Space Exploration: Facing the Consequences

Throughout the history of the world, Space Exploration has been known to be a form of success for various nations. The United States in particular has been always been a part of this worldwide “space race,” competing with other countries for simply knowing more about the possible worlds beyond our own. This raises some concerns about the ethical purposes behind this competition, and the financial necessity to keep it up and running. Although exploring the universe beyond Earth definitely has its perks, the toll it has on the citizens at home is too great a cost.

Space exploration has always been at great expense to the United States. The only practical way to fund it is through government spending, which ultimately comes from taxpayers. Expanding this program to eventually put Americans in space as a means of living seems a bit out of reach, but large programs like NASA are convinced that with an increase in their budget they will able to fulfill these wishes. Russell Roberts from Morning Edition notes that while he enjoys space, and the things we have been able to learn as a society from it, he gets “no thrill from the Bush plan to put Americans on Mars.” Is it really necessary to put Americans on other planets? Especially when all the revenue for this project would be generated from citizens of the U.S. These financial concerns extend beyond the simple increase in taxes. When it comes to dividing up the federal budget, the United States looks as though it has it’s priorities in check. Looking at the graph in Source C, it looks as though there is less than 6 cents per every tax dollar earned that is spent on programs such that provide space exploration. This is merely a small piece of the complete budget. The majority of the money generated goes to things such as Social Security, National defense, Medicare and other various forms of health aide. The money is being well spent, as results directly show from research by the National Institutes of Health (Source D). Since the 1970s, the overall standard of living and the health of Americans has improved a great deal. Death from heart disease has decreased by over 50%, survival rate for childhood cancer patients has risen 20%, more and more vaccines are preventing infectious disease outbreaks -- the list goes on. None of this would have been possible without funding by the government. To spend more money on Space Exploration would take away from what these essential health programs do for our nation as a whole, and should be taken into account when deciding what should be done with our nation’s money.

Making sure America’s money is spent on the right programs might be one of the toughest set of decisions made by the government. Everyone has a multitude of opinions contributing to where they think the money would be most needed. That being said, McLean discusses the ethics of giving more money to space exploration, noting that the United States “does not have a very good track record in protecting our planet at home.” Expanding our influence further than any nation has ever done before is something that is only natural to be desired. But is it really necessary? Focusing on what is going on at home, and fixing issues here -- because there are quite a few -- should be the main priority.

McLean also mentions the idea of “stewardship,” saying that we as humans are not “owners of the solar system but [are] responsible managers of its wonder and beauty.” As we expand our influence in space, it is important to keep in mind that “space preservation”, “space conservation”, and “space sustainability” are all principles that must be considered (Source E). There is also the contamination issue, brought forth by Richard Greenberg (Source F). Basically there is worry, with just cause, of bringing back contaminants from space, or bringing contaminants to space. Either way, the results of this happening could be detrimental because there is so much we don’t know about what is beyond our planet’s atmosphere. While exploring space would bring us answers to these questions, it is not without great risk.

This international “space race” has been quite a benefit to society. Without it, the drive to make technological advances that better our everyday lives would not have come about. But this race to the worlds beyond ours has caused some clouding of judgement by some nations and their desire to be powerful. There are many issues on Earth, the planet we call home, that need to be dealt with before we travel to a new one. While studying space and exploring its every corner are very important, additional funding by the government -- basically coming from taxpayers -- is not necessary. America can keep its powerful status as a country by widely distributing it’s resources to remain a well-rounded nation.

Synthesis - The Dumbest Generation

In our ever-changing world today, things are a lot different than they were a few decades ago. Technology has become a necessity in the majority of American lives. Knowing how to use it is essential, and being considered “tech-savvy” is practically a compliment. Mark Bauerlein, writer of the novel “The Dumbest Generation” refers to the population of people 30 years or younger to be the dumbest. This belief is illogical, for the people themselves are not losing their intelligence -- it is society’s expectations that have changed. What is considered important to know and what is thought to be irrelevant is always changing. The world today is moving at a much faster pace than it used to with the help of technology. This younger generation is not any dumber than previous generations; it is just growing up in a different fashion.

