Assignment for Tues, Nov 24

Science and technology have come to pervade every aspect of our lives and, as a result, society is changing at a speed which is quite unprecedented. There is a great technological explosion generated by science around us. This explosion is already freeing vast numbers of people from our traditional bondage to nature, and now at last we have it in our power to free mankind once and for all from the fear which is based on want.

In the article “REFUSE IT”, Birkerts holds the idea that while technology makes things a lot easier and faster, it also makes people lazy and helpless. “In our technological obsession we may be forgetting that circuited interconnectedness and individualism are, at a primary level, inimical notions, warring terms.” That is, technology ultimately separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. When making a program for a company, there is a great probability that the goal with the program is to make work easier for the employees, thereby save human hours. Thus they would be able to lay off some of the personnel they do not need, and hereby save money. In this way, the production would be more efficient, but what about the consequences? For instance, a person could be alienated by the use of computer. Some people could end up using the computer all day without any human communication. These people would be isolated, and therefore may not benefit from a discussion with the colleagues. Consequently, these individuals would crave a lot of human contact in their spare time. The company could benefit from having more people solving a problem, because people inspire each other, thus creating better results.

On the contrary, Kelly says we should “embrace it” since the technological innovation has enhanced the overall standard of comfort level of developed nations, it stimulated economic growth, and supplied a plethora of innovative conveniences. Clearly, progress in technology has produced many benefits. For example, we can research problems and their solutions in minutes on the Internet; productivity is at an all-time high. And we can get more done in less time, leave more time for hobbies, entertainment or other leisure activities. We can even mix a little work into our leisure time, by taking our laptops and cell phones on vacation. This way, we can stay one step ahead on projects at work, anticipating deadlines and staying in touch with co-workers and important clients. Technology has been a wonderful aid in bringing people together, or, in many cases, back together. Speaking for myself, I can say that I have become connected with quite a number of people via e-mail with whom I might never have spoken otherwise. These include old friends with whom I had fallen out of the habit of writing regular letters but with whom I now correspond regularly because of the ease with which e-mail can be sent and delivered.

In my opinion, there should be a middle way for this situation. People can solve problems through the technological means and network, but do not treat the computer as the only friend. That would be a bad bargain. Let the network decorate our daily life instead of taking up too much of our time.

Assignment for Thurs, Nov 12

1. Iraq war

2.Financial crisis

3.Rising China(threats or benefits)

4.environment pollution

5.Swine flu

6.Establish mutual trust relationship between America and China( double win)

7.Counter Terrorism

8.Human Rights

9.Divorce

10.Student life (study abroad)

Assignment for Tues, Oct 27

I have chosen the topic about how CPS can save more children. After I read the story reporting on this issue last time, I think the problem is very necessary to be solved or make some improvement right now. The numbers of child deaths really shocked me. I am interested in it since I realize that everyone of us has responsibilities to help save those children. That is not nearly enough for saving children if we only depend on CPS doing something. Anyway, any violent behaviors used on kids should be punished or standardized by law.

The records show that nearly half of all Texas children killed by abuse belonged to families previously investigated by Texas Child Protective Services — a statistic that has shown no improvement since 2004, despite efforts to save more children. It is a serious problem for abused children which existing in their families. Each year, about 200 children died of abuse or neglect in Texas. In this year, for example, Kati Earnest, 5, dead on July 4, from a beating. Darrell “Tre” Singleton III, 1, left unattended for hours in a car on Sept. 3. Dead from exposure to 95 degree heat. Emma Thompson, 4, sexually abused. Dead on June 27 from a beating. These child deaths make CPS very worrisome. But all CPS can do is limited, and most CPS officers hired by agent to spot abuse problems have left their jobs. It seems that it is not easy to work for CPS. An ambitious plan to save more children by hiring former law enforcement officers to improve abuse investigations lies in disarray with more than half the investigators leaving Texas Child Protective Services since the program began in 2005, state records show. Of the 431 special investigators hired by CPS in the past four years to aid in the most complex cases, 273 have left the agency, the Houston Chronicle has found. These people left because they didn’t know what to do although they found the abuse problems. The problem can only be solved under certain condition that is far beyond CPS power now. As I see, it is necessary for government to enact a new law aims at the problem. The situation will be improved if these abuse behaviors can be punished or standardized by a specific law. Only in this way can people realize the problem before doing anything terrible to children. It is obviously the most effective and efficient for CPS to save more children with the support of laws.

Assignment for Thurs, Oct 22

2. Write a paragraph on your blog about the stories that jumped out at you as interesting. Why are they interesting to you?

