Friday, July 10, 2009

Believing and Doubting

The Believing and Doubting Game

When faced with a controversial or threatening idea, it is a human tendency to find a "camp", or an established ideology to align with. People will choose either a believing camp or doubting camp. The problem with this is, that in choosing only one perspective to align with, it's easy to forget there is an entirely different point of view on the subject.

Playing the Believing and Doubting game helps us to focus on alternate ways of thinking about a topic and not become blinded by our own prejudices and assumptions.

The main hindrance to the search for truth is an unwillingness to abandon a "cherished assumption" once it has been disproven. One reason may be that we dislike admitting we are wrong and having our pride deflated, or, even scarier, accepting change. There is a deep fear of being "infected" or "taken over" or controlled by a bad idea.

The Believing and Doubting Game stretches us to expand our minds by embracing new ideas and abandoning old, worn or ineffective ones. Ultimately, we become more open minded, more informed and hopefully, better writers.

Believing

  • Believe all the assertions--even if they contradict each other. Get inside the ideas and experience them as much as possible.
  • Settle for truth mixed with error.
  • Never argue. Believe everything. Walk in others' shoes. Make metaphorical transformations of assertions so you can enter them. Get other people to agree with you.
  • Make the idea work--find ways to make it happen.

Doubting:

  • Find truth by seeking error
  • Question overt and hidden assumptions/assertions
  • Be rigorous, rational, and tough minded
  • Discover all the problems and pitfalls

Assignment:

1. Read articles discussed in class about the effects of the internet on teens. (NYT   &  Internet Dangers)
For each article engage in the believing and doubting game by creating two columns. In the believing column, list all thoughts that support your belief in what the author is saying. In the doubting column list all ideas, thoughts and questions that create doubt about the author's ideas. You should have one doubting and one believing column for each article.

2. Summarize and consolidate your believing and/or doubting ideas about the articles in the comments below.

3. Respond to one of your classmates' comments by either expanding on what has already been stated or by "testing" the comment.

29 comments:

  1. WELL...Overall I came to believe that there are many dangers on the internet. There are many sites that can get not only teenagers, but also adults, into dangerous situations. Internet strips/hinders the parents of the ability to regulate what their children have access to. The children can learn about events or ideas that the parents didn't want them to know about. For the second article I was both a believer and a skeptic. I said that the internet is a good way to keep in touch with friends that live far away (a different state or country). Sometimes teenagers use the internet to talk to people that they see every day. Reasons like that cause the teenager to become more antisocial... yup. :D

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  2. After reading both of the two articles, I came to the conclusion that yes the internet can be bad, but if something bad happens, it is the teenagers fault. People hear all the time that there are dangers on the internet; that there are creeps out there trying to trap teens. All teenagers who use the internet should know the risk that they are taking when on the internet and if they get into a sticky situation, the blame should be on themselves. As for the second article, I think that these social networking sites are bad, not because of sex offenders and what not, but because it can take most of teens time. Growing teenagers should not be sitting inside all day chating on aimand surfing the internet. They need to be active and get outside. Going on these sites is okay as long as they arent ruling of the teens life.

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  3. In response to kehaulani1227's comment, I completely disagree with what was said about the first article. It was said that the internet is dangerous for everyone. Although that may be true, we shouldn't blame the internet for that, it is the persons fault for becoming in that situation. Also it was said that the internet tells kids things that parents don't want them to know. Again this is their fault; if the parents are so hung up about preventing their kids from knowing something, then they should take the precautions. They should set up parental controls or some other sort of protection against these things.

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  4. I feel that the Internet is a great technological advancement that will allow teenagers to strive in the business and social world. There are many dangers out there on the Internet, but it is up to the teenager to make the conscientious decision on if they want to get involved with those dangers. With the Internet, teenagers are learning the technology that is being used in the business world. They are also socializing with friends and family. This is a good thing because they are building a social network and allowing themselves to meet new people. Again, in order to avoid being addicted to socializing on the Internet is up to the teenager. We are responsible for ourselves and make our own decisions. There are many dangers of the Internet, but I feel the benefits outweigh the dangers.

