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
Friday, September 24, 2010
Recycling at Penn State
Recycling at Penn State
As our earth is constantly trying to conserve energy to prevent global warming, Penn State works hard to play a part of this large goal. From the traditional trashcans around the campus, the college has put various ones that organize the different articles of trash. Penn State went from recycling only twenty tons of waste to about six thousand a year. (Penn State stall stories) That must have a great impact on the environment.
When I first came to Penn State a few weeks ago, I noticed all of the different trash containers that were located in the buildings. As I walked down the dusty and congested halls of Mckean, there was a row of waste containers. They had blue special containers that were for cans, trash, newspapers, office paper, water bottles, and even napkins. They even had large signs posted on the front of each container to ensure that students know what waste goes where.
This immediately caught my attention on their efforts to recycle for a healthier environment. They were placed in the middle of the floor so that each student was a short distance when they needed to take out their trash. With all these different waste containers around, students are urged to recycle at every possible time they can, but the question is do they?
I observe our janitor taking out the trash once in a while because of my curiosity towards how much people actually do recycle. From how I see it, most students do not. These four-foot trash bags for recycling are about a quarter of the way full by the end of the week. This is odd because students definitely produce more trash than that. On the other hand, the trash containers seem like they need to be emptied almost every single day. In these containers for trash only, I noticed that it was full of napkins, cans, water bottles, and more.
This showed me that not all students were making their best efforts to recycle. The fact of the matter is that most college students are just too lazy. If the recycling container is not right next to them, they will throw it in the closest thing possible. As much as I hate to admit it, I am one of those students as well. For the first week or two, I would always recycle, but then slowly it just took too much effort. I thought to myself, maybe it just took time for students to get used to this recycling, and that they would begin to do it more as they became older.
I was proved wrong when I went to a few fraternity houses. They accumulate probably two hundred to three hundred cans per night of a party or social, and these never get recycled. They are just thrown into the dumpster to be taken in the trash.
Interviews:
1. “ I guess it’s been better than when we first started to recycle, but it still isn’t that great.” (John, Mckean Janitor) talking about what he sees as recycling from when it first started.
2. “Fuck that. One trash can won’t make a difference anyway.” (John Widmaier, Mckean resident, freshman)
3. “I think it is a really good idea. I actually take the time out of my day to go pick out my trash and put everything in the right container. Me and my roommate take turns each time.” (Mike Moore, Mckean resident, freshman)
Facts:
- This would add up to around 900 cans because fraternities usually have parties about four days a week. According to this online recycling calculator I found, recycling those 900 cans would provide enough energy to view TV for 2400 hours straight!
(http://www.nrc-recycle.org/theconversionator/shell.html )
- Penn state went from recycling 20 tons in 1989 to 6, 070 currently. (Stall Stories, 9-20-2010 edition)
- The average Residence Hall student generates about 375 pounds of trash and 69 pounds of recyclables each year. (Stall Stories, 9-20-2010 editions)
- Penn State recycles about 48% of its total waste. (Stall Stories, 9-20-2010 editions)
As our earth is constantly trying to conserve energy to prevent global warming, Penn State works hard to play a part of this large goal. From the traditional trashcans around the campus, the college has put various ones that organize the different articles of trash. Penn State went from recycling only twenty tons of waste to about six thousand a year. (Penn State stall stories) That must have a great impact on the environment.
When I first came to Penn State a few weeks ago, I noticed all of the different trash containers that were located in the buildings. As I walked down the dusty and congested halls of Mckean, there was a row of waste containers. They had blue special containers that were for cans, trash, newspapers, office paper, water bottles, and even napkins. They even had large signs posted on the front of each container to ensure that students know what waste goes where.
This immediately caught my attention on their efforts to recycle for a healthier environment. They were placed in the middle of the floor so that each student was a short distance when they needed to take out their trash. With all these different waste containers around, students are urged to recycle at every possible time they can, but the question is do they?
I observe our janitor taking out the trash once in a while because of my curiosity towards how much people actually do recycle. From how I see it, most students do not. These four-foot trash bags for recycling are about a quarter of the way full by the end of the week. This is odd because students definitely produce more trash than that. On the other hand, the trash containers seem like they need to be emptied almost every single day. In these containers for trash only, I noticed that it was full of napkins, cans, water bottles, and more.
This showed me that not all students were making their best efforts to recycle. The fact of the matter is that most college students are just too lazy. If the recycling container is not right next to them, they will throw it in the closest thing possible. As much as I hate to admit it, I am one of those students as well. For the first week or two, I would always recycle, but then slowly it just took too much effort. I thought to myself, maybe it just took time for students to get used to this recycling, and that they would begin to do it more as they became older.
