The Society of Mr. Sirianni’s Classroom
Journal #15
Over the course of the year I have personally learned many new things, some of which I will hopefully use in later life. The course was good, but the teacher made it very interesting, making me always look forward to going to second period. The classroom was like a society in many ways, everyday people eating, and communicating with each other. Some days, people would sleep as if it were there home, and other days people would do nothing. However, there were some days were people actually did work.
At first I wanted to drop the class as the workload seemed to be so great, but after sticking through all the hard times, like a battle from the movie Troy, I managed to come out on top like Achilles, and I am definitely glad that I stayed, as the class was very enjoyable.
It was a tremendous experience, and I’m sure everyone enjoyed the topics and class discussions as much as I did. Although we had plenty of time to do all these journals, they were cramping my style, although I guess some work was needed to be done… Joking, some stuff was actually accomplished, and I learned how to analyze books, movies, and songs, along with activating group discussions. These skills could become very important in later life such as University, and so I thank you, Mr. Sirianni for all the great memories. Also in a few more days, I will be graduating by the looks of things, so you know what that means: ) Best of luck in the future, although no class will be as awesome as ours.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Hunting
Hunting
Journal #14
Is hunting right or is it wrong?
There is a fine line between what is right and what is wrong. I think it depends on what you are hunting for. If you have a good reason than it should be allowed. Hunting for trophies is the most pointless reason anyone can have for hunting. If a person is hunting for survival, and food is needed than hunting should be allowed.
Hunting endangered species should be completely forbidden. The people with sick minds that like to kill endangered species just for fun or for wealth also have something wrong with them. If animal hunting is allowed, then some people could see humans as animals and decide to hunt them as well. It is pretty easy to get a hunting licence or gun nowadays, especially since you can purchase stuff illegally, which makes it easier to kill animals.
Animals that lay lots of eggs and have high reproduction rates should be hunted sometimes so that we can maintain their populations. However, if they have a decrease in population then the hunting should cease until they have managed to reproduce their population.
If there is a need for an animals fur, then they should not be hunted for it, unless the hunter will use every single part of the animal, and only kill the elderly ones that can no longer reproduce. Also there should be a limit of how many can be killed per season and each time one is killed it should be recorded so that the populations can be controlled effectively.
In the end, hunting should only be done if it is absolutely necessary, and only in small amounts. The populations of the animals should always be maintained carefully to avoid any extinction.
Journal #14
Is hunting right or is it wrong?
There is a fine line between what is right and what is wrong. I think it depends on what you are hunting for. If you have a good reason than it should be allowed. Hunting for trophies is the most pointless reason anyone can have for hunting. If a person is hunting for survival, and food is needed than hunting should be allowed.
Hunting endangered species should be completely forbidden. The people with sick minds that like to kill endangered species just for fun or for wealth also have something wrong with them. If animal hunting is allowed, then some people could see humans as animals and decide to hunt them as well. It is pretty easy to get a hunting licence or gun nowadays, especially since you can purchase stuff illegally, which makes it easier to kill animals.
Animals that lay lots of eggs and have high reproduction rates should be hunted sometimes so that we can maintain their populations. However, if they have a decrease in population then the hunting should cease until they have managed to reproduce their population.
If there is a need for an animals fur, then they should not be hunted for it, unless the hunter will use every single part of the animal, and only kill the elderly ones that can no longer reproduce. Also there should be a limit of how many can be killed per season and each time one is killed it should be recorded so that the populations can be controlled effectively.
In the end, hunting should only be done if it is absolutely necessary, and only in small amounts. The populations of the animals should always be maintained carefully to avoid any extinction.
Violence
Violence
Journal #13
Violence is always increasing in the communities. With increased violence on television, video games, and Internet, it is making the newer generations become more violent. it is extremely easy to view any type of violence, and it can even be expressed to smaller age groups now.
Many video games come out, and a lot are about shooting and fighting. Even with the ratings on the front for adults only, children still manage to get hold of these games. They just need a brother or sister, or even parents t go pick it up for them. Sometimes the stores might not even check for identification, which makes it even easier to achieve. The violence in the games promotes children to bring it out into real life situations, and they don’t think that anything is wrong with it.
