2014年10月29日星期三

Draft 2.1 Gathering Data

Summary I : At One College, a Fight Over Required Drug Tests
“Linn State Technical College in Linn,Mo., informed students this semester that they would be required to submit to a urine test that would be checked for illegal drugs as a condition of studying at the college.” This journal uses conversation between the journalist and the college’s lawyer as the body part. They talked about the necessities of drug testing in schools, whether there is somebody refusing to be tested, the punishment would be given if someone refuse to take the test or tested positive, etc. It seemed that all the students in this school agree with the school’s decision. In another word, there was not any students wants to express their own opinions. This journal looked official and non-emotional.

Summary II: Drug Testing: Where should school jurisdiction end?
"Thursday’s breakfast meeting between Marist High School administrators and a drug task force marks the next step towards the seemingly imminent implementation of mandatory school-wide drug testing at the Mount Greenwood Catholic high school." Different people have different reactions towards the school’s decision. Some students show their disagree attitude and they think "it’s an invasion of privacy,""… that is the role of the parents." To our surprise, many parents show the same attitude as the students. Of course, there are some parents think the school’s decision is definitely right and wise. In the professional area, a professor of psychology said he disapproves of blanket drug testing. I think this journal is more objective and reliable because of its rich sources.

l   What is the topic?
Should schools require Drug testing?
l   What is the clash?
The journal 1 talks more about the necessities and importance of drug testing.
The journal 2 is more focus on the importance of privacy and the responsibility between parents and the school’s should be distinguished more clearly (drug testing is out of school’s responsibility).
l   What side is each article on?
The journal thinks that school should require drug testing.
The journal thinks that whether school require drug testing should have more consideration.

References:
Williams, T. (2011). At One College, a Fight Over Required Drug Tests. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/us/at-linn-state-technical-a-fight-over-required-drug-tests.html
Graham, J. (2010). Drug Testing: Where should school jurisdiction end? MEDILL. Retrieved from http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=161345


2014年10月25日星期六

Final Draft 1.5

Lin Mengdi/Mandy
Dr. Marquardt
ENG1300
Oct.25/14
1179

What happens when filming may cause pollution?

        Film market is becoming more and more prosperity recent years. If Chinese films have the intention to become someone who is outstanding in the world, they have to pay more attention to the gorgeous scenery, excellent staff, advanced photography equipment and so on.
        However, in the developing process of Chinese films, there are more and more environment pollutions being exposed. Unlike American film market owns mature and tacit environmental protection measures, China has the urgent to standardize film market. I have found some cases to compare China and other countries in dealing with environmental pollution when filming. Wish I can find the answers.

The Promise(2005,China) directed by Chen Kaige, China
Introduction:
The promise is a 2005 Chinese epic fantasy film. This film is based on the wuxia romance The Kunlun Slave, written by Pei Xing at the time of Tang Dynasty. Even though this film gained a lot of office box earnings in different countries, but received many criticism voices from different area as well. One of the important reasons is damage to vegetation. Because of quantities of staff in this crew, there must be much garbage. Besides, the staff there is lack of environmental awareness. What’s the worst, to build the background and pave, the film crew damaged the alpine meadow in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province. After the fact published by some reporters then warned by environmental government, the crew was under pressure having to clean their garbage out, but the vegetation almost couldn’t be recovered.
Quote:Sometimes a negative example can serve as a warning.
Explanation: As a famous a Chinese director in the world, there is no doubt that Chen Kaige has great influence. So his behavior will be closely watched. Since he has showed a bad example to people all over the world, there were quantities of people expressing their anger. However, what surprised people was the news that Chen Kaige was nominated for a “Green Chinese” award for raising environmental awareness. In most people’s opinion, this news was ridiculous and unbelievable, but it was true. So far, there is no use talking about this negative example. We just hope that this award could warn all the directors and people – don’t do damage to environment, please.