I was proved wrong when I went to a few fraternity houses. They accumulate probably two hundred to three hundred cans per night of a party or social, and these never get recycled. They are just thrown into the dumpster to be taken in the trash.
Interviews:
1. “ I guess it’s been better than when we first started to recycle, but it still isn’t that great.” (John, Mckean Janitor) talking about what he sees as recycling from when it first started.
2. “Fuck that. One trash can won’t make a difference anyway.” (John Widmaier, Mckean resident, freshman)
3. “I think it is a really good idea. I actually take the time out of my day to go pick out my trash and put everything in the right container. Me and my roommate take turns each time.” (Mike Moore, Mckean resident, freshman)
Facts:
- This would add up to around 900 cans because fraternities usually have parties about four days a week. According to this online recycling calculator I found, recycling those 900 cans would provide enough energy to view TV for 2400 hours straight!
(http://www.nrc-recycle.org/theconversionator/shell.html )
- Penn state went from recycling 20 tons in 1989 to 6, 070 currently. (Stall Stories, 9-20-2010 edition)
- The average Residence Hall student generates about 375 pounds of trash and 69 pounds of recyclables each year. (Stall Stories, 9-20-2010 editions)
- Penn State recycles about 48% of its total waste. (Stall Stories, 9-20-2010 editions)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Number One Party School
Penn State was determined to be the number one party school in country in 2009 by the Princeton Review. Journalists took a second look at this statement, and decided to investigate this situation. They wanted to figure out why it is the "the number one party school", and what this really means for the university itself. The issue discussed in this report is of course, the drinking problem. This is something that happens every single night here at Penn State, but it is so difficult to stop. Administration constantly tries to stop this problem because it is an illegal activity for most students and is dangerous when drinking in excess. Every single week, hundreds of students are given underage drinking citations, D.U.I.'s, and many are even taken to the hospital due to their binge drinking. This issue is increasing as newer generations take over, and they discuss the wrongs about this so called "culture" that the students live by. They are drinking and partying at all times that they possibly can. This affects the many people that do not drink on campus because they have to put up with the rowdy drunk kids that stroll the streets. For example, Alex, the driver for Canyon's, was punched in the face and had his car beaten up by belligerent drunk students. He never drank in his life, and just came to college for a good education, but still had to put up with these kids. It not only affects the people that do not drink, but the residents of the town as well. The residents have their property violated and damaged as kids walk by constantly. Some kids may urinate on their flowers and some may just cause disturbances for people attempting to sleep. The writer does a great job in using quotes for this particular investigative report because they get both sides of the story. They interview with the students that partake in the binge drinking, and then the residents and students that do not. When looking at the interviews of the drunk students, we get to understand that the things they say about the stupid things they do is true. The interview with the officer allowed us to gain so much more information about things that go on because he has to put up with the same catastrophes every week. After the writer discussed the deaths that occur through so much drinking just because we are labeled the number one party school, the writer tries to get the point across about how wrong it is to do this. There are many things that can go wrong when participating in an illegal activity, and many have already been experienced by universities. Students need to understand that drinking may be fun at times, but they always need to think about the long term by thinking before they do something stupid.
I personally really enjoyed this report because it allowed me to learn so much more about my university. I could also relate to many of the things because I have experienced or witnessed them throughout all the times I have visited here and me living here currently. The part that really worked for me was that they are reasonable with the facts of life. When Graham Spanier said kids that want to come here for drinking, he got boo'ed and was hated. This is exactly what happens with college students if you mess with something they like, they revolt. The fact is when an occurrence happens in which other kids can learn from, that is how they will change. The death of the student that fell of the wall changed views of many students, and they began to start walking home in groups. This is where I think this report is best because by listening to the truth behind everything, they can submit to change in the way that the please.
I personally really enjoyed this report because it allowed me to learn so much more about my university. I could also relate to many of the things because I have experienced or witnessed them throughout all the times I have visited here and me living here currently. The part that really worked for me was that they are reasonable with the facts of life. When Graham Spanier said kids that want to come here for drinking, he got boo'ed and was hated. This is exactly what happens with college students if you mess with something they like, they revolt. The fact is when an occurrence happens in which other kids can learn from, that is how they will change. The death of the student that fell of the wall changed views of many students, and they began to start walking home in groups. This is where I think this report is best because by listening to the truth behind everything, they can submit to change in the way that the please.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A First Draft
A first draft may seem like a simplistic piece of paper, worthless, but in reality, it is the key to writing an incredible essay. Hundreds of new ideas are roaming around a human’s mind constantly, and it is difficult to remember everything. For this reason, it is best to jot down all your ideas in any order or without proper grammar. I believe that the first draft is more about the process. When writing the first draft for anyone, they are not writing to submit something immediately. Instead, the first draft is a chance to release everything that is on your mind and organize it later on. There is a process to writing a well-rounded paper, and the beginning step to this is the first draft. Capturing all your thoughts and writing them down to remember them later is extremely vital. A great thought may zoom through your mind, and then later on you regret not writing it down. A little thought can slip your mind easily, but can impact a paper greatly that is missing it. That single thought can be a part of your paper that you could have branched off of to create a lengthy, detailed paragraph. Keeping all your thoughts for reference does not only work by writing them down, but also through other methods such as recording or video. Many sports reporters use that method to get ideas from the events, and from these resources, they can begin their rough draft. Ideas do not always have to be fresh out of your mind, but can be recycled from previous times to begin a “shitty first draft.” Through all of these useful ways to gather ideas, a person can begin their first drafts. After completion of their first draft, they move on to editing and beginning another draft. By looking at how a writer builds upon ideas from one draft to another resembles the process instead of the product.
