First thing that comes to mind for me when writing in groups or with a partner is that more than likely we will not get a lot accomplished. I say this because my last couple of experiences with writing with partners turned into evenings of laughter and drinks and the rest was history. The first partner I ever paired up with we met at at tavern and to say the least we got halfway through what we were there for and after our food and drinks came we kind of drifted away from our project. We had such a wonderful time though learning about each others lives and families. The evening was fun. Once we finally got serious about the project, which took about two more meetings, all the work that we did put in paid off because we got a B on that project. I was quite a bit nervous and surprised by the grade because we did do a lot rushing to get it done.

 Carr feels that googling and surfing the web is absorbing our concentration. The web extends to us an easier way of getting information, basically at the click of a button. Somewhere in the article Carr says that he believes that his mind has definitely been reprogrammed and he call tell when he is reading. He says that deep reading that he use to come natural to him has become a bit of a struggle. He also says the web has been a godsend to him as a writer because of all the information he is able to obtain at the click of a button through his surfing. He goes on to sy that accesses information in minutes wherein sometimes in the past research required days of obtaining information from the library. Carr believes that the web and googling have been replaced for his love of reading. Carr says that he would definitely rather surf the web for information verses looking through books and articles when doing researches. Carr’s peers believe that people are not reading online in a traditional sense and almost believes that people go online to avoid reading in a traditional sense all together.

 Smirky feels that Carr’s premises are definitely correct that mechanisms of the media affect the nature of thought. He basically goes on to make mention of reading “War and Peace” and says that it is one of the longest novels in the canon and symbolizes the height of literary ambition and of reader’s devotion and the he goes on to say that it is not just because of the web but because no one read that novel because it is too long and not interesting. Smirky believes strongly that technology will continue to soar whether or not we want it ot and we must convert over to the change.

 I feel that Carr hit nail on the head when he says that we would rather surf the web because of its advantages. I feel that Smirky’s point of view is correct because we can not stop the advancement of technology and we must roll with the new way of technology and conform to the change because it will not stop but rather leave us behind if we are not willing to make the change.

Peter Singer and Greg Schaefer arguments are very different in trying to persuade people to donate money for proverty strickened children. Singer feels that people spend lots of money on things that are typically not necessities. He believes that all the money we on the finer pleasures of life such as vacationing, fancy new clothes, tv’s etc. should go to an organization to help the well being of a less fortunate child. He tell us in the article that $200 could save a child’s life.

I feel that could possibly be true but how do we know that what Singer says is factual. Could it be more or even less? I do not feel that we should be demanded to give all our extra earnings to these organizations just because we have it. I do feel that according a moral standpoint Bob was definitely wrong in allowing the boy to lose his life just to save his valuable possesion. I do not feel that we should come to a place in our lives where would chose a car over saving a life. As for Dora, she did not sell the boy but considered it, to me that is the same as commiting the act. So therefore is Dora in the same position as Bob?

Schaefer to me feels like Singer is basically over stepped his boundaries in his persausion with the way he goes about demanding for donations to charaties. At first Schafer believes that Singer’s agrument might have been a little persausive until he goes into full demanding mode. Schaefer is definitely not convinced that this particular approach is working when it come to getting people to donate to this charaties. He did not see how one could object to giving $200 to well being of a proverished child but he did realize that to give all your extra earning away is bit ludacris. He too was definitely irritated in the manner that the article came across.

I will have to go with Schaefer on this one because Singer’s appeal was way too demanding. I do believe that I could have been in agreement or even persuaded by Singer if he had not started with the taunting because he did have some good points.

I love to write and writing for me is definitely an awesome thing. I first started writing as a child. I would write down all the things that I could not say according to my parents and other adults in my life. I was a very outspoken child so sometimes my mouth would get me in trouble and  my parents were always saying you can’t say this or you can’t say that and this is when I start writing. I started writing everything down. I cursed on paper and prayed on paper.  I do believe for me that my writing evolved definitely in alot of ways. I really go ballistic when I write and almost can’t stop because there are so many things that I would like to say. Writing gives me comfort especially if it is a difficult time in my  life and I seem to be losing focus writing brings me back to reality. At times writing takes me to places probably no one could ever imagine besides me. I have a very vivid and colorful imagination! I encourage writing to anyone. I believe that writing is good for the soul. I think there is so much peace in writing and sometimes our soul needs peace.

My writing is forever evolving all the time because of life and the experiences that life brings. So therefore my writing is forever changing. I have changed in my writing over time because I write and do not care about what people say or even how they feel. Every person is entitled to his own opinion. I use to tiptoe around they way people felt about what I was writing but not anymore. I love to hear what people think about the way I write or even what is being said in the writings.  I do believe that people with positive or negatives comments about I write have changed my writing and also made me a better writer.

