Week of October 15-21 Discussion #3

I thought that the section about Direct Experience and False Memories was in important concept that was talked about in this chapter because I believe this is something that everyone does experience and actually do in their everyday lives. In this section it talked about how language has the ability to alter one’s memories and this is a problem particularly happens a lot during people’s testimonials. The power of words can actually change the shape of our reality by the way questions are given to us. There was a study on how a person answers differently by just the change of verbs in the question. There was an example in the book where people were given a video of a car accident and was asked about the speed of the cars. Despite the fact they all saw the same video; participants responded with higher speeds based on the verb in the question. This was a good explanation and example used for false memory and direct experience for this is what people actually experience and do on a regular basis.

Week of October 15-21 Discussion #2

All three authors talk about the existence of aliens, whether they are real or not. They all have different views about this phenomenon. Condon believes that alien sighting reports should be addressed to the public and there should be a scientific field for it to be researched. Hynek also believes that the UFO phenomena have been overlooked by authorities resulting in it not being studied in a scientific manner. Paytner thinks that aliens don’t exist if there is no physical evidence and argues that without evidence we must remain skeptical about claims about aliens. Each author author’s conclusion is backed up with evidence that they used in their part. Condon has evidence from reports commissioned by the US Air Force that he used in his excerpt. With that evidence he concluded that he hopes to see that these reports can help those in the scientific field and those responsible in the public policy. Hynek uses evidence from his studies, his book, and the Blue Book Project. With his evidence he concludes that UFO investigations cannot be overlooked and should be studied in a scientific manner. Paynter uses evidence that revolves around “highest standards of scientific inquiry” and that if there is no physical evidence of aliens then we should remain skeptical about UFO/alien claims by people. He concludes by saying that if the UFOlogical community wants support for their claims, then they should have physical evidence to show proof. 

Week of October 15-21 Discussion #1

Knowledge and wisdom is almost the same thing because it is something that people believe in that is true through things they have learned from others or learned through experience. The difference would be is knowledge could be an influential beliefs caused by others and wisdom is caused by self-experience. I believe that in college I’m getting both knowledge and wisdom because I feel that the classes that I’m taking are through knowledge. I learn through Professors because I believe that Professors are a reliable source for knowledge in the subject I’m taking. With their expertise in the subject, it’s safe to say that they are a reliable source to acquire that knowledge. On the other hand, wisdom is something that you learn from everyone. I see wisdom as a teaching from the people around you and how you acquire information from them. Wisdom is something you acquire through self-experience about almost anything, especially in college. I believe that the information age has made us wiser because I believe that having the self-experience is how we learn about almost everything in life.

Week of October 1-7 Discussion #3

One of the concepts that I found interesting was emotive language. This section was very interesting to me because it explained things about what people use for words to get a point across especially those in the media. Media was brought upon this section as one of the prominent use of emotive language. Clearly they use such language to get points across and attract the attention of people. Some examples of words used in this section were “change” from the Obama and McCain era which was to evoke a positive response rather than to convey any actual information, according to this section. Advertising slogans are one of most prominent of emotive language. Slogans capture consumers’ attentions and potential consumers as well. Such as Coke’s slogan, “Things go better with coke”. Words like these capture consumers’ eyes and maybe sucked in to thinking that coke does indeed go better with things. This kind of language are the kind that capture the emotion of others in hopes that they will be on their side or buy from them as consumers.

Week of October 1-7 Discussion #2

In the past few weeks or so, I believe I have used rhetorical devices: hyperbole, and sarcasm. Sarcasm means the use of ridicule, insults, taunting, and/or caustic irony. Hyperbole means a rhetorical device that uses an exaggeration. One of the latest rhetorical devices I used was hyperbole. Just a few weeks ago, I was explaining to a friend of mine about a how I believe a character in a certain game does too much damage. I used exaggerated terms to describe the damage done, for example: “1,000,000”, “tons of damage”, and “stupid damage”. “That character does stupid damage at that level! It’s ridiculous!” I used that rhetorical device because I wanted to express how much damage I feel was being done, and I thought exaggerating would show my point. Another rhetorical device that I used was sarcasm. Just a few days ago, I asked my brother to hand over a piece of paper. He threw the sheet of paper towards my way, but landed nowhere near me, then I said “Oh thank you very much for HANDING me a piece of paper.”

Week of October 1-7 Discussion #1

Ride exemplifies these qualities in its entirety with actions that relate to a good critical thinker. She showed almost every characteristic there is to a good critical thinker by showing analytical skills, effective communication, research and inquiry skills, and creative problem solving. She exemplifies these qualities throughout her life. According to the article her friends from college described her as what you would expect in a critical thinker. The examples given by her friends are good examples of her being a good critical thinker. Her analytical skills were showed by her realization of the importance of communications skills to achieve her goals. She also so showed creative problem solving skills by being able to express and develop strategies into her life goals. Just like the article state, she showed exemplary communication skills because she was chosen to serve as “Capcom” for the early shuttle flights to handle the ground-to-staff flight communication.