Homework 11

Homework 11
1.) There are a few things that I have noticed over the last week that represents our culture. Things such as McDonalds, really represents out culture because we are a fast moving society, we want things fast and now, also we expect many options when it comes to anything. So the fast food industry has a strong representation of our culture. I think the gym, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and track also represents our culture. Although we are seen as fat to many other places, many Americans like to stay in shape and as long as the weather is acceptable you tend to see places like those with active people. Since our culture is so diverse, a living room with a TV, furniture, and computer. Having all these things in one room show that our culture is also very lazy, we have everything we want or need right by us. Even though they are very helpful and can allow you to be other places then at a desk, a laptop in a way shows how lazy we are. If it is around, it saves us from getting up and going to a desk, even more it saves people from actually having to go to a library and look certain things up yourself. The couch and TV in every living room is not seen in every culture either, I believe that it shows we are lazy and want everything around us. Once we sit down to relax, we do not want to move or have to strain ourselves. One last thing I think represents our culture is a college campus such as IUP. When you see all the people attending college it shows that we have goals to achieve big things in life. Making as much money as you can and being dedicated to succeeding in school shows that if we want something bad enough we will do anything to make sure it happens. All these are just things on this campus that I think represents our culture, there are many other things across the world that can also describe our society.

2.)

Homework 11
A quote that I think can describe me well is, “Experience is something you achieve when you refuse to stop trying.” I am not really sure who said this or where I’ve heard it from, however; I think it suits my lifestyle. I tend to get very frustrated when I cannot do something, so I refuse to give up until I can get it down. It can be anything from a sport, school work, games, or anything that I cant achieve easily. I hate not being able to do something especially when someone else can. There are very few things that I end up giving up on, I am determined to succeed at something no matter how many times it takes. An example was when I was in 8th grade, I broke my knee cap playing basketball, the doctors told me I will never be back to my full potential the way I broke it. Already I knew that I was going to have to push myself to prove that wrong. I went through rehab and my knee was still nothing like it use to be. I practiced basketball everyday and kept treating my knee with care, and over the period of a year, I personally feel like I was right back to where I was before that happened. So being determined and not quitting on something is one of my life mottos and always has been. This can also relate to many other things in my life, growing up I did not have a father so I always pushed myself to do things that is hard to do with a dad. I would not give up because I knew it would benefit me in the long run which it has. I think most people can relate to that quote and refuse to give up.

Homework 10

Recently I have seen and noticed things that would be unacceptable or not common in other cultures because of us talking about it in class. Things such as simple as they way we shake hands, a normal hand shake is common in other cultures where we have a slang way of shaking hands with friends. Along with that, the way we talk and dive right into questions would not be acceptable to others in their culture. When people talk there are many conversations where you can hear it from a mile away, everyone seems to have a loud voice and likes to brag about things. Our culture is use to slang talking, doing what we want, and having what we want which is opposite of what other cultures are like. This gives us both a good and a bad look overall, from greedy to hard working.
Everyday after me and my friends are done with class we sit outside out building and just hang out. It is pretty much an everyday occasion, and we talk about nothing, talk to random people, throw football around, and joking around. The way we are so casual, we greet the people who come over, and they way we talk in public shows that our culture is different. To most the way we address each other and just talk would not be acceptable. We sometimes make fun of each other and say disrespectful things, which is defiantly not something you will find in other cultures. If we are eating outside, we are vultures and don’t offer food to each other, where as many other cultures I feel like they would offer food to people around them as soon as they arrive. Also they way we talk to people we do not know walking by, sometimes we make fun of them other times we talk and try to make new friends. The way we go about this very absurd and I would not expect to see that in any other cultures.
Individuality is a hard thing for a lot of Americans I believe because no one likes to do things alone. If someone is going somewhere they most likely ask someone if they would like to come. The one thing that everyone has to do that’s individual is studying. Not everyone has the same amount of homework as everyone else, some may have easier and some may have more hard. So it is up to that person to do their work on their own to make sure they are accomplishing their work. Going to the library, staying in while all your friends are outside, or even staying up later is a prime example of individuality. It is necessary to know what responsibilities you have and to know that they are your and not anyone else’s. This is the one thing that really shows the individuality of Americans especially younger ones who have difficulty doing things on their own.

