FINAL ESSAY!!! Relational Goodness

Lauren Spencer

Final Draft

December 7, 2010

Eng 215

Relational Goodness

This is a picture of the good Samaritan. This story represents true goodness and love. 

Can we be good without God? This controversial question is linked to a different answer depending on who you ask. Many believe that God is not necessary to make them a good person. Others hold the belief that God is all powerful, all knowing, and the Supreme Being and that without him we cannot be "good" people. Religiously I believe that God is the Supreme Being and that only by him and through him can we be saved and exalted with him someday in his kingdom. Unfortunately, this sole belief does not make me a good person. In the bible the Good Samaritan helps a Jew who is beaten on the side of the road. He gives this man of his substance despite their religious and geographical differences. There is so much more to a person than their beliefs. Given this statement I also believe that you can truly be a great person and not follow what I believe.

Realistically there have been thousands of great people that have lived and led full lives that have contributed to the goodness and betterment of this world. The Merriam Webster definition dictionary defines good as, “a favorable characteristic or tendency.” This could mean that people can have good characteristics about them but bad characteristics too. “Being good politically means not only valuing the things that are truly valuable but also having the strength to defend those things when they are everywhere being attacked and abandoned.” (Beetles 88.) This means having the strength to stand up for what you believe in regardless of what people might think of you. In this world of shifting moral values and standards we find that the more traditional way of living has been thrown to the way side. Now does this mean that the people that do not see the world the same way that I do are bad? Absolutely not. Being ultimately good does not have to do with what you believe but how you act.

This is the gray area. Each person see’s the world different than the next. Each person has a different personality and way of thinking. Each person is diverse. Just because one person believes in God does not make them any better than another person. Goodness is not relational to the fact that a person has a strong belief in God. Goodness is relational to the kind of person that you are. How you act, talk, and treat people are just a few key ways to determine a person’s goodness factor. “In order to be treated as an equal and a good person you must strive to be that good person yourself” (Miller 346). This statement brings out a good point. A person can only be the kind of person they want to be. You can only be good if you want to be.

This is a graph that shows how people who have higher standards, beliefs, and goals tend to be about the same as people that don’t but they score and a achieve a little more.

A greater part of a person’s personality is what they believe. The simple process of believing in something shapes you and creates how you act and what you say. Belief in something defines you. I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My beliefs are very different than that of the world around me today. I choose to be a very different person because of what I believe to be true. Simply, I believe in God and his eternal power to save me from my sins. Unfortunately this belief does not make me a good person. The way I decide to believe and shape my personality is up to me. It is not up to God or other followers of my faith. It is not up my belief system to make me a good person. Although these beliefs shape my personality and how I behave that is simply my choice. Life is full of these important choices that shape us and help us become these good or amazing people.

Christ is the Ultimate Good Person. The shining example in my life that teaches me to do good continually.

Having said all this I do not believe that God has made me a good person. God has definitely given me all that I have and I attribute every aspect of my life to him. Without God I do not see myself being the same person I am today. Without God and the Savoir Jesus Christ I would not be able to follow the examples of ultimate goodness that they portray and that I strive to be like. This does not mean that without God I would be a bad person. I chose to follow God and be a good person. Without God I still have the same opportunity to be a good person. You cannot define a person based on their religion or their belief in God. Every person has the opportunity to be a good person. Today there are many people that do not believe in God or a higher being that are great people. Good people are in every aspect of life. People should be defined by what they do and how they do it not by what they believe. You cannot judge a person and say that they are bad because they are without God. Good people should not be defined as followers of God. Everyone has the potential to be good without God.

Works Cited

Beedles, Bonnie, and Michael Petracca. "Can we be Good Without God?." Academic Communities/disciplinary Conventions. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. 88. Print.

"Good - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary." Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/good>.

Miller, Rowland S., Daniel Perlman, and Sharon S. Brehm. "Good Relationships." Intimate Relationships. 5th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2007. 346. Print.

GrEaTeSt HiTs!

Katie Kosturik 
 To Buy or Not to Buy?
You did a great job on this post. Your writing is organized and concise. You get to your point quickly and you share your opinion well. I also liked how you tied so many quotes from the book in with your paper. It made the points that you made so much stronger and imprinted in my mind. I loved that you compared materialism and the consumers need to buy to an ongoing cycle of purchasing. I especially enjoyed your second to last paragraph that summed up your feelings and talked about the stereotypes that we see today from this materialistic view.

What Happens In Vegas...
You did a great job on this post. It is hilarious and painful at the same time. I could feel the disgust and anger that you were trying to portray in your writing. At the same time I can't help but laugh. You were so excited to start this amazing vacation and had such high hopes and they were dashed from the beginning. The power and feeling in this post is great. I'm sorry your vacation was so bad. On the bright side it made a good post and a funny story.


All You Need is Biology?
You have such a different take then I do on this topic. I loved seeing it from a different perspective. You did a great job. I can see your opinion and feeling through out the whole paper. You feel passionately about love and marriage and the correctness of our traditional practices. You did a great job! You are a great writer and you do a great job of putting your information out there without over powering people with your opinion but making sure that they see your side.

Greatest Hits

Armando Teran,
 

Directed FreeWrite Page 386

 I really enjoyed this post. You and I view the world very much the same. All of what you said is very true. The music business exploits their employee's for the benefit and financial gain of themselves.You are a great writer. You come out with your opinion but you don't push it or have it over power the paper. You just let the reader kindly let you know how you feel about the subject while you let the facts support your opinion. I loved your last paragraph. Your reasoning for not listening to hip hop and rap is so true and so honest. They use terrible lyrics and they justify their wrong doing. Many of the male artists degrade women in their lyrics and people support this way of living by paying for their explicit and degrading lyrics. GREAT JOB!

