Final Presentation: The History of Vampires

Reflection: Ecology and Religion

Because humans are the primary cause for destruction, they need to play an integral role in averting any further destruction.  There are religious, ethical, and scientific issues involved with this dilemma.

Religion holds a huge role in the human destruction of the eco system. Because of outdated, ecologically insensitive religious traditions or views, narrowly scientific, objective view of reality; and  consumer ethic that assumes unlimited industrial and economic expansion. The notion that through the Bible and Christianity, humans have been programmed almost, to use the environment and to deny that it holds a sacred power. 

Also present is the ethical issue. Humans use and overuse our ecosystem selfishly without thinking that it deserves mutual respect.  To think that something is for the exclusive use and abuse of a species higher on the hierarchy off food chain may be considered morally wrong depending on whom you are asking.  Philosophers and scientists take different stances on this issue but both agree that a hierarchy is in fact ever-present.

Lastly, there is a scientific component to the overuse and destruction of our ecosystem.  Many scientists believe that humankind takes a manipulative approach to the natural world and fosters a mechanical feeling. Technology is isolating human life from the ecosystems.

Reflection: Environmentalism is In

Reflection: Environmentalism

            The environmental movement first began in the 1960’s. This was the first time in history that people really even noticed or even considered he human impact on the earth.  People realized that resources were limited and eventually they will run out. 

            One could argue that it was the Industrial Revolution was to blame because it brought technology and oil powered machinery into the picture and no longer was our air to be clean. For decades to follow pollution and air contaminants poison not only the air but the earth’s soil and water supply as well. 

            The sudden environmentalist ideals have caused some historians to claim that the era that we are in right now ought to be referred to as Anthropogenic, or the Age of the Man because this is a time where people are starting to pay attention to the lasting impact on earths ecological systems. Strayer notes that there are three main factors that lead up to the sudden awareness. The first factor being the quadrupling of the world’s population over the last century which has caused limited resources to be used up as well as the devastation of the world’s ecosystems as we continue to expand our real estate ventures. Secondly, Strayer says that human’s discovery of natural energy sources like fossil fuel, have caused humans to become greedy and overtake from the earth.  Lastly, to keep up with the growing population, we need to mass-produce goods for sale which causes a whole plethora of problems like poor work conditions, exploitation of labor, and factory pollution.

Reflection: The Right to Revolt

Reflection: The Right to Revolt

           

The second amendment, which is protected by the Constitution stated in the Declaration of Independence, guarantees that every citizen has the right to bear and keep arms. This topic has long since been debated about with opposing sides strongly disagreeing.  The original intent of this amendment was so that citizens had weaponry in case they needed to rise up and revolt against their government.  

While our country has matured some in its less than 200 years of existence, has it matured to a point of trusting its governing force 100% and relinquishing literally the only form of over throwing and regaining control should the government overstep its authority?  While revolts against government can be considered a little archaic, it wouldn’t be too far off from necessary should the American peoples ever decide that a revolt was their last and only option to regain their freedom.

A country based on freedom ought to embrace any form of freedom and celebrate their rights, not condemn those who exercise those rights and can justify them historically.  There is so much controversy surrounding this topic. Opposers argue that if you allow guns, then more individuals will want to own guns and they will ultimately end up in the hands of either criminals, or unsuspecting children.

In my opinion, I think that history has proven that banning anything does not do anything to deter individuals from doing it. Take a look at prohibition. The ban on alcohol and more importantly the movement by the people to continue to use alcohol is a great example. Just because you make something illegal does not mean that people will be deterred from continuing their behaviors. It is also true for guaranteeing the right to own a firearm. Just because the Constitution expresses a right to do so, does not put it on every 18 year olds to-do list. By making something like owning and operating a firearm taboo, makes it less talked about. When something is less talked about, no one is learning the essentials in order to keep operate and handle firearms responsibly.  Additionally, examining the notion that history repeats itself, without firearms, the American peoples are left virtually unprotected in the physical sense.