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All works depicted on this page are the works of Aaron Zaccaria. Those who decide to use my works for their own personal gain will be punished by law.
[edit] Student Government Survey Notice
Smithsburg High School Student Government Association Student Survey
Attention Teachers, I will be sending out a survey tomorrow, Wednesday, February 20th, as a part of the Student Government’s effort to better serve our students. If you would kindly pass out the forms and collect them by the end of the FIRST split of Mod 1, I would greatly appreciate it. If you could, please have them into Mrs. Crawford’s mailbox sometime tomorrow. These forms are NOT supposed to interrupt class. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Sincerely, Aaron Zaccaria Student Government President
[edit] Montressor
In classic Poe fashion, "The Cask of the Amontillado" focuses on life, death, revenge and murder. In the story, Montressor, a nobleman who has allegedly stumbled upon a fine wine, convinces a fellow nobleman, Fortunato to distinguish the type of wine, as Fortunato prided himself as the true connoisseur of wines. The narrator, who is Montressor himself, reveals that his motives are to get revenge on Fortunato for "venturing upon insult." Montressor makes clear the fact that "a wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser." However, after learning that Montressor eventually chains the man in an empty tomb and walls him in, it could be said that Montressor, as most Italians do, transcended the crime that Fortunato foolishly committed. The story is told fifty years after the incident, as Montressor indicates that he confides in the faithful, which implies that he is confessing to a priest. In confessing, Montressor violates his criteria for revenge. Surely, nobody witnessed the murder, and Fortunato was aware of his unfortunate peril, but the last criterion, to tell no one, is violated. His guilt seems to get the best of him, as the pressures of resentment cause him to express his heinous crime. In doing so, Montressor does not get revenge for the thousand injuries borne by Fortunato.
[edit] Young Goodman Brown: Moral Absolute, Destructive and Dehumanizing?
Most of Romanticist author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s works are characterized by moral allegories that have been influenced by his puritan roots. His personal moral convictions are conveyed through characters used in his allegorical short stories. Hawthorne believed that puritan society’s attachment to moral extremes was degenerative. The puritans followed a strict religious code that demanded a black and white society of either “sinners” or “saints”; in the eyes of mankind, decent man was "good and holy" and in whom evil was nonexistent. The puritan beliefs however could not hide the dual nature of man, as evident in “Young Goodman Brown”, where an innocent young man is awakened to the wrongdoings of seemingly good men and women. In seeing these truths, Brown becomes judgmental of all mankind, and consequently, destroys his innocence and humanity is the process. Through the clever allegory that is Young Goodman Brown, Hawthorne illustrates that dwelling on moral absolutes is both destructive and dehumanizing. Hawthorne’s illustration of young Goodman Brown is that of an innocent man who sees only the goodness of humanity, including that of his wife Faith. Prior to his journey into the forest, Brown saw no evil in the citizens of his township; their façade of goodness masked their shameful sinning and debauchery. Brown was so blissfully ignorant of the dual nature of his peers, that he failed to see that even his own wife was guilty of sin; as evident in her symbolic pink ribbons, which were representative of the mixture between evil and purity. Like the ribbons symbolizing tainted purity, Goodman Brown’s journey into the forest represents the spoiling of innocence. As he ventures into the forest, Goodman Brown notices that the “gloomiest trees” seemed to “close immediately behind [him]”. While literally the path closing behind him represents the thickness of the forest, figuratively, the disappearing path behind him represents the loss of his innocence. Just as he could never travel down the path again, Goodman Brown could never have his innocence again. As Brown was tainted with the truth, he began to make the transition from the “saint” to the “sinner.” Hawthorne uses subtle foreshadowing to indicate the identity of the man that Brown meets on the path of truth, and to strengthen the loss of Goodman‘s naiveté . Goodman Brown cleverly exclaims, “what if the devil himself should be at my very elbow?”, which foreshadows the mysterious figure suddenly walking alongside Young Goodman Brown in the night. The man is clearly the devil, who has an uncanny resemblance to Young Goodman Brown; the similarities imply that Brown is slowly transitioning from good to evil. His transition from innocent to “guilty” Is complete when he takes the beast’s staff. The devil and Brown serve to illustrate the parallels of character, and strengthen the symbolism of Goodman Brown’s loss of innocence. When the man leads Brown to the ceremony, he stands in silence. In doing so, the devil allows Young Goodman Brown to perceive the formerly unseen corruption of everyone; from governor to fellow Goodman. Upon stumbling upon this bizarre worship of the devil, Young Goodman Brown makes one last startling discovery while hiding along the road: his own wife was “uttering lamentations” with “uncertain sorrow”. Young Goodman Brown loses his “faith“, because he becomes a man of judgment. Upon seeing “his Faith” succumb to the wickedness of consorting with the devil, Young Goodman Brown begins to see the world, not as good, but as lying and deceitful. His difficulty in understanding the absence of moral absolutes further drives him to become a man of judgment. In doing so, Young Goodman Brown becomes a hypocrite. After awakening from his horrific dream, his return to Salem is in a different state than when he left. No longer does he acknowledge the sermon of Deacon Gookin as goodness, because, like himself, the deacon is tainted with sin. Brown’s new and stubborn perception of society destroys his humanity. No longer does Goodman Brown enjoy life, he spends every minute judging his peers, as opposed to embracing the dual nature of humanity. Young Goodman Brown believes that the evils of man negate all goodness, and that, those who engaged in sin cannot be men of “goodness”. Clearly, Young Goodman Brown is destructive, not only to himself, but also society. Overall, Young Goodman Brown’s transition from a man of “goodness” and innocence, to a man of hypocrisy and judgment proves that moral absolutes are destructive and dehumanizing. His youth was plagued with the traditional puritan notion that all men are good, but his journey into the wood proves otherwise. Through his journey, he discovers the truth behind the seemingly good people of his town. And ultimately, in spite of the dual nature of mankind, Young Goodman Brown has difficulty coping with the thought that moral absolutism is non-existent. Much like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown effectively demonstrates that the truth can degenerate the individual’s view of mankind.
