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The Impact of Technology on
Modern Life
Autistic Savants: Extraordinary Abilities and
Unique Challenges
Understanding Autistic Savants
Autistic savants are individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who possess exceptional abilities or skills in certain areas, despite having limitations in other aspects of their lives. These individuals often display remarkable talents in domains such as mathematics, music, art, or memory, which can be vastly disproportionate to their overall cognitive abilities.
Extraordinary Abilities
Memorization : Autistic savants can often memorize vast amounts of information, such as Daniel Tammet's ability to recite pi to 22, decimal places. Mathematical Prowess : Some autistic savants exhibit exceptional mathematical skills, such as the ability to perform complex calculations in their heads. Artistic Talents : Certain autistic savants demonstrate remarkable artistic abilities, including the creation of intricate drawings or paintings. Musical Aptitude : Some autistic savants display exceptional musical talents, such as the ability to play complex pieces by ear or to compose original music.
Unique Challenges
Sensory Processing : Many autistic savants experience sensory processing difficulties, which can lead to discomfort or anxiety in certain environments. Social Interaction : Autistic savants often struggle with social interaction and communication, which can make it challenging for them to form meaningful relationships. Need for Order : Autistic savants may have a strong need for routine and predictability, which can make it difficult for them to adapt to changes in their environment. Memory Retention : While autistic savants can excel in certain areas of memory, they may have difficulty retaining information in other domains.
Examples and Insights
Daniel Tammet : Tammet is an autistic savant who can perform complex mathematical calculations and recite pi to 22,514 decimal places. He describes his relationship with numbers as a "place he could go where he really belonged." Kim Peek : Peek, the inspiration for the film "Rain Man," was an autistic savant with an exceptional memory, able to recall the contents of thousands of books. Temple Grandin : Grandin, an autistic individual, has made significant contributions to the field of animal science and has become a prominent advocate for autism awareness. Savant Syndrome : Researchers have found that savant syndrome, the condition that gives rise to the extraordinary abilities of autistic savants, may be linked to the right hemisphere of the brain compensating for damage or dysfunction in the left hemisphere.
Conclusion
Autistic savants possess remarkable talents and abilities that often defy expectations and challenge our understanding of human potential. While they face unique challenges, their extraordinary skills and insights can provide valuable perspectives on the human experience and the diversity of the human mind.
Frank McCourt's Journey: From Poverty to
Pulitzer
The Early Years
In 1994, Frank McCourt began to write his memoir, "Angela's Ashes," which recounts his family's return to Ireland in search of a better life. However, their life in Ireland remained extremely difficult, with three of their children dying and the family remaining in poverty and hunger.
In 1949, at the age of 19, Frank McCourt returned to the United States, determined to start a new life.
Teaching and Storytelling
In 1970, Frank McCourt began teaching at Seward Park High School. He used his past experiences to connect with his students, and as he told his stories, he realized how his childhood had shaped him.
After his mother's death in 1981, McCourt felt he had no more excuses not to write his memoirs, as he had previously chosen not to do so out of respect for his mother.
Notable Examples and Evidence
Marla's mother encouraged her to be self-reliant and take responsibility for her own success. Marla's accomplishments include teaching, public speaking, coaching, writing, and becoming an athlete, demonstrating her versatility and drive.
Unique Presentation of Ideas
The information about Marla Runyan's life is presented in a concise and focused manner, highlighting the key aspects of her challenges and achievements without repetition.
What is Intelligence?
Diverse Meanings for Different Species
Intelligence can have diverse meanings for different species. What may be considered intelligent behavior for humans may not be the same for other animals.
Using Extreme Perception to Invent Jobs
Some animals, like seizure alert dogs, use their extreme perception to invent jobs for themselves, which can be considered a sign of intelligence.
Problems with Assessing Animal Intelligence
Using Human Standards
One problem in assessing animal intelligence is that we often use human standards, which may not be appropriate. For example, the "counting" horse Clever Hans was initially considered intelligent for solving mathematical problems, but was later found to be simply responding to unconscious cues from the audience.
Looking for Human Traits and Qualities
Another issue is that we tend to look for human traits and qualities in animals, such as the use of tools, when these may not be the best indicators of intelligence for other species.
Brain Weight of Mammals
The brain weight of mammals has also been used as a measure of intelligence, but this is problematic as it does not account for the differences in brain structure and function across species.
Language and Understanding Animal Language
For humans, intelligence is closely linked to language, but we often cannot understand the language of other animals, such as dolphins, which makes it difficult to accurately assess their intelligence.