I have read several stories that are interesting to me. One of them is “Many child deaths come despite CPS visits”, it says that nearly half of all Texas children killed by abuse belonged to families previous investigated by Texas Child Protective Services. Since 2004, there are at least 1227 children died of abuse or neglect in Texas, and about 516 of them came from families with CPS histories. These numbers really break my heart and make me worrisome somehow. The children are too young to suffer pain. It seems that CPS has nothing to do about the situation. So, I am interested in doing some research on the issue, and may find out some ways to make development. Another story titled “Internet killing the newspaper star” is also a good one. It talks about the Internet has gradually taken place of our old-fashioned newspapers. The Internet monopolist movement seduced the general public with cheap, on-demand illusions of information. Due to this, quality journalisms is disappearing. However, the loss of newspapers will be terrible not only for journalism, but also for the whole world culture. It looks like a good issue for me to do some resarch as well. 

3. If you chose one of those stories (choose your favorite) as the starting point for your Practical Proposal paper, what would your research question* be? What information do you think you would need to find out to answer your research question? Who could you interview and where could you look (on what websites, in what publications) to find those pieces of information? Spend 1-2 paragraphs answering these questions.

If I chose the first story “Many child deaths come despite CPS visits” as the starting point for my paper. I would begin my research with the question what mostly caused children’s deaths and what can CPS do to develop the current situation. I think I would need the inforamation about the reason why the children died. The story says it is due to abuse or neglect from families. So, what happed to these abused children? and why they were abused? For what reason, they were neglected by their families? To collect the information based on these problems should be helpful to answer my research question.

If it is possible, I could interview some related staff from CPS, and also the neighbors of these children’s families, too see if they know any facts or not. For websites and publications, I could go to CPS and HHS official webcites, as well as the publications whose target is about children’s life and family. I think I would find out some useful and accurate information for my research.

 

4. What other local issues are you considering for the Practical Proposal paper? Why are they interesting to you and/or why do you care about them? Spend 1 paragraph answering these questions.

Actually I am also considering about some other local issues like the swine flu “trickle in” to Houston, the parking problem on the UH campus, and the murder and robbery around the Houston downtown near UH. These issues are very closely related to our daily life and personal safety, which are attracting the most attention of people, especially for the students on UH campus. So, I think it is worthy to do some research on these issues that are closed to ourselves.

Assignment for Tues, Sept 29

For my first major paper, I have chosen the issue about human rights in Tibet as my topic. The Tibetan situation, which has become a hot spot not only in China but also around the world now. It is a serious political event that relates to the people’s security and social stability in China.

I am going to do some research on the history of Tibet so that I can know more about people’s lives there and their thoughts. Then I will develop my argument that what caused Tibetan riot further according to those historical realities and current facts.

Some Tibetans said that they were struggling for their human rights. But what is the real situation in Tibet? Most people do not really know that. These Tibetans are really wanting the so-called human rights or just splitting our country? That’s a question I will explain in detail in my paper later. Actually, since the Olympic Game held in Beijing last year, some Tibetans has never stop doing something to split China under the veil of human rights. So, I am working on this paper to oppose to their actions.

I will start the paper with a riot organized by some Tibetans in Paris during the Olympic Game last year. Then I will make an argument about the causes of a series of riots in Tibet. The body paragraphs will focus on the human rights in Tibet, and those Tibetan’s motivations to split the country.

Assignment for Tues, Sep 22

http://env.people.com.cn/GB/41895/4827288.html

Assignment for Tues, Sep 15

This is my first time to watch and get to know the new TV show, Glee. It focuses on a high school glee club as it tries to make its mark on the singing circuit. I have really enjoyed the music and choregraphy in this TV show. Obviously, it is indeed breaking new ground in the sense that it is both a drama-comdy TV show and also a musical.

I have to say that Glee is something different from a TV show. It makes singing look as exciting as a football game.The series features covers of numerous songs sung on-screen by the characters throughout the hour, which doubles as a comedy in a high-school setting. Musical segments take the form of performances, as opposed to the characters singing spontaneously, which keeps the series remain reality-based. The characters have a sense of humor about themselves, only straying in the sense that the glee club is actually really talented. The creator Murphy is trying to do a modern take on the musical in so far as these characters don’t randomly burst into song. Particularly, he also makes use of the songs that are reworked versions of popular tunes, which includes everything from Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” These songs must be attractive to audience because people are always interested in something are familiar to them.

Moreover, the casting and writing on this show is fresh and sharp, and the music is tremendous. The entire show is packed with such energy and over-the-top characterization that it will make audience want to record it and re-watch their favorite scenes and songs. Most amazingly, they are able to pull off a very self-aware high school comedy without making it feel derivative or cynical. These songs will get in your mind. Then, the musical numbers could seriously hinder the show from staying on air, but it transcends even those kind of skeptical people. The humor is spot on, but the drama elements are either hit of miss. The musical numbers are the true highlight of the show. Glee is that kind of relief people need from all those incredibly dark dramas on television.

