Modern Society: my thoughts

   In this day and age, it is impossible to avoid technology. It surrounds us completely; from our laptops and cellphones to our facebook, instagram and twitter accounts, all of us who own a cellphone or computer to some extent or another have become increasingly dependent on it. The reliance of some on technology, however, has reached to a point of what some may call addiction. This obsession reflects a apparent patterned shift in man's evolution as we move further into the digital age.

   Addiction to technology is a fairly recent phenomenon, recent being few years ago, that has taken its roots in our increasingly digital society. Mobile phones, text messages and sites like instagram, facebook and twitter have become the platform for many to network with other people. 

The reason for this shift towards technology in my opinion is to fulfill man's innate need to connect with others. This has been proven to be true but it seems as if our innate need to connect with others has surpassed the point of this simple need as social media and internet connection now provides individuals with the ability to seamlessly connect with hundreds of people simultaneously.There is a prestige associated with having the most friends on Facebook or hundreds of followers on your twitter which implies that the self esteem people gather from their popularity on the internet acts as substitute for personal interactions in real life. Similar is the case with cell phones as getting a call is a boost as it makes you feel good to be wanted. This proliferation in the amount of cell phone users is also due to the simplicity and accessibility hence making it more accessible. A direct consequence of this accessibility is that it has reduced face to face contact between family and friends. Nowadays a visit is complimentary to a short message on cell phone or a social networking site such as facebook. This results in people losing touch with what happens in the real world and becoming progressively dependent on technology to fulfill their need to connect.

   Technological addiction among teenagers especially is having a disruptive effect on their education. Most school and colleges have banned the use of cell phones during class but this rule is easily overlooked by most of the student body. A quick message to a friend, usually regarding a mundane topic, is much more important to the technological addict students then the lecture at hand. Many of the cell phone and social networking site users have developed this as a habit and many find themselves sending and posting messages almost without any self realization. This disrupts lesson frequently. Cell phone and internet messaging has also given rise to many spelling and grammatical mistakes to short abbreviations of almost anything. This "Internet Lingo" is often found on many papers submitted by such technological addict students. The habit of reading short scripts and text on the internet and cell phone has decreased the concentration of the individual student. These students cannot be motivated to read for longer time hence, the amount of students reading books is decreasing at an alarming rate. Another outcome of messaging on phones and social networking sites is a decrease in the ability of making a conversation. The use of ineffective, social networking websites like Twitter make it more and more difficult for us to communicate the way we once did...by talking. This increasing use of messaging has decreased the communication skill of an average user. Many people are unable to retort verbally to an argument. They feel anxiety and pressure while doing so in a verbal conversation. On the other hand the same individuals will have no trouble settling the debate in a short messaging medium.

Computer Gaming can be considered another "technological drug". Computer Gaming has increased exponentially over the past two decades and has become a multibillion dollar industry. This sector of technology is very addictive as it combines the users' fantasy and imagination and gives them a whole new dimension. Another aspect of the Computer Gaming is online gaming where people interact with one another through their game characters. The Online Gaming is very popular as it again provides a social interaction of people. People addict to online gaming frequently play more than 50 hours a week. This excessive playing has led the gaming addicts to neglect their health, family and social obligations. 

I find it should be a necessity to bring awareness to the consequences that cellphones, social media, online games and the internet in general pose on all of us. As the current generation will be the leaders of the their own generation very shortly and it should be important that we begin to disregard our cellphones and computers and start paying attention to living. 

Follow up on previous blog: Industrial Development- The Beginning

    The American Revolution was the first modern revolution. It is described as the first time in history that people fought for their independence. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were some individuals who played an important role in the American Revolution.

The revolution was followed by the Revolutionary War, the War was fought from April 19^th 1775 until September 3rs 1783. This Revolutionary War in the United States, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, but progressively grew into a world war between Britain on one side and the newly formed United States, France, Netherlands, Spain, and Mysore on the other. American independence was achieved and European powers recognized the independence of the United States, with mixed results for the other nations involved. Other nations involved particularly Native Americans faced a “New World” with the creation of the new United States of America. 

