I invite you all to hit "comment" and reply with your own introductions, and (bearing in mind that this is an open site) your answers to two basic questions: Who are you? and Why are you here? (in this course, on this campus, in this state, on this planet...)
And also, in keeping with this semester's course theme: what do you think you can do personally, and we can do collectively, to reverse or contain the long-term harm of anthropogenic climate change? Are you hopeful, despairing, fatalistic, indifferent, or whatever, with regard to the eventual prospects for life on Earth?
My philosophical hero William James said that's our one "really vital question." He also said that "shipwreck" is among our clear possibilities, though his pragmatic philosophy was an attempt to suggest alternatives. Our course is an attempt to decide whether the hopeful alternatives are still realistically possible. If you don't have a response to this question yet, I'll push you to come up with one by the time this semester ends.
Our first class meeting on Monday will consist mainly of introductions and a heads-up that this is an unconventional course in ways I hope you'll find delightful, instructive, and rewarding. If you don't like to move, breathe, and converse in the open air on "nice" days, this may not be the course for you. But if you don't especially like the conventional lecture-style academic model in which I talk and you scribble silently in your seats, it may be just what you're looking for.
We'll not go over the syllabus or get bogged down in the nuts and bolts of course mechanics on Day #1, there's plenty of time for those details later.
Meanwhile, peruse the blogsite and syllabus (linked in the right margin) before next class and let me know what's unclear. And read your classmates' intros and post your own.
I'm Dr. Oliver. I live in Nashville with my wife, two dogs we "rescued" in May (Pita and Nell) and a cat (Zeus). Older Daughter lives in Illinois. Younger Daughter is a college sophomore.
I'm Dr. Oliver. I live in Nashville with my wife, two dogs we "rescued" in May (Pita and Nell) and a cat (Zeus). Older Daughter lives in Illinois. Younger Daughter is a college sophomore.
My office is 300 James Union Building (JUB). My office hours are Monday and Wednesday 4-5, & by appointment.
On nice days office hours may be outside, check my office door for details. I answer emails during office hours, but not at all on weekends. Surest way to get a quick response: come in or call during office hours.
I've been at MTSU since the early '00s, teaching philosophy courses on diverse subjects including atheism, childhood, happiness, the environment, the future, epistemology, metaphysics, Anglo-American philosophy, consciousness, evolution, and bioethics.
I've been at MTSU since the early '00s, teaching philosophy courses on diverse subjects including atheism, childhood, happiness, the environment, the future, epistemology, metaphysics, Anglo-American philosophy, consciousness, evolution, and bioethics.
My Ph.D. is from Vanderbilt. I'm originally from Missouri, near St. Louis. I was indoctrinated as a Cardinals fan in early childhood, so I understand something about religious zeal. My undergrad degree is from the University of Missouri ("Mizzou") in Columbia MO. (I wish my schools weren't in the SEC-I don't approve of the inordinate emphasis on major collegiate sports culture or football brain injuries, as I'm sure to tell you again.)
My philosophical expertise, such as it is, centers on the American philosophical tradition of William James and John Dewey. A former student once asked me to respond to a questionnaire, if you're curious you can learn more about me there.
What you most need to know about me, though, is that I'm a peripatetic and will encourage you all to join me in that philosophical lifestyle as often as possible during discussion time. (If you're not sure what peripatetic means, scan the right sidebar or read the syllabus or ask me. Or look it up.)
I post my thoughts regularly to my blogs Up@dawn and Delight Springs, among others, and to Twitter (@osopher), and am continuing to experiment with podcasting as a classroom tool this semester. Follow me if you want to.
But of course, as Brian Cohen said, you don't have to follow anyone. (Extra credit if you get that reference... and real extra credit if you realize that my "extra credit" is usually rhetorical.) However, if a blog or podcast link turns up with the daily quiz (which will always be posted on this site no later than the night before class), you might find it helpful to read or listen.
Enough about me. Who are you? (Where are you from, where have you been, what do you like, who do you want to become,...?) Why are you here? (On Earth, in Tennessee, at MTSU, in philosophy class)? Hit "comments" below and post your introduction, then read your classmates'... and bear in mind that this is an open site. The world can read it. (The world's probably busy with other stuff, of course - Drumpf and Kardashians and cooking shows and other examples of what passes for "reality" these days.)
