Tonja+Goins

==== **Introduction** My name is Tonja Goins. I'm an adult student that decided to go to college after being out of High School for 34 years. I started out in English 0800. I did the fast track course during winter break and tested out of 0900. This year has been the most challenging but also the most rewarding. I will be moving out of state after this semester but I have truly enjoyed beginning my college career here.====

**Essay: I chose this essay because it was enjoyable rebutting the authors opinion on technology. It taught me how to persuade the reader.**
Just Call Me Retarded

Robert J Samuelson starts off his essay defining retarded technology as “creating new and expensive ways of doing things that were once done simply and inexpensively.” Samuelson believes that advanced technology is doing useful new things or making old ways more efficient. Samuelson uses electronic books and the Apple Newton product as his examples of retarded technology. Despite his view on retarded technology, how can we say that forms of advancement that take a high level of intelligence, retarded. The problems with Samuelson’s arguments are they lack a logical conclusion to his reasons. We will first take a look at his argument of electronic books as a form of retarded technology. Samuelson believes that electronic books are a form of retarded technology. When looking at his argument, he uses appeal to tradition as well as presuming different outcomes of purchasing such devices. “You can buy a $900 or $9000 book-reading computer that you can feed with $20 discs of your favorite books…if you take it to the beach, it gets clogged with sand. You can’t use it as a pillow. If it slips off the kitchen counter, it smashes.” First, if people don’t want to spend the money then there is an easy answer, don’t buy the electronic book reading computers, buy the old fashioned, traditional books. The invention of this technology isn’t so that we may wipe out the entire collection of books in this world, but to slow the production and printing of more books. If you look at production of books from the eyes of an environmentalist, there are heftier consequences to old-fashioned books than there is to the production of expensive electronics. The deforestation of the rainforests has led to loss of vegetation, populations and even entire species. People of the rainforest might argue that the printing press was a retarded technology, because the need for paper destroyed their land and home while killing off entire species of animals. You don’t see electronic books wiping out entire populations. Samuelson then goes on to argue the number of books will always outweigh the number of computers in a library. Of course this is true, a library is made for the storage of books not computers. He discusses that there are thousands of books available to people while there are a select few computers. While this is true, when have you ever heard of thousands of people going to the library at once? Never. However, if we look at it from his point of view, 20,000 books available and 20,000 people want to go to the library at the same time, and then yes books would be the smarter choice. I’m going to counter this argument with the availability of computers. Although libraries may not hold 20,000 computers; computers are a form of advanced technology that have been made to be affordable, and are now found in almost every household in the United States. As a college student, the availability of books and information on a computer is not only essential, but also convenient and resourceful. Without the availability of this information we would rely on libraries to retrieve all our information. Colleges and schools would in effect have to change entire curriculums to suite a less technologically advanced population. The high prices of these so-called “retarded technologies” seem to be Samuelson’s reoccurring argument, which leads us to the Apple product, the Newton. The Newton was one of the first advancements in technology that introduced what we now know as touch screen. Now, I know most of you are wondering why Samuelson would consider this a retarded technology. Samuelson compares the Newton to a Rolodex. He says, “maybe a Rolodex is better. It’s cheaper. How about a standard notebook or address book? They already accept handwriting. Even fancy address books cost only $15 or $20.” The price of technology is based on several factors that include the economy, production costs and value in society. Those are just to name a few. Calling the Newton retarded technology because it does the same thing as a Rolodex is ridiculous. Technology advances to not only improve efficiency, but to also form and mold to suit society and the rest of the advancing world. The Rolodex may be cheaper, but unless you’re sitting at your desk what good is it? The functionality and mobility of the Newton is what gives it such a high value and thus, a high price. When looking at price comparisons to every form of technology, advanced or not, their prices all have and will continue to rise with the changing economy. It’s an unavoidable inevitability. Bubble gum is not advanced at all and it used to be a penny, now it costs a dollar per pack. You can get a cheeseburger from McDonald’s for the same price. Cost of technology shouldn’t be the sole argument for whether or not something is rendered unnecessary or considered a “retarded technology.” The advancement of technology in society will continue to be endless. As we as human beings evolve so do the technology we will use and continue to create. The existence of what Robert J. Samuelson considers “retarded technology” is not only invalid, but also lacks support of the growing society. If we as people did not want to advance we would continue to read books and use our Rolodex. Samuelson might say something like “if it’s broken, don’t fix it.” Samuelson, if you want to live the old fashioned way, join an indigenous tribe and live off the land. Don’t spend your time typing arguments on a “retarded” piece of technology and allowing it to be published on the Internet giving access to millions of readers; next time write a book, have it published, and see how many you sell in society today.

