Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
-> exerpt: There are two kinds of pretending. There is the bad kind, as when a person falsely promised to be your friend. But there is also a good kind, where the pretense eventually turns into the real thing. For example, when you are not feeling perticularly friendly, the best thing you can do, very often, is to act in a friendly manner. In a few minutes, you may really be feeling friendlier.
Assignment: Can deception-pretending that something is true when it is not- sometimes have good results? Plan an write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
Brain storming: ->Deception can't make itself to be true in any way.
1. Pretending and believing something which is not true can't make it true.
2.Historical facts-> 천동설, 마녀 등.
3. concealing one's inherent character can't last long
Some people say pretending to have a certain emotion makes us really feel it. They even argue that 'good' deceptions can contribute to good results. However, I believe deception can't turn out to be true in any way because it has its own limits. First of all, Ostentation can't be equivalent to the truth in matter-of-facts. For example, in medieval Europe, many religious leaders made false theory and belief to explain natural phenomena in accordance with the Bible. For one thing, they asserted that the earth was the center of the universe and they believe it to be true even if they lacked objective information to support it. However, many people at the time accepted the idea and no one was dare to question the fallibility of the belief. As a result, the falsehood continued until people began to give up their bias and explore the nature with science, the objective standard.
Expressing one's mood in oppostion to his internal feeling also can't have good results. Of course it is possible to have pretended mood, but it just temporarily exists. One's character is usually inherent, or at least very inveterate. So changing his personality artificially is needless and can be even harmful. When I was young, my parents wanted me to be extroverted, but I was very reserved by nature. At first, I tried to be talkactive and pretended to be more active, but my friends told me that my behaviors were unlike me and seemed awkward. Moreover, even myself felt so uneasy thta I counld't sustain my fabricated attitude.
surely, deception of one't feeling or belief seems to be able to make good results but it is not true in the long run. But we can't change the outer world and even ourselves along with what we believe them to be. scientific facts don't matter with what we think about them because the world, or the nature, is objective to everyone. And one's innate character doesn't suddenly change to what he wants. We should know that pretending, or believing something is absolutely different from what it is.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Simple thing
Some people like simplicity while others like complexity. Me? Well...I haven't think much about this topic, and I know this problem is not something that can be deemed by just 'Yes or No'. But if I have to say my own opinion, I will choose the simplicity. Of course I like something with deep meaning and with serious thought.
But, ironically, the more serious the problem is, the simpler the answer is. As you know, we prefer justice, or the good, to vice, or the bad. And we pursue the happiness rather than the sadness. And, if you skim some history book, you can easily find this 'axiom' of life.(well..I want to give you some examples but I can't pick up one thing specifically...at now.)
Surely, deep thinking is more important than 'no thinking'. However, if you just indulge yourself on the seriousness itself, you can't find the best answer. for instance, think about a test day. if you take a test, you shouldn't think other things like these; what if my score comes out worse than I think? How will others regard me if I failed? So, the answer is simple; just concetrate on what you are doing.
...well...anyway, now I feel terribly bad because josh gave me not good grades(frankly, lol) However, I shouldn't worry about my past and future....I will rather concentrate what I should and can do. Hey, josh! don't be too picky! ㅋㅋㅋ
But, ironically, the more serious the problem is, the simpler the answer is. As you know, we prefer justice, or the good, to vice, or the bad. And we pursue the happiness rather than the sadness. And, if you skim some history book, you can easily find this 'axiom' of life.(well..I want to give you some examples but I can't pick up one thing specifically...at now.)
Surely, deep thinking is more important than 'no thinking'. However, if you just indulge yourself on the seriousness itself, you can't find the best answer. for instance, think about a test day. if you take a test, you shouldn't think other things like these; what if my score comes out worse than I think? How will others regard me if I failed? So, the answer is simple; just concetrate on what you are doing.
...well...anyway, now I feel terribly bad because josh gave me not good grades(frankly, lol) However, I shouldn't worry about my past and future....I will rather concentrate what I should and can do. Hey, josh! don't be too picky! ㅋㅋㅋ
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Hardest Task
Many people say that there are many difficult things to do, and each of the people think different thing as the hardest to achieve. However, I think the most challenging one is to overcome myself.
recently, I'm preparing a test and it's really demanding especially for ESL people. The point is, I have to study, literally, all day. Like other korean undergraduates, I like to hang out with my friends, playing basketball and computer games, but the situation I'm in doesn't allow me to enjoy such life! Too strenuous... .
Of course, on weekends I can relax and do whatever I want, but I think that's not enough. You know, sometimes I think 'why should I live like this? just graduating from ordinary college also guarantee at least an ordinary job.' yes, it's true. But I obviously know what I want to do in the future, and the occupation demands me very, very painstaking efforts.
Even so, I sometimes 'violate' the rule I've set, and that's the problem. But i don't know what to do! Well...someone might say, 'Hey, it depends on your will!' Ok. it's alright. But he should know how much it is hard to live everyday studying from 7am to 12pm for about 4 months!...kind of BS.
Well...I think I've just complain about my life...I hope not. Anyway, I believe 'someday' I'll be able to get a score I want....Hey..Think positively! lol
recently, I'm preparing a test and it's really demanding especially for ESL people. The point is, I have to study, literally, all day. Like other korean undergraduates, I like to hang out with my friends, playing basketball and computer games, but the situation I'm in doesn't allow me to enjoy such life! Too strenuous... .
