5a) Read the Essential Question, Pro/Con articles, and Viewpoints to learn about the claims of your Leading Issue topic of argument. What are all the claims related to the Leading Issue topic of argument you selected? (A claim is a position on a topic you will argue with evidence to support it).
Schools mostly dismiss bullying as "kids just being kids", however bullying is a human rights violation. It is full of attacks against the powerless by the powerful. At the beginning of "An End to Bullying", a teacher actually taught students that Mexicans were to blame for drug trafficking, and therefore a Mexican 5th grader was bullied and suspended for misconduct. Most schools rely on staff to help stop the bullying, but they don't do or say the right things. They're not as good as students in said situations. Schools don't do as much as they should to stop bullying, despite the anti-bullying speeches and programs. There is also cyber-bullying, where students can't escape because it is everywhere. That caused more suicides than bullying at school. Parents do try to defend their kids from bullying, but deny or ignore the fact that they raised bullies.

5b) Think about which claim you would like to be the focus of your argument. Think about this: 'Which claim do I most strongly agree with?' If you want to challenge yourself even more, select a claim you do not strongly agree with for a more challenging topic of logical argument.
I think all of the claims are good causes for bullying. I would mostly use either how the school does not do enough or how parents actually let this happen.
5c) Decide on the main claim of your argument. Review all the claims related to your selected .Leading Issue topic of argument. Which claim is the focus of your argument?
 The main claim of this argument is that people either do nothing to stop bullying or not enough. People like bystanders, scared adults, and parents let the bullying continue. If people actually use common sense and make an effort to end the bullying, we wouldn't have so many suicides or depressed teenagers. School and life might actually be better. 

5) Explore what you already know. Access Leading Issue summaries ("Topic Overview" or "At Issue" Pages) and Timeline (under Research Tools) from the SIRS Leading Issue you have chosen. In 3-5 sentences, summarize the background and historical information of the Leading Issue you selected. Include main controversies, key figures, important organizations, and key events.

Briefly list what you know about your topic already. Consider the following:

• Surprising facts or statistics- Schools do more harm than good when it comes to bullying. Half of bullies take out their anger on people from other forms of abuse, while the other half do it under peer pressure.

• the extent of the problem- The extent of the problem is that most suicides are caused by bullying and 2,000 teens commit suicide each year.

• important people or institutions involved- The "It Gets Better Club" of CSI,  William S. Burroughs, ALL SCHOOLS, LGBT club

• key schools of thought- I.S.51 middle school, Port Richmond high school

• common misconceptions- School counselors keep saying "Go to an adult." or "come to me if you need help", however these cannot stop bullying at all. If the bully finds out, things can only get worse.

• observations you've made- There are three types of people in a bullying society: Bullies, victims, and bystanders. Bullies do the harm first and attack the victims. The victims take the abuse, go under depression, and die. Bystanders do nothing out of fear.

• important trends- Pornography, Violence, Cyberbullying, Rape, Abuse,
• 7 in 10 young people are victims of cyberbullying.
• 37% of them are experiencing cyberbullying on a highly frequent basis.
• 20% of young people are experiencing extreme cyberbullying on a daily basis.
• New research suggests that young males and females are equally at risk of cyberbullying.
• Young people found to be twice as likely to be cyber bullied on Facebook as on any other social network.
• 54% of young people using Facebook reported that they have experienced cyberbullying on the social network.
• Facebook, Ask.FM and Twitter found to be the most likely sources of cyberbullying, being the highest in traffic of all social networks.
• Cyberbullying found to have catastrophic effects upon the self-esteem and social lives of up to 70% of young people.
• An estimated 5.43 million young people in the UK have experienced cyberbullying, with 1.26 million subjected to extreme cyberbullying on a daily basis.

• major controversies- The major controversies of bullying are 

1. The uncovered bullying controversies of California
2. Victims are afraid to stand up and tell someone or fight back.
3. Schools try to hide the facts they have bullies
4.  