[edit] STARS Speech
Five months ago, you knew that you would be sitting here this morning, celebrating your excellence.
It should come as no surprise that your desire to work harder, study better and perform stronger, would give you the award you hold in your very hands.
Let us take a minute to reflect on this past semester.
When faced with the hardest of tests, you championed the standard and set the curve. When overwhelmed with sports, clubs and homework, you persevered. When others made excuses, you made the grade.
These are not mere accomplishments, No, they are a lesson.
A lesson that says every student should overcome the perils of procrastination and ignorance, and instead, make every effort to raise the bar, every time.
So take a minute to ask yourself,
Are you willing to set the example? Can you prolong your reputation of merit and unmatched determination?
Surely these past months have proven that you can- and you will.
[PAUSE]
Our most famous founding father, and general, George Washington, believed that hard work is contagious, and that by setting the example, your drive for success spreads. He said:
“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”
YOUR discipline, YOUR work ethic is what makes our school great. By spreading your doctrine of commitment, EVERYONE, not just you, is willing to go the extra mile in academics, in sports, in life.
And with that, remember one thing:
If you’re going to do something, don’t just do it, do it brilliantly.
Thank you.
[edit] Another Motivational Speech
Let me start by offering you a brief reflection on the past five months events.
The accomplishments of every young man and woman in this room have not come easy. In the past five months, these students have sacrificed sleep, cancelled plans, missed practices and triumphed procrastination, all in the pursuit of knowledge. In the face of extracurricular occupations, these students laughed. They have found balance in school and in their social lives, and knew that even in the most hectic of lifestyles, it was unsatisfactory to put forth anything less than their best effort.
These students have found the true key to success:
Hard work.
Thomas Edison, an inspiration for inventors around the world always said that Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. The same philosophy holds true for everyone in this room.
Can you not attribute your success today to your dedicated labors in the past months?
Of course you can, because, no matter how intelligent we may seem, the true success behind every man is his will to work.
We cannot dwell on the past though, because what matters most is our future. I call upon the dedicated, the responsible and the respectful to consider the effects of their efforts throughout our school.
Your hard work may or may not be a fulfilling experience, but to the struggling student in your history class, you offer a lasting impression. We could ask for nothing more than passing grades and average test scores, but you do not accept this. You judge your accomplishments with great scrutiny, and because of this, not only have you worked rigorously stand out amongst peers, but you also expect your classroom performance to “set the standard so to speak”. By setting the standard, you push the struggling to never give up.
For this you should be proud.
As I leave now, I ask the leaders of tomorrow in this room to do one more thing:
Let the past serve as an example for the work you continue to do in the future.
Thank You.
[edit] Board Speech on Valedictorian Rights
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Ladies and gentlemen of the Board, I sit here today not as Aaron Zaccaria, but as the entire student body of Washington County. As student representative to the Washington County Board of Education, I feel that it is my obligation on behalf of my peers, both on the High School and Middle School level, to express my strong disapproval of the “Commencement Procedures” proposal made on November 20th.
The proposal outlines a system where each high school Administration will form a committee, chaired by the Principal and composed of faculty, that will then select individuals of the “highest honors” distinction to submit a speech for review. The Selection committee will then choose the individual who wrote and presented the best essay, to deliver the speech traditionally given by the Valedictorian. I must also note that in the original proposal, traditional graduation practices would be STRONGLY considered. However, this no longer is the case because as of December 6th, the word STRONGLY was omitted from that statement.
It is an almost unanimous decision of the delegates from each high school and middle school in our county, that this proposal would be an encroachment of traditional graduation practices and would strip the Valedictorian of his distinctive role in the high school experience. We believe that we are trying to fix a policy that has worked so well for forty years. Why are we changing these policies? It could be said that we are attempting to give an equal opportunity to all highly qualified individuals to deliver a well-written and motivating speech to their classmates. A closer look at the effects of this proposal will prove that this is simply not the case.
Is taking away the opportunity for someone to speak after working harder, studying longer and listening better than any other student for four long years by subjecting them to a glorified contest really all that fair? Truthfully no.