Part 1

1. Gangs on the rise in our communities

2. Obesity in children

3. Child molesters

4. Drunk Driving

5. Health Insurance

6. HIV/AIDS

7. Economy Issues/Unemployment

8. Teen Prostitution

9. Affordable Childcare

10. Swine Flu

Part 2

Obesity in children is a serious issue that is affecting children all over America. I recently watch a television special about obese and overweight children. It said that 1 out of 5 children are obese or overweight. Obesity in children can run in families. Children who have an overweight parent or sibling may potentially become overweight. Genectics will not cause obesity alone but the lack of knowledge about being healthier can. I have personally experienced being an overweight child. I believe that it is something that can be prevented if measures are taken early on. This issue is definitely a problem because children may grow up to be overweight or obese adults. Obesity has the potentiality to affect everyone if we do not become a little more health conscious. Obesity affects kids the most to me because other kids and adults can be totally cruel about being overweight. Some children are tormented on a regular basis about their weight in which may cause them to be depressed and result to them eating more. Children are becoming more obese and overweight because of lack of exercise and healthier foods like vegetable and fruits. For me be an overweight adolescent  came from my genetic make up, poor eating habits and lack of exercise. I was an overweight adolescent who become a 371lbs. by the age 32. I eventually chose a healthier lifestyle and now I weigh 175lbs. and alot healthier.

Part 2

Some people would definitely say that overweight children are lazy and eat too much. The reasoning for this may be because our children are always inside playing videos and on computers. I can understand their point of view to some extinct because children are not outdoors or exercising as much as they need to. Some children are not lazy and may have problems with slow metabolisms. This is where as responsible adults and society should push for more healthier and health conscious kids. I can respond to this issue due the personal experience of being an overweight kid who became an overweight adult.

Part 1

1. I believe that people have to ability to change from their bad ways. I feel that we all share the same common bond in some way, shape,  form,  or fashion.

2. I feel that society has put pressure on us to look a certain way. I feel that some people go to the extreme to look like what society deems to be pretty or even thin.

3. I believe that the government is the reason for a failing economy. I believe this because thousands of people are losing their jobs on a daily basis.

4. I believe that justice is sometimes unfair but definitely worth fighting for. I have seen in some cases where your economic status can buy you justice.

5. I believe that knowledge is everything. I feel what we do with knowledge is the question. Knowing is half the battle and incorporating what we know and what we do is total power.

6. I believe that science is an ongoing effort to find out what we do not know through the experimental process.

7. I believe that reality sets in hard when our minds are clear.

8. I believe that life is the process of growing and obtaining knowledge. Circumstances in our life help us grow.

9. I believe that happiness is sometimes fought for and not always giving to you. There are lots of people who think that happiness come from material possessions.

10. I believe that goodness comes from the heart. Some people are just good people who are not looking for anything in return. Then there are some who do good just to get something in return.

11. I believe that death is something we all must face. I feel that death is a new chapter, in another place.

12. I believe that God is real and He gives us choices. Sometimes we sit around and blame God for the horrible things that go on in our world, but I believe that it goes back to poor or bad choices.

Part 2

I know that there is a God looking down on us because we could be in more turmoil than we are in. I know that bad things come from poor choices and God gives us choices. As a people, we have been giving choices by God and not followed through with them. I read the bible and definitely believe there is nothing new under the sun. I know that some of the same chaos that is going on now, existed back in the days the bible was written. Bad choices then and bad choices now. I know that in my life I have made some poor or even bad decisions, KNOWING right from wrong and there were consequences. Does this make God a horrible person because bad things happen to us from some of our choices? Sometimes we ignore his loud or very silent voice that gives us the right directions. I believe that we hear His voice more times than we are willing to admit. Have you ever made a bad decision and you hear that little something whispering to you, and later on down the road you said to yourself I should have listen the voice inside? That what God does he speaks to us sometimes that way but we have to be willing to listen and stop blaming Him for our errors. I know that poor choices can led to bad consequences.

Part 3

I know that are people in the world are saying that they do not believe in God because of things that are going on in our world today. The opposing forces would say how could such a God allow some of these things to happen. It happened back then so why wouldn’t it happen now? I feel that some things go back to poor decision making from why back in the bibles days. The people who feel who say there is no God have probably gone through some things and can not understand why such loving God would have those things to happen. It is not by any power of our own that we exist but we do have to the power to make better decisions about our lives. He gives us directions through the bible. The choice is ours.

Hello my name is LaVonia. I am 36yrs. old,  this my 4th semester @ TCC, and hopefully I will be finishing  May 2010. I am excited about blogging! I was in Ms. Jolemore’s class a couple of semesters ago and really enjoyed blogging. Getting through the techincalities of how to navigate  the wordpress setup can be the difficult part, but after that it is smooth sailing. I hope everyone enjoys blogging as much as I do. Good luck!