Research Project: 2008

This is where you will post your brief entries for each one of your weekly article assignments. Please make sure that you write in a formal, scholarly style. No casual, "im" or "facebook" language. Use correct punctuation and grammar, and please edit your work before you post. Remember, this is the voice that you present to...the world - or at least to your classmates. 

Please post on your chosen article (see your research project rubric) and comment on a classmate's post. I will reply to at least a third of the entries each week.

Comments

[Austin Farmer]

In response to the article on science and terrorism, Mitchell Wallerstein puts forth a logical solution to the ever-present issue of leaked information to proliferant states. Espionage has occured before in the U.S. as well as in the European countries. His ideas may sound discriminatory to some, with the proposal of universities and private research enterprises reviewing the backgrounds of foreign nationals in the areas of graduatate training or laboratory hire. However, at times the U.S. must take extra precaution to ensure that foreign nationals or immagrints will not bring back the experience or knowledge to their countries to build mass-casualty weapons. The issue of caution against foriegners is very controversial now in situations such as the airport in which racial profiling does occur and can offend innocent foreigners. There should also be, as he proposed, a publication delay on life sciences results for security review. The threat here is very real, happening now across the world; we must enforce restrictions and regulations in order to secure our national security.

[Lauren Johnson]

Keeping scientific information out of the hands of terrorists, rogue nations such as North Korea or challenging nations such as China is a formidable challenge to the United States and the rest of the free world. It is so complex that it requires the cooperation of not only friendly nations such as Great Britain, France and Germany, but America’s businesses and universities. Critical scientific research and development is so geographically and institutionally dispersed that some sort of program will be necessary to ensure that information that would enable those bent on destroying our civilization does not get into the wrong hands. Universities must change their “no strings attached” attitude about public funding for scientific research. If not, then the most logical solution seems to be to consolidate all research related to weapons of mass destruction where access to it and its publication and distribution can be managed.

[Katie Alger]

In this article, Mitchell Wallerstein defends the reasons why important technological information should be restricted from the public. Information regarding nuclear weapons may encourage terrorists to build their own weapons, leading to more attacks similar to September 11, 2001. Wallerstein also adds that the United States cannot be the only country to restrict such information if we hope to cut back on terrorism. Other technolgically advanced places, such as Europe and Japan, are also capable of sharing this kind of imformation and would also need to establish limits to what the public could access. If terrorism could be cut back by restricting this kind of information, Wallerstein's proposal seems to be reasonable.

[Katie Alger]

Lauren, I agree with your opinion on Mitchel Wallerstein's article on restricting information. I think it is alright to restrict certain information if by doing so, people's lives are protected. Also, I agree that countries other than the United States need to look into restricting more information if it will help to cut back on terrorism. Overall, I think Wallerstein's article was very accurate in acknowledging the need to look into what is being released to the general public.

[Krystyna Biassou]

In the “Restrictions” article, Mitchell Wallerstein uses examples of the past such as the Cold War to drive his point that “history can repeat itself”. With this analogy he lists the fears back then and compares them to the fears today. The author has a compelling case that is effective in expressing his opinions and even swaying the audience to think like him. His stance on the security of biological weapons was convincing and even though there was little personal opinion in this section, his use of true stories helped drive the central idea of the article. He expostulated that there should be tighter security on information and that this is a world concern. I feel like I learned so much in regards to the topic at hand. I did not realize how much the Cold war was like the current war that it going on. I like the what the author had to say about the topic, and I agree with his stance on the issue.

[Krystyna Biassou]

Austin, I agree with your point to restrict information from the mass public, but I feel like there should be a better way to implement changes and restrictions without the chance of discrimination. A background check that encompasses everyone and does not single out any one race or nationality would be the best. Remember espionage can occur anywhere and anyone can be behind it. It would be fair (and not to mention safer) if we came together with every nation and do as the author suggested: limit information multilaterally.