Say for example and individual has taken the more AP classes than any other kid, has never gotten less than one hundred percent on ANY test in ANY subject and has devoted four years of their young adulthood to being number one in the class. Then, graduation time arrives, and all of a sudden, the individuals they competed so vigorously to surpass are on their level again. Those four years seemingly have went to waste, seeing as anyone is fair game.
Are we, the Board of Education, really going to pass a proposal that would abolish a system that has worked so well so long?
You may argue that perhaps the Valedictorian may not want to speak, or is not willing to write a speech. It is not necessary to introduce this foolish proposal, when the Salutatorian can simply step up to the podium and make the same impression.
Allowing third and fourth place students to assume the role of the Valedictorian is just the beginning of many mistakes if we continue to follow this philosophy. Considering the fact that the Valedictorian is the academic winner of the class, why should we take away their trophy. It’s essentially giving the 1st place prize to individuals who, yes, did work hard, but in the end, did not come out on top. To me, this is political correctness to an absolute extreme.
As the voice of the students you work so hard to provide for, I call upon you to reconsider this proposal and vote against this mockery of tradition. Not everyone can be number one, it’s a cold hard fact of life. However, that does not mean there cannot be a victor in the end. Recognize the valedictorian, let them keep their right.
Sure we’re all just kids to most of you, but can 10,000 kids really be wrong? I think not, and hopefully you will consider that in your decision today. Make a smart decision and please vote against this proposal.
Thank you for your time, The Students of Washington County.
[edit] On the Future of Mankind
As a society, we often look to the past for answers in the present. How will society of the future view our actions after our generation is long gone?
I worry what the future will think when they look back upon us. I believe the people of the future will be angry with us. True, our generation is filled with some of the most remarkable discoveries in the history of mankind: the micro-processor, the personal computer, the internet, bioengineering, the iPhone, just to name a few. However, we live in an age where we have begun to neglect our moral standards, our personal beliefs, and our decency; vices that will garner no respect from our descendants. In present times, we look back on our ancestors and revere them, make statues of them and quote them in our speeches; in our minds, these were truly revolutionary thinkers. On the contrary, in the Information Age, such people are believed not to exist.
We elect Presidents on the basis of wealth. We do not appreciate the educational opportunities that so many nations envy, and we're devoid of any concern for our world's future. Surely our scientific advancements have presently been great rewards to us. It was once difficult to keep in contact with out-of-state relatives, but now, one can keep in touch with out-of-country relatives almost instantaneously. New machines make the workplace safer, more efficient, and open up millions of jobs in the IT field. The men and women of the future, though, will remember us for our long-term effects:
The commonly-held fear of Nuclear technology, which is both clean, safe and efficient, will cause us to maintain an energy system based largely upon diminishing fossil fuels that pollute our environment. Living above our means, buying expensive cars and having many children, drains the government of funds that could be so valuable elsewhere, e.g. education. Americans failing to stand against a corrupt system of “party politics“ by voting for the party instead of voting for what one truly believes in has allowed unqualified individuals to assume power. What is so mortifying to me is that our future generations will be wondering why we were willing to neglect our civil liberties; refusing to vote, for instance, just because it’s an inconvenience. It is possible that, perhaps, mankind can band together and save society’s doomed future.
The modern world is filled with millions of potential "saviors," it's just a matter of whether or not we choose to make a collective effort to save ourselves from a bleak future. By investing time into raising awareness of the benefits of nuclear and clean natural energy, we can diverge from our dated fossil fuel economy. Only when we stand against shady politics, challenge disappearing familial values and dare to focus more on the conservation of humanity than its destruction, will we see a change for the better. These are goals that are at our fingertips, and whether or not we are willing to achieve them will prove to be a critical decision for the world of tomorrow.
We look back at our ancestors and honor their accomplishments because without them, aspirations to excel higher and higher would not occur. Yet we continue to disregard their accomplishments with our foolish behaviors. From the primitive ancestors inventing the wheel, many people have been motivated to advance technology to improve ways of life. With that said, why should future generations look back upon their ancestors wondering why we made incautious decisions, causing them grief for the future? Though this generation continues to invent ways to make life more enjoyable and inconsiderably simple, all will be for not if the future generation cannot enjoy them without suffering the consequence of this generations personal gain.For many decades, researchers have been trying to find ways to preserve non-renewable resources such as petroleum and natural gas. However, constantly our generation abuses these resources without thin king about the long term effects it will have on the future.What example are we as people setting for the future if we continue to abuse our economy: borrowing money we know we can’t pay back; relying on others and the government to pay bills; living from paycheck to paycheck? This generation continues to support the idea of becoming more laid back and irresponsible which might influence future generations to regress.If we continue in this direction, our world as we know it, will surely come to its downfall.However, the demise of future generations is not completely prominent. It starts now with a few groups of people encouraging a change for a better tomorrow. Our generation now needs to begin a turn around so a positive example will be set for future generations can discover more efficient ways of life. It’s left in the hands of the people today if a brighter future is wanted.
[edit] FBLA SPEECH
What defines a leader?
Is it their title or position? Is it their ability to speak well?
