Blog Assignment #3

While most people consider Fahrenheit 451 to be a book on the dangers of censorship and the destruction of knowledge, Bradbury himself identifies the ability of technology to replace reading and critical thinking as the dominant theme of the novel. http://www.laweekly.com/2007-05-31/news/ray-bradbury-fahrenheit-451-misinterpreted/ Over fifty years after his book was published, do you think Bradbury was right? Has television and the Internet destroyed Americans' ability to read and think critically about ideas? Could we be heading toward a time when the authorities’ burn books for our own good, and the population allows it to happen?
Being born in the 70’s and learning to read, research using the Dewey decimal system in grade school, and being taught how to do research papers through reading articles, magazines, etc… I can understand where Bradbury is coming from and the frustration he appears to feel over the hype of technology and how he felt it would not boost our knowledge, but destroy the way we went about obtaining that knowledge. As a young child my parents read to me and I can remember the importance of reading at school. Learning how to break down a sentence and use words in order to make sense was just part of what you learned at school. I use to feel overwhelmed at times when I knew that I had to research something and write a paper describing what I researched. Overwhelmed at the long process and the time it took for that particular task, but in the end I could recall what it was I was researching because I had put so much time into it and had to learn about the topic.
Today we don’t have to take that time to really learn about the topic it is all done for us in the matter of minutes and the click of a button. As an adult this technology has made it easier and faster to get the job done and multi-task at a rate that we were not able to before. I can go to college on-line as I continue to work to support my family. These are the benefits of our technology today. Although, I do understand Bradbury’s concern with technology taking over the American’s ability to read and think critically, because it has certainly come true in some cases. Some of our children sit for hours in front of televisions, computers, and video games t hat have no educational value or significance. As adults we too are guilty of occupying our time with technology instead of with our families. I believe there is always a fine line to introducing new and more advantaged things into our culture.
Reading and thinking critically are important tools that our children need to learn in today’s society. Even with all the new technology it is important that we as Americans learn to think for ourselves without running to technology for assistance. There needs to be a balance within our culture that allows for the teaching of reading and critically thinking and how that can be combined with the wonderful things that technology to teach us as well. I do not feel that books will be burned one day and we as Americans will stand by and let that happen. I think that we will find that both technology and good old fashion reading and critical thinking will be able to coexist to better educate our children and ourselves.

Should reasoning skills be taught in primary school? Why or why not?

I absolutely think that reasoning skills should be taught in primary school. Reasoning skills are what make us determine what is right and what is wrong. It gives us the ability to make better choices. If young children were taught this skill at a primary level they would be better equipped to handle the tougher challenges that come into play in middle school and high school. If we start teaching reasoning skills at a younger age then students will be more prepared to make tough decisions on their own, such as preparing for SAT/ACT tests, college applications and deciding on post-secondary goals. In an article by Steven D. Schafersman back in 1991, he expressed how important critical thinking skills or reasoning skills are for students. In his article he gives educators the tools necessary to teach these important skills to their students. Steven Schafersman also states within the article that as educators we often teach our students what to think as opposed to how to think. He goes on to give a definition of critical thinking that states, "Critical thinking means correct thinking in the pursuit of relevant and reliable knowledge about the world. Another way to describe it is reasonable, reflective, responsible and skillful thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do. A person who thinks critically can ask appropriate questions, gather relevant information, efficiently and creatively sort through this information, reason logically from this information and come to reliable and trustworthy conclusions about the world that enables one to live and act successfully in it." (http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-thinking.html). After reading this information I think the skill of critical thinking is imperative for young students. If they could learn how to ask the appropriate questions, gather relevant information and efficiently and creatively sort through that information then they would be much more successful in school and better prepared for the world.

I have heard it said that children at the primary level are not able to learn these particular skills of critical thinking because they may not have the maturity or capacity to understand that higher order of thinking. I can see why people would have this opinion, but I feel that if we start the learning process at that young age they are more likely to gain those skills of higher level thinking and stretch their capacity to learn. Critical thinking is lacking in today's society and if we start young then we can be assured that the skills are there and feel more secure that our children will be more successful in school and everyday life.

Given that the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending, is it patriotic to shop?

Our economy depends on our spending to put money back into the businesses that support our well-being. As we go through the current economic crisis it is apparent that consumer spending has to be scaled back in order for our families to to afford even the smallest of items, such as food, gas, and home bills, but our spending shouldn't stop. What we should be focused on is allotting our money towards American made items that will support our factories, small business owners, and farmers here in the United States. We need to stop giving our money to other countries for products that our own country supplies. In an article written by PR news channel it states that we need to recycle our American dollars into our own American economy. Through this practice, consumers will begin to realize that we as a country do not need to look outside the box in order to restore strength to our economy. All the tools needed to make this happen are found in the practice of recycling American dollars within the confines of our nation's borders. The starting point begins with consumers understanding the power of "Be American, Buy American". (info@prnewschannel.com)

I have heard it said by others that spending money in economic down times is selfish and irresponsible, but it is how we are spending our money and where we are spending our money that matters. My wife and I have discussed our spending numerous times over the past few years and a common guideline that we use when we want to spend money is to sit down and decipher ours "needs" versus our"wants." This has allowed us the opportunity to more diligently recognize our spending habits. Supporting our economy and in turn our country is always a good thing. I certainly feel that this can also be taken out of context and people can start making unhealthy choices with their money as well. There is always a fine line and balances to every decision we make especially the decisions we make as a country that directly affect others around us. Americans have always come to each others aid in times of great need and I feel that this time of economic crisis is no different.

In conclusion, putting money into our economy is the right thing to do to nourish and rebuild what we have worked so hard to gain through the years of sacrifices and hard work. It is our patriotic responsibility to continue to nourish what our ancestors worked so hard to secure for us as Americans.

Why I am here

I this supposed to be one of those deep questions? I believe I am here to pass this class to reach the goal of graduation. As for something I would like to learn here, I would love to be able to put my own thoughts or feelings aside to really hear and understand those of others. As for the deep part of this question, because my momma put me here.