This part of the book first talked about Christopher Colomubus and how big a mistake westernization and colonization were in parts of North America, as well as Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia. Then it talked about westernization and modernization and how they affect each other, as well as the affects westernization and modernization have had, are having, and will have on this global world. The rest was spent talking about the rise of the sleeping giant, China, and the role China played, plays, and will continue to play in the world.
"Whatever happens to China internally is likely to complicate life internationally (Zakaria 104)."
Whatever happens to China internally could challenge the status quo of the world. The book talks about how what happens with China will have a huge affect on the international community because it is making lots of allies and doing trade in Africa. In addition, China has one of the biggest populations of poeple and one of the fastest growing economies. So if the peple in China decide to be creative and form mass rallies and protest against their government, they would be challenging the status quo of their country, as well as the world. If China drastically challenges the status quo of their country, then the world will drastically change because of the vital player China is.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Connection: Egyptians and Lady Gaga
A very important idea we have talked and learned a lot about so far this semester is challenging the status quo. People challenge the status quo every day, by going against what is considered normal, by thinking outside the box, and by doing something different.
In fact, in class we talked a lot about how the Egyptians are challenging the status quo this very moment by protesting and overthrowing their government. The Egyptians are going against what is considered normal. They are thinking outside the box, and as a result they have organized together and massive numbers of people have swarmed the street, setting fire, rocking cars, and scaring the police and military away. They are challenging the status quo of being respectful and obeying their government, and they are doing this by protesting in mass numbers.
In addition, they are challenging the status quo by organizing their protests over social networking. Before this wouldn't have even been an option, but as a result of the technological age we live in now, it has become a reality for the Egyptians. The government shut down the internet, but that wasn't until after the protests had erupted after the Friday prayer session.
The Egyptian people are a good example of challenging the status quo. They challenged the dicatorship of Mubarak that they have lived under for thirty years. They challenged their old way of life. A life where they were not happy and pleased with their leaders. A life where they couldn't vote for the president. A life they didn't want to live anymore.
The Egyptian people challenged the status quo, and they aren't the only people doing that. In fact, the famous musician Lady Gaga challenges the status quo every day.
Gaga wear isn't just a joke, it's a reality. Lady Gaga goes above and beyond to designers in France and throughout the world to get the craziest, wildest, and most obscure clothing, so that she can challenge the status quo, so that she is always wearing something new and different. She is doing this by wearing clothes and outfits that aren't considered normal. She is challenging what normal is considered now, by being different and setting a trend.
The Egyptian people and Lady Gaga are both challenging the status quo. They both are thinking of new ways to be creative, the Egyptian people by using social networking to organize their protests and Lady Gaga by getting attention on her wardrobe. In fact, they both can relate to each other because they are both doing things never done before. They are both taking a gamble and being themselves, stating their opinions, whether it be fasion or politics and they are both making a statement that the whole world is hearing.
They relate to each other because they are both making a difference and a change in the world, and they are both informing each other, as well as the world, that it is good to challenge the status quo because what is now isn't necesarily the best way, whether it be the clothes or the government.
As a result of the Egyptian people and Lady Gaga challenging the status quo, it has made me realize that I should challenge the status quo by expressing what I feel inside. Lady Gaga and the Egyptian people both are expressing how they feel inside, and they are also setting an example and paving a trail for others to do just that.
They have made me realize that I should do what I think and express myself how I want to, regardless if I am the only one. They have also gave me an insight that it is the people that express themselves by beating to their own drum and doing something different are the ones making history, like they are and like everyone has the potential to.
In fact, in class we talked a lot about how the Egyptians are challenging the status quo this very moment by protesting and overthrowing their government. The Egyptians are going against what is considered normal. They are thinking outside the box, and as a result they have organized together and massive numbers of people have swarmed the street, setting fire, rocking cars, and scaring the police and military away. They are challenging the status quo of being respectful and obeying their government, and they are doing this by protesting in mass numbers.
In addition, they are challenging the status quo by organizing their protests over social networking. Before this wouldn't have even been an option, but as a result of the technological age we live in now, it has become a reality for the Egyptians. The government shut down the internet, but that wasn't until after the protests had erupted after the Friday prayer session.