Or is it their ability to delegate, to analyze and to execute tasks effectively and efficiently?
These are the questions every aspiring young business person should ask, because these characteristics are crucial to the development of a successful corporate American.
Let us examine the true meaning of leadership and how we can develop ourselves as successful managers in the business community.
As a society, when we think leaders, we think of business suits, top-floor offices and press conferences. These is an unfortunate misconceptions.
A leader, especially in Business, is an individual who sits amongst his or her followers. A leader is an individual who sets the example and develops the potential of his or her peers.
A leader- in every sense - is someone with a vision to improve, an ability to improvise, and the power to unite.
With a vision, an aspiring businessman can transform a small business into an international corporation.
With improvisation, an apt businesswoman can turn a lunch meeting into a multimillion dollar sale.
With unification, a student government president can create a framework of individuals to renovate an entire school.
With these qualities mastered, one will triumph any obstacle they encounter in their career. But these attributes are not innate; They are developed.
This is where an organization, like the Future Business Leaders of America, becomes a crucial factor in the development of assertive and competent leaders. By exposing its members to a multitude of business environments, fostering competition, and bringing together thousands of aspiring business leaders, this organization becomes a driving force in creating a powerhouse corporate-inclined youth.
As a self-described patriot, I have a fondness for the advice of our American Presidents. Their wisdom is valuable in developing myself, and others as leaders. John Quincy Adams, our sixth president, had a very matter-of-fact view on what makes someone a guiding force:
He said:
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
The Future Business Leaders of America creed of developing “competent and aggressive leadership” mirrors the convictions of Adams. Our national framework of successful young adults is proof that, through inspiration, we have created individuals who are not afraid to dream, to work harder, to work better, to become a person of status and influence.
We cannot develop leadership through lectures, or textbooks. Leadership is not a subject that can be taught. It is learned through exposure, by building relationships, by taking on difficult tasks.
We must realize that these skills are a necessary attribute for every member to have, no matter their occupational interests. The competition for high-paying leadership positions is keen. According to the U.S. department of Labor, the number of jobs in management, public relations, marketing and sales is expected to rise 17% in the next eight years. This is a small increase and it proves that in order to compete tomorrow, we, as young adults, must prepare today.
Setting goals now ensures that success will come later. By setting career aspirations, an individual creates a sort of incentive for hard work.
This incentive to thrive is a natural supplement For building leadership skill. Because it is only the hard working, the curious, the ambitious, that strive to strengthen their core leadership principles .
It is important that we continually strive to be powerful management figures on a commercial world of increasing chaos. We must learn to inspire, create and do more, so that we can envision, unite and improvise in the cutthroat world of tomorrow’s business.
With that, I leave you with one last thought:
Embrace true leadership, Develop true leadership, radiate true leadership. Only then can you craft the corporate America of tomorrow.
[edit] Maryland Page Program Application Essay
Unlike most teenagers, my interest in politics stems from a tumultuous childhood. My younger brother and I grew up in a single parent household, and naturally, as the older sibling, I was almost expected to act like the second adult of the household. I found myself immersed in a primarily adult social circle, and as a result, a plethora of political views and opinions. Of course, at the time, the word politics had little meaning to me; all I knew was that I took great pleasure in expressing my opinion and challenging arguments. Perhaps what drew me most to politics was the opportunity of meeting new people and listening to how they loved this president, or they despised that congressional representative. The experience of observing and participating in intellectual discussion would later mould me into the political young man I am today. In order to prepare for a college education, I am often look for chances to accelerate my knowledge, challenge my abilities and expose myself to the real world. Progressing through high school, I realized the importance of accentuating my defining attributes. However, an extroverted, school-devoted, politically affluent seventeen year old, like myself, hardly recognizes their potential until they have been heaved into situations that necessitates their critical attributes. As my high school's Student Government president, I have identified my strengths as far as being efficient leader and being open to the opinions of others. Working along side my peers to achieve a common goal has allowed me to understand how the government works on a larger scale. My awareness of efficient government led to my election has Washington County’s Student Representative to the Board of Education. Now that I have been successful in voicing student concerns, from AP test requirements to bathroom quality, I ask myself, how can I better prepare myself for my college-bound future? The student page program offered by the Maryland General Assembly will allow me to practice my interests and abilities on a larger, more important setting. What makes me the best candidate for this position? I could blather about how I am the hardest worker in the state, or how I am more responsible than this candidate or that candidate. My belief is that those who possess these qualities will put them to good use, and will not need to boast about how many awards they have, what is most important is your drive, your want to be the selection for the student page. My entire high school career, I have striven to serve my community, county and state so that I could walk among the men and women that shape our nation and world. I have the passion, the intelligence and the record to serve our congressmen well. I need not explain my long list of contributions to my fellow students and community, they speak for themselves, amongst the people I serve so diligently. Vincent Van Gogh once said that, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” The great and the good that I have given my community is essentially the culmination of my many small accomplishments. My desire to finish a task on time and efficiently has led to success in many aspects of my governmental involvement. Without my effort, schools in my county would still be forcing students to take AP tests against Board policy. Without my passion, our local community and school would not be as interwoven as they are now. Without my intelligent decision making, our school might not have been called, the best Student Government in Washington County. I have utter confidence in my ability to implement my skills in the Maryland General Assembly. I will use my love of politics, my essential attributes and my people skills to better serve my state, and perhaps indirectly, my nation.
