Background: Mrs. Watson asked us to find an object that we think is an essential need in life. This item must be something extremely important and valuable that we can't live without.
My quintessential item of which I couldn't live without would have to be my computer. My computer is my main source of thought. I've typed out homework assignments, essays, thoughts, feelings and emotions which are all saved on that specific piece of hardware. I also value my computer because it helps me explore a different world. I can research things on the interent that I've never learned before. The interenet also provides me with a way to learn what the newest songs that were just released or the most updated news reports. Anything you can think of the internet probably has it available. I also hold important mp3 music files on itunes. Without my computer i wouldn't be able to upload music onto my ipod. Music is what keeps my alive in a way also. But I wouldn't be able to listen to music unless my computer wasn't there. All these important options that the computer offers such as instant messaging helps me to keep in contact with my friends. Now that we base every single item of work we do on the computer I'd be devistated if I didn't have access to mines.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Thursday, February 8, 2007
That's What I'll Give
"Nothing Less," in my opinion one of the most epic songs ever created. It shows determination and the pursuit of happiness. They describe one mission, their life goal to give nothing less and to be nothing less. They've analyzed their well being through their life stories and background history. Within the song they reveal all the steps and stages you must face so you can get everything you can out of life. 1. Birth 2. Belief 3.Respect Awareness 4. Love 5. Re-evaluation of the previous steps 6. Mixed Emotions 7. Prevented from reaching heaven. They illustrate these great points in life and they leave it at that so they wouldn't be anything less of who they are. They talk about themselves as artists and their struggle to be the best they can be to unlock their potential as rappers and as individuals. My favorite line in that song is, "...I know my expectations are high, but I refuse to lay low ... even though they say no, I follow through if it's true." They persevere so that their, "... outcome is legendary and nothing less," which sums up the whole song and their persistence to be where they wanted to be in life. They portrayed a message saying if you desire something you've got to give everything you can to obtain it. Another way you can put it is by the phrase, "I gave it my all." This relates to my essential question of how to reach my personal best because it reveals an important factor which is motivation and perseverance. If I'm planning to achieve my personal best then I must maintain these essential components or else I'll never make it.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Genesis 1:28
And God said unto them,
Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,
and subdue it: and have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
This quote sounds like one persons opinion about what God had told them to do and what their purpose on earth is. It reminds me of divine right where the kings in the middle ages told the townspeople God granted him and his family power over the land. The main section that enforces my opinion is this phrase “…dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” To use the word dominion is strong signifying seniority and authority.
This quote implies many things about how people should behave. It insists that we take charge of this world and become in a way our own "dictators" by utilizing the world to the fullest. It’s one opinion, but it doesn’t mean people should be pressured into living this way.
This quote relates to the following chapters because it promotes and helps build a message that it’s saying to the reader. The first chapter sets the scene of an unfortunate family in the Congo of Africa who lives off the jungle and its resources. What the quote is implying is that we should all make use of what we’re provided on this earth and we shouldn’t feel limited to what’s around us.
The chapters, I’m assuming are going to describe the relationships between mankind and nature. This book might solve the question we’re trying to solve this sophomore year about what kind of world is this and how do we live in it. There may also be some situations of this missionary woman struggling to survive with her four daughters and we’ll see how she copes with her condition.
Interview
Background: An assignment given to us in class was to interview a friend about his/her thoughts about two essays we've read in class titled, "The Singer Solution to World Poverty," by Peter Singer and, "The Gift" by Ian Parker. After reading both papers heated debates and points were risen and now through this blog you can have the opinion of one of my classmates.
1) What do you define as a morally decent life?
To live a morally decent life is simply taking care of yourself & your family by respecting your fellow man. I also think that to live a morally decent life you have to give respect in order to gain it.
2) After reading both essays do you feel like you have an obligation or guilt to live a morally decent life?
No, after reading to what Singer had to say I felt disturbed and angry at his opinion. He had no reason to tell me what I should do with my money and how I should spend it. I bet if he was put in that situation then he wouldn’t have done what he advised.
