Monday, January 5, 2015

Question 2015 Class

What might be some common day-to-day philosophies that we either have, study, could have, or could study right now in real time?  Let's see how many areas and things we can list.  I'll go first with some ideas so you get my drift.  As you will see by my selections, it's okay to have opinions.  Be appropriate.  You can and should comment on each others thoughts

The philosophy of refereeing Olympic-style wresting.   The referee should be in the background almost like a ghost, but in position to anticipate calls.   He/she should have some verbal communication to cause offense, but unlike some others I don't think its my "job".  If FILA wants more offense they should go back to the days of the mandated "head up" rule.  The referee should flow deliberately to anticipate position,  but not run or become choppy like a folkstyle referee.  Refereeing is part art.   There is nothing more silly looking than a guy running around a mat like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to be the center of attention.

Folk music: music that is acoustic is good music, and the lyrics tell a story.  It's hard to beat Pete Seger, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young.

There is no real purpose in keeping every single legal fish you catch these days.  There's a metamorphosis of sorts, I think, in the development of a true appreciation of the river. Releasing a fish reminds us that we are part of nature, and that we should only take what we need.

Some people think that if you don't catch a trout with a fly,  that its not really trout fishing (like in the movie a river runs through it). I think that trout are not as cunning as the romantics like to portray.  My philosophy is if they will take a Panther Martin, than go ahead and use one.   It's not a sin and you won't go to hell for it.

If you qualify for the state softball tournament in Ft Dodge you pay 400 bucks for your whole team to stay the whole week. They let your coaches stay in the same facility with your players and it's included in the cost,  it's close to the facility, and they provide monitors. It's about kids.  If you qualify for anything else it's going to cost several thousand dollars minimum.  It seems like it's all about Des Moines.  Also,  that wrestling tournament could happen in two days, not four. They preach to us to guard instructional time, but what actually happens doesn't promote that philosophy.  I think that the Des Moines area could create a more economic solution for state tournaments like Ft. Dodge has done.  Those dollars saved could be used locally for other things for kids.  Success should not be punished.

24 comments:

  1. My philosophy for juggling both school and sports is if you sacrifice time your "fun time" for homework you will succeed in both. It is difficult when managing your time with a busy schedule and still do well in school, but if you get an hour less of sleep or can't go out to the movies with your friend you can do better in school.

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    1. I agree! I feel like kids who manage to successfully juggle sports and school don't get enough credit. Although it's your own personal decision to be involved, managing all of it is a pretty high accomplishment. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people complain about school and not having enough time to do homework when they aren't even involved in anything after school. I understand they could have busy home lives, but it just gets old.

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  2. A philosophy that I strongly believe in is that there is a certain type of special education teacher that is best suited for teaching students with behavioral and learning disabilities. One may think the best way to teach students is to be stern with their students. I truly believe if a teacher is compassionate and patient with these students, they are more willing to cooperate on assignments and behave.

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  3. Regarding the philosophy about wrestling matches' referees is one I agree with to a certain extent. As a wrestling cheerleader and a fan with the best seat possible, I see many matches where wrestlers scramble a lot and very quickly, switching who has control in a few seconds. Even when one of our boys is close to getting a pin, I'm straining my eyes and leaning forward to watch the shoulders. Because of that, I easily understand why refs are running around and laying down next to the wrestlers to see. I, however, am biased to who I want to win, so maybe it's acceptable for me to succumb to the intensity of the match, but an unbiased referee shouldn't get so involved. Moreover, sometimes they get in the way (and step on me) when I'm trying to watch the wrestling.

    One philosophy about which I hold strong opinions is the fact that kids in my grade who dropped out of this high school for alternative school still get to walk graduation and receive the same diploma the students who stayed work hard for. I understand that some kids have a troubling home situation and aren't able to attend our school full time or take a heavier class load, but many others just seem to slack off too much and therefore only want an easier schedule to account for their inactive, unproductive lifestyles. They should get a "lesser" diploma equivalent to the work they put forth.