[edit] 2007 Winning SMOB Campaign Address
Good morning fellow student government representatives. For those of you who don’t know me my name is Aaron Zaccaria, and I’m currently a Junior at Smithsburg High School. The reason I’m standing here preaching to you today is because my fellow council members believe I am the right man for the Student Member of the Board position. I'm not going to stand here and preach to you for ten minutes, so I'll get to my points. I will tell you however that I am a politically driven individual. My friends will tell you how I well-versed I am on state, national and world issues, as well as community issues. I have channeled these skills to better my high school SGA, where I have actively participated in almost every event, from planning our homecoming parade with Umar to making our SGA advisor “get down” at our recent special friends dance. My abilities as a leader are also pretty extensive; I have been asked by both the advisor of FBLA as well as the advisor of our SGA to run for the position of president. So, you may ask, why vote for the short guy? I’ll tell you why; because I am experience, driven, devoted and responsible. I not only pursue my interests, but I excel in them, from jump-starting our NHS tutoring program to designing the framework for our first ever debate team, you can be rest assured knowing I am a fitting candidate for the student position on the board. I feel that if I am elected to this position, I will not only be able to better pursue my interests in politics at a higher level, but also be able to demonstrate my willingness to benefit our school system to my high school peers across the county. I’m not here to challenge the abilities of fellow candidates, because they are very successful themselves, nor am I here to debate the achievements of the current Student Member of the Board. Instead I am here to give you the choice; the choice to put a personable, knowledgeable, devoted young man into a respectable, and challenging position. I trust each and everyone of you, from each and every school to make an honorable and intelligent decision. My experience in high school, my age, and my knowledge of all things business and politics makes me an excellent choice for this decision. You can trust me to carry these skills with me into office, because I am an honest, responsible and determined to fulfill what you want in our next Student Member of the Board. So I now leave it to you, the general assembly, to make the
choice. In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, A vote is like a rifle; its
usefulness depends upon the character of the user. Make a wise choice,
don’t just vote for the most popular and good-looking candidate, vote
for the guy you think is best for the job. Use your best judgement, vote
for Aaron Zaccaria.
[edit] The Pitfalls of Technology
WRITTEN IN 2007
Technology is what makes us human. Without technology, we would not be the most civilized, powerful and intelligent beings we are today. Our ability to understand and process is unique to human beings, and with this ingenuity, we have made advancements that benefited our lives beyond anything possible. Not only have we crafted ways to extend our lives, but we also have made them healthier, and more comfortable. Robotics and advancements in engineering have made it possible for us to connect the world market, a feat once deemed impossible. In contrast however, as Isaac Newton once stated, “For every reaction, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In the technological world for example, for every benefit there is an equal, and most certainly opposite consequence. In modern times, it seems we have started to bypass our own human abilities. Automation in the manufacturing industry is depleting available human jobs as self-sufficient robots and computers become more and more capable of performing our own work. Our technological stubbornness is evident in our grand invention we call the television. Since the fifties, scientists and analysts have noticed the serious effects the television has on humans. Our children are becoming less and less sensitive to violence and in turn becoming more and more violent. In addition to that, Television marketing and media has promoted an unhealthy lifestyle in not only adults, but also children. The effects are not just limited to just the masses either. Personal computers have demonstrated that they can be just as detrimental to humans as anything else. As computers have become increasingly productive and complicated, the human job becomes more and more simplified. No longer do children have to engage and burden themselves with lengthy math equations; instead they punch in a few keys and a five minute math problem is finished in five seconds. In addition to the depletion of logical processing, computers take time away from activities such as exercise and time with families. Clearly, technology has its pitfalls, having decreased our motor and logical skills and automating tasks that could and should be carried out by human hands. Technology itself is ironic, we attempt to advance our lives yet we simply do not realize that we are negatively affecting our way of life. Let us examine the effects of automation, it is surprising how high-tech industries negatives are outweighing its benefits. It is hard to believe that automation is destroying the American manual labor workforce, as well as other parts of the world. In order to understand the negative effects of automation, it is better to understand its true meaning. The Greek root of automation literally means self directed, and technically applies to any method in which operates independently and minimizes human intervention. Many believe that automation will bring cheaper products and simpler work. Of course, mass producing products without the need for humans does have some benefits. Owen Davies and Marvin Cetron of “Probable Tomorrows” stated that, “Consumer goods will be produced at prices so low, the poor of tomorrow could live as well as the rich today.” Cetron and Davies raise a valid point, however, when there are little or no jobs, the only way the poor will live just as the rich is if both rich and poor are unemployed. Richard Sampson of EraNova Institute reported that, “The reason technology no longer creates … jobs is that electronic technology is… different. Work itself needs to be redefined and new forms need to be invented. It could be asked why we should be so worried about jobs, aren’t there jobs elsewhere that unemployed workers can go to? Not quite. Columnist Richard W. Sampson of EraNova institute has brought forth the idea of “know-how” work. Know-how work is essentially what it says, the type of work in which the user is capable of understanding how to operate machinery or any other system. “As the…industrial age evolved…machines [took] over muscle power [and] people adjusted by moving up to ‘know-how’ work … but know-how is now the very thing being automated.” says Sampson in response to questions about unemployment. I can be said that human secretaries, fisherman, accountants, plumbers and even teacher could possibly become obsolete. Sampson claims that the only solution to this subtle change is hyper-human work, a type of work in which only humans can be