3) After reading Singer’s essay do you have an increased awareness of how you spend your money or any differences in your decisions of personal management?
No, my feelings of how I spend my money are still the same and haven’t changed after reading his essay.
4) Who do you think has lived a morally decent life? Anyone famous like Martin Luther King Jr. or Gandhi, people who’ve fought for more than just poverty but human rights, justice and peace?
Yes, I believe that Gandhi has lived a morally decent life because he practiced self sacrifice. He gave up his time and effort to create a point to those that opposed him and tried his best to make a difference in so many people’s lives. He tried his best by sacrificing what he had to change the world and benefit his people. He was an all around type of hero. He was well educated and was a good husband. He fought to justify religion, harsh taxes, and simple rights to help improve everyone’s lifestyles.
5) When you say donating “efforts” what would you do specifically that could affect a great deal of people?
What I would do to help a great deal of people would be by going to that specific place and giving my time and effort to educate them. I would teach them morals and set up many community service projects.
Pursuit of Happiness
Is everything a matter of choice? Is there no difference between spending money on yourself and spending money to save someone's life? Is every individual entitled to the pursuit of his or her own happiness regardless of the consequences? Are some happinesses (I know it's not a word. Just humor me) more lasting and meaningful than others?
To answer all these questions in an overall perspective I think everything is based on a matter of choice. The decision you choose is totally up to you. You shouldn't feel pressured to spend your money on yourself or someone's life. You should be entitled to base on your own satisfaction upon yourself. There should be no obligation to spend the money you earn for another purpose that you don't approve of. There is some limit to what someone can define as happiness. If it’s satisfying to them to steal from stores then no, that particular individual should not pursue their own happiness. The consequences would be enormous if their “happiness” wasn’t contained and grew out of hand. If we had a clearer image of what, someone’s so called happiness would be then maybe I could identify the situation properly. Depending on what they would pursue, for example if it’s against the law then I wouldn’t advise it. There are some examples that cross the line between entitled and constrained. That’s why there are laws in this world that prevent people from hurting others and keeping us in a safe environment.
Movies have raised our imagination to differentiate what seems decent to do and what is irresponsible. Writers of movies formulate situations where the character finds it difficult to distinguish the line between breaking the law for the better of their own regard and breaking the law for other peoples sake. I honestly can't pick a side. If you were confronted with the situation that the "Singer Solution to World Poverty" offered. If you had to choose between your life savings or a child (of whom you don't knows life). Of course you'd have a guilty conscious if you chose to save your car instead of a child's life. Would you consider this decision wrong and immoral if they were to pursue their own happiness? Singer also poses the statement that we all could live off of $30,000 a year because of the basic necessities of living. He says if we live off of everything we need instead of buying things we want then everyone in this world would benefit. Although he researched that, "...evolutionary psychologists tell us that human nature just isn't sufficiently altruistic to make it plausible that many people will sacrifice so much for strangers," (4). It's true that i honestly wouldn't spend majority of the money I've worked for and donate it to total strangers who are less fortunate. To answer the question, is there no difference between spending money on yourself and spending money to save someone's life, yes there is a difference. Spending money on yourself is to help benefit your own means and if you were to spend money to save someone else's life that would benefit them instead of your own.
On the other hand, if the scenario was someone trying to improve themselves in a sport or a job then they should go on and try for it. Regardless of what you’re trying to pursue, you always have a choice in life.I'm sure there will be some people who have a stronger idea of happiness than others. What causes there to be a difference is their will and passion to obtain that "happiness." As well as this situation for instance, let's compare the happiness of a child who desires to win a pop warner football game compared to the happiness of a pro football player who was in the super bowl. I'm sure whoever was in that super bowl situation would have desired to win more than anyone else.
Of course we can all agree that there will always be someone trying to prevent you from reaching to where you want to be. If it really makes you happy just consider the consequences and never put someones life on the line. If you don’t want to be punished by them then don’t follow through with it, although if your will to obtain happiness is that great then you should go for it.
