Final Portfolio

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There’s an app for that

            I once went on a job interview at a regional bindery company and the first thing my interviewer did was take out a ruler. ‘Why don’t you show me an 1/8 and a 1/16 “ he said – I laughed. “You’d be surprised how many people can’t do that,” he said.

Next scenario, I recently went into an office – whose name I wont disclose – to take care of some urgent business. Everything was fine until the neatly dressed well-spoken employee had to figure out 5% of $380, and he couldn’t find his calculator. Ok quick mental math I thought: 10% of 380 is 38, 1/2of that is 19, “19 dollars” said I, “how did you know?” he asked - how did you not know I thought.

This is the underside of technology where we become so advanced that we forget, or simply don’t know how to do the basics. Now don’t misunderstand me, for I too am swept up in the technological toys of today, and I can say I have them all - except the I pad, but when the batteries die, there’s no signal, the desktop freezes, I still rely on that trusty note pad and pen that has yet to fail me.

Interestingly enough with all these technological toys the USA trails a lot of other countries in academics especially Math and Sciences – a point that president Obama mentioned in his “State of the Union” speech. Many Educational Institutions are now restructuring their curriculums in order to better challenge students reasoning and thinking abilities ... who knows - maybe there’s an app for that.

State of the Union

State Of The Union

           

Yadda yadda yadda, heard it all before, was my initial reaction as the President put forth his bold agenda for the next four years. Articulate as Obama was one could not help but notice the familiar political rhetoric, the obvious divisions, the bold ideas that all seemed so orchestrated one expected the curtain to fall at the end of the show.

            But something he said grabbed my attention and I found myself contemplating “Our brave men and women are coming home.” Although I totally support our military and applaud their braveness I could not help thinking … well, what are they coming home to?

            After years of war in Iraq were we eliminated a dictatorship and help usher in a new government; we find ourselves paying extremely high gas prices at home. So much so that Americans have been forced to rethink travel plans and winter heating bills have been grave – especially for northern states.

            We have reduced Al Quieda to a fraction of what it was in Afghanistan but our airports are at maximum security, and nor old lady or lotion is safe from the TSA. Our housing market slowly recovers while our unemployment stays stagnant, and the consumer index reflect the mood of the nation – Recessive.

            I wonder what the Huns, the Romans and all those great warriors of the past would think, for theirs was not only the victory; but the spoils of war – a concept we seemed to have forgotten.