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.

Obsolescence in my life

When I think about obsolescence, I usually only thing of it in a negative sense, such as buying the newest car, clothes, cell phone, etc. One example of my own negative obsolescence is the purchase of new make-up. If I am watching a commercial that advertises a new line of mascara which is supposed to “make your lashes fuller, without the clump” you can pretty much bet that I will head right out to the store and buy it, even though my current tube of mascara is still half full. Something else that is very obsolete for me is my western show clothing. I cannot even count up the number of show shirts (or all the money) I have sitting in my closet at home. Each year, when the new show season starts and I see the latest fashions, I feel like I have to go design something new to wear, regardless of whether or not my old show clothes are still in great shape.

On the other hand, there is also positive obsolescence in my life, too. About twice every year, I get the urge to clean out my closet and get rid of some of my clothes. Even though some of the clothing is still relatively new (or still have the tags on them) I never just throw them away, unless they are worn out or torn. Instead, I always donate my clothes to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Also, just because I get rid of a lot of my clothes, does not mean I go right out and replace them with the “newest fashions” either, I just have fewer clothes. Another case of positive obsolescence that I have dealt with is the dying out of cassette tapes. The tapes would always come unwound or would rip after only a short period of time. Now that I have really focused on it, there are several parts of life that can be looked at as being positively obsolete.

My Thoughts on Ch. 2

Chapter 2 talks mostly about the automobile and the changes we have seen in it over the years. When I first read about Henry Ford and his “Tin Lizzie” I was shocked at the extent he went to, in order to keep his car the exact same. Usually when someone is in competition with others, they try to make changes to their product in hopes of bettering their work, but Ford definitely was not interested in change. I actually laughed when I read about the look and condition of the Tin Lizzie as compared to cars from other dealers who were keeping with the times and making improvements. On the other hand, I do know that something about the Ford car must have been right because it was able to continue selling for longer than any other car had, at this time. Even while GM was coming up with new versions of the automobile, Ford stuck with the same car and pushed for its ability last, which I really admire.

Reading about the Ford’s stance on not wanting to upgrade when their product was still in good working order makes me realize how unnecessary certain objects in life are today. If only people would take the same outlook on items such as the cell phone, TV’s and clothes as Ford did with their Tin Lizzie, I think we would be much better off, both presently, and in the future. Chapter 2 has made me realize all the items in life I can reuse, or just use longer instead of throwing it away for a newer version. If something still works, why throw it away? I almost feel silly about not realizing it before, but I waste too many good items in my life, that could be used for much longer or given to someone less fortunate.

The section in Chapter 2 about “Designing for style” still sticks with so many people today who are constantly in need of the next best thing. Although some aspects of the Tin Lizzie may not have been the best, that fact is, it still worked and did what it was meant to do. Overall, from this chapter, I got that looks are not always the most important, but rather quality and usage of items are.

Review of "The Prize"

In general, I guess we could say the Prize focuses on the oil industry from the first sight of oil many years ago, up until the very recently. Even though The Prize specifically goes through each chapter and describes how the oil industry evolved year to year, there is actually a more important topic than the broad outlook. I believe The Prize is more of a statement of how life has changed and developed since the first strike of oil, the people involved with starting and maintaining the oil industry, and the importance of oil for our survival in the future.
First of all, the book begins by talking about how oil was used solely for illuminating homes and businesses. As the book progresses, we see how the oil was then transferred into other uses such as gasoline for automobiles and for tankers while fighting in war. Due to oil, the entire world has changed, especially when it comes to working with varying countries and industries. As soon as the news of oil hit the newspapers, it spread like wildfires into nearly all walks of life. Also, oil has created friendships and enemies where they might have never been established if it weren’t for oil.
Secondly, the start of the oil industry was a new beginning for many individuals, personally. People such as Rockefeller and Teagle would be nobody today if it had not been for the invention of oil. There are so many household names being used today because of oil and these individuals have really shaped the world, especially in economics. Because a few people were willing to devote their entire lives to oil, the rest of the world now has so many advancements and luxuries because of their hard work.
Lastly, The Prize is known for tracking the overall importance of oil, in relationship to the future of the world. Although oil seems to be a huge pain for many people right now, it is also a need. Without oil, there are so many items that would not exist and would probably send people into more of a depression than they already are, because of oil prices. Even though it gets tiresome to talk about oil all the time, the fact is, it is a huge part of everyday life and something we will want to hang on to for many years from now.
I believe The Prize really just outlines this “monster” that so many depend on and complain about at the same time because it has become so well known and used over time. After reading through this book, the one thing that really stuck out to me was the filth involved in drilling for oil. Between watching the movie and reading about it in our books, I never really imagined the hard work, danger, and above all, the mess that went along with drilling for oil. Unless I was positive I was getting a huge chunk of money out of it, I do not think I would want to work on a drilling sight. Even above the filth, there are the obvious health issues that so many men were willing to risk, and I just do not think it is worth it.