Assignment #16: Industrialization Seminar - engine of souls

Date: Jan 1, 2008

Assignment #16: Industrialization Seminar

Date: Jan 2, 2008

So, who is doing number #1? What do you think? Does it matter how someone uses wealth? Think about it. What if someone is wealthy and keeps all of the money to themselves? Just because someone is rich, does that mean that there is a level of social responsibility that goes along with it? What if someone could help but doesn't? What if someone's wealth causes suffering, either intentionally or not? What do you think?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I don't think its a question of how they use their wealth or that their wealth causes suffering but the real question is how they obtain that wealth? Are they taking it from others in order to get it?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

So, Kelby... does the number of poor actually hurt the democratic process? Wouldn't you think that the number of people who participate in a democracy determines whether it is undermined or not? Does wealth matter? Or does wealth actually influence the democratic process? Think about the 08 election now.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

i think im gonna do 8 =]

Date: Jan 2, 2008

ashley baldo claims questions # 4 and #10
hahahaha

Date: Jan 2, 2008

the number 8 is amber lol. my bad.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I am going to research number 5 and 9.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I am doing #1!!!!!! biggrin

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I plan to do numbers 1 and 9 but I need some help with the latter.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Erin wrote:

I am doing #1!!!!!!

And #10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Looking like 6 and 9.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

For those of you who chose #9, consider all of the pervasive developments in the last decade. Genetic engineering of food and bodies, nanotechnology, energy, computers and the internet, and medicine are all examples of technology that is really becoming more and more entangled with everyday life. Are people losing a part of their humanity because of their deepening connection with technology?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

#1. I think that industrialists in their greedy search for more money are captains of industry because they are leading advances that not only create jobs but make living life easier.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

3 & 5

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I'm doing #2 and #10

Date: Jan 2, 2008

ill do 2 and 8

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Amber, consider the questions of nuclear weapons (or any weapons technology) and genetic engineering. Both of those are examples of technology that has, somewhat, tried to be controlled... with limited results. Is it possible to tell people to stop developing a type of tech, or do you think that capitalism (and profit) drives tech change whether people think it is right or not.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Patrick wrote:

#1. I think that industrialists in their greedy search for more money are captains of industry because they are leading advances that not only create jobs but make living life easier.

I think that philanthropists like JD Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie are more like examples of "captain's of industry" because they were willing to give money away to improve life, medicine, and science rather than those who, by trying to create adavnces makelife more difficult for those around them.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

# 1 & 9

Date: Jan 2, 2008

i think im going to do 5 and 10

Date: Jan 2, 2008

For number 1, what exactly is a so called "Captain of Industry"?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Patrick wrote:

#1. I think that industrialists in their greedy search for more money are captains of industry because they are leading advances that not only create jobs but make living life easier.

Well, the definition of robber barons is that they are greedy. So what is greed and what isn't? I mean, they are all acting like capitalists and playing by the rules. It's not like they are stealing technically. The other thing is that, yes, they may make some life easier, but think about the history of the labor movement. If life was made so much better, why would millions of workers over 100 years or so have to protest and strike in order to get better conditions and wages.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

4. Can alternative political philosophies operate in a democracy?

Yes, I think different political philosophies can operate in a democracy. Actually I believe that different political philosophies have to exist for a democracy to really exist. If there were only one idea and everyone agreed with it, the country would be more of a monarchy, there would be no voting if everyone had the same ideas. There need to be separate ideas to run a country as well, some ideas are better than others and working it out with people who dont think exactly like you do can be beneficial because their ideas can help form solutions you might not have thought of before. So not only can different political philosophies operate in a democracy but I think they more than likely need to exist.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I think it does matter how industrialists use their wealth. If they are making a great deal of money, and offering jobs to many people, then they should donate some of their money to charities who need it. However, I don't think how they use their wealth causes any suffering, unless they are intentionally using it to do bad things to other people. They could change other people's lives if they donated it, but by not donating it they aren't hurting anyone.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

