Jaffe, Epiphanies, Porn, and Continuum

[11:55p]

I. Jaffe

This semester I'm taking HIST 118 - American West History, 1806-Present with Dr. Matthew Jaffe. If you know me really well, you would know that I describe myself as a Math/Science kind of person. I do not typically enjoy English nor do I have a passion for History. It was just never all that interesting to me.

Jaffe (as many know him by) is starting to change that.

This guy just has such a fire for history that he can project that passion on to his students quite easily. Even if you don't like history, he can convince you into thinking that you do.

We had a test on the first unit this past tuesday and got them back today. I got 80/100 which on the curve we were graded on was a solid 'B'.

I really like this class. Though history never once peaked my excitement, this class for some reason, seems to capture my full attention and interest. I think a lot of that is due to Jaffe.

II. Epiphanies

It's always amazing when something just clicks in your mind. It's the feeling you get where you figure out a riddle after long hours racking your brain. It's the feeling you get when out of nowhere you suddenly remember the name of that actor that was in that one movie. It's when something so absurd finally just makes sense.

This is the feeling I get every Thursday night in my favorite class of the semester, PHIL 105 - Ethics: Moral Issues in Contemporary Society. The class is taught by Dr. William Hale who is probably one of the best instructors I have ever had. This guy will teach you to think and to think hard.

The best I can describe him to you is that he's a big guy (overweight), hippy-like (long hair), and casual (wears a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops). He's often literally been called "The Spawn of Satan" by several parents and local church youth group leaders... He doesn't intentionally add fuel to the fire and deny or confrim those accusations, but he casually chuckles over it. One of the first things he said to us was, "I won't tell you what to believe, but I'm going to try my hardest to make you seriously doubt and question your own beliefs." Amazing. He definitely challenges my mental capacity and my faith.

His class is different from any others that I have this year. He gives no quizzes, tests, or practicums, but rather has us write a 2-3 page "journal entry" every week on different ethical issues.


III. Porn

Tonight we turned in a paper and had a discussion on Pornography. We were instructed last week to write this paper taking the position that was contrary to our own beliefs. The paper I turned in tonight advocated pornography, arguing that there is nothing immoral about it and that it should be accepted in the public eye.

The class was split 60-40 on the issue with the scale tipped on the side of advocacy. When it was time to debate, we got stuck on the very first objective: What is Pornography?. The common response was something along the lines of any sexually explicit material (written or pictorial) that is primarily designed to produce sexual arousal in its viewers.

Dr. Hale said that this definition wasn't sufficient for our purposes. The gist of tonight's lesson was that our entire class is still thinking in terms of legality... That's not what this class is about. yet, at least. We need to be thinking in terms of individual morality and logical reasoning.

Example: I am against viewing any pornography, or anything that I could potentially use to cause arousal, because I believe pornography holds no benefit for me and I am rationally entitled to act in my own best interest. (Rational Egoism)

Neat, eh? The class is exciting. (No pun intended.)


IV. Continuum



A couple days ago, I bought two CDs. One of them was John Mayer's Continuum. I'll tell ya. This album is incredible. It's just the right mix of pop, acoustic rock, folk, and blues. John Mayer proves once again that he is a talent machine. Enjoy one of my favorite songs from the album...



[12:50a]

Cy