4b) Why are you most interested in the topic of argument selected?
         I am most interested in bullying because I am a victim of bullying. I want to try to stop it, or at least help victims through it. Bullying causes depression and teen suicide, so I can talk about those topics, as well, which is very beneficial to me. I want to discuss bullying because I have always felt really strong about this topic. I have joined several clubs on this topic, gave awareness to others, and helped my friends who go through it everyday so there isn't any casualties. 

4a) Make a final decision about your logical argument research topic. What is it? Questions to ask yourself:

What have we been studying in class this year?
We have been studying on how to correctly use search engines, the different search engines, and how to research topics. Apparently, this is what we'll be doing in college.
Which subjects appeal to me?
All eight of my topics appeal to me. I guess, for the most part, it is bullying and depression with a little dash of teen suicides.
What are people writing about?
People are writing about global issues and social issues. They write about wars between countries, citizens, and our own internal conflicts. People basically write about problems, however they never write about the answers.
What's most interesting to me?
I guess my strength is the most interesting thing about me. I could be bad. I could have dissolved into the immature, average teenager and completely fail everything. I could not have been able to take responsibility and take care of me or my family. However, despite everything happening around me, my background, everything that turns a cliche movie character into the "bad guy", I remain good deal with things in a semi mature way.
Can I find information about that?
Oh, I hope so. I want to research a person's mental strength and capability of evolving into a mature adult despite everything around them. I want to test a person's patience, knowledge, sanity, and maturity, so hopefully I can research this topic.

Critical Analysis

Bullying: 
Do you think schools are doing enough to stop bullying? Explain your answer.
   No I do not think schools are doing enough to stop bullying. Like I said before, the staff always tried to get away from conflict, so they would barely help me, explaining the number of times I stayed home, went to the counselor, or the office with parents.
  How should bullies be punished?
  Not punished, necessarily, but helped. I don't believe bullies being punished is necessarily the answer. I think they should be in a seminar weekly to see what it's like to be bullied or the consequences they face or the victims face.
What should schools do to help students who are the victims of bullies?
  STOP AVOIDING CONFLICT AND FACE THE FACTS! Schools should make more efforts. If the students are bullied at all, maybe they should be in an activity to express how they feel and help them stand up to the bullies without fighting.
What are the reasons that students bully other students? How can this behavior be changed?
  Reasons that students bully other students is that they are insecure themselves or placed into peer pressure. Maybe they are pressured to bully students by their "cool friends" or are abused emotionally or physically themselves and take out their anger on others. This behavior can be changed by explaining to them that it is not helping anyone.

Discrimination, Racial:
Why is racism so rife in the world?
  Racism is rife in the world because some citizens don't favor the change at all. I hate to say this, but that category falls under policemen as well sometimes.
How should racial discrimination be addressed?
  Racial discrimination should be addressed by the "Martin Luther King Jr. Method". If there is any segregated place to eat, go somewhere else. If there is a bus that only accepts white passengers, take a different bus.
Has the United States done enough to address the historical injustices to African Americans, Native Americans and other groups? If not, what needs to be done?
   No, they have not. There should be laws against expressed racism. Even state officials have to obey them.

Suicide, Teenagers:
Should schools provide screening for mental illnesses and suicidal tendencies?
Yes schools should provide screening for mental illness and suicidal tendencies. Since students spend more time at school than at home during the day, they can get a lot of help there.
What other steps can society take to limit the number of teen suicides?
Society can provide a mental help seminar for teen suicides and suicidal teens. Students can hear from their peers and talk it out with people closer to their age (therefore, more reliable sources). 
Is increased pressure in the school environment to blame for increased suicide rates?
Yes, increased pressure in the school is to blame for increased suicide rates. The pressure from teachers, parents, and bullying does make teens become depressed, turn to substance abuse, or end terms by their own hands when they crack.
Is the decline of the traditional family to blame for increased suicide rates?
It could be. I don't exactly know what that means, but families unwillingly pressure their children a lot.
Are mental and/or substance abuse disorders contributing factors to suicide?
Oh my goodness, YES! They are a big help to causing suicide. Pressured kids turn to drugs. Drug use becomes drug abuse. Drug abuse lead to funerals.