 Strange Comparisons

This is a great post. I agree with everything you said. The article was really strange and did not really have a way of justifying homosexual behavior just because the animals do it. It is almost as though we have been compared to animals. I also felt as you were writing that basically just because the animals do it doesn't make it ok almost like just because your friend jumped off a bridge you should too. I love the way you present your opinion. You let the reader know your opinion and how you feel . Your firm in your belief and whether someone believes different doesn't mean you will believe that way. I liked the last two sentences that sum up your opinion. Nice job.

Directed Free write 1

Probably my favorite post of yours. I love how you start it by saying that if people viewed relationships and love as biology and chemistry there would be drastic changes. This is such a true statement. Your post was very interesting and very true. It had great insight to the love and the emotions that they feel and what stimulates these emotions. You are a great writer! Keep up the good work!

 

Week 12 Blog Reviews

Darien Allen
I really enjoyed your posts this week. I liked your post about The Evolution of Finance. It was a really good summary of what was in the book. I thought it was way better than what was in the book and more interesting to read. I really liked your post about government too. We both have very different opinions about big government but it is always good to read a different view point. I really enjoyed your thoughts. You think a very different way then I do and I enjoyed seeing everything from a different side and thinking about things in a different way.

Jessica Chee
I liked your post on finance. It is so true that money is what makes our world go round. It was really interesting and way more interesting than the book. I also enjoyed your post about government. I totally agree with what you said. We both view government the same way and I really enjoyed your thoughts. Its good to see the way someone else thinks.

Rollin' in the Benjamins

Money, Money, Money. As we all go on our day to day we spend money. Some people spend lots of it and some people have found ways to limit their spending and they spend less of it; either way we are always wanting more. If only we had more money we would be able to buy this new car or spend the extra money on something you really want. Unfortunately not all of us are born with rich parents that set up trust funds when we were kids and this causes us to go into debt for school, homes, cars, and much more. The world of finance is brutal. We tend to never make as much money as we would like to spend; its a little skewed.
The world of finance is much more complicated than the fact that we all enjoy spending money and we never seem to have enough of it. Finance has to do with estimation of the future, stocks, and analyzing. The estimation of whether or not something will be worth more in the future than it is today. The stock market has to do with stocks in companies and the calculations of how much a stock is worth. This takes us to analyzing. The analyzing of stocks and pricing. Luckily, I have to choice of what I would like to do and that I can hire someone to deal with all of this because to me it is all boring ans makes no sense. It is a very good thing that we have professionals who do their job on a regular basis and that are good at it so things like the stock market crashing don't happen.
As we see finance is far more difficult than spending and making money. Finances have much more to them like the economy and stock markets. As people who participate in this country and its way of working we have a civic responsibility to at least be educated in the way of finances and money. This way we can always be in the know of what is happening and we will be able to see what goes on and appreciate the way our economy, despite how much we are hurting at the moment, functions pretty smoothly. Obviously, the world of finance is brutal and complex and we can't possibly know everything but we can be knowledgeable. 

George Orwell Said it Best

The famous book that talks about government and their control is 1984 and is written by George Orwell. This book talks about the affects of government and how the government has too much control. In the book the government is compared to a big brother who is constantly watching every move you make and watching what you do. The big brother always watching over your shoulder. This comparison of "big brother" is like the government watching every move we make and telling us exactly what to do and when to do it. Should the government be that involved with that much of our lives? What kind of control should they have?
I have grown up all my life in a very conservative republican home. My father didn't ever shove his opinion on my but I have always looked up to him and over time I have come to see and keep the same view points that he has today. The fact that government is so involved in what we do bothers my father quite a bit. You could almost say that 1984 is one of his favorite books. He completely believes that big government is a bad idea. Granted I also believe that too much big government is a bad idea. Government should not be required to create jobs or regulate companies. Government is here to make sure that everyone is following the laws that are in place to keep our country they way our founding fathers intended it to be. Government is here for a reason and we need to utilize it but we also need to realize that the government is not here to fix all of our problems. We should look back to the leaders that helped our country prosper like President Regan and strive to mirror our country after the policies that her believed in. As an American I believe that government has a role and being in the most control is not the reason we have government. 

WEEK 11 Blog reviews

Darien Allen,
I really enjoyed your post about the Chinese Influence on American culture. It was a really different take and it was very well written. You definitely know how to use your words and make them work to your advantage.

Jessica Chee,
I liked both of your posts this week. The one on material things I completely agree with. I liked how you compared our capitalistic society to a material on that is all about our desire for goods.Your post on Native Americans was very well written. Its so true the bad light that a lot of people place these poor people in. There are more than enough well educated Native Americans that are contributing to our society.

America: The Melting Pot

America is not just predominately one culture.  As many people have referred to America in the past as "The Melting Pot" we see that this country is made up of many cultures. We have African Americans, Jews, Hispanics, Native Americans, and so much more to offer. This complexity of cultures provides us with many stereotypes that sometimes people expect all of the people in the given culture to participate in. But as the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover" I think the same thing applies for people; "don't judge a person based on their stereotype".
Each culture that is represented with in the United States has a stereotype. Native Americans are seen as lazy, drunks that smell bad and misuse the governments money and land that was given to them. African Americans are see as lazy people that eat chicken and drink purple drink. These people have hops and are good at basketball. Jews have big noses and are really great at saving their money. They all have long beards, they wear yamika's, and they read in Yiddish from the Talmud. Hispanics are dirty and they provide cheap labor, you know yard work. They steal American's jobs.They are all illegal and they crossed the border with twenty other people in the small five seat car that they took over. All they ever eat is burrito's, taco's, rice, and beans and they smell like grease. Mormons are crazy. They have lots of kids, they worship Joseph Smith, they coupon cut, have massive amounts of food storage in case of an emergency, they don't drink or smoke, and they never have any fun. Asians are super smart and they all like Hello Kitty. Having said this do you feel as though your culture has been misinterpreted. These stereotypes that we place on people are not limited to that culture nor do they represent each culture in any way. Not all Mormons have fifteen kids. Not all African Americans like to eat fried chicken. Not all Hispanics are illegal. But each of these harshly stereotyped cultures are unfairly judged because of their background and others beliefs everyday.
Each of the cultures represented and more have helped shape our country today. They all play an important role in making our country what it is today for the better. Just look at the world around you. For years African America's were slaves and they were oppressed but today an African American man leads our country. Native Americans are seen as lazy drunks that we killed and pushed off their own land and that we shipped into camps and oppressed but some of their people have helped in many medical advances of our day. Hispanics are seen in almost the worst light. We expect them all the be illegal drug dealers who hopped the border but many of their people are striving for a better education that they can use to better our people. Without all of the many important represented cultures that America has to offer would would not be the same amazing country that we are today. We have grown technologically, medically, governmentally and so much more for the better of this country with each culture that takes part in it.