Hello everyone! My name is Kari and I am an Environmental Sustainability and Technology major at MTSU. I am a Capricorn/Sagittarius cusp link and I also have a rescue dog named Pepper. She is a boxer/pit mix and has all the love in the world to give! My interests include conservation and humanitarian work. I have an optimistic point of view when it comes to individual aspects of environmental health. I believe the technology and price has entered an inclination point that most people agree to be reasonable. Politically, I feel there is so much more our government could do to help better our environment. This semester I have an independent study that has me working on a thirty page paper and I have chosen the topic of climate change and how individuals can alter our actions to help our environment. I'm very excited to finish my research, please feel free to talk to me anytime-I'm excited to meet you all too! Thank you and have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI am with you Kari! I totally view things from an optimistic lens! If you finish your independent study paper before our last class, I would love to read it!
DeleteKind of off topic from environmental ethics, but I had to express my joy that you also have a rescue pup! I have a rescue dog as well. Her name is Hurricane and she is a 12 year old miniature pinscher mix. I got her from Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary (I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it before, but its a great organization that finds homes for older dogs) this summer so I am still learning new things about her every day.
DeleteKari, I am sure that there are things that the government can do to make us better "global neighbors" and more environmentally friendly inhabitants but I feel that it would be better if our culture changes from a "consumerist" driven perspective to a more conversationalist perspective. I think the best way to start this is through manufacturing and production. If industry produces items that are not as disposable or cheaply made and aren't obsolete the week after they hit the market (slightly exaggerated) I think this would be a more productive approach. Many people feel that the government has overreached in so many ways and everyone, regardless of which aisle you sit on, can agree that leaving anything fruitful to come out of government policy that will effectively garner change is not as hopeful as it should be. I think that us as consumers have the power to force industries to listen and change. I think it is also really up to us as individuals, to begin changing our attitudes and personal habits and also by trying to influence our children and loved ones to make better choices. I would love to read your research paper and see what other ideas you have to influence change or what other interesting ways others are positively influencing others! My friends and family are getting kinda tired of my "guilt trips" and I need new material to try! LOL (Teya)
DeleteHey everyone! Good to meet you all. I would be more than happy to share the paper with those who are interested. I'm hoping to present my research March 2019 during Scholar's week and your perspectives are valued and appreciated! Lovin' that optimistic, productive approach you all have adopted.
DeleteTo Unknown,I am so happy to hear there is an organization that does that. You're right, I hadn't heard of that before! You and I could get together and show each other pupper pictures! lol
Our Nell is a boxer/pit, and a total sweetheart. Little Pita the lab/dachsund is a terror, but all her biting and nipping is really playful and affectionate.
ReplyDeleteGlad our course can help you with your long research paper, I hope IT helps you to enlighten US too!
Hi guys,
ReplyDeleteI'm Shay, from Murfreesboro, majoring in Integrated Studies with an emphasis in environmental sustainability and technology, which is why I'm in this class. I have two cats, only one of which (mine) I love dearly; the other one is a turd.
I am a bit of a pessimist when it comes to the future of humanity, and specifically our role in destroying the only habitat we can survive on in the entire galaxy at the moment. I think something catastrophic is going to have to happen before humanity as a whole will take drastic measures to save our planet, but by then, it may be too late, which is a shame because a lot of natural wonders will be irrevocably taken from us.
Hah. I forgot to add that my midterm report/presentation will be on the Pixar film, Wall-E!
DeleteThough it's one of the first few I'm glad to see an intro post I can relate to! I would certainly consider myself closer to the fatalist side of the fence, and I agree that we as a species are rapidly approaching the point where drastic measures are necessary to have a hope of preserving life as we know it on our planet, and even that may not be enough.
DeleteShay, Do you think that it will be a reactionary response that causes humanity to make drastic changes in taking better care of the environment? It seems that Mother Nature always has a way of ridding herself of anything that is detrimental to her survival and with the number of violent storms or changes in weather patterns, increased volcanic activity or the new diseases that are being discovered (superbugs or whatever) it seems like the Earth will get to it's breaking point and then it will be too late. What are your thoughts? -Teya
DeleteGreat to meet you Shay! I am also minoring in Environmental Sustainability and Technology as well. Why did you choose Integrated Studies? It feel like that is such a broad major, which can be used for a lot for teaching, and just wondering what your career path is. I also do not want you freak out about your future if you haven't figure it out yet. Yet, I have barely heard anybody with that major and commonly heard music, accounting, et cetera. Thats still awesome though and I am also a cat person as well! Sadly had to leave my cat back home in knoxville but sooner or later I see him soon.