Freedom of Speech-
Should Holocaust denial be punishable by law?
It all depends on what is being denied. If people are denying the pain Hitler put the Jewish through, everything that he did, it is wrong and should be stopped, but I don't think it's really the law's matter.
Should Congress tighten its restrictions on lobbying?
Unless the lobbying purpose is completely immoral, like increasing racism or substance abuse, no. That is actually a violation against the Freedom of Speech.
Is pornography a form of free speech deserving of constitutional protection?
If the pornography is forced, yes, the "porn stars" should be protected. However, if the pornography is by choice, then the constitution should not be able to stop it because it is also freedom of speech and expression. 
Should student expression be restricted?
Absolutely not. That is unconstitutional, unjust, and goes against the equality this country fights for. 

Cybercrimes
What are some cybercrimes that you are vulnerable to?
There is catfishing, which is when an older person (19 to 39) pretends to be a younger teen to meet targets and produce online rape. There is also cyberbullying, which is helped by social media. Often, teens spread rumors or hate on social media sites to effect others.
What steps can you take to protect yourself from cybercrime?
I can simply block the said offenders. I can also call the police if the person does not stop or tell an adult.
Is more federal regulation needed to protect your private information? Explain.
  YES. There are far too many hackers and viruses that cause damage to innocent accounts!

Date Rape and Date Violence
How can the use of cell phones contribute to dating violence and harassment?
Abusive boyfriends, girlfriends, or rapists can text and call the victim. They communicate to make threats to the person or sexual harassing terms.
Why do some girls stay in abusive relationships?
Some girls are afraid to get out of their relationships. They are scared of the boyfriend doing something worse than what they have been enduring. Some other girls defend their boyfriends because they are blinded or manipulated by the love the boy gives them otherwise.
What can be done to educate teens and their parents about the warning signs of dating violence?
Social seminars should help abusers or victims and their families with the warning signs of dating violence. There can be classes, counselors, meetings and much more about dating violence and help the abuser stop or the victim escape.
Do you think the prevalence of sexual content in the media contributes to dating violence? Why or why not?
  Unfortunately, it does. Guys can get the wrong idea about how to treat their girls by the media or their friends who also use the site. 

Depression
Do the facts seem to support the claim that some antidepressants cause an increased rate of suicide in young people?
Yes, they do. Depressed people are subscribed antidepressants. However, they can not be trusted to follow the regulations when things get harder for them. People tend to overdose and that kills them.
Do the potential risks of antidepressants outweigh the potential benefits?
Yes, they do. Sometimes, according to the victim, they do more harm than good.
If you were a physician and chose to not use prescription antidepressant drug therapy to treat clinical depression in a young person, what alternative treatments would you choose?
I would send the person to a professional counselor or group to hopefully heal their pain. I won't allow drugs at all.
 

 

4) Prewriting Question

• What cases can be made for or against X?

1.  Bullying- People can say that bullying is a sign of weak insecurity (PRO) however, it is still wrong and can lead to indirect murder (CON). Schools do try to prevent bullying and conflict (PRO) however, they are not doing enough or what they are promising. I was actually yelled at or looked down upon by the staff at my old school because I was the victim. They actually tried defending the bullies! (CON)
2. Discrimination, Racial- People in America are agreeing to try to pay reparations for slavery (PRO). However, some argue that enough has been paid for compensation (CON). 
3. Suicide, Teenagers- Mental health screening can help professionals and parents identify children at risk for depression and suicidal urges (PRO). Mental health screening in schools violates family privacy and unfairly labels children as depressed or suicidal. (CON). Preventing suicide is not a bad thing (PRO), but some institutions call it impossible. (CON)
4. Freedom of Speech- Freedom of Speech is one of the Amendments and should be respected for all ages (PROS). However, some schools are questioning whether student expression should be restricted.
5. Cybercrimes- The government is working on laws to protect people from cybercrimes (PROS). But, some debate that it is the companies who created said websites are to blame for the hacking cybercrimes instead of those who act it out, therefore, contemplating on taking the enjoyment away from everyone (CONS). 
6. Date Rape- There is counseling for those who cause the problems of rape and abuse, or the victims (PROS). However, the rapists in the relationships disobey the counseling, so it won't stop them. School officials or state officials can give the victim a restraining order to protect them (PROS), however, forms and threats alone won't stop the other if they don't respect the victim or the law.
7. Depression- Antidepressant drugs can improve their quality of life (PROS), however substance abuse can cause suicidal thoughts or suicide (CONS). Counseling is provided to help depression (PROS), however some deny the help or have an emotional breakdown before the help gets to them (CONS). 
8. Dating Abuse-  There is counseling for those who cause the problems of  abuse, or the victims (PROS). However, the abusers in the relationships disobey the counseling, so it won't stop them. School officials or state officials can give the victim a restraining order to protect them (PROS), however, forms and threats alone won't stop the other if they don't respect the victim or the law. Girls can have someone nearby or on speed dial to call for help (PROS), but girls are always afraid to stand up against their abusive boyfriends or they tend to deny the abuse. (CONS)

3) Potential research topics

Choose five topics that you think are potential research topics for your paper and briefly (in 2 to 5 sentences) explain why these topics are of interest to you.

• Bullying- Bullying interests because I used to be a victim. Now I use this issue as a research topic to determine how to end it and help victims as myself. I'm trying to use this as a future goal.
• Discrimination, Racial- This is a form of bullying that is worldwide. It started from workplace discrimination when different races had to join together. It goes on and on today even though segregation laws have been terminated. I hate bullying, so I hate bullying, so I hate this too. My friend is actually a victim of this abuse.
• Suicide, teenagers- Thanks to so many things, mostly bullying, teenagers have taken their own lives. I am completely and utterly disgusted by this. I want to help decrease suicidal rates.
• Freedom of Speech- While the constitution has given all Americans this right, apparently it only applies for adults. I believe in equality and some, no ALL adults have treated us teenagers like we're not as good as them. Even parents tend to look down on children. If they see one bad thing, they only listen to their side of the story, even if it's not true. Students and teenagers are never able to speak their mind.
• Cybercrimes- Such as catfishing and cyberbullying, cybercrimes have a long rage of consequences. There is rape, suicide, and bullying involved in social media.
• Date Rape- Dating needs to slow down, especially when one half does not want to go to the next level. Most victims are normally females because the males want to move ahead and "be cool" like their friends.
• Depression- A huge lead to suicide. It is like the next level before suicide. This is resulting from trauma, bullying, abuse, pressure, and much more causes. It is a psychological disease. People have died from it. I almost did, too. That's why it is one of my key interests.
• Dating Abuse- Dating abuse is the dangers behind the closed doors of relationships. It normally results from short tempers or substance abuse. The abuses will have death threats, violence, or emotional scarring. This also involves rape.

2) What "ticks you off"?

Make a list of four or five things that "tick you off." Explain why. (Choose significant things that others might experience as well. For instance, your little brother might tick you off, but there is little chance that this annoyance will yield a possible paper topic). It is possible that one of these annoyances can be transformed into an interesting, engaging, and researchable project.

1) Slow walking in the Hallways: I hate this kind of traffic because
     A) I want to go to class
     B) I have no patience if I am late
     C) I want to go home!!!
2) When people say things they shouldn't say to me: My family and friends do this all the time, like talking about my late father carelessly. They know they shouldn't say these things, yet they do.
3) Guy friend girlfriend's jealousy: This prevents me from talking to my best guy friend because the girlfriend feels insecure and "threatened" by me. Like, I know him. He's faithful and the girl already has him. Why attack ME?
4) Bullying: Hate, hate, HATE bullying because it causes unneeded drama and conflict. people do it because they would feel good about themselves? They should know that is DISGUSTING AND STUPID.
5) Drama: This has got to annoy me the most because it mostly happens with girls acquainted with me or relationships who, both of the people, are acquainted with me because I get dragged into it.

(For possible extra credit or fun)

6) Bad Timing: As in "wrong place at the wrong time" or being late. I am ready to go, but I have to wait for other people to take FOREVER to get ready.
7) Getting yelled at for something someone next to me already does: This upsets me because I don't even do anything bad or wrong. For example, for the littlest things, my parents yell at my sister. I scold her for doing those things and they yell at ME.
8) When the radio only has commercials: I listen to the radio for new songs, not the news. End of story.
9) Sexists: Girls can do things guys can do. I demand equality.

