Ethics vs. Sadism

As I was going through The Anthology again, I came across the definition of sadism. It's said that it is "the unconscious impulse to acquire unrestricted power over another person," but instead of just people, I believe that we're doing the same thing to animals (485). We the people are slaughtering animals, we are controlling what they do, what they eat, where they live, and most importantly, how long they live. What makes us so special to be able to do such things to others? I believe its because its our intelligence, something that we have way more than any other living organism in the universe, but yes. I believe that we the people can be described as sadistic because we are "inflicting pain [and] suffering" to people as well as animals (485). There is nothing that the animals can do because they don't know any better, which is why I believe it is wrong to do unethical things to the unaware animals.

 [1]

Closely associated with sadism is animal cruelty. In The Four Stages of Cruelty, written by William Hogarth, he talks about the first stages of cruelty by providing examples such as "burning the eyes out of a bird with a hot needle" or how "a pair of fighting cats are hung by their tails and taunted by a jeering group of boys" (490). This reminds me a lot of what I call humans. It reminds me of some of my friends. Some of my friends in the past used to play with CO2 powered BB guns and what they do sometimes is go bird hunting. Why do they do such a thing? It is because they are bored. Little do they know, birds have feelings too. They have emotion and feel pain like we do. I never got myself down to do such a thing. I still wonder how they could do such a thing though. It's such a cruel act. The bird gets shot down and is left struggling on the floor. What can it do then? Its either wait for its death from food and water deprivation or get eaten by bugs or other animals. It's a horrible death. We would never want that to happen to us so why should it happen to them? There should be no reason for our animal cruelty.

Reading on, I find that the “Supreme Court overturns [an] anti-animal cruelty law in [the] First Amendment case,” something in which I find to spark a flame within me (502). Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Who in their right minds would allow animals to be “crushed to death by women wearing stiletto heels” just for a “certain sexual fetish”? (502). Honestly, those are the sorts of things that make me mad. These are the things that anger me the most and actually make me want to get my opinion out there. Usually I don’t like to butt into such controversial topics, but this is just plain wrong in my opinion. People who get aroused from such acts are sick in my opinion. Why does this anger me so much? It’s because the animal is “intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, or killed” (502). How would you like it if someone decided to crush you to death, say toss you in a dump truck and watch you get crushed while I get pleasure from it? You wouldn’t so why do it to animals? There is no reason for this period.

[2]

Citations:

The Anthology

Images:

[1] http://www.slasherama.com/images/nasties/sadism.jpg

[2] http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/c2c/share/12/125/540/1254003_370.jpg

Acquired Taste

As I was reading through the Acquired Taste section of Why We Love Dogs Eat Pigs and Wear Cows, I realized that what Melanie Joy, the author says is true. Usually I would question such things, but this time I'm not because I myself am living proof. It is said that "in China, people eat animals' penises because they believe these organs affect sexual function," which leave me wondering why my grandparents had a lions penis when I went back to Hong Kong (443). I thought it was weird to have such a thing lying around the house, so first thing I did was ask them why they have it. Sure enough, it was used to make soup. I was disgusted, but I can't question my grandparents. They are very traditional, and at times, their traditional remedies have cured me for the better. Just as Melanie says, "The most obvious feeling we lose is disgust," which is exactly how I felt when my grandparents whooped out the lion penis soup. Yuck! Of course I never got the courage to drink it.

[1]

[2]

As I read on, I came across Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson's work, The Face On Your Plate. What he emphasized in was our denial, our "DENIAL IN THE LARGEST SENSE in which we so often use it today... as a psychic defense against an over whelming reality" (478). What he is is true. There are just those times that make you want to belief it isn't true, but it is, which leads me to my next subject, vegetarians. Why did people all of a sudden turn into vegetarians? Are vegetables that tasty? In my stand point, I believe its because they've seen reality and accepted it. They know know out processed meats are made. They know the processes and are disgusted. They realize that we kill innocent animals just for our satisfaction, but what some do is deny that fact. Some say it's because "We need meat to live in a healthy manner," or a simple excuse such as "I was raised that way" (477). Everyone has their reasons, but sometimes, I believe its either straight up ignorance and denial rather than not informed.

[3]

Citations:

The Anthology

Images:

[1] http://bluepyramid.org/ia/lion.jpg

[2] http://www.thelocal.se/blogs/eatingout/files/2009/04/soup.gif

[3] http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u15/Vegetarians%201.jpg

Leadership Examples

Throughout my search in the LBJ library, I found many traits that I would love to have, but I didn’t realize I passed up something more than just a trait. It wasn’t just a trait. It was a combination of heart and passion. It was a combination of leadership and ethics. What I passed up and eventually went back for was a fine work done by Lyndon B. Johnson.  Johnson “worked so hard to make life better for so many” and these people weren’t even related to him or close to him. They were just people, strangers in particular. Johnson still helped no matter what. In my thoughts, why would someone do such a thing? Why would I help another person when I don’t even know them, not even so much of an acquaintance? Well to answer my own question, it is because Johnson believed in hope and wanted his people that he was leading at the time to “have a healthy and rewarding life.” He didn’t care who we were, but what he did care for is we, the people who put our trust in his leadership.

