Pre Reading Blog Entry #5

I believe, to a certain extent that everyone is affected by advertising in one way or another. People must obtain there knowledge that they create their beliefs out of some how. Of course certain people choose to believe advertisements or news more than others but their ideas are still based off what they heard. I myself am affected by advertisements just like everyone else. Although I find my self to be in the middle of the spectrum. I am skeptical about what I see and read but I am not paranoid that everyone is out to get me. I just believe it takes common sense to differentiate between good things and bad things or untruthful things.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #7

The hobby that I am going to discuss is restoring cars. Obviously this hobby could not have been around for a very long time because vehicles themselves have not been around for a very long time. Car restoration or hot rodding really became popular in the 1950's when people wanted to fix up the old model T or A's they had. Much before this time period it just was not realistic to try and restore a car and it was a better idea just to buy a new one. I find it very interesting if I really think about it, that this activity has only been around for the past sixty years or so.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #6

One issue could be Nutritional facts of certain restaurants or places that serve food. Although most places will give you a nutritional information guide if you ask most of them are not completely truthful. Many times they will take things such as mayonnaise, cheese or other "extra stuff" out of the guide to make food seem healthier than it really is. You may be able to find the more realistic information online from a external source that is not related to the corporation.
The information we get from third world countries or about the war in Iraq is probably dramatically incorrect. Many times news reporters and the government want to make things seem not nearly as bad as it really is. I believe they do this in order to keep people from worrying or panicking. You could probably find truthful information from foreign news reports and people who are trying to expose what is really going on around us.

Pre-Reading Blog #4

I feel relatively safe in my neighborhood. Of course there is some crime so I am cautious of certain situations.I primarily get my perception of the crime in my area from the news, and from talking to friends and family. Usually these sources are fairly accurate and I find it better to be safe than sorry and expect that someone could commit a crime anywhere. Actually about a week ago my dad's girlfriends car had the window smashed in when they were at the park and someone stole her purse. So there is a reasonable amount of crime in our area, atleast enough to need to make sure you leave nothing valuable in your car, which it did not make any sense why Alison would leave her purse right out in the open at a park.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #5

There are many examples of where the media gives a false message. Whether it be how life is in high school, college, married life or retirement, most of the messages make life seem better or easier than it really is. In movies and TV shows college is always portrayed as a party that never ends. The acedemics of it are never really shown and when class time is shown it depicts class as always containing some interesting thought provoking discussion. The image of a married couple can go several ways though depending on the film or TV show. But in general I would say that it is anything but what real life really is. These messages must be derived from somewhere and maybe they are derived from memories of each example. You tend to remember the exiting or more interesting things in life, and memories are almost always better thann the real thing because the mind wants to remember the best memories. But generally these messages are a far cry from reality and sometimes it can make life more difficult or sometimes it is a nice break from the real thing.

Pre-Reading Blog #3

As a kid I never really watched TV. We never had an actual TV program or antenna or anything of the sort until I was a sophomore in high school. But every once in a while I would watch TV over at my grandparents house. Usually we would watch some Hot Rod shows or drag racing, and sometimes we would just watch cartoons. Nowadays I like to watch shows on the science channel. Shows on that channel are the only ones that I feel really benefit my education. Sure I learn about celebrities and some life values on the other shows, but most of that sort of education is a little unnecessary. I do think that TV can be an effective educational tool, but just as long as you do not spend the whole day in front of the TV. But it is relaxing and I feel it is a good way to absorb information.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #4

In my opinion to do something critically means to really analyze it. When I am just "reading" my text, I usually just loosely gather the information in my head. I will maybe think about a few points that stand out to me or that I find may be beneficial. But to "critically read" a text, means to thoroughly analyze every detail of it. When critically reading it is important to really absorb what you are reading. If you don't know what a word means it may be a good idea to look it up. The same thing goes for critical listening. You need to really analyze all of the information that is entering your head, and make sure that you can fully comprehend it.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #3

How can I find a way to better cope with my close couple friends when they try and make everything into who is better or which couple is better?