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    1. I totally agree with your philosophy. As a constant athlete during the school year and taking upper level classes I am able to exceed in both areas and yet some students are in no sports and take much simpler classes yet have no reason to slack other than their lack of drive. From my point of view I should not judge them because I have no knowledge of their home life. I still believe though that our diploma should reflect the work we strived to achieve during high school.

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    2. In high school a fall is the shoulders to the mat for 2 seconds, while in Olympic style if you just "touch" its a fall. The whole philosophy of folkstyle/high school rules leads to the need for the referee to be closer to the action for calling a fall, and that's understandable. It's easy, however, to get sucked in too close to the match and then lose objectivity. However, I HATE officiating any level of folkstyle, and I'm just glad that there are people who will do it.

      On the other issue, I see both of your points. I also think that the more important point is "what you learn" in high school. If you learn a lot in high school you will be much more able to "take it to the next level", while someone else might be at the highest level they will achieve, whether by choice or ability. In that way, your high school degree is worth a lot more.

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  4. One philosophy I think because it happened to me in the middle of high school, would be that a 7 period day makes students learn better by giving them more time with teachers. I can see both sides because yes some classes it is necessary for more time in class with teachers. The 7 period day gives some teachers more time and other classes such as the FCS classes and the shop classes less time scrambling to get projects done, the teachers hardly get time with students. I just think that maybe there could have been a happy medium which would have supported all classes with a manageable time schedule. A 7 period day does not benefit everyone.

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  5. A philosophy that i hold stong feelings for is how other people treat the world. I've always felt that we should try to live our lives so as to leave the world a better place; We should make a dent in the universe. I also believe that this obligation only increases for people who are more fortunate. I try to search for opportunities where a small amount of resource, time, or effort can make a large inpact. I believe this could possibly lead to a ripple effect, where one action sets off an entire list of responses whose overall impact can be really huge. Educating a single person can have an effect not only on that person's life, but also on the many other people whose lives that person touches. By contributing in these ways, we have the opportunity to transform the lives of millions of people, and indirectly of many more!

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  6. A philosophy I strongly believe is if you are consistent and put 110% into everything you do, you will be successful in life. I believe not everyone is blessed with the genius trait, but if one works hard and remains consistent with whatever he or she wants to do, he or she will be successful in the future. Results may not come at first, but if one continues to work hard and "get back up after he or she falls" success will be granted to this person. I feel I am an average student, but because of my determination and work ethic, I have been placed number one in my class. Hopefully throughout my life, the determination and work ethic will allow me to fulfill my dreams.

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  7. Two philosophy's I am passionate about are living in the moment and allowing others to do as they please without passing judgement. Personally I would love to live in the moment without fear of repercussions. At times I have been able to do so, however, never in the presence of anyone I know. It is disappointing that I feel more comfortable and free around complete strangers. My fear of judgement, however, will always win.

    In today's society I feel everyone is concerned with the choices others are making instead of focusing on themselves. Individuals are persecuted everyday because of their life choices. Who is to say that if no one is being harmed that those choices are wrong. I understand some laws that are made for the public safety but when do we stop. Consider the controversial topics of both same sex marriage and birth control/abortion. Do we stop when one no longer has a choice in who they spend the rest of their lives with. Or do we stop when women no longer have the option of making a very personal decision on their own.

    Throughout time I believe society has let the writings and beliefs of others taint their own ideals. What happened to the concept of a true individual?

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  8. My philosophy is being involved, whether it's with sports, music, or community events. Being involved teaches a person important lessons and experiences to help one grow and survive in the real world. Some kids would rather sulk at home and watch Netflix or play video games rather than get involved with activities and be apart of something. Sports teach someone sportsmanship, teamwork, and hard work which influences how someone performs their job or communicate with others.