Johnson believed that they people should be “given a fair chance to develop their capacities, “ which is why he advocated education, housing, and other essentials that developing communities need for growth. Johnson wanted to see the best in people; he wanted to see everyone’s potential. It wasn’t what he could do to make a difference. He viewed it as what we the people could do to carry on the legacy and make the chance ourselves. This is what I call leadership. This is exactly what I want. He trusted us. He guided us through the process. He was the motivation. He is exactly what I want to become.

Along with Johnson, however was President Hoover as well. He had to trait of “command… and persuasion.” This is something I really need to work on myself. When I was a freshman mentor for my high school to help others adjust to the high school transition, I realized that I didn’t have one thing, and that one thing was being bold enough to take charge and take command in a situation. Thus, I was lucky that I had other leaders in the room. Now I realized that if I were Hoover back then, I would have made an even greater difference it the students around me.

Citations:

Image [1] by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyndon_B._Johnson

Image [2] by author.

Image [3] by author.

Bob Bullock Museum Exploration

Yesterday, My UGS class and I went to the Bob Bullock Museum and explored its natural wonders. At first I was thinking how lame it was that the exhibits actually cost money, 8 bucks. At that point I was thinking, "Man, that 8 bucks could have gone to some grub," but in the end, I was glad I went there.


As I entered the wonders of history, I found myself gazing intently at a Comanche hunting bow. As I stood there, I read how the hunting bows were often decorated for good luck. On top of that, I realized that the grip was made by the remnant furs of a coyote, feathers from a turkey, hair from a horse, and the bow string by animal tendon. At that point I was thinking, "Man, how lucky am I to come across such an exquisite work of art." I was immediately enticed in it. It was said the remnants of the animals used on the bow offered the Comanche protection, but as I thought deeper, I wondered what the animals would have thought if they knew about how the Comanche used them. In death, one should be left to rest in peace. How would you feel if you died and someone decided to do the same to you by using your your body parts? I would feel angered and I believe the animals used in the bow would be angered as well. But, maybe if they learned that they were viewed as protection, then they might think otherwise. After examining the bow for a good 5 minutes, I decided that it was time to move on to the next object, something in the second floor.

Venturing through the second floor, I didn't see much animals projected in the historical objects that surrounded me. It took a bunch of walking and looping around to finally find one; I found a horse that was drinking from a water well. In the picture above, it depicts a man and the horse posing in front of a windmill for the woman, who is the part of the press. This event was apparently historical and made an impact significant enough to be put int he museum, so I thought, maybe the horse wouldn't mind having its picture taken and now carved into stone to be placed inside a museum. But, to be honest, I believe that if I were the animal, I would be confused. I would be wondering what the flashing light from that camera is and what the lady is doing. I would have been totally dumbfounded. After this, I started to venture off again and this time, up to the third floor.

What I saw displayed in the third floor were Longhorn Cattle. In Texas ranching, they bred them from hybrids of Spanish stock and English cattle. As I read on, I noticed how they were described as : strong, ornery, and weighed over a ton each. They are slow to mature too apparently. After reading about all its facts, I realized I picked the right school. At UT Austin, our mascot is the Texas Longhorn. Longhorns are strong and I agree. Us Longhorns would never back down on a challenge. The picture depicts several longhorns. If the longhorns knew that they were displayed like this, I think they would have been honored at the fact that people acknowledge them.

At first I was told that there was going to 4 floors that I could explore in the museum, but in the end, there was only 3. I was sad that this was so, but it doesn't matter. I had my adventure.


Citations:

Images by author.

The Doggy Days

The Doggy Days

Hello, my name is Dewey. I am a one-year-old male sharpie mix. I’d like to say one of a kind! Its not everyday you see a healthy and good-looking creature like me! Just kidding, but back to the point. First let me fill you in about the details of my life. I absolutely love children!  I just can’t wait to find myself a new family that will love me. I don’t care if they’re rich or poor. I’ve never experienced love. I was separated from my parents at a young age, so it’s hard to remember how love feels like anymore. It will be nostalgic experience. It will be a new challenge that I will find irresistible take because that’s what defines my character. I am always curious and never scared to back down on a challenge. I am ever so ready to learn and be accommodated into my new family. I have so many tricks up my sleeve. For example, I am ready to sit and lay down by command! But there are so many more tricks I want to learn, especially because I get a treat every time I do something right!  Everyone says I am super friendly because I like to lick people when we first meet.  I get along very well with other animals; unless I sense danger, I usually won’t be mean. Meeting new friends is one of my favorite hobbies!  I think I would be better suited in a home with children who would be willing to play with me, hold me, and possibly even love me. However, the three main things I want to limelight and that basically sums up my whole life story: the day I was conceived, my midlife crisis, and where I’m basically standing as of right now.