Other Abilities vs. Intelligence
Forensic Dogs
Forensic dogs that detect explosives or drugs are using their extreme perception, but this does not necessarily indicate intelligence.
Clever Hans
The case of Clever Hans shows that learned reflexes can be mistaken for intelligence.
Bees
Bees have been found to outperform humans on certain tests, but this may be due to their instincts rather than intelligence.
Assessing Animal Intelligence
Experts suggest that a bottom-up approach, focusing on the neural networks and how they are used by different species, could contribute to a better understanding of animal intelligence and lead to more accurate comparisons across species.
Differences in Intelligence Across Species
Animal intelligence can differ significantly from species to species, and it is important to consider these differences when assessing and comparing the cognitive abilities of various animals.
The Role of Perception and Instinct
While extreme perception and instinct can be mistaken for intelligence, they are not the same as true intelligence, which involves the ability to recognize something and then decide to act on it.
Challenges in Comparing Intelligence
Comparing intelligence across species is inherently challenging, as the criteria and standards used may not be equally applicable or relevant to different animals. Developing better tools, methods, and theories for these comparisons is an ongoing effort in the scientific community.
4. Marilisa's Attitude Toward Marriage
Evidence: - Marilisa thinks from time to time of the men she will marry after she and Leo have gone their separate ways. - She believes no one stays married forever, and that fifteen to twenty years, or sixty to seventy years at most, is the usual.
Inference: Marilisa does not expect her marriage to Leo to last indefinitely and anticipates having multiple husbands in the future.
5. Marilisa's Conflicting Feelings About Longevity
Evidence: - Marilisa is disturbed by the idea of having the same husband for hundreds of years, but is also disturbed by the idea of having many different husbands. - She worries about the "vast amount of time" that is in front of her.
Inference: Marilisa is conflicted about the implications of longevity, both in terms of long-term marriage and the prospect of multiple marriages over an extended lifespan.
Reading Skill
Potential Effects of Doubled Lifespan
Will a doubled lifespan cause overpopulation? What benefits will come from a doubled lifespan? How will marriage and family be affected by a longer lifespan? Will people stay married to the same person their whole lives or have multiple marriages? At what age will people retire? Will there be enough jobs for young people?
Step 1: Organize
Positive and Negative Effects of Longevity
Marriage
Positive Effects: - You will be able to have many different and interesting spouses. - You won't feel you have to stay in a loveless marriage out of inertia.
Negative Effects: - Extremely large age difference between spouses. - Multiple brief marriages. - Having to deal with multiple ex-wives/husbands and stepchildren.
Careers
Positive Effects: - You can "reinvent" yourself by changing careers and finding a fresh challenge. - Economic productivity will go up; you can try different careers.
Negative Effects: - Fewer job openings; corporations and universities will stagnate without youthful talent and ideas.
Family
Positive Effects: - More quality time with loved ones; watch future generations grow up.
Negative Effects: - Large age difference in siblings would create different set of social relationships.
Vocabulary Expansion
Death Do Us Part
Suffixes | Example from Text | Definition or Synonym | Example of a New Adjective with the Same Suffix --- | --- | --- | --- -ing | shimmering, sparkling, speeding | - | active -ive | impulsive, impetuous | - | active -able | insufferable, intolerable | - | comfortable -al | ideal, perfect | - | traditional - ent | ancient | very old | different -ous | serious, sincere | - | curious -ible | permissible, allowable | - | invisible -y | misty, foggy | - | dirty
Toward Immortality
Suffixes | Example from Text | Definition or Synonym | Example of a New Adjective with the Same Suffix --- | --- | --- | --- -al | personal, individual | - | minimal -ic | emphatic, forceful | - | narcotic -ical | - | practical, sensible | tropical -less | loveless | without love | homeless -ing | remaining | still left | smoking -ly | inevitably | without doubt | happily -ed | limited, restricted | - | skilled -some | worrisome, troublesome | - | awesome -ant | constant, steady |
- | elegant -ful | youthful | young | hopeful
Grammar
Yes, it happened three years ago. No, he has been an architect ... not he is. Yes, they are still searching because the verb is in the continuous form, searching, and the sentence states since the beginning of recorded history, which is when they started searching. Simple past in a, present perfect in b, and present perfect continuous in c.
Low audience participation High cost
Counter Arguments
Many teams have high participation numbers, so cut back on the number of teams Audience participation numbers are not the only way to measure student support and interest, as there is a devoted fan base Sports help spread school spirit The cost is worth the long-term benefits
Mandatory Community Service Programs
Introduction 1
Thesis: It is important to support the proposal for a mandatory community service program so that young people will learn the value of giving to others.