“Bozo Revisited”
====The defining moment for Mark Gerrard’s “Bozo Revisited” came when he realized nothing was as he had imagined. First, what he had envisioned as a huge circus tent where Bozo, Cookie, and Mr. Ned performed their daily routines was nothing more than a room the size of a small gymnasium. Many of the acts he had watched at home, and had assumed were happening at that exact moment had actually been recorded. The second defining moment came when Mr. Ned announced that Bozo was sick and would not be appearing that day. How could that be? Bozo, who had not missed an appearance in his living room since he was old enough to remember, would not be out to entertain everyone. Finally, the most shocking moment came when it was time for the Bozo Bucket Game. As the magic arrows began flashing, finally stopping on him, he jumped up to take his rightful place center stage, only to be stopped by Kenny’s mother, and told that it was Kenny that the arrow had landed on, because it was his birthday. This was the final blow, the realization that Kenny had been chosen beforehand, and that the show was not as it seemed, and that it was a fake. ==== ====My defining moment was not as innocent as the realities of pre-recorded TV. It came in the summer of 1998, when my childhood friend told me she had been diagnosed with stage four-breast cancer. Wendy and I had been friends since she started dating my older brother in eighth grade. Although; the romance did not last, our friendship did. Through the years we had dreamed and planned for weddings, babies, and how we would spend our “golden years”. Never once in our plans did we plan on cancer. Her fought went on for two years, and she finally lost her battle in 2000. It was at that moment that I realized that in life you can have all the plans you want, and you should plan, but from that point on I made plans to cherish the small things in life. ====


 * Journal Entry 2: Cookie or Heroin? This journal was just a fun assignment that allowed me to write with a sense of humor. **

Simply Addicted
==== My addiction, I admit with some embarrassment, is reality TV. I have watched season after season of the biggest loser, hoping by some miracle at the end of the season that my own body would somehow be transformed into the sleek fit bodies that were only obtained by months of food depravation, and endless hours of sweat, blood and tears. I have watched countless seasons of the bachelor and bachelorette, hoping that in the end the claims of undying love would somehow result in martial bliss. I have watched numerous hours of Dancing with the Stars, and wished that I could be floating across the dance floor with visions of the mirror ball trophy proudly displayed on my living room mantel. I have watched contestants on Amazing race, Survivor, Idol, and Big Brother compete for the chance to win millions of dollars and recording contracts. However, it is my sincere regret to admit that I still have those 20 pounds I would like to lose, there has only been 2 marriages in 11 seasons of the bachelor and bachelorette, I still don’t have that mirror ball trophy, and the only chance of winning a millions dollars comes from the occasional lottery ticket I buy. ====


 * Journa Entry 3: Pollitt I chose this journal essay because it was a good example of a rebuttal essay, and it gave me direction on how to prepare for and write a good Rebuttal Essay. **

“Adam and Steve – Together at Last”

Katha Pollitt’s “Adam and Steve – Together at Last” gives three very convincing arguments for permitting gays and lesbians the right to marry. She begins by saying that the most popular theory for not allowing marriage between same sex couples, is that marriage is about having children; however, she rebuts this argument with the fact that the law allows for marriages between people who cannot have children, the elderly, the impotent, the celibate, and people who choose sterilization. The second argument against allowing gays and lesbians to marry is marriage is a way to domesticate men. Her argument here is the people who subscribe to this theory do not take into account the many cases of domestic violence, child abuse, infidelity and abandonment. How many cases are pending in the court system right now dealing with these issues? How many single mothers are out there left with no financial help from fathers? Allowing gays and lesbians would not interfere with the domestication of a heterosexual man, nor is marriage a guarantee for domestication. Finally, she refutes marriage from the historical point of view. Although many will argue that marriage has been around forever and has stood the test of time, marriage as we understand it, only between a man and women is according to the old testament a recent phenomenon. Many places in the world still recognize polygyny. Pollitt also concludes by saying how easily dissolved the bonds of marriage are. There are many benefits afforded to heterosexual couples that should also be given to same sex couples. Ultimately marriage for gays is not about sex, “it’s about the separation of church and state”.

