Gore vs. CBC

First and foremost, both films we viewed gave basic information on why global warming is occurring and how to reverse the pattern. In the first film, the CBC News Documentary shows specific examples as to why global warming has occurred and it showed viewers how scientists are checking for changes in the atmosphere. CBC’s approach on talking about global warming seemed less aggressive and more informal, in a casual way. On the other hand, Al Gore’s approach to alerting American’s about the dangers of global warming were much more precise and demanding. Gore not only had reasons as to why global warming has occurred but he also gave solutions on how to fix the crisis, too. Gore pretty much came out and said “Global Warming is here and this is how we need to fix it.” CBC seemed to more or less give out the statistics and talk about what we can do that may help warming from continuing. Gore also puts blame directly on specific people and says that his film is the truth, regardless of what anyone else has to say about the matter. Gore leaves little room for others to form their own opinion and basically labels his theory as the right theory.

In comparison to Gore’s interview, the CBC special was more family friendly and inviting. Not only was the film shot in several different locations, but it also gave quite a few options and alternatives to what is happening with our climate today. Whereas I felt like CBC was saying there is a debate on the issue of global warming and how and why it had occurred, Gore just flat out says there is no debate. While the issue with global warming is important, I almost felt as if Gore was using the opportunity to put himself out there and to allow others to view him as this strong, brilliant man, instead of just putting out the issues on global warming. All in all, I preferred the CBC documentary because it was more inviting and allowed me to have my own opinions on such an important topic.

Slade's chapter 9

Slade’s final chapter in Made to Break focuses specifically on cell phone use. Due to the current fascination with cell phones in America, e-waste has become a huge problem. Not only are cell phones contributing to the e-waste issue, but also computers and TV’s, too. When these items are thrown away, they end up in landfills or in countries outside of the U.S., where they may be burned and this releases pollutants into the air, such as dioxins and furans. Also, when the e-waste is dumped into the landfills, the harmful pollutants tend to seep into our ground water and poison it. No matter which of the two methods are used, all are harmful to our environment and people. In the past ten years or so, cell phones were not used nearly as often as they are today. Now, cell phones are being thrown away or replaced every 18 months, instead of being used for about 5 years, like they could be. With the recent turnover rate, we are unable to keep up with all the waste they are creating and instead of taking the time to recycle the small parts; they are being burned or buried.

Today’s adolescent groups view cell phones as a status symbol or something to show that they are in with the times. Almost 90% of the American population today has a cell phone and in nearly 18 months of their purchase, each will get the cell phone upgraded for a new version. Considering that, it is no wonder why we have such a problem with e-waste in our society. To go along with the idea of constantly upgrading cell phones, I began to think about whether or not cell phone businesses would have a place in our culture if we backed off on our cell phone use. Right now, I do not think the businesses would survive very long without the 18 month turnover rate because that is how they make their money. Other than selling cell phones, I do not know what else the businesses could be used for.

Ch. 7 & 8

Chapter 7 talks mostly about the development of machines that did calculations for humans. First of all, there was the idea of miniaturization which made the process of making a calculation machine so difficult. Integrated circuits were first to be introduced because they are made miniaturization possible. IBM had their first breakthrough with transistors, instead of the old vacuum tubes. This was huge for the computer world and in making the items compact. Shortly after, solid circuits came about and from this point on, technology escalated. By now, people were able to increase the maximum number of circuits being used on one chip. Next, came the slide rules, followed by disposable electronic calculators, which brought about the first e-waste product with a microchip. As each new machine was invented, the previous models quickly became obsolete, creating huge amounts of waste. Finally, this chapter introduces high-powered calculators and the use of personal computers. With the development of computers, there were all sorts of new software programs that came about to help people calculate and organize their business finances. Overall, this chapter does a great job of describing the evolution of e-waste, starting from the very beginning.

In chapter 8, we are introduced to Gus Weiss who basically became America’s backbone for intelligence in the white house. Weiss was the one to decode and make claims about the Soviets intentions to steal technological advancements from the west but unfortunately no one believed him until it was nearly too late. When a group of Soviet’s came to America for tours of some of the largest and most advanced businesses, it was Weiss who noted it and kept track of their stops. Before long, others became aware of Weiss’s intelligence and put him in a power position within the white house. Later came the trouble with Vetrov, who was eventually charged with treason and ended up getting sent back to Moscow for trial. In the end, the idea of creating Siberian oil fields is still the project needed for Russian wealth.