[Hannah King]

The United States government, as well as other nation's governments, has an extremely difficult task of monitering the growth and advancement of science and technology while protecting the new knowledge from slipping into the wrong hands, like those of terrorist groups. Never have I realized what a problem there is concerning how open our nation should be with its scientific studies without being descriminatory towards foreigners. It is comforting to know that without the economic resources or individuals with the "know-how" , terrorists pose almost no threat. Unfortunately, many terrorist groups and nations(Iran, Iraq, China, etc.) are able to come West, enroll in public universities and acquire both the knowledge and skills needed to take back home with them. How can our nation and others protect and moniter its studies and new science knowledge as well as prevent events like Sept. 11 from happening again? The article proposes several legitimate answers including better background checks on foreigners entering and exiting the country and more precautions and security checks to be placed on works containing new scientific ideas.

[Hannah King]

Krystyna, I agree that racial or ethnic discrimination is entirely unacceptabe, but obtaining the full cooperation or total agreement of every nation simply isn't practical. I do agree though that forming stronger ties of communication and raising greater awareness amoung multiple nations will enable them to better protect scientific information and technology not intended for terrorist use. I also want to add that your comment on the connection between threats during the Cold War and the terrorist threats preceding Sept. 11 is also important to the prevention of future attacks due to our nations lack of screening those entering and exiting the country. Just as we learned while reading Fahrenheit 451, events of the pastmust be remembersed to help better the events of the future:by learning from our past mistakes we are able to develop better ways of protecting ourselves and in the case of Sept. 11, protecting our nation.

[Ryan Craft]

In psychology, the nature versus nurture debate is one of the biggest debates known to psychology, after reading this, it may be hard to agree with nurture's side. This article was about two twins who were separated from each other three months after their birth and reunited after they were adults, and how they developed similar characteristics of their personality while being nurtured differently. Each grew up on a separate side of the iron curtain in Germany. Ulrike and Conny were the names of the girls, and Ulrike grew up with an affluent life while Conny was raised in a middle class home. Even with this difference, the two girls both did apprenticeships in cooking, loved sports and art, married young and had a child at 19, divorced, and had careers in event management. This story proposes new findings to the psychological debate of Nature vs. Nurture in Natures favor. Even though the twins were separated and raised in different environments, they still developed as similar as twins would normally, proving that Nature (genes) have a great impact on how we develop overall as we age.

[Liz Ertle]

As a child with working parents, I was generally upset when my mom or dad missed a big event due to their inability to get off work. Now, there is much controversy over how much lee-way an employer should give employees with parental obligations, such as my own, versus those without. This article proves some good points as well as provides possible options for both sides. One person points out that “working is a choice for parents” (Johnson 1), but this is not the case for several, such as my own parents. Sometimes there is just no choice but to work or risk losing everything. Then again there are occasions when compromise becomes an option. If parents with these problems can establish some sort of agreement with their employer where they make up the hours lost to children on a later date. The article also offers ideas such as asking “a colleague for backup assistane and offer to reciprocate” (2), which would work just as well. So essentially if credibility can be established, options can be created.

[Emma Battles]

Liz, I am with you on being upset sometimes due to a parents work obligations. However, I feel as if this is something that won't change in our society. The more fast paced our world becomes, the more it seems that family gets lost in all the chaos. Plus, there are studies suggesting that a nonworking parent makes little to no difference in the development of a child. Therefore, I think parents can relax their guilt slightly, and put themselves before their children every once in a while.

[Emma Battles]

Ever since Barack Obama announced that he intended to run for president, the same question has been on the minds of many people - will race be an issue in his ability to get elected? A woman asked this very question during the Nevada caucus, prefacing it by saying that she was searching for a democrat who could win - period. Obama was not taken aback by the forward question, and responded gracefully, stating "I've seen how we can reach out and people will take you for who you are. I really trust in the American people"(1). It is notable that this question seemed to elicit the most attention from reporters and the audience alike. Will race diminish Obamas chance for The White House? I don't believe so. The society we live in now is becoming more accepting and educated everyday, and with that being said, focusing on issues and ability rather than race will be less of a problem now than ever before.

