1. Is the cost of college too high? I could research why rates for college are so high, and if they realize that they are putting students in debt right when they graduate. Surely, government gives financial aid, but is it really helpful? They do not give enough to many people, and high school is free, so why can't college be?
http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/morris/
2. Why is adderall illegal? College students constantly talk about how they use this drug before big exams, and how it helps them greatly. I can investigate the reason why this drug is illegal, and not legalized to help all students. If it is helping them do better in school, which is the main goal of all universities, then why should it not be given to everyone?
http://adhd.emedtv.com/adderall/adderall-without-a-prescription.html
3. Legalization of Alcohol: Students always talk about how alcohol should be legal for 18 year olds as well. They feel like its not a big deal, but the truth is that it is extremely dangerous. I would like to investigate and argue the fact that alcohol is furnished to 21 year olds and above for a reason. The government actually has good reasons to pick that age, and even as a student myself, I actually think that the drinking age is morally correct. Adult that are twenty one or older are matured and can handle the drinking, while its sad to say, but many college students cannot.
http://drinkingage.procon.org/
Penn State
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Paragraph Revision
Old:
Organizations like the ASPCA dislike animal testing and try to constantly impose new methods for these results. They state that scientists can use false tissues and computer analyses to obtain the same data. That process is inefficient as the results are not as efficient. Besides, many people would not want to trust a computer to test the safety of something over a similar creature. Testing with false tissues and specialized computers also costs a lot more than traditional animal testing methods. By doing alternative testing, the government is spending extra money for experiments that are not providing proficient results.
New:
Still not satisfied with the excellent condition of the animals, animal activist organizations urged for alternative methods. Other methods include tissue cultures of cells, plant tissues, and computer analyses. The problem with plant tissue tests is that their genome is much less similar to the humans compared to animals that are currently used. Kristina Cook, a PhD student in pharmacology and chemistry at Oxford University, states that computers are not advanced enough to match with the complexities of living organisms. The function of the cells in humans is dynamic and intricate making it almost impossible for any computer system to match.
Citation:
Cook, Kristina. "Stand Up for Science: Facts about Animal Research." Pro-Test: standing up for science. Oxford Lab, 26 Mar. 2006. Web. 7 Nov. 2010..
Organizations like the ASPCA dislike animal testing and try to constantly impose new methods for these results. They state that scientists can use false tissues and computer analyses to obtain the same data. That process is inefficient as the results are not as efficient. Besides, many people would not want to trust a computer to test the safety of something over a similar creature. Testing with false tissues and specialized computers also costs a lot more than traditional animal testing methods. By doing alternative testing, the government is spending extra money for experiments that are not providing proficient results.
New:
Still not satisfied with the excellent condition of the animals, animal activist organizations urged for alternative methods. Other methods include tissue cultures of cells, plant tissues, and computer analyses. The problem with plant tissue tests is that their genome is much less similar to the humans compared to animals that are currently used. Kristina Cook, a PhD student in pharmacology and chemistry at Oxford University, states that computers are not advanced enough to match with the complexities of living organisms. The function of the cells in humans is dynamic and intricate making it almost impossible for any computer system to match.
Citation:
Cook, Kristina. "Stand Up for Science: Facts about Animal Research." Pro-Test: standing up for science. Oxford Lab, 26 Mar. 2006. Web. 7 Nov. 2010.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Journal 10
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre1996080200&type=hitlist&num=2
This article was found on CQ researcher on the PSU libraries website. It discusses the negatives of animal research, and I plan to target those negatives with an opposing view that I could include in my paper. The thesis of this article was to discuss all of the wrongs of animal testing and show why the movement for it has grown over the past few decades. The author begins by introducing what goes on in an animal testing environment. They talk about what the animals have to go through, and even the habitats they are put into. The article begins in a positive manner on how the animals are being treated, but then goes into all the cruel things that occur in the world. One thing that struck me was that many animals develop illness' where they begin to scratch at themselves until they bleed. This is probably a side effect of the drugs that are tested upon them. After discussing the problems that occur with those animals in the laboratory, they speak about all the other animals that die yearly. The author changes from a minor effect on the animals to a major one: death. Although this testing helps greatly in furthering our knowledge of medicines, there are many risks that accompany it. Humans continue to do this because they are not the ones put in harms way. The animals are suffering and dying because some of their bodies just cannot handle the tests. Another issue targeted in this article is the fact that animals have rights as well. They should be allowed the right to live free and fulfill their "personal behavioral prerogatives" in life. Once all the problems with it are discussed, the author begins to show that there are alternatives out there. Animal testing does not have to be done, but it is just the most efficient thing we have currently. There are many other possibilities such as cell cultures and computer models to produces results for scientists. This was a great essay especially because it made me think twice about the opinion I chose for this essay. I began to reconsider whether I wanted to be pro or against animal testing after reading all the points of this essay. Either I am going to switch my stance on this topic, or I will use the information present in this article and show why it is not important. The topics that the author targeted can be counter-targeted with more valid points. Some information that I actually would like to cite from this article is the positives that were said about animal testing. They discussed how the animals were treated well, they have a better chance of avoiding disease in laboratory environments, and they are safe from predators.
