Assignment #5 Prompt #2

When it comes to humanistic values like altruism and generosity, I agree that Darwinism always opposes these concepts.  He proposes his theory of natural selection in "Origin of Species" which is the process  where organisms that are best suited to their environment survive and pass on their genetic characteristics in increasing number to succeeding generations while organisms that are less adapted tend to be eliminated.  Richard Dawkins agrees with Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and that as human beings, we are born with what Dawkins calls the "Selfish Gene".  He believes that it is in our nature to be inclined to support ourselves and those who possess similarly related DNA.  He proposes that genes are driven to cooperate amongst eachother and have no desire to perform any acts of altruism for anyone with unrelated genes. Dawkins states, "Natural selection therefore sees to it that gangs of mutually compatible-which is almost to say cooperating- genes are favoured in the presence of each other."  This may sound like acts of altruism for the same/replicas of the genes because they are in some ways performing good deeds for eachother sort to speak, however, this is gene selfishness.  A selfish gene, according to Richard Dawkins, "is trying to get more numerous in the gene pool.  Basically it does this by helping to program the bodies in which it finds itself to survive and to reproduce."  Therefore, biologically,  we as humans do not seek to behave in an altruistic manner towards those absent of the same genes.  We can observe this behavior at it's best in the short fictional story "Us or Me" by Ian McEwan.  When faced with a dilemma on a windy afternoon, several men had proven that it is human nature to be selfish and non altruistic with those not related in terms of genes. A young boy in a hot air balloon was slowly but surely, drifting away into the sky and the men had made attempts to save the boy.  However these attempts were in vain, because the higher in the sky the balloon became, the more selfish as a group the men became.  Each man was destined to let go of  the hot air balloon because according to the narrator of "Us or Me", letting go is in our nature.  And we all bear the selfish gene.  Both these texts support the idea that Darwinism opposes humanistic values like altruism and generosity. It is simply not human nature to self sacrifice for those who do not possess genes that are akin.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Critical Thinking Blog- Assignment #3

Picking a Reasearch Topic-I have a few ideas, but nothing set in stone yet.

1.  I have always been curious about scientist Stephen Hawking.  I've heard a thing or two about him, for instance how he is disabled to the point where he cannot produce his own speech or ambulate, and has written several brilliant books and lectures about the great questions of the universe. I think as human beings it is important for us to understand the universe-how it functions,when it began etc. I've honestly always been a bit intimidated by science, so I haven't thoroughly explored and researched Hawking and his ideas.  Our LIB 200 research paper gives me the opportunity to conduct my own research on Stephen Hawking, his discoveries, and challenges he may have faced during his career.

Professor Hawking, physicist and cosmologist takes on zero gravity aboard specially designed plane. His next goal is to travel into space to encourage space colonization.  Hawking believes, "the human race doesn't have a future if it doesn't go into space".
As debilitating and restricting Stephen Hawking's disease has on his life, he continues to inspire and provide us with thought provoking ideas about the universe and our existence
2.  Research Paper Idea #1 may be a good choice for me because it involves a 'close reading' and analysis of a literary work that uses science or technology.  I very much enjoy reading a good piece of literature, and as mentioned in idea #1, anything scientific tends to confuse me.  I already have a decent idea about Richard Dawkins's theory of The Selfish Gene and I have read the short story Us or Me, because I used these sources to write the "Portraying Science and Technology" essay.

Assignment #2 Popular Science

Popular science is everywhere these days. And it has replaced the true meaning of science and it's importance to understanding the world and how it functions around us.  New York Times writer Edward Rothstein explores this development, and I agree with him that the "science" in museums are constructed to attract the masses.  The so-called experiments in these museums that allow the visitor to partake in, are insignificant and aimed to bring the consumer back for more.  Popular science is also in the movies,t.v. shows, magazines, and books.  One popular television show related to this is "MythBusters" on the Discovery Channel. I admit it is entertaining to watch, however I'm sure it isn't a true learning experience when it comes to real science.  They conduct many different experiments to reveal the truth behind many urban legends and myths.  It's difficult to believe the outcomes of their experiments when they aren't repeating as often a science experiment should.  The science of "MythBusters" is absolutely "dumbed down" to appeal to pop culture and increase television ratings.  The show may be giving me some sense of "awe", but then again I could just be confusing "awe" with amusement.  By giving in to all these popular science systems and not really understanding real science, I'm only poisoning my intelligence.

Science or Humanities Person? Assignment #1

"In 1959, the British scientist and novelist C.P. Snow argued that there was almost an unbridgeable divide between "the two cultures" of the humanities and the sciences"

Hello all. I'm Jennifer Morgana, an almost quarter of a century year old LaGuardia student.  I'm currently going to school full time, and pursuing an associate's degree in Liberal Arts-Social Sciences and Humanities.  Does that answer the question on whether I'm a science or humanities person? Not necessarily.  On the weekends I work as a certified Emergency Medical Technician, which is categorized under the science and medical field.  I've actually worked full time for 5 years as an EMT.  So as you can see, there is some interest in science there.  However, science and math are definitely not my strongest areas academically.  Thus, I am going the humanities route in earning my associate's degree here at LAGCC.

I've always had an interest in both the sciences and humanities.  Science has always been an interesting and challenging topic which has led me to one of my many life experiences as an EMT.  It is extremely important for me to apprehend basic life support because it is constructive and life saving.  Being acquainted with the inner workings of your anatomy,  recognizing signs and symptoms of an illness or injury, and competently intervening is very stimulating to me.  However, there is a difference between being fascinated by something and being proficient in the subject.  I would say that most people today think positively about science/technology because there are much more advances and breakthroughs in our present time than ever before.  More and more people today are also accepting science as a way of understanding their world regardless of what some religions allege.  The pieces to the world's puzzle are coming together more rapidly as science and technology progresses.

I will be graduating this coming summer, and yet I still do not know what my career and major will be.  I have applied to senior colleges majoring in social work,occupational therapy, education, and nutrition through the CUNY transfer services.  This is an indicator of being a little of both a science and humanities person.  But I must say, I've always been more confident in reading and writing as opposed to the math and sciences.  I also have quite an interest in music. I've participated in the school chorus from kindergarten to my senior year in high school.  In fact, my major in high school was music.  I appreciate all genres of music and am open to listening to music I'm not familiar with.  Social science in the humanities area is much more favorable to me because I am capable of identifying,nurturing, and advising people.  I feel this way because I'm a well-rounded individual with many different experiences in life.  The humanities consists of literature, the arts, and social sciences.  People think positively about these forms because they enrich one's life in satisfying ways.

Welcome

Hello all! Welcome to my Critical Thinking Blog for LIB200. I hope you will find it to be interesting and insightful.