Now I know this might sound kind of cliché, but I am a Longhorn! I was born and raised in the city of Austin, Texas! I’m a little hazy about the details my past, but what I do know is that my father and mother both left me within the first week I was born. When it comes to the whereabouts of my father, lets just say that he’s in a better place now. I remember when we were one whole happy family, where every night my father would come back from a days of wandering the Austin city limits for food to feed both my mother and I. I remember how my mommy and me would be so happy just to see my father come back home safe and sound, even if he wasn’t able to bring home food at all. It didn’t matter. None of that mattered. What mattered was that we were all together as one happy family. Our life was a harsh one; on some days, we would have to sleep on an empty stomach and on other days, we would be considered fortunate to fill up by the scraps left behind by some of the littering pedestrians of Austin. My parents and I were tired of living this kind of life. There was so much competition out here in the slums. If there were food, there would always be that one other dog that is way bigger and meaner than my daddy. I have to admit, my daddy’s pretty mean looking, but he has the most caring nature ever! That’s exactly what I love about him. He’s sensual and loving when he needs to be, but can stand up for himself and put up a fight if he was ever provoked. Our life wasn’t the best, but we were happy. We were going through the highs and lows of life together and no matter how hard they were, we always went through with the, but one night, things turned for the worse.

It might have been a while since it had happened, but I still remember it ever so vividly. The day was a normal one. The usual always happened; my father goes out to find food for us while mother watches me be the carefree youngster I am. That day was the just like any other day, but what happened that day was so heartbreaking that I don’t think I will ever be able to let it go. I will never forgive myself either. Usually it is something that you did wrong, which is why one would be mad at oneself, but what I did was the exact opposite. It wasn’t what I did, but it was what I didn’t do. On that very day, it was my fourth birthday. I was so ecstatic that I was presents that day. Every month on the 14^th, my family and I celebrate my birthday. Every time my birthday comes up, my father would always find a way to get me a big t-bone steak to masticate it. It always makes up my day and my father knows it too. He knows that it’s my favorite type of food, which is why he goes out of his way to do this for me. Everything was fine that day. The routine was the same and I always assume that my father will come back safe and sound, so I never said bye to him that morning. But, on that same day, I saw my father get run over with my very own eyes. I didn’t know what to think. I was in an emotional wreck. I was bawling my eyes out. I didn’t know what to think. Heck, I still don’t know what state of mind I was in. The scene was too grotesque to be described. All I can say is blue Chevrolet pick-up truck. That’s all I remember and will always remember it. What I didn’t do that day was say goodbye to him because I thought he was going to come back safe and sound. Well apparently I was wrong. From that day on, I learned a lesson: always say your goodbyes and live life to your fullest as if tomorrow were your last. I don’t know if I should hate the driver of that pick-up truck or myself more. How could I be so dumb to not say goodbye to my father? Tell me why! We were so happy together. I don’t understand why he had to take him away from us. Ever since we lost him, our living conditions have turned even worse, but life is life. We make the decisions that depict our own destinies.

It’s been six-months since the incident. My birthdays just haven’t been the same without him. My mother tries to accommodate for my dad; she would try and do the same he did, but truth is, she’s getting old. I too am getting older as well as stronger. I can now proudly say I inherited my father’s strength and courage. I know my father’s up there watching over my mother and I, but I guess when the time comes it has to come. The time for my mother was up. It was her time to leave Earth and join my father in the graceful heavens. After my mother left me, I was all by myself. I wasn’t able to take care of myself. Lets just I was “homeless” for a few months and was starving until some strangers with green lettered shirts rescued me. At first I was skeptical of their initiatives, so I struggled when they tried to take me in. Little did I know, they took me into their home where they took care of me. I was actually fed food everyday! What made it even better was I didn’t have to go out and hunt for it. It was all brought to me. Apparently I’m in a shelter right now, but it sure beats roaming the cold streets of Austin right now. It seemed to be a dream come true until I found out why I was here. Apparently, I won’t be here much longer and will be euthanized if no one comes and adopts me. It’s so stupid. Why would they kill me? I never did anything wrong. I’m a perfectly healthy dog that has always minded his own business. Why would someone want to do this to me? Well after chatting with the other dogs in the shelter, I found out that it’s because there is a population overflow of my species. So what if there are too many of us? What gives they the right to kill us? There should be no reason for such unfair reasoning. The only way I can be saved is if someone adopts me.

I’m still young. I’m still very playful considering how old I am and I do not plan on growing up any faster than I have to. Just like Peter Pan, I want to stay a boy forever! My cutest behavior is running around to catch my tail, but for some reason it is so illusive that I never actually get a hold of it.  Silly me, because I keep trying no matter how many times I miss it.  I want a family again. I want to experience love again. I love my parents, but it’s just too soon for us to meet again. I still got a lot to look forward to. I promise I never bark or bite for no reason. If I do, its just because I don’t want anything to happen to my new family. Scouts honor! Please save me. I promise I’ll be the best you ever had. 

Word Count: 1587

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix

Roger’s Blog

Hi there! My name is Roger.  I am a two-year-old male Sheppard mix and APA rescued me from the horrible slums of Austin not too long ago. I have no fear. I have been through a lot throughout my life so have no reason to back down to any obstacle. I love to sit and gaze at the clouds; they are so simplistic, so peaceful. I could say it is one of my favorite hobbies and it always turns my frown upside down. I absolutely children and I can’t wait until I finally get a family that can embrace me, a family that can show me how love feels like.

            I can be active as well; a walk in the park or a dip in the pool would absolutely make my day. I would say my perfect home is with a newlywed couple. They could take me with them everywhere, one of them being romantic walks. I can’t wait until the time comes for them to add children the family. I love contact with people and since I tend to be very active, they would offer me the perfect environment.