The word ‘dumb’ has such a negative connotation. When someone is referred to as dumb, it means they are incompetent of completing simple tasks or knowing simple answers to simple questions. Bauerlein states that according to research, people of this younger generation have declining “intellectual habits” (Source 1). This is a very large generalization, and it holds little truth. The population today is simply adapting to the constant advances made in technology, learning how to take advantage of them, and use devices to their full purpose. Why waste time looking through a dictionary to find what a word means when you can look it up online in a matter of seconds? There is nothing wrong with making things a little easier, and if that is considered to be dumb then there must be multiple definitions of the word. In the real world, memorizing facts isn’t going to help you be successful, and that should not be a measure of intelligence.

Sharon Begley writes that people continue to possess traits that allow them to “learn and remember, to see analogies, distinguish fact from opinion,” all of which are some of the most important and useful traits one can have (Source 2). To be able to think critically and logically through certain issues is what will ultimately lead to a successful and well-rounded life.

Technology has done more good than bad when referring to its effects on society and our modern world. Take Google for example. Nicholas Carr, writer for the Atlantic magazine notes the search engine’s efficiency. “Once I was a scuba diver in a sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski,” Carr says, simply noting the fact that compared to the old way of finding information, Google is a much different experience (Source 4). It is one of the most popular companies, most known for it’s superb search engine. With the click of a button you can find the answer to millions of questions that would’ve taken hours to find in a book or on other print sources. The World Wide Web is a powerful source, allowing us to spend less time searching for what we want to know. If a student were assigned to write a research paper on pandas, using an encyclopedia would be much harder in terms of finding the specific information needed. Some might even assume that a student who is part of “the dumbest generation” has no idea how to use an encyclopedia. But with the new technology it is no longer necessary to flip through the pages of a big book when all the same facts can be found on your computer screen. In the graphic from The New Yorker cover, there is a boy on his computer with headphones on in the middle of a library, surrounded by a multitude of books (Source 8). The message this immediately conveys is a negative one toward the overuse of technology. But who’s to say he isn’t currently researching pandas for his upcoming assignment? Technology is an educational resource, much like an encyclopedia, that when used to it’s full potential, does not make a person dumber.

There is no doubt that society has been greatly changed by this digital revolution. Different ways of thinking should not be seen as inferior to the old ways. New gadgets and gizmos that make finding ideas and communicating your ideas globally are not dumbing down the population, but are making it stronger and more intelligent.

Argument - 2008 A

Education in the US is in need of more funding than ever, and it is hard for a lot of schools to receive the needed funds. Government spending and taxes paid by the people doesn't cover 100 percent of schooling costs in some areas. This has resulted in schools using advertising as a means for making money. While others may argue against this revenue generating tactic, it is very beneficial to the schools. It allows for an overall better education.

In a school environment, students are expected to work diligently and learn what they can. Advertising can be seen as a distraction from the purpose of schooling in general. A student may see a sign in the hallway promoting a certain type of food, distracting the student from their upcoming class or test. Also, this certain food may promote an unhealthy lifestyle. When a school signs with a corporate sponsor, a student attending that school is forced to be exposed to that type of advertising. In the real world, advertisements can be easily avoided if desired by the person.

On the other hand, schools need a lot of money to function. In areas where less of that is available, advertising is a good source of revenue to allow for a better educational experience. Advertising is everywhere all around the world. So students are going to be exposed to advertising anyways, so whether that is in school or outside of school, it is bound to happen. The amount of distractions that advertisements would cause do not outweigh the cost benefits it would provide for schools in underprivileged areas.Students will be able to have more materials and technology they would’ve had to go without had it not been for the corporate partner’s funds.

