Jots and Tittles and other Random Things

Andre's Blog Wk 4- WCs 151, 110, 126, 101, 107, 170, 113,150

OK, you asked for it...



Prompt 1 -What is more important to teach children and teenagers and why: life skills such as healthy lifestyle and finance, or history/civics/politics and sciences/maths? Who should determine what they get taught (teachers, school system, government, parents. etc.)?

Both are important; but to be honest, the life skills have been sacrificed for the sake of expedience. And it shows - The ballooning student loan debt, where academics are encouraged, but giving students no solid foundation for being able to pay off the loans. The balancing of the checkbook has become a lost art; even balancing bank statements have gone by the wayside. Checking card balances on an app has taken the place of the discipline of a budget. I have every respect for the teachers of history and civics and math/science. That will be in another blog post. But most people will not stay in school but for a few years, and in the mean time people need to learn how to live: rent/buy a home, buy/lease a car, what kind of job/hours are needed. Not even factoring in future family plans. Just my humble opinion.





Prompt 1 -Which do you think is more important to explore and why: outer space (objects in the universe) or under water (life and objects in the water environment)? Which would you choose to explore if you could?


While space is seductive in its allure (Think of all of the Star Trek TV shows and movies), I think it might be more prudent to explore the last frontier of our earth. There is an amazing show called Drain the Oceans that I have been watching on TV. There is still so much we haven't figured out yet. How to curb the pollution issue, how not to hunt/fish the sea animals into extinction. De-salinization of ocean water for arid/desert areas on a wide scale. These are just of the few examples. Some effort is being made, but think of what progress could be made if we took the money earmarked for "a trip to outer space" or to Mars and used it to help our earth, and thereby, ourselves.

 

Prompt 2 - What do you think of using blog prompts to get entries for creating a psychological profile of the blogger?

I'm not sure how I feel about that. Of course, that being said, I'm sure there is or has been a study of that particular issue. I know diaries and blogs are analyzed by law enforcement when a crime has been committed. Those of the victim as well as the perpetrator. I'm sure this can give clues on the mental state of people. I think that there has to be a line, though, as the collection of blogs or diaries/writings by law enforcement for no particular reason could be a violation of freedom of speech. Blog prompts are a great tool, for getting participation. The same thing applies to the prompts: what is the motivation behind it? I'm sure this is as clear as mud.




Prompt 2 - If you were judging blogs (whole blogs not just an entry), what would be the top two criteria that you would use (ignore meeting prompts or word count of contests or having many entries such as more than a couple a month)?


In judging a blog, I guess I would look at the set up. Is it light-hearted, or serious? Why is there a blog in the first place? How serious should I take it? A blog is a place where someone can just write: whether to have fun, or vent. To spark discussion or just have a place to put random thought down. "Judging" would be hard to do, as a blog is reflective of a person's personality, and I think anyone should be able to write what they want. Otherwise, censorship could come into play, and that is a slippery slope.

 

Prompt 3 - With advances in technology and construction, should generating electricity start employing nuclear energy again?

This is not an area that I am too familiar with, but in my opinion something needs to be done. With the expansion of sales of electric cars, and the fragility of the power grids, other forms of energy need to come into play. Solar and wind have their place, but they are not always reliable. There have been improvements to the nuclear power arena, and safety issues have been improved as well. I think we should consider adding this to the mix. Of course, oversight will be necessary, but if protocols are in place, there isn't any reason that nuclear power shouldn't be a viable source.



Prompt 3 - Is there truly a way to keep separate church and state (i.e. religion and government) especially in law/rule making for society? Explain and how would you recommend that be done or not done?

While there is a reason people want separation of church and state, I'm not 100% sure that it is realistic. My reason is that both church and state are made up of mankind (men and women). And, like it or not, man/woman is a spiritual creature (Whether he/she admits it or not). To me, it would be like trying to physically separate my head from my body and still try to function. Some people can compartmentalize their spiritual self from the civic self, but that is keeping a person from their full potential. God gives us rules in order to be in a civil society. Our laws, for the most part come from those same laws. We have freedoms, and responsibilities that go with those freedoms. For example, I can swing my arm as hard as I want to, as long as I don't infringe upon another's freedom to not get hit. I just don't see how we can truly have a "separate" church and state without some overlap.

 

Prompt 4 - What is the most important social problem in society today and how would you recommend to improve or completely fix it?


In my opinion, healthcare here in the US is a disgrace. Land of the free seems to apply only if you can afford it. I don't have all of the answers, but when I have to worry about my medicine costing more in a month than what I make, something has to be done. At the risk of offending any die-hard capitalists, I think there is some merit in socialistic medical care. A cradle to grave coverage, where people don't have to choose between medicine and eating. How to fix it? I only wish I had the answers. Unfortunately, if I did, it might cause me more headaches than I care to deal with.




Prompt 4 - Do you think teachers, police, and fire department personnel are adequately compensated for their jobs and why? If not, how would you suggest increasing their compensation (e.g. increase taxes to use for them, or ??)?


That is almost laughable, if it were not so sad. Teachers, for example, are supposed to do the jobs of parent, police officer, counselor, babysitter - on top of teaching. Then there is the worry that some disturbed or ticked off student (or parent or teacher or custodian) will come to school with the plan of shooting up the place.
Police are supposed to keep order, but have to worry about being shot at. And are held suspect and "guilty until proven innocent" if they try to defend themselves. Fire fighters have to fight fires and deal with the aftermath of accidents or tragic things done "on purpose".

These folks burn out, and with good cause. These jobs have become thankless, and it's a shame. I think that taxes could be raised in order to give them realistic pay...a living wage, but more than that, really, for all they do.

My humble opinion.