Response to Crazy Love

I agree with Pinker statement that the actions, feelings, and reasons behind love is not something created from society. It is just to widespread and universal for that to be the underlying reason. I also agree that a world without this would be incredibly plain and boring. Forming relationships with others simply for sake of procreation can only lead to a dull life. What makes relationships so important and special is that you enjoy being with the other person for who they are and how they make you feel. As to his economical explanation of infatuation, I don't really know what to think about it. I just choose to interact with people I know I'll have a good time with.

Response to To Resist HItler and Survive

I partially agree with Neiman's statements that more memorials should aimed at the people who resisted and survived instead of those who died. By increasing the awareness of these individuals, future generations will hopefully be moved to act against similar tyrannies. By remembering the victims, however, these generations can prevent these situations from coming about in the first place. That said, I feel that Germany is doing a good job in taking steps to acknowledge their past and come to terms with it. While many do believe that they weren't around at that time and that it does not concern them, remembering events such as these is the only way to prevent further tragedies.

Response to Why We Fight

I agree with Bennett's position that people should find things worth fighting for. While it is true that violence should not be the choice for every situation, it can be required. A great example is world war two. If the United States had never become involved, what would have become of Europe? That does not however, mean that everything the United States did in that war can be seen as just. I do not agree with bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and feel that when war is needed, we can not let ourselves commit acts that are wrong.

I also agree that teaching kids to never fight or do anything is wrong. I believe that this can cause children to not protect themselves from bullying or similar "attacks". In my lifetime, I've needed to fight for what I thought was right. While I may not have enjoyed doing this, looking back, I'm glad I did. If I had done, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.

Response to "DNA Test Gives Students Ethnic Shocks"

Response to "DNA Test Gives Students Ethnic Shocks"

I found this article very interesting. The fact that people can suddenly learn their exact racial background from a DNA test brings up many questions. For example, would knowing your racial background change how you act or how you think about yourself? If a person suddenly found that they were more white than black would they associate themeselves with one more than the other? This seems to further complex the idea of racial identity and if it is based on your racial background or more on how you choose to live. Also, how would others view them knowing this kind of information? Many people could instantly switch races from a social perspective based the results the test. Ms. Best asks an excellent question of why such tests are being done? If this country is trying to show the unimportance of race, then why perform such tests to begin with? It seems to further separate the races than uniting them.

Response to Ultimate Therapy

Response to Ultimate Therapy: Commercial Eugenics in the 21st Century

I believe Jeremy Rifkin makes several good points regarding the addition of commercial eugenics into the 21st century and their effects on our society. His entire argument and how deleting certain genes could eventually lead in the alienation of imperfect individuals but at the same time could help several people with diseases creates a highly ethical debate. The question of who should decide how many deletions of genes is enough or which genes deserve to be deleted and which ones don’t also arises. Since nothing like these questions has occurred before, no one can definitively know their effects until the decision has been made. One of the most disturbing points Rifkin makes in his article is that these technologies are currently in use around the world and these questions will have to be answered by our generation in the upcoming future. I, however, look at these scientific advancements with hope believing that we can find some sort of balance between this new technology and our humanity.

Response to "Facebook: Why I Hate It"

Response to Facebook: Why I Hate It”
On of the main points Sarah Kliff has in her argument against the use of Facebook is that it wastes numerous hours of people’s time. She also points out how much more productive people would be without the constant distraction of Facebook. I disagree with this opinion. What Sarah forgets is that it is the Facebook users who allow themselves to be distracted and waste their time on the site. Even if Facebook did not exist, people would always find something else to occupy their time such as YouTube or Google. To blame this one website does not address the real problem of people not wanting to do their work or not wanting to do other things. Sarah also brings up that half of her time spent on Facebook is, “obsessing over the dull details of my life.” All the lists of interests and other features of Facebook are completely voluntary. Is she feels these features are a misuse of her time, why does she still participate in them? Again, the user is to blaim and not the website.