actively involved, these sort of jobs include those that emphasize and embrace human nature. The fact that we have simplified how to operate machinery has led to the very machinery we crafted to do the work for us. Thus, the automation of jobs is unavoidable. Many typical American citizens have failed to realize the urgency of the automation issue. According to Gartner Incorporated, “There is less awareness that increasing reliance on highly automated infrastructures will significantly reduce the need for manual procedures and direct involvement of the workforce. Information Technology automation can mean greater flexibility and cost efficiency for businesses. However, it makes it harder for IT personnel to defend their jobs as this evolution, accelerated by the global economy and the competitive marketplace, is seen as an inevitable consequence of information technology process.” Evidently there are drastic changes occurring, and if the government remains indifferent and continues to make foolish decisions, we could face an unprecedented economical crisis. Three years ago, 2.7 million jobs were lost to automation in the manufacturing industry (Business Week). A crisis is imminent, and we’re allowing it to continue. Are we the American people going to allow our jobs to be stolen by things we funded, and we created? Are we, as a human race, going to allow ourselves to be replaced by something that was based off our very unique human minds? As automation continually depletes our manual capabilities and motor skills, our classic invention, the television, is rotting the minds of our future generations. The harmful effects of television are children are not hard to avoid, they show up on just about every morning talk show and late night news specials. The idea that television is decreasing our normal every-day activity and that it may contribute to many of the growing health problems is not new. Television is most likely one of our most deadly technological innovations. The television allows for big companies such an Anheuser-Busch and Coors to market their products on family networks, which in turn encourages the purchasing of alcoholic beverages, which, in the wrong hands could take lives. If you look in that perspective, the television is the root of many of our underage substance abuse, violence and aggression. According to studies at both the University of Washington and The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Youth exposure to alcohol has increased by forty percent since 2001. In the same study they also found that, for each hour of television four years olds watch per day, their probability of becoming a schoolyard bully increases by nine percent. These staggering finds are just the beginning. An analysis by the Media Awareness Network in Ontario Canada has brought forth some disturbing finds. Apparently, some of the most violent television shows are children’s cartoons, in which violence is portrayed humorously and the realistic outcome of violent actions is rarely portrayed. The violent programming displayed on networks such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network have led to younger children that are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior. Has the fog that the media has been shrouding you in cleared yet? More research suggests that our magnificent television is also responsible for the astronomical increase in childhood obesity. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, almost one in four Canadian children is obese as a result of trading more active pastimes for lounge-time in front of the blue glow of the television screen. The worst part of the televisions mass broadcasting capabilities is its ability to show extensive marketing campaigns for fast food and junk food companies. McDonalds, notorious for its family oriented image is a prime culprit. David Barboza of the New York Times said , “Besides operating 13,602 restaurants in the United States, it has plastered its golden arches on Barbie Dolls, video games, book jackets and even theme parks. The television is allowing big name companies to take advantage of the child consumer, and its having adverse effects on their health. The Canadian Pediatric society in a recent experiment found that a majority of advertisements on children’s networks involve food. The food advertised you might ask, junk foods, fast foods, candies, and pre-sweetened cereals. Apparently only four percent of these commercials advertise healthy foods. Now t makes sense why kids won’t eat their Wheaties¹ and Cheerios¹, because they crave Fruit Loops² and Count Chocula². Here’s an actual example of the effect television has had on six year old, Nicky Greenburg. An excerpt from a Media Awareness Network article stated, “Nicky, who lives with her parents in Lower Manhattan, often spends her afternoons watching Nickelodeon. She can sing the theme song from ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ and she says her parent buy her Kellogg’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch because she loves the commercials.” Natasha Roberson , 8, was riding on the front of a shopping cart pushed by her mother, Erica, 24, towards the cereal aisle. When Erica was asked what kind of food Natasha was interested in, she replied, “Anything that comes on the TV, she’ll get; Rugrats Fruit Snacks; Scooby Doo Fruit Snacks, Flintstones Jell-O.” Obviously the effect television and what its capable of doing is nothing new to the younger generation. And though many claim television teaches youngsters the importance of manners and friendship, its always better to expose those children to real-life situations. In a way, you could say that technology is sheltering our children from the real-world and throwing them into the televised realm. There, they are vulnerable to the blitzkrieg of commercial advertisements, violence, and other undesirables. Despite the clichéd and often arguable topics such as Automation and Television, computers have become a more recent and relatable topic for discussion. In the late eighties, computers began to revolutionize the very way we lived. With the introduction of e-mail, the internet, and online shopping, communication went from personal, to digital. Many argue that with the start of the information age, the world ironically became more distant. With hand-written letters and no need to go out shopping, many of the joys of life disappeared. Instead of receiving well-crafted, elegant Christmas cards, people received tacky internet greetings or e-mails with files attached. Instead of going shopping with friends, a great American pastime mind you, many sit at home behind their computer screens browsing auction sites such as E-Bay or Overstock. Instant Messaging also entered the scene, and no longer were phone calls necessary nor was actual human-human interaction. As a student myself, I see kids every day who would rather risk getting in trouble by “texting” their friends instead of talking to them after class. These faults in the social world have caused a sort of distance between parents and their children. These are just a few of the minor effects of the newly-found computer age. More serious problems have arisen in recent years after multiple studies have been carried out. Two particular medical problems have stood out, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Computer Vision Syndrome. Both of these medical ailments are painful and typically never go away. Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS as it is called by The American Optometric Association, is defined as a complex of eye and vision problems caused by the staring at computer screens. The symptoms range from eyestrain and headaches to blurred vision and colorblindness. These harmful effects have become increasingly prominent within the last four years. The Southern California College of Optometry released a statement saying that, “When considering the relationship of CVS to the eye care industry, consider that there are roughly 85 million eye exams performed each year. Of those, seventeen percent are initiated due to symptoms related to computer use. That translates into almost two billion dollars in costs to the U.S economy.” It may seem hard to believe, but these statistics are still climbing and that means much less money in your pocket after you file your next income tax return. With almost two billion American dollars tied up in eye care costs from computer-related injuries, thing seem like they couldn’t get any worse; just the opposite. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, is an extremely painful progressive condition caused by the compression of key nerves in the wrist. The fact that is progressive is nothing to laugh at. Minor pain can lead to tingling in the fingers and decreased grip strength, making simple tasks like picking up a stapler difficult and tremendously painful (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). These two conditions stem from our unhealthy devotion to computers. And what are we doing to prevent ourselves and our children from this pandemic? “Except for a few initiatives, very little has been done in the United States to protect children from computer injury and to teach them good habits like regular breaks, posture and stretches.” says Susan Olsen of CNET Online News. Electronics companies justify themselves with warning labels and caution screens on their games, screens that kids skip right through to get to their game. However, not all computer companies are to blame. For instance, in the past year, Nintendo America has been introducing games that better engage the player. For instance, two years ago, Nintendo of America marketed a game entitled Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day. This game is comprised of daily activities, such as speed math, memory games and the highly-addictive Suduko puzzles. In addition to that, Nintendo recently unveiled the new Wii gaming system which prides itself on its Wii-mote, a controller that is motion sensitive and promotes active game play. These measures, though having no immediate proven medical benefit, are examples of how some companies are help fighting the fight against obesity that has been pushed by the computer gaming market. Dr. Ernie Medina, a researcher into the use of “exercise-gaming” as a tool a tool to fight obesity said, ”Ironically the very enemy that is often blamed for being a major factor in the obesity epidemic is now being used to help in this fight: video games.” Fortunately, it seems that perhaps the public, as well as big business is becoming increasingly aware of what needs to be taught and demonstrated to the youngest generation. However, the technological advancement of computers has increasingly demonstrated drastic effects to our bodies. So, what do we do? Throw our computers out? That seems to be just the problem. Computer waste is a rising problem, more and more PCs are recycled but some estimates show that eighty percent of the electronic waste slated for recycling is in the U.S is shipped overseas to be taken apart by low-wage, unprotected workers who have no clue what precautions need to be taken when handling electronic waste, according to the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (CNET News). There are many toxic products that can be found in the very circuit boards we use every day. Lead, Mercury, Cadmium and Beryllium all have been shown to have harmful effects on the human body. There is really no need to panic as you sit surfing the internet from home or while your playing a rousing game of Age of Empires. However, these harmful elements are exposed to those very poor , under-paid workers in Mongolia, India and China. Even the plastic cases of the computer monitors are toxic. When burned, these screens give off highly noxious fumes that pose a threat to those who are in their presence. Needless to say, the waste is becoming a problem. As people start to die in foreign nations due to American negligence, lawsuits, maybe even wars could be started. Not only that, but the millions of pounds of computer waste that are dumped into our landfills every year are leaking caustic acids and killer chemicals. It must be emphasized that we focus more on finding ways to prevent such risky materials from being used instead of finding ways for us to put a million pictures on our computer instead of a hundred thousand. The overall consequences of computer use clearly denounce any form of viewpoint on the beneficial aspects of computer products. It seems that we use our technology in computer advancement for the wrong reasons. Now we face a global threat by sending our toxic waste to third-world countries to be disassembled. If we minimize the amount of time we spend on computers , we may be able to reunite and many American cultural traditions and values, as well as prevent our children from being exposed to harmful medical conditions. Technology can be compared to an untamed beast. We created it using our supreme intellect and creativity. It’s not perfect and it certainly is out of control. Without us finding was to tame this wild beast, we are literally endangering the very foundation of our society. Our problems can’t be blamed on political leaders, scientists, mad men or teachers, it’s a joint effort, and everyone is involved. Without a communal effort on the part of the entire world, we may never be able to get technology under control. As of now we are looking at a future where we depend on machines for work. Perhaps humans shouldn’t be so dependent on technological innovations. In an event where we would have to rely on our basic motor and manual skills, we would be doomed. With the exponential increase in automated jobs, scientists and political leaders need to push a new front on human jobs. Robotics will soon be a major part of the world economy, something we will just have to deal with and get prepared for. With the loss of jobs in the manual labor sector, there will need to be new jobs, ones that robots are not capable of, jobs that require the human thought process and creativity. Clearly people should avoid the excessive use of television and regulations should be put in place on the amount of marketing big companies can gear towards our children. As I said before, if we do not accept our foolish and unorganized advancement, we may be the cause of our own extinction. Technology can be our friend, but as of now its not. When we learn to compile our ideas for the appropriate reasons, we can make the world a much better place.
