Blog 10- Essay 3

Samira Sujkovic

ENGL101-0768

Dr. Vasileiou

Essay #3

12/1/12

                               Giving up our rights for a better world

            The development of history has been changed through out the years for a better future for us human beings. Lives have been lost, to bring us at the point where America stands today. People have been fighting for their rights for many years and still are. Hurting one’s civil rights to protect another would make the world a safer environment. Why should we have rights if there is no safety guaranteed? Any precautions should be taken to avoid any dangerous acts in the future. I would rather have my rights violated then risk my life. I do believe at some points some authorities feel overpowered, and believe they could do anything they desire. This action isn’t right, what is only to be done should better the world we live in. Having a better world come’s with giving up one’s rights.

            In the film Minority Report it displayed many examples of rights being violated for the citizen’s protection. Throughout the film it portrayed the characters everyday struggle getting their rights desecrated. All the characters had no problem violating their rights; because it was for their own benefit. An example from the movie that portrayed this is when John Anderton got on the train, had his eyes scanned for an identity check. I believe taking this action brings the world in becoming a safer place for the public. Setting this kind of example in a movie just shows the public it is not a horrible thing to have your rights violated. Having an identity check before entering a train could prevent an enormous amount of crime that occurs in the MTA on a

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daily basis. In my personal belief I believe that it is better to prevent a crime from occurring than actually experiencing it.

            Authorities may be violating our rights, but at certain points we ask them to do so. There is only so much that could be done to keep us safe without having our rights violated. As stated by Joseph Goldstein in a news article, “The police department has quietly amassed a trove of telephone logs, all obtained without a court order, that could conceivably be used for any investigative purpose,” this is the procedure the authorities take when one has their phone stolen. This is one particular way in which one’s rights are being sullied to help a citizen retrieve their stolen property. In order to reclaim the victim’s telephone the police department checks the victim’s telephone log, to track down the thief. The procedure that is being done in most cases helps catch criminals and prevent them from committing the crime of stealing again. I do believe this is a great way to withdraw many criminals on the street even if it violates our rights; creating a safer environment for us citizens.

            Having a trusted law enforcement in a community is what makes the citizens feel safe at home. Many police officers experience crime on a daily basis, but it’s their choice to sacrifice ones right’s to help a community. An example that was given by Raymond A. Komar in his book The basics of police ethics he states “As example, a police officer stops a motorist for a traffic violation. The motorist offers a small amount of cash to the police officer in order to influence the officer’s actions concerning a traffic citation.” (Section 4) The police officer has a decision to make concerning this situation. Should the officer violate the motorist’s rights and search him after being approached that way; or take the money let him go and put the city in danger. Many police officers experience this choice of act on a daily basis. Police officers are on the streets preventing crime not promoting it.

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As the saying goes “We agree to disagree.” Everyone shares a different personal view on certain topics of discussion. Many people would disagree with the position I took but however it’s the right one for the community. People would disagree with this position because some people believe they don’t have privacy, and the higher authority has the power to search through personal information on a daily basis. Having an authority go through one’s personal things is a hard situation to experience, knowing they are innocent. Some people will feel that they are innocent and continuously get stopped by the law enforcement because of statistics. They believe that these statistics lead to racism and inequality in the community amongst others. I would address their position by simply stating would you put everyone’s life in danger for just one person’s rights.

One’s life is precious but it doesn’t amount to the importance of many lives. We should do what is needed to keep the environment around us a safe one. The law enforcement protects us on a daily basis, which is for our own benefits. Why live in a world where one is scared to step out of his home. Civil rights should be violated to protect us, move forward, and make America a better place. 

                                         Works citied page

1.)    Minority report. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Tom Cruise. Amblin, 2002. Film.

2.)    Goldstein, Joseph. “City Is Amassing Trove of Cellphone Logs.” New York Times.

Arthur Sulzberger Jr., 26. Nov. 2012. Web. 2 Dec. 2012.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/nyregion/new-york-city-police-amassing-a-trove-of-cellphone-logs.html.

3.)    Komar, Raymond A. “The challenges to Ethical Conduct.” The Basics of Police Ethics. N.p.: Raymond A. Komar, 2012 1-11. Print.   

Blog 8: Are we living in a world of free will or determinism?

