Week 3's Responses

Response to Apocalypse

Its amazing to me how fragile everything around is really is, how much of an impact we make on our surroundings, but at the same time ultimately we have no control over the outcome. When thinking of Sumner's conclusions on how man has placed such reliance on "cheap energy", and how soon this era of fossil fuels is going to end, it is discouraging to think about how little we are doing to find alternative methods. We could be doing so much more. He writes, " Solving the cheap energy problem has to be one of the primary goals, if not the primary goal, of the entire world" (224). Yes we are looking for other methods, but doesn't seem like enough emphasis on the importance of it is enough. Hopefully articles like this one will spread the idea of importance on this issue, similar to the idea Sumner mentioned, "meme". Maybe if enough people start to place enough concern about this, it will do nothing but spread and the chances of someone changing our current practices may rise. I have no doubt that something is going to be done about it, I just hope it is going to happen soon.

Response to pastor Dan
For whatever reason, I just didn't get very much from this reading. But, the part that I responded to the most was where he was talking about Burrough. He commented that "Burrough's knew what all great inquirers know: that beyond the limits of what is "safe" to know, there is room for surprise, and and awesome beauty" (40). To me, that is what science offers. Knowing beyond what the eye can see, or beyond what one observes on a day to day basis, is true beauty. Science allows us to step outside of ourselves to see the big picture of things, from the tiniest atom to the infinite universe. This is a place which is unimaginably complex, and what we know know is only a speck of dust compared to what is out there. With our developments in understanding the world around us comes a world of technological advancements, and sometimes the things in which people spend so much of their efforts on seem frugal. For instance, the disposable razor with three blades. Why would someone spent a billion dollars on an object that cuts the unwanted hairs off of one's body? That seems like a waste. The evolution of technology comes a standard of civilization, and for whatever reason we have placed great importance on a cleanly shaven face. None of this really matters, and realizing the absurdity of these efforts makes no difference. To answer pastor Dan's finial request at the end of his "word", I think people are aware of the issues that need to be addressed. Apparently the razor industry is a big money maker, and that is why they are willing to spend so much money on such a silly product. Many of these big businesses could be presented as wastes "of our resources", but they are what make our civilized technological society thrive, and will probably not be stopped. If only we could somehow redirect the money to important issues, the world would probably have a few less problems. And we all know that will happen. I only wish that more people looked for the beauty in science, not the money.

Response to Ender's Game

The character of Ender is amazing to me. No matter what happens to him, he perservers and becomes stronger through the challenges. He seems to bet the odds, being smaller than the other kids he is around he holds his weight quite well. It is his character that kept me intregued in the book. This is the kid to save the world and he's under ten years old. I loved descripions of the school, they were very realistic and made me want to go there. How cool would it be to be able to beparticipate in the battleroom and be one Ender's team. Its great to see a book that gives credit to kids for their genius. Although these three siblings were pretty much breed to be smart, they still share the child like qualities that every other kid has. I was glad to have stepped out side of my box, and read this book. I really enjoyed it. I may even read the second book.