Google Controls Our Minds

I can't deny the fact that I am addicted to my phone and rely on it for almost everything. We find ourselves constantly depending on our phones for the simplest things. As our phones have gotten smarter, we have truly had less to think about. In a split second we can research any question we have and get a clear answer in seconds. Instead of taking the time to figure out a problem, Google is there to give us an extra hand. Convenience is what our market is run on, but there's always a negative for too much assistance. It is extremely helpful that Google is such a large database and has quick answers, but it makes things almost too easy. I don't believe that it is a negative thing, but if we actually want to gain knowledge we can't be dependent on immediate responses. "The ultimate search engine is something as smart as people--or smarter." The more information we are given the less we have to think. The author points out an interesting point in saying that "Google is really trying to build artificial intelligence." The analogy that Google is basically half of of thinking is weird to wrap your head around. Are we being controlled by a website? The way we learn now is much different than generations ago. We spend so much time on the internet that maybe books and researching isn't ideal anymore. "Over the past few years I've had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain." Since we have to spend a lot less time searching, we don't have to think about what we are finding out.
"My concentration often starts to drift after two or three page... The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle." Do we blame Google for all of our learning problems? We do have to read less when use Google as our source, but does that hinder our reading ability? I would disagree that the effect of a search engine causing major learning problems. Using Google basically just makes us lazier because it doesn't require as long to find an answer. It is extremely helpful to know the simple facts and data, but that is not what we need to use our brain power. Learning to apply our knowledge is what we should be learning in school everyday. Anyone can memorize a list of things, but not everyone can use explanation and application. "They would be filled with the conceit of wisdom instead of real wisdom." Google is filling our brain with a lot of information, but most of it is not helpful in the real world. We are less likely to spur fresh ideas and expand our human knowledge. Such a helpful tool is draining our minds from learning sincere intelligence. Spending less time on finding the right answer reduces the amount we have to think.We have to remember that Google and our phones are simply a helpful tool, but instead they are overused and we become dependent on them. Is it possible to keep away from your cellular for a day or even a few hours? It would be interesting to see if we could break the addiction to our electronics. The world doesn't need someone to tell us all the answers, but the advantage of minimal aide could be the best way to keep our minds engaged but also curious to learn.

Jim Crow Lessons

Living as a different race would be extremely distinctive from how we live. We are used to having everything handed to us and living an ease-free life. Never having to think about the dangers we might face walking down the road, it is amazing how much our world has changed since the early 1900's. Although there still is some racism in the world today, its hard to comprehend that black people were so differently treated than how they are now. They received absolutely no respect and were often not even seen as a real person. "Well walk you black son of a bitch." Everywhere a black person went, they could not escape constant harassment because of their skin color. I couldn't imagine living in a world where people looked past you every time you smiled at them. Do we really blame racism on people's ethical decisions? I would have to argue that generations ago were brought up learning that black people were a disgrace. The only things they knew were the things that they were taught. The government basically brought many dark skinned people into our country on a ship and began auctioning them off to be laborers. Slavery was the only thing that they were known for doing! White men didn't know better that they were being truly racist. Black people were presented as objects and remained so until we later made a change in our world.
The Jim Crow lessons that Richard learned were all about how he was treated contradictive to white men. He wasn't able to do the things that priviledged white kids could do. He had to find a way to get around the poor treatment and live happily as a black man. This was a very problematic situation due to the constant racism and discrimination he was faced with everyday. He endured situations where he witnessed and also was involved in biased treatment. At his "white man" job he worked just as hard as everyone else, but was still treated like he was a dog. He couldn't escape the fact that he was black, but did everything he could to fit in with the rest of the workers. "This is white man's work around here, and you better watch yourself." Who knew that only white men could work? This was not accurate at all, but they were all blind to the fact that he was equivalent to them. No one would let go of the idea that whites were superior to blacks and could not comprehend that everyone is truly equal.
"Here my Jim Crow education assumed quite a different form... Here I learned to lie, to steal, to dissemble." Since Richard was out of the norm, he had to respect whites but also find a way to earn respect back. It obviously wasn't easy always trying to find your way around being picked on, but always making a courteous move would save him from being slapped. He didn't really have a choice other than try and fit in. Stories of "Jim Crow" lessons always remind me that everyone deserves equal treatment. These simple messages help us understand that we are all the same, just unique in our own ways.

