Freakonomics Entry #2: The Internet Helps Everyone

The internet boom occurred in the 1990s.  The internet has a big effect on almost everybody's lives.  In the late 1990s the price of life insurance dropped dramatically.  Many wondered why the radical change happened so fast, but the real reason is the internet happened.  All the sudden people were able to compare insurance quotes to get the best possible deal.  When there is competition, price goes down.  Companies were publicly competing to get more customers, and all the customers cares about was getting the lowest possible price on a premium.  Within a year, customers were paying $1 Billion less per year for life insurance, all because of the internet.  Nowadays we see this a lot on the internet.  Hotels, car rental, car insurance, etc. all having side by side quotes on the internet.  In turn, this provides competition in the market which will in the end help the consumers.

The main source of the internet is used for gaining information on various topics and also news.  When people are able to look at multiple sources of information, they are able to form their own opinions and be more open minded.  This makes for a stronger country because people will be on both sides of an issue.  Like the title of this blog post, the internet truly does benefit everybody.

Freakonomics Entry #1

Freakonomics is best selling book written by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner.  Both of these men are economists who study various cause and effect situations along with how the economy works.  In this entry I will introduce a couple of their ideas that are abstract when first thought about, but then make complete sense when fully analyzed.  In the past few years there have been a few scandals that involved teachers cheating for their students.  This problem has been especially prevalent within the Chicago Public School system. One of the lessons that the authors teach the reader is that everybody responds to incentives, and that's why they act the way they do.  Some people study extra hard to get an A in a class so they can get an iPod from their parents.  Other people stop smoking cigarettes because the sin tax is going up.  And some teachers cheat for their students to prevent themselves for going on probation.  Everybody responds to incentives differently, and incentives are what keeps the economy going.  High stakes standardized testing puts stress on everybody, but especially the teachers.  If a good number of students do exceedingly well, then the teacher will be promoted.  The contrary is also true though. 

The issue is how to catch the cheating teacher.  Some teachers have blatantly cheated by putting answers on the board.  This was done by a fifth grade teacher in Oakland.  Some teachers will give their students extra time to finish the test, and others will give the answers when a student asks.  And the worst way is when a teacher changes the students answers after they are done with the test.  The CPS did a study on classes that were suspected of cheating.  They devised a formula and when a block of answers were all answered correctly for a class (or close to), cheating was a high possibility.  The correct block of answers often came at the end of the test where the questions are harder.  That proves that there was even a higher likelihood for cheating because the chance of sub par students getting those questions correct is quite low.  In the end they found that 5% of the classrooms had either cheating students or teachers.  The real loser in all of this cheating is the student.  They are the loser because they and their parents will see the inflated test score and be happy.  Then the next year their scores will return to the low level they are truly at.  Here's an example: for each grade level a student is at, that's what level they should score at.  So a fifth grader who is perfectly on par will score a 5.0.  A student in fifth grade scores a 3.8, in 6th grade they score 7.1, and in 8th grade they went back to their old ways and scored a 5.6.  This is a clear indication that in 6th grade they experienced cheating.  I am really excited to continue to read the book and see what other great analysis' these authors can offer.

Abortion Argument

Abortion is probably one of the biggest issues in America today and will continue to be because the two opposing sides are so passionate about their argument.  The Supreme Court has given power to the states to impose regulations on abortion as long as they're not undue burdens.  Theoretically, this means that the states cannot deny a woman's right to having an abortion.  Many abortion clinics are being forced to change the way they operate because their state government is imposing rules.  I think that something that would be considered an undue burden would be anything that makes the woman change her mind.  Getting an abortion is a huge deal in a woman's life so when they decide they are going to do it, they are positive that that's what will be best for them.  If they end up having to jump through hoops to get an appointment or have to go back multiple times before the operation, that would be an undue burden.  Something like getting an abortion is an incredibly hard time in their life so clinics should be making it easy for the patient.

Health care plans should cover the cost of the operation to have an abortion.  Having an abortion is simply just a procedure.  Almost all procedures people have are covered by health care, if they have it to begin with.  Some wil make the argument that since the woman could have prevented getting pregnant (assuming it concentual) that health care shouldn't cover it.  That is true that it could have been prevented but it's no different than breaking an arm skateboarding.  It's the own persons fault and could have been prevented.  And certainly the broken arm is covered.  If the patient wanting an abortion doesn't have health care, then they should get assistance paying for the operation.  The country has a responsibility to help its citizens and they doing something like that would help them so much.  The percentage of taxpayer dollars that will go to assisting people to pay for abortions is so minute and that's why the government should assist in the payment process. 