 I would explain more, but that would takeover this whole blog, not the post.

Web Literacy 2 Homework part 2.
Based on the article: Is Google Making Us Stupid?
1. Why does the author, Nicholas Carr, feel like his mind is changing as a result of the Internet?
Nicholas Carr feels like his mind is changing due to the Internet because the Internet is almost making things less challenging and more effortless for him. He used to do plenty of research but the Internet allows him to access links and copy and paste information onto his work without even reading it.

2. How does doing research today compare with doing research in a library in the old days, before the Internet? (I know you weren't around 20 years ago, but answer this based on what knowledge you have gathered about libraries in your lifetime).
Research today (on the Internet) is definitely different from the "old days" because of the technology we have invented. Back then, people actually looked for and learned information from books and the library. Now kids today rely on iPads to write their notes or apps on iPhones to find information.

3. How have Nicholas Carr's reading habits changed because of the Internet?
Nicholas Carr's reading habits have changed because he can't focus on long pieces of literature. The Internet does everything so fast and almost efficiently however, it destroys the attention span of a human being when they are actually reading something without the Internet.

4. How is reading online different than reading a long article or book? Is there a difference? Explain.
Reading online is different than reading a long article or book because for some reason, the Internet has more flair. If you get tired of reading something on the Internet, you can search for something else or click on a different link. If you were locked in a room with ONLY one book to read, you would lose interest and doze off, thinking of something else than the words directly in front of you.

5. Do you agree or disagree that our minds think like computers? Explain.
I both agree and disagree that our minds think like computers. Computers have a lot of different apps or locations upon one screen. The keyboard types what we think we want to search and, like a person thinks of a certain topic, the computer screen shows us that topic. Since it is all over the place, it is disorganized information like the human mind when it is under stress. The only different is the emotions that our minds can feel that a computer can not.

6. Do you agree or disagree that the computer "is subsuming most of our other intellectual technologies?"
Yes the computer is subsuming most of our other intellectual technologies because our minds literally change or maybe lose focus as we look at the screen of a computer. They offer ten sites of information and our mental capacity is absorbed as we read the information that could be false or true. Our brains are so into the stuff we see on the computer, we don't prepare ourselves for the real world. We can't ace tests from just reading from the computer and we can't socially interact in person if we just text over social media. Basically, the Internet takes our capability to do anything without technology.

7. Why do you think The New York Times changed its format? Do you think it was a good idea or a bad idea? Why?
The new York Times changed its format because it wanted to advertise more things on the website like every site does. This is a good idea because it helps market the organization a bit more, but bad idea because those ads can cause viruses.

8. What does Nicholas Carr mean by "knowledge work?"
Nicholas Carr meant to say "knowledge work" as in to say that the computer is advancing to be like our mentality or better. It's advancing to know so much, people can't use their brains anymore because they rely a lot on the computer. That "knowledge work" is that the computer will make itself for reliable than our minds when their are no computers around.

9. Do you agree or disagree that Google has been successful in its mission "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful?"
Google has somewhat been successful in its mission. Some of the sites are thoroughly accurate or they can be completely false.

10. How does Google's mission compare with a library's mission in light of the fact that there is no fiction or nonfiction section on the Internet, but there is a fiction and a nonfiction section in a library, and that all the books are organized on the shelves in a library, but "scattered on the floor" of the Internet?

A library's information is more organized. It has anime sections, nonfiction sections, fiction sections, classic sections, mystery, sci-fi, biography and young adult. Meanwhile, the Internet has information "scattered on the floor" because it's not organized.
11. Do you think it would be a good thing if your own brain and intelligence were "supplemented, or even replaced, by an artificial intelligence?"
No, I don't think it would be a good thing if my intelligence was replaced by an artificial intelligence. People can have answers for academic problems, but they couldn't figure out the problems of life (mistakes, social, romance, etc...)

