Stem cell research will be the new frontier explored by scientists throughout the country over the next decade. The knowledge we gain and the advances we make may rival the expansion of the computer field. Once the floodgate is opened, I firmly believe we will find cures for many of the genetic diseases and defects currently afflicting the population. Unfortunately, this will also lead to misuse of the technology and science, but that is what always happens. Science and technology are not inherently good or evil but it is up to the user to determine how, when and where to apply it.
We'll be able to find ways to regenerate organs so diabetics can get a new pancrease and leave the insulin behind but someone will find a way to increase the size of the lungs and heart so we have super athletes without using banned substances. The list goes on and on regarding the pros and cons of using stem cells to repair or fix that which is broken. I think that's the main reason people who oppose the research use to justify their stance whether they verbalize it or not. They feel we were brought into this world the way we are and so we shouldn't fix what's not broken since we are made in God's image. If that were true, why do we continue to produce stem cells in our own bodies?
I don't have enough backup evidence to fully support my feelings but I know that it is just human nature to explore and work out that which we don't know. In the ancient world, what is now considered science was thought to be magic or the god's will. As we learned more about the world around us, we were able to put a rational explanation around most occurances. We will continue to do so because we are naturally curious about what makes the world go round.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
State of the Union
I believe the time for big unions has come to an end. I spent many years working in a city where the unions held more power than most of the elected officials so I have seen not only the good but bad side of the whole union machinery. As with all things, there are exceptions to the rule, but I disagree that a group of people can hold sway over others to the degree of the unions.
I witnessed the shortsightedness and inconsiderateness of the union mentality during an exposition in Chicago. A vendor tripped the fuse for his booth and needed the electrician to check the wiring and reset the fuse. When the electrician arrived, he notice a small piece of the booth had been erected across the corner of the fusebox. It was only a small 1x2 board that barely covered the corner. But since it was wood attached with a screw, someone from the carpenters union needed to remove it. If the electrician did the work and someone caught him doing it, he might be banned from that convention center. The vendor had to wait for nearly 4 hours for a carpenter who spent less that 2 minutes readjusting the board so the panel was accessible. How could you put a price on the lost sales due to the union rules?
I don't understand how the auto unions can be so rigid in the face of the worst economical crisis we as a country are facing. The various unions associated with the airlines all agreed to concessions to keep the airlines flying and out of bankruptcy. The various perks the auto union workers enjoy should be revoked and the cost savings funneled directly back to the buyer. Salaries should be on par with the local economy based on seniority and median salary for the area. Just because the union can stand their ground and force the auto companies to benk over backwards does not gice them right to do so.
If I have the option of buying non-union products, I will do so in the same manner as free trade product.
I witnessed the shortsightedness and inconsiderateness of the union mentality during an exposition in Chicago. A vendor tripped the fuse for his booth and needed the electrician to check the wiring and reset the fuse. When the electrician arrived, he notice a small piece of the booth had been erected across the corner of the fusebox. It was only a small 1x2 board that barely covered the corner. But since it was wood attached with a screw, someone from the carpenters union needed to remove it. If the electrician did the work and someone caught him doing it, he might be banned from that convention center. The vendor had to wait for nearly 4 hours for a carpenter who spent less that 2 minutes readjusting the board so the panel was accessible. How could you put a price on the lost sales due to the union rules?
I don't understand how the auto unions can be so rigid in the face of the worst economical crisis we as a country are facing. The various unions associated with the airlines all agreed to concessions to keep the airlines flying and out of bankruptcy. The various perks the auto union workers enjoy should be revoked and the cost savings funneled directly back to the buyer. Salaries should be on par with the local economy based on seniority and median salary for the area. Just because the union can stand their ground and force the auto companies to benk over backwards does not gice them right to do so.
If I have the option of buying non-union products, I will do so in the same manner as free trade product.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Another area for change - Education
There are so many areas within our educational system that need help and I know I don't understand half of it since I'm only viewing it from the outside as a parent. Where to start? Salaries for teachers? Standardized testing? Class size? School Size? No Child left behind? The list could go on.
There's been an email that circulates from time to time listing the things a fifth grader, or eighth grader, used to know before 1900. We all chuckle and go on about how irrelevant that is. Yet I look at what I was taught in high school and compare that to some of the current college graduates, I understand why that email continues to make the rounds. I feel I had a more expansive and rounded education by my senior year than many of the college students who slide through school. Granted, I had access to various AP classed and took advantage of them, but still, there are too many who graduate lacking some of the necessary skills for today's world.
