The first this I believe essay I read was by illusionist, David Copperfield. In his essay, he stressed the value of kindness. He admitted that he wasn't the kindest person because people aren't born with the gift of being kind. Instead, we grow up hearing things like "kindness is for sissies" and "nice guys finish last." But he learned soon after his father's death that kindness doesn't have to be given in large packages, but small acts of kindness are good too. After reading this essay, I agree with his statement that "we're not trained for kindness." I think kindness just comes with how you're raised and how the people around you act. It takes an effort to be kind, but it's worth it to see what kinds of effects it has on people.
The next essay I read was by professional skateboarder, Tony Hawk. He believes that you should believe in what you do, even in other people don't believe in it. He believes in following your goals and doing what you love to do. In his story, he was looked down at by his high school careers teacher for pursuing his skateboarding career, but instead of giving into him and quitting, he just kept on doing what he loved to do. I can really learn from Tony Hawk's story because sometimes I feel like quitting things, but I need to learn to just focus on myself and what I can control, and follow my dreams.
The final essay I read was about failure and how failing in life is good for you. This man, Jon Carroll believes that "success is boring" and that you're not meant to succeed at something the first time around. Trying and failing, and trying things that you don't know you can do is how you're supposed to live life. I really agree with this essay because nothing is perfect, and there is always work to be done and room for improvement.
4 Generations
Yesterday, the class discussed the essay we read the night before called, "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" by Peter Singer. It was about the world of poverty and how people should give more to help the poor people of the world. Then, Mr. Watson assigned us to watch a movie which fit right in with the essay called, "4 Generations" by Robert Thompson. It was about an American man who lives in China who finds out from a weblog that there was a fake charity that said they'd give a poor family in Asia a Water Buffalo for $250, but there were no actual Water Buffalo. So he asked around the farming community and found out that a Water Buffalo is actually the equivalent of a year's salary to them. So he decided to collaborate with the writer of the blog and donate a Water Buffalo to the most deserving poor family in China.
My initial reaction to the movie was that I was very touched by the actions of the men, but especially by the speechless reaction of the family. I thought this video related to the essay because they were both focused on poverty, and I thought Thompson's video branched off of Singer's essay in a way. In the essay, Singer said that $200 could save someone's life, and the Water Buffalo is very much like the $200, although it's not necessarily saving someone's life. After looking at both the essay and video, my question is which method of donating to the poor is better?
My initial reaction to the movie was that I was very touched by the actions of the men, but especially by the speechless reaction of the family. I thought this video related to the essay because they were both focused on poverty, and I thought Thompson's video branched off of Singer's essay in a way. In the essay, Singer said that $200 could save someone's life, and the Water Buffalo is very much like the $200, although it's not necessarily saving someone's life. After looking at both the essay and video, my question is which method of donating to the poor is better?
The Singer Solution to World Poverty
After reading this article by Peter Singer, my first reaction was that it really opened my eyes to the reality of poverty in this world, and that we are living such selfish lives. While we enjoy all of our different luxuries like televisions, computers, video game systems, good food, and nice clothes, people around the world are struggling just to survive from minor diseases that we think are so easily cureable. As Singer mentioned, a mere $200 can save someone's life. That really made me realize how easy it is for everyone to just do their part and be able to save precious lives of these people. I think people today just take these charities for granted because they can't see the impact they're making or the faces of the people their saving, very much like Bob. People need to find it in their hearts to just do the right thing because we're the ones who are living the priveleged lives. I don't know anyone who wouldn't "value the life of a child more than going to fancy restaurants" or other buying unnecessary things, so why aren't people just giving money and saving lives? It's so simple. I'm not saying to donate your whole life savings and give up all of the luxuries you have, but just do your part and when everyone does it, we will all realize how big of an impact we're making on the world.
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