To answer all these questions in an overall perspective I think everything is based on a matter of choice. The decision you choose is totally up to you. You shouldn't feel pressured to spend your money on yourself or someone's life. You should be entitled to base on your own satisfaction upon yourself. There should be no obligation to spend the money you earn for another purpose that you don't approve of. There is some limit to what someone can define as happiness. If it’s satisfying to them to steal from stores then no, that particular individual should not pursue their own happiness. The consequences would be enormous if their “happiness” wasn’t contained and grew out of hand. If we had a clearer image of what, someone’s so called happiness would be then maybe I could identify the situation properly. Depending on what they would pursue, for example if it’s against the law then I wouldn’t advise it. There are some examples that cross the line between entitled and constrained. That’s why there are laws in this world that prevent people from hurting others and keeping us in a safe environment.
Movies have raised our imagination to differentiate what seems decent to do and what is irresponsible. Writers of movies formulate situations where the character finds it difficult to distinguish the line between breaking the law for the better of their own regard and breaking the law for other peoples sake. I honestly can't pick a side. If you were confronted with the situation that the "Singer Solution to World Poverty" offered. If you had to choose between your life savings or a child (of whom you don't knows life). Of course you'd have a guilty conscious if you chose to save your car instead of a child's life. Would you consider this decision wrong and immoral if they were to pursue their own happiness? Singer also poses the statement that we all could live off of $30,000 a year because of the basic necessities of living. He says if we live off of everything we need instead of buying things we want then everyone in this world would benefit. Although he researched that, "...evolutionary psychologists tell us that human nature just isn't sufficiently altruistic to make it plausible that many people will sacrifice so much for strangers," (4). It's true that i honestly wouldn't spend majority of the money I've worked for and donate it to total strangers who are less fortunate. To answer the question, is there no difference between spending money on yourself and spending money to save someone's life, yes there is a difference. Spending money on yourself is to help benefit your own means and if you were to spend money to save someone else's life that would benefit them instead of your own.
On the other hand, if the scenario was someone trying to improve themselves in a sport or a job then they should go on and try for it. Regardless of what you’re trying to pursue, you always have a choice in life.I'm sure there will be some people who have a stronger idea of happiness than others. What causes there to be a difference is their will and passion to obtain that "happiness." As well as this situation for instance, let's compare the happiness of a child who desires to win a pop warner football game compared to the happiness of a pro football player who was in the super bowl. I'm sure whoever was in that super bowl situation would have desired to win more than anyone else.
Of course we can all agree that there will always be someone trying to prevent you from reaching to where you want to be. If it really makes you happy just consider the consequences and never put someones life on the line. If you don’t want to be punished by them then don’t follow through with it, although if your will to obtain happiness is that great then you should go for it.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Our Game
In Our Game Team Comes First
“They don’t give points for rebounds, assists, solid picks, defensive stops, taking a charge, or diving for loose balls. But you can’t score points – or win games – without them.”
It’s a common misconception to assume points are what win games or makes you a good player. I mean sure it helps, but what is overlooked most times is how the play is broken down in order to score. Let’s say I’m trying to uncover my personal best kept skill for basketball. In order to score the picks, screens, and passes are what helps get you open for the opportunity to score. The fundamentals, like saying you must learn to walk before you can run. All these terms – also referred to as “little things” lead to winning. To achieve my personal best in anything I set my mind to I must first master the basic fundamentals. Baby steps. Looking back on your progress you’ll see how much everything takes its toll. You’ll realize how worthwhile everything really is.
Personal Best
In our approach to every aspect of our game, we commit to always play with passion, because every contest matters.”
This quote had to relate to my essential question, “what is my personal best?” because it tells me something about how I live. I’m using the term, “game,” loosely when I talk about my game, which could be applied to every aspect in life. Every event in life I strive to be the best at. I play the way I want to play to achieve our highest. Honestly, I'm here to win it and obtain my victory. If I don’t succeed at first then I'll commit myself to try harder and practice so I can accomplish my goals. Nothing goes overlooked, everything I compete in matters to me, to people (my audience) and to my opponents in life. Whether it’s a person or a clockI'm still competing or else there would be no contest.
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