I feel that the democratic process is altered by the lower class but not necessarily in a bad way. They vote for change and a way out of their current situation and sometimes that isn't always a bad thing. The lower class shakes the process up a little per say. Obviously wealth matters it determines the current economical state of the country and sometimes patriotism and even democracy. It is easy to get along when everything is going well, it takes a lot of work to keep the process undercontrol when everything is crazy and everyone is afraid of their current situation. Wealth does infact matter, depending on the current distribution wealth it can or cannot be in a bernefitial way. In the '08 presidential election the democratic process is infact being influenced by the current financial state of the country.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

8. Can the pace of technological innovation be controlled?

I really think that the history of our world proves that it really can't be controlled. Maybe to some extent we can controll how far we go in technology. Like Mr.E said it is true that with a lot of the warfare technology we've tried to strain. Or prevent from escalating because we don't want this technology to get put in the wrong hands and used by people who would use it for warfare. but i also suppose that the demand for weapons could be the reason for technological advances because in order to fight some of the wars that we've been involved in. Someone always trys to come in with something bigger and better and you have to be on top to be able to win.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Dan S. wrote:

For number 1, what exactly is a so called "Captain of Industry"?

A captain of industry is someone who is making enormous contributions either to technological progress or national wealth (prosperity). It was a nice way of looking at the opposite... which was a few people who had a lot of money who made huge amounts for themselves while keeping almost everyone else at the bottom.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Patrick wrote:

#1. I think that industrialists in their greedy search for more money are captains of industry because they are leading advances that not only create jobs but make living life easier.

but in their search for money aren't they exploiting their workers and creating impossible living conditions by not providing enough money to live on?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

capitalism is a system that recognizes individual rights that people have such as property rights. it separates the state from its economy which includes production and trade.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

amber wrote:

8. Can the pace of technological innovation be controlled?

I really think that the history of our world proves that it really can't be controlled. Maybe to some extent we can controll how far we go in technology. Like Mr.E said it is true that with a lot of the warfare technology we've tried to strain. Or prevent from escalating because we don't want this technology to get put in the wrong hands and used by people who would use it for warfare. but i also suppose that the demand for weapons could be the reason for technological advances because in order to fight some of the wars that we've been involved in. Someone always trys to come in with something bigger and better and you have to be on top to be able to win.

Amber, the thing is that not every country has the means to 'keep up'. Some have advantages over others, and they tend to dominate historically. Ancient China did. The US does now. Maybe it's the natural order, as social Darwinists, believed. Maybe not.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

mre wrote: Well, the definition of robber barons is that they are greedy. So what is greed and what isn't? I mean, they are all acting like capitalists and playing by the rules. It's not like they are stealing technically. The other thing is that, yes, they may make some life easier, but think about the history of the labor movement. If life was made so much better, why would millions of workers over 100 years or so have to protest and strike in order to get better conditions and wages.

While i agree that work was hard they were making life easier not only for people of that age but for people of the future. Things in life that are worth having aren't easily obtained in most cases.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

#9
Without humanity, machines would never have been invented. And in relation to humanity, machines do most of the work to produce things nowadays. Without machines many factories would not be in existence, and industrialization would never have taken place. Also, once machines were invented, there was a greater need for factory and mill workers in the United States, calling for immigrants from other countries, and adding to the country's diversity.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

anna wrote:

capitalism is a system that recognizes individual rights that people have such as property rights. it separates the state from its economy which includes production and trade.

Somewhat. Consider the FCC which tells the media companies what is allowed on TV and what isn't. Consider the FDA which regulates all drugs. Or the FAA which controls all air traffic. The list goes into the hundreds for federal regulatory agencies. They didn't exist in the late 1800's, obviously, but they do now... thanks to the Progressives.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

i wanna 9 too. and for number 8. in response to what Mr. e said. Rome fell, and it may not be a good thing to day but we too might someday not be on the top of the food chain for technological advances

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Breanne wrote:

#9
Without humanity, machines would never have been invented. And in relation to humanity, machines do most of the work to produce things nowadays. Without machines many factories would not be in existence, and industrialization would never have taken place. Also, once machines were invented, there was a greater need for factory and mill workers in the United States, calling for immigrants from other countries, and adding to the country's diversity.