    Siena :)

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  5. In response to Kendall's comment, I completely agree with it. I also disagreed with the first article because it really is up to the teenager to make their own decisions about what sites they go on and what they do on the Internet. It should also be up to the parent to monitor what they want their children to see or not see on the Internet. But for the second article, I disagree with your beliefs. I feel that social networking is a very good thing because it allows teenagers to become more active in the community and society. You make a good point about getting addicted, but again, teenagers need to know when to stop and how to control their use of the Internet.
    Siena :)

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  6. The internet is an endless source of knowledge. However, nothing is perfect so it does have its dangers. It is up to the teenagers to make the decision to stay away from bad websites. I am almost one-hundred percent sure that the teens will not purposely put themselves in dangers way. As the internet expands the teenager minds expands. Social networks may connect teenagers around the clock and strengthening their relationships, but they addict teenagers too much. As a result, teenagers will not go outside and get exercise. Studies do show that America is the most obese country in the world. This could be a cause of the expansion of the internet and everyone using it. I feel that the internet is a great technology but when used without restraint my cause serious damage to our bodies and future.

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  7. In response to Siena’s comment, I totally agree to it. However, it is true that the “There are many dangers of the Internet, but I feel the benefits outweigh the dangers,” there are still ways that the benefits can be bad. For example getting addicted to the internet can cause a horrific outcome. They maybe come fat and pale. The internet can be seen as a drug that a doctor prescribes to you. It helps you become better but if you overdose, you can become deathly sick. Nevertheless, Siena does make strong points on how we should be able to control ourselves. But not everyone can do that.

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  8. ... D: everyone disagrees with me. well anyways~ the internet can always give a false sense of security thereby making it easier for the internet users to be targeted. There have been many examples where people have thought they were using their better judgement (being safe & wary of traps), but in the end they were just tricked. gosh that was confusing. I agree with Connor that the interenet is not perfect and indeed contains its shares of faults. Bullying, scandals, murders, hacking, identity theft, etc can all occur over the internet. Recently, a woman posed as boy on myspace.com and befriended the woman's 13-year-old neighbor. After gaining the girl's trust the woman dumped the girl saying that the world would be a better place without her. The girl later hung herself. Yes, the girl chose to befriend her neighbor, but the dangers of the internet are unavoidable.

    I agree with Connor that teenagers do not purposely put themselves in the way of danger, but that does not mean that there are no dangers on the internet. The first article merely states that there are dangers present on the internet (and I agree with that).

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  9. After reading the articles, one warning about the dangers of the Internet and the other advocating it, I think that while the Internet has its dangers, each teenager learns responsibility and is introduced to reality from it. The Internet is a digital world, and most teenagers use their street-smarts online -for instance, they tend to avoid strangers, not give personal information, and be safe. Nevertheless, the Internet is filled with dangers. However, while parents show their care and concern for the safety of their teenagers, these problems are the same as those seen in the outside world. Similar to how parents are unable to observe their teenagers outside, they cannot oversee everything that they do on the Internet. Seeing the similarity between the two worlds, there is no need to only live in one. The Internet may have an unlimited source of information, but there are other ways to find that information; balance is key. Ultimately, achieving a balance is part of learning the responsibility needed to mature.

    -Stratford

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  10. After reading the first article regarding internet dangers for teens, although I'm both a believer and a doubter, I found myself leaning more toward a doubter. I feel that internet is a great tool that benefitted our society in many ways whether it is in the business world or the social world. Yes, there are dangers, and not just to teenagers but to adults as well. However, these dangers are actually avoidable. It all comes down to choices and decisions. Obviously, people know the existence of these dangers on the internet yet still vulnerable to fall for it. If it was so dangerous, internet would have been banned a long time ago. Furthermore, internet would not be used in daily lives, not to mention in school for research. So with the right attitude and a strong determination to resist against these danger, there would not be a problem concerning internet danger. Human is the creator of this invention, it is our responsibility to solve the problem and not to avoid it.
    For the second article, I would say I'm both a believer and doubter about teenager's internet socialization. What makes me say that I'm a believer? Well, in different ways, internet socializing has allowed us to communicate with people all over the world. It is now possible to stay in touch with a person residing far away with just a click of hand. This bring a much more efficient society because communication is no longer a time issue. In addition, this may help a person who is shy to be able to so socialize with people thus preventing social outcast. In online conversation, we would encounter some inappropriate things, but this can somewhat educate teens that the real world is full of danger and insecurity. On the other hand, I would also say I'm a doubter. Sometimes, teens do not need to socialize 24/7 because they can already see each other at school or even outside of school all the time with the exeption of far away friends. Meanwhile, too much internet socializing has cause our generation to be one of the most obesed. When a person only socialize through electronic devices, the relationship may not be able to strenthen because of lack of actual interaction.
    In response to Siena's comment, I completely agree with her. It is true that internet danger is avoidable through our own control. Not only does it allow teenagers to strive in the business and social world, but creating a more efficient society that is able to come together. However, there is no doubt that people would get used to this technology and later fear changes. What if this technology or invention were to malfunction or cause major problems? Is there an alternate way to replace internet now? So I believe that people must not be too dependent on internet.

