This is my Utne Reader Response

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

Answers

response to Utne Reader

asked in the MEd Cohort III Q&A Forum

It was interesting to,again, be able to read articles from the Utne Reader. As a freshman in college at the University of North Dakota, we were required to subscribe to this magazine for our College Writing 101 course. I read the article on page 60 titled Ocean Solitaire. It was interesting, yet quite scary. It dealt with how we take so many tons of fish out of our waters that we may, in time, deplete the supply. In order to deal with this, fish farming has become a common practice. In this model, fish are raised by humans to meet our consumption needs. However, these fish need to be fed with something. So, fishermen are fishing for the food (smaller fish) for the these fish, which is at our expense. It may even take more money to fish for the food and raise the fish on our own than it would to just fish for the fish in their natural environment. The Earth is always in balance. So, if we take too much from somewhere, we are going to feel it in other places as well. I believe that we are able to survive on what materials are available on the Earth. Yet, humans can become very greedy, and through the balance out-of-whack, therefore, not everyone will be able to survive on the Earth and what it will provide for us. It reminds me of stealing because it is so similar. People are taking more than is needed, allowing for waste. Somehow, I feel that the fishing industries need to be regulated.

Asked by Cindy Claviter (caclav@duluth.k12.mn.us) on October 29, 1998.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

Response to Cindy's Arcticle from Cherese Pearson

Human greed at the expense of the enviorment could be a research topic in itself. Whether it be the fishing industry, the logging industry or even bottled water industry it tends to spark huge debate. It is sad to think how selfish humans can really be. I noticed someone else commented on this same article and it really does hit home. I hope some day we can better teach enviornmental education in our schools so that our next generation can better deal with these dilemas.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998

It was interesting to read your observations on this article. Especially since it is the same one that I read. I certainly agree that greed is a serious problem for all of Mankind, especially when dealing with the environment.I'd appreciate it if you would take a look at my article on this story and respond. The fate of the oceans, and the bounty they provide for us must be considered one of, if not the primary issue facing us as we enter into the twenty-first century. I wonder, what, if anything we as teachers can do to alleviate the portents of doom that issue forth from this article? I hope other members of the group choose this topic to address. Thanks for your insights.John

-- Anonymous, November 12, 1998

I found it interesting that both you and John Bergum responded to the same article. Subsequently, the thoughts you each described envelop my own beliefs about how our natural resources, in general, are utilized for non-refundable projects. In essence it is the fundamental aspects of human greed and corporate corruption that our stripping our ocean waters of natural resources. I shared the following ideas with John but I will revisit the statements... it seems that we as humankind forget what natural elements make us whole. In retrospect we find economics the pendulum that must swing in the upward motion of "profits!" I truly found myself encapsulated by the following statement, "If you want to fathom this sea change, you need to take off your rubber boots and oilskins and trade in your skiff for a shuttle flight to Washington, D.C., where the Worldwatch Institute has its headquarters" (McKibben, 65). Ironically, fighting for a change does not involve our ocean waters but rather our political and economic machines....I wonder how Jesse Ventura would react to this, sigh...... Catherine.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 1998

Here is my 2nd Utne Reader Response: This time, I read the article titled "Take That, Advice Nazis." As I began flipping through the magazine, my attention was drawn to the paragraph called COMPLAIN. I guess, as a teacher, we are unable to "let people have it", "speak up", "raise hell, stand your ground and let people know when your're not happy." These were tips that were written to have a sound mind and body. I guess, in our profession, if we took this advice to heart and acted on it, we would no longer be employed and we WOULD have something to complain about!:) We are always subjected to defiant children, upset parents, coworkers who have different ideas than us, as well as administration and government ideas. So, this is probably the reason we are always reminded by others that we are so patient! I do believe that we need to take proactive steps to relieve stress, but I have a hard time believing that I should only follow the tips in this magaizine. I don't feel this is the most professional way, yet there are times when I will go home and vent a little. It also feels good to cry, but I also really enjoy a hot bath or a long walk. I don't think that my close friends and collegues would really apprciate me complaining to them about things that we have no control over. I like the saying that goes something like this...God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. If we keep life in perspective, we will make it through without screaming and yelling at everyone and making everyone upset along the way. Granted, we do all have our days, though... :)

-- Anonymous, January 05, 1999

Here is my 3rd Utne Reader Response... I read the article titled "Dont' Buy These Myths" that was about myths that we have. I'd specifically like to comment on 2 of them. The first was Myth #1: Recycling will save western civilization. All we seem to hear about is how we need to recycle as much of our waste as possible. In fact, our school has developed an extensive recycling project that has been very successful, including recycling used food to feed the worm bins in several of the classrooms. However, it seems that any of the efforts that we are doing in the country are futile because the more we recycle, the more we are consuming. The recycling efforts never can catch up, so we are actually wasting more than we are recycling, despite the increased awareness of recycling. Hmmm... The second article I found interesting was that consuming less will wreck the economy. I guess I didn't realize just how important spending was in order to keep the business world alive. It is quite the dependent circle where each relies on the other so much. I didn't reealize that my spending was actually helping to avoid recession and unemployment.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 1999

Here is my 4th Utne Response dated 4/29/99...I also emailed to Barb

I read the article titled "Out to Lunch" by Joe Robinson. It was an article that made me smile throughout! It discussed how humans are "biphasic" creatures that require days broken up by 2 periods of sleep instead of one up-till-you-drop "monophasic" shift. So, based on this biological rhythm, our bodies need a nap in the afternoon, right after a healthy lunch! This is a thought that my body reminds me of daily as I return to work after my lunch break. I feel tired and lazy, almost as if I am unable to keep eyes open! My energy diminishes compared to the level I begin my day with. On the days I am not at work, I can take advantage of that bit of free time and rest during that time. The effects on my body are amazing. I truly do have more energy for the rest of the day, and I don't drop into bed and fall asleep immediately. I don't feel that taking a "siesta" in the day is a sign of laziness. I had wondered how so many people could all be so tired after lunch and into the early afternoon. Could it really be a coincidence with such a large number of people? Hardly so. This article explained the biology of this. I could not see the United States taking ahold of the idea of taking a break in the afternoon. However, crazier things have happened!

-- Anonymous, April 29, 1999