"And although their individual cages are small - roughly two feet wide by three feet high and deep - the macaques all have poles and rubber swings to simulate their arboreal life in the jungle"
Source:
Masci, D. (1996, August 2). Fighting over animal rights. CQ Researcher, 6, 673-696. Retrieved November 4, 2010, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1996080200.
This article was found on CQ researcher on the PSU libraries website. It discusses the negatives of animal research, and I plan to target those negatives with an opposing view that I could include in my paper. The thesis of this article was to discuss all of the wrongs of animal testing and show why the movement for it has grown over the past few decades. The author begins by introducing what goes on in an animal testing environment. They talk about what the animals have to go through, and even the habitats they are put into. The article begins in a positive manner on how the animals are being treated, but then goes into all the cruel things that occur in the world. One thing that struck me was that many animals develop illness' where they begin to scratch at themselves until they bleed. This is probably a side effect of the drugs that are tested upon them. After discussing the problems that occur with those animals in the laboratory, they speak about all the other animals that die yearly. The author changes from a minor effect on the animals to a major one: death. Although this testing helps greatly in furthering our knowledge of medicines, there are many risks that accompany it. Humans continue to do this because they are not the ones put in harms way. The animals are suffering and dying because some of their bodies just cannot handle the tests. Another issue targeted in this article is the fact that animals have rights as well. They should be allowed the right to live free and fulfill their "personal behavioral prerogatives" in life. Once all the problems with it are discussed, the author begins to show that there are alternatives out there. Animal testing does not have to be done, but it is just the most efficient thing we have currently. There are many other possibilities such as cell cultures and computer models to produces results for scientists. This was a great essay especially because it made me think twice about the opinion I chose for this essay. I began to reconsider whether I wanted to be pro or against animal testing after reading all the points of this essay. Either I am going to switch my stance on this topic, or I will use the information present in this article and show why it is not important. The topics that the author targeted can be counter-targeted with more valid points. Some information that I actually would like to cite from this article is the positives that were said about animal testing. They discussed how the animals were treated well, they have a better chance of avoiding disease in laboratory environments, and they are safe from predators.
"And although their individual cages are small - roughly two feet wide by three feet high and deep - the macaques all have poles and rubber swings to simulate their arboreal life in the jungle"
Source:
Masci, D. (1996, August 2). Fighting over animal rights. CQ Researcher, 6, 673-696. Retrieved November 4, 2010, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1996080200.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Journal 9-Arguments
Electric Cars:
Electric cars were designed to prevent pollution from damaging the earth and to conserve our natural gas reserves. Many auto industry analyst were expecting electric cars to take over and be the car of the future, but that is not the way it is going. At the rate of sales they are at now, these cars will account for less than ten percent of the cars driven within the next ten years. If everyone attained these cars, then our environment would be a much better place to live in. Although none of this is going to happen until people take the initiative to buy the car. The cars are more expensive, and this is one of the major reasons people do not want to switch over from their old ones.
I think it should be mandatory that people switch over to electric cars. It may be much more expensive, but it is worth the money in the end. For those people that cannot afford it, the government should help them out based on their financial standings. If we all switched over to electric cars, we would slow down global warming by such a large amount.
Pro-Life over Pro-Choice:
One of the greatest debates in America has yet to be settled. People are constantly arguing back and forth about whether abortion should be legal or whether it should be illegal. Recent polls have shown that there is a higher percentage of pro-life people over the pro-choice standpoint. The president wants to have a mutual agreement that people can choose what they would like to. He wants to reduce the number of abortions that occur, but by reducing the number of pregnancies that happen in the first place. People will still argue, so he believes that there will never be a mutual agreement.
