Scholarly Article Definitions Paragraph

This essay contains various terms that may be unclear. A pharmacological neuorenhancement refers to the use of psychoactive substances of various types with the goal of improving mental capacity. The author used the word "brain doping" thoughout his article and in this sense the term means a student uses a prescription drug that is meant for neuroenhancement to improve his schoolwork and his capacity to complete that work. The article also names various medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Provigil. Both Adderall and Ritaling are controlled substances that are usually prescribed to individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Provigil however is a medication prescrived to treat narcolepsy, or to improve wakefulness in adults.

Scholarly Article Summary

In the article "Why Using Meds for 'Neuroenhancement' Is a Scary Thought" (2010) Christopher Lane discusses the rising problem of college students abusing prescription medications that were originally prescribed for individuals with various types of neurological problems. Throughout his paper Dr. Lane supplies the reader with several articles and studies to inform them of the issue. Lane started off his article by mentioning an article written by Margaret Talbot and how it opened the social doors for a discussion of the pros and cons between the use of these prescription stimulants. Opening his paper this way allowed Lane to present both sides of the issue. Incorporating the work of psychiatrist Peter D. Kramer into his article provided Lane with step stones for the dark side of neuroenhancement drugs and specific medications used in the instances of ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Lane also informs the reader how the college students obtain the drugs and the percent of students that have used prescription stimulants in U.S Universities and their reasoning behind it. Prodominantly students use prescription stimulants to become the best of their class. According to Lane students abuse the medications in order to "ovecome academic performance anxieties or being bested by their peers". Lane also noted that the higher competative schools have a higher abuse or use rate.

Scholarly Article Precis

In Christopher Lane's article "Why Using Meds for 'Neuroenhancement' Is a Scary Thought" (2010) Lane addresses the issue of prescription medications used to treat neurological disorders being abused by healthy college students. Lane supplies the reader with information from studies, interviews, and articles he's gathered along with his own personal opinion and observations as an educator and takes a clear stand against students abusing these medications. Christopher Lane offers the reader a background into both sides of the issue. His purpose is to have the reader understand what brain doping will mean for the future and how it affects them in order to reduce the prescription medication abuse in schools.

Identity Video

During the video Brian Stevenson discussed identity and the strive everyone should have for it. Brian Stevenson is lawyer in California and also a informational/motivational speaker, he usually speaks in low income/poverty stricken neighborhoods and prisons but he changed his audience in the TED video. He notes that TED is known world wide and the things that are usually on the videos are listened to more just because of the label. Throughout the video Stevenson incorporates his own memories and battles with struggling for identity. Stevenson's grandmother was the first person who made him establish a sense of identity, although she secretly did it with all her grandkids, Stevenson took it to heart and grew from the roots she planted. The speaker discussed criminals at length during the video and how the US is one of the few countries with the death penalty. Stevenson turned on a light bulb in my head when he talked about his conference in Germany and how a lady said they could never have the death penalty because of their history (Hitler & the nazi regimn) but how in the USA the very place years ago that African Americans were being lynched they are now being sentenced to the death penalty. I never thought of it this way, it's eerie. Stevenson continues to be the voice for African Americans throughout the world and he should. Just like the older black man in the court house who hugged Stevenson and was thankful for Stevenson continuing to give him a voice more people should stand up for everyone's rights no matter the color of their skin. The United States needs to come together and "keep their eyes on the prize and hold on".

Alternative Assignment

In the video "The Today show with Jon Stewart-Mark Twain Controversy" both speaker's tried to have a lighthearted angle to the issue. It starts off with Jon Stewart introducing the book and the "main" overview of it, then he dives into the fact that today people want to change the word "ni****" to "slave" in this literary classic. Stewart plays around by saying "it's a trick question" which I think it is too. The guest appearance by Larry Wilmore definitely made the show. He explains how it's not a big "upgrade". Today people believe students struggle saying the n word which I agree because you never know how it plays with other's like Stewart says "IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE". Larry Whitemore was deifnitely lightheaded in the subject being a black man but he made it hilarious. What stuck in my mind was how he said "slave" was a job description and that the boy couldn't run away from being a "nig***". The funny twist with using Lil Wayne was also memorable.

NY Times Column

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/opinion/brooks-the-policy-verdict-i.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0

Ethos-credit	Pathos-emotion	Logos-logic
·         Congressional Budget Office (medicare cost) and study ·         Urban Institute (medicare taxes) ·         Journal of the American Medical Association (published study) ·         RAND Corporation (study) ·         Senator John Breaux ·         Democrat Alice Rivlin ·         Republican Pete Domenici ·         Senator Ryan Wyden ·         Demonstration project in Denver	·         “sucking away money from other government programs” despair, worried ·         How much we pay->unfair, ·         Mixed emotions (wanting to help others but taking away from the rest of America) ·         Having a voice ·         “should weigh on conscience of every American over 55	·         (today) medicare costs $550 billlion ·         By 2020, $1 trillion ·         Average couple in 2010 paid $109,000 in medicare taxes but would be able to receive about $343,00 in benefits ·         Chunk of that $234,00 gap paid for by their grandchildren ·         1997-2005 medicare payments fell by 5%-total spent 35% ·         Ryan-wyden in 2006 & 2009 costs reduced by 9%, no reduction in benefits ·         Project in Denver: private plans bid 25%-38% less than government-determined payment rates ·         2006 voucher approach-30% below early estimates ·         RAND incentive monitor-14% less costs

"New Rules" Ethos, Pathos, Logos

In his article "New Rules" Thomas Friedman utilized ethos, pathos, and logos to create a masterpiece. Being an editor of the New York Times established his ethos because this show his credibility as a writer. Ethos were alos shown through the different people he questioned and quotes he used. For example he explained a discussion he had with Van Ton-Quinlivan, a vice-chancellor for work force and economic development at the California Community Colleges System, and his take on the (four) basic skill sets alive today. Friendman definitely used pathos to his advantage by explaining how the world has changed academically due to computer programming. He used a quote formally by past president Clinton used by President Obama "work hard and play by the rules" and explained that this social norm has passed. The new social norm is to go forward and try your hardest to be the best you can be and do more in order to have prosperity. Logos were also piece, for example it states that Skype was developed in Estonia in 2003. In order to display further pathos Friedman use the unemployment rates among people with a four year college degree (4.1%), those with a two year degree (6.6%), for high school graduates (8.8%), and for highschool dropouts (12%). Together ethos, pathos, and logos created a strong foundation for his paper. Thomas Friedman enticed the reader to become more knowledgable about how technology and learning technology can better a student.