Without support from these corporations, a lot of schools would suffer, which in turn would reflect on the educational success of the students. Increasing taxes and government spending in these areas would be detrimental to the citizens in the area. Despite the distractions and the “forced” exposure to the companies, the benefits a school can receive from this extra funding are definitely worth it.

Why We Watch Television

In the piece, The Worst Years of Our Lives by Barbara Ehrenreich, there is a lot said about the use of televisions in modern day and how it has changed our society. It helps to give a new perspective on something we think of as a normal, everyday object that has become a staple in our American lives. Ehrenreich states that even though in real life it seems as though we can’t take our eyes off the television screen, there is something “eerie and unnatural” about the lives of people we are watching. She points out that people on TV are never shown actually watching TV. In the United States, TV has become a prominent source of news and entertainment for citizens, and to call in to question the reality of what we are watching can really change the views people have on television itself. This being said, it is not necessarily a bad thing that the people we watch on TV aren’t watching TV themselves. The television itself as two main purposes; to inform and to entertain, which it accomplishes very successfully.

On one side of the spectrum, TV’s are useful in the spread of news and knowledge. Nightly news, whether it be your local stations or the national news, are some of the most watched programs in the country. Although this is not what Ehrenreich is directly referring to in her piece, it is still part of the large purpose of televisions and their popularity throughout the world. If we want to stay informed with what is going on in the world, news that is broadcasted daily is our best source. Along with the daily news, people use TV to watch programs such as documentaries or historical specials. These can be very informative and very interesting, capturing the attention of the individual.

Ehrenreich points out that the reason shows never show people watching TV is because it is too boring for other people to watch. That begs the question of why we are so entertained by the little screen in the corner of every American living room when it isn’t entertaining enough to make the television shows. While that is a valid point to be made, it must be kept in mind that the reason we are all sitting in front of the TV in the first place is to cure the national epidemic known as boredom. We want to be entertained by this little black box in the corner of every American living room, and if that means watching things that aren’t very realistic, than so be it. TV shows are meant to tell compelling stories, to inspire the one’s watching, or just simply to make somebody laugh. No one would watch TV if it was what life was actually like. Although there are many lessons to be learned while watching TV shows, the entertaining part is watching things play out in a character’s life rather than your own.

While it is important to assume what you're watching might never actually happen, television is a very key part in our lives today. The large variation in types of programs to watch allows TV to be a great source of information and fun for all types of people. It serves it’s purpose as entertaining and informative, and without it our country and world would not be where it is today.

The Power of Music

It is well known that music  and a person’s mood go hand in hand. But how much can music really affect someone’s mood? The answer is a lot. When you hear that certain song; that certain combination of notes; that certain beat -- it has the power to change my mood from sad to happy, happy to sad, stressed to calm, etc. For me, music is an important aspect of my life. It is therapeutic. Whether I’ve had a bad day and need some sad music to make me feel less alone, or I’ve had an amazing day and just feel like belting my favorite songs because I’m happy to be alive, music is always there.

If you were to look through my ipod, you would find at least one song from every genre imaginable. It ranges from Hip Hop/Rap to Film Scores to Country and even some Show Tunes. I’m always prepared for whatever music my mood demands. Why limit yourself to one genre or one type of music, when you can enjoy them all. each type, each artist relating to a different part of your life. Let me paint a picture for you. I’m on my way to my volleyball match, but I just woke up from a long nap and all I want to do is go back to sleep. What do I do? Sure, a caffeinated drink might help, but why spend money on that when I can have my own form of caffeine pouring out of my speakers. I get in the car and turn on some hardcore rap with a nice, fast-paced beat to get me pumped. Just like that, I’m ready to play.