Chapter 9

1.)  In America 3 topics that are rude to talk about is an older persons or women’s age, to call someone out on their looks or actions, and lastly someones weight. I think it is common courtesy to know that asking a women or an elder person about their age is just some thing you do not do. It is not necessarily rude but to some they do find it disrespectful. When being called out on the way you act or the look also is rude. A majority of people will judge people if they are wearing crappy clothes but they could have a horrible life style. Once again I think that falls into being rude and making fun of someone. Lastly, it is never a good thing to point out some ones weight yet alone call them fat or chubby. regardless if it runs in the family or if you just happen to be over weight it is not something you can do with out being rude.

2.) In the Buddhist culture the elderly defiantly have more rank or importance. Although elders are important in the US, if they get sick here we put them in a nursing home because we do not have the time or will power to dedicate the time and effort needed to take care of them. Where as in Buddhism they bring them into the younger household and take care of them.

3.) I think in general they would be surprised by how much individualism we have compared to what they do. Things such as school, friend groups, marriage, and family can all be seen as different in other cultures. We can choose to go to school here, choose are friend group, choose who we marry or if we marry at all, and lastly the way we act and speak in front of our family. In many other cultures, these would all be a shock to them.

Homework 7

1.) I think money has had a bad influence on us all. Especially from the start of when it got big. Before money everyone was generous and would help a lending hand if needed, whereas now it is expected to receive some sort of reward or payment after you help with something. By having more money you have the ability to see what the world has to offer because you have money, however, if you do not have money you have no idea what is available to you or the world. The more things come out the more greedy people have seem to have got. so I think money has done nothing but hurt the economy since the start.

2.) I think at first money was good for the Ladakhis but not for very long. It said how it corrupted relationships and made people very greedy. So i do no think it was a very smart move on their part. But im sure it was beneficial to have money for a certain period of time.

1.)”Kids in Perth and Prague and New Delhi are all tuning in to (jersey Shore) on TV, and pulling on their (Nike sneakers), while singling along to (Lady Gaga’s) latest in English.” This sentence stood out to me because it shows that it is not just our culture who is obsessed with things like this. It is starting to become a world phenomenon where everyone nos about all the latest and most popular things.

2.)Positive things are that it does get the word out very fast, in case something was such a big deal it would get out and around very fast. Another thing that is positive is that it almost keeps us all connected. We all will have something to talk about and no what the other person is saying if we all know, watch, and do the same as other cultures.

Negatives things are that it can influence wrong things, such as jersey shore. In a different culture that may have been frowned upon but no that they see everyone likes it and is popular it may have changed the values on some people and their culture. Also it can be bad that things get around to fast. Some things are meant to be private but with out economy today something said a minute ago can be all over the news and internet a minute later.

New politics of consumption

1.) I believe that material items create isolation and dis-ease for many reasons. Once something new comes out, most people have to have it. Even though they most likely have the version before that and there is just a small difference. Not being able to afford things can cause anyone to have dis-ease if you are around someone who has everything new and can afford to spend money on everything, especially when they don’t need it. If you can not afford something or do not live up to the expectations of some it can cause isolation for people. Money has a lot to do on the way you live, are looked at, look, or even act.

2.) I think it would defiantly help out a little. If families were receiving more income, it would be easier for them to live. Maybe not even having the nicest things, but going on vacations. Clearly it can do a lot and help many families out when it comes to that. However, i think it would increase the isolation. The rich would become richer, and then they start to up there brand names to something a family can now afford to a brand where only some people can. I do not think it will ever be solved unless the top brands lower prices or the happen to disappear.

3.) Competitive consumption is everywhere. If your friend gets new clothes, shoes, games ect. you are going to one up that or at least try. So the people you hang around has a lot to do with competitive consumption. Another example is school work, for at least in grade schools. I think if you are in a class with your friends and they are getting all A’s or B’s and you are not doing as well you get embarrassed and try to do better to keep up with them. Which in the long run may land you a better job so one day you may be making more money and have more nice things then they do.

4.)I think it has a lot to do with our identities. If you are always wearing nice clothes or have the latest things, people are most likely going to categorize you has a high maintenance person, rich, needy, always gets what they want. If you do this, most likely your parents know you always have to be the best and one up people. After some many things I think your friends will also realize that you always have to have everything and be the best.  So it could hurt your chances of being accepted into a group or even thrown out of a group. Money obviously has a lot to do with competitive consumption, without it you are just another “normal person”.

Moral Machines

1.)I believe that a catastrophic even such as the one described will happen in our lifetime. With all the crazy technology and chemicals that are being tested and created, I think that in time something will happen, im not sure on what it may be. I do know that just by reading how easily something can go wrong and cause such a big problem, that we are defiantly in a high possibility of such things. Peoples reaction to a problem of that issue is hard to even predict, but I strongly believe it would not turn out very well. Clearly everyone would be very frantic, and with the different types of people out there, similar to that of the morality subject, who knows what certain people may be capable of doing.