[Abby O'Reilly]

The most popular icons in the media and in the sports world have the ideal body which most ordinary people only dream of. The body images that these icons reveal are unrealistic for many people to obtain. In result to this, eating disorders are developed along with low self-esteem issues causing many women, men, and teenagers to put themselves at a higher risk of death. In particular, reality television shows are commonly targeted for presenting unrealistic expectations of a “perfect” body image which creates an unhealthy lifestyle for those who watch these certain shows. Parents are encouraged to supervise what their children watch to help lower the rate of eating disorders and the death related to this issue. Even if parents monitor what their children watch,however; I do not believe that it will be significant enough to lower the amount of teenagers affected. The only way to erase the image people feel they have to look like is to change the images in the media and allow there to be more diversity. Although changing the image in the media may help significantly, I do not see there being a substantial change in “the look” anytime soon.

[Abby O'Reilly]

Emma, I agree with a lot of the points you made concerning your article. I also believe that many People are becoming more accepting about issues regarding race, however; the issue of racism still affects some people and still can be extremely controversial. Although I do not believe that race should affect the outcome of the presidency, many people will vote the other way because of this issue. Not everybody will be able to look past race and focus on the more important matters of ability and the issues presented.

[Janelle Adams]

On May 16, 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy became the president of France. He is very pro-American and has a good relationship with our nation's leaders- unlike many of his predecessors. Three months ago, Sarkozy's second wife, Cecilia, divorced him. He is currently dating the singer and former model Carla Bruni. In the past month alone, Sarkozy's approval ratings have dropped seven points because of his relationship with Bruni. The people of France feel that the public nature of his relationship lacks tact and is damaging France's relationships with foreign countries. As quoted from one of France's most popular editorials, " The French people did not elect him to be a rock star. He forgot that he should have a romance with France and not with himself and his paramour." This article made me curious- if the French, the people known worldwide for their love of all things romantic, are so upset by Sarkozy's love life, how would Americans react? Also, is this fair? Can Sarkozy not be both a president and a boyfriend? Must a politician put aside his personal life while in office?

[Ryan Craft]

I can relate with Elizabeth, regarding working parents. My dad is a pilot so i usually only see him about 3 days out of a week, or not even that if mother nature interferes, (such as tonight...) but at the same time I see that his obligation to the company must be fulfilled. Especially because in a way even though it may seem he puts his work before his children, in the end it really is for the family. Also, if every time a family conflict came up and employees had to skip out on work, then most companies would see a loss in profits. But just as Emma said, it's hard to keep up with the fast paced world if one is trying to find colleagues to help fill in. Hopefully the corporate world will find a solution soon that will allow working parents to be more supportive of their children!

[Janelle Adams]

Ryan, the points you brought up are extremely interesting. I personally have always believed that nuture and nature play equally large roles. While parents often shape the way their children think, at a certain point, they learn to think for themselves. Regardless, many people tend to share their parents' religious and political views. However, there are also numerous "prodigal son" cases, in which the children grow up to have completely different values and beliefs than their parents. How strange that the twins, practically complete strangers, lived such similiar lives!

[Tyler Griffin]

In "Scientific Information..." Mitchel B. Wallerstein, of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, disects the Corson Report and how it was used twenty years ago during Soviet Times. In an era of Terror, Wallerstein stresses the "principal area in which the aquisition of technical know-how" could largely benefit terrorist cults. Biological and Chemical Warfare. As these two terms relate to an action packed 90's movie called "The Rock", the havoc of sarin gas or any other Biological Weapon is to be greatly revered. Wallerstein feels that certain scientific information should be restricted if it could pose a threat to the effort of global peace. Of course the catch to these restrictions would be a mess of constitutional infringements. Before Wallerstein closes his report he makes it clear that the United States is not the only country that yields scientific greatness. The European Union as well as Japan are just as able to render information that can be a blessing or a major wake up call.

[Tyler Griffin]

Abby your post on the way the Sports Industry and the Media are marketing a potentially damaging body image was very in-tune with today's reality. If anything I believe that the Sports Industry sends out a message of competition more so than a specific body style. The Media on the other hand has almost no boundries to their specific crieria for the "look". As an older brother I see just how much ceratin television stations slaughter females for unacceptable body lines and curves. Again as you already have stated the "look" will most likely remain stagnant for quite a while.