In both the play "Oedipus the king" and the movie "Minority Report" both of the main characters experienced free will and determinism. I believe both characters set out to show examples of free will during the plot. Overall, I believe the movie and the play had plenty of comparisons then differences. In the play Oedipus the king the main character Oedipus had been told his destiny, that he would murder his father and marry his mother. Throughout the play he experienced free will, he fled his city to avoid what he had been told. As stated in the article" Free will and determinism in the world of minority report" by Michael huemer the requirements of free will is that there is more than one future opened to one, one controls his own actions, which of the alternative possibilities is up to him. In the movie Minority report, the main character John Anderton had been shown the future murder he was about to commit by the precogs. Precogs are three humans that could tell the future in the movie. John Anderton was supposed to murder a man who had "supposedly" murdered his son, John went against what was supposed to occur and let this man live. The comparison both of these main characters share is that they were both told what their future held such as determinism, they both went against it and followed their free will to avoid the horrific events that they were told that would be occurring. A difference that both the movie and the play share is that in the play"Oedipus the king" Oedipus did everything in his power to avoid his future but ended up leading himself right into it. As stated in the article the author Michael huemer believes that the future is predetermined. In this situation I could believe this statement. On the other hand in the movie John avoided his future and towards the end of the scene it showed the better life he was living. John Anderton's future wasn't predetermined and followed his free will. I do believe humans have enough control over their life they have more free will than determinism in many situations. We may think higher authorities are taking away our free will at some points, but it's for the better. I do believe our destiny naturally unfolds itself I don't believe the laws of nature determine our future. As they say whatever is meant to happen will happen. 

Blog 7: Allegory

Throughout history we have been living an illusion and have been blind to the truth for a while now. There are many different situations in America’s history where we have believed what we have seen in front of us. Some examples of allegory in history would be when George Orwell wrote the book Animal Farm, a historical allegory of the Cold War/Bolshevik Revolution in the Soviet Union. The book is about animals rebelling against the farmers. After the animals overthrow the farmers the pigs become leaders and abuse its power and manipulates the rest of the animals. The one of the similar things that Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union in real life. Another example of allegory I would say is dealing with the issue of immigration. America is looked at as a place for opportunities and America makes it seem that everyone is welcome. In reality it is very difficult to become a citizen of the United States and most of the time people become deported. Allegory is also presented in the presidential elections. When Barack Obama was elected in 2008 as president, many people came to believe that racism was finally over. Having the first black president proved something to people but in my eyes I believe he was elected so that other people wouldn’t view America as Racist never having a black president. Barack Obama has brought America from the bottom to the top in the best 4 years, in my beliefs. We witness allegory every day watching the news, in politics, in movies, and etc. Allegory is one thing that we cannot get rid of because there is always the truth behind every saying or any words spoken. 

 

Blog 6 : Oedipus the king

In the play Oedipus the king, i believe that destiny decided the outcome of Oedipus's life. Throughout the play Oedipus's destiny was discovered at birth. His father and mother, Laius and Jocasta brought their child to a prophet. This prophet discussed Oedipus's destiny in which he held since birth. From lines 1400-1410 Oedipus finally learns the truth about his family and who he really is. During the old ages they believed that everyone had a destiny that one would overcome. Oedipus had his destiny which was killing his father, marrying his mother, and going blind. Throughout lines 1480-1510, and 1620-1660 it states the experience Oedipus went through when he witnessed the truth before his eyes. After learning the truth and being blind throughout his life even with his eye sight, Oedipus's mother hung herself. Once Oedipus discovered what his destiny truly was he left his family, whom he thought was his biological family. In lines, 1390-1400 1360-1370 it discusses what happened to Oedipus since birth. After leaving his home trying to avoid his destiny, he slowly led himself to what was his is true destiny. He left his town and his family and ran into his father King Laius at the time. He encountered a problem with his father and he killed him not knowing that this was father. Oedipus was defending himself but little did he know he was blind to the truth, the entire time. He later takes his father’s position and marries his mother after being told the truth he stabs his eyes out. I would consider this action being free will but at the end of the play it all leads back to his destiny. Even though, Oedipus did his best to prevent his destiny from occurring it wasn’t enough. What is meant to happen will happen and this was the case throughout the play. No matter how hard one can try to fix a situation, sometimes it just won't work because that’s just how their destiny is. Everyone has a path to follow, and a time to leave. Sometimes following your destiny could have its advantages and disadvantages. In Oedipus’s case it was a disadvantage that he tried to prevent, but just ended up backfiring him in the end of the play. Overall, these statements conclude as to why I believe destiny determined Oedipus's life in the play.