During the many years of conflict, Native American groups, like many others residents of North America, had to choose the loyalist or patriot cause, loyalist being colonist in the British colonies in America that remained loyal to Britain, and patriot being colonists in the British colonies in America that wanted independence from Britain to establish their own country (the U.S.) —or somehow maintain in a stance in the middle. But the Native Americans were trying to manage all on their own in trying to maintain and keep their homelands as well as continue access to trade and supplies as war immersed into their lands too. Some fought with the British, while others fought alongside the American colonists. This War was an assemblage of many events like the Battle of Saratoga (1777), France and United States form Franco-American Alliance (1778), entrance of Spain in the war against Britain (1779) and the peach of Paris signed to end war (1783). Ending the U.S War of Independence, the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. In the end, the American Revolution grew out of increasing restrictions placed upon the colonies by the British. One interesting side note: It is estimated that only one-third of the colonists were in favor of rebellion, one-third continued to side with the British. The last third were neutral concerning the rebellion and break from Great Britain.

Ecojustice Versus Development: Researched opinion and article reflection

    Eco-justice Versus Development is an ongoing controversy. Many argue for the right to development as well as every human being the right to be a consumer. “The “Rio Declaration on Environment and Development” from 1992 specifically talks of the “right to development” and the “sovereign rights [of states] to exploit their own resources” (Bowers, C. A. 1995) and warns that environmental concerns should not restrict “international trade” (Principle 12) (quoted in Johnson 1994, 118, 120).” Development and economic enthusiasts argue that “the economy as currently organized is the most important overall factor […] financial capital will replace any amount of natural capital (Carey, Alex. 1997). Previously stated clearly identifies one perspective of the argument between Eco-justice Versus Development. On the contrary of the mentioned statement, Environmental sustainability enthusiasts argue that there is no life without nature as the support system, no economic activity of whatever sort. This means that the economy is always a sub-system of nature, and not the other way round, as the dominant discourse would have it. E. F. Schumacher (1993). Schumacher as well as many Eco-justice enthusiasts and myself encourage this statement.

    

   With being said that the economy is a sub-system of nature E. F. Schumacher (1993) I think that it is compulsory that more civilians specifically students should be brought to awareness of this statement and educated of the practices of Eco-justice education. Essentially nature supports our lives and livelihoods and is the primary source of sustenance (Shiva 1992, 192) therefore there should be alternative approaches to how we as a society deal with development and economics with consideration of environmental sustainability. And which better way to start this approach than to educate our future generation of adult consumers with knowledge of how to achieve and maintain a sustainable environment, in order for us as a whole to sustain life on earth.  Throughout the article Eco-justice Versus Development, Rolf Jucker presents his research and thoughts in a very articulate manner as he discusses whether it is possible to Reconcile Social and Economic Equity, Ecological Sustainability, and Human Development. Jucker precisely identified the contrast between these terms as well as provides the reader with a critical perspective of the controversy that lies. Juckers opinions that persist throughout his article, specifically concerning his outlook on the Earth’s sustainability are relatable to those of which are mentioned in one previous class discussion on the article of Understanding the Earths Systems of Malawi: Ecological Sustainability, Culture, and Place- Based Education. Essentially, the correlation between the two articles is the Earth’s sustainability. Mentioned in the Malawi article is the dilemma of the effect that inconsiderate economists and developers have on the Earth’s sustainability (Bowers, 2001) asserts, however, that economic development without consideration of ecological sustainability has had a devastating effect on the environment. The disputations of this situation are apparent; however there is a solution that Jucker has mentioned that has the potential to essentially benefit or fix these problems. Jucker suggests that educating people of Eco-justice and sustainability can revolutionize the outlook everyone has on the environment that is of course if it’s done properly. Educators first have to educate themselves with regard to Eco-justice and sustainability before they can think of empowering their students (Forbes, Jack D. 1992). If we desire [that] change, we must first change ourselves (Ghandi, 1999, Vol. 24, 22). I agree with Juckers outlook and suggestion of how to properly educate in order to be successful. He mentions that indigenous societies do fulfil most of the parameters crucial to sustainable societies and therefore provide important educational material for us which we should research carefully, rather than reject out of hand (Jucker, Rolf. 2002). Which is also mentioned in the article of Understanding the Earth Systems of Malawi; as indigenous people are directly dependant on the resources that nature provides for survival through sustenance living, they subsequently have knowledge of […] the natural world (Mayer, V. J. 1997).  