Material World

"Most of us have more pleasure and less discomfort in our lives than most of the people most of the time in all of history (Twitchell 392). As Americans it is the norm for us to "consume and consume, with no thought of where it all comes from and where it all goes," says Ben Lee. Many people refer to this on going "trend" as "keeping up with the Jones's". Its almost a common theme as a person in general to want something that they don't have. Its almost ridiculous to try and keep up with all of my wants and needs on top of the new fads that come out weekly. Is this need for materialistic things good? Bad? Healthy? Honestly who really knows.
Opinions, people, trends, and so much more are in one day and out the next. The American way teaches us that we deserve what we want and when we work hard we have earned it. In the early 1940s a new thing called credit rolled out and tons of people put themselves over their heads in debt because they bought things that they couldn't afford on credit. Clearly very few people were taught to live within out means. This has transcended down through the years to today where people are still not living within their means and are putting ridiculous purchases of junk that they don't need on their credit cards until the limit on the card is up. This foolish way of living has caught up with us yet again. Our country is suffering because too many people chose not to live within their means and they are now suffering the consequences of losing everything. All for material things. As the saying goes "you can't take it with you." I believe this to be true to a certain extent. I believe that having a decent sized savings and being good about your money is what is important.
Personally, I love material things. So why not spend money you can't take with you on things that you can't take with you. Yes, everyone should have a little in savings but spending a little money is always a good idea. Everyone could use a few material, worldly, comforts like a bed and food. Isn't the American Dream to own a house and a car? Without credit used wisely and built up I would not be able to own my pretty car or my beautiful home. Two worldly possessions that are almost impossible to live without. So find joy in the journey now but be smart. Save a little, spend a little and live a little because as the saying goes "you can't take it with you."

WEEK 10 BLOG REVIEWS

Darien Allen,
I really liked your post on popular music. I think its totally true that corporations have a huge influence on the media that we see! They brainwash us! I really enjoy your style of writing and the way you share your opinion. You don't push it on anyone but you let us know what you think. Have a great week!

Jessica Chee,
I really enjoy your style of writing. You have a way of sucking the reader into your story as though they are sitting right next to you suffering through your new home drama. Your sequence of bad day events was hilarious and at the same time I felt empathy for what happened to you. I also enjoyed your piece on music on pop culture. You are a great writer! Keep up the great work!

Music and Dancing

As time has gone by music has progressed and become something so different than what it was decades before. People that lived the the 1940s opposed the hip swinging beat of rock and roll. Today these people would be truly offended with the music that we listen to today. Music has certainly taken on a who new beat and meaning than that of the 40's. Each decade seemed to get a little more edgy. The wholesome lyrics that started out then became offensive and vulgar. This is what we listen to today. Granted I love music. Music is what keeps me going from my day to day. Music helps my mood and gets me through workouts. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with music or the music that I listen to. What I'm saying is music has certainly changed and is more widely accepted in all of its forms today than decades in the past. Having said this do women use this music as affirmation and power with their sexuality that is expressed in the music and is created in men?
Honestly I see it both ways. So women using their sexuality in music. We see this everyday. Sex sells. Lady Gaga and many other very successful female artists prove this everyday. They sell their bodies on their albums and they talk about sexual actions in their music. How else would they sell albums? Their music videos are images of them half naked and dancing sensuously. They create a rise out of these men and they draw them in with their sexuality. Their intoxicating lyrics put with a fun beat to create this catchy tune that draws you in. You want more. Before you know it you find your self swinging your hips with the beat and singing along with the music. These women draw men and women in with their sexuality. Think about it. Katy Perry sings the song, "I Kissed A Girl." The lyrics talk about something that many men fantasize about, the music video is scandalous, and the song is catchy and before you know it this song has you singing along and drawing you in with Katy's sexuality. These women draw men in with their sexuality and with a simple beat.
Ok so yes sex sells. Women use this to their advantage. To be brutally honest there are plenty of female artists that do this everyday. But there are also many very talented females that sell music with out selling their bodies. You also have a choice in everything that you listen to, watch, and purchase. You can choose to buy music and movies that are not targeted to the sex drive and that represent real women. There is so much more out there than the popular music that draws you in with sex and a catchy tune. Men can choose to be unfazed by the media that portrays women as sex icons. Woman can also choose to not portray ourselves through our sexuality. The argument can go both ways. You have a choice in the media that you purchase and partake in but women totally manipulate the way men think and what they see through the media that they choose to portray.