In my opinion, Glee is a promising TV show and I think it will generate a large number of audience. It is not just a musical, it is a creative and great musical. Definitely, it’s a daring show, and I love to see these kinds of programs on the air, even though they are not for everyone.

Assignment for Tues, Sept 8th

BELIEVING

As the society is developing rapidly, people are urgently looking for a most effective way to get a well-paid job. College with a four-year degree seems to have been the most popular option so far. However, author points out college is not for everyone. Mike Rowe says, “We’ve convinced ourselves that ‘good jobs’ are the result of a four-year degree. That’s bunk. Not all knowledge comes from college. Skill is back in demand. Steel-toed boots are back in fashion.” That’s true indeed.

As more and more people go to college to struggle for the jobs with more earnings than those who do not go to college, left plenty of jobs with paying above the national averge and actually do not require college. And American employers keep complaining about a shortage of these kinds of skilled workers. That’s absurd, isn’t it?

I have to say, people haven’t realized that college is not the only way to reach a self-fulfillment eventually. They can still be successful through other skills, futher education and entrepreneurship. Anyway, the most valuable thing for people to know is that they are always learning something new no matter what it is or in which way they are learning.

 

DOUBTING

In this article, author makes a point that college is not for everyone by presenting some examples and statistics. Why does he say so? There is a lack of workers with specific skills some jobs demand in American now, because people are all going to college, and few wants to learn these kinds of skills. Author thinks that many people actually are not understand the real meaning of going to college, and there still some other ways can make them successful. College is not the only way to get a good job. That is, college is not for everyone. It seems to be not well-founded.

However, some skilled jobs are paid above the national average and not requiring college at all. In the fourth paragragh, economists tell that productivity improvements depend more on brains than brawn today. As a result, a large gap in lifetime earnings has appeared between people who go to college and those who do not. But, after comparing with the skilled jobs with high salary, most people are still willing going college. The fact illustrate that they are not just for money with a four-year degree. College education could be exactly where they interested in. Author also raises some other suggestions about jobs, that is good though but also not for everyone. In my opinion, it is not wise for author to judge people’s intent of going to college by earning more or not.

College is not for everyone? Maybe. But not just because people left lots of skilled jobs while they are going to college. The reason is obviously not strong enough. People can choose whatever they like to learn, and in which way they want to be successful.

Assignment for Tue, Sep 1

This story describes the orientation of a new employee lead by the protagonist. The protagonist is very familiar with all the rules and regulations as well as the other colleagues in this institution. The new employee is told something particular about each person in different offices, including the things are not supposed to know. The protagonist also tells him what is the right thing to do or not. The most important thing the protagonist wants this new person to know is that he may be let go if he does not obey any obvious or potential rules.

In my opinion, one of the issues this story deals with is the complicated relationship in these offices, which is an implicit argument.

One of the claims this story seems to be making is that it is important for the new employee to know about different people around him so that he can get along with them. As the first time to be here, he should know something about his colleagues with different favors and disgusts before he gets to meet them later. Only in this way can he easily get along with them in the future.

For example, John LaFountaine, he says it is accacidental for he uses the women’s room occasionally. People just let it pass since John LaFountaine is harmless. Amanda Pierce, who has a autistic son and a husband. “She comes to work exhausted and freshly wounded each morning, wincing from the abrasions on her breasts, or the bruises on her abdomen, or the second-degree burns on the backs of her thighs.” Obviously, people can tell that her husband must have a sexual mistreatment of her. Actually, people are not supposed to know that. Anyone may be let go if he let on, so does the new comer. Anika Bloom, a woman who can tell you exactly how and when you will die. So, never talk to her. Colin Heavey, was new once, but he did not hear others’ warn about Anika Bloom. Last year, “Colin Heavey brought her a drink. He hasn’t been himself since. Colin Heavey is doomed.” So the new one is told to stay away from Colin Hravey. Barry Hacker, the one whose wife died because a blood vessel burst in her brain while Barry Hacker was kissing her. Barry Hacker steals food from refrigerator, which is an outlet for his grief. So, just put a little extra food in the bag for him. Gwendolyn Stich is crazy about penguins, her door is always open for everyone. Kevin Howard, is a serial killer. “In any case, when Kevin Howard gets caught, act surprised. Say that he seemed like a nice person, a bit of a loner, perhaps, but always quiet and polite.” That is all for the new employee need to know and to do. Do not ask too much, or you may be let go.

The story goes about working on the emotions and reasonings of readers through the complicated relationship between people. They are amphibolous, independent, or opposed in the story. Someone always has something particular does matter with another colleague in the offices. The relationship is so complicated and mysterious that readers just cannot help themselves going through the story.