Write about your first impression of what you've read so far in What Johnny Shouldn't Read. Are you surprised, shocked, horrified, intrigued, disgusted, or some other adjective, by it?
I never really thought much about censorship until this class. That is, I knew it existed but not to the extent the book talks about. Hundreds of attempts made on a yearly basis in an effort to try to change something in a text?! That is insane. I just don’t understand why parents and or teachers want to omit things out of texts. Omitting something out of text does not mean it doesn’t exist?! Sure, certain things must be taken out and replaced with new information but omitting completely as if nothing ever happened is mind boggling.
“The fundamentalists textbook activists discussed in this book are determined to color the education of all students with their entire world view.” All I could do when I read this was laugh because I was somewhat in shock. So far it has been in interesting read and definitely a page turner.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Blog 5
Milton argues that society needs a free marketplace of ideas, a streaming fountain of knowledge as he calls it, in order to grow and progress. Does our media have a responsibility to contribute only objective information into that marketplace? Why?
I agree with Milton. I think we do need a "free marketplace of ideas" in order to grow and progress as an individual and as a whole. The media does have a responsibility to contribute objective information into such a marketplace because the public relies on such. Many of us do not have the time or resouces others do to information therefore we rely on the media.
However, such is not the case. The media bears great resposibility because they are proactive. Proactive because they are trying to advance a certain argument. The good thing about today is that we numerous outlets to turn to for information. Granted, it seems a bit ridiculous to have to search numerous papers, news channels, etc..to get what we think is an unbiased report of events.
I agree with Milton. I think we do need a "free marketplace of ideas" in order to grow and progress as an individual and as a whole. The media does have a responsibility to contribute objective information into such a marketplace because the public relies on such. Many of us do not have the time or resouces others do to information therefore we rely on the media.
However, such is not the case. The media bears great resposibility because they are proactive. Proactive because they are trying to advance a certain argument. The good thing about today is that we numerous outlets to turn to for information. Granted, it seems a bit ridiculous to have to search numerous papers, news channels, etc..to get what we think is an unbiased report of events.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Blog # 4
3 Things. . .
Three Things that Scare Me:
1. HEIGHTS
2. dying
3. losing a family member
Three People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. my nephew Ryan he just says whatever is on his mind.
2. my friend Amanda Kate
3. my other friend Diana
Three Things I Love:
1. music! my god, i don't know what i would do without my ipod
2. the rain and the smell of wet dirt after it rains.
3. x-mas tree lights
Three Things I Hate:
1. people who abuse children
2. not having coffee in the morning
3. Yes, Violence of any kind as well
Three Things I Don't Understand:
1. algebra (I'm with ya Carleen)
2. why I'm addicted to The Golden Girls
3. why I own all 7 seasons of The Golden Girls
Three Things on My Desk:
1. phone
2. laptop
3. water
Three Things I'm Doing Right Now:
1. listening to classical music
2. trying to write the paper that is due Thursday!
3. blogging
Three Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Spend some time in Argentina, Cuba, and Costa Rica
2. See Frida Kahlo's work in person
3. Have grandchildren
Three Things I Can Do:
1. Run 7 miles without stopping! currently training for a half marathon
2. watch movies non-stop
3. drive for an insane amount of hours and be fine and chipper
Three Things I Can't Do:
1. stand near the edge of a cliff
2. run a marathon (not yet)
3. cook or bake
Three Things or People I Think You Should Listen To:
1. Mascagni- Cavallera Rustica- Intermezzo
2. Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals-The Swan by Jaqueline du Pre (it is the most beautiful melody I have ever heard)
3. Puccini- by Gianni Schicchi
Three Things or People You Should Never Listen To:
1. Anne Murray singing
2. the Tom Likus show
3. people smacking on their popcorn loudly at the movies
Three Things I'd Like to Learn:
1. how to cook
2. how to speak French
3. how to rock climb!
Three Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1. Transformers
2. Strawberry Shortcake
3. My Little Pony
Three Things I Regret:
1. not traveling when i had the opportunity
2. not enjoying my family when i had them near. Living away from home kind of blows sometimes
3. letting my fear of heights get in the way of sky diving!
Three Things that Scare Me:
1. HEIGHTS
2. dying
3. losing a family member
Three People Who Make Me Laugh:
1. my nephew Ryan he just says whatever is on his mind.
2. my friend Amanda Kate
3. my other friend Diana
Three Things I Love:
1. music! my god, i don't know what i would do without my ipod
2. the rain and the smell of wet dirt after it rains.
3. x-mas tree lights
Three Things I Hate:
1. people who abuse children
2. not having coffee in the morning
3. Yes, Violence of any kind as well
Three Things I Don't Understand:
1. algebra (I'm with ya Carleen)
2. why I'm addicted to The Golden Girls
3. why I own all 7 seasons of The Golden Girls
Three Things on My Desk:
1. phone
2. laptop
3. water
Three Things I'm Doing Right Now:
1. listening to classical music
2. trying to write the paper that is due Thursday!