Manic Monday

Last Monday was probably one of the most frustrating days of my life. After going to bed exceptionally late the night before I forgot to set my alarm and was late to work the next morning. As I walked into Lifetime Fitness to open Fall Break Kids Camp I realized that someone had misplaced the table that I needed to put up in the gym to check the children into camp. I gave up my search after the first child came in and wanted to play with a jump rope. Luckily one of the workers in the hall found me a table and I was finally all set up for camp. By 8:30 that morning we had 40 kids and most of my staff we're missing or sitting in the corner talking. I quickly lost control of the campers and just as I had hit the height of my stress a very hard to handle autistic child that takes every bit of my patience walked into camp and proceeded to pants the shy child in camp. Time flew quickly after that and before I knew it camp was done for the day and I was off the go workout and go on with my day.
While I was half way through my workout my roommate called to tell me that APS had just turned off our power. So I hopped in the car and pulled into the APS parking lot only to find out that they were closed for lunch from 1-2 and it was 1:02 so I hauled back to my car and drove to the Jiffy Lube down the street to get the oil in my car changed. While waiting for the oil change I called my father to ask if I could borrow some money for the power bill. As soon as I was done I went to my parents house for money and then back to APS to figure out the bill and why they had shut us off. At APS I was informed that I needed to pay a reconnection fee of $70 on top of a few other fees that added up to $700. I paid the bill and then proceeded to go home.
On my way home my back left tire blew out so I called my dad for more money and then I met him at the tire place where he proceeded to pay to get me all new tires. As soon as I was finished there I jetted back to the gym to pick my little sister up from work and then the two of us headed home where I realized that I had two tests and a paper due the next day. So I got my butt in gear and proceeded to write my paper and study until my brain turned to mush. By midnight I still hadn't showered for the day and I still needed to eat and get ready for the next day. When I finally climbed into bed at 2 AM I was grateful that my crazy day was finally over.

Week 8 Blog Reviews

Morgan Paulson-
I enjoyed your posts this week. You have a very unique way of writing and getting your point across. I really liked opinion about love and marriage. Can't wait until I get to read your next post.
Rick Kriebel-
Rick I really enjoy your posts. I liked how you pointed out that part of making love is being in love and creating a new life. I also liked your citation from the bible. The only complaint I have is to watch your grammar. Sometimes you use the incorrect form of a word without realizing it. 

Nature and the Natural Instinct

As society has evolved our perceived norm has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Our society has accepted and published many things that might not be seen as natural or that people would have never dreamed would become acceptable. Society has evolved. Having said this some accepted human behaviors that we see from the day to day are still seen as unnatural. But who are we to judge or say what is natural or unnatural?
The word natural is used everyday in many conversations. People have many different views of what they think is natural. In Europe it is natural to put jelly and cheese on toast for breakfast where as Americans might find it more natural to have a bowl of cheerios. Many human behaviors are seen as natural to some and unnatural to others. Marriage between a man and a women is a very natural aspect of life to many. A dog is a man's best friend is a very natural relationship between many men and their dogs. The way women gossip to their best friend is also another very common relationship to many women. Sneaking around, drinking, and partying is a stereotypical teenage behavior to many parent child relationships. Fortunately we cannot base what is natural to one person as natural to another or even correct behavior. Just because it is natural does not mean that is it right. The same goes for things that are unnatural. Just because it is not normal does not mean that it is acceptable or unacceptable to every or any person. Who are we to judge what is right for one person and wrong for the next?
When you talk to someone about the aspect of a homosexual relationship the word natural or unnatural can come up quite frequently. This practice can be seen as unnatural by many people. Homosexuals are not able to do all of the things that heterosexual couples can. In many states they cannot be married and they cannot create life without the help of science or the opposite sex. This unnatural union is sometimes justified by the fact that many animals in nature are naturally homosexual. That they preform or participate in homosexual relationships that are perfectly acceptable in their culture and environment. I agree with the text when Bagemhil says," we shouldn't have to look at the animal world to see what is normal or ethical" (Kluger 339). Although I don't believe that homosexual relationships are correct and that they don't deserve some of the rights that heterosexual couples are given I do believe that they should not be looked at different or discriminated against in the work place or in general. I also believe that this is a very true statement. We cannot take our opinions and beliefs from the example of animal world and apply it to what is correct, ethical, or natural in our lives or our society. All people are different and they see things differently, therefore one persons opinion should not affect everyone elses opinions and actions.

All You Need is Love

What is love? Chemistry and biology are the two factors that are focused on but are they truly the real reasons people fall in love? Chemistry and biology certainly have a huge effect on our ability to fall in love. Without chemistry we would not be able to feel that spark for that person. The pull of attraction that drags you to that person and has you thinking, dreaming, talking, and wondering what they are doing and when will you see this person next. The physical attraction to a person is what initially brings you to them and after that the chemistry will keep you smiling when you see them. Chemistry is a huge factor. But biology? What is biology? I believe that it is the cycle that we are expected to follow. The pattern outlined in the reading. Biology is the way a person pulls you in, their flirting style, and their body language. Without these two crucial steps people might never fall in love.
How do these two factors change our preconceived notions about love? Is love meant to be? Can you truly fall in love? Is marriage for everyone? Is it all about physical attraction? Is courtship and dating simply a ploy for sex? I believe that many of these notions are unrealistic. Love is not simple or easy. You can't pull the definition of love out of the air. It is not explained and it is different for every person. Love is how you view it. If that means that you never get married and your still happy then so be it. But by no means does that mean that there is only one person out there that is meant for you. The odds of finding this one perfect person are impossible and unrealistic. There are too many people and chances for happiness for anyone to be looking for that one person. How will you know that you found them? Even then you could still be searching, unhappy with what you have. By all means I am not saying settle with what you have. I'm saying that love is imperfect and difficult and that life is too short to search for the perfect person and that in reality we should be happy and life in the moment. Granted if it is meant to be then it will certainly be. Not only that but dating can be simply for sex but in reality we are all looking for our match or our mate that we try to spend the rest of our lives with in happiness through our old age.
I believe that the way we see love is greatly influenced by our culture, time, beliefs, behavior, and institutions. The way that one person sees love can be completely different than the way your best friend views it. A great portion of this is based off of our beliefs and the way that we were raised. This is a huge influence on the way we think. If you were raised in the belief that someday you will find your true love and be married and love happily ever after than this would be your basic outlook on love; but if you were raised to believe that love is just a hoax then you would see love and relationships in a whole new light. I think that our culture of America greatly influences our beliefs. In other countries marriages are arranged but here we almost frown upon it. Not only that but the way people view love and marriage is very different than the way it was viewed in the 1940s and in every decade. Love is different for every person everywhere.
Love is complex. But without that excitement and without the drive many of us would not be here today. So live life and love fully; take chances and tell everyone around you that you love them because life is too short to not take advantage of what you have and life it to the fullest. Publish your beliefs and let everyone know how you view love and why.

