Annotated Bibliography

BMW Group. BMW EfficientDynamics in Detail. Worldcarfans. 23 Mar. 2007. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://www.worldcarfans.com/10703234683/bmw-efficientdynamics-in-detail>.

            The information in this article was adapted from a press release from the BMW group explaining their concept of Efficiency Dynamics. This concept, created by BMW, addresses my argument that I am trying to make directly. BMW has always been about creating the ultimate driving machine, which simply put is creating a car that is exhilarating to drive all while giving the consumer many benefits. These benefits include better fuel economy and fewer amounts of carbon emissions being produced by the engines aiding to a greener planet. In recent years what has allowed BMW to achieve their goal, which is creating “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” is by creating a large fleet of cars utilizing high performance derived engines paired with single or dual turbochargers. The utilization of turbo chargers has allowed for BMW to decrease displacement size of the engine, making it less thirsty, which in turn allows the car to be lighter. This is achieved by using more magnesium and aluminum components, which are stronger and lighter than conventional steel, for construction. This ultimately leads to the car being lighter and stronger and cleaner running.

Oagana, Alex. "Forced Induction: The Turbocharger." Autoevolution News. - Autoevolution. 27 Jan. 2009. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. <http://www.autoevolution.com/news/forced-induction-the-turbocharger-3571.html>.

            This article gives a good, yet fairly basic, description of turbochargers and how they work in the car. The article states some key advantages and disadvantages of this type of forced induction; however, it does mention something that is very crucial to the argument that I am trying to make. This concept, as mentioned by the author, is what is known as “free power.” Free power does not mean that the car be powered for no cost to the consumer; however, the car can be aided by a source of power that would have simply had just been expelled completely in a naturally aspirated car. The turbocharger takes exhaust fumes and recycles them to cooler, more condensed air as it is pushed through the turbine of the turbo and into the cylinder heads to create the explosion to power the car. This cooler, more condensed air provides a better punch than normal atmospheric pressure air, which is employed by naturally aspirated engines. This extra punch provided by the turbo allows for the engine to be lighter, which by a series of engineering chain of events, allows for the entire car to be lighter. This means the car can have a better focus on improved fuel economy and reliability to cost less to the environment and consumer respectively.

Thesis Statements and Questions

1.     Thesis question: Is the use of antibiotics in children detrimental to their health in the short and long run?

Thesis Statement: Although the premature use of antibiotics in children can have a positive health outcome, there also other factors that need to be taken into account to help establish if they do more harm than good.

2.     Thesis question: Is there been a rapid rise in the frequency of the number of children being struck with autism?

Thesis Statement: It was once though that the occurrence of ones child having autism was rare; however, over the years, research has pointed to a rise in the frequency of autistic children.

3.     Thesis question: Is the increased amount of hunting, for sport and recreation, decreasing the amount of the world’s biodiversity?

Thesis statement: Although it appears as if hunting on occasion creates very little disturbance in that specific biological environment, studies have shown that the increased amount of hunting is directly threatening the amount of biodiversity.

4.     Thesis Question: Is there a advantage of driving an older car over purchasing a new one?

Thesis statement: Everyone loves the new car smell; however, is more economical, greener, and safer to drive an old car over hoping on over to the dealers and purchasing a brand new auto.

5.     Thesis question: Is forced induction engines in cars have more pros associated with it than having a naturally aspirated engine?

Thesis statement: With the recent changes in the automotive world, the use of forced induction engines (turbochargers, superchargers, twin screw superchargers) provide more performance along with added benefits dealing with fuel consumption and other associated costs.

Free write

There is no doubt that the underlying connection between all three of the pieces, Wests "Power," Bergers "Ways of Seeing," and Focault's "Panopticism," is power; however, the way that each one of them describes it meaning to society are vastly apart, or is it? West appears to liken power to having complete rule over everyone as displayed by representing him as ruler aided with his immense fame. Berger focuses not on the power of people, but on the power of an image. He shows the reader the power lies within the orginial of something, not a camera recreation. So can we then say that since West always appears behind a camera that his power is somewhat lessened, or mystified? Finally, Focault explains power in a way that summarizes both concepts in the other two pieces, by explaining to his audience that power lies within seeing, but its how you "see" something is the key. He elaborates on the panopticon as a form of discipline and punishment that allows for effective control with minimal effort. This could be likened to both other works by the music video and priceless works of art both were the creation of one, and capture the attention of many more.