DeleteHi everyone.
DeleteSorry, I just saw these responses -_-
Teya: Yes, for sure, it's going to have to be something horrible that wakes us up. We're already past the tipping point and we don't have near enough urgency in our dealings with reversing the damage we've caused. Or possibly, it'll be a catastrophic event like a nuclear world war or a pandemic that wipes most of us out. Either way, it's not going to be great for us. I think we (humanity) is very human-centric and therefore we aren't going to see the disasters as something we have collectively wrought upon ourselves, but rather blame it on something else. What? I don't know....
Unknown: I chose Integrated Studies because I had a butt load of credits from jumping around majors (it took me a while to figure it out...) so I applied them to a major where they count. I really want to work at Outward Bound, with the At-Risk Youth program in Florida! I'm already working jobs somewhat in the field of Outdoor recreation, with MT Outdoor Pursuits as a trip leader and Outdoor Murfreesboro as a program specialist. Come check us out!
Cats rule. Dogs smell and drool!
Hi, my name is Kristopher Tanner Sharpe, and I glad to be taking this class! I am from Knoxville, Tennessee (born and raise) and yet no southern accent. My travels have taken me all along the east coast, parts of Canada, and a little bit through Washington State. My hobbies mostly involve with my volunteer work with Young Life, but actual fun stuff would be anything really outdoors: hiking, swimming, kayaking, love biking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and really anything else. My major is Criminal Justice with a minor in Environmental Sustainability and hopefully I want to become a park ranger in the near future. I am hoping this course isn't just telling me whats bad and whats good. I want this class to overcome the stereotypes and have standpoints from multiple of views! We all have opinions and what we feel is right should be justify and understood instead of picking favorites.
ReplyDeleteWhy am I here?!? Thats a good question. We can discuss about the goldilocks zone, how the Earth was physically assaulted by meteors overtime, mass extinctions, regrowth, and around 4.542 billion years later my parents had me and now I am taking your class. Thats the science part but ultimately I believe in God and the reason why I am here, in Tennessee, is for his purpose/path he has given me to either aid, accomplish, or give what I can to the community. I would also why I am at MTSU is because of praying, wanting too start anew journey , and it is cheaper to come here then to go to University of Tennessee (Knoxville). The reason why I took Environmental philosophy because it fit my major and understand then opinionated somebody else's believe. We all have a say and the right to do but understanding both sides and creating a solution then depriving one side or the other. The problem is that cannot happen. When you better something, something become deprived and hungry for this item that is blacked marketed. Like Rhino horns, Elephant tusk, hunting certain endangered species (like polar bears, lions, cheetahs, all sort of animals). With our society we are selfish and agree with your reasoning but for a culture that has become spoiled how can we calm the storm or un-poke a bear. Those needs are gong to be fed one way or another. It just what Humans are and the crazy part is that we have barely been put to existence and we still have cause a lot of harm.
The last question you ask us in class: where do we stand with environmental needs and the destruction of it. I would we are at a constant tug-a-war with everything pulling and earth being in the middle. We can have people assist the earth, harmful action, plague, diseases, war, pretty much anything that has put a dent into the soil or leaked somewhere or somehow into the water system. Their is good constantly being done with the earth but harm keeps justify those good.
I like how thorough this introductory post was in regard to your back ground and what you are doing here at MTSU and what you are doing with your degree. I especially liked your reference to the goldilocks zone. My only constructive note would be to make sure to double check for grammar and proper word usage, and I only point it out because I was raised to read with a red pen in my hand.
DeleteMax your good man! I wrote this introduction late last night and just got off work as well; I was a bit exhausted so i apologize my friend. Usually my prime time of writing is 2 am but I guess not. Haha.
DeleteVery cool! I'd like to be a park ranger someday too!