Week 7 Blog Reviews

Ricky Kriebel
I enjoyed reading your posts this week. The way that you think and see things is a new perspective than I do and it is always good to see a new side of things. I thought your post on marriage was interesting. I agree with a lot of what you said with the sex drive and disregard for even knowing the person. I found your view on marriage very different and the new natural relationship interesting. Although I believe differently, your view was well thought out and constructive. Can't wait to read what is next!

Morgan Paulson
I love reading what you write. It is always a fresh new perspective that I haven't seen yet. I like how you put that having a different type of marriage or commitment for humans. I completely agree. I also enjoyed your post about communication. It is always nice to know that I'm not the only one have communication problems! 

Marrriage is What Brings Us Together Today

Based on the way I was raised and my religious views I believe that marriage is essential and that this sacred union should only be shared as man and women. I was raised very conservative in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I still practice this religion. My parents were married on August 30th, 1989 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple for time and all eternity. They are currently still happily married and they have five beautiful children. This short summary of how I have been raised has greatly influenced me growing up. This is my dream to someday be happily married for time and all eternity in the temple to a worthy returned missionary that I love dearly. Having said this is my opinion the correct one?

Obviously as I have grown up I have formed a very narrow opinion of the way I think things should be. Is this right? Should I be this narrow minded? My religion tells me yes but I also believe that there should be acceptance for all people and their beliefs. Granted I don't believe that they should have all the same rights that married heterosexual couples have but we should still accept these individuals for what they believe. Fortunately history and science back up my way of thinking. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," stated in Genesis 1:1. As the creation process started God created man and women and made them compatible in order to create children to multiply and replenish the earth. This is a commandment from God to multiply and replenish the earth so that all of his children can come here and enjoy the fruits of life. Man and women were made for each other; to be partners in life and to rear their children in righteousness. Granted this might be a little extreme. Many people will have children but not all of them will be raised in "righteous" homes. Who am I to judge to say whether anyone is righteous or unrighteous?

Yes, my opinion is very right wing conservative. Man and woman should be married and should multiply and replenish the earth with their seed, but there is far more to marriage and finding the person that you want (or are supposed to) spend the rest of your life with. Life is hard and no one is perfect and no one has the same exact feelings, experiences, or can even come close to having your life mirror the person next to you. We are all different and have different lives and opinions and beliefs for a reason. There is opposition in all things to give people the right to choose based on how they believe and think. Therefore although I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman and that is how it has been ordained for a reason and that is the way it has been practiced for thousands of years I still believe that we should all be given the choice to decide for ourselves by our beliefs.

Week 6 Blog Reviews

Morgan Paulson-
I enjoyed exploring your blog and taking a look at your readings. We have some things in common! I'm a speech and hearing science major too. Its probably the coolest major ever. I'm excited to be part of your peer group for this unit. I enjoy the way you write. You engage the reader as though you are sitting in front of them talking. I really liked your point of view and the way you brought it about in the blog about homosexuality and their rights. You definitely connect with the topic emotionally because of your experiences.

Richard Kriebel-
Just like Morgan we have something in common. We are all speech and hearing science majors. I plan on going into speech though but audiology is still a great field. I enjoyed scanning through your work in the past and reading the work that you have posted from last week. You are a great writer. You see a different perspective than I do. Mr. Mom is a great movie and also a great choice for real wild men and women. I liked the way you talked about the roles and how it is more common these days to have the "expected" roles of men and women flopped in some homes. I'm excited for what you have in store next. 

Important Information

My best friend Brett and I get in fights all the time. We've been best friends for almost 5 years now and still we don't see eye to eye on all subjects. Many a time we have gotten in fights over not hanging out enough, not talking, wanting to do something other than our usual movie time, and many other things. I think the most fought about subject though is his inability to tell me important things or leave out important information. To this day we still fight about it but I feel as though we both have good reasons behind our argument.
A specific time when we fought about him leaving out information was after he went through the LDS temple to take out his endowments before he left on his mission. In the LDS culture this very sacred practice is very exciting and important. In layman's terms this basically means that he preformed sacred practices that only worth members of our church at a certain point of their life (before marriage, a mission, or when they feel they are ready)  participate in. In order to go into the temple you have to have a badge with your name on it that is scanned. Once inside the temple you basically preform ordinances for yourself that kind of ensure your salvation and seal you to your family and your father in heaven forever. This is kind of a big deal and a really exciting thing that is looked upon highly in my religion. So when he didn't tell me that he was going through and a week later I found out that he had been though and still hadn't told me I was a little bit mad.
As a girl I am a little dramatic and a little more emotional than Brett is. So fighting over him not telling me something that was kind of a big deal was not a new thing. I remember not talking for a while and making him "grovel" for my forgiveness. I look back on this experience and I was pretty mean and all of my meanness was not called for especially because I should have celebrated and been happy for him over this great accomplishment that he had just had but not telling your best friend something this important was uncalled for. I think that a better way to resolve our situation probably would have been better to talk about why he hadn't told me and also just to talk about the situation in general. Being as important and as sacred as this ordinance had been he was not ready to talk about it and he just needed time to process it and the right setting to tell me his good news. Instead of being supportive and understanding I over analyzed the situation and made it a big deal which was not necessary.

