Powerpoint Presentation Reviews

Remarks on: Education and the Proliferation of New (Old) Concepts

The authors of the essay: Education and the Proliferation of New (Old) Concepts critices the style of education America's students are receiving. They claim that the U.S. has changed the education style upto the days of industrialism and corporate capitalism. It is believed that today, Americans are only being trained to make make the highest wage, and become a successful capitalist. They theorize that we are only being thaught that the best wage will be the most successful.
I do not see an issue in this because this will pursuade all students to work hard and dream of how successful they can be. I know that if I would have been told by an instructor that I am only capable of  everything besides the best, I would not have a strive to succeed. This essay almost reminds me of communistic values in which the government will tell you what you can do with your life.

Synthesis & Response to: Indigenous resistance and racist schooling on the borders of empires: Coast Salish cultural suvival by Michael Marker

   In the article Indigenous resistance and racist schooling on the borders of empires: Coast Salish cultural survival Michael Marker discusses the integration of Native Indians known as Coast Salish into American and Canadian culture. The Coast Salish Indians lived among the borders of the U.S. and Canada in the state of Washington and the province of British Columbia, and they were incorporated into the country in which they were settled. Therefore, there are now Canadian and American Coast Salish Indians. Today they are still define themselves as Coast Salish Indians, even though they do have to cross a boarder. In British Columbia, the Salish Indians were brought into public schools, mixing them with other Canadian citizens. This has caused racism because the Indians are very different, not just by culture, but even physical features. Washington state took a smarter route and developed a boarding school to which only the Coast Salish Indians attend. Although they may be split and immersed into the modern world, they still stand together to uphold their culture and roots.
   I believe Canada and the United States should have never stepped in and intrude on the Coast Salish Indians. They are not a threat and we should stay out of their culture, as they were the first to inhabit the land. In fact, the United States and Canada should reserve that area and make it Native lands and leave it ungoverned for the Indians. They clearly do not want the help of any of the governments.

The MEATRIX

The MEATRIX Episodes (click here)

The MEATRIX episodes are a very effective way to get the word across of the adverse effects of factory-farming to all ages in America. I found the four mini-episodes to be very entertaining and I am looking forward to another. It sad to see that America's farms are really becoming a factory, and that we are all under a sick illusion. It is disgusting that the public is under an allusion because the meat industry created it. We should know what we are eating and what conditions the meet was really brought up on. The MEATRIX producers are supportive by giving us an alternative to the factory-grown meat known as Organic meat. I used to live in Waxhaw, NC and you can see why there is so much land available for sale in that city. Waxhaw used to be a predominantly farming township that had acres of land for raising livestock. Today these lands are gone and subdivisions encompass all of this. This was most likely due to the local family-farmers being out competed by the money hungry factory-farmers.

Real Text Response 3/12

I found this reading hard to follow because of the nature of the writing. Scientific research papers often use vocabulary and terms only people in a specific field can follow. The passage was also not very interesting to me, perhaps because it dragged on. I do prefer the structure of the writing because it is very easy to format. There is also an abstract paragraph present that provides a easy-read summary of the text. My view of biotechnology and food is quite neutral. I am not for it, but I feel it is necessary to provide food for the largely growing human population. I love organic and unmodified natural food, but I also find it necessary to consume the modified food because it is the only way our population can be sustained. Due to my neutral view this reading was not interesting and very hard to follow.

Synthesis on "EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination"

   The article "EPA: Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Water Contamination "by Abrahm Lustgarten, Nicholas Kusnetz and ProPublica" discusses the controversial subject of hydraulic fracking. It mentions a scientific link between underground pollution and hydraulic fracking. Fracking has become growing debate and in the 2012 Presidential elections a candidate's view on fracking can have an impact as drastic as being elected or not. I am strongly against fracking, as I am against the theft of all natural resource of earth.
   The technique, in which high-pressure fluids are pumped into shale formations to fracture the rock and force out natural gas, has been accused of not only releasing methane into well water and polluting groundwater with toxic chemicals, but also causing earthquakes (Jones). I believe it is childish to have the U.S. government allow fracking. Fracking has been linked to a magnitude-5 earthquake in Denver (Jones). Earthquakes are not only costly but they often kill people. Is natural gas really worth the life of someone? The article states scientists concluded the linkage as contaminants were found in central Wyoming, which were likely caused by the gas drilling process. The pollutants found most likely seeped up from gas wells and contained 10 compounds used in frack liquids. Methane was one of the components found in the polluted water. If there is enough methane present, an explosion can occur. This risk should not be taken under any circumstance. The U.S. government needs to value the lives of its citizens and prevent companies from beleaguering mother earth.

 

  Sources:

  Jones, Nicola. "United States Investigates Fracking Safety." Nature (2011)Print.

 

What's better, an Essay or a Powerpoint?

PowerPoints have always been appealing to me as they are visually attracting. I believe that your point comes across better in a PowerPoint than a formal essay. PowerPoints are a often a summary of main ideas and topics, usually including statistics. Statistics are better comprehended through visuals, which are often paired with words in a PowerPoint. Essays may not clearly provide you with a main point in a paragraph while a PowerPoint can provide you one within a bullet. I prefer visuals when I am conducting research , especially graphs and charts. Images can set the audience's mind to exactly what you want, while in an essay you must be creative very descriptive to be able to draw an image to your audience.What is more clear to you?