The Egyptian people are a good example of challenging the status quo. They challenged the dicatorship of Mubarak that they have lived under for thirty years. They challenged their old way of life. A life where they were not happy and pleased with their leaders. A life where they couldn't vote for the president. A life they didn't want to live anymore.
The Egyptian people challenged the status quo, and they aren't the only people doing that. In fact, the famous musician Lady Gaga challenges the status quo every day.
Gaga wear isn't just a joke, it's a reality. Lady Gaga goes above and beyond to designers in France and throughout the world to get the craziest, wildest, and most obscure clothing, so that she can challenge the status quo, so that she is always wearing something new and different. She is doing this by wearing clothes and outfits that aren't considered normal. She is challenging what normal is considered now, by being different and setting a trend.
The Egyptian people and Lady Gaga are both challenging the status quo. They both are thinking of new ways to be creative, the Egyptian people by using social networking to organize their protests and Lady Gaga by getting attention on her wardrobe. In fact, they both can relate to each other because they are both doing things never done before. They are both taking a gamble and being themselves, stating their opinions, whether it be fasion or politics and they are both making a statement that the whole world is hearing.
They relate to each other because they are both making a difference and a change in the world, and they are both informing each other, as well as the world, that it is good to challenge the status quo because what is now isn't necesarily the best way, whether it be the clothes or the government.
As a result of the Egyptian people and Lady Gaga challenging the status quo, it has made me realize that I should challenge the status quo by expressing what I feel inside. Lady Gaga and the Egyptian people both are expressing how they feel inside, and they are also setting an example and paving a trail for others to do just that.
They have made me realize that I should do what I think and express myself how I want to, regardless if I am the only one. They have also gave me an insight that it is the people that express themselves by beating to their own drum and doing something different are the ones making history, like they are and like everyone has the potential to.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Metacognition: First Semester
Wow, it seems like it was just yesterday that I walked into Mr. Allen's humanity class for the first time. Now, it's almost the end of first semester, and I'm stunned how differet I am, yet the same. I still have my curly hair and am the same person on the outside, but my mind has rapidly developed.
After almost completing my first semester in humanities I've realized that I've learned an incredible amount, and all of this information I've learned has changed the way I think and view things. Two examples really stick out at me when I think back on how my mind has changed.
The first difference is I appreciate and can see beauty with more appreciation and deph. The other day we were watching a video that Yo Yo Ma put together with Mark Morms. They designed a dance, a story to go along with Suite #3 by Bach. If I watched that at the beginning of the semester, and then if I watched it at the end, I would have thought it was two different videos. The reason being, now after two quarters, I am able to see and appreciate beauty in a greater light.
Beauty is a word that encompasses a wide variety of things and can be found in literally, anything. However, that is if you have the eye to see it. After watching many videos on products of creative minds, I've realized that creative people, creative minds, and creative thoughts can produce things that are all so engaging and intelligent-they are beautiful.
I've also learnd to appreciate beauty in a greater light, to realize how precious it is. Whether I'm playing my instrument or watching a commercial, beauty is there, and I've learned to be so grateful for this and appreciative.
Beauty isn't the only thing I've learned to appreciate. In fact, I've learned to appreciate creativity. Everyone has the ability to be creative, it's just a matter of finding their creativity within themelves. I know that taking humanities has helped me explore and find my own creativity. The mindbook is a good example of my mind experimenting with creativity.
Mr. Allen has introduced us to a lot of different forms of beautiful art that is extremely creative. By looking at exceptionally creative art, it has allowed me to realize that it's necessary to try to be creative with everything you do. You need to constantly think outside the box, be creative, incorporate and see beauty in everything.
Humanities first semester has made me realize that to be successful you need to be able to create beautiful and creative things in whatever profession you go into. In fact, if you look at all the successful people, they have and are using beauty and creativity to grasp the attention of the human mind. Google, IDEO, Yo Yo Ma, and Marianne Wiggins are just a few examples that we've learned about in humanities that use beauty and creativity in a way that grasps the eye.