[Katie Keel]

Micheal Wallerstein, in his article "Scientific Information That Could Help Terrorists Should Be Restricted", points out that the biggest fear is terrorist groups gaining knowledge and materials to build deadly divices. He believes that the restriction of information to protect people should occur. Wallerstein uses the Corsen Report to educate about about terrorism such as the Soviet Union. Also, Wallerstein links adds in the horror of September 11, 2001 to show that terrorism is occurring as an issue in our country not just in other countries. Wallerstein warns that there should be restrictions, but the restrictions should not be limited to the United States but be spread world wide.

[Katie Keel]

Liz makes a good point that parents have obligations to their job, but children are a priority. Money is essential to raising a child. Food, clothing, shelter, health care children are a big responsibily and cost money to care for. Parents should set aside time to spend with their children. Children need love and attention from their parents just as much as food and clothing. Children's personalities are shaped by their parents views and the values their parents teach them. A lack of attention in the home can cause behavior problems else where, no saying that is always the case but it tends to be a factor as I have experienced with kids I have worked with in babysitting jobs and other times I have watched kids. There has to be a balance between work and attention being payed to children.

[Liz Ertle]

Janelle, the end of your article poses some interesting question. In America, relationships and love seem to be more accepted in society. Of course i could see where the French could feel this as a threat to how their country is being governed, simply because of Who he's dating. It symbolizes that he's not going to take his job very seriously. In America, though, the discrimination probably wouldn't be as big of a deal, because it's an American Ideal that we should love who we want, and be who we want. Plus, it's not fair to tell Sarkozy that he must leave love for work. As long as he does not let it get in the way of running things, then there should be no complaints.

[Alison Strickland]

Article Summary- ‘The Terror of Tomorrow’ by Ken Wilber

The article I chose to review was not hard to find considering Ken Wilber was one of my favorite modern philosophers and I was familiar with a lot of his work. I am very interested in and concerned with overarching question 7 particularly related to the benefits/advancements in technology and their social ramifications. This article actually is a response to another article by Bill Joy called Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us, which can be found in Wired magazine. The overall concerns of the article are the reasons why, how, and the impacts of exterior development not matched with interior development. The author was particularly concerned with technologies such as artificial intelligence and atomic weapons. Ken Wilber explained the serious and very dangerous risk when technological growth runs ahead of interior growth in wisdom, care, and compassionate use of that technology, whether it be ecological suicide or atomic holocaust. The author pointed out the alarming fact that individuals have access to technology created by persons operating at higher cognitive levels while not have yet experiencing levels of interior development as the creator. Ken Wilber responded and added suggestions as to how to deal with the dangerous and scarily relevant issue. He suggests that the solution be a combination of exterior legal enforcement and growth of collected wisdom.

[Alison Strickland]

Emma, you pose a very thought provoking question as to wether race will be an issue in Sen. Obama's election into the White House. With an African-American and a woman running in the upcoming election, the question is on everyones minds. Actually the focus on race and gender seems to be taking a front seat to what really matters ina candidate: their character and ability. It's alarming when the media and most of the public focuses on race and gender instead of the persons character. It is a shameful and disgraceful fact, but race will absolutley effect Obama's chances in getting into the White House. I do not think it will eliminate his chances by any means, but there is a 150 year old stigma that won't seem to disapper in the minds of a scary amount of voting American people. I think it is a bit of a stretch to state that the American people are becoming more 'accepting' and 'educted'. There remains the sting of unacceptance and backwardness on both sides of the political spectrum. The over-inclusiveness in the 'politically correct' movement throughout the extreme left and the over-exclusiveness in the extreme right put a spotlight on the sense of uncomprimise and negativity that defines politics today. I earnestly hope that people voting in the upcoming election look at what really matters in a candidate. I did enjoy reading your review.

[Lauren Johnson]

Hannah, I agree that getting the cooperation of all countries may seem impossible but I think we need to look at it long term because it may be our only hope. True, it's not the only solution but without countries cooperating the problem is a lot worse.