            My favorite toy is a little bear I’ve always had by my side; he keeps me safe and sound.  But I think that anything soft that I can carry around in my mouth would be fine!  Standing on my hind legs and waddling around is something I enjoy doing because it always seems to make my care takers smile, plus I usually get a reward, be it a pat on the head or a treat to snack on.  I have never learned how to sit on command, but I would be willing to learn for whoever wants to teach me.  Learning new things is so much fun, I only wish there were someone to teach me.  I want to travel and go to picnics, but most importantly, I want to be loved.

I promise not to bite. Please help me find a new home where I can be safe and have fun with a new mommy and daddy.

Word Count: 351

Dewey's Blog

Hello, my name is Dewey.  I am a one-year-old male sharpie mix. I’d like to say one of a kind! Its not everyday you see a healthy and good-looking creature like me! Just kidding, but back to the point. I absolutely love children!  I just can’t wait to find myself a family that will love me. I don’t care if they’re rich or poor. I’ve never experienced love. I was separated from my parents at birth so I never go the chance to know how it is to be loved. It will be new experience and I find it irresistible to take on new challenges. I am ever so ready to learn and be accommodated into my new family.

            I have so many tricks up my sleeve. For example, I am ready to sit and lay down by command! But there are so many more tricks I want to learn, especially because I get a treat every time I do something right!  Everyone says I am super friendly because I like to lick people when we first meet.  I get along very well with other animals; unless I sense danger, I usually won’t be mean. Meeting new friends is one of my favorite hobbies!  I think I would be better suited in a home with children who would be willing to play with me, hold me, and possibly even love me.

            I am still very playful considering how old I am and I do not plan on growing up any faster than I have to. Just like Peter Pan, I want to stay a boy forever! My cutest behavior is running around to catch my tail, but for some reason it is so illusive that I never actually get a hold of it.  Silly me, because I keep trying no matter how many times I miss it.  I promise I never bark or bite for no reason. If I do, its just because I don’t want anything to happen to my new family. Scouts honor!

Word Count: 335

Dewey

           Hello, my name is Dewey.  I am a one-year-old male sharpie mix. I’d like to say one of a kind! Its not everyday you see a healthy and good-looking creature like me! Just kidding, but back to the point. I absolutely love children!  I just can’t wait to find myself a family that will love me. I don’t care if they’re rich or poor. I’ve never experienced love. I was separated from my parents at birth so I never go the chance to know how it is to be loved. It will be new experience and I find it irresistible to take on new challenges. I am ever so ready to learn and be accommodated into my new family.

            I have so many tricks up my sleeve. For example, I am ready to sit and lay down by command! But there are so many more tricks I want to learn, especially because I get a treat every time I do something right!  Everyone says I am super friendly because I like to lick people when we first meet.  I get along very well with other animals; unless I sense danger, I usually won’t be mean. Meeting new friends is one of my favorite hobbies!  I think I would be better suited in a home with children who would be willing to play with me, hold me, and possibly even love me.

            I am still very playful considering how old I am and I do not plan on growing up any faster than I have to. Just like Peter Pan, I want to stay a boy forever! My cutest behavior is running around to catch my tail, but for some reason it is so illusive that I never actually get a hold of it.  Silly me, because I keep trying no matter how many times I miss it.  I promise I never bark or bite for no reason. If I do, its just because I don’t want anything to happen to my new family. Scouts honor!

Word Count: 336

Roger

Hi there! My name is Roger.  I am a two-year-old male Sheppard mix and APA rescued me from the horrible slums of Austin not too long ago. I have no fear. I have been through a lot throughout my life so have no reason to back down to any obstacle. I love to sit and gaze at the clouds; they are so simplistic, so peaceful. I could say it is one of my favorite hobbies and it always turns my frown upside down. I absolutely children and I can’t wait until I finally get a family that can embrace me, a family that can show me how love feels like.

            I can be active as well; a walk in the park or a dip in the pool would absolutely make my day. I would say my perfect home is with a newlywed couple. They could take me with them everywhere, one of them being romantic walks. I can’t wait until the time comes for them to add children the family. I love contact with people and since I tend to be very active, they would offer me the perfect environment.

            My favorite toy is a little bear I’ve always had by my side; he keeps me safe and sound.  But I think that anything soft that I can carry around in my mouth would be fine!  Standing on my hind legs and waddling around is something I enjoy doing because it always seems to make my care takers smile, plus I usually get a reward, be it a pat on the head or a treat to snack on.  I have never learned how to sit on command, but I would be willing to learn for whoever wants to teach me.  Learning new things is so much fun, I only wish there were someone to teach me.  I want to travel and go to picnics, but most importantly, I want to be loved.

I promise not to bite. Please help me find a new home where I can be safe and have fun with a new mommy and daddy.

