Sunday, March 23, 2008

My Passion?

My passion is within Philosophy. Finding answers to questions not yet asked, and definitely asking questions that still remain after the answer has been revealed.

I am blessed with an understanding mother and a philosophical stepfather. The combination of kindness and critically thinking about situations allows me to fulfill my responsibilities at work and school with the utmost care.

I get my inspiration as well as my stubbornness from them. It is a continuing effort in trying to keep up with my way of life and meeting standards of theirs. Who doesn't want the praise and admiration from their parents? well, maybe a few would answer, they don't care..or are not as fortunate as others, but that's neither here nor there.

The point I'm trying to make is, my passion lies within human thought. I admire those and strive to become a successful person, not just in life, but as a human being. I still have plenty to go, but it can start with not conforming to habits that hurt others, like pollution and contributing to global warming.

My stepfather is pretty much a Buddhist..but since he's studied and read more about other faiths, cultures and spiritual sects, I would say he's really agnostic.. I admire his diplomacy and as well as his perspective and knowledgeable opinons. I would like to be a humanist like him. Someone who has seen and experienced life to the fullest and is able to comprehend what it means to be human and how to escape our nature and desires.

That is my passion, that is the life I strive for in this world.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

My Journey


What is climate change?
Personally, this means how we have hotter summers, and colder winters. Lately, it seems we're having colder springs and warmer winters. It's unbelievable how the day could be so nice and warm (in the sun) and chilly in the shade.

What is the "planetary emergency"?
The planetary emergency is about how much we, as a society continue to pollute, and use up our resources on Earth. We are wasteful, and ignorant in our efforts to maintain the planet as our home.
It will take all people of all societies to make a change that will prevent from the complete destruction of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere.

Where does Mr. Gore get his information?
Mr. Gore gets his information from years and years of collecting data, even from when he was just a college student. He collected world-wide data from Nuclear submarines, about how thick the ice was at the North and South Poles;
He also collected data based on US car sales and how the US car was not up to environmental standards in other countries. He collected satellite pictures and data while he was Vice President of the US and utilized whatever was within his power to get.




What kind of future does Mr. Gore predict?
Based on the information he collected, he predicted a future with sever droughts, flooding, and abnormal weather patterns like more frequent hurricanes and typhoons in locations that have never been exposed to them before.
With our rate of consumption not balancing the rate of preservation, there will be no resources left for future generations.




What does it mean that Mr. Gore has essentially "translated" science for other people to understand?
He translated science in a way for people to understand it perhaps to be able to educate those at a younger age, and as well as those who may not understand the technical science facts that were presented.

Putting it in simpler terms allows the average person to be able to make sense of the true story of GLOBAL WARMING. They are then able to pass the knowledge onto another and educate by word of mouth. (At least, that's one aspect of it)

Why are people talking about climate change now?
People are talking about climate change now because the effects of climate change are affecting all of us now. Take a look at the weather now--it's the third day of SPRING and it's very chilly and feels like January outside.

I'm a January baby but even I appreciate the spring weather but only a month's worth. I believe that sooner or later, it will become the "fad" or a trend to go "green" but as long as big corporations and the media exploit other meaningless topics, we will be brainwashed into thinking what they want us to think.
Self-education is the way to go about changing our habits, and it is not "convenient" for a fast paced, money-driven society as of now.


How does Mr. Gore's position as a public figure influence the discussions around global climate change differently than a scientist or activist?
I believe that he is more influential in the sense that he is of our generation. What do I mean by that? --Simple-- I never knew of the Going Green campaign up until his efforts while he was in office, and then his release of the Book and movie. I have heard of the term Global warming back in grammar school and never thought twice of it until now.
It is imperative to make conscious changes now that I have developed a more factual-based awareness. I miss those warm spring days and cool summer nights and would much prefer my children and friends children to enjoy the same experience.





























In Reference to the links I found useful, and important, I chose the following:
Why? Because as a city-commuter, it is a very convenient and less polluting way to get where I need to go on a daily basis. Improving the way people get around would make it more worthwhile in the long run. It's bad enough the trains and buses get crowded. (Don't get me started on the 7 train constructions on the weekends..please.)THANK YOU MTA..
I believe it's the best way to start. The solution is not only in making emissions from cars less dangerous, but to overall make public transportation something cleaner and enjoyable and not inconvenient for those who want to get around. environmentally safe. What sense is it to take the train and bus to save gas if it's crowded, unreliable, and ridiculously expensive as if one was driving in the luxury and convenience of their own car?

The only downside..the transportation may be environmentally reliable, but the people who run it and maintain it, sometimes are not. But that's another blog for another topic...


All my collegiate years, I have accumulated and continue to receive nonsense, waste of time, energy and paper, JUNK MAIL! AOL was a leading contributer of junk mail. Those aluminum cases with the endless supply of AOL free trial discs in them.. waste of paper as much as a pre-approved bank mail. Here's the article on that. I found it interesting since I was a previous AOL member myself for years.
I found it interesting you can get yourself off of mailing lists and save yourself some trouble as well as save the environment..two birds with one stone right?



