ecological footprint

I think pretty much everyone agrees that the environment will be one of our greatest challenges the next 4 years, and long after that. The damage we do or the changes we make to fix the damage could be part of what defines our generation. Our generation is much more environmentally conscious than previous generations, but that alone is not enough. it is up to our generation to take action and make changes.
I thought I was pretty good about recycling and saving energy, but when I calculated my carbon foot print, I was surprised how high it was. By reading the analysis, I learned that you need to do allot more than just recycle and turn off a few lights now and then. Drastically reducing you environmental requires much more than that. I tried by taking the bus to school instead of driving to save gas and cut emissions. (that was scary) I recycled everything I used, which is something I usually do. I turned off and unplugged everything in my apartment that wasn't absolutely necessary since things still use energy if they are plugged up, even if they aren't on or being used. I did everything I could think of to reduce the amount of energy I was using, but when I recalculated my footprint, I was really disappointed. Pretty much no matter what you do, humans in general are unsustainable. I really wish I had the money to install solar panels in my apartment and buy a hydrogen fuel cell car, but those things just aren't possible. While my level did go down, it was not nearly how much I thought it might be.

our generation?

I don't think our generation can be defined yet. We still have the potential to do great things and change what defines us. I think this election will be one of the first things we do that could help define us. this was the first time our generation has voted and a large part of the election was determined by first time young voters. I think it shows that we are open- minded and accepting of change. as our generation continues into the "real world", I think we can expect more defining moments and history changing events that will better define our generation and our accomplishments.

no technology- 2

Finished! Well, actually I was done at 9 last night, but I was already asleep by then.



I never really thought about how much technology affected my daily life until I had to go 24 hours without it. I started to realize just how much we use technology within the first couple hours! (I did cheat a little though, I had to use the alarm on my phone because my alarm clock is broken.) Almost everything I did in the course of the day I had to modify a little. I think not having a cell phone was the hardest part. My mom almost had a nervous breakdown because she couldn't call me seven times a day, my boyfriend was mad because he couldn't call me seven times a day, and my dad, well he didn't even notice. But I felt so cut off from the world. I couldn't email, call or text family or friends, watch TV or listen to my iPod, or even the radio. All I had left to do was sit out on the porch and catch up on my reading and studying for classes, and catch up on some much needed sleep. It was nice for a change, but I think I am much to dependent on technology to last more than a couple days without it.

no technology

starting now! wish me luck

freewriting

http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2006/03/06/games_ethics_issue/1
This article was about the ethics issues of video games and how they affect gamers. The author stated that as the games become more realistic, the players become more immersed. As players spend more time playing the games, they are influenced more and more by the games. He concludes that time spent gaming is not as important as how players handle the content of the games and how it may affect them later on. I agree that not everyone may be affected by games in the same way. A lot of it depends on the players maturity level and how well they can distinguish between what is OK in video games and what is not in real life. They need to be able to make that distinction and not mix the two worlds.
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060704/reynolds_01.shtml
This article discussed the ethical issues of sex in video games. Who's responsibility is it to keep it out of games, or the games out of the hands of children too young for adult content? The author believes that it is both the parents and developer's responsibility, which I agree with. The parents need to be aware of what their children are doing, and if necessary, talk to them about sex before they have to learn abut it the wrong way, from sexually explicit video games. Also, developers don't need to market games with mature content to a young audience.

Essay #2- possible directions?

For this second paper, I'm still not sure what direction I may take. I have a few ideas, but I need to play the game more and decide what issues are the most important to this particular game. I have narrowed it down to the three most important issues. First, I may discuss the violence in video games and its role and affect on society, especially kids. Second, I may write about the cultural aspects of the game. how culture affects games and games affect culture. Also, the ethical issues themselves and how they vary by culture. Third, I could look into sexual themes in games. I could discuss how women are treated and depicted in video games, especially prostitutes. I think I could find the most information on the cultural aspects and could compare the affect of culture on ethics the most. The violence approach could also be good, but that has been so publicly talked about in the media.

thesis/ outline

paragraph 1: intro
topic:educational games
claim: encourage good decisions
thesis: Planet Green and Catch The Sperm are educational games that present environmental and health issues to a young audience and encourage good decisions and emphasize the consequences of their decisions.
paragraph 2: Planet Green
educational, logos, audience: teens/ young adults, environmental issues/ environmental movement, promotes/ educates eco-friendly alternatives, reduce carbon emissions/ footprint, *forces you to make decisions about vehicles/ appliances, etc.
paragraph 3: Catch the Sperm
educational, ethos, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, safe sex, condoms, STD's, actions have consequences!, audience: teens/ young people, decisions also have consequences, responsibility, HIV/AIDS research/ prevention.
paragraph 4: Integration
educational, audience, real world issues that will/ are affecting our generation/ society, presents issues to teens directly (video games), effective in presenting issues, proposals, facts, solutions, simple solutions that everyone/anyone can do to help, individual impact!, responsibility!, actions have consequences/ rewards.
paragraph 5: conclusion.. wrapping it up!!
restate thesis, topic, claim.

video games

From the list, I played "Catch the Sperm" and "Planet Green". "Catch the Sperm" is an educational game designed to promote safer sex practices and raise awareness about AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The goal of the game is to shoot condoms out of a condom gun to catch swimming sperm cells and the occasional HIV virus and prevent them from passing.
The "Planet Green" game was an educational game that promoted energy conservation and the development and use of renewable energy sources. In this game, the player helps a small town "go green." The more Eco-friendly and energy saving changes you make, the more points you get. Also, you can read about other global communities and what they are doing to help the environment.