[edit] Why I ran for SMOB
WRITTEN IN 2007
Why am I running for SMOB? My interest in the Student Member of the Board position began earlier this year. What interests me the most about this program is the opportunity to establish myself among an older, more experienced committee of goverment officials. With the experience I will gain from this position, I will be able to better understand the workings of politics as well as necessary communication skills. With my charisma and familiarity with the adult community, I will be able to lead my school peers, as well as county-wide peers much more efficiently. I feel I am qualified for this position because I am known to be politically active and knowledgeable on current events on the local, state, national and international levels. As Student Member of the Board, I will be able to apply my leadership and political skills in a more professional and serious atmosphere. In turn, my contributions will positively effect our county-wide schools. I must alos state that my devotion to such a program is unmatched. Many of my peers and teachers will tell you that I am a responsible and hard working individual, two qualities that are extremely important when serving on the Board. If I recieve the position, I will do anything in my power to improve the quality of our school system. Clearly you can see that I am not only qualified for the position but also devoted to the position, making me a true candidate for student advocacy on the Washington County Board of Education.
How involved am I in the community, school and at the work place? Varsity Athlete in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track, recieved a letter in all three. Was a part of the State Champion Outdoor track team in 2006. Soccer player in freshman and sophomore years. Worked our concession stand during the Smithsburg Steam and Craft show. Currently have membership in SGA, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Chess Club and Academic Team. Qualified for state competition in FBLA, placed 6th in Java Programming. Was asked by advisors of FBLA and SGA to run for president. Appointed by SGA advisor to become student representative on the PTSA. Ran for class president three years. Work at Rita's Italian Ice as a server and cashier, and was a bus boy at Beavercreek Country Club. Was asked to personally tutor kids in response to my quality of teaching during NHS tutoring sessions at Smithsburh Middle. I am currently in the process of tutoring a child at his home. Attended Clemson Soccer Academy, Naval Academy Seminar and was vice president of Explorers Post 208 Medical Exploration program. Commit time at the Washington County Hospital (approx. 50 hours) as well as the Walnut Street Community Health Fair and REACH homeless shelter. Currently founding the first ever Smithsburg High School debate team. Helped organize and carry out the Smithsburg High School parade, and have been actively involved in almost all SGA events. Have attended all but one WCASC meeting. Raised the issues of scheduling difficulties in our SHS PTSA, and helped get aid for an upcoming dance. Member of the The National Society of High School Scholars. Attended both Special Friends Dances at our high school and even participated in a spontaneous "dance off". Currently in the application process for the United States Naval Academy.
[edit] Death: A descriptive narration
There is heaviness to the still, lifeless air that is suffocating to breathe and deceiving to the eye. The only movement is wind that is silky smooth to the skin and makes a whistling when blowing through the trees. It is a hallowed place; it instills a sense of respect yet at the same time, is without meaning or purpose. The crooked, jagged stones look like teeth, billowing from the earth, biting through the softy muddy ground, making its way up through the sparse grass and through the thick layer of brown leaves. It was an eerie sort of feeling, as if the gaze of a thousand eyes was piercing your skin. The trees swayed back in forth as if in a ritualistic dance of the dead, and the broken leaves drifted by as if being carried by a wandering soul. I was at peace in this solemn place, and at the same time, those who rest beneath the breast of the earth were at peace as well. I watch my step, for fear of waking these forgotten entities, and make my way back to the windy path were I can continue my walk down the road these lofty beings had tread before.
[edit] =Research Paper
Kurt Vonnegut was an American novelist and short-story writer renowned for his satirical coverage of political and social topics, as well as his humorous views on the absurdity of human life. His grotesque and apocalyptic style of writing immortalized the cruelty of mankind and the foolishness of humanity as the world slowly degenerated around them. His use of technology and science within his writings awakened unaddressed fears of the modern world. Though his technological fantasies seem to depict a world very different than our own, it is upon further analysis that the similarities between fiction and reality become clear. The novels of Kurt Vonnegut, though often labeled as science fiction, cleverly mirror reality through the portrayal of the events, philosophies and people that characterized his life.