Word Count: 349

Sympathetic Imagination

What is sympathetic imagination? To me, it is to imagine yourself in another's shoes and see how it would feel if it were you. To me, it is to "secure a momentary but complete identification with it" (Anthology 404). What does this mean? To me it means to become one with the other. It is to be that person and feel his or her pain, to his or her sadness, his or her anger, and etc. "By actually entering into the object... [you learn to] take part in its existence" and learn to develop the feeling of sympathy. How might I know such a deep emotion you may ask. It's because I for one have been through pain, everyone has. If you haven't yet, you haven't lived life to its fullest yet. It isn't all bad in my point of view though. One can learn from its experiences. One can become wiser and much more sophisticated after such experiences. Just like the image below quoted by Mr. Koichi Tohei, we should "become one with the Universe." That is what I believe everyone should do to be able to display sympathetic imagination. Not being able to complete this objective would make you emotionless.

In The Odyssey by Rick Bass, he wrote about how the main character "stopped and backed the truck up"  on he road when he saw Ann in the mirror (Anthology 421). The reason I believe why he did what he did wasn't because of what Ann thought he was, "a do-gooder" (Anthology 421). No, that is not the reason. The reason I believe he did what he did was because he developed sympathetic imagination. He mostly imagined himself in Ann's position. Maybe he asked himself, "What if that were me on the road with no body to care for me?" What he did wasn't because he was a do-gooder. It was because he  developed the emotion sympathy. You might ask why would I think like this? What is going through my head? I know because I have done the same as he have before. I've seen many animals in my lifetime and I believe there is going to be many more to come, but before I ramble on, I want to get to the point I'm trying to express. My first pet compared to the story was a little bit different. Mine was a cat instead of a dog, but I got her the same way; I got her by picking her up in the streets. Soon enough, the both of us became the closest of all friends.

Citations:

The Anthology

Images:

http://tacwblmcqk.cdn.tinycdn.com/ocks/home_noflash.gif
http://media.photobucket.com/image/cat%20best%20friends/shg_graphics/best_friend/shg-kittens-best-friends-fo.gif

What does Cat think about this?

Just outside of the Natural Science Museum yesterday, I saw monuments of the great smilodon fatais (Saber-toothed cat), where it stood it was carved in a large stone that was around 7 feet in height to demonstrate how big the cat really was. Of course, the statue wasn't an exact replica of the saber-toothed cat. The real cat was actually 1.5 times bigger than the statue itself. At that point, it really amazed me because I already thought it was big. Just to the right of it were dino tracks collected from the bed of Paluxy Creek, which is about 5 miles northwest of Glen Rose, Somervell County, TX. What the tracks had were consecutive foot prints of a sauropod dinosaur and three-toed theropod dinosaur. Once I saw the tracks, I many things spontaneously popped into my mind. Questions like, if the foot prints where that big, how big would they actually be? Or maybe the question of was the sauropod running away from the theropod and why? This sparked curiosity in me and left me wanting to know more. Not only were these objects displayed, information about them were displayed in detail as well.

When I went into the first floor, I encountered a fragment of a Tyrannosaurus' fossil. Found in Brewster Country, Texas, it was really a sight to see and it also startled my spirit animal inside of me. The spirit of the cat within me was started at once and didn't want to go deeper into the process any further. Once the eyes of my spirit animal saw that remnants of the dead were all around us, all it wanted to do was get out because to him and to most other creatures, seeing bones usually means a bad thing. It meant that something horrible has happened. He felt the vibe and wanted to leave. At that point, my animal wasn't thinking as logic as I thought it would. I knew that us homo sapiens didn't cause the death of these dinosaurs, but my spirit cat thought otherwise. He thought that us homo sapiens did this for experimental purposes. I had to calm my spirit down. I had to connect with him and tell him that that wasn't the case. After I have done that, we explored deeper into the museum.

On the third floor, we encountered the great Texas Coastal Birds.  Displayed were some of the many coastal birds ranging from the distinct call of the Royal Tern the more infamous White Pelican. In the glass casing was the birds standing elegantly, but stuffed for display. Once again my power spirit was doubting the fact that us homo sapiens were't the bad guys. All around us, all he saw was homo sapiens going in and out, examining the coastal birds. He saw no one else, which lead him to think that us homo sapiens are liars. He actually thought that I lied to him. For a second, he didn't trust me. He was in a state of confusion. He didn't know why us homo sapiens would do this to other animals. To him, this was the cruelest act of all. "Why can't we just let them rest in peace?" he says.

Last, but not least was in the 4th floor, where research about how the Drosophila flies offer clues about how behavior evolves. Displayed was research on their stages of courtship between a Drosophila suzukii (male) and the Drosophila cyrtolom (female). This didn't spark anything within my spirit animal yet, but once he saw that actual Droosphila flies were pinned down and magnifying glasses were used to let us homo sapiens examine them, rage erupted from my spirit. Now he won't listen to anything I say. I was uncontrollable at this point. Now the spirit inside of me has concluded that us homo sapiens are the scientists that cause pain to animals. "Experimenting on animals is wrong," my spirit blurts out.

Based on our adventure, I learned that the relationship between animals and homo sapiens are far from being close to each other. What us homo sapiens think is a advancement and betterment to society, in the eyes of animals, they see of as the criminals that cause suffering and torture to their kind. In the eyes of my spirit animal, he believe that us homo sapiens are too curious and thinks we should just let things be; let natural selection and evolution take it's toll. Due to this adventure and due to the feelings I felt from my spirit cat, I believe that in the future, the relationship between animals and humans will only worsen if we don't put an end to our research.



Citations:

Images taken by author.