The Return of the Condor Heroes(2006,China) directed by Zhang Jizhong, China
Introduction:
        The Return of the Condor Heroes is a Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha’s novel of the same title. Adapted from the novel by Jin Yong, this is a sequel to Legend of Condor Heroes and a prequel of sorts to Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre. The story concerns the adventures of Yang Guo, an orphaned boy in a mid-13th Century China.
        Then let us talk about the crew’s extreme behavior of damaging the environment in the Jiuzhaigou National Park, in Sichuan Province, during shooting. There is a rule says that visitors shall not touch or step into the water in Jiuzhaigou National Park. However, this crew had stepped into water to shoot for several times. To make the matter worse, not only the photographer moved up and down in the water, but also the horses for filming. The result was that the moss surrounding the water pool was being destroyed terribly. Like the director Chen Kaige, director Zhang was also be rewarded a “Green Chinese” award as a negative example.
Quote: “Zhang later agreed to make a documentary to compensate.”
Explanation: In my opinion, Zhang’s remedy behavior more looks like he has to do rather than he wants to do. Social pressure makes people fearful and awestruck. But I think the most important is you should have the awareness to protect environment, if you can’t, don’t damage the environment at least. Take actions to correct the mistakes you have done is a brave behavior. In any case, we should be sure that this attitude is right and should be carried on.

Pearl Harbor(2001,America) directed by Michael Bay, America
Introduction
        Pearl Harbor is a 2001 American epic war film with romance and action elements directed by Michael Bay. It is a dramatic reimagining of the Blitz, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Doolittle Raid. This film was also a environmental protection case. To reappear the scene at that time realistically, not only the crew chose scene where is the Pearl Harbor’s wreck located, but also blew up 17 vessels. In the shooting process, the film crew was overseen by many environmentalists. And they hired some professional divers. Before filming the explosion scene, these divers would drive turtles and fishes that were accidental injured possibly.
Quote:"The agency said the contamination cleanup process involves the Environmental Protection Agency and the Navy, and is beyond the scope of its jurisdiction."
ExplanationBecause of the strong government support, explosion pollutants could be nearly cleaned out effectively. From this detail, we can see the complete environmental system and agency coordination and efficient operation in America. This make us marveled and admired. Quality of a country shows not only in economy but also environment, culture and politics.

* * *

         Beautiful nature landscape or wonderful movie making, which one will you choose? For different country, there will be different choices to be made. It’s not only determined by various attitudes towards film makers in different countries (developed countries or developing countries), but also depend on the film development degree, in another word, the movie history in different countries.
For developing countries:
        As we all know, China is a developing country. And the speed of development is becoming faster and faster in many ways. Though I’m a Chinese, there are some true words I want to say. Chinese film makers may pay more attention to the film which there are gorgeous special effects, famous actors and so on. Even they want to compete with Hollywood blockbusters, so it’s easy to explain the reason why they ignore the importance of environment protectionChinese film production levels is behind other developed countries and many Chinese film makers are lack of awareness of environmental protection. (This kind of phenomenon can be seen easily in developing countries.)
For developed countries:
        Because of the more perfect environmental protection system and the higher environmental protection consciousness in public, the processes of making films are environmental and safe in America. It seems that take notice of staying away from the destruction of the natural landscape is becoming a unwritten rule. This is wise and should be kept up and spread all over the world.
In a word, no matter you’re developed country or developing country, you should take the responsibility to protect natural landscape. It’s not an advice but an order, because you’re the one of freemen on earth.

Reference

China film director hailed for harming environment. (2006). 
Retrieved from http://uk.reuters.com/article/2006/11/01/uk-environment-china-director-idUKPEK25074320061101

Yuxia, J. (2007, December 15). ChinaView [Supplemental material]. Director Zhang Yimou wins "Green Chinese" award. 
Retrieved from http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/15/content_7252954.htm

TenBruggencate, J. (2006, January 5). Pollution exposure not high at Pearl. Star advertiser. 
Retrieved from http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jan/05/ln/FP601050340.html