"Talk of the Town"

On the horrific day of 9/11 2001, America came together as our country was invaded and broken by few terrorists. Being so young, I don't remember a single thing that happened that day. Many people tell stories of how shocked and disturbed they were on the very day. I didn't catch everyone's distress that day and carried on with my T.V. watching day. Even though I don't recall much, it definitely was a day that changed everything. The articles point out interesting views on our country that I wouldn't have thought of. Our country truly is strong but also a mess within itself. Our government tries to do their best to contain our freedom so that we can all live in safety, but they may not be doing the right things.If we had complete freedom, our world would be even more crazy than it already is. Security was the problem that began the dreadful event. The first article points out that maybe we are given too much leeway for anyone to become a pilot. We definitely should be concerned about the people who are driving air crafts, but by no means exclude anyone from training. This really made me think about how the invaders were even able to board the plane. Although almost anyone is able to have transportation, it is surprising that foreigners had the same freedom that we have. It is difficult to argue against having freedom when our country's roots are to give equal opportunity."Risk is a price of freedom" said John Updike. I would never want to argue against the freedom that we do have, but it is almost frightening that the amount of freedom we had allowed 9/11 to happen.
Our country should constantly be using history to make decisions for the future. We can learn from 9/11 that something went wrong not only with our security but politics as well. A higher level of security could cure the problem of any more deaths, but the bigger problem was the government's attempt to convince our country that everything was alright. We knew then and there that reality is more complex than thought. Sometimes our government does a great job of keeping things in line, but a lot of times they are oblivious to everything happening. None of us actually knew that terrorists were going to attack our country, but the government should have a better clue on what is happening around the world particularity with our enemies. We could point fingers at our government or at the terrorists for the tragic invasion, but all in all it should be a lesson learned to be prepared for the future. Security needs to be extremely better and our government needs to be more intelligent with foreign policy. The second article said, "ineptitude of American intelligence and counter-intelligence." This was interesting because our government is very smart and sneaky with comprehension they have. They may know a lot more than we think, but every unconscious descision they make truly is shown in our community."Our country is strong," said Susan Sontag. This statement is true because we are a remarkable country with freedom to be anything we want to be. With the test of freedom, our country needs to stay true to what it believes in.

Introduction Post

To begin my blog, I want to start it on a positive note and make the best out of this class. I never have considered myself a writer, but I took this class because I would really like to learn something new. I think everyone could learn something new if they put their mind to it. As difficult as it is trying to maintain a blog in the summer, we are all forced to do it. Maybe it is a good thing so that we don't completely forget everything about school, but it also could just be annoying because we would rather be outside enjoying the sun. Either way I would rather look at our summer assignments as an introduction to what we will really have to be learning. As much as we all would love ignoring the blog, it is important to keep our minds fresh and always trying something new.

If you don't already know me, I love spending time outside and being with friends all the time. I enjoy nature because it is always peaceful and so much nicer than staying inside. You can easily get lost walking around, but it is always an adventure to get back to where you began. Enjoying the warm air and the beauty of the outdoors is fascinating to me because there is always something new to see. Although not everyone loves walking around in a forest, it is also nice to walk around downtown and enjoy the city. There is so many shops and new people to meet that it is always an interesting day walking down state street. Some of my favorite places to go on state street are Cheba hut, Osaka sushi, Noodles, and Ian's pizza. Yes I am obsessed with food and sometimes drive all the way downtown for a meal. Half of my pay checks are spent on food and I am completely fine with enjoying a quality dinner. Nature walks and eating food are the best ways to make me happy, but I spend most of my time on other things.
Since it is summer, we have plenty of free time and a great opportunity to make money. Not having a job would seem like we would be wasting our time when we could be saving up for college. I don't necessarily mind working a lot, but sometimes I feel like it takes up too much time in the summer. In the beginning of summer I worked way more than I wanted to and had barely any time to myself. Balancing between the two is a lot easier and less stressful. Currently, I work for the Maple Tree in town and I have an accounting intern position at my mom's work. I couldn't say which job I like best because they both have positives and negatives. Any restaurant job is a great first job to have because it teaches you to keep up but to also be comfortable talking to customers. After working there for a year, I definitely have learned a lot about people and how to be a leader. At my intern job, I spend a lot of time doing simple accounting things and mindless work. I have learned that I definitely would never be an accountant because numbers and computers don't go well with me. Other than the fact that work isn't always fun it definitely is a learning experience and helps everyone figure out what they would do for college.
Even though I am still unsure would I want to do after high school, it is important to take every opportunity we get and figure out who we are. Over the last year I've learned a lot about people and myself by going to completely new places and meeting new people. It is amazing how different people are and how differences are actually a positive thing. Being in such a small community is a negative thing because the world is so much different than just a perfect little school. Even though we are still so young, there is so much to experience and learn from in the future.