Emotion, Compassion, The Ethics of Care

Everyone has experienced the feeling of sympathy. If not, I don't believe your a human being then. When one feels sympathetic to another living human or creature, it is because they are "affected by... a feeling similar or corresponding to that of the other" person or living organism (402). This is not an emotion one can just spontaneously learn. This is a feature and aspect of life where one needs to experience that specific hardship themselves. If you haven't experienced the specific hardship, then you wouldn't know what it would feel like if you were in their shoes. Thus, since you've never experienced it, you wouldn't truly know that it feels for example, horrible. How do I know this? It is because I've experienced this myself. For an example, when one loses a really close loved one such as a family member or maybe that close friend you've had since your childhood years, one learns to feels a mixture of emotions that just wants to erupt out of your system and make you bawl until your eyes dry out. I lost my grandparents. I lost both of them in the same year. I still remember it very vividly. It really hurt. My emotions were unstable to say for at least a good week. It was the first time I've lost someone I truly loved, which brings me to my next point. When someone says their parents passed away, one would automatically say sorry. Sorry to me, can be said with or without emotion, but it is when one has experienced the same pain is when the sorry is really meant. That is when the sorry has true feeling because the speaker truly knows how the bearer feels.

Everything we do has to do with how we feel at the moment because "our emotional faculty guides out moment-to-moment decisions... [that can] enable or disable thought itself" (407). At the time my grandparents died, I was at the age of 12, just barely getting out of my 6th grade year in middle school. I have to say, the above statement is true because I know from personal experience. At that time, I was at a state of depression. My emotions were so strong, that it fended off my intuitive side of the brain. I was no longer logical. I didn't focus to my school work nor did I have a good appetite for anything. Basically, my emotions disabled me to live life to it's fullest. It was not until I got over my grandparents did I resume a normal lifestyle. Emotions are strong. Even will power won't be able to stand against it.

Citations:

The Anthology

http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/uploadedImages/Home/Articles/Social_Issues/Articles/Depression.jpg

http://fpvillages.com/images/Sympathy2-main_Full.jpg

The Suida-Manning Collection: Jacob Asking for Laban

The picture above illistates the famous Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione who’s the master of the Baroque in Genoa. The story you can attain from the oil canvas basically sets the story in Genoa, Italy where it shows Jacob asking some towns people in a small town Haran of the whereabouts of his uncle Laban.

            To me, the colors used above emphasized on dark colors, which to me, it represents negatively and disasters since that is what dark colors are usually associated with. Seeing that Giovanni personal horse is the only thing of bright color, where it was marked with vibrant white and golden hairs, I believe that emphasized on the elegance and great importance that the horse was to the owner. It shows the significance that the horse actually meant something to Benedetto and that it wasn’t just any horse.

            Due to the facial expression of one of the towns people as one seems to be amazed at the gold hairs on the horses tail and how the other man just seems to be dumbfounded by Benedetto’s questioning of where his uncle presently is, we can conclude that Haran is a place of poverty because even a horse could amaze the towns people. In addition to this, the clothes work by the towns people seem to be old, raggedy and somewhat torn.           

            You can tell that Giovanni is in a rush to find his uncle because the objects on the groud, such as vases and the knitted baskets seem to be knocked around as well as the animals present. One in particular is the calf in the oil canvas. The calf seems to be diving, trying to move out of the way. It is as if the calf’s motive was to dodge so that it won’t get hit.Since the calf and other animals seem to be flabbergasted on the event of almost being run overm we can tell that the calves, along with the other animals in the picture seem to be of less importance to humans. Instead of stopping to see and actually care about is the calf was okay, Benedetto bypasses such a task as he persists on asking the towns person on about where his uncle is.

            It seems the relationship the horse and him seem to be of greater importance than the regular town animals since he or she is kept well groomed. For example, the golden talk is neatly tried up. It can also be said that humans and animals have a commensalistic relationship because it seems as though humans just use the animals; for example, Benedetto using the horse to travel and get around.

Making a Difference in Poverty

In 2005, an estimated 18 million people died from poverty related causes. Fully one third of all human deaths could have been prevented by clean water, nourishing food, and access to basic medical care [7]. CORDIS, an international humanitarian organization, estimates that “the three major… diseases, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis” are the main causes of deaths in third world countries [1]. Making up an estimated up about “80%” of all fatal illnesses, they are the main causes of death amongst the poor [5]. I will put an end to the diseases and sicknesses of poverty in developing countries. To make such an astronomic task possible, I will reach out to others for the assistance and involvement in maintaining sanitation in society, and pursue to emphasize the need of adequate health care that should be provided with their working conditions.