2014年10月24日星期五

Thinking: Trayvon Martin was suspended three times from school

Purpose:
A. To attract people’s attentionwhether bad guy should be killed or not.
B. What attitude should we hold towards the racial problem.
Audience: People who pay attention to latest news and surroundings.
         People who are care about the racial problem.
Stance: Critical and contradictory. The author set many examples about Martin’s bad behaviors. And the author also left some questions about Martin. In another way, he uses many people’s words shows that he is not so sure about this case.
Evidence:
A. The Miami Herald reported that Martin was suspended two other times from school. The first time was for missing school or being late.
B. In October, Martin was suspended with friends for writing “W.T.F.” on a hallway locker.
C.“ ’If it were true, why wouldn’t they call the parents? Why wasn’t he arrested?’ ”
D. “He was unarmed.”
E. Zimmerman has not been charged in Martin's death and claims self-defense.
F. Martin was black; Zimmerman's father is white and his mother Hispanic.

                                                     

2014年10月22日星期三

Response to “Trayvon Martin was suspended three times from school”

There always something wronged or painful happens in our life. And many people hold the indifferent attitude towards the things surrounding them. But the “Martin Case” has sparked a national uproar. I want to guess the reason: Racial discrimination.

Since ancient times, things referring to “Racial discrimination” are sensitive. No matter how embarrassed, the truth is that “Everyone born equal” has not been achieved until now. Martin was a black and suspended three times from school. But some reasons were ridiculous and unbelievable. “Missing school or being late” was not a reliable reason that can convince me, it’s so common in our daily life. If we had something really important to do, being late could be forgiven, I think. And the second reason for finding jewelry and a screwdriver was a fake. Even though he was dead, but his reputation should not be defamed by people malicious.

I’m not a witness at that time, so I don’t have the right to say more. However, the most important point is that not only shouldn’t we be misled by social pressure, but also one side. The only thing that we should believe and rely is evidence. Thanks to social pressure, the information and evidence about this case are coming much faster and clearly.

It’s difficult to correct other people’s attitude about “Racial discrimination”. But we can do from ourselves, from now. Believe fact, believe evidence, believe things with your own eyes.


Audience: People who pay attention to international news,racial problem.                                              The black.
Stance: Objective – The author states the fact and never gives much personal opinions about this case.

Solution

Reducing the proportion of  Project 1 to 5%, then put the rest into another parts.

2014年10月18日星期六

Response to "Ala. suspect brilliant, but social misfit"


        High intelligence can make a person successful, but can also destroy a person. There is no doubt that Amy Bishop is one of the top talents in the academic aspect. Morbid psychological that afraid to face failure make Amy Bishop more and more staying away from normal people.        
        Frequently, only when people face difficulties, can we see their psychological qualities clearly. Look, Amy Bishop is an example of failure. She was born in a family which was being highly educated. The Bishops were friendly and academically minded parents, often urging their children, both gifted students and violinists, to get their work done.” When she was a little girl, she showed her intelligence and outstanding. Maybe because of good genes and superior educational environment, she was always the one who has been envied. So she cannot accept the fact that she failed. I cannot understand why she killed her brother then even not be given a judgment. But obviously, it’s an important reason leads to her losing emotional control. When negative emotions accumulate, there must outbreak some day.
        After reading this essay, I also find a U.S unique system called ”tenured professorship”. It is a attractive job and very hard to obtain. Amy Bishop was a assistant professor had strong desire to become a tenured but failed. There must be quantities of people like her in spite of they don’t do radical movements. In fact, it is a huge risk that we don’t know when it explodes.        
        So now I just want to say: maintain a sense of balance. Whenever you make a decision, please consider the consequences clearly.

2014年10月15日星期三

Response to “They Shut My Grandmother’s Room Door”

After reading this essay, the content of this essay hit me.

As member of the fast-paced society, people changed a lot from before to present. They pay more attention to their works and try their best to satisfy their boss, as if have forgotten the aged in their family. From this essay, I knew the author’s grandmother was a old people who live alone. She missed the days in the countryside and was surrounded by neighbors and relatives. High quality of material life made emotions and relationships become more and more fragile. There is a Chinese saying goes ”The tree wants to remain quiet, but the wind won’t stop; the son wants to serve his parents in their old age, but they are no more”. Even though we often feel busy, but please don’t forget the aged in your family, don’t remain regret to yourself. Don’t make the aged feel alone.