Abortions should be legal in all circumstances up to the third trimester of the pregnancy.  There is no reason why lawmakers and other people should be able to tell women what they can and can't do with their body's.  Also, if they have made the choice not to have the baby, then they are clearly not suited to have it.  If they were forced to have the baby, they wouldn't care for the child, partially because they wouldn't be able and also they wouldn't have the means.  When woman opt to have an abortion, chances are it was a mistake.  Making one mistake should not effect someone the rest of their lives, especially if it can be avoided.  This is why abortion should continue to be legal.

District 113 Renovations

There are some pre-conceived notions about district 113, some of which are good and others should be changed.  The district has a great academic reputation because of the high test scores that come out of the schools.  There are high test scores because the teachers in district 113 and the feeder school are very good.  Deerfield High also has a not so great reputation for having strong facilities.  Within the school there are a lot of essential things that the school needs to change.  For example the school was built 50 years ago.  Most of the school has heating, air conditioning, and windows from 50 years ago.  Everyone knows how much technology has changed over that time.  The renovation plans are a great idea and would truly benefit everyone in the community. 

The renovation plans would be a great addition to the school.  If the school renovates the heating, air, and windows in the old part of the school, it would save money in the long run.  Technology in that department has changed dramatically over the last 50 years.  This would make the heating and air bill go down because the system would be a lot more efficient.  Also, by having better windows it would keep those classrooms at a more neutral temperature.  Renovating the athletic facilities and adding a field house would be great because it would benefit everyone in the school.  It would increase everybody's productivity because the fields would be able to withstand any amount of play.  The games would always have the same field conditions too because the artificial turf never changes.  If the school was able to build a field house that would be beneficial to everyone in the community.  Not only would the students at the school be able to use it, it could be open to the public on the weekends.  People would be able to use the indoor track in the winter and also workout there at little to no cost.  Having great athletic facilities not only benefits athletes during their season, or students in gym class.  It will benefit everyone in the community.

Having all of these new great amenities at the school would make the tax payers take a little hit.  Even though everybody's taxes would barely increase, many don't want to pay at all.  Residents would be paying for the renovations in the short run but in the long run it would help everyone.  Compared to other communities the athletic facilities here are much inferior to many other schools.  Even though we have a SLIGHTLY better academic reputation than those schools, having great facilities will make young family's want to move there.  If these changes could be made, everybody's property would be worth more because this would be a more attractive area to come to.  Overall, taking a small hit to your taxes in the short run are worth it because you would be able to boast some of the best facilities in the state, and also increase the value of your property in the long run.   

The Execution

"The Execution" was an informative documentary on the death penalty, and it focused on two men in particular.  Clifford Boggess was a man who was executed for murdering two old men in cold blood.  His sentence of death was proper punishment.  Although I do think that Boggess changed as a man when he was on death row, he should still have been sent to die.  Even though he changed and may have been a good man in the end, it doesn't change what he had done.  If the court system would let him go off of death row that would send a poor message to the public that they are willing to give murderers a second chance, not to mention the family of the victim was looking forward to the closure.  I do think that he believed he was going to heaven, and hence that's the reason he was able to accept the penalty for his crimes.  I think that's irrelevant though because those are his internal thoughts.  It's great that he believes that but who really knows what's going to happen.  Boggess was a changed person but that doesn't mean he should have his sentence changed.  If he was truly remorseful for the murders of his victims he should feel obligated to die in order to compensate for pain he caused so many people.
Leslie Gosch is a prime example of the glitches in the death penalty system.  Anybody who is teased with their death is cruel and unusual punishment.  Although I do believe that the death penalty is an acceptable form of punishment, the process of them dying should be quick and not dragged out.  This case has changed my understanding of capital punishment, although it hasn't changed my core belief about it.  I am a lot more informed about the effects that the death penalty has.  After learning more and more about the death penalty I actually have a stronger belief in keeping it in place. 