[8]

As mentioned before, sanitation is one of the detrimental causes leading to diseases of poverty. It is alleged that “Unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation cause an estimated 80 percent of all diseases in the developing world” because water is essential to every living beings diet as to the little girl on the picture above [8]. I for one am motivated to put an end to such a ridiculous cause. “Water-related illnesses, most of which are preventable, are among the leading causes of death and disease… [and] roughly 40 percent of the world’s population – lack access to adequate sanitation services” because they just do not have the necessary monetary means [8]. There should be no reason for us to leave litter behind, whether it be that cheeseburger wrapper you just got from McDonald’s or a precipitate that accumulates over time, such as run off from the high doses of pesticides we drench our crops with to appease our perfection-demanding consumers. I want to see individuals involved with their society’s well being as a daily occurrence, not just as a secondary priority. I want to see everybody cast away his or her own generated litter the correct way, and one day see the percentage of recyclable goods thrown into a landfill drop from 80 to 0 percent. In order to make such a miraculous task achievable we should break it into smaller, more manageable steps. I will advocate the impact of how important sanitation is and will take this to the next level by getting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) involved. Before we head to the big stuff, I believe that if I can convince everyone to pick up at least a bag of trash every day, pollution earth will soon disappear completely. Lets assume that each bag of trash will account for a thousandth of a percent. If I were to pick up a single bag of trash everyday for a year, I will be able to decrease the pollution on earth, and thus increase the overall health of a region by approximately 0.36% annually. One person can barely make a staggering difference, but its when the general population gets involved does the wheel really start turning. In the picture below, an inmate at a Tennessee state penitentiary, and Gary Vowell, the local sheriff, work together to keep the planet a little cleaner. Together, we can make this happen. A trash bag a day will keep the pollution away as I would say. With the help of 3 people, we can decrease the effective percentage of unwanted litter by a full percent, so if the whole community joined in, we should have no problem achieving our desired standards in the next 10 years.

[10]

                                                                 

[2]

Health care for one is immensely related to the diseases of poverty. I know there is no way I can single handedly put this problem away and battle it off with the various tiers of judicial estates that are associated, but I know I can start small like joining the Peace Corps. With the help of the Peace Corps, avocation will be taken to the next step because I have a whole family of people that I can depend on for help, which will let me answer the question given by the image to the right. Yes, there is a cure for health care; we all have to work together. If a one advocator for better healthcare will make a difference, then a whole group of individuals trying to attain the same obtainable cause will make an immense impact. Even though the fight will be tough, I absolutely will not stop until every individual in developing countries is receiving the satisfactory health care they deserve. I wanted to make this happen in the next 5 years, but I know this will be impossible because of the monetary factor in the developing country’s governments. To make such a task possible, I, once again will advocate help from others. Something as simple as organizing a charity fund will allow the already developed countries like America to give a helping hand to the developing countries in need. “2% of people … hold 90% of the world’s wealth” and these people are usually in developed countries [4]. If these organized charities work out and say we collect a bare minimum of at least a thousand dollars a day from all over the world, by 3 years, around a million dollars will be accumulated, and by 30 years, it will be 10 million. In developing countries, such as Somalia, this sum is substantial and will impact many lives. It will cost the government an estimate of “$2.4 trillion” per year for health care, according to New York Times Magazine [3]. Even though this amount will only account for a hundredth thousandth of a percent every 30 years, my goal before my life ends is to try to the best of my ability and work above the standards to help attain enough to decrease the number of unvaccinated people by 1 percent. That’s just one person advocating for the cause. Once I get more people to lend a helping hand by donating small amounts of time or effort, such has making a website or holding a bake sale, a feat might be accomplished within my lifetime.

 Since “the pharmaceutical industry has invested almost nothing in research and development for these diseases,” I will make an impact by becoming a pharmacist within the next 6 years in the Pharm. D Program provided at The University of Texas at Austin [9]. Even though I know the science and math classes required for such a program will sometimes require motivation, I will be persistent at what I do because of how I was raised. Once I start a task, I always finish it, no matter what. Additionally, I want to become a pharmacist and am already motivated to do so for the betterment of my family’s future. Reading and writing are vital to my goals, because they are important mediums that send messages to other individuals, affecting them strongly by pathos or ethos, or simply straight up logic by logos. As part of my journey in life, I will have to learn many skills. My UGS writing course with Professor Bump will help me learn how to persuade readers in the timeless and elegant way that only the written word seems to hold.

Word count without quotations: 1,107

Word count with quotations: 1,210

Endnotes

[1] CORDIS. "Confronting the Major Communicable Diseases Linked to Poverty." February 03, 2010. http://cordis.europa.eu/lifescihealth/diseases/home.htm#top (accessed October 13, 2010).

[2] Denoto, Matt. "To Your Health." June 16, 2009. http://thegoldenspiral.org/tag/green-revolution/ (accessed October 15, 2010).

[3] Leonhardt, David. "How Much Does Health Care Cost You?." July 21, 2009. http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/how-much-does-health-care-cost-you/ (accessed October 14, 2010).

[4] Mind Body N Soul. "Two Percent Own Half the Worlds Wealth." http://www.mindbodynsoul.com/Mind-Power/two-percent-own-half-the-worlds-wealth.html (accessed October 14, 2010).

[5] Nicholas Eberstadt, The Poverty of "The Poverty Rate" (Washington, DC: The AEI Press, 2008), 78.

[6] Pattison, Neal. "2002 Drug Industry Profits: Hefty Pharmaceutical Company Margins Dwarf Other Industries." 2003.http://citizen.org/documents/Pharma_report.pdf (accessed October 13, 2010).

[7] Pogge, Thomas. "World Poverty and Human Rights." March 30, 2005. http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/resources/journal/19_1/symposium/5109/html (accessed October 14, 2010).

