Monday, November 26, 2012
Book progress #1
"The Tipping Point is that magical moment when an idea, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire." The nonfiction book I chose is The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell. I wanted a book based on research while also discussing human behavior. Gladwell does just this and shows the readers how the smallest things can trigger an epidemic of change. The Tipping Point illustrates three rules for making an object or idea well known to the world; the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context. Gladwell starts the first chapter by informing readers how the epidemic of syphilis arose in Baltimore in the mid-1990's. Many would argue "people came into contact with others and infected them with syphilis"; yes, this is true but Gladwell goes into detail as to what caused Baltimore's syphilis problem to tip. Almost immediately he changes the subject and talks about crack. What? He was talking about syphilis and now I'm being informed about crack? Little did I know crack influenced syphilis in the 1990's. Gladwell states, "epidemics tip because of the extraordinary efforts of a few select carriers" (22). He goes on to introduce different situations where the "little things" had a dramatic impact in the next decade; such as AIDS, Hush Puppies, the stabbing of Kitty Genovese, and the commencement of the American Revolution.
Within the Law of the Few, Gladwell groups people in different categories; Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen. For example, Galdwell characterizes Paul Revere as a "Connector" since he knew just about everyone in the town, specifically the revolutionary leaders and a "Maven" because he gathered information about the British. Revere knew the problem that was arising and who to tell. "The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you" (33).
The Stickiness Factor is supported by children shows such as Sesame Street and Blue's Clues. Gladwell goes into gathering empirical data about ideals and interviews researchers about what it takes for an idea to stick. He gives examples of how these assumptions have been supported by data, "Kids don't watch when they are stimulated and look away when they are bored. They watch when they understand and look away when they are confused" (102).
The Power of Context. Well I haven't read that far so I can't say much. Hopefully by my next blog post I will explain how the Power of Context comes into play with the other two rules. I have learned many events such as the stabbing of Kitty Genovese and how it relates to the rest of the world and the rules. I am looking forward to finishing my book which is rare since I don't enjoy reading in general; but anyways I now have a different outlook on society and how we interact with others based on the "little things" which eventually turn into "big" ones.
Within the Law of the Few, Gladwell groups people in different categories; Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen. For example, Galdwell characterizes Paul Revere as a "Connector" since he knew just about everyone in the town, specifically the revolutionary leaders and a "Maven" because he gathered information about the British. Revere knew the problem that was arising and who to tell. "The phenomenon continues to this day--think of how often you've received information in an e-mail message that had been forwarded at least half a dozen times before reaching you" (33).
The Stickiness Factor is supported by children shows such as Sesame Street and Blue's Clues. Gladwell goes into gathering empirical data about ideals and interviews researchers about what it takes for an idea to stick. He gives examples of how these assumptions have been supported by data, "Kids don't watch when they are stimulated and look away when they are bored. They watch when they understand and look away when they are confused" (102).
The Power of Context. Well I haven't read that far so I can't say much. Hopefully by my next blog post I will explain how the Power of Context comes into play with the other two rules. I have learned many events such as the stabbing of Kitty Genovese and how it relates to the rest of the world and the rules. I am looking forward to finishing my book which is rare since I don't enjoy reading in general; but anyways I now have a different outlook on society and how we interact with others based on the "little things" which eventually turn into "big" ones.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Senior Project #2
Alright so Senior Project. Wow what to say. I haven't changed my project whatsoever so I'm still planning on running a half-marathon in late spring. I haven't done anything for my project except run on a daily basis. Problem, I screwed up my knee. Here's the story; I was running about 2 weeks ago and my knee began to hurt on my way home. I thought to myself well you probably overdid it so I went on with my day. A few days later as I was going up the stairs I felt my knee popping. I stretched it out before and after my workout but it still felt the same. Oh and at the time I still didn't have a mentor. Fast forward to a week later, I made an appointment to get my knee checked out and found a mentor. I went to my appointment and found out I had fluid in my kneecap but I was alright to run. I am currently wearing a knee brace and should wear it until it heals hopefully soon. Just yesterday I tried to go for a run with it on but my knee decided to not cooperate with me so I ended up walking/limping home. I am going to take it easy and run about a half mile everyday as soon as my mentor has a training plan for me.
My mentor is Greg Stueland. Greg is one of the founders of Vine Runners, a local running group that runs Thursday evenings as well as Saturday mornings. I met with Greg last week and told him about my knee situation. Having participated in over 40 marathons, he suggested I take it easy seeing as how I will not be competing until mid spring. Hearing this and my doctor tell me I have fluid in my kneecap really upset me because I feel like I'm lagging on my project but I know it's for the best in order to prevent a more serious injury keeping me from running in the future. Hopefully I will be back up and running by the end of this week in order to train for the half-marathon.