I also found this video on youtube that includes the short part of AIT where they show the futurama cartoon explanation of global warming.. it's funny to me, but also in the video, shows some opinions about some people and the global warming issue.
Here's another clip from futurama with Al Gore in it towards the end of the video.



Sunday, March 16, 2008

Blog 2: The Story of Stuff

1. Annie says that an important thing missing from the conventional textbook story of the materials economy is people. Some people have the most say in how this system runs. Others are the most affected by the loss of natural resources and pollution.

So, where are you in this system and where would you want to be? What options do you have, from where you sit, to change the system to support sustainability and justice?


From a consumer point of view, it is hard to get out of the habit of convenience. Hunger hits you, grab the nearest fast food place or vendor or snack at the corner store--instead of making a meal at home and preparing lunch or dinner ahead of time.. The fact that the US consumes so much of the natural resources makes a consumer like me, feel like there's always going to be a surplus of an item or resource, tomorrow. such careless disregard for conserving our resources is displayed with the amount of ads alone that the major cities put up on display every month.

For me, I am most definitely a consumer in the system. I, also, have a hard time remembering to conserve sometimes, but do so more consciously than i did a few years ago. Conserving water, electricity, and paper is a big deal to me. Options that i may have include just making people more aware, using enviroment-friendly and chemical free products at home, and just overall taking that extra step to improve my way of life without hurting the enviroment as well as those around me.

There is no if ands or buts when it comes to trying to make a difference in a system that is run on the foundation of making money rather than saving the planet---you either do what it takes, or you don't. Many will not realize this ultimatum's validity until it is too late. It is not written in stone that consumers will change, but one can hope that they will educate the next generations to follow so that they are more prepared to endure and cure our misguided choices

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Let it rain..money?

It's a Saturday night and it's just pouring like the world is screaming GLOBAL WARMING to us. Sometimes we need the rain to remember and appreciate a sunny day after.

I find it amazing how much more it's going to take in order for someone to start small to make a difference for the bigger picture. After watching the video Dr. X posted on her blog, it was an uneasy reality check to see what really goes on behind closed doors.

I have been working in retail for almost 3 years and I have learned many things that is involved with the process of working for a name brand store. Famous words of a former co-worker of mine will always stand out. "The only reason retail stores sell their clothes at an expensive price is because there is always someone out there willing to pay for it". Why does this have to be the case? Bottom line- it is always about the money. We use it to buy more things that give us a false sense of security and comfort at the price of those who make ridiculously less than us. Minimum wage for some is 7.50 an hour here in NYC...a decent jump from the measly 5.75 an hour it was before.. we have that luxury, being in a city that never sleeps--but never acknowledging those who made 75 cents a week making at least more than 30 shoes or shirts that can sell for at least 50$ a piece.
Working at my job, I have even seen clothes in the labels, where it was made in my home country- The Philippines.

I always wonder, how much was the person who made the shirt was paid. Perhaps a solution to consumer awareness would be to put both the price of the shirt the company is charging for it, as well as how much it took to make. In a "third world-country" like the Philippines, where the monetary exchange rate of one US. Dollar (1$) is equivalent to about 40.5 pesos., there are many poor and homeless. Some of the outskirts in the major cities have no resources to better improve their way of life and would work for US sweatshops at 6 cents an hour, sadly.

In regards to our enviroment here at home, the basic question is this-- do we want to consume so much of what is available to us now, that we leave nothing else for future generations? Money plays as the devil's advocate in the circle of consumption. Everyone just needs a reality check the next time we step out of our homes and use that piece of paper called the dollar bill. Money can buy a lot--yes, but our life-changing decisions are non-refundable.
There must be a better way to get through to people and educate those to save not just ourselves, by protecting our enviroment, but by protecting life itself on our dying planet. We are at each other's mercy--let's see where it goes. The thing to do is spend money wisely. it is not to just benefit one's self, but to benefit the welfare of others and the general population on this planet.

The thing that concerns me is that more often than not, our habitual spending and lack of awareness will get the best of us. I wait till the day arrives where people are smarter and more aware of what they are doing to help the planet and those of us who are still alive to enjoy what's left to offer. As for me, I plan to keep doing what I do. Recycle, take mass transportation as opposed to carbon monoxide pollution of cars, use less water, and definitely be aware of what i spend my money on.

I've used enough electricity typing this post as it is..this is me saving energy..

Goal: Use less today, save for a better tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

About moi

Brainstorm: March 5th 2008

Showered
Picked out clothes/jacket for the day
Checked schedule
Checked weather
Turned off computer to save energy
Walked to the train
Took train to school




My name is Jan Michael Dionisio. Born in the Philippines, but raised in New York City for the past 18 years since I left my family in Meycawayan, Bulacan. I have at least 25 cousins I have never met since I was 4, back home on my mother’s side. On my stepfather’s side, my immediate family consists of two step-brothers, and two-step sisters and one brother-in-law. I am the youngest, with at least a 10-year gap between us. I have lived in Woodside, Queens, all my life.
I currently attend LaGuardia Community College as a Philosophy major. I am involved with the Urban Truth Break-dancing club at the school as a liaison for the students and the school as its representative.

I am a very outgoing, and friendly person. I like to meet new people, and also like to just have fun in a relaxed and laid back enviroment.