Comments for World Regional Geography (Geog 101) http://www.regionalgeography.org/world A course at the University of Mary Washington Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:18:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on “The world looks different depending on where you look at it from.” by Abbi Heller http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/15/the-world-looks-different-depending-on-where-you-look-at-it-from/#comment-2396 Abbi Heller Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:18:05 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=332#comment-2396 I enjoy studying Geography for the same reason. I find it very interesting to learn about all the different perspectives in various regions. I've begun to notice in my own life that people from different parts of the United States have very different perspectives. A recent example would be that when we got the light dusting of snow the people who were from the south found it very exciting since any amount of snow is exciting. Were as those from the north could care less since they are use to a lot of snow and the light dusting was pitiful in their minds. I enjoy studying Geography for the same reason. I find it very interesting to learn about all the different perspectives in various regions. I’ve begun to notice in my own life that people from different parts of the United States have very different perspectives. A recent example would be that when we got the light dusting of snow the people who were from the south found it very exciting since any amount of snow is exciting. Were as those from the north could care less since they are use to a lot of snow and the light dusting was pitiful in their minds.

]]> Comment on The cure for poverty? by Hallie Gibson http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/19/the-cure-for-poverty/#comment-2383 Hallie Gibson Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:00:17 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=336#comment-2383 Honestly I don't know whether I completely agree with Hitchens statement. While I believe that women shouldn't be oppressed and have every right a man does, there are some cultural issues that come into play. I've thought about this topic a lot recently and the problem that comes to my mind every time is: Do I have the right to tell someone that what they've held to be true, their customs and beliefs, are wrong and they should change them because the world says they should. Now some things need to come into question like: fair wages and human trafficking (sex and labor trafficking in most cases for women), but it’s really hard to draw a line of what is acceptable and what is not. Personally I think that empowering and educating women can help prevent poverty, but I don't think that just this can stop it altogether. A lot of things need to come into place before we can affect poverty at the level Hitchens discusses. Honestly I don’t know whether I completely agree with Hitchens statement. While I believe that women shouldn’t be oppressed and have every right a man does, there are some cultural issues that come into play. I’ve thought about this topic a lot recently and the problem that comes to my mind every time is: Do I have the right to tell someone that what they’ve held to be true, their customs and beliefs, are wrong and they should change them because the world says they should. Now some things need to come into question like: fair wages and human trafficking (sex and labor trafficking in most cases for women), but it’s really hard to draw a line of what is acceptable and what is not. Personally I think that empowering and educating women can help prevent poverty, but I don’t think that just this can stop it altogether. A lot of things need to come into place before we can affect poverty at the level Hitchens discusses.

]]> Comment on “The world looks different depending on where you look at it from.” by Elizabeth Henry http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/15/the-world-looks-different-depending-on-where-you-look-at-it-from/#comment-2354 Elizabeth Henry Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:26:45 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=332#comment-2354 I love this picture! The graffiti has such a great message. It really made me think about how in America we really emphasize "fitting in" and much of our society looks down on people who are or try to be "different". My favorite part of Geography is studying the world through different perspectives depending on what region of the world we are learning about. I love this picture! The graffiti has such a great message. It really made me think about how in America we really emphasize “fitting in” and much of our society looks down on people who are or try to be “different”. My favorite part of Geography is studying the world through different perspectives depending on what region of the world we are learning about.

]]> Comment on My latest attempt at movie making: A temple in Cambodia by Hallie Gibson http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/12/my-latest-attempt-at-movie-making-a-temple-in-cambodia/#comment-2322 Hallie Gibson Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:41:24 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=327#comment-2322 Does the temple still hold religious significance even though it has been partially destroyed? I find it very impressive that the structure stills stands after all this time, even after being bombed. I guess it shows a bit about the culture from the 11th century and their impressive engineering and building skills. Does the temple still hold religious significance even though it has been partially destroyed?

I find it very impressive that the structure stills stands after all this time, even after being bombed. I guess it shows a bit about the culture from the 11th century and their impressive engineering and building skills.

]]> Comment on Which is easier? by Donald Rallis http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/09/which-is-easier/#comment-2276 Donald Rallis Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:42:29 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=316#comment-2276 Haile: I don't think we moved away from the International System of Units, we just never adopted it. We have been left behind as the rest of the world has moved forward, and it is hurting us and our competitiveness in the international arena. Haile: I don’t think we moved away from the International System of Units, we just never adopted it. We have been left behind as the rest of the world has moved forward, and it is hurting us and our competitiveness in the international arena.

]]> Comment on Which is easier? by Hallie Gibson http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/09/which-is-easier/#comment-2274 Hallie Gibson Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:12:41 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=316#comment-2274 I think it's pretty clear that the metric system is a lot easier. I remember wondering why we had to measure things 2 different ways in science class when I was in elementary school. I still don't understand why the US moved away from the metric system, but frankly I think it's just stupid. I really wish the US could adopt the metric system now, but so many things factor into that, mainly cost. I think it’s pretty clear that the metric system is a lot easier. I remember wondering why we had to measure things 2 different ways in science class when I was in elementary school. I still don’t understand why the US moved away from the metric system, but frankly I think it’s just stupid. I really wish the US could adopt the metric system now, but so many things factor into that, mainly cost.

]]> Comment on Why Australia? Our latest class poll by Billy Kelly http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/06/why-australia-our-latest-class-poll/#comment-2260 Billy Kelly Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:24:25 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=313#comment-2260 I chose Australia because I think it would be an interesting place to live, where I wouldn't have to learn a new language and share many similarities with people that live there. The climate is warm with never ending miles of coastline. I would prefer to live in the suburbs of a major city like Melbourne or Sydney that have great beaches where I could learn how to surf. I chose Australia because I think it would be an interesting place to live, where I wouldn’t have to learn a new language and share many similarities with people that live there. The climate is warm with never ending miles of coastline. I would prefer to live in the suburbs of a major city like Melbourne or Sydney that have great beaches where I could learn how to surf.

]]> Comment on Amsterdam: A Cesspool of Corruption? by David Hart http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/02/03/amsterdam-a-cesspool-of-corruption/#comment-2254 David Hart Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:03:13 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=308#comment-2254 O'Reilly is entirely out of his mind with these statements. I traveled to Amsterdam over the summer and enjoyed it immensely. The entire city was gearing up for the Pride festival and I couldn't go more than three blocks with out seeing a rainbow flag or a poster welcoming visitors. I saw police infrequently and for the five days I was there rarely heard a siren, I never felt unsafe even when walking around the city at night by myself. The city isn't all about prostitutes and marijuana but that's all he wants to talk about. O’Reilly is entirely out of his mind with these statements. I traveled to Amsterdam over the summer and enjoyed it immensely. The entire city was gearing up for the Pride festival and I couldn’t go more than three blocks with out seeing a rainbow flag or a poster welcoming visitors. I saw police infrequently and for the five days I was there rarely heard a siren, I never felt unsafe even when walking around the city at night by myself. The city isn’t all about prostitutes and marijuana but that’s all he wants to talk about.

]]> Comment on English is so global, so why learn another language? by Kyle Lefler http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/01/30/english-is-so-global-so-why-learn-another-language/#comment-2219 Kyle Lefler Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:28:35 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=302#comment-2219 I believe that learning another language is crucial to actually understanding the culture in which the language is spoken. In understanding the culture, we respect it, in respecting, we learn. If we are to continue globalizing at the current rate, the value of other cultures will diminish. Out of respect for other cultures, and a desire to preserve them, I think we should learn their language, instead of just forcing English upon them. Other languages are beautiful, and give insight into aspects of culture that we simply do not possess. I am fluent in Spanish, after a semester abroad, and cannot appreciate that enough. Spaniards have words for things and feelings that we don't name aloud- what a unique thing to destroy! I believe that learning another language is crucial to actually understanding the culture in which the language is spoken. In understanding the culture, we respect it, in respecting, we learn. If we are to continue globalizing at the current rate, the value of other cultures will diminish. Out of respect for other cultures, and a desire to preserve them, I think we should learn their language, instead of just forcing English upon them. Other languages are beautiful, and give insight into aspects of culture that we simply do not possess. I am fluent in Spanish, after a semester abroad, and cannot appreciate that enough. Spaniards have words for things and feelings that we don’t name aloud- what a unique thing to destroy!

]]> Comment on English is so global, so why learn another language? by Mary Williams http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/2012/01/30/english-is-so-global-so-why-learn-another-language/#comment-2208 Mary Williams Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:36:17 +0000 http://www.regionalgeography.org/world/?p=302#comment-2208 I agree with Taylor that learning another language is still important for English speakers. Although translator technology has greatly progressed to making "human translations", the translations are still imperfect. Translation programs often do not account for who you are speaking to. For example, many languages have different words for the same type of person based on his or her age or standing. Regardless of if translators are perfected, or if everyone else learns to speak English as a second language, learning another language is still important. By learning another language, you are showing respect for another person's culture. People often appreciate any effort in learning their language, even if it is a simple few words. Respect is important for social, economic, and political relationships. English speakers should not take advantage of the fact that their language is the lingua franca. I agree with Taylor that learning another language is still important for English speakers. Although translator technology has greatly progressed to making “human translations”, the translations are still imperfect. Translation programs often do not account for who you are speaking to. For example, many languages have different words for the same type of person based on his or her age or standing. Regardless of if translators are perfected, or if everyone else learns to speak English as a second language, learning another language is still important. By learning another language, you are showing respect for another person’s culture. People often appreciate any effort in learning their language, even if it is a simple few words. Respect is important for social, economic, and political relationships. English speakers should not take advantage of the fact that their language is the lingua franca.

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