One of the hardest questions for me to answer is “What’s your favorite song?” It seems simple, yet it is impossible to answer. My favorite song when? When I’m sad I’d have to say it would be any song by Ed Sheeran. When I’m happy, I’d have go with some catchy alternative music or that kind of feel-good country music you don’t normally hear on the radio. When I am feeling dramatic I‘ll typically turn on that 90.9 classical music radio station full blast, or blare film scores from my ipod, making every single movement seem that much more epic. But even then, these answers are constantly changing. I love music too much to narrow it down to just one song.

There is nothing better than that sense of accomplishment when you know all the words to a song. Whether you like a song or not, once you know the words it is almost impossible to do anything but sing along or mouth the words. Personally, one of the most impressive things is to be able to rap along with your favorite rappers. This includes artists such as Eminem, Macklemore, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne. One thing they all have in common is their fast lyrics (which can also be very clever). If you want to impress your friends, learn these lyrics, and when their next song comes on the radio, you can show your stuff. Rap like nobody’s watching, because I can guarantee the people who are watching will be nothing but impressed and jealous of your ability to spit fire like one of the greats.

While all these personal uses for music are very important, just think about where this world would be without music. We’d have no national anthem, no concerts, and nothing but talk radio (who would want to listen to that 24/7?) Music has the power to break the language barrier across the world. Everyone understands music, and everyone can relate to the different moods it brings about.

A Good Weekend

One of the things most important to a typical teenager’s lifestyle is those weekend plans. While spending the whole week in class, focused on getting those good grades, one cannot help but think about what fun things they will be rewarded with in the upcoming weekend. For some, a nice night in with some friends -- or even with your beloved dog -- in front of the TV watching scary movies or finishing the TV show you’re currently obsessed with is enough. But for others, one weekend might take the entire preceding week to plan; making sure that every hour of the two and half days with no school are all mapped out.

The key to having a good weekend, every weekend, is variety. Doing the same things week to week can be boring. This is why it is best to start your planning early. If you haven’t started planning by Wednesday, you’re in trouble. This may result in frantic search for plans -- or even worse -- no plans at all. In high school this is never a good thing. Even something as simple as hanging out with a family member one night counts as a plan. Other plans might include hanging out with a group of your friends by the fire; catching the latest school production; attending a concert or a movie; watching a movie at home; the list goes on. The possibilities are endless! And once a plan, or at least a general idea of what you are going to do, is in place, you can relax and focus on those thousands of tests and quizzes teachers love to give on Fridays.

Once that final bell rings on Friday, and you turn in your last test of the day, your weekend plans begin. The next thing to think about while your weekend carries on as normal is anything but school. School work is not to be done or thought about on Friday nights, or even Saturday nights. School work is meant for weeknights, or even during the day on the weekend. Spend the nights with friends, or relaxing at your house, not worrying about school. Too much stress is never good for the body, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Help to relieve that constant stress of school by focusing on other things. I mean that’s why they give us the measly two days off, right?

Weekends are meant to be a relaxing a break from school and work. Teenagers look forward to them to have fun and spend time with their friends, away from school. Rebecca Black wasn’t so wrong when she sang the words “Friday, Friday, Gotta get down on Friday. Everybody’s looking forward to the weekend.” While that song is super annoying, yet somewhat catchy, it speaks the truth. Without a good weekend planned, the entire week of school seems much longer and tougher to get through. Fun weekends are a teenager’s motivation to finish off the week strong, and relieve stress for all.

"Craft" Club

“Craft” Club: Part One

*this is all completely made up

I sat there waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. 15 minutes late, as usual. They wanted to do this club, the least they could do was show up to the art room on time once in their lives. Matt comes running in carrying all is textbooks. “Sorry I was in a quick meeting with the Math-letes, our first competition is next week!”

“Whatever’ I sigh. We are still missing 3 other people. It’s annoying how they don’t take any of this as seriously as I do. It’s my passion, and I thought it was all of theirs too. That’s why we started this club in the first place. I was missing volleyball practice for this meeting. That shows you I’m dedicated.

