The D Corner

[dainiusm]

Journal 7 - Research Concerns

   In the process of writing I investigated an interesting topic and discovered its complexity. I realized that it is shortsighted at best to view the alternative energy as a panacea, as is to assert that it is simply not worth the effort. Numerous factors associated with energy and the environment make this topic challenging and demanding of research. Speaking about research, I feel that every paper I write expands my knowledge by a fraction and provides a little bit of experience.

[dainiusm]

Journal 8 - Thoughts on "Texts"

   I missed several journals, so now i am moving backwards. I am not trying to confuse anyone, just trying to get the assignments done, even though they are late.

   A "text" to me primarily means a combination of symbols arranged in a pattern according to rules and regulations with the purpose to convey information. That particular set of rules, in my opinion, is the key element that separates a text from meaningless group of random characters. Anyone familiar with the rules, in other words, knowing the language, is able to retrieve the specific message (read it) and to encode it again, if necessary (write it). Therefore the purpose of text is to pass information accurately without altering it.

    I probably would consider a spoken word as an alternative version of "text", as it complies with the same regulations and offer the same benefits - anyone who understands that language can decipher the message and pass it further.

   The visuals of objects, such as pictures, drawings, photographs, video footage and objects themselves - buildings, clothes, sculpture, etc. -  even though possess meaning and carry some sort of a message, in my opinion, do not qualify as a text, because their message is very abstract and limited. Different individuals looking at the same object may retrieve the information of completely opposite nature, or at the very least - different levels of it.

   For instance,The Stone Age drawings in caves supposedly tell stories about life and activities of our ancestors. However it is not clear whether those hunting scenes actually took place, or they were just fantasies, or maybe prayers. Did the hunters kill the depicted animal or the other way around? When did it happen, where, when, and how? The message is very ambiguous and incomplete. What message does The Great Sphinx carry? What is that group of armed people on video footage approaching the camera man - robbers, the border patrol, military A or military B?

   I believe that enabling texts to convey accurate information was the vital achievement in the history of the human kind which initiated its further development.

[dainiusm]

Journal 9 - Open Swim

    I remember when I watched "Once Upon a Time in the West", "The Seven Samurai", "The Unforgiven" or "The Godfather" for the first time I was amazed, thrilled, even shocked. I thought about those movies (and many others) days after watching them. I wanted to see them again; I wandered what would have happened if...., or what I would have done being one of the heroes. I does not happen anymore. None of the new movies - be it a thriller, a love story, a comedy, or an action flick - have even slightly similar effect on me. Plots feel artificial, endings - predictable, characters - all alike, special effects - overabundant. When my family decides to visit a movie theater it often ends up as quite a disappointment - we either conclude that it was terrible, or that it was an OK flick at best, but never something extraordinary. I have a strong feeling that movies are getting worse every year.

    You can call me old or argue that everybody likes movies of his/hers own generation. I will disagree. I asked my wife, a couple years younger, my mother, over twenty years older, and my fourteen years old daughter, and they all share my opinion. In addition, I do not necessarily praise the movies of the 80's and 90's, which is considered my generation. It is quite the opposite, my favorite ones were made long before I was born. I believe the generations and decades do not matter, as once masterpiece will always be a masterpiece. "Casablanca" (1942), that we watched in class last week, is a good example.

   The biggest problem, I think, is that new movies have lost credibility to such an extent that nobody takes them seriously anymore. People do no believe in danger, love, death and strength they see on screen, because they know that it is all special effects, that the main character is alive and well, and just recently got married for the fifth time, that this movie is a remake of another one made in the 30's, and that it grossed 60 million nationwide during the first weekend. Most action flicks are based exceptionally on special effects, take them away - there is nothing left of the movie (remember "The Avatar"?). The armies of zombies are unleashed, thousands of people die, planets explode, bridges collapse several feet away from the main characters, etc., etc. WHAT? SERIOUSLY? Comedies and love stories are no better, although not overloaded with computer graphics, but totally predictable, full of clichés, restrained by the strict show business norms and focused entirely on audience desires. Breaking the law is unacceptable (what happened to Charles Bronson? I guess he is dead); smoking is politically incorrect (remember the black and white movie era?); happy end is absolutely mandatory (almost every today's movie).

   I should have chosen this topic for my second paper - ten pages would not have been enough. Anyway, I hope I made my point clear; it would be interesting to hear other people's thoughts and comments.

[dainiusm]

Journal 6

     I appreciate the effort of my classmates during the peer review workshop, who pointed out several weak spots of my essay. I was aware of most of them, because my work was in a rough draft stage, but the fact that all opinions matched speaks favorably of my colleagues.

    I believe I have gained some experience in argumentative writing. I also believe that every writing assignment, does not matter how big or small, improves my writing skills in general.

[dainiusm]

Journal 5

     “Wait, isn’t this normal?, - someone may ask. “All colleges must offer the same, right”.

