`` From All The Dangers We Face Today `` By Steven Pinker

According to Steven Pinker, â€Å"from all the dangers we face today, the dangers of yesterday were even worse† (Pinker 30). Pinker focuses on the violence in human prehistory, Homeric Greece, and The Hebrew Bible. He also further discusses how the world has changed and has become less violent. Pinker says â€Å"many readers will be surprised to know that of the twenty-one worst things that people have ever done to each other, fourteen were in centuries before the 20th† (Pinker 194). Pinker backs up his information by using charts, in his charts, only one of the world wars is ranked at the top ten with 55,000,000 deaths. Nonetheless, his charts only prove that violence has declined because the number of deaths has lowered. However, I disagree Pinker totally ignores new evidence found on World War II, Rwandan Genocide, Syrian Conflict, and the acts of terrorism from 2001 to the present. Although Pinker discusses the succession of WWII, he ranks it number 9 as the deadliest. He clearly attempts to prove his argument â€Å"that the world is less violent† by lessening the view that WWII was the deadliest acts of violence in all of history. By emphasizing the numbers of casualties he undermines the great impact WWII had on the world and its victims. I disagree with Pinker’s chart for three reasons; Firstly, the name of the chart â€Å"(Possibly) The Twenty (or so) worst things People Have Done to Each Other†, clearly by the title alone one can argue that the evidence used to form this chartShow MoreRelatedEssay on Women on the Bottom and Men on Top967 Words   |  4 Pagesnot have a penis should not keep us from enjoying our differences. The mix-up in our thinking is that men and women are innately different yet we want them to be equal, which requires recognizing these differences then ignoring them, and puts reality on a collision course wit h the politically correct cause of equality. It seems that the difference between men and women has come down to science, and we need that to tell us what those distinctions are. Steven Pinker uses career choices to illustrateRead MoreThe Better Angels Of Our Nature2252 Words   |  10 Pagesmeant. Pinker describes narratives of violent acts from the past, that today are foreign to us. He gives us a tour of the historical human violence and how the violence in human nature has changed throughout time. The main idea from Pinker’s book,â€Å"The Better Angels of Our Nature , is â€Å"for all the dangers we face today, the dangers of yesterday were even worse.† He provides its readers with explicit violent stories beginning from 8000 BCE to now, and describes how violence has evolved from a bloodRead MoreShould We Stop Using Mobile Devices?1994 Words   |  8 Pagesand other technologies is lower human intelligence (Pinker, 293). In the essay â€Å"Mind Over Mass Media,† by Steven Pinker, he addresses thes e concerns and believes that there is no need for panic. Should we be worried? Should we stop using the internet? Should we stop using mobile devices? In my opinion, of course not. While technology is something we certainly all have come to rely and depend on, it does more good than harm. According to Pinker, â€Å"If electronic media were hazardous to intelligenceRead MoreConfucianism in Journey to the West31834 Words   |  128 Pages6 2.2.1. The Principles of Confucianism†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 6 2.2.2. The Confucian Revival†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 7 2.3. Human Behavior: Nurture versus Nature†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 8 3. Background Information†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 10 3.1. China’s Media Reform†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 10 3.1.1. From Class Struggle to Cultural Education: Changes in the Media Landscape†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 10 3.1.2. The Effectiveness of the Media Reform: An Ideological Chokehold†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 11 3.2. Confucianism in journey to the West†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 12 4. Methodology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦

The Power and Paradox of Literacy - 1810 Words

A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass The Power and Paradox of Literacy The â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass† has been regarded by many as one of the most influential slave narratives in American history. This colorful autobiography has and will forever situate Douglass at the forefront of the American abolitionist movement. Many scholars involved in the study of African American history, including James Matlack, a writer for the Atlanta Review of Race and Culture assert that the effectiveness of Douglass’s narrative rests upon his superior technique in sharing his experience and elating them to the general American population (Matlack 15). In this short narrative Douglass wonderfully exploits several themes that soon†¦show more content†¦Baker also points out that Douglass is attracted to only an abstract ideal of literacy before he has any familiarity with its actual practice (qtd in Sundquist). Only until Douglass has acquired the skills and begins reading, his attitude is pulle d by contradictory impulses. He is no longer sure literacy leads to freedom but instead feels that his ability to read is a curse as well as a blessing. For example, when Douglass attempts to use his literacy to escape, by writing passes for himself and his friends, he is literally jailed, even further imprisoned by his belief that literacy alone can provide a pathway to freedom. Yet while Baker argues that the pre-literate Douglass’ understanding of the power of literacy was primitive and its potentially devastating effects remained unexamined until after his acquisition of literacy; Martha Cutter, professor of ethnic literature at Kent University argues that Douglass was in fact aware of the effects that were created by education and literacy before he became literate. 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FurthermoreRead MoreEssay on Rousseaus Critique on Natural Man vs. Modern Man899 Words   |  4 Pagesforgets the essence of who he really is. Since men enjoyed very great leisure [with the introduction of literacy and modern technology], they used it to procure many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers (147). Mordern mans quest for material power, or virtue, creates inequality among themselves by making some individuals subservient to others in order to fulfill their desire for power and luxury. Modern man tries to use reason in order to gain virtue, but instead, reason has resulted inRead MoreEssay on Kingdom and Culture1708 Words   |  7 Pagesaccomplishments of culture. Assurance to Christ requires a decision (Yoder, 1996). Christ against culture known as the â€Å"New law† on this interpretation the Lordship of Christ does not define that untruth is the uppermost of abundant powers, on the other hand, that He is the solitary power surrounding the Christians (GCU, lecture). It therefore, awards Christ and culture as a major one or both superior; if we take up our cross and follow Christ, we need to discard any faithfulness to culture. For example, theRead MoreSocio – Political Situation of India1801 Words   |  8 Pages POPULATION 2nd most populated country in the world with urban population of 28%. It is the world’s youngest nation with 54% of its population below 25 years. Those in 13 – 35 years amount to 48%. In 2015 it is expected to grow to be 68%. What a power to reckon with. ECONOMY A growing perception in the world around is that China and India are becoming two major economic superpowers in the world. It is an accomplishment for some and an accosting danger for others. India in particular plays a vitalRead MoreThe Role Of Metropolitan Filaret s Divine Context And Ambiguity1415 Words   |  6 Pagesemancipation came the other great reforms, which radically changed peasant culture life. 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Henry Iv, Part I Essay Research Paper Example For Students

Henry Iv, Part I Essay Research Paper A monologue from the play by William ShakespeareKING: God pardon thee! Yet let me wonder, Harry,At thy affections, which do hold a wingQuite from the flight of all thy ancestors. Thy place in council thou hast rudely lost,Which by thy younger brother is supplied,And art almost an alien to the heartsOf all the court and princes of my blood.The hope and expectation of thy timeIs ruined, and the soul of every manProphetically do forethink thy fall.Had I so lavish of my presence been,So common-hackneyed in the eyes of men,So stale and cheap to vulgar company,Opinion, that did help me to the crown,Had still kept loyal to possessionAnd left me in reputeless banishment,A fellow of no mark nor likelihood.By being seldom seen, I could not stirBut, like a comet, I was wondred at;That men would tell their children, This is he!Others would say, Where? Which is Bolingbrook?And then I stole all courtesy from heaven,And dressed myself in such humilityThat I did pluck allegiance from mens hearts,Loud shouts and salutations from their mouthsEven in the presence of the crowned king. Thus did I keep my person fresh and new,My presence, like a robe pontifical,Neer seen but wondred at; and so my state,Seldom but sumptuous, showed like a feastAnd wan by rareness such solemnity.The skipping king, he ambled up and downWith shallow jesters and rash bavin wits,Soon kindled and soon burnt; carded his state;Mingled his royalty with capring fools;Had his great name profaned with their scornsAnd gave his countenance, against his name,To laugh at gibing boys and stand the pushOf every beardless vain comparative;Grew a companion to the common streets,Enfeoffed himself to popularity;That, being daily swallowed by mens eyes,They surfeited with honey and beganTo loathe the taste of sweetness, whereof a littleMore than a little is by much too much.So, when he had occasion to be seen,He was but as the cuckoo is in June,Heard, not regarded seen, but with such eyesAs, sick and blunted with community,Afford no extraordinary gaze,Such as is bent on sunlike majestyWhen it shines seldo m in admiring eyes;But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down,Slept in his face, and rendred such aspectAs cloudy men use to their adversaries,Being with his presence glutted, gorged, and full.And in that very line, Harry, standest thou;For thou hast lost thy princely privilegeWith vile participation. Not an eyeBut is aweary of thy common sight,Save mine, which hath desired to see thee more;Which now doth that I would not have it doMake blind itself with foolish tenderness.