Bullying

This is a new era of bullying, and it is cyber bullying.  Most peoples first thoughts when they think of a bully is a big, bad kid who picks on everyone.  Sometimes that is the case, but recently it hasn't been.  These "bullies" aren't really bullies at all most of the time.  In the Tyler Clementi case the woman who helped Tyler's roommate stream the videos was supposedly a great person.  She was in her first year of a six year Pharmacy Program at Rutgers.  If someone was to look at her life a month ago compared to now, they would be polar opposites.  This is a case of someone making a terrible mistake because she didn't think of what could happen.  She didn't think through her decision and that will probably cost her, her life.  The people who are being bullied are normal students.  The only difference is that one or a few people have something against them, not everyone.  In the Tyler Clementi case it was his roommate basically trying to prove that he was gay.  It's interesting because the students being bullied are typically really nice and good students.  They're being bullied for anything that someone doesn't like about them.  This is anything from a student being gay to someone overweight.  It's not fair to bully someone about something they can't control.  There are a lot of things that can be done to help prevent bullying and also help the victims.  For example in school the consequences for hazing are a lot stiffer than they used to be.  If the penalties are worse, then the bullies will be less inclined to do it.  The students who are being bullied are the ones in a tough spot.  Schools can make support groups.  These groups probably wouldn't be that effective because nobody wants to admit that they've been bullied.  Also, the students being bullied can report the bullies, but once again they don't want be the tattle tales or have to explain their situation.  In this new technology age anything that is put in writing on the internet will be there forever.  Putting stuff on the internet for bullying purposes are worse than talking to someones face because after they say it it's gone.  That can't be said for posting on the internet.  With so many functions of the internet (instant messaging, email, facebook) there are so many more avenues for bullies to get their message across.  Also, it's easier for the bullies because they don't have to see the person face to face when they do it.  Bullying will always be one of the toughest things to prevent because all the different ways of bullying.  This also makes it worse for the victims because what is said about them can be seen by everyone.  Many people like Anderson Cooper are going to great lengths to help prevent bullying.  They are holding town hall meetings and meetings at school to stop the epidemic.  Hopefully all the awareness of bullying will make the people bullying less inclined to do it.

Drug Testing in Schools?

Drug testing in school is an issue where there is no definitive answer.  I think that the school should drug test their students.  Students going to school is a privilege and is more or less a job.  In the real world companies are able to drug test their employees.  They do this so their employees are working to their potential.  By the school drug testing their students, they will make sure that the students are working to their full potential.  Also, there is nothing wrong with trying to stop illegal activity.  By having the drug testing system in place, it would definitely help prevent students from starting drugs.  There needs to be some conditions as to who gets tested and the punishment.  The testing needs to be completely random and should be a portion of each class.  This way the school won't have any bias towards who they test.  Also, the punishments should vary.  If a student is going to get tested they should have the choice to admit to using drugs.  This type of student won't have a very severe punishment the first time.  They will have to take a class, and that's it for a first offense.  The students who actually test positive will also have to take the class, but also get a 3 day in-school suspension.  Students who either test positive or admit to using drugs will have one random follow up test within a few months of their first offense.  Repeat offenders will get a 5 day in-school, then a 5 day out of school.   Overall, having a drug testing system in place will help prevent students from doing drugs and will also help the school create a more positive focused environment.

"7 Days in September"

The documentary "7 Days in September" depicts video and reactions from 9/11 and the week following the attack.  The film did a phenomenal job recording the events that occurred on 9/11 and the week after after.  One of the great things that the film did was it got reactions from all different people to get different perspectives.  All of the clips put together made for an inspirational film that showed New York's true colors. 

If there were two words to describe the people of New York and the city itself in the week after 9/11 it would be conflicted and generous.  After the attack itself some of the first footage shown was people walking through the dust and debris filled streets.  The people would come inside and would be covered in grey debris.  The attacks on the World Trade Centers didn't only change the landscape of the block that it was in, but rather the landscape of many blocks around the area.  The attacks on 9/11 effected everyone who lived in New York from a physical standpoint because the city was basically shut down in the week following the attacks.  All offices were shut down to work and getting around the city was nearly impossible. 

There were a lot of issues brought up by the video.  A lot of them had to do with approaching the situation with kids who didn't fully understand the situation.  It's nearly impossible for a child to understand the magnitude of the situation.  Some parents gave their kids a very watered down version, while others got the full blow by blow.  Overall, the feeling for all of the kids was just sad because kids react to their parents, so since they were sad their kids were too.

If there was anything positive to take away from the events that occured on 9/11, it could be the way the city came together in support of each other.  After the attacks, in the same day, people were lined up ready to give blood to victims.  People were driving supplies to centers that were helping the firemen.  On a normal day in New York, neither of these things would have ever happened.  People would think of reasons about why they shouldn't give blood, but that day was different.  They were ready and willing to do whatever they could to help.  The people of New York were thinking about each other instead of just themselves.  As the 7 days went on, the people of New York seemed to get closer because they realized that in order to survive the attacks they would have to come together.