12. Do you think that the human brain is "just an outdated computer that needs a faster processor and a bigger hard drive?" Why or why not?
No, the human brain is more original. Yes, it does take time to develop and learn new things, but at the very least it is original. If the human mind was altered, the world or the individual would not be better.
13. What do you think about your own surfing habits, the links you click on and the pages you view, being an opportunity for "Google and other companies to collect information about you and to feed you advertisements?"
I honestly don't know how to respond to that. It's almost a violation of privacy to who people are away from the outside world, but it's nice that the computer remembers to keep it bookmarked for us.
14. How does the above compare to reading a book? Do you agree or disagree that companies online, collecting data about us by what we click on and view, are using subversive tactics to discourage "leisurely reading," and "slow, concentrated thought?" Are you yourself driven to distraction while on the Web? How or how not?

I agree companies give us online stories to decrease our focus because of the business and publicity they receive. We are driven to distraction because of how much information and attractions these sites have.
15. Do you agree with Socrates that the development of writing led to people using the written word as a substitute for the knowledge they carried around in their heads? Why or why not?
Yes, I almost agree with this statement. People will lose the memory of the knowledge inside their own heads if we only focus on the information given to us by a different source. However, writing at least gives us writers a sense of concentration and logic.

16. Do you think the Internet is doing the same thing? Why or why not? How or how not?
The Internet is actually doing the same thing. Take Google Translate for example. Not every translation that site has to offer is right. If we copy everything from that website onto a foreign language assignment, there is a 50% possibility most of it is wrong. If we use what WE learned on the assignment, there is a bigger possibility of getting a good grade.

17. How do your own reading habits compare to what Nicholas Carr describes in this article?
My reading habits have not actually been like Nicholas Carr's. I do read some stories on the Internet, however I limit myself and correct my habits by picking up an actual book.
18. So, do you think Google really is making us stupid? Why or why not? How or how not?
Google is making us stupid by changing how we think in real life. Thanks to Google, we don't have our own reasoning, logic, knowledge or opinions. We are basically walking computers or will be if this continues.

Web Literacy 2 Homework part 1

1) If you believe that all students should be Web literate, what is the best strategy for your school to prepare you with this skill? Explain.
The best strategy for our school to prepare us with this skill is to start computer related classes, such as Digital Arts or Graphic arts. These can help familiarize a student with a computer and its functions. Computer Science can also help, too. There should also be more classes like College Research Skills as well because it helps us create blogs and wikispaces as well as getting used to them.
2) What skills should all teachers have to be Web literate? Explain.
All teachers have to be well updated on the present functions of the Internet. They should know helpful and educational sites as well as how to use newly developed search engines. If the teachers know how to use the websites, that could help the students. The teachers might be able to know more about the Internet than the students.
3) What role should school filtering play in your school district? Explain why schools should block or not block Web sites.
 School filtering should play the role of protecting students from distractions. While a class concerning the Internet is good, students can use this to their advantage and go on websites to take them away from class time. There are distracting websites such as YouTube or Facebook that students will take the opportunity to use during class. I don't mean to go against my fellow classmates, but the school should at least block those websites at those certain times but not search engines like Google.

4) Do you believe the Internet is as big a transformer of culture as the printing press? Explain.
Yes, I believe the Internet is as big in transforming culture as the printing press. Like the printing press, the Internet is a large advancement that is used and will be used for a long time. It lessens the work of researching subjects and brings you right where you would like to be. The Internet has changed the world being as it is being used very often.
5) If yes, what parts of our culture do you believe will be most affected? Explain.
The society of our culture would be most changed because there is social media. People can talk to each other from different parts of the world and look up their idols, although there are some downsides like cyber bullying and cyber squatting. The knowledge of our culture could be altered, as well. Some will rely too much on the Internet to find answers instead of books.

Question #1!!

1. What do you consider interesting?

• The subject I most enjoy reading about is theatre.
• My favorite hobby is drawing and writing.
• If I won the lottery, I would use the money to support my family and pay for college.
• The type of volunteer work I prefer is shelving books in a library.
• My favorite school subject has always been Art and Music.
• If I ran the world, the first thing I would change the amount of animal cruelty (reducing it, of course.)