See, in some countries, academic experience is completely different. I have attended university in Lithuania, and my wife has started her higher education in Russia and graduated in the US. We found our experiences to be alike. Academic programs in our countries are anything but flexible. I do not remember having to choose any electives. I do not remember building an academic plan that suits me. The prefabricated plan came with the profession chosen. Upon applying to the university, students were broken down into several groups (just like high school grades), and they were stuck within the same groups  until graduation.They (or us) had to take particular classes in particular order, same class offered only once (forget about evening or weekend classes). Full time employed students had an option to enroll in a distance learning group, which used to gather only during the exam sessions, two times a year. The learning process was supposed to happen at home. Of course, not much was happening at home, but huge deal of overnight cramming during the sessions. Students were not aware of what disciplines they have to take and why. I remember how hard we tried to absorb huge amount of dry theory, flowing at us every day as an avalanche, yet no one understood what he was going to do with it, or what kind of career awaited after graduation.

    I am not trying to say that education in Europe or Eastern Europe is insufficient or disorganized, because this would not be true. Both American and European education levels are comparable and competitive. But I do state that the American college system, by offering a variety of ways to get to the final destination - the degree, and by allowing to custom build the degree according to one’s lifetime goals, stimulates self motivation, academic and post academic planning, and simply thinking (this was a really long sentence). It helps students to develop very important skills in the early stage of life. It also allows to concentrate the most effort on subjects that directly pertain to the employment. And finally, US college system, particularly the Community College system, makes not only possible but quite feasible, for full time employed people of any age, to acquire education. I, personally, feel lucky, to be part of it.

Thank you for taking time to read this post.

[magally1]

The growing of Genetically Modified Organisms started as a great innovative form of helping the agriculture Industry, with the notion that eventually with the population growing and climate change, our world will run out of food and water. It engage many farmers to venture in this business with...

[dainiusm]

I do not trust genetic engineering. I know that science probably would prove me wrong, but I don't care. Science itself may be unbiased and objective, but those who fund it are not. Corporations that provide money for scientific research are profit driven and have very realistic goals. It is not beneficial for them to prove that playing with genetics may be not safe. A good example how it works is the issue with asbestos. Companies used it in construction until the 80's, despite warnings from scientists and numerous cases of asbestos related health problems. Since the times of Romans, people suspected that asbestos causes illness, just as we suspect now that genetic engineering may eventually turn against the humankind.

[daveycruz]

Last weekend I went to the Virgin Mobile FreeFest. A day long three stage music festival in Columbia Maryland. This year was my forth year attending and while it was not my favorite, I will say that there is no better way to be introduced to new musical acts and see some of your favorites than to...

[dainiusm]

    Is there such a thing as the Blues Music Festival in our area, or would you have to drive all the way to Memphis or Houston? If there is, that's where I would like to go. On the other hand, bluegrass is good too.

My wife and I occasionally love to go west into the Appalachians. Somehow we have not hit a music festival yet, but we visit wineries and vineyards, and just driving there watching the scenery makes us forget work, routine, studies, and build a positive charge for the next couple of weeks. Some people get "reborn" at the beach, others go to a concert, or throw a party. There is nothing wrong with those activities, of course (we went to Michael Buble concert at Verizon center a week ago; it was great), but the real "us time", or "weekend get-away", or whatever you name it, for us is out there in the country.

I wrote this, and I already feel better.

[smartinez6830]

The Flat Earth Society:

When I first heard of such absurdity, that a group of people not only believed that the earth was flat but had also formed a society, I could not do contained myself from laughing. Coincidentally, whenever I mentioned it to others I get the same reaction from them. Their...

[dainiusm]

Scientists, actually, do not know a lot of things: what is electric field, what is electricity, why the conservation of energy law works (I heard this from a physics professor), what is the nature of magnetism. Basically they don't know what energy is. They know how it works, but not what it is.

As for the Flat Earth Society, I think, their statement is more of a symbolic nature. They may argue the proof that the earth is round, but in reality they all believe it.

That was an interesting fact. I will do some research and, perhaps, join that society myself. :-)

[tnetsa]

I strongly disagree with the American gun distribution system. Gun control is a hot top at times when there is a mass shutting occurred in the U.S, after the fact innocent lives are taken. The Second Amendment to the U.S. constitution protects the right to the people to keep and bear arms for...

[dainiusm]

You did not mention the Virginia Tech shooting. I believe it was the first one in that tragic series of shootings in the US. I do not agree though that making gun buying process more difficult is going to prevent those terrible incidents from happening. Even if all guns were banned, which would be completely unjustified and simply unfair, criminals and ill people would be able to get them illegally. Black market would thrive, like during the prohibition. Take a look at other countries. For instance, in the Bahamas and United Kingdom gun laws are extremely strict. Is there crime in these countries? Do people get robbed and shot on the street? Yes, and then some. In Russia or Lithuania (where I am from) a person is not allowed to own a gun (except a shotgun for hunting), unless he or she can prove to be in real danger. Ironically, the only way you can prove that is to get killed. Basically that means no guns for law abiding citizens. Well, check the crime rate in those countries, or better don't. People get killed on the street and in their own homes literally every day.

     It is not guns what we should blame for the terrible shootings, it's sick people. Society is getting sick (this is not my statement, i heard it on the NPR). If these sick people do not have access to guns, they simply will find another way to hurt others. I believe that no laws can protect people from themselves.