      In conclusion Rolf Jucker the author of the article Eco-justice versus Development has fluently elaborated on the many points concerning the controversy between Eco-justice and development. He presented his readers with articulate information which has specifically resonated with me. Points in particular from his article that I comply with are many; Jucker discussed how the economy is always a sub-system of nature, and not the other way round as he discussed the actions and consequences of economists and developer enthusiasts. He also mentioned and elaborated on an alternative solution which will better and help the environment substantially in the long run. He suggested Eco-justice to be taught and for students and civilians to be educated on sustainability which he then discloses this idea can revolutionize the outlook everyone has on the environment. Jucker stresses that it is crucial that if this should be done it should be done right for it to be effective. He provided us with his theory that educators first have to educate themselves with regard to Eco-justice and sustainability before they can think of empowering their students. If we desire change we must first change ourselves. 

Recent insights: Thoughts on euthanasia

Sue Rodriguez was a 42 year old woman who developed a severe disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in other words, Lou Gehrig’s disease. This disease deteriorates the ability to walk, speak move or swallow over time. Knowing how her life would end, Rodriguez confirmed that she wished to control the place, time and manner of her death. Sue did not want to die while she could control and enjoy life, by the time she would be willing to take her life; she would be incapable of committing suicide without assistance of a physician, and euthanasia. 

The Act of euthanasia is a very crucial and repetitive controversy and has been a prevalent issue in society for many years. Many argue that those who are terminally ill or suffering from severe mental and/or physical damage should be allowed to die instead of being kept alive by machines and medication (Sue Rodriguez’s case). Some also believe that people should be allowed to make decisions for others who in an obvious suffering state and cannot express their own wishes. All in all, supporters of euthanasia believe that life should be free of pain and that human dignity should be preserved. On the other hand, opponents of euthanasia argue that legalizing it could cause unintentional harm. They pose questions as to why euthanasia is necessary, discussing that their doctors are not obligated to treat an illness unless they expect to achieve a benefit for the patient. If better pain management is required, then it should be available, even if it does nothing to prolong life.Over time persons of court decided that section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada (Section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada makes it an offence for a person to aid or abet anyone to commit suicide, whether death ensues or not). These persons also believe that the law should protect people who cannot consent to euthanasia. They argued that human beings should not be allowed to decide who should live or die.

In Rodriguez’s defense, she explains how she personally is wishing death upon herself, no one else’s input is being considered in her wish to die using euthanasia. Rodriguez argued that section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada infringes section 7 of the Charter in that it deprives her of liberty and security of the person by prohibiting her from ending her life when her illness had rendered her incapable of doing so without assistance. The appellant also argues that denying her an assisted suicide because of section 241 amounts to cruel and unusual treatment and violates section 12 of the Charter (“Treatment” within the meaning of section 12, includes treatment imposed by the state in contexts other than those of a penal or non-penal nature). In general life should be free of pain and that human dignity should be preserved. Thus, the Court should not dismiss Sue Rodriguez’s application and her appeal to the British Columbia Court of Appeal should not be denied.

In conclusion Section 241 of the Criminal Code does in fact infringe section 7 (the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right to fundamental justice), Section 12 (the right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual treatment or punishment), and section 15 (equality rights) under the Charter (Bowers, C. A. 1995). Therefore Sue Rodriguez should be permitted the right to commit the Act of suicide as it does not inflict on the three sections mentioned above. 

1st

Currently sitting here after a discussion of being introduced to blogging. Exciting, I know. Now it's just a matter of choosing WHAT to blog about. I picked blogging, I will devote today's blog into blogging it's self. Blogging this way is not a common thing to do among my friends and I which explains a lot. But it mostly explains the diversity between my group of friends and others. Blogging has always seemed unproductive and meaningless to me, essentially because you don't necessarily obtain anything from doing it other than passing time which I've always thought was stupid. Why waste your time trying to pass time?