I read a fascinating article in the New York Times the other day titled, Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age.
It brought back memories of college and writing long involved 20-30 page double-spaced and typed (yes typed) papers after poring over texts in the library. How I wish that I had had a computer in my dorm room back then to help me do the research in the comfort and clutter of my room.
Or so I thought, until I realized how the blurring of lines between original thought and creating collages of thoughts has affected today's computer-literate generation.
I strive to ensure that when I use items from other's works, I document them with hyper-links back to the original--not because I worry about plagiarism, but more so that the reader can read the entire piece and determine for themselves if I have used the extract in a consistent manner that is contextually consistent.
But as I read the article I referenced here, I realized that despite the best efforts of all of us, the boundary between common knowledge and unique theme-specific knowledge has become blurred. I often ask myself--how do I know that? Was that my idea? Or did I read it somewhere?
The information age is truly a complex one.
The tendrils of thought have become confused.
And then--the article I referenced earlier ends with the following paragraphs:
Many times, said Donald J. Dudley, who oversees the discipline office on the campus of 32,000[UC Davis], it was students who intentionally copied — knowing it was wrong — who were “unwilling to engage the writing process.”
“Writing is difficult, and doing it well takes time and practice,” he said.
And then there was a case that had nothing to do with a younger generation’s evolving view of authorship. A student accused of plagiarism came to Mr. Dudley’s office with her parents, and the father admitted that he was the one responsible for the plagiarism. The wife assured Mr. Dudley that it would not happen again.
It is easy to justify what you are doing in your mind--right up until someone asks about it.
Writing like any skill, must be learned and practiced.
But we live in an instant society--where we can have and we long for anything we can get, instantly!
Hence--writing is reduced to copying someone else's thoughts.
We all need to strive for originality and creativity--but when someone else says it just the way we would have said it--at least give them credit.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Cheap Blessings and Cheapened Grace - A Rant
OK, look out, here comes another rant. And this one is likely to really get the hairs on your neck ruffled.
This one is about some of the "well meaning" stuff I receive in my email.
They seem to end with something like this:
Pass this to 12 people including me. A blessing is coming to you in form
of a new job, a house, marriage or financially. Do not break or ask
questions. This is a test. Does God come first in your life? If so, stop what
you're doing & send it to 12 people now. Watch what he does!
Really? Do you believe this nonsense?
This is the Joel Osteen-style Christianity that sells books and keeps people's email full of empty hopes and promises. The "If I do, then God will " type of non-biblical Christianity. The type of Christianity that is so shallow it doesn't work. It is a Laodiceian-type of Christianity. Or form, but no substance.
What is the biblical basis for something like this?
Do we really pray to God and do things in his name to have him reward us like Santa Claus?
God blesses us in so many ways that we never even appreciate--and then we cheapen our relationship with Him by playing a game like--if I send this to 12 people then he will give me the desires of my heart!"
Really, come on!
He has already given us the greatest gift he could give us--through grace we have eternal life. We did not earn it by sending an email to 12 people. We were given it because His Son died for us, while we were still sinners and certainly did not then nor even now deserve it.
And then to top it all off, He blesses us every day and lavishes upon us things we don't even know we need, until He makes them known to us.
And so our response to this is to send little email messages to our friends promising that if they do this, then God will do that? I wonder if this is some of what John was writing about to the church of Laodicea in Revelations 3:14-22?
Emails that end like this, with the "If you do, then God will" promise are really missing the mark.
We are not going to heaven based on our works, 'cause we can't do enough to pay the price. And we certainly are not going to get there by sending emails to other Christians encouraging them to send emails in order to receive blessings.
Ah, some might say, it is a way of letting unbelievers hear of God. Really? How many of those emails really go to unbelievers. They are not even designed to go to people who have never heard of the Living God. And if one should be sent to an unbeliever, do we want them to learn of a god who seems to be little more than a purveyor of incantations? There is a lot more they need to learn--like starting with, you feel guilty about something you did way back when, let me tell you what our God did for you, already!