[ericmrwebb]

Help

Haven’t smoked a cigarette in a month… Getting cravings.

[dainiusm]

    The less you think about it, the less you suffer. I smoke for over ten years, with several short brakes, sometimes as badly as one pack a day. When I quit, first few days were hard, but in a month I almost forgot about cigarettes. Now, three years later, when someone is smoking near me, I do not feel any urge. I think the addiction was in my head, not in my body.

[tnetsa]

When I first sat down to list out topics that I would like to write about, I came up with many topics that sound very interesting which are current issues. However, as I was preparing and outlining to write my rough draft, I decided to change my topics because most of them lack supporting ideas....

[dainiusm]

I agree that media plays a huge role in the teenager's character shaping process. They mimic TV and pop stars in every way including, of course, sexual behavior. The Disney Channel, adored by teenagers, is "packed" with sexual messages. I ran across one article on the Internet in which some critic shared his opinion about The Disney Chanel in particular. He was extremely concerned and disappointed in the content. If I find it again, I will provide you with the link, - you may find something useful.

[pdemsko036n]

I have never planned anything I have ever written. I write in a stream of conciseness, what comes to my mind I write. Being corralled into a rigid planning sequence is contrary to my style of writing. However I do go back to reorganize and edit what I have written if it is needed.

In writing on...

[dainiusm]

I would also start writing the body first, then come up with the opening and closing paragraphs, and finally decide on the title. Both the textbook and the professor assure that even the thesis statement may change in the writing process, let alone the essay structure. Every time I tried to follow a rigid plan and polish everything early in the process, it turned into nightmare.

[magally1]

I forgot to post my journal before Saturday midnight and on top of that I am publishing my mistake for all or you to know. I could not find other way to start than opening my miseries to the ENG 112 crowd. Will this redeem my fault? Who knows…..

I am writing about the negative effects that...

[dainiusm]

Interesting, I was going to write about GM too, but dropped it after taking a closer look. It is a hot but very challenging topic: insufficient evidence, lack of research, subject ramification, etc. I do not support GM in general, except maybe some rare cases in medicine, and I do not think that it is going to improve our life on the Planet: people will continue to die from diseases, poor countries will stay poor, hungry people will stay hungry. I do not have evidence or statistics to support my claim, I just kind of know it. In fact, lack of solid evidence and research seems to be the only solid attribute of genetic engineering. I believe that people do not possess the knowledge necessary to make it a part of our everyday lives. Perhaps that is your strongest point. I would really like to read your essay on this topic. Good luck.

[dainiusm]

Journal Assignment 4

My initial plan was to write about the negative side of genetic engineering, and the threat it arguably poses to the humankind. However a quick research on the topic revealed it to be too complicated and contradictory for this assignment. I felt that the amount of necessary research, complexity of evaluative criteria, and the lack of solid evidence were too challenging for a ten page paper, and would probably be a more realistic task for a doctoral dissertation.

I have thought over different ways to arrange the main points of the argument. In the structure I favor the most, right after the opening paragraphs, I would present and refute the counterarguments of the opposing side: animal cruelty, hunting related accidents, endangering particular species, and hunting being unnecessary in general. Then I would discuss the major points in favor of hunting: animal population control, positive effect on the economy, source of high quality food, recreational value, cultural aspect, opportunity to deepen the knowledge of the wildlife, etc.

I think I can easily write at least two paragraphs for each major point, and I have a clear idea how to make an argument about every one of them. Finding the right statistics may be a little challenging, and it may not always support my claims, but I strongly believe that many decisions or even laws can not be dictated by statistics or science alone.

Having completed the initial research, I still feel confident about writing on the topic, unless it does not satisfy the expectations.

[tnetsa]

English is my second language. Even though I learn English since Kindergarten in my country, I still struggle in writing without error. As I mentioned I used to take English courses in my country. However, nobody uses it outside the class room. I have learned that the best way to learn to speak..

I found it easier to start with writing down the ideas first, in other words - clear concise statements, scattered randomly over a page. Then I develop each statement further, sort of dressing it up. When the rough structure is ready, I insert transitions, then write introduction and conclusion. Spelling, punctuation, vocabulary come last.

[marylisa13]

English 112

Journal Assignment 2

When I first sit down to start a writing project, I find myself struggling in the beginning because it is hard for me to get the whole process started. I seem to be one of those people that have to mull it over for a while and then the flow finally comes...

[dainiusm]

I used to be the last person leaving the class when we had an in-class writing assignment in ENG111. It is harder than appears to come up with the right thought, right sentence structure, and vocabulary all at once. After rewriting the same sentence at least 5 times I started to appreciate a draft. Our former professor suggested to lay out ideas first, worry about the grammar the last.

[anhnguyenme]

Since I started to learn English, it’s never seemed easy to me. There are two things which are always mentioned every time I bring my writing to the writing center. The first thing is articles (a, an, the) even though I have learnt about it many times. Sometimes, I omit an article when it’s...

[dainiusm]

I also struggle with articles. There are no articles in my language, so I am not used to them. My guess is that practice helps more than just learning the rules once. The more we write and read the easier it should become.