Television is probably the easiest place to access violence, with children being able to view almost any channel they want. Even if parent put locks on some of the channels that that feel are too violent, children can find ways around this. For some receivers just pulling out the cord or unplugging it can reset the locks, which makes it extremely easy to watch violent shows. Show like C.S.I. and Dexter show violence and blood, which if children are too young and don’t know what’s going on, can see this as something fun to do as they grow up.
The Internet is also an extremely easy way to view violence. No parent can possibly block every site in the world, and children can even you video sites such as youtube. On youtube you can view many high school fights, and some sites even teach the basics of fighting.
We are in a lazy generation, where parents are concerned less with where their children go, and what they watch or play. As children are in their learning stages, they pick up many things that are either right or wrong, and the only way to learn is to have somebody around for them.
Journal #13
Violence is always increasing in the communities. With increased violence on television, video games, and Internet, it is making the newer generations become more violent. it is extremely easy to view any type of violence, and it can even be expressed to smaller age groups now.
Many video games come out, and a lot are about shooting and fighting. Even with the ratings on the front for adults only, children still manage to get hold of these games. They just need a brother or sister, or even parents t go pick it up for them. Sometimes the stores might not even check for identification, which makes it even easier to achieve. The violence in the games promotes children to bring it out into real life situations, and they don’t think that anything is wrong with it.
Television is probably the easiest place to access violence, with children being able to view almost any channel they want. Even if parent put locks on some of the channels that that feel are too violent, children can find ways around this. For some receivers just pulling out the cord or unplugging it can reset the locks, which makes it extremely easy to watch violent shows. Show like C.S.I. and Dexter show violence and blood, which if children are too young and don’t know what’s going on, can see this as something fun to do as they grow up.
The Internet is also an extremely easy way to view violence. No parent can possibly block every site in the world, and children can even you video sites such as youtube. On youtube you can view many high school fights, and some sites even teach the basics of fighting.
We are in a lazy generation, where parents are concerned less with where their children go, and what they watch or play. As children are in their learning stages, they pick up many things that are either right or wrong, and the only way to learn is to have somebody around for them.
Adoption
Adoption
Journal #12
During a fellow classmates intense class discussion about adoption, many views of the point were discussed. The point was brought up of whether we should tell our kids if they were adopted or not. If we should tell our kids then what age should we do it at, and why should we tell our kids. Will it make them sadder, or less happy in the situation they are in now?
During the class discussion, many different approaches about the topic were taken. Some people said that if children were to learn that they were adopted at earlier ages, it could allow for them to be happy with their new parents more, especially since they decided to tell the truth. It could also cause them to be angry with the parents, and express feelings that state there not the real parents. However, some people may be more happy if you tell them, and then if they want to seek out their birth parents they can, and if they were happy with the fact that their adopted parents took them over the birth parents, then they might not have any reason to seek out the birth parents.
I think that the children should get to know if they are adopted, and they should be told when they start asking a lot of questions, like ‘where do babies come from?’ or ‘why babies come and are needed?’ This is the learning state of the child, and if you tell them at a younger age they will feel as if you never hid anything from them. However they might not feel as loved, as they are not mature yet, but over time they could realize that you cared for them more than the birth parents because you took care of them.
Although it could depress a child, it had good benefits too, and I think that a child would be much happier in the end knowing the truth. It will be hard for the parent to express this to their children, but I believe that it will mean a lot to them. However, I do not have kids, and do not know how most feel, but I personally would want my parents to tell me at a younger age.
Journal #12
During a fellow classmates intense class discussion about adoption, many views of the point were discussed. The point was brought up of whether we should tell our kids if they were adopted or not. If we should tell our kids then what age should we do it at, and why should we tell our kids. Will it make them sadder, or less happy in the situation they are in now?
During the class discussion, many different approaches about the topic were taken. Some people said that if children were to learn that they were adopted at earlier ages, it could allow for them to be happy with their new parents more, especially since they decided to tell the truth. It could also cause them to be angry with the parents, and express feelings that state there not the real parents. However, some people may be more happy if you tell them, and then if they want to seek out their birth parents they can, and if they were happy with the fact that their adopted parents took them over the birth parents, then they might not have any reason to seek out the birth parents.