ReplyDeleteHello to all, my name is Patrick Nichols. I am a transfer student going into my third year of college. I am going to get my degree in Environmental Sustainability and Technology. No matter where we are located, who we are, or what we do we all share one thing in common, and that's where we live. Earth houses over seven billion people, and I want to help not only sustain it for future generations, but also help revitalize some of the broken branches.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned in class, I wanted to take this course to feel more present with what is going on with our Earth. Whether it be politically, scientifically, etc.; I know I can do more and have more of a voice if I know what is going on in this crazy and amazing world!
I look forward to hearing everyone's view point. Have a wonderful semester!
This is very polite and well phrased. If this was a universally shared mentality I doubt we would be in the same place environmentally speaking.
DeletePatrick your right man. This is our home and we created a mess that needs to be clean up or at least start the process because if somebody doesn't start cleaning the mess will only get bigger and worst. Plus, I like your comment about being present and mindful of our surrounding instead of doing whatever we want or to prescribe to getting whatever we want whenever we need it! Its selfish we would do to our home and leave it for the next generation to figure out how to clean up our mess and the mess before that.
DeleteHow do you do to my peers and classmates, my name is Maxwell McConnell, or Max for short,whichever is preferable. I just transferred to MTSU and this is my first semester here though I am now in my Junior year of working on my bachelors degree with my major being philosophy. I am taking this course not only because it is required for my major but because the content appeared interesting; the class seems like it will be filled with open discussion from a myriad of view points, and of course the subject itself is important. I am certain I am not the most "green" student in the room since most of my hobbies involve working on,playing with, and often breaking petroleum powered objects.I like cars with big motors, and also cars or other small chassis with small motors.However I do believe that the way corporations and government agencies are treating the environment is inconsiderate and immoral in many cases. I can't wait to dive into the course criteria with you all.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to MTSU Max! Hopefully this class will introduce you to many environment related topics that your other major classes haven't touched on. You are absolutely right about the Government's minimal effort to sustain our planet. We'll probably get into a good discussion about that and other interesting topics.
DeleteMy name is Teya James and I am in my final semester at MTSU - or at least for my undergrad pursuits in EHS&S. I have three other technical certificates in Electronics, but through the advancement in technology, my education and training have started to become obsolete - or at least in the workforce. I am a disabled US Army veteran and I am proud that I had the great privilege to serve.
ReplyDeleteI chose a degree in Environmental Science because of the many opportunities for employment and personal growth. I did not realize at the beginning of the journey, how much I would learn about the environment and how much the human race is negatively impacting it. My personal life choices with regard to our environment has begun to change to view things more from an ethical viewpoint, but not enough yet to greatly reduce my carbon footprint or to even begin to be a voice of change, but hopefully that will continue to change for the better.
I feel that I am probably more like a realist in my viewpoint in that, unless the environment is just as important to the next person as it is to myself or others that are more enthusiastic about preserving or bettering the environment's health - they will not make choices that causes less harm. I believe that everyone has a cause they believe in - whether it is homelessness, poverty, economic stability or even healthcare, we all can share strong points that prove just cause as to why "our" personal cause is most important. Unfortunately, until we cannot breathe the air without a machine because of air pollution or when we can no longer fish or swim in the oceans/lakes because the water will be too toxic or when there is no longer any vegetation because the soil is not fertile enough to sustain plant life, then the health and preservation of the environment will not be that important.
Hi my name is Selena Ranney. I am an Environmental Sustainability and Technology major. I have a rescue dog named Eevee. She's a brindle mutt that we think might be part terrier. I love reading, which is a good thing because it looks like there's going to be a bit of that happening in this class. I started my first vegetable garden this year. I grew carrots, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and a variety of lettuces and herbs. I really enjoyed having a hands on project that reduced the amount of veggies I bought at the store. I also volunteer at Walden's Puddle, a wildlife rehabilitation center. It's a great experience and I learn new things every time I volunteer. I used to live in Maryland but moved to Tennessee when I turned 18 so I could go to college at MTSU. It was more affordable than my in state options and I had family in town. As far as the climate change issue goes, I believe we can make a difference in the small things. Recycling, composting, taking part in invasive species removal, and many other things. I am an optimist when it comes to envisioning a future for the planet. I think that once the world wakes up to the reality of humanities impact on the environment, we will be able to limit, if not reverse, our influence on the natural world.