It is that old problem again--we think we need to do something to earn God's love.
Wrong! We can't earn it.
It is tied to the age-old question about works. We can't do enough to earn on our own what was freely given to us already by God. Why would we want or need to?
It's free. Accept that.
We must, however, reflect in our lives and the way we live how God has changed us from the inside--but it certainly should not be tied to doing little deeds with the expectation of receiving earthly rewards. And as a result of our joy, we do things (works) which confirm the faith we have.
We already have the reward--eternity.
I guess when I read emails that end with the action and the promise, I hear the televangelists at the end of the broadcast pleading, like so many politicians who have been coming to my door lately, "send me money and God will . . . "
God will anyway. Just ask.
The alternative to these emails?
Here is a thought.
I have felt that the stories that come in many of those emails are great and uplifting. Some are just fun to read. So delete the ending, the "if you send this to 12 people and me . . ." part.
Change it to a simple blessing to your friends--something like: I saw this and thought you would appreciate it. I'm thinking of and praying for you today.
A simple blessing.
That's what we all really need more than anything else. A reminder that we are loved by God and others.
This one is about some of the "well meaning" stuff I receive in my email.
They seem to end with something like this:
Pass this to 12 people including me. A blessing is coming to you in form
of a new job, a house, marriage or financially. Do not break or ask
questions. This is a test. Does God come first in your life? If so, stop what
you're doing & send it to 12 people now. Watch what he does!
Really? Do you believe this nonsense?
This is the Joel Osteen-style Christianity that sells books and keeps people's email full of empty hopes and promises. The "If I do, then God will " type of non-biblical Christianity. The type of Christianity that is so shallow it doesn't work. It is a Laodiceian-type of Christianity. Or form, but no substance.
What is the biblical basis for something like this?
Do we really pray to God and do things in his name to have him reward us like Santa Claus?
God blesses us in so many ways that we never even appreciate--and then we cheapen our relationship with Him by playing a game like--if I send this to 12 people then he will give me the desires of my heart!"
Really, come on!
He has already given us the greatest gift he could give us--through grace we have eternal life. We did not earn it by sending an email to 12 people. We were given it because His Son died for us, while we were still sinners and certainly did not then nor even now deserve it.
And then to top it all off, He blesses us every day and lavishes upon us things we don't even know we need, until He makes them known to us.
And so our response to this is to send little email messages to our friends promising that if they do this, then God will do that? I wonder if this is some of what John was writing about to the church of Laodicea in Revelations 3:14-22?
Emails that end like this, with the "If you do, then God will" promise are really missing the mark.
We are not going to heaven based on our works, 'cause we can't do enough to pay the price. And we certainly are not going to get there by sending emails to other Christians encouraging them to send emails in order to receive blessings.
Ah, some might say, it is a way of letting unbelievers hear of God. Really? How many of those emails really go to unbelievers. They are not even designed to go to people who have never heard of the Living God. And if one should be sent to an unbeliever, do we want them to learn of a god who seems to be little more than a purveyor of incantations? There is a lot more they need to learn--like starting with, you feel guilty about something you did way back when, let me tell you what our God did for you, already!
It is that old problem again--we think we need to do something to earn God's love.
Wrong! We can't earn it.
It is tied to the age-old question about works. We can't do enough to earn on our own what was freely given to us already by God. Why would we want or need to?
It's free. Accept that.
We must, however, reflect in our lives and the way we live how God has changed us from the inside--but it certainly should not be tied to doing little deeds with the expectation of receiving earthly rewards. And as a result of our joy, we do things (works) which confirm the faith we have.
We already have the reward--eternity.
I guess when I read emails that end with the action and the promise, I hear the televangelists at the end of the broadcast pleading, like so many politicians who have been coming to my door lately, "send me money and God will . . . "
God will anyway. Just ask.
The alternative to these emails?
Here is a thought.
I have felt that the stories that come in many of those emails are great and uplifting. Some are just fun to read. So delete the ending, the "if you send this to 12 people and me . . ." part.