blog 5: final draft

Samira Sujkovic

ENGL-101-0768

Dr. Vasileiou

Essay 1

10/6/12

                                                  A Utopian Society is less than perfect

                                                            We all dream to live in a Utopian society but is it really a perfect society after all? As perfect as a utopian society looks, it shares similarities with a dystopian society as well. I believe no society can be perfect; this is what makes us unique human beings. In life, we will experience criticism, because no two people are exactly alike. The film, Gattaca displays an overall dystopian society. As I watched the film Gattaca, I came to realize that the director portrays a utopian society but adds subliminal messages throughout the scenes of the film. What do these subliminal messages symbolize throughout, the movie? Science isn’t always accurate, their may occur a malfunction at any given time. In the society Gattaca, parents have the opportunity to genetically engineer a child when given birth to. Every parent wants a healthy child, but knowing what the life expectancy is can be heart breaking. Science is slowly taking away all of our natural habits, without our realization. Overall, I believe the film Gattaca is a dystopian society.                                                           In Gattaca, the director created a society where mainly all of the human beings were genetically engineered with perfect genes. When given birth, the doctor’s would inform the parents of the child what the life expectancy was. If the child was genetically engineered they would have been considered as valid and had the ability to do anything they wanted in life. On the other hand, the non- genetically engineered children, also known as the invalids had a hard time growing up. Illness is an inevitable occurrence that one will experience even in a utopian society. An example, from the film showing a dystopian society would be when Irene informed Vincent that she had a heart condition. Irene was genetically engineered and grew

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to have a heart condition, and Vincent who wasn’t genetically engineered also had a heart condition. Even being genetically engineered to become a “perfect child”, led to an inevitable illness that science couldn’t even prevent. As stated by Susan Schneider in her article “The man on the moon”, she discussed the illness that the industrial revolution brought us. The advancement in technology that science created, just led to a decreasing population.                                                      When I think of a Utopian society, I think of no crime or harm. Gattaca itself just describes a dystopian society. Committing a crime is a motive that someone believes in; it is something that cannot be genetically engineered to never occur. In the film Gattaca, a man was brutally murdered with a keyboard. The mission director committed this crime; he was genetically engineered to not have a violent bone in his body. As stated in the article “The man on the moon”, Pizzaro a conquistador of Peru committed a crime of killing a man by the name of Atahuallpa. He claimed it was for his god, but in reality it was for the gold. Pizzaro had a motive and he did everything he could in achieving it. These situation’s show that science cannot prevent such a crime from occurring, it is just apart of a dystopian society.                                                        Throughout Gattaca, it shows the hardships and struggles one has to go through. Living in an dystopian society, nothing comes easy. Eugene a valid person in this society had the perfect life, and health; what led him to commit suicide? Eugene was a genetically engineered swimmer, where he would continuously compete. At a swim meet one day, he won second place but being genetically engineered he should have been coming in first. This drove him off the edge, and he tried getting hit by a car, but instead he became paralyzed in conclusion.                                                 Science could only get you so far in life; it’s all about the effort you put in a goal you wish to accomplish. Living in a Utopian society, is like living in a fantasy world. Illness, stress, and crime are all inevitable situations that cannot be prevented by science. All these situations

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create a dystopian society, such as Gattaca. No matter what world we live in we have to accept the circumstances in which we are given. 