ReplyDeleteWere Neighbors! Im from Knoxville and I also agree that it is a lot more affordable to come to the Boro and come to school here as well! What made you want to start a garden, I understand the hand on side about it which is awesome, but a garden is a lot of work which you should take pride in! I also with your idea of making a difference with small things. This is going to sound weird but from the show "My name is Earl" this episode compile of living a natural life style and in the end the hippie friend told him to just doing something good for 20 minutes a day( like recycling, composting,) just to lower our emission or waste back to the earth and if we all take small things like 20 minutes can make a difference!
DeleteI wanted to start a garden because it's a wonderful experience and I get to eat great food! I finally moved to a house with a backyard and was able to til a few rows. My whole family gardens and it's something I've grown up around. It's also another excuse to go outside more often. I'm really glad I did it, and feel like I've learned a lot in the process.
DeleteI have decided to read Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach. I like books that explore controversial topics through the lens of a fictional world. Another great author that accomplishes this is Margaret Atwood in her MaddAddam series. I have already read the series and strongly suggest it to anyone looking for an amazing read.
ReplyDeleteI am staking my claim on: "Flight Behavior" by Barbara Kingsolver for my midterm project. (Teya James)
ReplyDeleteHello all!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Nicole Rondeau, and I can't wait to see what this class has in store for us. I am a EST major, and I took this class because it worked with my major and it seemed very intriguing. I would definitely describe myself as a very opinionated person, but I try my hardest to be open minded when engaging with my peers. I have a feeling we are going to be having some great discussions in this class, and I'm very interested to hear everyone's unique points of view.
At this point in time I have a hard time articulating my exact feelings about the future of our planet, and what can be done to fix/contain long-term anthropogenic climate change. There are the obvious protective measures such as recycling and using renewable energy sources; but with the current state of the environment, will these be enough to save the planet? I'd like to think yes.
I've talked with a lot of people who think individual recycling, and other such environmental protection measures, are a waste of time. They believe that since most people do not do it, that as an individual, in the whole scheme of things, it really won't make that big of a difference. Realistically I know that one person, can not save the planet; but, with this said, I do believe that we should all try, no matter what others are doing. In my opinion, it does not matter if by recycling I, myself, am actually significantly improving our planet. What matters is that I made the effort to try to do what is right.
Oh, I forgot to mention, this summer I chose to get a head start on my reading and have already read the book that I will be doing my reports on. I chose Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins.
DeleteNicole, do you think that recycling should be included as part of waste management from a financial viewpoint? I feel that if recycling was a little more convenient and that recycling is not an additional expense that more people would be more open to consistently recycle. Your thoughts? Anyone? (Teya)
DeleteHello everyone my name is Brandon Alston I just transferred to MTSU and my major is Philosophy, as far as my concentration within philosophy I haven't quite reigned that in. I've studied several existentialist philosophers such as Kierkegaard, Kafka, Voltaire and Descartes. I joined this class because I feel it is our responsibility as inhabitants of this planet to take care of it responsibly for future generations. I tend to have a pragmatic view of the world in terms of humans and their interactions with our ecosystem. I'm originally from San Diego, California but moved to Knoxville in 2009. I served in the USAF as a mechanical engineer for a short time and have had a myriad of jobs since. I've worked and volunteered at animal shelters, set up radio and cellphone antennae with a Tower company and most recently worked at several different pubs and restaurants. My travels have taken across most of the Southern US (CA-FL) and some parts of Mexico and even Paris, France. If I've learned anything from my experiences it would be that each individual person is responsible for their own individual actions. My goal in life is to spark a global trend in respecting one another as well as respecting the land we inhabit. I'm a good vibes hippie who falls short of the occasional tree hug but that doesn't stop me from trying. Looking forward to this semester with the rest of you all.
ReplyDeleteWow Brandon! You have truly experience life and I can tell you have been through some hardships and challenges through life. You are making yourself a better man and constantly improving on yourself which is amazing. I also want to state that I agree that we are responsible for our actions and take them head on. As the human race though, we haven't taken any serious actions tours bettering our world. Now we are constantly improving and setting goals to increase our standards but it comes down to everybody putting their hand in but we cannot think all the same way, we were not made that way but to think individually which makes us unique. I do want to hear more about your global trend in respecting others and what actions are you going to take place to better or start the revolution for this trend.