** Food For Thought﻿ ** ** ﻿ ** Most Children look forward to lunch as a time to be released from class and get a chance to socialize with their friends. This is considered a fun time for children; however, the fun is only a short-term benefit of this time. The food provided in public schools is unhealthy starting with foods that are high in fat, fructose corn syrup, and other additives. This food over time may have a larger negative effect for the children than positive. The food provided by public schools has been linked to several health problems in children, including childhood obesity and lack of concentration in the classroom. Foods containing high fructose corn syrup and other sugars can affect children's concentration. These problems can lead to children who don't perform well in school. The school lunch program needs to offer healthier options for children to ensure better performance in the classroom, and provide an example for leading a healthier lifestyle. Finally, without changes to law, many schools cannot afford and will not change their menu. Legislation by the Senate Agriculture Committee recently approved would allow the Agriculture Department to create new standards for all foods in schools, including vending machine items, to give students healthier meal options. The legislation would spend $4.5 billion more over 10 years. New standards are not expected to push popular foods off the cafeteria line completely, just to make them healthier. For example, pizza may be made with whole-wheat crust and low-fat mozzarella, while desserts could have fewer calories. Hamburgers could be made with leaner meat, and vending machines could be stocked with less candy and fewer high-calorie sodas. The legislation would also expand the number of low-income children eligible for free or reduced cost meals; a step Democrats say would help President Barack Obama reach his goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015. The bill would provide a six-cent increase in reimbursements to schools per meal, the first such increase since 1973. Schools would have to show compliance with the national nutrition standards to receive the reimbursement. The legislation would also provide money for farm-to-school programs, encouraging schools to buy foods from local farms and grow food gardens on campus. (Cleveland.com) In conclusion, if society wants to produce healthier more productive citizens a sure way to combat the rising cases of childhood obesity and diabetes would be to start early and educate our children at the elementary level. Parents have to take responsibility to set an example by being more conscious in their decisions at home, and take a active role in making changes in your local schools.
 * Research Paper **
 * Abstract I chose this paper because childhood obesity is becoming such a problem, and I wanted to bring attention to this subjec. **

** ﻿﻿Final Reflection **
This course has helped me to come closer in overcoming my fear of writing. Each essay provided me the opportunity to overcome my insecurities about my own writing and they were a constant hurdle for me to jump; however, the main things I have learned in this class is how to avoid comma spices, run on sentences and the correct use of the comma. Each week we were presented with a "What's the problem?", and this was a great way to see some of the problems not only with our own writing but also with our classmates. It was a fun learning experience, and allowed us to realize that we weren't alone in our mistakes. I know much to Mrs. Lowry's distress I most likely will still struggle with these problems; but heaven knows she tried!!

During the course of the class it was required that I write five academic essays. A definition, causal, rebuttal, evaluative, and finally the dreaded research essay. The first essay, the definition essay taught me how to define a term, since I chose teamwork, my essay was full of examples that would give the reader an understanding of my definition of teamwork. The second essay was the causal essay and it taught me how to write with cause and effect. I chose Overeating, and in my essay I wrote about what may cause someone to overeat and the many effects it has. Next was the rebuttal essay, and for me this was the most fun, it just seemed the most natural and easy of all the essay's, maybe because I have an argumentative side to me. The research paper was the next essay and by far the most challenging for me. There were many valuable handouts to help with the process, however, for me it was just very overwhelming. I will not procrastinate with the next paper, start early will defiantly be my motto. Finally, the last was the evaluative essay and I'm not sure how I did on this writing assignment as it has not been handed back but I did enjoy being a movie critic for a day.

I really enjoyed the class reading they were not only informative because each one gave us an opportunity to become familiar with the next essay assignment they were also entertaining.

In conclusion my success in this course could not have been possible without the support of Mrs. Lowry. She gave us all the opportunity to succeed with her talent,wit and excellent teaching ability. I will always struggle with my nerves, my biggest obstacle, but I have really enjoyed the opportunity to develop my writing skills.