My mentor is Greg Stueland. Greg is one of the founders of Vine Runners, a local running group that runs Thursday evenings as well as Saturday mornings. I met with Greg last week and told him about my knee situation. Having participated in over 40 marathons, he suggested I take it easy seeing as how I will not be competing until mid spring. Hearing this and my doctor tell me I have fluid in my kneecap really upset me because I feel like I'm lagging on my project but I know it's for the best in order to prevent a more serious injury keeping me from running in the future. Hopefully I will be back up and running by the end of this week in order to train for the half-marathon.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
"A Change of Heart About Animals" response
Dear Jeremy Rifkin,
Your stance in your article, "A Change of Heart About Animals" has a profound effect on the general public reading the Los Angeles Times. I greatly believe that animals should have the same rights as humans do. Your statement, "They feel pain, suffer and experience stress, affection, excitement, and even love-and these findings are changing how we view animals", changed my view on animals completely. I am completely aware we are manufacturing meat the wrong way as well as infecting animals with unnecessary pesticides; so yes we need to change the way we treat animals around us. The condition in which factory workers are handling meat products is unappealing to many, resulting in people adapting to the vegetarian lifestyle. This being said, I strongly agree with Rifkin's point that animals "are more like us than we had ever imagined" whether it's from treatment or knowledge.
As normal humans, when we look at something/someone we make an assumption. Face it, it can be good or bad but we do it. How about animals? Many simply look at them and wonder what they are beneficial for. Elephants? Their ivory. Do we really need that much ivory? No. Why the hell would you even need so much of it? People are unaware of the feelings animals posses towards their dead kin. We shoot elephants for their ivory, an elephant comes along and notices the carcass. Unaware how it happened, the elephant touches the carcass with its trunk. The elephant experiences grief and often stands next to the dead body for days. Humans are oblivious to the fact that animals have emotions too and they deserve respect. In reality, are you constantly buying elephant products? I didn't think so. Although not mentioned in "A Change of Heart about Animals", the same goes for cows; many are consuming meat without having the knowledge of what it contains. It can pose a health risk to humans by such unheard-of antibiotics.
After reading Lois Frazier's letter to the editor, I agreed with her and Rifkin in more ways than possible. "When will more people begin to realize that we share this world with many creatures deserving of our care and respect?" This is the question we need to ask on a daily basis and remind ourselves if killing a large amount of animals to produce something we benefit from although not healthy and fresh. We are unfamiliar of animals' emotions and how it affects them; we as humans need to respect their presence on this planet and become aware of why we do or do not 'need' them.
Your stance in your article, "A Change of Heart About Animals" has a profound effect on the general public reading the Los Angeles Times. I greatly believe that animals should have the same rights as humans do. Your statement, "They feel pain, suffer and experience stress, affection, excitement, and even love-and these findings are changing how we view animals", changed my view on animals completely. I am completely aware we are manufacturing meat the wrong way as well as infecting animals with unnecessary pesticides; so yes we need to change the way we treat animals around us. The condition in which factory workers are handling meat products is unappealing to many, resulting in people adapting to the vegetarian lifestyle. This being said, I strongly agree with Rifkin's point that animals "are more like us than we had ever imagined" whether it's from treatment or knowledge.
As normal humans, when we look at something/someone we make an assumption. Face it, it can be good or bad but we do it. How about animals? Many simply look at them and wonder what they are beneficial for. Elephants? Their ivory. Do we really need that much ivory? No. Why the hell would you even need so much of it? People are unaware of the feelings animals posses towards their dead kin. We shoot elephants for their ivory, an elephant comes along and notices the carcass. Unaware how it happened, the elephant touches the carcass with its trunk. The elephant experiences grief and often stands next to the dead body for days. Humans are oblivious to the fact that animals have emotions too and they deserve respect. In reality, are you constantly buying elephant products? I didn't think so. Although not mentioned in "A Change of Heart about Animals", the same goes for cows; many are consuming meat without having the knowledge of what it contains. It can pose a health risk to humans by such unheard-of antibiotics.
After reading Lois Frazier's letter to the editor, I agreed with her and Rifkin in more ways than possible. "When will more people begin to realize that we share this world with many creatures deserving of our care and respect?" This is the question we need to ask on a daily basis and remind ourselves if killing a large amount of animals to produce something we benefit from although not healthy and fresh. We are unfamiliar of animals' emotions and how it affects them; we as humans need to respect their presence on this planet and become aware of why we do or do not 'need' them.
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