What about either machines that replace human labor or machines that make humans just another part in them (like assembly lines)?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

abaldo wrote:

Patrick wrote:

#1. I think that industrialists in their greedy search for more money are captains of industry because they are leading advances that not only create jobs but make living life easier.

but in their search for money aren't they exploiting their workers and creating impossible living conditions by not providing enough money to live on?

But that is what I consider a robber barron. Those who create an extreme wealth for themselves while keeping their workers down. I mean if they are becoming so increadibly wealthy off of the work of their employees then I feel that they should at least be helping them out. I think that those who give away enormous amounts of money not only to their employees but also to the causes that directly affect them than that is more of a captain of industry.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

10. What is the relationship between wealth and progress? Wealth and progress are deeply related with each other. When there is progress there is more wealth because progress often benefits the economy of the country the progress is occurring in. Such as the progress of industrialization. Then, from the wealth earned from the progress, more progress can be made because there is money backing up the work that creates the progress.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Capitalism is a socially responsible form of Government since it is the only system that allows man to be virtuous -- to pursue the good -- by leaving him free to act by the use of his reason. In other words unlike other political and economic systems like socialism and communism which strictly regulate trade, capitalism gives more freedom to its people which is the only way morality can thrive. Freedom to act is a precondition of morality. (Freedom = Morality)

Date: Jan 2, 2008

baldo wrote:

4. Can alternative political philosophies operate in a democracy?
Yes, I think different political philosophies can operate in a democracy. Actually I believe that different political philosophies have to exist for a democracy to really exist. If there were only one idea and everyone agreed with it, the country would be more of a monarchy, there would be no voting if everyone had the same ideas. There need to be separate ideas to run a country as well, some ideas are better than others and working it out with people who dont think exactly like you do can be beneficial because their ideas can help form solutions you might not have thought of before. So not only can different political philosophies operate in a democracy but I think they more than likely need to exist.

Well, in our democracy, different political ideas were considered threats to the US in general. Think of communism or socialism or anarchism. All were considered threats to democracy. What if people in a democracy decided democratically not to be democratic anymore? huh? Another example is in Palestine, where a former terrorist group was democratically voted into power. Do you think that's still democratic?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

9. What is the relationship between humanity and machines?

Machines are becoming more and more popular and are seen everywhere almost everyday. Life is a little easier because machines are doing the little annoying tasks for us. If you go to a store a cash register does the math, not a person. This is faster than having a person do mental math in their head to figure out the total cost. The register simply scans the item and adds it up with the other items, faster than the average person.

Computers and the Internet make life less of a hassle for most people. I can easily keep in contact with in minutes with my godfather who lives in china rather then sending letters that would take ages to send. When I have a project I can simply look up the information rather than walking to the library. I also type faster than I write. The computer makes my life much easier. I am so dependent on it; I have no idea how to live with out it. The relationship between humanity and machines are very close because we work and use them daily.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Breanne wrote:

#9
Without humanity, machines would never have been invented. And in relation to humanity, machines do most of the work to produce things nowadays. Without machines many factories would not be in existence, and industrialization would never have taken place. Also, once machines were invented, there was a greater need for factory and mill workers in the United States, calling for immigrants from other countries, and adding to the country's diversity.

What about either machines that replace human labor or machines that make humans just another part in them (like assembly lines)?

I think that machines that replace human labor took away jobs for many people, so in some cases, machines affected humanity in negative ways. Sometimes, machines dominated people in factories, and the people were just part of a process in the production of goods.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

ashleyb wrote:

10. What is the relationship between wealth and progress? Wealth and progress are deeply related with each other. When there is progress there is more wealth because progress often benefits the economy of the country the progress is occurring in. Such as the progress of industrialization. Then, from the wealth earned from the progress, more progress can be made because there is money backing up the work that creates the progress.