Introduction 2
Thesis: This is why I support a program of mandatory community service in our university.
Introduction 3
Thesis: A mandatory community service program in our school will give students a valuable experience and also help solve important problems in our community.
Conclusion 1
Restatement of thesis: I believe that if students try volunteering, many of them will discover that community service can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Conclusion 2
Restatement of thesis: Isn't this called a win-win situation?
Conclusion 3
Restatement of thesis: Last year I started tutoring an elementary school student whose parents don't speak English. At first, he was resentful that he had to stay after school and do more schoolwork. Truthfully, it was also hard for me knowing he did not want to be there. But as the year progressed, I got to know him and the kind of books he liked to read. He began to look forward to our weekly sessions and was eager to see what books I had brought for him. Now we are not just reading friends but we are real
friends. I know I have made a difference in his life and he has certainly made a difference in mine.
"The Fun They Had"
Reading One
There is a mechanical teacher that teaches via the internet. Students can access the teacher and lessons anywhere there is an internet connection, in a special room in the house. Students can interact with the teacher and classmates through live online chats once a week. Students who don't understand or need more support can meet in face- to-face study groups or post questions in forums. The county inspector can adjust the mechanical teacher.
Reading Two
There is no human teacher, only a mechanical teacher. Students access the lessons whenever they have free time, not at a set time. Students can socialize via forums whenever they are online or in face- to-face study groups with neighbors. The students don't like the mechanical teacher experience.
"Teaching the World from Central New Jersey"
Similarities between MOOC and "The Fun They Had"
Both involve teaching and submitting work via the internet. Both use new educational technology in their delivery methods. Both raise questions about the effectiveness of the teaching methods.
Differences between MOOC and "The Fun They Had"
MOOC students are excited about the new technology, while Margie doubts a man can teach effectively. MOOC students choose the online course, while Margie wants to go to a traditional school. The MOOC represents the present, while "The Fun They Had" describes a future imagined in 1951.
Comparing Teachers
Similarities
Both English and history teachers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their subjects. Both use humor to help reduce student stress.
Technology Usage
The school in Lima had very little technology, with only a few computers that students rarely used. In contrast, the school in New York provides each student with a laptop at the beginning of ninth grade, and assignments are posted on class websites. Students often email their homework and questions to teachers.
Personal Connections
The small size of the school in Lima allowed for a sense of intimacy, where everyone knew each other well. The writer misses the intimacy of the old school in Lima, despite liking the school in New York.
Time Management
The writer notes that college requires a higher level of thinking and a lot more work than high school. The writer emphasizes the importance of disciplining oneself to use the free time between classes productively for homework and other assignments.
Smartphone Usage and Potential Addiction
Signs of Compulsive Smartphone Use
Continuously using the smartphone to check email, read blogs, check Twitter, etc., even on weekends or when on vacation.
Defining Smartphone Addiction
Some experts view smartphone addiction as anything that disrupts work or family life. Others argue that it is a dysfunction, not an addiction, as there is no physical withdrawal.
Reasons for Smartphone Obsession
Smartphones provide a constant stream of messages, alerts, and easy access to information, creating an environment of almost continuous interruptions and distractions. This makes it difficult to maintain attention, engage in contemplation and reflection, or be alone with one's thoughts.
Solutions to Smartphone Obsession
Take "predictable time off" from smartphones. Slowly wean oneself off email, web browsing, and social media.
Turn off alerts and make specific times smartphone-free. Avoid using smartphones in inappropriate situations, such as while driving.
Evidence and Examples
Experiment by the Boston Group
The Boston Group participated in an experiment run by Leslie Perlow, PhD. The experiment involved taking "Predictable Time Off," which resulted in increased efficiency, increased collaboration, and better work-life balance.
Writer's Personal Experience
The writer implemented multiple strategies to manage their own smartphone use, such as slowly diminishing time between checking, stopping use for web browsing and social media, and avoiding use while driving. The overall effect was better concentration, increased awareness of surroundings, more relaxation, and more focused use of the smartphone.
Key Takeaways
The differences between the schools in Lima and New York highlight the contrasts in size, gender composition, language of instruction, and technology usage. Smartphone usage can become compulsive and potentially disruptive, but there are strategies to manage it, such as taking predictable time off and gradually reducing usage. The evidence from the Boston Group experiment and the writer's personal experience demonstrate the benefits of reducing smartphone dependence.