What can I do to try and get my brother to be around more often when he is always off with his girlfriend? He never gets anything done.

How can I make the time to do everything that I need to when it seems that their is not possibly enough hours in one day to do it all?

Pre-Reading Blog #2

The first advertisment that I noticed was an Allstate Auto Insurance commercial. The product that is being sold is auto insurance. They are saying that not only is it cheaper but it also gives better coverage. But an underlying idea that it is "selling" is that with Allstate you are making the world a better safer place. When you have Allstate you somehow always remember to put your seatbelt on and follow every law.
The next advertisment that I noticed was a Bank commercial. They are telling you how your money will always be there when you need it. But they are portraying this with an unrealistic amount of protection. Ellaborate safety vaults with the newest technology protecting them. Of course you feel better seeing this, but is it really realistic? In addition by choosing this bank you become a more financially responsible person because everyone who attends this bank is responsible and successful. So they are selling a persona that goes along with attending the bank.
Finally, of course, a fastfood commercial. At Taco Bell they are selling you food. But the people are always so fulfilled and satisfied about their purchase. They become happy people, and never in a commercial would they advertise their food with an obese person. So not only are you buying the food, but you are becoming a part of the happy Taco Bell community. It's easy and fast to get, and you always feel better than when you came.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #2

In an episode of "The Seeker" that I recently watched, Richard faced a difficult decision to make. When a male confessor is born they must always be killed at birth to ensure that the baby will not grow up to become a blood thirsty tyrant. But somehow Richard feels that it is not right to kill a baby just because it is said that it will become evil. In order to protect the baby Richard must defy all of his friends. This becomes a difficult task when a wizard of the first order and a mother confessor are against him. But Richard finds the strength to save the baby, even though all he has for it is hope. Knowing that the baby may in fact grow up to be evil Richard still takes this risk. Although Richard prevails at the end it comes at a severe cost because the mother confessor must be killed in order to save the baby boy.

Critical Thinking Journal Entry #1

Critical thinking is a process in which you analyze every aspect and variable of an issue until you understand it to the best of your knowledge. I like to believe that I think critically whenever I am given a difficult decision or question to answer. Lets say I have a certain math problem that I have either never seen before, or that I don't recognize. In my critical thinking process I will explore every facet of that problem until I find a pattern, or an answer to the variables of the equation that can be checked by reiterating them into the equation. Usually I do not think critically in situations that I need to respond quickly to. When someone asks me a question and I am expected to give a response immediately I do not have time to give a critically thoughtful explanation.

Pre-Reading Bog #1

How I typically act in a social atmosphere depends on the situation. In a smaller group, where I feel more comfortable, I generally talk about what ever I feel is appropriate at the time. Amongst my closest friends I am a lot different as compared to when I am in a classroom. In a larger group I usually remain quiet unless I have something thoughtful to say. I am more of an observer and listener than a talker. Although in a more open discussion I will find myself engaged in the conversation regardless of the size of the crowd. I don't really mind speaking in front of a group as long as everyone is courteous and considerate. By and large I enjoy the social environment with my closer friends the most.

Me, Myself, and I

To begin with, my full name is Jason Brantley Howell. This is my first semester at Sierra and my goal is to transfer to UC Berkeley and major in Bioengineering. I have a genuine interest in Medical Sciences and I enjoy researching various aspects of Science and Mathematics. I play several instruments including the guitar, ukulele, and the piano. I also enjoy restoring classic cars. Right now I have almost completed restoring my 1964 Dodge Dodge 880 Custom. My girlfriend's name is Andrea Novotny, and she is currently enrolled in this class as well. We have been dating since our junior year in high school. I have an identical twin brother who is also attending Sierra and getting a degree in Criminal Justice. My best friend is Ryan Hinderman, and we have been friends since the third grade. I am looking forward to this semester and I am happy to be enrolled in this class.