To add to all of this, humanities has taught me that it isn't one thing that will lead you to success and happiness, but it is a combination of things. No one way is right or wrong. What is right is what makes you happy inside, within your heart. We've learned about a lot of different paths people have taken to achieve happiness and success. I am really excited for my future, for me to discover what I will do to help change the world. This semester in humanities has given me inspiration to create my own path and not go on the trail already created.
I think all these extremely intellectual people that Mr. Allen has introduced us to have one thing in common, they followed their heart, created beauty, and made this world a more breath-taking and enjoyable place to live in.
After almost completing my first semester in humanities I've realized that I've learned an incredible amount, and all of this information I've learned has changed the way I think and view things. Two examples really stick out at me when I think back on how my mind has changed.
The first difference is I appreciate and can see beauty with more appreciation and deph. The other day we were watching a video that Yo Yo Ma put together with Mark Morms. They designed a dance, a story to go along with Suite #3 by Bach. If I watched that at the beginning of the semester, and then if I watched it at the end, I would have thought it was two different videos. The reason being, now after two quarters, I am able to see and appreciate beauty in a greater light.
Beauty is a word that encompasses a wide variety of things and can be found in literally, anything. However, that is if you have the eye to see it. After watching many videos on products of creative minds, I've realized that creative people, creative minds, and creative thoughts can produce things that are all so engaging and intelligent-they are beautiful.
I've also learnd to appreciate beauty in a greater light, to realize how precious it is. Whether I'm playing my instrument or watching a commercial, beauty is there, and I've learned to be so grateful for this and appreciative.
Beauty isn't the only thing I've learned to appreciate. In fact, I've learned to appreciate creativity. Everyone has the ability to be creative, it's just a matter of finding their creativity within themelves. I know that taking humanities has helped me explore and find my own creativity. The mindbook is a good example of my mind experimenting with creativity.
Mr. Allen has introduced us to a lot of different forms of beautiful art that is extremely creative. By looking at exceptionally creative art, it has allowed me to realize that it's necessary to try to be creative with everything you do. You need to constantly think outside the box, be creative, incorporate and see beauty in everything.
Humanities first semester has made me realize that to be successful you need to be able to create beautiful and creative things in whatever profession you go into. In fact, if you look at all the successful people, they have and are using beauty and creativity to grasp the attention of the human mind. Google, IDEO, Yo Yo Ma, and Marianne Wiggins are just a few examples that we've learned about in humanities that use beauty and creativity in a way that grasps the eye.
To add to all of this, humanities has taught me that it isn't one thing that will lead you to success and happiness, but it is a combination of things. No one way is right or wrong. What is right is what makes you happy inside, within your heart. We've learned about a lot of different paths people have taken to achieve happiness and success. I am really excited for my future, for me to discover what I will do to help change the world. This semester in humanities has given me inspiration to create my own path and not go on the trail already created.
I think all these extremely intellectual people that Mr. Allen has introduced us to have one thing in common, they followed their heart, created beauty, and made this world a more breath-taking and enjoyable place to live in.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Get Organized: A tribute to Aristotle...and my room.
At the end of last school year, I literally dumped out everything in my closet and all my drawers. It took me a couple days, but I got rid of a bunch of clothes that no longer fit and items that I simply wasn't interested in anymore.
It was shocking to realize that a mere five months can completely disorganize everything in my room. Therefore, I started out my Thanksgiving break to doing a tribute to Aristotle. I did what I managed to do five months earlier. I took out everything in my closet and all my drawers. There wasn't as much STUFF as before, luckiliy, but there was a lot of organizing to do. I spent an entire thirteen and a half hours reorganizing everything.
Before I reorganized, I felt as if my head was as disorganized as my room. I felt that nothing had it's place, and that life was one big mess.
During my reorganization marathon, I felt really disgusted that I had so much stuff. I also felt really frustrated that it got so disorganized from the last time I organized everything. Needless to say, after I gave my self some motivating thoughts, like once it's done you will feel so wonderful, I kept on organizing my cloths and papers and such.
