humanities 3
“Eating is an Agricultural Act?” The Ethics of Food and Eating
Reflection
I learned a lot throughout this project, mostly about the foods that I eat, specifically how they're made. Reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma" is the main reason my essay (shown as the PDF on the right) was written the way it was. This book showed me all of the things I was too scared to find out for myself.
I thought that learning about the process of food in both Chemistry and Humanities was going to be super helpful but I realized that I went on two completely different routes. In chemistry, I wanted to focus on the science of carbonation not really anything to do with corn or the process behind carbonation. I think I could've connected the two more if I focused on why people like carbonation and how it intertwines with why people like things with a lot of corn ingredients.
My main takeaway is that I want to be more cautious with what foods I'm eating, especially focusing on where they are coming from and how they are made.
"Your Life on Earth" Personal Philosophy Project
Reflection
My project is about how I believe that when life starts your brain automatically begins thinking of all of the possibilities for your reasoning to be there. For me, my idea of the beginning of life is at birth, hence the painting of the woman's genitals.
I have always believed that humans are scared that we aren't here for a reason which is why there are so many predictions a to what our reasoning is. With that being said, what we read throughout the class never really associated with my thoughts.
I think if there is a reason, we won't know what it is, while we are living and after we've passed. There are so many theories as to why we are here and yet no proof to back any of them up. I truly believe we are all just stardust that happened to outsmart ourselves.
Why I Stand Where I Stand on Gun Control
Reflection
For my project, I took a bunch of quotes from students and teachers at Animas, other individuals, and a few mass shooting survivors. With the quotes I received, I printed them all out and stuck them to a piece of paper, a rose, two hands holding, and a gun. What picture the quote was on top of was based on what the quote was stating. For the roses, I put more liberal views and quotes from those in shootings because the white rose is a symbol for survivors. The gun is pretty obviously for the more conservative side, and the hands are a middle ground. If what the person said was just a statement of fact or a very unbiased view it would go on the hands.
However, the goal of the project wasn’t to switch anyone’s perspective on gun control but rather to give them insight on what the other side thinks. It is up to the individual to decide what they’re going to do with that information. My essay truly reflects the fact that I wasn’t trying to persuade others to become liberal, it was to show them my side of the story. When I was conducting my interviews or got results from my survey that were more conservative though, it really opened my eyes to their stories. It’s always been a struggle for me to see things from other people’s perspectives and when I practically forced myself too it was quite alarming. I wasn’t uncomfortable with what I was hearing and seeing but rather confused because I grew up in a very liberal world. I understand more about their values than I did before. A lot of them value their second amendment rights, and the right to carry a gun without fearing it will be taken away from them. They also tend to value how they feel more protected with guns which contradicts a lot of liberal’s feelings of being more unsafe when guns are around.
My personal political views have not changed from my project but they were challenged very frequently. During exhibition someone asked why I said I felt unsafe around guns, and I said it was because I grew up right next to Chicago where shootings were practically a regular thing. He made me feel like it was wrong for me to have emotions, and even more wrong when I talked openly about these emotions. After I felt these feelings I tried to explain to the person that the whole project wasn’t about my opinion but those in our community. Yes, my voice is a part of the community but that wasn’t the intended focus of my project. I wasn’t trying to shut him and his voice down, but rather invite him to look at the others that were practically surrounding him. Again, my goal for this project was not to challenge others but to light a spark in their head that they haven’t seen before. Even though I was challenged a lot by others, I still stand strong by my opinions.
I think this whole project was me stretching my “Willingness to be Disturbed.” If I had held myself within my regular limits I might not have gotten the information I desired. I probably wouldn’t have interviewed as many or any survivors at all. Guns and mass shootings are a very uncomfortable topic for me to imagine, but I had to imagine it. If I didn’t put myself in their shoes, whether it be conservatives or survivors, I would never fully understand their side of the story.
Honestly, I wish I had taken a better route for this project. I felt like a lot of people just skipped over my project. It wasn’t as neat and organized, and it may have come off as unfinished. I really liked my original idea but I don’t think it fits in well with the main topic of gun control. I’m not exactly sure what I would do as a replacement project, but if I did have the chance to redo it, I would probably write a speech. I am still very appreciative of this opportunity I got, but I really do believe I wasted a very good potential chance.