Change it to a simple blessing to your friends--something like: I saw this and thought you would appreciate it. I'm thinking of and praying for you today.
A simple blessing.
That's what we all really need more than anything else. A reminder that we are loved by God and others.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Weary Already and Grinding Away
Back already for only two days--and weary of the grind already.
My head is still on "some beach, some where" (to quote a country song).
It is hard to believe the level of seemingly meaningless activity, meetings, questions, and actions that stream by me on a daily basis.
I am caught, it seems, in a bureaucratic for bureaucracy sake situation where the paper required to do intelligent things keeps them from being done.
And to top it all off, my truck is broken. But it should be fixed today, for a small transfer of large unmarked bills from my piggy bank.
I'm not sure what it all means at this point--but getting back into the saddle, as they say, after a wonderful vacation away sure is getting tougher.
I am, of course, excited that the Orioles have a new manager--but they will still likely finish last in all of baseball this year. It is hard to get worse than last. I guess the new manager is taking over at a good time--that can't really go anywhere but up. At least they won last night--which in itself is newsworthy.
And I am sure A-Rod is hoping to see the O's soon so he can finally hit his 600th homer. Want to talk about frustration? Another game last night--no home run. There you have it!
Talk here has already turned to football--and the Ravens are self-destructing in training camp! Injuries are putting people out for the season. Unlike the Redskins who can't seem to even get their players onto the field for training camp. It might be a good time to change teams, like someone in the family I know!!!
Did I say my truck is broken!
But it is all good.
My dog is happy to see me when I come home at night. And it makes me smile when she heads back upstairs to bed in the morning after mooching my toast to get a few more hours of shut-eye with Chris. They are quite a pair in the morning when I leave for work--nestled deep into the bed sleeping.
.JPG) |
| Lucas at Dinner in Outback |
And the pool is there for me to fall into and wash away the cares of the day when I come home.
And I had dinner last evening with Lucas ( and his Mom and Dad). It was an awesome time!
So all is not lost--it is just seems like it is hiding.
And I had dinner last evening with Lucas ( and his Mom and Dad). It was an awesome time!
So all is not lost--it is just seems like it is hiding.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Fizz in the Glass of Life
While on vacation, I discovered something really different.I am provided with fizz in my glass of life to spice it up. Just like a cola or champagne--the fizz is there to keep me excited and interested.
What is this magic fizz in the glass of life?
Grandchildren!
Yup. Watching grandchildren play on the beach, or wrestle with their Mom and Dad on the floor, or fight like the brothers they are, and discover the world is truly the fizz that adds interest to life.
They are canvasses to write memories upon--memories which will remain long after I have changed my address from where I am now to eternity.
They explore and interact with the world and people in ways I had long forgotten and sometimes in ways that as a parent, I didn't appreciate then and only now after my own children are grown and having children of their own can I appreciate the ways of the child.
So what is this fizz?
The joy of discovering sea urchins on the beach and realizing that they are not plants, but animals.
The fear of letting a snail crawl on their hands.
The excitement of running headlong into the pounding surf driven by a tropical storm with the red flag flying.
Finding a small turtle on the beach and then learning all about turtles at the turtle rescue place.
Watching helplessly as they strike out again at the baseball game.
Seeing them struggle to roll over and become more like a person as they grow from a baby.
Yes, there is stress--and like a glass or more of champagne, the fizz can be overwhelming at times. But it provides the interest in life to help me see things differently.
It is fizz surely. Sometimes it gets up my nose and makes me cringe--but usually it helps me appreciate life and something that I have forgotten that I had a lot of fun learning and doing.
I guess it keeps me from getting too old, too fast.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Monday Musings - August 2, 2010
1. It's August already? What happened to July?2. Sunrise and sunset today are combining to make today 2 minutes shorter of daylight than yesterday.
3. And so it is off to work today--the first time in over two weeks that I will be wearing long pants and shoes. Should be a lot of fun.
