Proposal Evaluation Blog 7

I chose to evaluate the proposal made by President Michael Crow to make text books electronically accesible for students. Michael Crow proposes that Arizona State University should make textbooks available for students on their electronic devices such as their Ipads, Kindles, and laptop computers. His argument is that with electronic devices, books would be much more affordable for students as compared to current prices for hardback covered books which cost students hundreds of dollars. Also he argues that concerning how advanced technology is becoming and how other colleges are including these technologies for their students. I personally agree with Michael Crow's proposal and believe it is an excellent idea. For one it would make texts much more accessible for students without the issue of long lines in bookstores or having to worry about having enough copies for all the students. Als Michael crow makes a good point that it would be helpful for ASU if it wants to start going green since students won't be wasting their books and trees (it seems like a cliché but it's true). One other point that Crow makes is that the University wants to be much more advanced and respected and having access to more technologies would put ASU ahead of the game especially if all students were offered necessary technologies. Michael Crow does well at addressing issues with his argument and any opposing views concerning his idea. One possible other problem could be students that work at the bookstore that fear they could lose their jobs. If too many people switched over to electronic readings they may eventually not need a bookstore. This may be a bit far-fetched but it could be opposition that needs to be met at some point. Possibly if this did become an issue the bookstore could be substituted as a help service center or distributor of different devices students would use. Overall it is apparent to anyone reading this argument that Crow did his research and carefully considered both ends of his argument. Possibly conducting a poll or even if possible a census of students to find out who believes that all books should be available digitally or not digitally available so that he could have some actual data to present. Also the school could do a social experiment and see whether students with online books or without did better in their respective classes. Some logical data would definitely help to solidify his argument even with how good it already is. Despite any other strategies he did not include, I would consider his argument to be very strong and valid.

Blog 6

If technology begins to become an independent asset in the workplace it could become an issue for people if they begin to lose their jobs since they wouldn't necessarily be needed anymore. However their could be a number of solutions so that people wouldn't be as affected by this new advancement. One thing employers could do is find a way to slowly integrate different machines into the workplace so that employees could find other forms of employment, or limit the amount of machines that they put into the workplace. Or any kind of employers that want to integrate independent machines into their workplace could find ways to make it so that employees could regulate the technology, or have some kinds of training so that people could help to operate them. Government could somehow insert actions so that certain actions so that employers could not displace a said amount of employees with machinery. It's difficult to really say what kind of actions would need to be taken if machines were dominating the job market and people were all losing their jobs. People may need to find new markets to involve themselves in. Sadly it would be a very difficult situation.

Blog 5

With the rate that technology is advancing it's no longer as outrageous to assume that machines could become a much more independent tool in the workplace. Not necessarily to say that "robots" will start being hired as employees in the workplace, but less jobs will be necessary with an easy and cheaper way to get work done. Claims of driverless cars are a new advancement that is being anticipated which would mean a lot of hardworking people would be out of jobs if this becomes a real thing. This kind of news opens the way for countless possibilities when it comes to the job market and employment options. It is a practical choice for employers to choose machine work rather than actual human workers since machines are much more productive, calculated, specifically programmed, and void of any kind of human errors besides any miscalculations made by their original designer. Even for jobs such as personal dj's, farming, retail, banking, and so on. This could create lots of potentially dangerous outcomes for people wanting to be employed. Without the need for human work in certain fields, tons will be out of jobs and employment rates will drop a ton. I am no expert on economics but that does not sound like a good alternative especially considering how bad our current job market is doing. It does not seem as though the future will be so bright for a lot of people. The government would probably have to step in and help to provide for the countless people that can't make an income because their job was taken away. Of course this all would be a major advancement if machinery could take on independent jobs without need of human hands but it would also be a huge handicap in its own way.

Blog 1

In Obama's speech he begins by addressing the audience by establishing his appeal to character letting the audience know that he is well read in all of the policies and issues that have been set before him. The audience has established that he is a credible source due to the fact that he is the president of the United States and that he is not just telling his listen a bunch of lies the entire time. The President then makes a transition stating that he would like to discuss the "connection between religion and politics in America." By establishing this, Obama draws in the listeners with an appeal to emotion: pathos. Religion and politics is a shaky subject among many people and is a very appealing discussion so listeners are drawn in by his statement. Obama inserts another appeal to ethos or character by making his statement about how the Bible affirms the issues of poverty and the general disagreement among secularists and Christians. He then discusses with his audience his displeasure with statements made by Senator Alan Keyes making unjust accusations about Obama's state with his religious practices and how they make him un-credible since he is a "bad Christian." Keyes negatively uses an appeal to emotion to draw American against Senator Obama stating, "Jesus Christ would not vote for Obama." Obama then uses this statement by Keyes to aid his argument as an appeal to character and emotion. Obama then goes on to further establish himself discussing him upbringing with his family who were not particularly religious and how later on in his life while working with churches he discovered his convictions which ultimately brought him to discovering his faith and accepting Jesus Christ in his life. Through discussion, Obama establishes his credibility and understanding among the Christian community since he can relate. From here Obama discusses that hos conviction to God is something that should not be ignored as it is something that defines him and his values. He uses this statement to explain that due to the fact that his religion is something that defines him and is not just some hobby of his, he is perfectly allowed to discuss his beliefs, but in making decisions in a pluralistic society he is required to respect all people's point of views. Not everybody should believe the same thing is basically what he is saying. He goes on to further establish his character by showing that despite his beliefs, he is working for the improvement of the peoples' lives. After that it is up to them to make decisions that cater to their own beliefs. He does this by listing different issues such as poverty, gun control, education, contraception, and other issues to show his concern over them and how he wishes to solve them. But also establishes how other people need to do things for themselves. Obama uses these appeals to draw in the reader and respectfully discuss an issue that is prominent in America.