The source I chose is a video uploaded to YouTube. The name of the video is “The Future of Terrorism – A different lens.” Since we haven’t been able to stop domestic abuse, stealing or murder, the question is how do we stop terrorism. It’s a controversial subject because of the different descriptions.  Is it violence against citizens or political violence?  Is it true that one man’s terrorism is another man’s freedom? Maybe, that’s all based upon perception. Violence is not (always) the answer; violence should be used as a last, last resort for solving a problem. I’m not convinced that it solves half the problems that people initiate the act in the first place. Terrorism is a crime and we have spent many years trying to prevent people from committing crimes. It seems to be an ongoing struggle. Conflicts are viewed differently by different people. One key trait about terrorists that truly sets them apart into their own (negative) category is that they target civilians directly. Peoples reactions to military invasions or occupations of another country create an atmosphere of rebellion. During World War II freedom fighters fought against Nazi occupation. They attacked soldiers but they didn’t plant bombs to kill women and children. The fear of terrorism makes everyone less engaging, less likely to reach out and connect with strangers. Building relationships with people that are different from yourself is a way of dealing with terrorism by possibly connecting with that one person are group of people who might become disenchanted and ultimately join a terrorist group. We can also influence policy makers around the world and gain more hope for the future.

In connection to chapter 16’s reading on war and terrorism, it connects quite closely to the points discussed in the PowerPoint. One concept as to what is the ideal deterrent is education. Men and women that are involved in terrorist networks send their children to schools where they are trained in that ideology. It is extremists’ attitudes and behavior which ultimately leads to terrorism. Quite possibly, education can be used, I’m sure it already is being used, to change extremist attitudes and behavior. Furthermore, fighting terrorism becomes more difficult when several countries are involved with different agendas and when mistakes are made it can complicate things even more. One example is when a large group of Isis fighters escaped from Syrian Kurd custody when the US president allowed turkey to take back land they claimed in northern Syria. The Kurds who were US allies were forced to retreat also. Many civilians died and the group of terrorists that fled are now free to continue to attack the United States and other countries. Another concept discussed in chapter 16 is radicalization. Radicalization is a phenomenon that is an individual behavior. Each person makes the decision themselves. It doesn’t always lead to a destructive force as is the case with the suffragist movement which made a very important contribution to society in gaining for women the right to vote. The fear of terrorism makes everyone less engaging, less likely to reach out and connect with strangers. Building relationships with people that are different from yourself is a way of dealing with terrorism by possibly connecting with that one person are group of people who might become disenchanted and ultimately join a terrorist group. Education can be more effective than military action. We can also influence policy makers around the world and gain more hope for the future. As complex as terrorism is, ordinary people can become involved and make a difference. It takes one to initiate change and one million starts with one.

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The source I chose is a TedTalk video uploaded to YouTube. The Ted Talk was conducted by David Ludwig in December of 2011. The name of the Ted Talk is Diet Technology and Chronic Disease. Ludwig discusses how over the years and decades of time, humans have worked to develop technology to improve food in various ways such as amount, safety, digestibility, storage life, taste, transportability and dependability. Following a timeline from the use of stone tools, to the use of fire for cooking, to the domestication of animals, grain and other plants, to the production of white flour and sugar and finally to petrochemicals and biotechnology in the production of fast food and food extrusion, we can see how we arrived at a commodity based diet. The impact of technology has led to a diet dominated by a few staple grains, a huge increase in calories and a decrease in nutrient density of the foods we eat today. While populations have expanded, also has protein and micronutrient deficiency diseases especially with grain refinement. Today, the standard American diet is dependent on highly processed foods and while this has decreased the time spent in food preparation, cooking and lower cost of food, it has had a major effect on chronic disease development. Highly processed foods are designed to resemble natural foods and are prepared primarily from three plant foods: corn, wheat and soy plus the animals raised on these products. These highly addictive foods are marketed in enormous variety, whereas, traditional diets were composed of whole foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and similar foods and marketed in limited forms. The intake of fast food has gone from 2% in 2010 to 20% of calories in children’s diet since the 1970s. Adolescents massively overconsume fast food under a variety of experimental conditions – 50% total energy needs in one meal. In the past 50 years, there has been a dramatic increase in portion sizes of processed foods and a very small difference in cost. There is also a significant reduction in fiber, micro nutrient and phytochemicals with processing. The dietary fiber in whole unprocessed foods have a beneficial effect on body weight and chronic diseases like CVD & diabetes. It also has a possible protection against cancer and a potential reduction in mortality. Fats used in the processing of ultra processed foods are linked to heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Obesity may decrease life expectancy 2 to 5 years or more by mid-century. This figure is higher than all cancers combined (Oishansky, Ludwig 2005). This TedTalk aired in 2011 and the prediction was that by 2020, more than 50% of the US adult population will have pre-diabetes or diabetes. Annual costs approaching $500 billion (Center for Health Reform and Modernization UnitedHealth 2010). By 2030, total annual economic costs of cardiovascular disease in the UNited States predicted to exceed $1 trillion (Heidenreich et al Circulation, 2011).