If you look at high school graduates, the situation becomes even scarier. Too many don't have the requisite cognitive cabilities to excel. We no longer push students to excel since classes are taught at a level to ensure as many pass as possible. No longer are teachers given the true freedom of teaching the way they feel is best since the funding for the school is dependent on meeting the criteria set forth by No Child Left Behind. The students who would normally be allowed to speed through the material and move on to other topics must now wait on those who are struggling. Not that this is all bad since it might help the faster or smarter students gain an appreciation for the talent they possess. At the same time, they will lose interest in the topics and for education itself. The slower students will likely grow bitter with themselves as they realize they are holding others back. The teachers will lose interest in teaching since they now have to follow a very specific syllabus designed to bring a supposed parity to the education a child receives. There are too many tests designed to make sure each child grasps the concepts before they can move on that the teacher has no time to add additional topics or sections if the class shows interest in a section.
Maybe this will be changed with the new administration. Stay tuned for the next little rant.
There's been an email that circulates from time to time listing the things a fifth grader, or eighth grader, used to know before 1900. We all chuckle and go on about how irrelevant that is. Yet I look at what I was taught in high school and compare that to some of the current college graduates, I understand why that email continues to make the rounds. I feel I had a more expansive and rounded education by my senior year than many of the college students who slide through school. Granted, I had access to various AP classed and took advantage of them, but still, there are too many who graduate lacking some of the necessary skills for today's world.
If you look at high school graduates, the situation becomes even scarier. Too many don't have the requisite cognitive cabilities to excel. We no longer push students to excel since classes are taught at a level to ensure as many pass as possible. No longer are teachers given the true freedom of teaching the way they feel is best since the funding for the school is dependent on meeting the criteria set forth by No Child Left Behind. The students who would normally be allowed to speed through the material and move on to other topics must now wait on those who are struggling. Not that this is all bad since it might help the faster or smarter students gain an appreciation for the talent they possess. At the same time, they will lose interest in the topics and for education itself. The slower students will likely grow bitter with themselves as they realize they are holding others back. The teachers will lose interest in teaching since they now have to follow a very specific syllabus designed to bring a supposed parity to the education a child receives. There are too many tests designed to make sure each child grasps the concepts before they can move on that the teacher has no time to add additional topics or sections if the class shows interest in a section.
Maybe this will be changed with the new administration. Stay tuned for the next little rant.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
What a time to be alive
As one of the most influential years in US History comes to a close, I just felt the need to start writing down thoughts and concerns as they come.
Nobody will ever doubt the election of Barack Obama as the President of the United States signalled a definitive change in direction for not only the country but the world. It shows there really are no limits if you set your sights high enough, believe strongly enough and persevere through everything thrown in your path. It also showed the country is ready for something different than the past. Only time will tell if it's better, but given the current environment and situation the country is in, I don't see how it couldn't be. All I know for sure is the job of the President is one that I have never dreamed of having nor would I care to have. I have enough stress in my own life without the added responsibility of running one of the greatest countries.
We all know the economy is in deep trouble. I've got some basics thoughts about how to fix it. First, wouldn't it be great if all the professional athletes decided to donate 10% of their salaries to helping rebuild run-down, impoverished communities. I mean, if you're making $2,000,000 a year, what's $200,000 in the big picture? If you got 20 or more players together, you're looking at more than $4,000,000 that could be used for rebuilding the poor areas of the urban centers through out the country. I don't know enough about the economics of it all, but I know that would in turn mean more jobs created in order to build the new housing. Why should we wait on the government to help restart this country.
My second idea is a corollary to the first. What if all corporate officers agreed to taking a cut so the difference between the top and bottom salaries were a factor of 50? If the CEO couldn't make more than 50 times the mail clerk, or whoever is the lowest paid FTE, it would mean the bottom salaries would definitely raise and that would also impact outside jobs since there would be more disposal income available to a larger group of people.
Any thoughts? Comments?
Nobody will ever doubt the election of Barack Obama as the President of the United States signalled a definitive change in direction for not only the country but the world. It shows there really are no limits if you set your sights high enough, believe strongly enough and persevere through everything thrown in your path. It also showed the country is ready for something different than the past. Only time will tell if it's better, but given the current environment and situation the country is in, I don't see how it couldn't be. All I know for sure is the job of the President is one that I have never dreamed of having nor would I care to have. I have enough stress in my own life without the added responsibility of running one of the greatest countries.
We all know the economy is in deep trouble. I've got some basics thoughts about how to fix it. First, wouldn't it be great if all the professional athletes decided to donate 10% of their salaries to helping rebuild run-down, impoverished communities. I mean, if you're making $2,000,000 a year, what's $200,000 in the big picture? If you got 20 or more players together, you're looking at more than $4,000,000 that could be used for rebuilding the poor areas of the urban centers through out the country. I don't know enough about the economics of it all, but I know that would in turn mean more jobs created in order to build the new housing. Why should we wait on the government to help restart this country.
My second idea is a corollary to the first. What if all corporate officers agreed to taking a cut so the difference between the top and bottom salaries were a factor of 50? If the CEO couldn't make more than 50 times the mail clerk, or whoever is the lowest paid FTE, it would mean the bottom salaries would definitely raise and that would also impact outside jobs since there would be more disposal income available to a larger group of people.
Any thoughts? Comments?
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