After I reorganized everything, I felt as good as new. I felt so organized, so wonderful, so fresh! The thing I felt the most was freedom. When I am organized for some reason, I feel really free, like I have the ability to take on any task. It also made me realize how important it is to keep cleaning my room every so often, so I can do a bunch of mini room cleans instead of one giant one.
After doing this project, it made me realize how much healthier and happier my mind feels when I'm organized. It made me realize that the place you live in really affects your mind, and that is why it is so important to keep a clean and organized room, so your mind can be free and organized too. This also made me realize that I can control how my mind feels, and that I should make every effort to make my mind feel the best and freest.
After doing this project, it made me realize that more comes from a clean room than a place for all your posessions. There is a whole mental health aspect involved in organizing. There is a philosophical aspect involved in a clean room. For with a clean room, one can achieve successful things and be able to live life to a higher degree.
It also made me aware that a clean room has more rewards and benefits than having a path to your bed. I really like when things have order and are clean, and overall it made me realize that I have control over the cleanness of my room; I know now how beneficial a clean room is for me, so I am going to make sure my room stays clean.
It was shocking to realize that a mere five months can completely disorganize everything in my room. Therefore, I started out my Thanksgiving break to doing a tribute to Aristotle. I did what I managed to do five months earlier. I took out everything in my closet and all my drawers. There wasn't as much STUFF as before, luckiliy, but there was a lot of organizing to do. I spent an entire thirteen and a half hours reorganizing everything.
Before I reorganized, I felt as if my head was as disorganized as my room. I felt that nothing had it's place, and that life was one big mess.
During my reorganization marathon, I felt really disgusted that I had so much stuff. I also felt really frustrated that it got so disorganized from the last time I organized everything. Needless to say, after I gave my self some motivating thoughts, like once it's done you will feel so wonderful, I kept on organizing my cloths and papers and such.
After I reorganized everything, I felt as good as new. I felt so organized, so wonderful, so fresh! The thing I felt the most was freedom. When I am organized for some reason, I feel really free, like I have the ability to take on any task. It also made me realize how important it is to keep cleaning my room every so often, so I can do a bunch of mini room cleans instead of one giant one.
After doing this project, it made me realize how much healthier and happier my mind feels when I'm organized. It made me realize that the place you live in really affects your mind, and that is why it is so important to keep a clean and organized room, so your mind can be free and organized too. This also made me realize that I can control how my mind feels, and that I should make every effort to make my mind feel the best and freest.
After doing this project, it made me realize that more comes from a clean room than a place for all your posessions. There is a whole mental health aspect involved in organizing. There is a philosophical aspect involved in a clean room. For with a clean room, one can achieve successful things and be able to live life to a higher degree.
It also made me aware that a clean room has more rewards and benefits than having a path to your bed. I really like when things have order and are clean, and overall it made me realize that I have control over the cleanness of my room; I know now how beneficial a clean room is for me, so I am going to make sure my room stays clean.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Carry it Forward: Sophie's World
While reading Sophie's World, many intriguing ideas have been presented by numerous philosophers. However, the idea of reason is one that I find extremely interesting and important. We talked a little bit about it in class, and I think it pertains to everyone's life. Descartes presented the idea that "only reason can give us certainty (234)." He presented the idea that you should base your decisions and choices off of reason, logic, and common sense.
I find reason very valuable in any decision or choice you have to make. Without reason, making a choice is like a blind person trying to pick their favorite color. I think reason has value and weight in my life every day. For I have yet to go a day when I haven't made a choice and haven't used reason to help me make that choice.
I use reason to decide logically if I should go out with my friends and have fun or do an english assignment. I use reason in making even more important decisions like should I wear a seat belt when driving. This is a question I face every day, and it is with my reason that I decide, yes.
It is also my reason that has shaped my religious views. I'm an atheist because I don't understand how it logically could be possible that there is God or someone controlling us. When I used my reason to decide if there was a higher power, I came to the conclusion there wasn't.
In class we talked about how reason can help you make the decision of taking part in drugs and alcohol. Luckily, my reason and logic has helped me decide that I do not want to.
