What Matters presentation

PLN #26

For my 26th PLN, I read an article called "Throwing of Snowball not Assault" posted by the Rocky Mountain News, this article told about an Austrian man on trial for what he says was "a little playful action in the snow", not an assault. Authorities have recently said that, a 21 year old male hit his co-worker Michelle Oelert with a snowball at Copper Mountain ski resort. On the opening day of trial, the defendant's lawyer released a statement saying "workers in the ski shop like to joke around, including throwing snowballs made from the snow off rented skis". Prosecutor Micheal Angel said Thristel (the defendant) threw a heavy, large snowball filled with ice at Oelert as she was waiting for a bus with her boyfriend.

What Matters: I think what matters from this piece is really based on whose side you take. If you take the defendant's side, it's very easy to just say you were having fun, and that you do it all the time. You could also argue that it was just a snowball. On the other, hand if you take Oelert's side, it's also easy to say it was unnecessary, or exaggerate how hard the snowball was or how hard it was thrown. I think this trial could go either way.

How This Affects Me: Although I've never been to court, this article made me realize that you never really know when someone's going to react over something small or stupid and make it into a huge thing. I think you always have to know when and where to draw the line on things, and what's too much.

PLN #25

For my 25th PLN I read an article called "Keeping Up: U spk txt?" by Kevin Simpson of the Denver Post really made me realize and open my eyes to how far and different technology is now a-days. Statistics recently show that texting has increased very dramatically over the past couple of years. In the last two years alone texting has made it's way all the way up to 30billion text sent a month. Over the past decade texting has reached to every four out of five Americans, that now have texting available on their phones. CTIA spokesmen Joe Farren said that "kids are the early adopters, but now everyone is doing it, and doing more and more of it. On most phones people are typing about 160 characters with a cost of 13-15 cents per text unless you have a bulk plan. About 21% of all text users text daily, with 52% of them being 13-17 year olds and the other 48% being 18-24 years of age.

What Matters: I think what matters from this article is the fact that technology is continuously improving and changing everyday. If you think back to when the first cell phone was invented that were the size of home phones, and now they are pocket sized. We've definitely come a long way in the development of hand held devices, and who knows in the future maybe they won't even have a talking device, but instead just a texting device.

How This Affects Me: This affects me because I myself text and in most situations I do find it easier to text because not only is it silent and non-disruptive , but also quicker and more to the point. The only down side to it in my opinion is if you need to have a very long and detailed conversation.

PLN #24

For my 24th PLN, I read an article called "SOHO-Keeping an Eye on the Sun for 12years" posted by European Space Agency. The Solar and Heliosphere Observatory(SOHO) recently celebrated their twelfth launch anniversary on December 2nd. Over the past twelve years the satellite has witnessed an entire sun cycle which is approximately 11.1 years. Late in 1996 the satellite saw the end of the last sun cycle, then in 2001-2002 the cycle started over again resulting in a rapid rise in solar activity. Since then the solar activity has continuously declined even though it's been 11.1 years and is expected to begin rising again shortly.

What Matters: I think what matters from this article is that our space programs continue to launch satellites gain more knowledge about our universe and surrounding planets. This expanding knowledge could one day lead to human life on other planets. I also think it matters that we continue deal with space craft, and continue to develop as well as launch them. It's important that we collect this information to know when and where events in space are going to occur. the sun is just one of many aspects of the solar system that I feel we have only made a scratch on, and if we continue to collect data and information who knows what we'll find.

How This Affects Me: At this particular moment I wouldn't really say this affects me but who knows, in the very near future it definitely could. You never know it could take 10 more years or it could take 1000 more years until we have human life on other planets. Of coarse, to make life on other planets you need: a food source, water, and heat. If we know more about the sun it'll just make it that much easier for other things in space to be accomplished.

2nd PLN reflection

I think during my PLN presentation I did pretty well and definitely did much better than my last presentation. Some things I think I did well we're really summarizing my PLN's instead of reading them, as well as relating to them well. Some things that I could work on are more eye-contact, as well as not reading from my note cards and practicing more next time.

PLN #23

For my 23rd PLN I choose to read an article titled "Colorado Eighth in Suicides" written by the Rocky Mountain News. This article really shocked and surprised me. Not only is Colorado eighth in suicides but, Colorado is also 17th on the depression list. According to Mental Health America, states in the western United States are higher in both categories compared to the east and south. Colorado has ranked around eighth place in suicides for several years, up there with Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Utah is ranked first in depression while Alaska is ranked first in suicides. Sates with the lowest depression rates are: South Dakota, Hawaii, and New Jersey. The lowest states in suicides, on the other hand are: New York and Massachusetts. Last year alone, nearly 800 people died in Colorado from suicides which is nearly four times the homicide rate.

What Matters: I think what matters from this article is not the fact that Colorado is eight on the list but rather that people commit suicide at all. I can't imagine what would possibly drive someone to take their own life. I honestly wonder what's going through their head as they're about to kill themselves and how much they actually thought about it. I think that there should be more awareness for people who suffer from depression and suicides, and more support groups as well.

How This Affects Me: This doesn't really affect me directly, because I don't suffer from depression or want to commit suicide. However, after reading this article it makes me wonder how many people I know that do suffer from these symptoms .