Peace, Love, and Computers

In our world of ever changing values, identities, and technology it is difficult to be who you are and stand for what you believe in. Each day brings a new light and a new technological advancement. This ever changing world has gone from the American conservatism of the early 1940's to the radical movements of the 1960's. We clearly live in a new day and age when there are different values and opinions all around us. D'Emilio believes that the shift of gender identity and openness to homosexuality began during our change to a capitalistic society. Although he brings up many good points that lead people to believe in his opinion I beg to differ. I would attribute the shift to a more technological world and the belief that we are all created equal rallied the homosexual society to become more vocal about their identity. The changing American values have push people throughout the country to become more accepting of every person and what they choose to be or believe in.
Technologically and liberally America has advanced. We have gone from the writing of the constitution by hand to having ipods, laptops, and many more technological advances that have changed our country for the better. During these changes that we have witnessed a shift to a clearly more liberal America. I attribute much of the decision for the gender identity debates and the push for homosexuals to "come out of the closet" not to our capitalistic society but to the technological advancements that we have seen and to the change in American views.
The shift to a more liberal society is a huge aspect. In 2010 people are far more accepting of homosexuals, children born out of wedlock, abortion, and many other controversial views. The acceptance from our society has encouraged homosexuals to come out and admit openly their gender identity.   

In honor of Nathan Palmer Askins: Bandits

Bandits!!! Wild Real Men and Real Wild Women
The movie Bandits came out in 2001 staring Billy Bob Thornton, Bruce Willis, and Cate Blanchett is the perfect example of wild real men and real wild women. The movie starts with Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis in escaping from prison. As they continue they steal a car and rob the nearest bank and then go into hiding only to formulate a fool proof plan of stalking the bank manager and later taking him and his family hostage for the night. They then wake up early the next morning and have the manager get them through bank security so they can rob the bank and go back into hiding. Throughout the course of going into hiding Billy Bob Thornton hits a woman with his car and is forced to take her with him into hiding. Cate Blanchett steps into the picture as a young, rich, unhappily married woman who's husband is cheating on her. She is eager to leave her life of luxury and join these crazy men to a life a mystery. As they continue on through out the movie the bandits rob bank after bank and become know as the sleep over bandits and become more infamous with each steal. In the end both men fall in love with Cate's character and they die fighting over her during one of her bank robberies. Ok not really. They stage their death, steal millions in their last heist, make off with Cate, and retire in Mexico happy and old.

Both of the male characters in this movie exhibit behaviors of wild real men. Billy Bob Thornton is a bank robber and a literal nut. His quirky and dorky personality drives Bruce Willis insane but he puts up with is because Billy Bob is very meticulous and intelligent in his planning for their heists.

Bruce Willis's character is crazy and outgoing. He always gets what he wants and if he can't get it he finds a way to. In the beginning of the movie he steals and truck and drives him and Billy Bob out of prison. His strong willed personality over powers the bank managers and as a result gets them money. He isn't afraid to speak his mind or get him what is necessary in whatever way possible. He truly is a wild man. 

Cate Blanchett's character is a crazy lady who is sick of her life so she decides to basically run away and throw her old life away for this exciting life on the run. Her character is literally nuts and sick of her unhappy marriage. She wants a new life and a new love. When she meets the bandits not only is she not afraid of them but she basically begs them to keep her around; insisting that she will cook and help out. She falls in love with both men during the course of the movie and yet she still holds her own by participating in their crazy plans to hit up bank after bank that finally leads to their staged death and escape to Mexico.

All three of these characters exhibit people that are wild, out of the ordinary people that went out of the way to be and do something new. You don't have to rob banks or run away from what you have to be wild, you just have to live a little. Be a little weird and live out of the ordinary. Step out of your predictability and just choose to be not only yourself but a new wild and crazy you that does new and exciting things! Try something new!

Week 4 Blog Reviews

Jacqueline Pridgett
I loved your insight on the Frida Kahlo piece. I could feel and see everything that you were describing. I felt as though I could feel her pain on a whole new level. You captured her every thought and feeling perfectly.
Katie Kosturik
Katie I really enjoyed your writing a lot this week. Your explanation of Frida Kahlo's work was amazing. I could see everything in the painting and understood all of the meaning behind it.
Tasha Cerimeli
Thank you for your writing this week. I enjoyed both of them. I loved how you thought about robots (computers) not only thinking but feeling ans loving. It puts a whole new perspective on humans and how we should never take our emotions and abilities for granted.

Cristina My Sister

This painting was painted after Frida found out that her sister had an affair with Diego. In her rage she created this painting of her sister. Frida Kahlo is a very famous Mexican painter. She created many of her painting from her life and what she saw and experienced. Her paintings are not only beautiful but interesting. She meticulously filled her paintings with culture.

Cristina my sister is a very interesting painting. As you view the painting the focal point is on the her sisters face. You can see the seriousness and anguish on her face. Her eyebrows are furrowed as though she is in deep concentration. I can only imagine the thoughts going through her mind as she is sitting for this painting. As you think of the background Frida has just discovered her sisters affair with her husband Diego. You can feel the pain that Frida is feeling as she paints the rage in her sisters face. Her face is a light pink and her lips are pursed. This displays the frustration in her face but also the frustration ans betrayal that she is feeling. As Frida continues to paint the pain that she feels as it is reflected in her face you move down the painting to her body. Cristina is wearing a white dress. I feel as though after betraying her sister she should be wearing red or some sort of angry color to represent her feelings. I think that her choice of white is appropriate though. She didn't want to blame her sister and she wanted to keep the focus of the painting on her face and her emotion that she is trying to portray instead of the coloring. Her body is rigid and her hands are folded across her lap. Her body seems uncomfortable and unsure of how to act and feel and of what she is planning on doing next.