Of course, on weekends I can relax and do whatever I want, but I think that's not enough. You know, sometimes I think 'why should I live like this? just graduating from ordinary college also guarantee at least an ordinary job.' yes, it's true. But I obviously know what I want to do in the future, and the occupation demands me very, very painstaking efforts.
Even so, I sometimes 'violate' the rule I've set, and that's the problem. But i don't know what to do! Well...someone might say, 'Hey, it depends on your will!' Ok. it's alright. But he should know how much it is hard to live everyday studying from 7am to 12pm for about 4 months!...kind of BS.
Well...I think I've just complain about my life...I hope not. Anyway, I believe 'someday' I'll be able to get a score I want....Hey..Think positively! lol
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Historical Day
Do you know what day it is today? I mean, what happened in world history on November 11th? Yes, it's the same day when Abraham Lincoln delivered historical speech, the Gettysburg Address. Though I'm not an American, I really respect him and his ideal, which is clearly expressed in the address that now we called the spirit of United States.
Why is it so important even after the African americans got freedom after emancipation? First of all, the speech represents the ultimate equality and dignity of all mankind. In reality, many people suffer from the prejudices and discriminations based on their appearance and outward (superficial) status, including their skin color, nationality, ethnicity, language, social and economic status. However, the Gettysburg Address symbolizes and promises the world where everyone has the right to be treated reasonably equal before social regulation, such as law.
Moreover, it envisions the world that I want to realize in our world. In other word, it shows my ideal. The world, which I really want to bring into reality and inherit to my prosperity, is the society in which people can feel that they are really the sovereign of their world. In addition, it's the world where people will be treated equally in proportion to their efforts to succeed and no 'permanent' or 'guaranteed' minority (powerless) and majority (powerful) exist.
Of course, this goals are really hard (may look impossible) to actualize, and that's why the society shown in the Gettysburg Address doesn't come to us yet. However, compare to the ancient world, we have accomplished thousands of thousands of incredible achievements throughout history; equality before law, or the nation was just an imagination for the Roman slaves, but we now think caste systems are totally unreasonable and anachronistic. So, I think people will reach the goal someday in near future.
"the just world of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -Someone in the future-
Why is it so important even after the African americans got freedom after emancipation? First of all, the speech represents the ultimate equality and dignity of all mankind. In reality, many people suffer from the prejudices and discriminations based on their appearance and outward (superficial) status, including their skin color, nationality, ethnicity, language, social and economic status. However, the Gettysburg Address symbolizes and promises the world where everyone has the right to be treated reasonably equal before social regulation, such as law.
Moreover, it envisions the world that I want to realize in our world. In other word, it shows my ideal. The world, which I really want to bring into reality and inherit to my prosperity, is the society in which people can feel that they are really the sovereign of their world. In addition, it's the world where people will be treated equally in proportion to their efforts to succeed and no 'permanent' or 'guaranteed' minority (powerless) and majority (powerful) exist.
Of course, this goals are really hard (may look impossible) to actualize, and that's why the society shown in the Gettysburg Address doesn't come to us yet. However, compare to the ancient world, we have accomplished thousands of thousands of incredible achievements throughout history; equality before law, or the nation was just an imagination for the Roman slaves, but we now think caste systems are totally unreasonable and anachronistic. So, I think people will reach the goal someday in near future.
"the just world of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -Someone in the future-
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Difference
What's your attitude toward differnce? What do you think about difference? Are these questions too abstract? Then, what do you think about the conflicts made by the difference of people's interests, cultures and color, or, what do you think about the diversity of creatures that makes the earth filled with flourishing life energy?
yes, this question might be easy when we see just one aspect of 'differnce', but if you think about both sides of the difference, it'll be very hard to answer. But, if I have to choose one position about this topic, I'll be the one who support the variety.
First, difference let us to see the world with other viewpoints. If you are Korean, you can see the world in korean eye, but only in korean eye. However, if you know another culture and understand the people who see the world differently, you can see your life with broader recognition.
In addition, by accepting difference, we can sustain our life. Awkward? partially could be, but not. As you know, the reason why organisms evolve in different ways is to survive and adapt to the environment. If there is only one(or few) kind of life and if it is very weak to a certain pestilence or a virus, that life will be extinct. But if there are some 'different' lives, at least not every life will die.
Of course, in human society, Conformity is becoming more and more important. Still, nobody denies the value of difference, or diversity. The disadvantage of difference doesn't come from its nature, but from we, people's prejudice and hostility. When people truly acknowledge and understand the difference among them, the difference can be the strong power to flourish our life standard.
yes, this question might be easy when we see just one aspect of 'differnce', but if you think about both sides of the difference, it'll be very hard to answer. But, if I have to choose one position about this topic, I'll be the one who support the variety.
First, difference let us to see the world with other viewpoints. If you are Korean, you can see the world in korean eye, but only in korean eye. However, if you know another culture and understand the people who see the world differently, you can see your life with broader recognition.
In addition, by accepting difference, we can sustain our life. Awkward? partially could be, but not. As you know, the reason why organisms evolve in different ways is to survive and adapt to the environment. If there is only one(or few) kind of life and if it is very weak to a certain pestilence or a virus, that life will be extinct. But if there are some 'different' lives, at least not every life will die.
Of course, in human society, Conformity is becoming more and more important. Still, nobody denies the value of difference, or diversity. The disadvantage of difference doesn't come from its nature, but from we, people's prejudice and hostility. When people truly acknowledge and understand the difference among them, the difference can be the strong power to flourish our life standard.
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