I see myself using reason in making a very important decision, which college I will attend next year. I also see myself using reason to decide my career path, my political views, and my friends.
I really value reason because it helps shape my opinions, beliefs, and character. I will continue to use reason in my decision making from everything from what I will eat for lunch, to where I will live when I'm older.In fact, a lot of the time I feel I take reason for granted because I unconsciously use it. Reflecting on reason, I realize I use it in every decision I make. I am very plased that I use reason and logic in making decisions that are shaping my life.
I find reason very valuable in any decision or choice you have to make. Without reason, making a choice is like a blind person trying to pick their favorite color. I think reason has value and weight in my life every day. For I have yet to go a day when I haven't made a choice and haven't used reason to help me make that choice.
I use reason to decide logically if I should go out with my friends and have fun or do an english assignment. I use reason in making even more important decisions like should I wear a seat belt when driving. This is a question I face every day, and it is with my reason that I decide, yes.
It is also my reason that has shaped my religious views. I'm an atheist because I don't understand how it logically could be possible that there is God or someone controlling us. When I used my reason to decide if there was a higher power, I came to the conclusion there wasn't.
In class we talked about how reason can help you make the decision of taking part in drugs and alcohol. Luckily, my reason and logic has helped me decide that I do not want to.
I see myself using reason in making a very important decision, which college I will attend next year. I also see myself using reason to decide my career path, my political views, and my friends.
I really value reason because it helps shape my opinions, beliefs, and character. I will continue to use reason in my decision making from everything from what I will eat for lunch, to where I will live when I'm older.In fact, a lot of the time I feel I take reason for granted because I unconsciously use it. Reflecting on reason, I realize I use it in every decision I make. I am very plased that I use reason and logic in making decisions that are shaping my life.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Blogging Around:
Angela P. did her blog on the discussion of smoking and addiction. Angela,
I really enjoyed that discussion the other day in class too, and I think what I enjoyed the most about it is how people were so honest. You being a very delightful example. I would like to take a moment to say CONGRATULATIONS for stopping. I think it was a really mature decision that takes a lot of strength and confidence to do. I really respect you and am very happy that you stopped, for now you have more years to live.
Also during this discussion though, I was trying to think of a time when addiction is a good thing. The only thing I came up with is addiction to success, but this too can be a bad thing, causing you to do things you normally wouldn't.
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences in class. I really enjoyed listening to it, and I gained a deeper sense of who you are- a strong, moraled person.
-Kara
Joe A did his blog on Benn Glenn, who shows how he can overcome his ADHD by being such a phenomenal artist and speaker.
Joe,
Wow! I just watched that video, and I could only dream of drawing what he did in ten minutes!
I really admire Ben Glenn, not only for his artistic talents, but because of what you said. How he has overcome his ADHD to be an artist and an inspirational speaker. How he has overcome a sad childhood.
I think people like Ben Glenn is what the world needs more of. People who can overcome bad with good. People who can take a bad experience and fuel their success.
I really admire how this man speaks about his experiences too, so he can help others. He is truly a remarkable human being.
Thank you for sharing him with me.
-Kara
I really enjoyed that discussion the other day in class too, and I think what I enjoyed the most about it is how people were so honest. You being a very delightful example. I would like to take a moment to say CONGRATULATIONS for stopping. I think it was a really mature decision that takes a lot of strength and confidence to do. I really respect you and am very happy that you stopped, for now you have more years to live.
Also during this discussion though, I was trying to think of a time when addiction is a good thing. The only thing I came up with is addiction to success, but this too can be a bad thing, causing you to do things you normally wouldn't.
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences in class. I really enjoyed listening to it, and I gained a deeper sense of who you are- a strong, moraled person.
-Kara
Joe A did his blog on Benn Glenn, who shows how he can overcome his ADHD by being such a phenomenal artist and speaker.
Joe,
Wow! I just watched that video, and I could only dream of drawing what he did in ten minutes!
I really admire Ben Glenn, not only for his artistic talents, but because of what you said. How he has overcome his ADHD to be an artist and an inspirational speaker. How he has overcome a sad childhood.
I think people like Ben Glenn is what the world needs more of. People who can overcome bad with good. People who can take a bad experience and fuel their success.
I really admire how this man speaks about his experiences too, so he can help others. He is truly a remarkable human being.
Thank you for sharing him with me.
-Kara
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Connection: Two Stories in One
When one opens a book, they expect to read one story. One story on war. One story on love. One story on history. One story on philosophy.
A story on philosophy is exactly what the novel Sophie's World is about. Philosophy. The history of philosophy. The beliefs of philosophy. The greatest philosphers. However, Sophie's World is not one story; it is two.
In this novel there is one story going on that tells of the history of philosophy, what philosophy is, the greatest philosophers, and how to be a philosphical person. In addition, there is another story going on about a young girl named Sophie. Sophie is receiving these letters, which is how the story about Sophie is connected to the story of philosophy.
This isn't the only novel we've read that has portrayed two stories in one. In fact, the novel Shadow Catcher also did this. There was one story going on about Curtis and Edward, which would compare to the story going on about the history and definition of philosophy. On the other hand, there was this story going on about Marianne Wiggins, and this would compare to the story about Sophie.
An outside connection that I made about telling two stories in one is the movie The Godfather II. In this production, they tell the history of the Godfather, and they also tell a present story. However, they tie these two stories together because eventually Michael, the Godfather's son, goes back to where the Godfather grew up and killed the mophia person that killed everyone in the Godfather's family. This connects to Sophie's World because it has a story about Sophie living in the present, and it also has a story about the history of philosophy. They are both tied toghether, just how these two stories are tied together in The Godfather.
This idea of having telling two stories in one is connected to my life, and it matters to me. I feel like I am two people in one. I am constantly part of two different stories. I feel like I'm living two different lives.
One life is me as the Glenbrook South student, who dresses in simple cothing, plays trombone, and participates in model united nations.
My other life is me as an adventurist, who canoes, backpacks, wears bohemian style clothing, plays country music on guitar, and has a motive to make a difference somewhere in the world.
It is as if I have two different stories, just as the Shadow Catcher and Sophie's World do, but these two stories intertwine. They feed off of each other, just as these two stories did in Shadow Catcher. Events, objects, people, and places connect these two different stories, and for me they connect the two different lives I feel I live.
A story on philosophy is exactly what the novel Sophie's World is about. Philosophy. The history of philosophy. The beliefs of philosophy. The greatest philosphers. However, Sophie's World is not one story; it is two.
In this novel there is one story going on that tells of the history of philosophy, what philosophy is, the greatest philosophers, and how to be a philosphical person. In addition, there is another story going on about a young girl named Sophie. Sophie is receiving these letters, which is how the story about Sophie is connected to the story of philosophy.
This isn't the only novel we've read that has portrayed two stories in one. In fact, the novel Shadow Catcher also did this. There was one story going on about Curtis and Edward, which would compare to the story going on about the history and definition of philosophy. On the other hand, there was this story going on about Marianne Wiggins, and this would compare to the story about Sophie.
An outside connection that I made about telling two stories in one is the movie The Godfather II. In this production, they tell the history of the Godfather, and they also tell a present story. However, they tie these two stories together because eventually Michael, the Godfather's son, goes back to where the Godfather grew up and killed the mophia person that killed everyone in the Godfather's family. This connects to Sophie's World because it has a story about Sophie living in the present, and it also has a story about the history of philosophy. They are both tied toghether, just how these two stories are tied together in The Godfather.
This idea of having telling two stories in one is connected to my life, and it matters to me. I feel like I am two people in one. I am constantly part of two different stories. I feel like I'm living two different lives.
One life is me as the Glenbrook South student, who dresses in simple cothing, plays trombone, and participates in model united nations.
My other life is me as an adventurist, who canoes, backpacks, wears bohemian style clothing, plays country music on guitar, and has a motive to make a difference somewhere in the world.
It is as if I have two different stories, just as the Shadow Catcher and Sophie's World do, but these two stories intertwine. They feed off of each other, just as these two stories did in Shadow Catcher. Events, objects, people, and places connect these two different stories, and for me they connect the two different lives I feel I live.
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