The background of this picture is white with green grass as the foreground and a little bit of a pink in the right hand corner. I think that the barren background represents her feelings of hurt and despair but that in the far distant future the pink is her small ray of hope that someday everything will turn out for the best. Everything will work out. In the far distance in the right hand corner sits a small, lonely tree and out of the right hand side in the mid part of the picture a section of a tree branch is coming out. The background is almost barren. This is a stark comparison to many of her pictures. It displays the emotion that she is currently feeling. Lonely, distant, and apart from everyone. The little amount of green life in her picture not only takes the focus off of her sister but it represents the distance between them and the hope that she has of starting a new life and forgetting the past.
My Sister Cristina 1932
Kahlo, Frida. Cristina My Sister. 1932. Roseanna Lee Frida Kahlo Self Portraits. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.roseannalee.com/fridakahlo/0008.jpg>.

Robotic Beings Rule the World

To be put simply this essay is about whether computers can think and if they will ever be able to surpass human intelligence. Robert Wright expresses his feelings and impressions that he has about robots. Fortunately I believe that robots will never be able to surpass human intelligence. Robots only know as much as we do. Not only that but robots are unable to take on human attributes that way that we do. Computers can never truly think, act, feel, or create human attributes.
Humans will never surpass human intelligence. Given this statement I am 100% positive that there are quite a few computers out there that are way more intelligent than I am. I'm not super intelligent or the smartest person in the room. I am very far from that. This just means that there are people all around me surpass me in intelligence on a regular basis. I find comfort in this statement because although others are far more intelligent than I am then these people are far more intelligent than robots or computers. Only the people creating these machines control the level of intelligence that the machines represent. In other words, robots will never be able to be more intelligent than their makers.
Another thing I find comforting is that robots cannot assume all human attributes. Why do I find comfort in this? Well this just means that robotic beings will never be able to rule the world!!! Why? Robots will never be able to think, feel, love, cry, grieve, or function as human beings do. As a human I can never be replaced. I am valued for my emotion and incompetence. I am very different from a machine and this gives me value.

Week 3 Blog Reviews

Jacqueline Pridgett
I loved your post on are we smarter than robots. It was well thought out and well written. You answered all of the questions and had your opinion with out having one over power that other. I can't wait to read your next post.
Katie Kosturik
Katie your post about the robots was so well written. It was very intelligent and well thought out. I appreciate your opinions and I totally agree with you. I also enjoyed your post on consciousness. I like how your incorporate your opinion and parts from the article in your posts. It makes your post so much better.
Tasha Cerimeli 
I enjoyed reading your blog post about robots. It  kept me thinking with all of your questions. Your writing style keeps me interested and makes me excited to read what your next post has in store!

RoBoTs!!!!

Minsky believes that machines or robots will have the capability to surpass the human brain. His belief is that these machines could be more conscious than humans. These artificial systems would be mimicking the brain's neural process. Computers would be able to have the capacity to think as humans do. With this statement in mind it is terrifying to believe that a computer would be able to have a higher thinking capacity than a human because this machine would be able to work harder than humans. To have our brain capacity and be able to use all of it would make a very powerful robot. Minsky called this type of capability Artificial Intelligence or AI. Lucky for us this powerful machine is impossible to build exactly like the human mind as he continued to research and found out that our brain cells and visual processing are difficult to duplicate.

Many people find his belief that computers will have the conscious capacity to pass the brain offensive and they take it as though he is saying that robots will and can be smarter than humans. Minsky argues that this is completely untrue. He sees it as if we were able to access our full consciousness we would not know what to do with it. He also tells us that full consciousness happens when you can recall every detail of something. In this way computers are more efficient than humans because they can never forget anything. Humans are not programmed for that type of memory and further more we do not need it. To be able to hold that much information would be pointless and impossible for someone to function.

Personally I agree with most of what Minsky has said. It is not that computers or robots are smarter than us they are just programmed to be efficient and to be able to recall any information given to them. I honestly have such a hard time retaining information that I would probably have some sort of over load if I was asked to remember everything. I believe that through careful programming and research that robotic machines would be able to preform many tasks that are impossible for humans and that they will be far more conscious than we are but that a machine is as only as smart as his maker. Meaning that without an intelligent creator there could not be an intelligent machine and that its capacity could be more conscious than the creator but it would never be more intelligent.

Week 2 Blog reviews

Jacqueline  Pridgett
I really enjoyed reading her post about being good with out god. I found it very frank and honest and very well written. I totally agree with the fact that people can be bad but still believe in god.
Katie Kosturik
I felt that Katie did a really great job. She addressed the subject of good without god by recognizing that each religion is different and that because each is different there is no way that there can be one definition of "good". The only think that Katie could change would be instead of addressing the post like she did she should just go right into it. It doesn't need to be introduced.
Tasha Cerimeli
Tasha is an amazing writer. I loved her use of questions in her posts. Congrats on your final english class!

Directed Freewrite page 96

What is an idea? An idea is a belief, a thought, or a tiny voice deep inside you. Its created or implanted in you. An idea is almost a feeling. An idea is a thought taken for a walk. It starts as a simple thought and progresses into something more. This idea could be a few thoughts combined into one is or one thought that became more. This though was shaped and stewed on for quite sometime as the thought process continues it develops into an idea which is your opinion. This idea is your own that either you came up with or that someone started for you and you finished. The idea that you created is different than a thought because your idea is shared and more than likely will turn into an action.
So we then come to the question of what is a thought? A thought is a creation in your mind. Its something that you develop that your mind takes a hold of. Thoughts can be anything. Opinions, feelings, notions, anything that your mind creates. This thought is part of your everyday. You create thoughts with out processing the fact that your are well...thinking. Every time you hear, listen, smell, and basically function you are creating a thought. Each thought is unique and different and they help you process, walk, talk, and just get through your day. Thoughts are a basic part of life; just an everyday action that you do most of the time with out realizing it.
Where do thoughts and ideas come from? Thoughts and ideas come from within you. They are created inside your mind. They not only part of your basic everyday but they define you. Thoughts and ideas are part of you. They come from you and your personality so what you are thinking and feeling comes through you. People perceive you based on the way you act which comes from your thoughts and ideas which come from inside you; from your mind or your brain. You create your thoughts and ideas with your mind.