In connection to chapter 13’s reading on the subject of health, it connects quite closely to the points discussed in Ludwig’s TedTalk. There are measures that can be taken. While they are relatively simple in concept, they are truthful yet politically challenging. These measures aim for a more sustainable approach to food. Firstly, government technology can be redesigned so that agricultural subsidies are used to promote public health over profit. Agricultural technology can be redirected with the capacity to produce more vegetables, fruits, legumes, etc. and to regulate the food advertising/marketing, especially to children. Another measure that can be taken is to adequately fund school lunches and related nutrition programs. On a widespread scale, the public can opt to buy fewer ultra-processed foods and prepare meals at home with fresh ingredients. To continue, another measure schools can take is to bring back the home economics curriculum by teaching kids how to cook, restaurants could do their part in creating more convenient, inexpensive meals prepared from whole food. The industry, on a general scale, could use higher nutritional value ingredients and market minimally processed foods. For instance, preservation methods that protect polyunsaturated fats can be used. A better diet, a whole food, plant-based diet would lead to fewer people with chronic diseases, fewer doctor visits, lower insurance costs and altogether, promote a healthier nation.

The source I chose is a TedTalk video uploaded to YouTube. The Ted Talk “The Future of Families: four discoveries that change everything” was conducted by George Carey in November of 2015. Carey’s company conducted a grand study with the goal of getting a glimpse into the future of families. The objective was to better understand the new relationship between parents and their kids. In the study, the researchers showed the participants, the moms and dads all around the world two pictures and asked them which picture represented their family. The first picture was of a mother duck and her babies following after her. The second picture was of a baby elephant walking with her mother following her baby. They then asked the parents which of the images best represented how they saw their role as parents. The duck example is representative of parents leading the way with children following their example whereas the elephant example is representative of kids leading the way with guidance from parents. The results were as followed, 58% off parents responded with a connection to the 58% elephant example while 42% off parents responded with a connection to the duck example. While talking to parents, they noticed that a new phrase has crept into the discourse, which is ‘best friend’. They found this to be very widespread around the world and very surprising. Typically, the parents with kids ages of 6 to 12 were most commonly using the phrase ‘best friend.’ Parents of earlier generations were the authority figure and it was mostly accepted. Moms would say, “Because I said so.” or “Because I’m the mom.”  Parents would let their kids have decide on simple matters such as choosing which snack they wanted or what clothes to wear for the day.

The new face of modern family decision making is as follows:

            1.         48% Parent control

            2.         75% Collaborative

            3.         49% Kid control

When millennial parents were asked who in the family has the final word, dads answered 38% and moms answered 25%. This is having a profound impact on what the kids eat, what they do and how they behave. Smoking advertisements didn’t work very well until the advertisements against the dangers of second hand smoke were introduced then parents begin to pay more attention because it affected their children.

A question asked children before the year 2000 what things they were most concerned about.

Their answers:

            1.         Having more fun

            2.         Getting what I want for my birthday

            3.         Doing well in school

            4.         More time with friends

            5.         Being health

            6.         Being liked

            7.         Having to eat food I don’t like

In 2016 this question was asked again of kids. Their answers:

            1.         The future

            2.         Getting bad grades

            3.         Parents separating

            4.         War

            5.         Dying

            6.         School shooting

            7.         Getting arrested

In connection to chapter 10, the TedTalk demonstrates the dramatic changes that have been occurring within the family unit and I think these changes bring considerable problems with them. For instance, children have limited life experience and maturity to always make serious decisions on their own. Parents abdicating guidance, might leave a child, even more vulnerable to peer pressure, thus more apt to making a bad decision. Such may involve the honesty in a young child or the sexual activity in a teenager. Healthy eating is negatively affected if a child has a lot more control over his food choices and doesn’t have parenting rules to follow. One problem we see today in the classroom is how disruptive children are. One contributory factor to this disruptive behavior is kids’ cell phone use in the classroom. It is very difficult to get to kids to not pull them out and use them, as frustrating as that is for the instructor. However, in previous generations, there was more respect for the authority of the teacher. There is certainly a lot more to worry about in today’s culture. It’s important to have the guidance of a parent in navigating the world and keep your best friends within your own age group.