Dr. Murphy's presentation

Dr. Murphy’s discussion on Tuesday fits very well with the two themes we have talked about this semester. First of all, some of the wasteful products he talked about are made from oil, such as cell phones and computers. Then, we talked about obsolescence and how the above items are becoming obsolete due to our need for newer and better things. The entire discussion actually went along with everything we have reviewed so far in class, which gave us an opportunity to question the topics. Currently, there are polices in place regarding the disposal of toxic waste, which will help to reduce it. Now, there are recycle bins at cell phone stores to get rid of old cell phones that cannot only be reused but it also saves the environment from toxic waste that may be release from the phone. Also, there are disposal polices for thermometer, too because the mercury in them is extremely harmful to humans, so these items are never supposed to just be thrown away in trash cans, but instead are asked to be turned in to proper disposal sites.

In the future, we are facing obstacles such as running out of landfill space due to our habits of throwing away objects that will not decompose. If we learn to recycle more items, the landfills will be less full and last longer. Also, we will run into the problem of our environment being polluted due to waste. When we throw away harmful waste items, they tend to release harmful gases into our atmosphere and create toxic run-off in our water supply. Overall, I felt like Dr. Murphy did a great job on his presentation and gave out lots of useful information. The powerpoint was very effective and gave not only good facts but also useful pictures to use as reference.

Obsolescence

It seems to me that various themes/industries are converging by overlapping on their ideas. We start off with something as simple as lanterns and then we move to a light bulb and end up with a hi-tech device that produces light only by the use of sunshine. Everything seems to run off of one another and that’s where the whole idea of obsolescence comes in. If you want to move on and have newer and better items, it seems that making older items obsolete is the only way we know how to move on. Within Slade’s approach to obsolescence, he does not seem to have a counter argument to his main theme. Slade basically talks about the need to make items obsolescent and how it helps our economy stable but what about the negative effects it may cause? He never shows the readers a down side to things becoming obsolete. In reality, we are now seeing the down side of obsolescence in items such as computers, TV’s, and other major products that are being thrown by the wayside because of its obsolescence. Although it is great when businesses come out with a new computer or flat screen TV, I feel it is important to stop and think about where we are going to put all the old versions we no longer want because they seem “out-dated” to us.

When I think about whether or not industry can succeed without obsolescence, I really am not sure. All I have ever known in my lifetime is for items to become obsolete because newer versions of that item are created. Then, from here, businesses thrive and the people involved also benefit, too. So, when I think about a society where obsolescence is not present, I don’t know if it is possible because how will we improve or keep up with our needs. For the sake of our current waste problems, I would like to think that we could succeed without obsolescence but ultimately I am not sure how that is possible, so no, I do not think industry can succeed without obsolescence.

Final Paper Topic

For my topic on the big paper, I would like to talk about the current issue of need versus want. After hearing from Dr. Reed, I have thought a lot about what he said and the current economic situation in America. My hope is to highlight certain aspects of life that are merely a want instead of a need and how the confusion between the two is hurting our country. I will come up with solutions for how to decide between a want and need and the upside to establishing between the two before making a decision that could be costly. I don’t have a working thesis yet but I have come up with a few sources I would like to use.

http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/4186360-1.html

Wise, Stuart. “Going Broke: Why Americans can’t hold on to their money.”

Slade, Giles. Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America

Dr. Reed's visit

After listening to Dr. Reed speak about FGCI, I am really going to try to reduce my own carbon footprint. I think the FGCI is a great idea and I am so glad that someone here at UF took the initiative to put the organization into play. Until recently, I had no idea about all the ways I can help out the environment by making simple changes in my daily routine. I also realized how many of the changes I have made in the past 4 months to reduce my carbon footprint, without even noticing it. Unconsciously, I have planned my trips to be more efficient by carpooling to practice each week, I walk to class and work daily, I have reduced my shower time, I turn off lights more frequently, and I have been eating less fast-food, too. Now that I know how I can help out, I want to explain to others how easy it is and that it really is not a bother at all. On the other hand, I do have one really bad habit, which is drinking bottled water on a daily basis. Each day, I drink at least 2 bottles of water, if not more. When I first began drinking bottled water, I had no idea of the harm they can do to our environment but now that I am aware, I am going to try to reduce, if not quit all together.

Overall, I feel the FGCI fits with our themes from class because both have to do with saving energy and learning to take better care of our environment. So far, the first theme was about the use of oil and the FGCI is a huge advocate for trying to reduce oil use. Also, we are now talking about obsolescence and the FGCI are trying very hard to make such items as unnecessary electricity use, bottled water, and trash obsolete. I think the FGCI is a great fit for the themes of our class and feel like we are talking about a lot of the same issues. In the end, I greatly appreciated Dr. Reed coming in to speak with our class because there are a lot of ways I can get involved with this “green movement” on campus that I did not know about before.