DeleteHello everyone! I'm Rosemarie and I am a philosophy major here at MTSU. I am studying to be an ethicist, so any class with the word "ethics" in the title is intriguing to me. I personally feel very guilty for my plastic consumption and waste production and find the fact that humans universally favor to some degree comfort and convenience over much more impactful issues they contribute to (namely environmental issues) to be a very big hint that humans are not "good" at heart. This observation leads me to have an overall pessimistic view on the future of our planet. I certainly believe that every small improvement that we can make in our everyday lives is positively impactful, but due to the selfishness embedded in all humans and especially the humans that do not have the will or want to overcome that selfishness no significant enough difference can be made unless there is legal action taken to prevent harm to the environment to keep everyone in check against our narrow-minded actions. If legal changes can be made, perhaps there might be hope.
ReplyDeleteHey! My name is Sarah Wilson. I am getting my bachelor's degree in Geosciences with a minor in Environmental Science and Technology. I will graduate May of 2019. I started at MTSU in the Fall of 2013 with my major as Accounting. I soon realized that was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I switched my major to Geology and have loved it ever since. I am not entirely sure what I was to do in the field, but I do know when I graduate I plan to move out to Oregon. I have lived in Tennessee for 10 years, and I lived in Georgia for 13 years before that, so I want a change of scenery and some place with a little cooler climate. I have an optimistic outlook on life. I look forward to this semester and being able to see everyone else's views on the same topics that we'll discuss in class.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if nobody has already taken it.. I'm doing my midterm report on the book "Odds Against Tomorrow" by Nathaniel Rich.
Delete-Sarah Wilson
I actually changed my midterm report to "New York 2140" by Kim Stanley Robinson
Delete-Sarah Wilson
Hey, my name is Abigail Redman. I am majoring in Political Science and getting a minor in Philosophy. I am graduating May 2019, a entire year early so that is really cool. I am in this class because it constitutes an upper division Philosophy credit and I have always enjoyed learning about the environment and thought it would be interesting to look at it from the scope of ethics. I have lived in TN for coming up on 4 years an I have loved it, I plan on staying in TN after I graduate and will hopefully be attending Law School at UTK. Also I am hoping to do my report on the book The Overstory by Richard Powers.
ReplyDeleteI have always been very pessimistic when it came to our ability to fix the problems we have created in the environment. This being mostly because to actually enact change large amount of money and man hours would need to be put in and by people from all across the globe. The problem with this is we have a very hard time getting along for extended periods of time even when it comes to situations that a have a vast impact on us all. So as much as I wish that I could be hopeful about our future environment I know that unless we put a lot of work into fixing what we broke nothing will change and the enviorment will continue to decline at its current pace.
DeleteHi my name is Dakota Campbell. I am majoring in Environmental Sustainability and Technology with an emphasis on safety and health. This is my first semester an MTSU but 3rd college i have attended the last 4 years. I am hoping to finish up my degree here and graduate in My of 2020. Once i graduate i plan to work to become a Certified Industrial Hygienist and take over and grow my family business.
ReplyDeleteI chose my degree because i deeply care about the outdoors and everything that comes with it. I know in the world we live in everything is so me oriented as it is human nature to be self-oriented. This natural human mindset alone is degrading to the environment because people tend to lack a mindset that has a regard for other people let alone a mindset that has a regard for the future people to walk the earth. I think a big problem in general is that the average human does not fully understand the foot print they leave on the earth and that every thing they do somehow affects the Environment. There are numerous different methods and tricks you can do that are beneficial to helping the environment, but long term if more people are not made aware of the foot print they leave, then people will still continue to cause negative progress. I am optimistic for our future just because of the power of technology and that there are ways to educate more and more people.
I look forward to working with each of you this semester.
-DC
Hi! My name is Sarah. I am a sophomore and an environmental sustainability and technology major. I am taking this class because I have had Dr. Oliver for a previous class and new this course would be be interesting, as well as challenging.