Blog 4: Final draft; A Utopian society is less than perfect

Samira Sujkovic

ENGL-101-0768

Dr. Vasileiou

Essay 1

10/6/12

                                            A Utopian Society is less than perfect

                                                            We all dream to live in a Utopian society but is it really a perfect society after all? As perfect as a utopian society looks, it shares similarities with a dystopian society as well. I believe no society can be perfect; this is what makes us unique human beings. When I watched the film Gattaca, I came to realize that the director portrays a utopian society but adds subliminal messages throughout the scenes of the film. What do these subliminal messages symbolize throughout, the movie? Science isn’t always accurate, their may occur a malfunction at any given time. In the society Gattaca, parents have the opportunity to genetically engineer a child when given birth to. Every parent wants a healthy child, but knowing what the life expectancy is can be heart breaking. Science is slowly taking away all of our natural habits, without our realization. Overall, I believe the film Gattaca is a dystopian society.                                                           In Gattaca, the director created a society where mainly all of the human beings were genetically engineered with perfect genes. When given birth, the doctor’s would inform the parents of the child what the life expectancy was. If the child was genetically engineered they would have been considered as valid and had the ability to do anything they wanted in life. On the other hand, the non- genetically engineered children, also known as the invalids had a hard time growing up. Illness has been spread throughout Gattaca, to valid and invalid human beings. An example, from the film showing a dystopian society would be when Irene informed Vincent that she had a heart condition. Irene was genetically engineered and grew to have a heart condition, and Vincent who wasn’t genetically engineered also had a heart condition. Even being genetically engineered to become a “perfect child”, led to an inevitable illness that science couldn’t even prevent. As stated by Susan Schneider in her article “The man on the moon”, she discussed the illness that the industrial revolution brought us. The advancement in technology that science created, just led to a decreasing population.                                                   When I think of a Utopian society, I think of no crime or harm. Gattaca itself just describes a dystopian society. Committing a crime is a motive that someone believes in; it is something that cannot be genetically engineered to never occur. In the film Gattaca, a man was brutally murdered with a keyboard. The mission director committed this crime; he was genetically engineered to not have a violent bone in his body. As stated in the article “The man on the moon”, Pizzaro a conquistador of Peru committed a crime of killing a man by the name of Atahuallpa. He claimed it was for his god, but in reality it was for the gold. Pizzaro had a motive and he did everything he could in achieving it. These situation’s show that science cannot prevent such a crime from occurring, it is just apart of a dystopian society.                                                        Throughout Gattaca, it shows the hardships and struggles one has to go through. Living in an dystopian society, nothing comes easy. Eugene a valid person in this society had the perfect life, and health; what led him to commit suicide? Eugene was a genetically engineered swimmer, where he would continuously compete. At a swim meet one day, he won second place but being genetically engineered he should have been coming in first. This drove him off the edge, and he tried getting hit by a car, but instead he became paralyzed in conclusion.                                                 Science could only get you so far in life; it’s all about the effort you put in a goal you wish to accomplish. Living in a Utopian society, is like living in a fantasy world. Illness, stress, and crime are all inevitable situations that cannot be prevented by science. All these situations create a dystopian society, such as Gattaca. No matter what world we live in we have to accept the circumstances in which we are given.   

Blog 3: Gattaca

We all dream to live in a Utopian society but is it really a perfect society after all? Nothing is perfect; a Utopian society has its flaws as well believe it or not. As I watched the movie Gattaca, I came to realize that the director portrays a Utopia but adds subliminal messages throughout the scenes of the film. Overall, I believe the film Gattaca is a dystopian society. In the film, I witnessed many scenes that I wouldn’t consider to be a part of a Utopian society. In Gattaca, the director created a society where mainly all of the human beings were genetically engineered with perfect genes. When given birth, the doctor’s would inform the parents of the child what the life expectancy was. If the child was genetically engineered they would be considered as valid and had the ability to do anything they wanted in life. On the other hand, the non-genetically engineered children, also known as the invalids had a hard time growing up. An example from the film showing a dystopian society would be when Irene informed Vincent that she had a heart condition. Irene was genetically engineered and grew to have a heart condition, and Vincent who wasn’t genetically engineered also had a heart condition. Even being genetically engineered to become a “perfect child” could always go wrong. While watching this movie I started to notice that it was giving off a subliminal message that, science always has a chance of going wrong. Eugene a valid person in this society had the perfect life, and health; what led him to commit suicide? Eugene was a swimmer, where he would continuously compete one day he won second place; but with his health he should have been coming in first. This drove him off the edge, and he tried getting hit by a car, but instead he became paralyzed. Science could only get you so far in life; it’s all about the effort you put in a goal you wish to accomplish. Throughout the movie, the characters would always have to give a small amount of their blood to get into a building. I believe this could make the person weaker, and there is a greater amount of possibility to obtain an illness. I believe that way of living belongs to a dystopian society such as Gattaca. When I think of a Utopian society I think of no crime or harm. In the film Gattaca, a man was brutally murdered with a keyboard, a genetically engineered man committed this crime. The mission director committed this crime; he was genetically engineered to not have a violent bone in his body.   

Can you identify what my thesis is?