3. blogging
Three Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Spend some time in Argentina, Cuba, and Costa Rica
2. See Frida Kahlo's work in person
3. Have grandchildren
Three Things I Can Do:
1. Run 7 miles without stopping! currently training for a half marathon
2. watch movies non-stop
3. drive for an insane amount of hours and be fine and chipper
Three Things I Can't Do:
1. stand near the edge of a cliff
2. run a marathon (not yet)
3. cook or bake
Three Things or People I Think You Should Listen To:
1. Mascagni- Cavallera Rustica- Intermezzo
2. Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals-The Swan by Jaqueline du Pre (it is the most beautiful melody I have ever heard)
3. Puccini- by Gianni Schicchi
Three Things or People You Should Never Listen To:
1. Anne Murray singing
2. the Tom Likus show
3. people smacking on their popcorn loudly at the movies
Three Things I'd Like to Learn:
1. how to cook
2. how to speak French
3. how to rock climb!
Three Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1. Transformers
2. Strawberry Shortcake
3. My Little Pony
Three Things I Regret:
1. not traveling when i had the opportunity
2. not enjoying my family when i had them near. Living away from home kind of blows sometimes
3. letting my fear of heights get in the way of sky diving!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Blog 3 On Liberty
In consensus with Mill and pretty much all bloggers, I too agree that the government has no say in matters of individual liberty. In fact, Mill argues that the only time the government and or society as a whole can interfere with individual liberty is for self-protection. This is only justified when the said individual poses a threat to others.
I think we can all agree that it seems pretty easy to determine what we consider as a threat and the need for self protection. However, what about the subtle and not so subtle ways government infringes upon individual liberties? Mill argues the issue of government and or society putting limitations on people’s opinion and their expression of such opinion. Mill argues that regardless of the opinion, society cannot silence that opinion. The first thing that comes to mind is say Gay Marriage. We are silencing their individual liberty by not allowing them to marry. Hmmmm… Something to ponder in class I suppose..
I think we can all agree that it seems pretty easy to determine what we consider as a threat and the need for self protection. However, what about the subtle and not so subtle ways government infringes upon individual liberties? Mill argues the issue of government and or society putting limitations on people’s opinion and their expression of such opinion. Mill argues that regardless of the opinion, society cannot silence that opinion. The first thing that comes to mind is say Gay Marriage. We are silencing their individual liberty by not allowing them to marry. Hmmmm… Something to ponder in class I suppose..
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Blog # 2
According to Milton, how or why does truth become a heresy if a person believes things only because his pastor or government tells him so? Why does Milton find this practice dangerous?
In Areopagitica, Milton argues relentlessly against the censorship of books. He argues that censorship of books will lead to censorship of all things. Namely that everything will eventually be controlled by the government. Milton affirms “The State shall be my governors, but not my critics…” Furthermore, he somewhat pokes fun at what is to be censored next, music, and or fashion. Man may not have much but one thing he is endowed with is reason.
He mentions how God bestowed Adam reason. He goes on about temptation and passions and pleasure and how it is all around us. How the careful balance of such are what make one virtuous and not what one decides is of virtue. Milton explains that when God bestowed Adam reason, he gave Adam the freedom to choose! This is what he wants everyone to see. Everyone should have the choice should he desire to exercise his right to reason, to seek the truth. To contemplate the alternatives should he wish to do so? Milton states, “How can a man teach with authority, which is the life of teaching; how can he be a doctor in his book as he ought to be, or else had better be silent, whenas all he teaches, all he delivers, is but under the tuition, under the correction of his patriarchal licenser to blot or alter what precisely accords, not with the hidebound humour which he calls his judgment?” Everyman should take what opinion he pleases. However, Milton argues that man risks being a heretic in the truth should he willingly accept to believe without reference to truth or falsehood for that matter, what his pastor or government tells him so. It is then when ones private belief and or theory become the controversial belief. The heresy!
It is dangerous because the government will decide what is in mans best interest to say the least. It will strip man of what God bestowed him with, reason and wisdom.
In my opinion, Milton pretty much says it all when he states “…it hinders and retards the importation of our riches merchandise, truth...”
In Areopagitica, Milton argues relentlessly against the censorship of books. He argues that censorship of books will lead to censorship of all things. Namely that everything will eventually be controlled by the government. Milton affirms “The State shall be my governors, but not my critics…” Furthermore, he somewhat pokes fun at what is to be censored next, music, and or fashion. Man may not have much but one thing he is endowed with is reason.
He mentions how God bestowed Adam reason. He goes on about temptation and passions and pleasure and how it is all around us. How the careful balance of such are what make one virtuous and not what one decides is of virtue. Milton explains that when God bestowed Adam reason, he gave Adam the freedom to choose! This is what he wants everyone to see. Everyone should have the choice should he desire to exercise his right to reason, to seek the truth. To contemplate the alternatives should he wish to do so? Milton states, “How can a man teach with authority, which is the life of teaching; how can he be a doctor in his book as he ought to be, or else had better be silent, whenas all he teaches, all he delivers, is but under the tuition, under the correction of his patriarchal licenser to blot or alter what precisely accords, not with the hidebound humour which he calls his judgment?” Everyman should take what opinion he pleases. However, Milton argues that man risks being a heretic in the truth should he willingly accept to believe without reference to truth or falsehood for that matter, what his pastor or government tells him so. It is then when ones private belief and or theory become the controversial belief. The heresy!
It is dangerous because the government will decide what is in mans best interest to say the least. It will strip man of what God bestowed him with, reason and wisdom.
In my opinion, Milton pretty much says it all when he states “…it hinders and retards the importation of our riches merchandise, truth...”
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