Can we be good without God???

Can we be good without God? This controversial question is linked to a different answer depending on who you ask. Many believe that God is not necessary to make them a good person. Others hold the belief that God is all powerful, all knowing, and the supreme being and that without him we cannot be "good" people. Religiously  I believe that God is the supreme being and that only by and through him can we be saved and exhalted with him someday in his kingdom. Given this statement I also believe that you can truly be a great person and not follow what I believe.

A greater part of a persons personality is what they believe. The simple process of believing in something shapes you and creates how you act and what you say. Belief in something defines you. I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My beliefs are very different than that of the world around me today. I choose to be a very different person because of what I believe to be true. Simply, I believe in God and his eternal power to save me from my sins. Unfortunately this belief does not make me a good person. The way I decide to believe and shape my personality is up to me. It is not up to God or other followers of my faith. It is not up my belief system to make me a good person. Although these beliefs shape my personality and how I behave that is simply my choice. Life is full of these important choices that shape us and help us become these good or amazing people.

Having said all this I do not believe that God has made me a good person. God has definitely given me all that I have and I attribute every aspect of my life to him. Without God I do not see myself being the same person I am today. This does not mean that without God I would be a bad person. I chose to follow God and be a good person. Without God I still have the same opportunity to be a good person. You cannot define a person based on their religion or their belief in God. Every person has the opportunity to be a good person. Today there are many people that do not believe in God or a higher being that are great people. Good people are in every aspect of life. People should be defined by what they do and how they do it not by what they believe. You cannot judge a person and say that they are bad because they are without God. Good people should not be defined as followers of God. Everyone has the potential to be good without God. 

self

As I consider the nature of myself in each community that I participate in I see myself as a different person with a different personality in each. In the online community I see myself as more laid back and less willing to go the extra mile or to do more than what is required in my online classes. My work community I find myself focused and controlling. I feel as though I am unwilling to let a mistake happen with the children I am watching on my clock. Each of these separate selves are different personality traits that represent me as a person. Each self is unique and different. Only people who see me everyday on every level from school to work and to home see me on each level of my self and know me personally and on a different level than others.

Previously stated is my online self. Laid back and unwilling to go the extra mile. Other online aspects of my self are shy, scared, unwilling to share my whole self, curious, and introverted. I believe that you can never fully know a person just through their online self. You can know their online personality but even then you  are unable to know how they act or be able to see what weird quirks they carry when they walk and talk. All online selves are either a little shy or a little more outgoing then their real self. A lot of people are like me; unwilling to share information before they truely know the people that they are sharing this information with. In the world of today with our many technological advances many people have become comfortable with the internet and are a little more bold when they use it. This form of self see's the relationships they are forming in a different light. They believe that they will never meet these people and so they are more comfortable and they tend to be a little more bold when forming these relationships. In both aspects of self you never can know a person fully because of the differences in their real self that the everyday people see.

Now we consider the nature of morality. Does every self hold a moral compass? Is there just one moral self? Do you need to have a belief in God in order to have a moral self? I believe that ever person within themselves has some sort of moral self or moral compass that guides them. Not everyone decides to listen to their moral self but they all have one. Morality is not based on whether or not you believe in a higher order or a superior being but is simply a tiny voice deep inside you telling you what is right and what is wrong. Your moral self can be ignored and pushed deep down inside you so that your guilt and conscience will stop counciling you to choose the right way but it will always be there no matter how hard you try to get rid of it.

My Bio

My name is Lauren Spencer. I am currently a sophmore at ASU and I am majoring in Speech and Hearing Science. I hope to someday get my doctorate in Speech and own my own private practice. I plan on going onto the speech aspect of speech and hearing science and I hope to become a Speech and Language Pathologist. One of the biggest reasons I decided to major in speech would be my place of work. I currently work at Lifetime Fitness in the Child Center and have been since I was sixteen years old. Working in the child center has given me the opportunity to work with many children that have speech impediments and other disablities. These children are my favorite. Listening to their adorable speech impediments and being sometimes painfully patient with these children is what keeps me pushing through the tough times in my degree.

Besides children and my degree I have many other interests. I enjoy sleeping, eating, hanging out with my sisters, reading, and watching funny movies. My favorite color is blue. My favorite flower is a daisy. I enjoy reading murder mystery stories. I spend a greater portion of my time at the gym either working or working out. I love to jump on a treadmill and run until my legs hurt. My nickname is Lo but only my very close friends and family call me that. Within the past couple of weeks I closed on a town house and moved out. I now live with my two sisters and a close coworker and I have realized that I have taken my family for granted. I spend a great portion of time at my parents house. My parents have been married for 21 years and have five children. Yep, we are mormon. Having lots of children to muliply and replenish the earth.

As previously stated I am a mormon in other words I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel and the fullness of the priesthood on the earth today restored by Joseph Smith. As this goes most of my friends have recently left on two year full time missions. My best friend and boyfriend of four years has been out for seven months in a couple of days. So yes, I am currently waiting for a missionary and when he comes how we plan on being sealed in the Mesa Temple for time and all eternity. Unfortunately all people ever hear about is the unhappy aspect of the girl getting married before the missionary gets home. But I truely believe that no matter what everything happens for a reason and that no matter what curve balls are thrown at me that life should be lived with a smile and that I need to be finding joy in the journey now.