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    1. I agree with everything you said, and to add to it, Netflix hardly ever has anything any good anymore. If you want to get a good movie these days, you have to buy it. :)

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  9. My philosophy is that everyone should have a right to their own beliefs and be free of others opinions and persuasions in the path of discovering what they believe. Though it may be controversial to say, a major example of this philosophy would be raising children without forcing your beliefs (religious, political, academic, social,etc) upon them. I would much rather raise a child and teach them about all sorts of things, religions and activities and what-not, instead of having them stick to just one path. If children are told that just one belief is true/just, they are in a way being mind-washed and not allowed to experience anything else for themselves. A door is being closed, in a way. This also includes that none should be judged simply for having a belief of any sort unless they use this belief to harm others or try to take away the rights of others. It is alright to disagree with a certain stance or belief, but it is not alright to force your opinions upon others and demand they believe the same and live as you do.

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  10. A philosophy I feel strongly about is challenging yourself in school. While a student taking all easy art classes is achieving straight A's, and a student challenging themselves receives lower grades, I feel like challenging yourself should be more important than achieving the best grades. While grades are important, I believe students should care more about challenging themselves and reaching their highest potential. For example, a D and F list focusses on grades, labeling students. While it's done for a good cause, this list does not necessarily display a schools "bad" students. There isn't really a perfect way to make sure kids try their hardest, but society in general should focus more on the importance of the class taken rather than the grades earned. As long as you try your hardest, grades should not matter. This is improving, as colleges are now looking at the classes specifically and extra curricular activities rather than just the GPA.

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  11. I believe that sports keep kids or save kids from doing things they shouldn't. If you have free time to think then you often get yourself into trouble. A wise man once said,"Idle hands are the devil's workshop." I like to think that kids that grow up or don't live in positive environments may have to go through this and sports have saved many of them. Lots of the top athletes in the world have come from places that maybe know as the Ghetto or lower class places.

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  12. A philosophy I think about everyday is our nations debt. The government spends money freely and raises the debt ceiling every time the country reaches it. Then the welfare checks and social security takes up a huge portion of our debt as well. People misuse these to aspects made for the great depression but still in effect today. The government needs to learn to change and figure out how to solve a problem instead of putting it off. They need to learn to cooperate and find a way to get along so more can be accomplished. There should be proof of need for Social security and welfare. Not just apply and have a quick check and receive it. Learn to compromise and do the better for the country and not for yourself.

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    1. You should consider looking up Robert Reich "Inequality for all" on U-Tube. Its a free movie. Reich was the secretary of Labor under Clinton, but worked in both Democrat and Republican Administrations as an economic advisor.

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  13. My philosophy is if you get involved in as many things as possible wether it be sports, 4H, Boy scouts, church, work, etc that it will make you a better well rounded individual. I believe it will make you appreciate all the little things in life and the people that are in it and the free time you have I try to be involved in as much as possible and I believed that it has helped me a great amount.

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  14. I do not really have a solid grasp on what I want to consider my philosophy on life. But I do agree with the point brought up in class about maybe as a whole we are getting use to the ideas of school shootings and suicide bombers becoming a sad normality in news and other media. Is that really okay though? Or are we becoming less caring about other lives around us.

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    1. We have "so much" information to assimilate these days with the information age before us! We almost have to "choose" what things we want to "feel bad" about, and which things we want to not worry about. Those are my thoughts about it anyway.

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  15. A philosophy that I cling to and find to be one worth carrying is to always avoid letting any emotion be extreme. I believe that emotions are essential to life and to having any quality within it, but they can also be incredibly damaging. I believe that when faced with great adversity or great success you must allow no emotion to cloud your judgement or it will cause a you to make irrational decisions that may not be conducive to long-lived success.

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    1. That's "Rational Disinteredness". You can read about it in Chapter 3 of your book. Its recommended by many philosophers. Its also kind of the main ability of good attorneys.

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  16. I have the philosophy family comes first although running around having fun with friends is fun hanging with family is more important. i feel making a bond with your family is more important because family will be there your whole life while friends come and go. family is there from when your born till you die whether its your children, parents, brothers, and sisters.

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  17. When I hear people talk about their philosophies, I hear views instead of values. My philosophy is that the world cannot be balanced if individuals within it are not. Whether it be people, communities, cities, states or nations. They must be balanced emotionally, socially and morally. The world is not and will never be a truly balanced place.

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