4. I was having so much fun on vacation last week that I totally forgot to write Monday Musings and no one missed them.
5. The oil spill in the Gulf is turned off but the disaster continues.
6. Question: If the people who run WikiLeaks knew they were publishing US Govt classified information, why shouldn't they go to jail for treason or espionage? Is it not the responsibility of all citizens to protect US classified information? I'm confused!
7. Have a positive outlook for the day and it may surprise you and be a good day!
8. Do not despair the passing of July because August is still summer!
9. As of today the Orioles have a new manager--they still are the worst team in baseball though.
10. Chris and I saw two movies alone as a couple while on vacation We believe it has been probably over a year since we have seen a movie together and alone. We enjoyed it.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Morning After the Two Weeks Before
We are back home in Maryland.
After over two weeks of vacation we returned safely home to resume life.
Our home, despite hosting at least three parties while we were away, was in fantastic shape. All told there were only three causalities--all plants, while we were away. Which is good for any vacation during the highest heat of the summer.
The signature symbol of Jupiter is the lighthouse. Designed by Gen George G. Meade to provide safe passage to mariners, it now provides passage for me to my happy place. The place where everything seems to be right with the world and I am able to blot out negative thoughts for a time.
Maybe it is a small preview of heaven, in that sense.
Chris snapped this image on our last evening in Jupiter--I have lots of images of the lighthouse in daylight, but she had the idea to get it at night--and it is an awesome shot.
A beacon to navigate the dark night.
A memory to grasp and hold onto during the hectic days of life--a place where I am unhurried and the biggest decision of the day is whether we go to the beach at 8:30 am or 9:00 am.
I don't know what tomorrow will bring as I head back into work and resume my 50 week per year life. But, I am armed with many memories and fully relaxed and ready to tackle the challenges that I will inevitably face.
But the lighthouse is the signal to help me to find my way back.
After over two weeks of vacation we returned safely home to resume life.
Our home, despite hosting at least three parties while we were away, was in fantastic shape. All told there were only three causalities--all plants, while we were away. Which is good for any vacation during the highest heat of the summer.
The signature symbol of Jupiter is the lighthouse. Designed by Gen George G. Meade to provide safe passage to mariners, it now provides passage for me to my happy place. The place where everything seems to be right with the world and I am able to blot out negative thoughts for a time.
Maybe it is a small preview of heaven, in that sense.
Chris snapped this image on our last evening in Jupiter--I have lots of images of the lighthouse in daylight, but she had the idea to get it at night--and it is an awesome shot.
A beacon to navigate the dark night.
A memory to grasp and hold onto during the hectic days of life--a place where I am unhurried and the biggest decision of the day is whether we go to the beach at 8:30 am or 9:00 am.
I don't know what tomorrow will bring as I head back into work and resume my 50 week per year life. But, I am armed with many memories and fully relaxed and ready to tackle the challenges that I will inevitably face.
But the lighthouse is the signal to help me to find my way back.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
South Carolina dawn
After a fitful night's sleep in a hotel near Savannah, we are back on the road.
The last leg of the trip back to the day-to-day grind and farther from vacation.
Yesterday we were snorkeling the warm Atlantic and today we are looking at a ribbon of highway in front of us.
Home is ahead of us and fantasy is behind as we travel the road through purgatory from one world to the other.
All good things end I guess to remind us that they are good things.
OK, I do miss my dog.
Sent from my iPhone
The last leg of the trip back to the day-to-day grind and farther from vacation.
Yesterday we were snorkeling the warm Atlantic and today we are looking at a ribbon of highway in front of us.
Home is ahead of us and fantasy is behind as we travel the road through purgatory from one world to the other.
All good things end I guess to remind us that they are good things.
OK, I do miss my dog.
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, July 30, 2010
Jupiter in my Rearview Mirror
I can't believe my love affair with the ocean is now on hold for probably another year.
We just drove by the accident the had the road closed and it was on the other side of the road. Our lanes were closed for the medivac helo. It was a horrific two car accident. We said a prayer for those involved in the accident.
It put a real downer on my vacation's end. But we are going to drive a bit safer.
The image is of Jupiter Island beach this morning. A memory caught in an image.