    Esther

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  11. I agree with Siena's comment ("In response to Siena's comment, I agree"). I think that she makes valid points and defends them throughout her comment. It is true that the Internet has its dangers, but it is also true that the Internet benefits everyone in many ways, not only as teenagers but also later in life. To avoid the dangers, I concur with her statement that teenagers should be able to make their own choice. These choices are the same decisions that are made in everyday life; similar to taking responsibility for actions in reality, teenagers must take responsibility for their actions online.

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  12. Sorry, I forgot to put my name -this is Stratford.

    I agree with Siena's comment ("In response to Siena's comment, I agree"). I think that she makes valid points and defends them throughout her comment. It is true that the Internet has its dangers, but it is also true that the Internet benefits everyone in many ways, not only as teenagers but also later in life. To avoid the dangers, I concur with her statement that teenagers should be able to make their own choice. These choices are the same decisions that are made in everyday life; similar to taking responsibility for actions in reality, teenagers must take responsibility for their actions online.

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  13. I believe that the Internet is a beneficial way for people to connect with the world and another way to communicate globally. But there are sites that contains inappropriate content and despicable material that wastes time peoples' time and doesn't benefit them at all. Even though the Internet is like that, it allows adults and teens to have the freedom to be creative and learn how to explore new, different areas so they can gather information based on society and academics. Although there are many sites that contains material that's wrong, there are some that give helpful info that may give someone the facts that they need to know. Sites that involves socializing like Myspace or Facebook may keep teens distracted from what they do which may result in parents being so stereotypical about the Internet, but sometimes these sites allows teens to share information and communicate with each other. One example is when somebody didn't know what their homework was then they can contact one of their classmates online and find out what they need to do. There are many areas in the Internet that can be helpful but some can be meaningless.
    ~Josh

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  14. For both articles i acted as the skeptic just to be fair. For the first article i said that there is absolutly no inapropriate material on the internet; there are only different experiences to experience. What we encounter on the internet will bring in new idead to the equation, even contradicting ones. There is absolutly nothing wrong about finding who you are(From a pure skeptic view of the article).

    The second one I also meet with doubt, saying that internet socializing is a very bad thing to experience. It says that ,"Parental concern about the dangers of internet socializing might result from misperseption". How could anyone misinterpret the killing of young women due to the murderer know as the craigslistkiller. How could you possibly say that internet conversations are safe when in fact there is a television show (To catch a predator) that confronts adults who mean to violate minors. The article also states that the internet keeps friend in touch and improves skills needed for future jobs. I say that a heart felt post card is better than a dancing monkey e-card and that studying your economics homework will help you better in a home bussiness rather than studying the newest forward that pops up in your email.

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  15. Commenting on conner
    You didnt seem to really take an absolute said on the article. You first said that "hey internet, is great" then you said "internet is bad." Maybe i couldn't tell the transfer between articles in your comment. It just all seems like you're refering to one article

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  16. According to what Stratford said, I agree with what he explained about the risks of insecurity online. But even when teenagers learn how to be responsible, they may not put it in to practice. There are people who don't use common sense and they become insecure in what they do in reality and on the Internet. That's why it's important to obtain information and to learn responsibility online and in the real world.
    -Josh

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  17. The first article is saying that there are many dangers on the internet. I agree with it because there have been many examples of them. The second article says that the internet is a good place for teens to socialize. I dont completely agree. It is good to socialize with friends, but i dont see the need for teens to constantly be in touch with their friends.

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  18. I agree with kendall in the sense that it isnt the internets fault if something bad happens to someone on the internet. I think it all depends on the person using the internet because everyone knows there are dangers on the internet, but the decision is theirs whether or not to avoid them.

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  19. Internet has its positives and negatives. With a click of a mouse, you’re into a world of knowledge. Teenagers can learn anything from the internet, like how to make or do things from YouTube, access the news, gain information for research papers and other school related materials, etc. There are some negative pointers. Social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, AIM, etc. can be dangerous. Online predators and hackers are everywhere but it depends on how the person makes use of these social networks and their decisions to add these unknown people they have never met before. People that you know as friends, families and acquaintances should be your only friends on social networks. Family bonds can be ruined when teenagers are addicted to these websites. Social networking has its positive pointers too. Children, teenagers and adults can stay in touch with friends or relatives who live miles away or in another country. It also helps teenagers to prepare for the technological world ahead of them like building social skills.

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  20. I agree with Esther's comment. Yes, I believe everyone is affected and dangers can be avoidable by choice and decision. And yes, social networking helps us stay in touch with friends from far away. But because of technology, teen obesity is rising which is a bad sign. Also, interacting with people is a much better way than the computer. I totally agree with Esther.

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  21. Today the internet affects everyone in both good and bad ways. I agree that it is true that the internet is bad for teens today since we are exposed to inappropiate things. We also tend to become too addicted to the internet and then that ends up causing us to be only focused on the computer instead of paying attention to the people around us. However, the internet may also provide a positive side to teens today. I agree with the other article and how it tells us that teens going on social networks like myspace helps them become familiar with the type of technology that's in the real world. but I still disagree on the fact that teens should be allowed to be addicted to the computer since it causes them to become anti-social
    -jordyn

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  22. I agree with kendall's comment. Yes teens should be aware of the internet and the dangers it carries. Also yes it is true that social networks are bad for teens since they are becoming addicted to the computer more and more. And yes this can also cause the teens to become more unhealthier since they spend all their time on the computer sitting on a chair the whole time getting no exercise.
    -Jordyn

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  23. After reading both articles on teens on the internet, i realized that the internet can be useful but also have many negative affects on teens. The internet has many online predators that pick on teenagers as their victims. Also, teenagers spend too much time on the internet that they are not able to have a normal life with oral communication and real relationships. I mainly believe that although the internet helps us in our daily lives, teens spend too much time on it. Teens should limit their time on the internet as much as possible.

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  24. I agree with jordayn's comment that it isn't okay for teens to be addicted to the internet becasue it makes them anti-scoial. If teens are always on the internet, they won't have normal life because they will always be stuck in cyber world. I also agree with jordyn on the fact that the internet helps us because it makes us familiar with technology.

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  25. The internet is a vast resource for any type of information. It does not matter what you are looking for, some sort of information will show up. I believe there are both positive and negative aspects of internet usage among teens however, I feel that most negative usage occurs due to unintelligent choices made by teens. Most dangerous activities occur when teens make unhealthy decisions. Also the teen maybe pcychologically disturbed. They may be depressed or abused. Internet danger is completely avoidable. If a teen makes smart decisions online, it is probable that they will have a positive internet experience.

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  26. I definitely agree with Siena. Dangerous activity does NOT have to occur. Most teens who are threatened by sexual predators or are lured into human exploitation usually have made decisions that are unhealthy. Exposing personal content or talking to strangers in chat rooms puts the teen in higher risk for being harassed. In conclusion, most teens who find themselves in sticky situations have put themselves in that position.

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  27. After about the 5th attempt to submit my comment on the blog, irritation swept over me.

    Anyways, I believe that the internet has high potential to be dangerous. However everything depends upon the user of the internet. Its there decision if they would want to be involved with any dangerous material or be smart and avoid these lurking dangers. Sometimes it will be hard to avoid because the internet has lots of strange and risky aspects; however just using the internet for educational and appropriate social needs probably decreases the risk of being in a dangerous situation.


    -Grace:)

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  28. Also i agree with what Siena was saying, truly the internet is a very advanced technological program that helps strive a student for success. And there are many educational and appropriate aspects a person can choose to study from. However lots of people in this world are completely opposite and careless so they get involved with dangerous situations. But as Siena was saying, its our responsibility if we want to be involved with it or not.

    -Grace:)

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