2.)I think it has already came into play. The Artificial Intelligence has been created but just in testing labs. I think that this passage and just the fear in general of something going wrong keeps it from really blowing up the creation. I think no matter what, that the robots will always need our help. Things that aren’t very clear on what should be done in a certain situation to a human is obviously not going to be very easy for a robot to decide on. I think the people who were old enough to have there own morals already set will not be affected by the robots. However, if the bots were presented to young children who are developing their own with their parents morals, can cause a great impact on identities. Who knows, maybe children will even start acting like robots themselves.

3.)A few positives of the artificial intelligence in my opinion are the ability to help make progress on the economy. It can help move the pace of things humans can only do so much of in so much of time. Another positive I believe can come from this is the ability to be ready in no time. Things such as war they are set to be automatic, if they are in every home to help families they do not have to wait around, things like this can increase our economy also.

I do believe more negatives will and can come from this. Being that the intention of one use of the bots is to be in every house, eliminates the responsibility of the people. On that note, i think by the use of robots, job positions and employees will decrease at a very high and fast rate. Also as mentioned in the article, the possibility of the robot mow functioning can cause an abundance of small events to occur or even one catastrophic event. Where the outcome of it would not be something easily fixed.

4.) Some computerized or machine object that have cause difficulties are very likely to occur. My computer for instance, that time when you procrastinated til the last second and you have problems with anything. Everyone has had or currently has  problems with their cell phones. As great as electronics are and the better they have made the world, I believe that put just as much stress and have just as much issues as they take away in peoples lives.

Morality

1.) My gut reaction to the questions stated at the beginning of the article was exactly as described. Before they gave a little background of each person, Mother Teresa was the most admirable, Bill Gates was not so much admirable, however, an important person in what the world has become today. Lastly, I asked myself who in the world is Norman Borlaug. After reading more about who Borlaug was, I did question my original thought of who was more admirable. Even though Mother Teresa really did not do anything besides offer prayers, the fact that she was a saint and of a religious background helps a lot. However, after reading how Borlaug saved lives, I did think that he might be the more admirable person. In the end, not enough was there to change my original assumption of the three. I believe that no matter what, Mother Teresa will always have the advantage for the fact that she was such a religious person, where as Gates and Borlaug were not.

 

2.) If I were to pick two other people who I believe were admirable I would have to say my mom is defiantly number one. I would imagine that most responses would be a parent if not both. She raised me and by her doing so, I have acquired a majority of her beliefs and morals. Most certainly she is the reason I have the morals I do today. Although there are a lot of common morals that most everyone shares,  my mom has exposed me to those first, which even though maybe common sense, she was the first to consistently harp on her morals. That made me have the morals I have today.

Secondly, I would have to say that  a lot of admiration can be seen in not just in a certain person, but any ones “hero”. Whether this person be a sports figure, a creator of some sort, family, ect. I am not to sure on who I would say my “hero” is at this point of my life, however, I no whoever that may turn out to be, I looked up to them a lot. for example, if you look up to a famous sports player, you may want to be just like him, he/she may be a nice person, good with kids, sociable, signs autographs. Many people look up to figures like that, but if that person is selfish, has a bad attitude, maybe sees things in a different way then most, does something illegal, that shapes the morality of there follower. So for instance, if some one where to look up to a baseball player for years, and finds out after he retires or even during his playing years, the player did steroids. Most people know things like that are unacceptable. Which can show that little kid that certain things are just not right, no matter what the case may be.

3.) I do believe that there is universal morals. Things stated in the article such as murder, rape, stealing, and crime are looked at in the same way. They should result in punishment, however, this does not include the psychos, the mentally challenges, ect.. There are some people who just grow up with not really caring about morals. If they had a tough childhood, where there was physical abuse to the women, they may see that as alright. Although the world looks as it as wrong. So i do believe that there is universal morals but under certain circumstances there are those who do not care or believe in such things.

4.)The 5 elements of morality that are mentioned in the article are harm, fairness, community, authority, and purity. The element that I believe that american’s rank 1st is probably harm. The other elements are most common sense but can be taken for granite. Where are harm can be caused by an accident also, not just purposely. Harm is something that someone can be in if they are hurt from playing a sport, a disease, maybe even mentally such as being with the wrong group of people. Although many may argue this, I believe harm should be among the top because of situations that might not be brough upon there self. That being said many people are out to help the people in that situation. Which is why i believe that can be considered number one.