I agree upon this fact because when I started my own draft, I looked at my first draft as the beginning of a tedious and long process. I sat down and jotted down my ideas, but onto a web. I like to write down my ideas using a web because it allows me to branch off detailed ideas off the central ones. Using all the ideas that I threw out there, I chose the ones that worked best for the narrative, and just crossed out the other ones. In the reading, I agree with the fact that no writer sits down enthusiastic and confident about what they are about to write. I never feel ready to write anything, and am actually a little nervous at times. After I begin to get into the rhythm of writing and build my confidence, I have a great flow with my work. One of her ideas that contributed to the strength in my rough draft is how many ideas are jotted down, but some of them are “good enough” when I take a second look. This allowed me to eliminate unnecessary information that just came out of my head, and gives me a better chance to rely on the ideas that will make my paper successful.
I agree upon this fact because when I started my own draft, I looked at my first draft as the beginning of a tedious and long process. I sat down and jotted down my ideas, but onto a web. I like to write down my ideas using a web because it allows me to branch off detailed ideas off the central ones. Using all the ideas that I threw out there, I chose the ones that worked best for the narrative, and just crossed out the other ones. In the reading, I agree with the fact that no writer sits down enthusiastic and confident about what they are about to write. I never feel ready to write anything, and am actually a little nervous at times. After I begin to get into the rhythm of writing and build my confidence, I have a great flow with my work. One of her ideas that contributed to the strength in my rough draft is how many ideas are jotted down, but some of them are “good enough” when I take a second look. This allowed me to eliminate unnecessary information that just came out of my head, and gives me a better chance to rely on the ideas that will make my paper successful.
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Meaning of a Shirt
Such a simple article of clothing brought about an extensive amount of meaning to this father. This shirt was not just ordinary shirt made in a factory, but instead had an entire history behind it. As generations begin to develop, people are slowly forgetting about the history of obtaining a shirt the "right" way. This experience relates to a memoir because the process of having a Ramone's shirt meant something to him. He loved the good old days where people would earn the shirts by actually attending the concerts and experiencing the intensity. To some people, this may seem like a man that is just crazy because he is obsessing over how to get a Ramone's shirt, but he attempts to show his beliefs and implement them onto us. It is not really the fact of getting a shirt, but the deeper meaning is the traditional values. When he wanted a shirt in his days, people would have to earn those shirts as true fans. He is surprised how the traditional values are being lost because his son just simply came up to him and asked for a shirt. His son did not have any intentions of going to a concert, but probably just wanted the shirt as a fashion fad. The author of this narrative expresses how a Ramone's shirt is so important to him when he explained that he never got one. He attended many of their concerts, yet still did not feel that he could just simply buy one. This story is relevant to the time because it is showing how generations evolve and lose past values. As we move into the future, many of our old traditions and values are being lost. An example of this is how 90 percent of America uses computers instead of hand writing. I remember when all my assignments were written by hand, and sometimes even in cursive. For this reason, he target this story towards people that may have experienced the world at the same time that he did.
When I write my essay, I would like to target something so simple like this that had made a drastic change. By doing so, it will draw in the reader because typically such simplistic events are not supposed to cause life changing moments or views on the world. In addition, I also want to include plenty of descriptive details to make my readers feel like they were actually there. I will probably not use too much dialogue because I want to express the story the way I experienced it. I plan to write about graduation, and everyone this day had different feelings and emotions. This narrative was such a simple story, but had a great impact through the in-depth meanings behind all the words on the page.
When I write my essay, I would like to target something so simple like this that had made a drastic change. By doing so, it will draw in the reader because typically such simplistic events are not supposed to cause life changing moments or views on the world. In addition, I also want to include plenty of descriptive details to make my readers feel like they were actually there. I will probably not use too much dialogue because I want to express the story the way I experienced it. I plan to write about graduation, and everyone this day had different feelings and emotions. This narrative was such a simple story, but had a great impact through the in-depth meanings behind all the words on the page.
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