationships, unique circumstances and opportunities, and special intensities of feeling (Beedles pg 53).” I think you can definitely get a sense of who someone is through this blog site. They only difference is you do not have a physical face to image the talking to but that is what pictures are for.

ABOUT ME

Hello everyone, my name is Monique Perez. I am currently 22 years old and live in the city of Tolleson. I am an AZ native, born and raised, absolutely love it here! Most of my family and friends are live here as well. Although I’m always up for changes I would not mind the experience of living in New York or Florida. I’ve been to Florida, I love Miami but I have never been to New York and would like to go, hopefully soon!! I am a senior at ASU and will be graduating in December! I am very excited! I am majoring in criminal justice/criminology. I enjoy investigation things have done it since I was kid!! After graduation my goals is to one day work for a federal agency, hopefully FBI! I have never worked for any agencies yet, although I have been trying (very hard at this time). I have done lots of volunteer work and while doing that it has definitely opened my mind to the different areas of the criminal justice system. I really hope to be a homicide detective one day.

I am a family oriented person, very loving to others and I like to enjoy life to its fullest. Happy, hardworking, sophisticated, goal oriented, and friendly are just some of the words that sum up who I am. I love to dance; I have been doing it since I was five and have danced for a couple dance academies and taught at a high school briefly. I really enjoy the outdoors and try to do as many things that I can that involve being outside.

I have never really blogged before and I hope it comes somewhat natural to me. J Interestingly, I find it very amusing and fun. I look forward to doing it more often. A little bit about my personal life, what to say? Well, I am engaged to the most wonderful man and we are set to get married November 6, 2010. I have two younger siblings and one older sibling. I have a cat named Tommy who I absolutely adore. I love my mom and dad so much without their love and support I do not know where I would be. My grandparents are my inspiration in life. They give me the push to accomplish my goals. My fiancé is my life he supports me in everything that I do and I definitely look up to him. I hope this semester is a good and wish every buddy good luck and hope to hear from you.