Week 7 Chapter 3 Question 3

After reading Chapter 3, I would like to discuss rhetoric device in depth. The books covers five rhetoric devices and are often are being used in persuasive claims or statements. The five devices are euphemism, dysphemism, sarcasm, hyperbole and lie.  All the devices are used very often in daily life. Euphemism and dysphemism are used to change the attitude of conversations; sarcasm often uses to entertain readers or audience; hyperbole acts as an exaggeration; and lie to distract and mislead the target. We need to make sure we are delivering it in a correspondent way. When you are using it inappropriately, others may take it in a wrong way. For instance, if one uses sarcasm improperly, others might take it offensively. Therefore, using the right rhetoric device in the appropriate style is important. Among all the devices, I personally like euphemism because you are using an alternative way to present the negative description to others.

Week 7 Chapter 3 Question 2

A rhetorical device I used last weekend is lie. Lie means “a deliberate attempt to mislead without the prior consent of the target.” I preordered a video game at GameStop a few weeks ago. However, I found a cheaper deal online after that so I bought the game online. When I returned it at GameStop, the staff kept asking me “Why are you cancelling your order?” For some reason, I did not want to tell him I bought it at elsewhere, so I lied to him and said that one of my friend gave a copy of the video game to me. Therefore, I wanted to cancel it. I mislead the sale representative by making up a reason to cancel the order. Thus, that is a lie.

Another rhetorical device I used is hyperbole. Hyperbole defined as a method to overstate and amplify. When I was convincing my mum to buy me an iPhone 5 two weeks ago, I said that my phone does not work anymore and did not worth to fix it as it would cause so much to repair it. I exaggerated the cost to repair my old phone, and that is hyperbole.

Week 7 Chapter 3 Question 1

After reviewing the characteristics of a good critical thinker in Chapter 1, I think Sally Ride is qualifies as a good critical thinker. As she was majoring in English and Physics, both subjects require her analyzing problems and issues, conducting researches to support her works, be open-minded skepticism to double check her assignments, and be creative problem solving to view the problem from different perspective. She is flexibility for ambiguity since she was able to develop strategies to meet her long-term goals. Moreover, when she decided to apply to NASA, she proofed that she excels in communication. She worked as an astronaut and a Capcom when she was working in NASA. Both positions needed her good communication skills because if she did not communicate well with her colleagues, she or her coworkers would not be able to accomplish their task or even cause them in dangerous situation. After she left NASA, she is still exercising her communication skills. She is encouraging girls who have interest in science to develop varies communication skills. By reading the short description of Ride, I admire her so much not only because she is a good critical thinker, but also she was able to exercise all of her skills when she was working at NASA.

Week 6 chapter 2 Question 3

This week, I would like to discuss emotion, which wasmentioned in chapter 2. The book first discusses can computer feels emotions.To be honest, I have never thought of that question because I strongly believedthat computer is just an electronic to make human’s life easier. After readingthis part, I learned that it turns out to be this premise can be turned intovery deep explanations. Some people would argue that AIs have feelings; however,those are programmed by human but not itself. Our emotions come from our brainnaturally. Therefore, computer cannot feel emotions. For instance, some parentsallow their kids to have an electronic pet rather than a real one. Thoseelectronic pets are like video games and differ from the real ones, Real petshave emotion, which they will feel happy or sad, but not the electronicversion. That already shows that computer or electronic device or AIs cannothave any emotions like a living thing does.

Thank you for reading!

Adrian (:

Week 6 Chapter 2 Question 2

After reading the two passages about the existence of god, I think that I agree on Dawkins claims because his arguments are valid. Aquinas’ statement is written in early stage and scientific method was not that advance at that period to disproof the existence of god. Many scientific experiments show that god is never existed in the planet. Back to Aquinas’ claims, his claim is partially invalid because he only thinks of one side but not the other. For example, he talks about nothing caused by it; thus, god must be the one who initiate human beings. In that case, who initiate god? This is what Dawkins was trying to proof in his arguments, which is the extent of Aquinas testimonies. I think if Aquinas is still alive, he would not argued with Dawkins because I do not think he is able to disproof Dawkins’ argument. On the other hand, I think he will agree with Dawkins and change his perspective by then.

Thank you for reading!

Adrian (:

Week 6 Chapter 2 Question 1

I believe my strongest strength is good adaptability. My major is International Business and I believe this field requires good adaptability. Businessmen or businesswomen who have that skill can easily adapt the environment wherever they are at. For example, if I am working in an International firm and the company sends me out to South Korea to start up some franchise electronic stores, I will be doing anything I can to familiarize with the place I am at. I can conduct studies about the electronic preferences of Korean once I get used to where I am. Therefore, I will have a better work performance because I am able to settle in South Korea easily and to work efficiently. Moreover, good adaptability is very important for International business workers as most of them need to travel around the world with tight schedules, and that can help them to work in different places. In this case, the reason I am able to work while I am around the world is good adaptability. 

Thank you for reading!

Adrian (: