In today's rapidly evolving world, artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly intertwined with our daily lives. From virtual assistants to chatbots, AI tools are revolutionizing the way we interact with information. But amidst this technological revolution, I think one thing remains clear: English and Language Arts skills are more valuable than ever before. In fact, they are crucial for effectively engaging with AI systems.
One compelling example that highlights the significance of English skills in the AI landscape is prompt engineering. AI tools, like the popular ChatGPT, heavily rely on the prompts they receive from users to generate responses. How a prompt is formulated can drastically influence the output and the user's learning experience. The provided reading mentions how a simple variation in prompt—"write about the American Revolution"—can yield a textbook-like response, while a more nuanced prompt such as "draw connections between 15 women today and the American Revolution" can spark a completely different output. This demonstrates that precise and effective communication through language is key to harnessing the full potential of AI tools. In this age of AI, English skills are not just necessary but transformative, paving the way for new opportunities and deeper understanding. Among the unquenchable flames of literary discourse, few characters have elicited such fervent debate as Shakespeare's Shylock from "The Merchant of Venice." Is he an evil character, driven by malevolence and revenge? Or is he a victim, a product of the discriminatory society in which he resides? In this post I will be exploring arguments from both camps to unearth the truth behind the enigma.
Shylock, the vengeful moneylender, stands as the embodiment of wickedness for many readers. His thirst for revenge against Antonio, the Christian merchant, is palpable. In the pivotal Act III, Scene 1, Shylock delivers a monologue rife with grievances, highlighting his intention to exact ruthless retribution. His insistence on the infamous "pound of flesh" seems cruel and devoid of mercy, reinforcing the perception of him as a malevolent force. However, a closer examination of Shylock's circumstances reveals a different perspective—one of victimhood in a society rife with prejudice. Throughout the play, the Jewish moneylender faces relentless discrimination and mistreatment at the hands of the Christian characters. Antonio and his cohorts openly spew venomous insults, reducing Shylock to a caricature of his faith. Such anti-Semitic treatment engenders an atmosphere of exclusion and prejudice, leaving Shylock isolated and marginalized. It is without doubt that Shylock emerges as a character shrouded in nuance and controversy. While some perceive him as an embodiment of evil, it is my belief that a deeper examination reveals a figure wounded by prejudice and marginalization. Shakespeare's deliberate portrayal of Shylock as a victim challenges us to reassess our own prejudices and grapple with the complexities of justice and mercy. In the end, Shylock beckons us to question the societal structures that perpetuate discrimination and recognize the humanity that lies beneath the masks we wear. In a world bustling with diversity, it's easy to assume that equality reigns supreme. But what if I told you that amidst the vibrant tapestry of cultures, there lies a group silently grappling with discrimination and marginalization? Prepare to unveil the hidden struggles of Asians, a community often overshadowed in discussions about social inequality.
Asians, a diverse group encompassing numerous ethnicities and backgrounds, face their share of challenges in contemporary society. From subtle biases to overt discrimination, the journey of an Asian individual is often fraught with obstacles. Stereotypes and racial bias are among the primary weapons used to undermine their experiences. Whether it's being dismissed as a perpetual foreigner or reduced to the confining notion of the model minority, these stereotypes serve to flatten the rich tapestry of Asian identities. Beyond the realm of perception, the workplace becomes a battleground where Asians must navigate biases and discrimination. Hindered by the "bamboo ceiling," talented individuals often find themselves trapped beneath an invisible barrier, struggling to shatter glass ceilings and claim leadership positions. Educational institutions, too, have not escaped the clutches of discrimination. Asian students face bias in college admissions, where higher standards and quotas can limit their opportunities and discourage them from pursuing diverse career paths. Yet, discrimination against Asians extends far beyond systemic biases. In recent years, a disturbing surge in hate crimes and xenophobic incidents has shaken Asian communities worldwide. From verbal assaults to violent attacks, the vulnerable are left to question their place in a society that should protect and uplift all its members. The lack of representation in media and entertainment further deepens the invisibility of Asians, perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing their marginalization. By shedding light on the often overlooked struggles of Asians, we take a step toward understanding and combating the pervasive nature of discrimination. It is time to challenge stereotypes, amplify diverse Asian voices, and work together to create a society that embraces and uplifts every individual, regardless of their cultural heritage. It is time to unmask the marginalized and forge a path towards true equality. Visual media is a symbol of the 21st century. With the rise of social media platforms like Youtube, Instagram, and Twitter which revolve around pictures to communicate messages, an increasing number of people are letting go of traditional text. Which side should we be leaning towards? I say that images and videos are the superior method of communication. Humans have an innate attraction towards visuals which enables it to capture effectively attention and foster engagement. In addition, we can overcome language barriers with visual communication, making information more accessible to diverse audiences. For example, a book written in English can only be read by people fluent in the language, but a photo essay's pictures can be interpreted by anyone, granted they can see. Though these advantages don't negate possible drawbacks. Since nuance and depth are trivialized in favor of brevity and simplicity, visual media can often oversimplify complex ideas and concepts. Again, books demonstrate this well. A picture book may be suitable for children who can only understand simple ideas, but an adult who is looking for an immersive reading experience will want a book with proper words that can convey meaningful stories. Clearly, both visual media and text both have their ups and downs. Even if my opinion may be sided with visual media, there is now clear answer for now. Maybe in the future, technological advancements will put one ahead of the other.
I think the photojournalist Kevin, made the right choice in this photo, because the effect of this photo is worth any little danger the girl was in. However, I believe he should've at least helped the child get to the UN feeding center safely before leaving, as she deserved this much for helping create such an impactful photo. Addressing the issue of Kevin not helping the girl immediately, I believe that he would've done so if the vulture were really moments away from harming her. In this photo the vulture isn't taking any action, only observing which gives Kevin some time to take the photo. As a result, he was able to create a deep and meaningful picture, and may have had the added benefit of bringing more awareness to poverty and the situation many children like this girl face. Finally, my opinion on whether photojournalists in general should interfere or alter their stories is that indeed they should not have too much influence on their own stories. This avoids creating misinformation or extra stories that may be accidentally conveyed through a photo. Additionally, in this particular circumstance, Kevin did not interfere or create an artificial narrative. He may have waited to capture everything perfectly in frame, however the message he is telling through this photo is very real. Children are suffering because of poverty and neglect, but not because of regular individuals. It is the ultra wealthy who have built exploitable flaws into the system we live by. Any potential problems with the photographer should not take away from the meaning and its value.
You hear about it all the time. We know that racism is present in the police force. After all, they are an authority figure operating on perhaps the most problematic and concerning system ever conceived.. But to see racism show itself in those who seem to be regular citizens, that strikes a deep chord within me.
Being an asian, I am lucky to have a kind and supportive environment to grow up in. I can maybe recall only once instance where someone seriously meant to be racist towards me. However for the innocent black teens in the video, this clearly isn't the case. For them, even a benign action like sleeping will be interpreted as a crime. On the other hand, white teens can vandalize a car in broad daylight and escape with little to no repercussions in most circumstances. The video shows that you can't deny the clear association that many have between black individuals and violence. This is a mindset set deep in many lives, and requires action to change. If people stopped regarding African-Americans as inherently dangerous, and instead judged them for the humans they are, a great deal of positive change will await us. And isn't this exact conclusion what Martin Luther King Jr. had hoped for humanity? We've all heard it before: "I'm sorry". According to a survey from express.co.uk, the average person apologized almost 3000 times a year; that a lot of sorries. Most likely though, apologies in day to day life are for unserious issues and we end up accepting it without a second though. But what about an issue like the death of thousands of indigenous children at the hands of an assimilating school system?
Somewhat early last year in April, Pope Francis made what seemed like a profound and heartfelt apology to those who suffered from residential schools. As I am not an indigenous, let alone a survivor of a residential school, I cannot accept or deny the Pope's apology on behalf of the Church. What I can do is offer my humble opinion on the matter. In CBC's short video "Pope Francis apologizes to Indigenous delegates for abuses at residential schools", it becomes quickly evident that though the Pope may be apologizing, he avoids laying blame directly on the Church. This alone makes me hesitant on the validity of the apology. Though even if this weren't the case, the damage has still been done to the indigenous community. The dead cannot come back, and those with trauma will likely suffer for the rest of their lives. To truly apologize would be to not only assume direct responsibility, but act in ways that indicate they are really sorry. If the Church can devise ways to work with indigenous peoples to benefit them, only then may an apology like this be legitimate. As for the Toronto police chief's apology to the Black community, the issue is similar. Lots of words, not enough action. Even in the video "Toronto police chief apologizes to Black community as race-based data released" by Global News, members of the African-American community are aware of this. To conclude, apologies by important organizations like the Church and police are not enough. Both want to avoid bigger problems by hoping that a simple apology will solve everything. However this crisis will continue for as long as people continue support them. Ignorance enables them to get away with a few words and some tears. I believe that most people will do what is right, however awareness, and most importantly action are absent. It's been on everyone's minds recently. An issue that has been present for far too long. Forcibly dragged into the limelight time and time again, and of course for all the wrong reasons. Let's not mince words, minorities are dying at the hands of police. Most notably the African-American community has been the target of increased police brutality and killings for the past few years. Hasan Minhaj addressed his on his show, the Patriot Act. During which he also mentions a lesser discussed subject, the broken policing system behind the violence.
On the episode, Hasan met with Seth Stoughton, currently working as a law professor. Stoughton also had extensive experience as a police officer and the training they receive. We find out one key principal of police training is to treat everyone as a potential threat. In fact most training for officers consist of over 100 hours with weapons and only 8 in conflict de-escalation. Hasan also discusses Dave Grossman, a police trainer who preaches that police are "natural born killers" and that "killing is just not that big of a deal". It is already quite concerning that such a mindset is even mentioned to law enforcement, who are meant to protect citizens. Furthermore, amidst a movement supporting de-escalation and conflict avoidance, it seems police training aims to do the exact opposite. Considering the amount of experience police get with weapons training, it seems to come with no surprise when they easily resort to violence. Another point Hasan brings up on the episode is the lack of consequences police face for their actions. For example, to sue a police officer you need to probe that a clearly established right has been violated. However a right can only be "clearly established" if an officer has been sued for clearly violating it. This isn't the only cycle that exists to help protect officers from facing punishment for misconduct. In an interview with Professor Micheal Eric Dyson, he tells Hasan about the relationship between prosecutors and police officers. When law enforcement is faced with criminal charges, prosecutors are the ones responsible for indicting them. Interestingly, prosecutors also depend on police officers to help with investigations and gather evidence. It seems like there is almost a mutually beneficial relationship between the two. As a result, when it is time for prosecutors to charge law enforcement with criminal offences, in most cases they are excused. When such information is presented upfront, it seems silly that such is even possible. Unfortunately, these are the practices and guidelines built into the policing system. When you combine officers who are encouraged to resort to violence and minimal consequences for criminal acts, you are inevitably faced with the situation currently at hand. Therefore instead of just demanding that police stop racism and violence, we should target the root of the problem. We need to prioritise reforming the entire process and system behind police brutality. If enough people are made aware of the broken policing system, and people decide to take action, only then may we begin to see change in the flawed world around us. Pencils, crayons, pastels, paintbrushes, canvases and maybe even digital drawing tablets. There's no doubt these items are commonly symbolic of art in the minds of many. Some might think these stereotypical drawing tools don't represent art properly. but I think in a way it does. Look at the art above. What strikes you first? The vivid colours? the texture? Or maybe the complexity. These are all features the painter chose to put in because well, they wanted to. It just so happens that the result was a beautiful painting. Now think of some books you've read before. Recall how each book had a style of writing unique to the author, because they preferred to write that way. Did the book make you feel an emotion? If you can remember the book then it probably did. In my opinion, both examples are art because they express something that the painter or author wanted to convey. In a sense, they are both artists. "Art" is indeed a broad term, but that doesn't mean it has to be a deep and existential term. Instead, I think of art as all the ways humans can communicate that goes beyond simple words in everyday conversation. As a result it shouldn't be tied to such a single philosophic definition. It is flexible and can be changed to whatever anyone deems fit. For example simple and sweet, like mere pencils and crayons that remind someone of art. Or expansive and meaningful, like a breathtaking painting that influences many.
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AaronAaron is a 10th grader trying to graduate and get a good job Archives
May 2023
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