Sunday, September 25, 2011

Canine Driver's License

My dog should have had a driver's license.
For years I would bring Geddy Lee to Sheridan. He was great with the students, and if a students was having a bad day, they could take Geddy for a short walk outside or just pet him for a few minutes.
I would call Geddy in front of the class and command him to "sit."
He would sit immediately.
He stayed seated until I gave him another command.
I would then explain to my students that Geddy sits the first time I tell him, and that my teens need to be told multiple times to sit!
Geddy stays seated- my students often get up after 30 seconds for some silly reason...
And they want a driver's license? I think my dog followed directions better than some of my students!
But he hated wearing sunglasses...

The Internet & Revolutions

Revolutions in the middle-east and Africa are the result of the internet. People are now able to see how others live and what they believe, and when an oppressed people learn of the freedoms of others, and lack of opportunity in their country, they revolt.
Before the internet, many simply accepted their way of life- they knew of no other option. Yet, when they can click on a screen and see the prosperity and freedoms of others, they begin to question their government and their lack of freedoms and opportunities. This is why some governments limit internet content/purpse.
The town crier, the newspaper, the radio, the television- all were slow and often censored.
Today, many can see unfiltered and accurate images of people all over the world. This is the seed of change (good or bad), and recent uprisings can be related directly to the ability to millions to access the internet and see how others live.