This week in my philosphy class, I had to “Choose a recent (±last 2 weeks) event, story, topic, etc. that interests you and write an argument as a letter to the editor. Try to compose an argument and not merely state an opinion or express an emotion.”  I figured anything by Erin Neff would be a good article to argue against and found one from June 8 in which she tries to explain how high gas prices will help Democrats win in November.  She also mistated why Republicans were against bills like Lieberman-Warner.  Here is my response, which I have also sent as a letter to the Editor. Read more

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After a semester break, I’m back in school.  Perhaps one day I’ll finish it up!  I’m taking Philosophy 102: Critical Thinking.  I like to post some of what I write in school.  This week, I had to “write a paragraph identifying what specific obstacle to critical thinking you personally might be especially susceptible to. Explain why.”  If you’re interested, go ahead and read it and then let me know what you think. Read more

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In my Communications class a few weeks ago, the professor asked the class to discuss “under what circumstances is it appropriate for a person to use the power he or she has over another person to satisfy personal goals“. Most of the class said it was never appropriate. I was the first (and one of the few) that disagreed with that. I thought my original comment, as well as a few of my replies were good so I decided to repost them here.

My Original Post
I think it is appropriate for a person to use power over another to satisfy personal goals under many circumstances. For example, I have a 22 month old son. As a result, I have legitimate power over him. I have a personal goal to make sure that he is safe. When he does something that could potentially hurt him, I will use reward and/or coercive power to make sure that he doesn’t. I have another personnel goal of growing my business. Therefore, my customer’s rely on my expert power when they hire me.

Replies to others 1
Normally I agree with you on these topics, but time I am forced to disagree. I think there are times when it is appropriate and necessary to use power over others to satisfy personal goals. That is the basis for our capitalist society. A person uses their expert power on others when they offer goods or services that others want, desire, and/or use. In return, the person who desires those goods or services uses their reward power to pay for these good or services.

Replies to others 2
I agree with you about that a person shouldn’t abuse the power they have over someone. But can someone use the power they have over someone without abusing that power? What if the husband in your example uses his power over his wife to keep her from sitting on the couch all day watching Oprah and eating bon-bons? Is that appropriate?

Replies to others 3 (someone I agreed with)
I agree that a boss often times needs to use their power over employees to satisfy personal goals. The boss wants his/her department to double efficiency, for example. That’s his personal goal. So, he/she uses his/her power to get the employees to work more efficient. Great point!

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In my Communication 102 class, I had to watch the movie What Women Want and then write a paper on the use of communication in it.  I thought my paper came out quite nicely.  I thought I’d post it here for anyone interested in reading it.  I appreciate the Wife’s reviewing of it and giving me some feedback.  My paper would not have come off as polished without her thoughts and suggestions.

Let me know what you guys think about it.

Download as PDF

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For my Communications class, I had to make up 3 words, along with a defination, and use it in a sentence. Here are my words for anyone interested.

1. “Pollism” – the process of directing your message or reaction based on the latest poll.

   Hillary is against giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrations this week, but that’s due to pollism.

2. “Black rush” – the way people shop on the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday)

   I’ll have to black rush to get the $299.00 laptop at Circuit City!

3. “Piedout” – the result of pigging out on so much pie that you couldn’t bear to have another piece.

   Everything Thanksgiving, I get piedout of pumpkin pie

Who knows, maybe we’ll see one of these words in Webster’s newest Dictionary!

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No matter how much one would like to take back a rude comment or a hurtful line, it is simply not possible. And, if your communication is aided by use of a mediated interpersonal communication device, the damage the communication can make can grow beyond measure.

Take, for example, a hypothetical example. A man is talking to his wife and tells her that she has a weird looking chin. The wife gets upset by this. The man, releasing he never should have said that, immediately tells her that he is sorry. She will most likely forgive him, but will, at least for a while, remember the comment whenever she looks in a mirror. But, while the man could not take back the comment, eventually, the memory will fade.

Now, if the same man had said the same thing about his wife in a nationally televised event, the same comment will cause greater damage. Others will ask her or comment on her chin. When she walks in a room, people will stare at her chin. The hurt and the pain will last longer. Once the memory of it starts to fade, however, someone could easily replay the original comment and, like an ice pick, stab her once again with the sudden shock of having to relive the comment.

We need to think before we speak, for our words can live forever.

(note: this is a post from a Communications class that I am taking. The Wife liked it so I reposted here)

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I’ve been planning on posting this for a while, but figured now was as good of time as any.

What’s in a name? Would I be a different person if my name wasn’t Michael? Does a name in and of itself define you? Perhaps your name can cause others to pre-judge you.

The Nevada System of Higher Education has decided that a name is important enough that Community College of Southern Nevada and Western Nevada Community College will be renamed effective July 1, 2007. Both will be dropping the word “Community” from their name and will, therefore, be renamed “College of Southern Nevada” and “Western Nevada College”.

edit: 4 Feb 2008 - Updated URLs for the two schools as they have changed their domain names.

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