On the other hand, I think that abortion is not a bad thing. Many kids that have babies ruin the potential for their lives, and this should not be stopped because an abortion is illegal. Also, if abortion is illegal and inhumane, shouldn't miscarriages be as well. There are miscarriages that occur because the mother does not take care of her body nutritionally, and this impacts the baby. If that is the case, then that is hypothetically the same thing as aborting a baby. I believe that people should have pro-choice at all times because it is a free country.
Proposition 19:
In California, voters will go to the ballots on Tuesday to vote on legalizing marijuana or not. If the results comes out for it, then it will be legal for people 21 years or older to possess marijuana. People of twenty one years old will be allowed to cultivate and keep it with them at all times. It is said to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the government. Critics also say that people would be able to smoke marijuana up until the point of driving their car. This movement will also undercut the regulations that were already set forth by medical marijuana laws in certain states.
I believe that this is not the right proposition that should be voted on. It is not clear and concise, and still has many loopholes within it. Allowing people to use marijuana up until the point of when they step in the car is the same things as drunk driving. If the government is so adamant about not letting people drive under the influence, then they should include marijuana in the category of an influence. Legalizing the drug will also allow people to obtain amounts more than the medical limit. I believe in the legalization of marijuana for people to use as treatment for sickness, but not in this manner.
Electric cars were designed to prevent pollution from damaging the earth and to conserve our natural gas reserves. Many auto industry analyst were expecting electric cars to take over and be the car of the future, but that is not the way it is going. At the rate of sales they are at now, these cars will account for less than ten percent of the cars driven within the next ten years. If everyone attained these cars, then our environment would be a much better place to live in. Although none of this is going to happen until people take the initiative to buy the car. The cars are more expensive, and this is one of the major reasons people do not want to switch over from their old ones.
I think it should be mandatory that people switch over to electric cars. It may be much more expensive, but it is worth the money in the end. For those people that cannot afford it, the government should help them out based on their financial standings. If we all switched over to electric cars, we would slow down global warming by such a large amount.
Pro-Life over Pro-Choice:
One of the greatest debates in America has yet to be settled. People are constantly arguing back and forth about whether abortion should be legal or whether it should be illegal. Recent polls have shown that there is a higher percentage of pro-life people over the pro-choice standpoint. The president wants to have a mutual agreement that people can choose what they would like to. He wants to reduce the number of abortions that occur, but by reducing the number of pregnancies that happen in the first place. People will still argue, so he believes that there will never be a mutual agreement.
On the other hand, I think that abortion is not a bad thing. Many kids that have babies ruin the potential for their lives, and this should not be stopped because an abortion is illegal. Also, if abortion is illegal and inhumane, shouldn't miscarriages be as well. There are miscarriages that occur because the mother does not take care of her body nutritionally, and this impacts the baby. If that is the case, then that is hypothetically the same thing as aborting a baby. I believe that people should have pro-choice at all times because it is a free country.
Proposition 19:
In California, voters will go to the ballots on Tuesday to vote on legalizing marijuana or not. If the results comes out for it, then it will be legal for people 21 years or older to possess marijuana. People of twenty one years old will be allowed to cultivate and keep it with them at all times. It is said to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the government. Critics also say that people would be able to smoke marijuana up until the point of driving their car. This movement will also undercut the regulations that were already set forth by medical marijuana laws in certain states.
I believe that this is not the right proposition that should be voted on. It is not clear and concise, and still has many loopholes within it. Allowing people to use marijuana up until the point of when they step in the car is the same things as drunk driving. If the government is so adamant about not letting people drive under the influence, then they should include marijuana in the category of an influence. Legalizing the drug will also allow people to obtain amounts more than the medical limit. I believe in the legalization of marijuana for people to use as treatment for sickness, but not in this manner.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sandal Critic
V-sandals:
This was the first type of sandal created with a simplistic design that many people grew to love. It’s merely a piece of lightweight flat rubber, with a V-shaped securing strap at the front end. It locks your feet in place from sliding forward or sideways, with a rubber bar that lies between your big toe and index toe. This is such an easy-to-create design that allows free movement of one’s foot in comparison to a shoe. The platform is a rigid rubber that allows sturdy support when moving around. When people yearn to go back to the basic, free motion sandal, this is the perfect choice.