Just Another Sunny Day in Paradise
Fundamentally, what is wrong with vacations is that they seem to end right when I begin having fun and am fully decompressed and can really enjoy the vacation the most.
The thought of returning to the grind of daily life begins to weigh heavily on me as I write this knowing that in less than 72 hours, I will have a tie around my neck, socks and shoes on my feet, and again be stuffed into a windowless room lighted with the harsh glow of florescent lights.
While this morning--my last on the beach for this vacation, I snorkeled for over two hours with Chris and we had a magnificent day. We played with birds and urchins on the beach, we saw a huge barracuda, and a 6 foot lemon shark and then had a manatee swim within 10 feet of us. Had my underwater camera not been toasted a few days ago, I would have images to match these memories--but alas, they are only memories.
Chris called it the best day snorkeling ever! I agree. I decided not to go diving so I could snorkel with Chris and God did not disappoint us with the diversity, size, and ferocity of the marine life we saw.
And so, as the packing out moves into a frenzy--I have fond memories of a great vacation which showed me so many different things and taught me about the fizz in my life as well and the constants. I'll write about the fizz soon.
Mostly, I got in touch with my real self again--if even for only a few moments on the beach
mindlessly watching the waves.
I was mostly in the moment--not thinking about what was going to happen but just enjoying what was happening. I even got bothered when people asked me about the "plan." Ugh. Plan was in the future and I just wanted to enjoy the moment, or the bird, or the fish, turtle, manatee, or shark.
But even now, my mind is looking towards the trek back to Maryland and the life I have for 50 weeks a year.
It is a long trek--but I will ride spectacular memories of family, friends, and awe at God's creation.
The thought of returning to the grind of daily life begins to weigh heavily on me as I write this knowing that in less than 72 hours, I will have a tie around my neck, socks and shoes on my feet, and again be stuffed into a windowless room lighted with the harsh glow of florescent lights.
While this morning--my last on the beach for this vacation, I snorkeled for over two hours with Chris and we had a magnificent day. We played with birds and urchins on the beach, we saw a huge barracuda, and a 6 foot lemon shark and then had a manatee swim within 10 feet of us. Had my underwater camera not been toasted a few days ago, I would have images to match these memories--but alas, they are only memories.
Chris called it the best day snorkeling ever! I agree. I decided not to go diving so I could snorkel with Chris and God did not disappoint us with the diversity, size, and ferocity of the marine life we saw.
And so, as the packing out moves into a frenzy--I have fond memories of a great vacation which showed me so many different things and taught me about the fizz in my life as well and the constants. I'll write about the fizz soon.
Mostly, I got in touch with my real self again--if even for only a few moments on the beach
mindlessly watching the waves.I was mostly in the moment--not thinking about what was going to happen but just enjoying what was happening. I even got bothered when people asked me about the "plan." Ugh. Plan was in the future and I just wanted to enjoy the moment, or the bird, or the fish, turtle, manatee, or shark.
But even now, my mind is looking towards the trek back to Maryland and the life I have for 50 weeks a year.
It is a long trek--but I will ride spectacular memories of family, friends, and awe at God's creation.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Turtle Whisperer
 | |
| Just Hatched and Looking for the Ocean |
 |
| Crawling Across the Beach |
 | |
| Off to the Deep Ocean |
 | |
| First Contact with the Surf |
 |
| Missed the First Wave--Waiting for the Next One |
Found little turtle hatchlings on the beach after a nest had an eruption.
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| The Turtle Whisperer |
It really is amazing though--they dig themselves out of the nest, crawl across 50 yards of no easy to navigate beach and then into the ocean! But once they hit the water, they really begin to motor and these little guys can really motor!
One of the pictures here is of a hatchling just breaking the surface of the sand and the Turtle Whisperer was there to capture the moment.
we spent a long time this morning watching the turtles from at least three nests make their way to the surf. Sadly, the Turtle Whisperer could not save one hatchling which became caught in the sea grass drying on the beach and was plucked up as breakfast for a big black crow.
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