I think that the children should get to know if they are adopted, and they should be told when they start asking a lot of questions, like ‘where do babies come from?’ or ‘why babies come and are needed?’ This is the learning state of the child, and if you tell them at a younger age they will feel as if you never hid anything from them. However they might not feel as loved, as they are not mature yet, but over time they could realize that you cared for them more than the birth parents because you took care of them.
Although it could depress a child, it had good benefits too, and I think that a child would be much happier in the end knowing the truth. It will be hard for the parent to express this to their children, but I believe that it will mean a lot to them. However, I do not have kids, and do not know how most feel, but I personally would want my parents to tell me at a younger age.
Sexting
Sexting
Journal #11
During a brilliant class discussion, done by Mr. Sirianni of course, the article that discussed sexting came up. So what is sexting? Sexting is the practice of teens taking naked photos of themselves and sending them to friends by using their cellular phones. So why is it bad? It is usually done by underage people, which creates a problem, and increases the amount of sexual desire between people.
Sexting creates real problems when, lets say for example, a girl sends her boyfriend a picture of herself, and something happens between them, and he ends up sending everyone this picture. This creates a snowball effect, where the girl becomes embarrassed, her parents become embarrassed, and sometimes it may never go away. Teenagers should not be using their phones for ‘sexting’ as it can get them into serious trouble, and possible even charges or arrests may occur.
However, the boundary of sexting can be carried a little too far. You can get in trouble for wearing bathing suits, which is apparently just as bad as bras and other necessities. Sometimes, sexting should be up to the people that do it. They know the risks that their photos can be leaked anytime and anywhere, so it’s all personal choice. Although the easiest way would be to just cut down on the amount of sexting that is occurring.
Personally, I don’t see the reason why sexting occurs. If someone is going to be satisfied by looking at a 1-inch screen than they have problems themselves. Then perhaps they need to go out and see the real stuff for once in their lives. Sexting should be banned, and anyone caught doing it should get a fine or penalty for doing such things. It only leads to more problems and complications as unwanted things may appear in certain places, such as pictures on peoples’ phones you would never want to have pictures of yourself on. The only solution is to stop sexting.
Journal #11
During a brilliant class discussion, done by Mr. Sirianni of course, the article that discussed sexting came up. So what is sexting? Sexting is the practice of teens taking naked photos of themselves and sending them to friends by using their cellular phones. So why is it bad? It is usually done by underage people, which creates a problem, and increases the amount of sexual desire between people.
Sexting creates real problems when, lets say for example, a girl sends her boyfriend a picture of herself, and something happens between them, and he ends up sending everyone this picture. This creates a snowball effect, where the girl becomes embarrassed, her parents become embarrassed, and sometimes it may never go away. Teenagers should not be using their phones for ‘sexting’ as it can get them into serious trouble, and possible even charges or arrests may occur.
However, the boundary of sexting can be carried a little too far. You can get in trouble for wearing bathing suits, which is apparently just as bad as bras and other necessities. Sometimes, sexting should be up to the people that do it. They know the risks that their photos can be leaked anytime and anywhere, so it’s all personal choice. Although the easiest way would be to just cut down on the amount of sexting that is occurring.
Personally, I don’t see the reason why sexting occurs. If someone is going to be satisfied by looking at a 1-inch screen than they have problems themselves. Then perhaps they need to go out and see the real stuff for once in their lives. Sexting should be banned, and anyone caught doing it should get a fine or penalty for doing such things. It only leads to more problems and complications as unwanted things may appear in certain places, such as pictures on peoples’ phones you would never want to have pictures of yourself on. The only solution is to stop sexting.
Racism
Racism
Journal #10
Unfortunately, our world consists of a large amount of racism. What is racism? Racism is the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races. Racism appears in many forms, from people being to prejudice or people having too much discrimination.
When we discussed the black and white proms, and how they each have their own proms set on different dates, I was astonished that this could still happen in today’s societies. Prom is the last school dance of the year for school, and you should get to enjoy it with any of your friends, no matter their colour or their race. Also, the fact that the white prom was held before the black prom is pure discrimination, what are they saying, that white people are better than black people?
Since the prom was student organized, they should have realized that they wanted to be with their friends, and did one prom. Not only would this have allowed for cheaper costs of not having rent the dance area twice, but also it would allow for everyone to feel equally.
No teacher should ever be allowed to be racist. If a teacher showed even the slightest racial mark then they should be fired immediately on the spot, what gives them the right to express their racism and grade different races with lower marks than other races.