The source I chose is a YouTube video by Crash Course. The video “Social Class & Poverty in the US: Crash Course Sociology #36” discusses several aspects of aging. To begin, one point discussed is how the median age has slowly, but surely increased over the last 70 years. In 1950, the median age was 23 and increased to 30 by 2015. It is estimated by 2050 that the median age will increase to 36. The video discusses how exactly birth rates have declined and what factors were contributory. To illustrate, the video states the term total fertility rate, the average number of children that a woman of childbearing age will bore. In the late 1950s, total fertility rates reached a peak of 3.7 million; however, in 2010, total fertility rates dropped to 1.8 million. Furthermore, another point discussed in the video is how aging increases risk factors for various diseases, specifically chronic diseases. Those in wealthy countries have increased chances to live healthy lives for the majority of their lives, then experience rapid health declines compressed into the end of life. Wealthy elderly people are less likely to face rapid health decline than their poor counterparts. While women tend to have longer life expectancies, women also tend to suffer more from chronic illnesses. Altogether, this Crash Course video is an excellent source. It provides in-depth explanations, evidence-based claims, logical reasoning with the use of clear and concise language, overall making it an excellent source.

In connection to chapter 6, this video highlights several points on the topic of aging. To begin, the video brings up the point that with increased affluence in countries comes longevity and decreased birth rates and with that a growing elderly population. The cultural implications of this we learned from chapter 6 is the difficulties countries face in caring for their elderly. The elderly and the poor will be Most impacted by future natural disasters and having access to adequate medical care and food and water. With a disproportionate number of younger people in the workplace, governments will need to plan for future problems. In certain scenarios, employers may be unwilling to hire older workers if they don’t think they can compete in the job with the younger worker and racial prejudice also can be a factor. An employer benefit in hiring older workers is the dependability and integrity that is found in older employees. This leads to less governmental cost with the employee being able to be more financially secure. Because of the biological and psychological changes that occur with aging it’s in any society’s best interest to encourage healthy eating and physical activities to improve the health of all of its citizens.

Works Cited:

“Age & Aging: Crash Course Sociology #36.” YouTube, YouTube, 2017, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ18whKduFo.

The source I chose is a YouTube video by Crash Course. The video “Social Class & Poverty in the US: Crash Course Sociology #24” discusses how social class and poverty are connected with one another. The video discusses what a social class is – a group that is fairly similar in terms of income, education, power and prestige in society. Social class can be divided into five sub-classes: upper class, upper middle class, average middle class, working class and lower class. Those in the upper-class control much of nations wealth, have substantial political power and have a net worth of $250,000+. Within the upper class, there are those with ‘old’ money and those with ‘money.’ Those with ‘old’ money are those who inherited wealth while those with ‘new’ money are those who worked for it; examples include celebrities and founders in technology. To continue, the upper middle class refers to those with a net worth of $115,000+. Two thirds of adults in the upper middle class have college degrees, many with graduate degrees. Those in the average middle class have annual incomes between $50,000 and $115,000 annually. Those in the in the lower-middle class have incomes between $25,000 and $50,000 annually; these folks commonly work in manual labor jobs, thus coining the term ‘working class.’ Those with annual incomes of $25,000 and below fall under the lower class. Jobs under the lower class are commonly part-time, non-benefitted. Approximately 20% of Americans are in the lower class. This Crash Course video provides in-depth explanations, evidence-based claims, logical reasoning with the use of clear and concise language, overall making it an excellent source.

Poverty is a significant issue in our society today. A large majority of those living in poverty are employed, which the term ‘working poor’ was coined. Many of those are working for minimum wage or holding down multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Likewise, there are many families that fall in the range of what could be considered as in-between, although it is not quite low enough to be considered in poverty. In fact, in 2018, 10.6% of men, and 12.9% of women in the United States lived in poverty (povertyusa.org). Poverty would increase dramatically by approximately 25 million people without governmental assistance programs. These programs include social security, SNAP benefits, Medicaid, childcare subsidies and housing subsidies. Furthermore, race and poverty are correlated with one another. To be specific, African Americans, Latinos are almost three times as likely as non-Latino whites to be poor. One of the major problems in our society today is racism. Stereotypes and prejudice are also connected with racism. Racism refers to a set of beliefs about the claimed superiority of one racial group over others. Stereotypes are a widely held, oversimplified idea of a type of person or thing while prejudice is an idea about the characteristics of a group and subsequently, applied to all members of that group. Poverty and racial inequality connect to the source of the Crash Course YouTube video because the subjects of social class, poverty, racial inequality, prejudice are related with one another. In terms of puzzle pieces, many of these concepts fit together like a puzzle piece, filling in one aspect of the grand picture. Altogether, these connected topics make up at least a significant part of social problems and sociology.

Works Cited:

“The Population of Poverty USA.” Poverty USA, 2019, http://www.povertyusa.org/facts.

Unknown, Author. “Social Class & Poverty in the US: Crash Course Sociology #24.” YouTube, YouTube, 2017, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8PEv5SV4sU.

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
• Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.