Blog #5: Formal Blog

Whenever Canada is brought up in a conversation, an immediate image of rolling prairies, great mountains, and forests as far as the eye can see comes up as a visual.  A long with this physical description, the people of Canada are also portrayed.  Friendly, mild manner, happy, and most of all free.  A Canada flag on your luggage automatically makes you welcome wherever you venture, and the casual way of ending a sentence with “eh” relaxes and comforts the people around you.  This description of a Canadian is a known stereotype that travels across the world.  The roots of this can be tracked back through time to 1867 when Canada was first defined to be independent.  This Independency is defined through and through the Canadian culture.  Since the beginning Canada has been a democratic country, and held homes to “free” people.

From past to present Canada has maintained a strong democracy, through government policies, free speech and most of all voting.  In recent years although this last point has become a major issue.  The voter turnout has been decreasing, and there is less and less interest in government policies over the years.  Statistics Canada shows that there has been a declining pattern from 1958 to present.  If this continues on soon our “land of the free” will be no more.  “Democracy is never a thing done.  Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing”, this quote by Archibald Macleish speaks truth.  If we the citizens of Canada do not work to keep our democracy we risk the lost of it.  It is our duty as Canadians to vote and keep our government in check.

It is often that you hear people voice their opinions of the government and their disagreements of the actions that are being taken.  Voting is our chance to let our views be heard, and to make a change.  Every vote does make a difference.    The beauty of living in Canada is that we are able to call an election when we are dissatisfied, and we should be using this as an advantage.  Voting is not a hassle but our right to check our government and to pass laws and policies that we want to address.  Without watching the government carefully we can lose control of our own country.  If everyone steps up we can continue moulding Canada into a better country and up hold our reputation.

I large problem with this decline in voter turnout is due to the upcoming generation.  The younger people of today show much less interest in the government doings, and feel that voting can have no benefit to them personally.  Many simply just don’t care, and it is this lack of enthusiasm that is causing the questioning of the strength of a democratic country.  What is the point of giving the people a chance if they do not care?  The voter turnout for the 2008 elections included only 7.1% of ages from 18 to 24.  A large portion of this age group is students, and I believe that it is our job to become more involved with politics.  By taking a more active interest in the government not only are we contributing to our country, but we are expanding our knowledge in more areas, and opening up new doors.  After all our generation will have to one day step up and take over the country and by becoming involved now we have a better chance of improving and advancing our standard of living.

Students are actively involved in many clubs and groups as they travel through University, and I believe politics needs to become more highly rated of these.  If we have the chance to become involved we have the chance to change our country for the better.  It has even been made very simple for the average student to take part.  Information is provided in many different ways, and we take part in our own elections at school.  Election Canada has even formed an easy access website which provides all the information you need, giving background on candidates, discussing issues, and listing out the step by step way to vote.

The world is changing and it is now time for our generation to step up and fill the shoes.  After all the years of fighting for freedom we must not let it slip away that easily from us.  We have the chance to make a difference.  Voting is a way to let our voices and opinions to be heard.  After all it is our duty as a Canadian citizen and our right.  

  

Blog #4: Egypt, Libya and beyond

Our world at the moment is undergoing huge changes that going to affect us all.  The countries in the Middle East are under a crisis and this does have an impact on us even though it is on the other side of the world.  Currently Canadians are being evacuated from this high risk area, and Americans are beginning to take action.  There have been warnings that this will be the third world war in the making.  We must take note of what is happening in order to be prepared.

In these countries the main source of leadership is coming from our age group, which is quite shocking that here our age group barely takes notice of the events.  Here in our own safe country it can be hard to imagine what it is like there, but we must widen our gaze and be prepared for whatever happens next. 

Information is quite easily available for us, and we must stay in contact with current events, and look to the future for what is to come of us. 