In walked Trina and Karl about 10 minutes later. Trina’s excuse was the classic “Sorry, I was at a cheer squad meeting. Last one of the year, promise.” Karl’s was your typical freshman excuse.

“Sorry, I was calling my mom about my ride home from school.”

“Alright well now that you’re all here, finally, we should get started.” I began, “All cell-phones in the basket.” I held out the basket until 3 phones were placed inside. I then added mine to the mix. It was always a club rule that there was no use of cell phones in the meetings. We had agreed on that rule day one. It was the best way to keep what went on in this meeting as focused and as secretive as possible. “Okay last time we were discussing what the next challenge would be. We had a list of possibilities.” I hung up the chart from the previous meeting. I read them out loud, “1) Robbery 2) Murder 3) Kidnapping.” As I read the last option, whispers erupted from the 3 members.

“Let’s do that one!” Trina exclaimed. Everyone else nodded in agreement.

“It would be the most exciting to plan out.” Karl added. “What do you think Claire?” I thought about it. Yes, it would be fun to plan out, and although the subject matter is a little dark, its not like we’d be committing the actual crime.

“I think it sounds perfect,” I replied.

We all sat down and began planning out the perfect crime. We figured out whom we’d be hypothetically kidnapping and how it would be done. It may sound kind of strange – participating in a sort of Crime Club, where we’d plan out crimes that we vowed to never actually commit – but it was something we were all fascinated in. In fact, all 4 of us hoped to one day become detectives who investigate these types of crimes for a living. Why not get a head start on learning how criminals think? We saw no harm in it. But we realized how strange it sounded, so we kept it a secret. When people asked us why we meant in the art room after school on Thursdays, we told them it was for Craft Club. People questioned it at first. Why would 4 people from completely different social circles find common interest in crafting? But eventually the questions died down and our peers left us alone.

“Okay, so we’ll just jump out while she’s on her morning run and grab her?” Matt said. “Sounds easy enough.”

“But she’s a runner obviously, so she could easily get away.” Trina made a good point. We had chosen a target; a girl who goes to the other high school and runs on the cross-country team. There were some advantages and disadvantages to this choice. We thought it would be easier because she would always be out running by herself – easy access. It would be harder though because she is in high school, meaning she is smarter than the average kidnap candidate who would be under the age of 12. We decided to use a trash bag to blind the victim and then have the inside of the bag be laced with some sort of toxin that would sedate her.

We worked out all the kinks, and after an hour of thought-provoking discussion we went home. One day I’ll be solving crimes like these, I thought to myself. I couldn’t wait to solve real cases rather than developing fake ones. Sometimes I felt guilty for planning these crimes, but I knew I would never have the heart to carry them out, so that helped me to feel at ease. If anything we were just a group of kids making up stories – stories that could later help local police departments solve cases much like the ones we created.  I saw no problem with our “craft” club. At least I used not to.

All of that changed on the following Sunday morning. I got up like I always did, and walked downstairs. It was already noon. I walked into the kitchen. “Good morning sleepy-head,” my mom greeted me. I grabbed one of the remaining pieces of bacon from the plate on the counter. As I walked to the cupboard to grab a mug and pour myself some coffee, my mom asked if I had heard the news.

“No, what news,” I replied drowsily.

“About that cross-country runner? I think she is your age. She’s gone missing. It’s just terrible. I mean just imagine how the fam—“

“Wait, she’s missing!” I interrupted her. “Who is it? Does she go to the other high school?”

“Why yes I do believe so,” my mom seemed confused as to why I was so concerned. “My understanding is that the authorities believe she was taken on her run this morning.” I froze. No, it can’t be true. My mother is probably just confused. Or maybe this is all just a big coincidence.

“Wow” is all I could say back. My thoughts were racing.

“Yeah and the only piece of evidence they found was a small part of a household garbage bag.”

My mouth fell open and my mug shattered against the floor.

TO BE CONTINUED...