Adidas Flip-Flops:
The new adidas flip-flops are a revolution to the footwear industry with their comfort and design. They may seem just like the original sandal, but these differ in various ways. Unlike the sandal, the base of the flip-flop has a contour design with cushion that can adjust to a person’s foot. With the extra comfort, there is not just a solid piece of rubber that does not bend too well, but something that is firm yet flexible. This is a perfect design for people who are tired of that rubber stopper between your toes causing pain and discomfort. It obtains a horizontal strap that secures the foot without any discomfort to individual toes. With its slightly different design, this flip-flop can provide maximum comfort and security based on a person’s likings.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Mac Book Generation
With the world relying more and more on technology each day, the computer industries need to keep up with people’s demands. Competition has gone back and forth between different PC’s, until a whole new revolution of computers was created: the Mac. The Mac has taken people by surprise, as most college students prefer these to PC notebooks. Walking around campus or a library at college, you can notice how many people switched over to this new, incredible machine. The Mac has a special operating system known as snow leopard that is extremely preventative against viruses. Since it runs on its own system, there are almost no known viruses that were created yet. It is extremely difficult for hackers to create viruses on a new system. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of viruses are out there that can pop up into a windows notebook. Many people believe that windows is more prone to viruses than a Mac, and this is true. Some people do not even bother inputting virus software into their Mac because the chances of getting one are slim. In addition, the Macbook is an investment that will last a long time. Looking at a PC laptop, they usually have parts that break down after a few years that need replacement, or even the problem of buying a whole new computer. The Mac can last a person for years and years to come as long as they take care of it and keep it in good shape. The best thing about a Mac is that it is extremely simple to replace a dead battery or to upgrade to newer software. Battery life works well with Mac’s, but of course like every piece of technology, it will slowly die down. When this happens, the simplicity of buying and installing a new battery takes no effort and is cost effective.
Given that there are new software changes every year, it is beneficial to have a simple way to keep up with the technology. As technology keeps advancing daily, people need a simple way to utilize it. Mac provides people with a user-friendly machine to assist them with their daily needs involved with technology. While there are many different programs that were created on a PC, Mac has taken them and simplified them into what they call “applications.” People believe that by using a Mac, which comprises of an entirely new operating system, it would take weeks of training and practice. The truth is that these applications are simple to use and they are extremely effective as well. The Mac also comes with many applications that are useful for leisure and important things for working. It comes with garage band, imovie, and many more that can make complex project easy to complete. These applications provide step-by-step assistance making it quick and easy to get used to them. The multimedia effects that come along with a Mac create superb finished products. The price range of the Mac book is fairly close to the prices of all the competing PC brands as well. With maybe a few extra dollars needed to be put towards a Mac, the investment is worth it. It provides you with a long lasting computer, endless capabilities, effective usage, and cyber safety. All of these components of the new Mac laptop give no doubt that it is the ‘laptop of the future’ and an uprising to the world of technology.
Given that there are new software changes every year, it is beneficial to have a simple way to keep up with the technology. As technology keeps advancing daily, people need a simple way to utilize it. Mac provides people with a user-friendly machine to assist them with their daily needs involved with technology. While there are many different programs that were created on a PC, Mac has taken them and simplified them into what they call “applications.” People believe that by using a Mac, which comprises of an entirely new operating system, it would take weeks of training and practice. The truth is that these applications are simple to use and they are extremely effective as well. The Mac also comes with many applications that are useful for leisure and important things for working. It comes with garage band, imovie, and many more that can make complex project easy to complete. These applications provide step-by-step assistance making it quick and easy to get used to them. The multimedia effects that come along with a Mac create superb finished products. The price range of the Mac book is fairly close to the prices of all the competing PC brands as well. With maybe a few extra dollars needed to be put towards a Mac, the investment is worth it. It provides you with a long lasting computer, endless capabilities, effective usage, and cyber safety. All of these components of the new Mac laptop give no doubt that it is the ‘laptop of the future’ and an uprising to the world of technology.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Detailed Outline: Recycling
1. Opening Scene:
-Janitor is taking out the trash bags
-tall and skinny Caucasian
-Bags are only a quarter full for recycling
-blue waste containers with labels on each of them
-University has taken the initiative, but is it actually worth it?