However, racism will continue to exist as long as we continue to separate cultures and races of the world. As Morgan Freeman said on 60 minutes, the only way to get rid of racism is to “stop talking about it”. I definitely agree with Freeman, and think that we should all treat each other equally.
Journal #10
Unfortunately, our world consists of a large amount of racism. What is racism? Racism is the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races. Racism appears in many forms, from people being to prejudice or people having too much discrimination.
When we discussed the black and white proms, and how they each have their own proms set on different dates, I was astonished that this could still happen in today’s societies. Prom is the last school dance of the year for school, and you should get to enjoy it with any of your friends, no matter their colour or their race. Also, the fact that the white prom was held before the black prom is pure discrimination, what are they saying, that white people are better than black people?
Since the prom was student organized, they should have realized that they wanted to be with their friends, and did one prom. Not only would this have allowed for cheaper costs of not having rent the dance area twice, but also it would allow for everyone to feel equally.
No teacher should ever be allowed to be racist. If a teacher showed even the slightest racial mark then they should be fired immediately on the spot, what gives them the right to express their racism and grade different races with lower marks than other races.
However, racism will continue to exist as long as we continue to separate cultures and races of the world. As Morgan Freeman said on 60 minutes, the only way to get rid of racism is to “stop talking about it”. I definitely agree with Freeman, and think that we should all treat each other equally.
Low Fertility
Low Fertility
Journal #9
I think the having low fertility is bad for the economy because we need to have population. Sure, having to many people is also bad, because it increase the amount of food, shelter, and health care needed, but having too small of world population would also be bad. I think that we should find a prefect population that maintains all societies, and then keep it that way by having two kids per family, which will replace the parents. In the case that some people die from diseases or premature deaths, then some families can have three kids to maintain the population. Right now we seem to have a good size population, and perhaps even too many people at some points, which could be causing us to go into recession.
If we had low fertility rates, I feel that scientists would find ways to reproduce more people. Like in Brave New World, where all the people are processed at different levels and get to work different jobs. They are all happy at the levels they work at too so the societies seem to be perfect. Alphas get the good jobs, and Deltas and Epsilons get the dirty jobs like Mike Rowe on his show Dirty Jobs.
In the article, which I did not receive somehow, but it mentions “Whether population declines, stabilizes, or grows more slowly, the change in age structure produced by lower fertility and longer life expectancy may be the most important demographic influence on sustainability..” which apparently represents the article in a nut shell, thanks to Jason blog. As of now we do not know what is going to happen, and so it will make our future more exciting, as we will have to adapt to the changes. If the fertility rates are too low then we might need to look to scientific methods to reproduce more, and if they are to high then perhaps everyone will go to war over simple things like shelter and food supplies.
Article: “Low Fertility and Sustainability” - Martha Farnsworth Riche
Journal #9
I think the having low fertility is bad for the economy because we need to have population. Sure, having to many people is also bad, because it increase the amount of food, shelter, and health care needed, but having too small of world population would also be bad. I think that we should find a prefect population that maintains all societies, and then keep it that way by having two kids per family, which will replace the parents. In the case that some people die from diseases or premature deaths, then some families can have three kids to maintain the population. Right now we seem to have a good size population, and perhaps even too many people at some points, which could be causing us to go into recession.
If we had low fertility rates, I feel that scientists would find ways to reproduce more people. Like in Brave New World, where all the people are processed at different levels and get to work different jobs. They are all happy at the levels they work at too so the societies seem to be perfect. Alphas get the good jobs, and Deltas and Epsilons get the dirty jobs like Mike Rowe on his show Dirty Jobs.
In the article, which I did not receive somehow, but it mentions “Whether population declines, stabilizes, or grows more slowly, the change in age structure produced by lower fertility and longer life expectancy may be the most important demographic influence on sustainability..” which apparently represents the article in a nut shell, thanks to Jason blog. As of now we do not know what is going to happen, and so it will make our future more exciting, as we will have to adapt to the changes. If the fertility rates are too low then we might need to look to scientific methods to reproduce more, and if they are to high then perhaps everyone will go to war over simple things like shelter and food supplies.
Article: “Low Fertility and Sustainability” - Martha Farnsworth Riche
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