Wealth and progress are not shared equally. Still in the US today, 1 in 5 children is born in poverty. Not all people in the US has access to the net. What about people who can't afford medicine or health insurance?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

baldo wrote:

4. Can alternative political philosophies operate in a democracy?

Yes, I think different political philosophies can operate in a democracy. Actually I believe that different political philosophies have to exist for a democracy to really exist. If there were only one idea and everyone agreed with it, the country would be more of a monarchy, there would be no voting if everyone had the same ideas. There need to be separate ideas to run a country as well, some ideas are better than others and working it out with people who dont think exactly like you do can be beneficial because their ideas can help form solutions you might not have thought of before. So not only can different political philosophies operate in a democracy but I think they more than likely need to exist.

Okay Baldo I must agree with you on this because the different political philosophies act in their own check and balance system. The differences in philosophies keep everything new and updated. They bring out the strengths in each other by testing their motives and actual relevance. With no differences in philosophy people lose interest in challenging the morality and actuality of the political correctness

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Joanna wrote:

9. What is the relationship between humanity and machines?
Machines are becoming more and more popular and are seen everywhere almost everyday. Life is a little easier because machines are doing the little annoying tasks for us. If you go to a store a cash register does the math, not a person. This is faster than having a person do mental math in their head to figure out the total cost. The register simply scans the item and adds it up with the other items, faster than the average person.
Computers and the Internet make life less of a hassle for most people. I can easily keep in contact with in minutes with my godfather who lives in china rather then sending letters that would take ages to send. When I have a project I can simply look up the information rather than walking to the library. I also type faster than I write. The computer makes my life much easier. I am so dependent on it; I have no idea how to live with out it. The relationship between humanity and machines are very close because we work and use them daily.

I just started reading a light book (fiction-advanture) that begins with the mysterious ending of all technology in the world at one time. Everything electonic or mechanical stops working. Even the gunpowder chemicals don't work anymore. People have to hunt or plant food. Society breaks down. No law and order anymore because the police don't have the power to enforce the law. How dependent are we? Do you think that this is good (progress) or bad (dependency)?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Joanna wrote:

9. What is the relationship between humanity and machines?
Machines are becoming more and more popular and are seen everywhere almost everyday. Life is a little easier because machines are doing the little annoying tasks for us. If you go to a store a cash register does the math, not a person. This is faster than having a person do mental math in their head to figure out the total cost. The register simply scans the item and adds it up with the other items, faster than the average person.
Computers and the Internet make life less of a hassle for most people. I can easily keep in contact with in minutes with my godfather who lives in china rather then sending letters that would take ages to send. When I have a project I can simply look up the information rather than walking to the library. I also type faster than I write. The computer makes my life much easier. I am so dependent on it; I have no idea how to live with out it. The relationship between humanity and machines are very close because we work and use them daily.

I agree with Joanna. The relationship between machines and humanity is so close and intertwined that sometimes I don't think people would be able to live without machines anymore. We sometimes even take them for granted because we don't realize how much of an effect they have on our daily lives.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

hi i don't know what to do. i want to try 5 i think. im not ready to be back in school yet.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

10) The only connection I think that they have is that wealth enables progress. For example in order for us as a country to make progress in medicine a huge amount of money goes into reasearch and development of new drugs.

Even if the economic, social, or technological progress doesn't reach everyone it doesn't mean we aren't making any.

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Chris. wrote:

Capitalism is a socially responsible form of Government since it is the only system that allows man to be virtuous -- to pursue the good -- by leaving him free to act by the use of his reason. In other words unlike other political and economic systems like socialism and communism which strictly regulate trade, capitalism gives more freedom to its people which is the only way morality can thrive. Freedom to act is a precondition of morality. (Freedom = Morality)

Having the right to make a choice doesn't mean that choice will be good (or moral). Also, consider the difference between freedom and equality. Which do you think is more important?

Date: Jan 2, 2008

Breanne wrote:

What about either machines that replace human labor or machines that make humans just another part in them (like assembly lines)?

I think that machines that replace human labor took away jobs for many people, so in some cases, machines affected humanity in negative ways. Sometimes, machines dominated people in factories, and the people were just part of a process in the production of goods.

The machines that replace peoples jobs are if you think about it just replacing jobs that were only there in the first place because of the machines. I think the development of machines are like a growing child when they were started they needed humans to guide there every move but as the machines get older (more advanced) they need less and less help.