Study/Writing/Discussion Questions

Chapter 1, Pg 20
1. Why did Agassiz keep saying "Look at your fish!"? What was he trying to teach Scudder?
- He meant to look at it with a different angle. Instead of breaking down the anatomy and physiology, look at it as a whole and how they come together to make up the fish. Look and observe, dont just state the obvious.

2. How would you describe the stages in Scudder's process of looking?
- Scudder kept trying to observe the fish through another's eyes wich is frustrating because as stated previously in the book "it is more convenient to assume that reality is similar to our preconceived ideas than to freshly observe what we have before our eyes." The harder he tried, the more he doubted himself. Once he got it, it all became apparent.

3. How did Scudder change personally in the course of his "trial"?
- Figuring out this new way of observation made him more confident and he applies this to his work.

4. Explain why you think Agassiz's method of teaching was either effective or wasteful.
- Obviously effective because Scudder applied it to his new ways and learned it on his own, it wasn't handed to him.


Chapter 1, Pg 43
1. How do observation skills protect the writer in this situation?
- The fact that he observes that the rattlesnakes are attracted to the mice in his trailor. Also, the fact that he was able to identify that it was indeed a rattlesnake, not a harmless one, and under the door step before he walked right into it.

2. How does he combine his knowledge of animals together with his observation skills to anticipate future problems?
- He is aware that if he kills this snake, there are more deadly snakes that may come and replace him... which would be a worse situation.

3. How does he use his observation and imagination together in order to find an unusual solution to his problem?
- When he notices a gopher snake, he brings it home to to make it his pet, serving many purposes; to eat the mice, and fight off the rattlers since they are enemies of each other. He grew to like the company; he referred to it as a cat curled up in the warm corner, and he would take it around with him curled up in his shirt, he says they are "compatible".

4. Whey do you suppose he does not consider poisoning and trapping the mice or shooting the rattlesnakes one by one?
- He has a duty as a park ranger to protect all living things, no exceptions, and referres to himself as a humanist, who would rather kill a man then an animal. He would rather let nature take its course and have the predator take care of their prey.

5. What values does he hold-and what aversions does he lack-that would enable him to enjoy this solution?
- His values are that he has a love for life and does not want to take it into his own hands but simply let the circle of life take place by allowing the snakes to take care of his problem for him. What he lacks is the power to get it done without feelings attached, he grew close with his predator instead of just having it there to do its job.


Chapter 2, Pg 71
1. Why do you think Malcom X could be so confident and articulate as a hustler, yet have so much difficulty writing "simple English"?
- Being a hustler, does not always require you to possess writing skills, it demands more of a sales attitude. You need to have more people smarts then book smarts, having a way with the words you know, is different then having a broad vocabulary, some people can make it work.

2. What do you think of his practice of copying out every word in a dictionary?
- I think it was a great idea! What works for some might not work for others, but this definitely worked for him. Actually writing it out and reviewing it over and over, stored the information in his long-term memory and now he has a huge vocabulary.

3. Why did Malcom X find it so empowering to learn new words?
- He was now able to fully understand all the books that he previously couldn't. He had no clue what they were saying prior to his education from the dictionary.

4. What motivated him to read in his cell in semidarkness late through the night?
- He couldn't get enough reading. He preferred to read in his room and it seemed that everytime it was "lights out" he was in the middle of a good reading so he refused to put the book down and he read in the semidarkness through the night. He valued reading and educating himself over sleep.

5. Why do you think Malcom X wanted others to hear this story?
- He wanted the world to know how he turned his street ways and imprisonment into literacy and power. He wanted it known how he educated himself and did not give up. Basically sending the message "if I can do it, so can you".


Chapter 8, Pg 228
1. According to the author, what strategies are used on television to provide the illusion of objectivity?
- The author says that watching network news reports you will conclude that all issues have only two sides. Television uses the strategy of "presenting both sides" to provide the illusion of objectivity.

2. How and why do these strategies center on familiar dichotomies?
- They center on familiar dichotomies because they give the illusion that everything is in either black-and-white or yes-and-no terms. They illiminate possibility of gray or maybe. The fact that there are other sides, opinions or beliefs.

3. What support does the author give for his claim that maintaining true impartiality is impossible?
- The author supports his claim by saying that this view of objectivity means keeping one's own feelings separate from the story, but yet even the most evenhanded reporter is subject to personal bias.

4. Why does he say that the search for alternative viewpoints is crucial?
- He says this because the media dualism can leave the impression that it represents both sides to all issues, therefore, leaving no room for any other. It is crucial to find other viewpoints or else we can be sucked into believing these are the only ones.

5. List what he says to watch for in media news.
-Creativity
-Journalists/Media that stretch to find unusual perspectives
-Foreign correspondent who takes the trouble to interview refugees when another power invades their country.
-Broadcaster who explores the history of the debate over rights (pointing out how todays opinions echo historical questions)
-Writer whose editorial on nuclear energy in Tennessee includes an interview with an elderly Appalachian trout fisherman who remembers what the fish were like before the power plant was built.
-The stories that go the extra mile are worth watching for.

Assumptions

Chapter 5
Summary: Chapter 5 explained assumptions. We make assumptions daily as a bridge to draw conclusions in life, to help us make the best decisions we can. Some assumptions are conscious and do certain things based on what we assume is the best choice. They help us in taking risks or stragegize outcomes. However, many assumptions are unconscious on we do not even realize that we are drawing conclusions about a situation as we are doing it. An unconscious assumption is not even recognized until we discover that our way of thinking was not reality. All the while, whether assumptions are concious or unconscious, they are a part of survival, in helping us determine right from wrong, to the best of our ability. There are also warranted and unwarranted assumptions. A warranted assumption would be following protocol, such as standards, codes, customs and agreements; an unwarranted assumption would be opposing this. Most of our assumptions come from our own values, beliefs we were raised on from our culture. These are not true for everyone, being that every culture has its own views on life. Many are hidden, however, in propaganda and argument. A debator or a commercial can use assumptions to persuade us to believe its true. Assumptions are not always the truth, they are simply bridges we use to draw conclusions.
Reflection: Up until reading this chapter, I never realized how often we make assumptions about things. I pretty much used to term so freely that I thought I had control over my use of it. Its true that many of our assumptions, what I had considered natural instincts, are based on our own values, what we were taught was "right". Going forward, I will now be more aware of my own assumptions when I am drawing conclusions about things... from believing fact from fiction, to deciding what color eye shaddow looks good with my outfit!