[8] Sparks, Charissa. "Reducing Poverty Through Water and Sanitation." October 3, 2010. http://mediaglobal.org/article/2010-10-03/reducing_poverty_through_water_and_sanitation (accessed October 15, 2010).

[9] Stevens, Philip. "Diseases of Poverty and the 10/90 Gap." November, 2004. http://www.who.int/intellectualproperty/submissions/InternationalPolicyNetwork.pdf (accessed October 13, 2010).

[10] Tift's Sheriffs. "Operation Clean Sweep A Clean Success." August 20, 2006. http://www.tiftsheriff.net/News/news2006.htm (accessed October 15, 2010).

My Personal View On Vivisection

I never knew what Vivisection was until I read this section of the anthology. For those of you who don't know, my personal definition would be the act of "experimentation [on animals]...for those who hope to find remedies for human ill[nesses]" (373). Who in their right mind would do such an awful thing? Animals are living things too. They have hearts that beat in unison like us. They have sense. They have families. They have feelings too. What makes it right for us to inflict suffering on animals, basically living things that are no different from us? We breathe the same air. We roam the same lands. Heck, the world would be different today if it weren't for animals. Every living animal has made an impact in history. We shouldn't be testing on live animals.

We all know that "the practice of vivisection will never be extended so as to include human subjects," which leads me to thinking even deeper into the crevices of this subject (382). I literally laid on my bed and pondered about this subject as I was diving into my afternoon nap. To me, that moment in time is the best time to think because your in calamity and solitude. Science shouldn't be the cause of suffering to others just for the sake of the advancement of our human race. That's just not right. Just because we're the elites of  hierarchy doesn't mean it gives us the right to impose such cruel acts. "Let us...do justice...[in] science" instead rather than hurt others in the process (385). In biology, this would be considered a parasitic relationship. One benefits while the other suffers. We don't need to do this for survival. I know for a fact that we could resort to other experiments such as in vitro ones, where cells in tests tubes are used in tests rather than a living animal.

When I think of us humans inflicting pain and "killing... animals in... inhumane manners... [for] experimental aims," I feel uncomfortable (388). I feel as though God has given us animals not for that reason. I feel God has given us animals for the reason of working to together, the reason of living together in peace and harmony. I can understand dissecting an already dead animal, but in vivisection, it is the "dissecting [of] a live animal" (388). How would you feel if I tied you up and cut open your chest plate just to see if your heart looks like? It is simple stuff like that, which makes me conjure up reasons to defend against the act of vivisection. What happen to God deciding who lives longer than others? "Nature...[is] no longer the wrath of...[the] lord" because we ourselves are making unnecessary changes ourselves (388). I believe vivisection should be put to an end. Julie C. felt a "mixture of guild, melancholy, and regret" when she brought mice into the euthanasia room (396). This is basically the feelings that all of us should feel if you kill a living thing, otherwise, your not human.



Citations:
The Anthology

Pictures:
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/lba0001l.jpg
http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr111/SeaShepherds/Harp%20Seals/inhumane.jpg

Leadership Examples

As I was reading through the Anthology, I couldn't help but display the envy I have for Tom Jones, a fellow U.T. graduate. He went to "summer school whenever... [he] could"(899). That emphasizes how much love he had for education. I can tell that he took learning learning as a hobby if that's even possible. He enjoyed. He absolutely loved it. He "could scarcely wait for holidays to be over so that... [he] could rush back to campus (899).

Now that I'm in college and have actually had to chance to experience it in a degree, I don't think I would ever be able to have the same mindset as Tom. For him, school was what he loved. He loved to learn. For me, I can't wait it's over because although I have a goal of retrieving a Ph.D., my mindset is wanting to skip the processes of education and just go straight for my intended goal to working as a pharmacist. I often ponder why careers can't be like jobs. Just interview and get in without much prerequisites. Doesn't it seem like Tom and I are just completely opposite personalities? I wish I have the drive like he did. If I did, I bet that would give me so much more discipline and knowledge of the world around me. Reading such a quote basically invoked my ambition to work harder in my undergraduate studies. If Tom can do it, I can too. To me, he is a leader. Just like how the professors Toms speaks of, how they are "hungry to teach, hungry to relearn, hungry to transfer what they knew," I soon will be hungry for knowledge, hungry for education, hungry to be a Longhorn (900).

As I read further, I came across Barbara Smith Conrad, who was a sophomore the University when she was 17. Too me that is such a great accomplishment. At the age of 17, already a sophomore in college. I wish I was like her. Just by these details about her, I know she was an intellectual. To me, I think she relates to me the most out of the rest that I have read about because she "believed "that music is a healer and great bonder" (928). She limelighted that fact that she got close to people because of music. Music helped her develop rich relationships "because of the commonality of interest" (928). I for one am in the same boat as her because my closest friends are the ones that share the same distinct taste in music as I do. I myself love music and tend to usually think to myself why didn't I go into being a music major. Though I've always wanted to, I tend to think of the future. The future that comes that I must make the best choices for. Choices that will affect not only my life, but others such as my family as well.

Citations:

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/coolsummsch.html

http://www.postershop.com/Anonymous/Anonymous-Ambition-5000370.html

http://blogs.voices.com/buzz/2008/07/

The Anthology