-“ I guess it’s been better than when we first started to recycle, but it still isn’t that great.” (John, Mckean Janitor)
2. Nut Graph:
-discuss how recycling has increased, but can it increase more
-Word fears global warming, so recycling has become a large issue
-People everywhere try to increase their efforts to conserve energy
-special dump trucks come just for recycling (facts for when this started)
-from traditional trash cans, to various waste containers
3. Background:
-Penn State recycling program created in 1990 because of Pennsylvania's Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act which places a minimal amount of recycling at educational institutes
-increased recycling from 20 tons to 6000 tons
-waste containers when I walked into the dorms: compost, plastic bottles, newspapers, cans, trash
-many bright signs telling kids to recycle with an effort
-surprised to see how easy it is for students to recycle here
-Cafeteria, silverware and reusable utensils are used
-special waste containers for napkins (stall stories)
-requires janitors to do more work though, but is it worth it?
4. Effectiveness of Efforts
-does it actually work for this university?
-I see the janitor taking out the trash bags and those are always full
-the recyclables are less than half full, no need to take it out as much
-Check out the new recycling policies at Penn State, exactly what do they state
-does the janitor agree with them? Why does the board think differently?
-Has he seen any changes from these policies so far?
-(Interview with John)
5. Maturity
-Does people begin to recycle more as they grow older?
-2 sided argument: Apartments, yes they do recycle their cans, quotes from brother and his roommates
-Frats, use plenty of cans for parties, but never recycle
-I pledge and have to clean, no special containers for cans
-Many cans in the trash waste plenty of energy (300 cans = energy statistic)
6. Survey Kids
-either incorporate this earlier or now in its own paragraph
-determine how many kids around me actually recycle
-quotes from kids on the floor, and what they think of recycling
-do they think the efforts of the school to recycle works?
7. Conclusion-talk about the issue at hand
-support beliefs through all quotes and facts: recycling can be much better at Penn state
-Which tactics can the school use to make recycling better
-Why don't their methods currently not work too well
-students can learn that it is simple to recycle, and that it is definitely worth it in the long run
-the future issue is that our world will suffer, and seasons and the nature we live in is affected
-Janitor is taking out the trash bags
-tall and skinny Caucasian
-Bags are only a quarter full for recycling
-blue waste containers with labels on each of them
-University has taken the initiative, but is it actually worth it?
-“ I guess it’s been better than when we first started to recycle, but it still isn’t that great.” (John, Mckean Janitor)
2. Nut Graph:
-discuss how recycling has increased, but can it increase more
-Word fears global warming, so recycling has become a large issue
-People everywhere try to increase their efforts to conserve energy
-special dump trucks come just for recycling (facts for when this started)
-from traditional trash cans, to various waste containers
3. Background:
-Penn State recycling program created in 1990 because of Pennsylvania's Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act which places a minimal amount of recycling at educational institutes
-increased recycling from 20 tons to 6000 tons
-waste containers when I walked into the dorms: compost, plastic bottles, newspapers, cans, trash
-many bright signs telling kids to recycle with an effort
-surprised to see how easy it is for students to recycle here
-Cafeteria, silverware and reusable utensils are used
-special waste containers for napkins (stall stories)
-requires janitors to do more work though, but is it worth it?
4. Effectiveness of Efforts
-does it actually work for this university?
-I see the janitor taking out the trash bags and those are always full
-the recyclables are less than half full, no need to take it out as much
-Check out the new recycling policies at Penn State, exactly what do they state
-does the janitor agree with them? Why does the board think differently?
-Has he seen any changes from these policies so far?
-(Interview with John)
5. Maturity
-Does people begin to recycle more as they grow older?
-2 sided argument: Apartments, yes they do recycle their cans, quotes from brother and his roommates
-Frats, use plenty of cans for parties, but never recycle
-I pledge and have to clean, no special containers for cans
-Many cans in the trash waste plenty of energy (300 cans = energy statistic)
6. Survey Kids
-either incorporate this earlier or now in its own paragraph
-determine how many kids around me actually recycle
-quotes from kids on the floor, and what they think of recycling
-do they think the efforts of the school to recycle works?
7. Conclusion-talk about the issue at hand
-support beliefs through all quotes and facts: recycling can be much better at Penn state
-Which tactics can the school use to make recycling better
-Why don't their methods currently not work too well
-students can learn that it is simple to recycle, and that it is definitely worth it in the long run
-the future issue is that our world will suffer, and seasons and the nature we live in is affected
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