Panopticon

In Focaults "Panopticon," he remarks on Jeremy Bentham's idea of the Panopticon. He establishes his own ideas of how it generates an economically cheap power that fills in the gap with the "technology" of discipline. The Panotpticon offers cheap power because it allows maximum control with a small amount of controllers to be put in charge, thus minimizing anything to go wrong on either end of the spectrum. Discipline and disciplinary action have made technological advances as history has progressed over the years, each century offering alternatives and adapting to the present. The goal is to create a society filled with people that suited to live in every day life; however, as with many things in life there are always going to be the outliers, those he need correction. Focaults discussion on discipline and power reveals to the reader how intertwined they are with everyday life: In schools, in prisons, factories, and hospital. Power has become the basis of life, it is an integral function to sustaining the "norm."

My Response

            Establishing a sense of responsibility is key in order to bring about change in the very dependent on others type of world that we live in today. When Madsen states, “ This sense of insignificance, which Pollan theorizes, has made me wait until my regular light bulbs burned out before considering replacing them with energy- efficient,” is the very thing that worries me. Every big change that occurs in life starts somewhere small, and if powerful enough, leads to a Domino effect. This is the point that people, including Kyle, need to recognize.

            I’d have to agree, it is quite a daunting task for an individual to take on global climate change when there is no laws or political action, but we must look past that roadblock. “If you do bother, you will set an example for other people,” (92) is that goal we should be striving for.  Our society has changed drastically from several years ago, and so is our Earth. Planting a garden and becoming self sufficient with produce is a difficult task; however, it is very possible. The garden is a symbol for new, fresh growth, and that’s exactly what we need to set our sights on.

Geertz Summary

            In the article, “Deep Play: Notes on a Balinese Cockfights,” Geertz remarks on his experience of living with the Balinese, absorbing their culture, and trying to identify the significance of the cockfights that happen so readily there. A remarkable style of writing is implemented that almost appears that if he is crafting a journal entry for a local newspaper; however, it goes so much “deeper” than just that. The entire summary of this article stems from the title, specifically the words “ Deep play,” which branches out to describing the cockfights; he mentions how they take on an art form in an unusual manner that so perfectly describes the unique, and somewhat odd, culture of the Balinese.

            Due to the complexity of this article, it would be silly to try and take everything that Geertz says for face value, behind his well sought out anthropological arguments are “deeper” meanings. Geertz is really trying to strike chords with the reader and get his audience to truly understand what the complex network around the cockfight is truly a symbol. In his case it is a symbol for their culture, even though the society functions on a full 180-degree turn from what goes on with the fights, the connections can be made.

            It is easy to get lost in the complex wording, difficult vocabulary, and what seems like endless footnotes; however, an astute audience can get past all that and realize the message Geertz is convey. The Balinese culture is akin to an art form that is the cockfight, which at first glance seems like an unreasonable correlation, but the correlation does exist. One has to look past the strict guidelines of the day to day social life and analyze the instance where the rules of life fall by the way side and let the art be interpreted “deeply” to understand them, the true point being made by Geertz.

Geertz Quote

" As any art form- for that, finally is what we are dealing with- the cockfight renders ordinary, everyday experience comprehensible by presenting it in terms of acts and objects which have had their practical consequences removed and been reduced ( or, if you prefer, raised) to the level of sheer appearances, where their meaning can be more powerfully articulated and more exactly perceived. the cockfight is "really real" only to the cocks- it does not kill anyone, castrate anyone, reduce anyone to animal status, alter the hierarchal relations among people, nor refashion the hierarchy; it does not even redistribute income in any significant way."

I chose the quotation that I did not for it's complexity, although there is a lot of thought that probably went  into it, but for how it gives a general picture to the audience of everything that goes on in the village and what it truly boils down too. First off, he uses the theory of art, which in this case are the cockfights themselves, to explain why the people of that village are the way they are. The cock fights represent everything that the people embody, or would like to embody, but put it into another reality, the reality that only exists to the "cocks." These fights have no affect on society, because to them the money doesn't matter neither does the humility or victory. After all is said and done, this quote gets down to the fact that the cockfights serve no other purpose than itself, this allows it take on its art form.