ReplyDeleteI believe its important for everyone to play their individual role in taking care of the planet, though I am not usually aware of the damage I could be doing. I have an optimistic view for the future of our planet, but I do believe it will get much worse before it gets better
Hey everyone! My name is Baylee and I'll be graduating in May 2019. I am majoring in Environmental Sustainability and Technology with a concentration in Energy Technology and a minor in Biology. I'm looking into Masters program in EST related fields such as Environmental Architecture and Sustainable Studies. I'm in this because I needed a substitute for the EST seminar class that has never offered. I decided it would be interesting to examine environmental concepts from a free thinking and philosophical view point instead of my preferred scientific based mindset. I know so much can be done to help our planet, but I plan on using my degree to focus on technological development to reduce energy use and preserve nonrenewable resources (or possibly negate the need to burn them entirely). Also, from a development view point, I believe sustainable building techniques should be utilized more when building are being constructed or renovated. Looking through our list of books, Anchor Point and New York 2140 seem very interesting. Due to New York 2140's length, I would like to do my report on Anchor Point this semester.
ReplyDeleteOn second thought. I'll being reading Odds Against Tomorrow for my midterm report.
DeleteHello Class, This is Zachary Herron. I'm a senior here at MTSU hoping to graduate soon with BS in History. Philosophy is a minor of mine because I'm always looking to understand different views of the world and how i might be able to more easily empathize, understand, and care for my fellow man and woman. My philosophical influences and Heroes are Jesus, Siddhartha Buddha, Laozi, and Plato. My degree path shares little to nothing about who i am though. I am 24 years old. My wife and I recently got married and purchased property in Murfreesboro. I graduated high school in 2012 and hadn't started college right away. i made time to work and develop and mature myself before trying to tackle the opportunity i have been given to attend college. I moved to Knoxville, TN in 2014 and began pursuing my degree in history at Pellessippi State Community college. In 2015 i moved back to middle Tennessee and began my enrollment at MTSU. I hope to graduate after the coming spring semester and continue in my career in the restaurant business. In the next 10 years i hope to have the knowledge and resources to open my own place. I Chose my degree path and two minors wanting simply to learn what interests and excites my thirst for learning and growing. This particular course is one i chose because i hope to not live in an isolated bubble. i am friends with many die hard challengers to the idea of man profound impact on our planet. i want to learn the other side to both empathize and share other perspectives and studies. I myself am not a crusader for environment but i do what i can to try leave the world in a better place than it was when i began taking from it. I feel somewhat optimistic about the fate of our human world but i do feel as though the issues today are too wrapped up in global politics. I enjoy living in a country with a relativity free market. The change for an improving world should come from the hearts and minds of consumers driving products and dictating what makes for good PR. Political changes should also start from a local level to make real impact.
ReplyDeleteHi, this is crazy late for me to be doing an introduction, but whatevs. My name is Alex Old. But that seems irrelevant. I remember the question being "who are you and why are you here?" My name is not who i am. In truth i have no idea who i am or why i'm here. And i refuse to try to make myself be something that doesn't match what i feel like is natural. This is just a rant at this point, but i'd like to share an inspirational paraphrasing from something i've heard about "fitting in": Don't ever try to fit in. You eventually will find out what your shape means for you and those around you. But don't ever try to fit yourself into a shape that isn't your own. Don't worry about anyone else or what they might think. All the cool people will like you, and everyone else can go fuck themselves.
ReplyDeleteThat's how i feel about life. As for the environment, i think we're likely doomed, but it doesn't hurt to try.
My name is Alex. I’m ex-military (Army, Captain, Airborne, Ranger). I have a previous BS in Applied Physics with a focus in Astronomy. I’m currently majoring in Philosophy due to some issues I have with the current status of physics theories. I am specifically in this course because I previously took Enviromental Physics and am interested in the “ethical” issues related to that and climate changes.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Amber. Here is a little bit about me, I have had the luxury of working for some of the newest industries while being introduced to some of the most highly integrated technologies on the market. On the other hand I have had the opportunity to work at a few other factories which were not well funded. These experiences have given me a perspective most closely compared to our economic outlook of how the rich just keep getting richer and the poor just keep getting poorer. My thoughts on how the industries should implement stricter lean manufacturing techniques can be somewhat critical. However, my knowledge of what it takes to create new structures within the industries can also be understanding of what is needed in order to conquer the challenge of change. To me knowledge is power and the lack of can cause havoc in various ways.
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