Coming to term With the Future

Alberta is currently starting to recognize the state of affairs, which could lead to a major change in our economy.  After the discussion that took place in our English class, I began to ask around about other people’s thoughts and opinions.  The most common feedback that I received was that I didn’t know what I was talking about, and that there was zero belief that oil would ever stop supporting our economy.  I found this denial quite frightening, for the basic fact is that in 20 years time that this is going to have a major impact on our lives.  After being called crazy a number of times, I realized that Alberta does have the ability to withstand to these coming changes, the real problem we must face is convincing people that this is really happening. 

Alberta is a rich province.  We have all of the right factors, and the technology to succeed in the changing world.  With the right investments, such as funding for education, we can come out of the shoot running.  Although, if we do not begin to prepare, and take the proper steps we are going to be in poor condition.  The first thing we must deal with is the recognition and public knowledge that this is occurring. 

Citizens in Alberta depend on oil as there lively hood.  Coming from a family where oil is the main source of income I can see how this information can be life changing.  I have seen firsthand how people shut down and go into complete denial, when this topic is brought up.  We need to address the situation at hand and come out with it more publicly.  By informing the citizens we will be able to take action, and start planning for the future.  This may include foreign investments, increased imports, and new technological development.  All of these options will help kick start our economy, and have us looking into different options.

English Topic #2: Oscar Followers

Oscars are coming up once again, and as always I was not even aware.  Every year my friends question my sanity when I tell them this.   For me though I’m simply not a big TV person. I spend most of my time out of the house and working outside.  Although I do enjoy going to the movies every now and then, I’m not one to follow the world of celebrities.  Going out and enjoying life is something I would much rather do, instead of watching strangers live it up.  Many talented people are broadcasted on the Oscar’s and I do believe they have worked hard for the awards they receive.  It is a night of talent and recognition.  Personally though, it has never played any role in my life.    

English Topic #1 Re-due

Buying CD’s may have gone out of fashion, but I personally still enjoy going out to music shops and purchasing albums.  Downloading music online is very common for the new generation, but I still like to own a hard copy of the music. I find with having a full album you receive a much more in-depth experience, and get a better view on what the artist is trying to get across.   The Internet has although opened up a better access to music, and we are now able to get a hold of songs that were once almost impossible to find.  It is still very disappointing to find that music stores across the country are closing down due to the easy access that people have at home.  I think they will be greatly missed.  I often wonder how much artists must struggle these days.  For no cost, fans can download music and transport it to IPods.  The decrease in music purchase has fallen greatly.  Many talented bands are no longer receiving the support they need to continue on performing, and this results in more artists “selling out”.   Which, prevents them from being as expressive as they once were. 

Engg Assignment #1: A Changing World

In the past years there have been major changes to society, mainly affected by the fast advancements in technology.  Music, once in itself a large part of a person’s identity has become a small contributor in our lives.  Many people will argue that with all the new technology (iPods, stereo systems, recording equipment etc.) the influence of artists is now larger than ever.  Although, over the years we have seen the cultural side of music come crumbling down.  Songs being blared out on the radio and mp3 players lack the passion, and soul that music once held.  Meaningless lyrics and electronically made rhythms have made it simple for untalented performers to become famous.  There fame not based on their talent, but on the crazy stunts they take part in.

The artists of this generation can hardly be called such.  Miley Cyrus, Justin Beiber, The Jonas Brothers, come nowhere close to the powerful and innovating influences that bands such as Rolling Stones, U2, The Beetles, and Bruce Springsteen had over the world.  With the dwindling progression of talent, the music world has greatly changed.  People listening no longer have feelings evoked and have lost the passion for music. 

This change that we are witnessing now is newly shaping our culture.  One that people do not no longer feel for music, but only see it as an entertainment factor.  The meaning and passion is disappearing right before our eyes, as the world advances on.
The closure of music stores is a disappointment to here, and represents the end of an era, where people once lived for music and felt the passion in all of its glory.  People now sit at home and download illegal music, in which they receive nothing from.

Difficulties

took me forever to get this up and going!