Fight the Violence!
Oct 14, 2011 6:53 PM EDT
What if gang violence in America could be reduced just by talking? Professor and
activist David Kennedy talks with Ben Crair about his new book, Don’t Shoot,
criticism of his plan, and the economics of gangs.
In 1995, David M. Kennedy went to Boston on behalf of1 Harvard’s Kennedy School of
Government to study violent crime. Like many American cities at that time, Boston was
suffering a wave of homicides. After linking up with a special Boston Police
Department task force, Kennedy and his team recognized that most of the killing was
the work of a small handful of identifiable gang members. Rather than locking them all
up, they tried something new: They met with the gang members and community leaders,
offered them assistance in getting off the streets, and warned them that, if any single
gang member committed another murder2, they would crack down3 on the entire group.
Crime dropped almost overnight, and Kermedy’s “Operation Ceasefire,” as it has come
to be known, has been implemented in more than 70 cities, addressing issues from gun
violence to drug markets to juvenile robberies. Now, Kennedy recounts his experiences
in a new book, Don‘t Shoot: One Man, a Street Fellowship, and the End of Violence in
Inner-City America.
(Newsweek. 14.10.2011. Adaptado)
In (1)Higher Education, a Focus on Technology By STEVE LOHR
The education gap facing the nation’s work force is evident in the numbers. Most new
jobs will require more than a high school education, yet fewer than half of Americans
under 30 have a (2)postsecondary degree of any kind. Recent state budget cuts,
education experts agree, promise to make closing that gap even more difficult.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and
four nonprofit education organizations are beginning an ambitious initiative to address
that challenge by accelerating the development and use of online learning tools.
An initial $20 million round of money, from the Gates Foundation, will be for
postsecondary online courses, particularly ones tailored for community colleges and
low-income young people. Another round of grants, for high school programs, is
scheduled for next year.
Just how effective technology can be in improving education — by making students
more effective, more engaged learners — is a subject of debate. To date, education
research shows that good teachers matter a lot, class size may be less important than
once thought and nothing improves student performance as much as one on-one human
tutoring.
If technology is well designed, experts say, it can help tailor the learning experience to
individual students, facilitate student-teacher collaboration, and assist teachers in
monitoring student performance each day and in quickly fine-tuning lessons.
The potential benefits of technology are greater as students become older, more
independent learners. Making that point, Mr. Gates said in an interview that for children
from kindergarten to about fifth grade “the idea that you stick them in front of a
computer is (3)ludicrous.”
(1) higher education: educação superior.
(2) postsecondary: termo que se refere aos cursos feitos após o high school ou, no
modelo educacional brasileiro, o Ensino Médio.
(3) ludicrous: ridícula, absurda.
([Link] Acesso em 20.09.2012.
Adaptado)
Did Charles Darwin Delay in Publishing Origins of Species?
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) began working on his theories of
the Origins of Species in 1837; however his works were published
more than twenty years after that.
There is much speculation as to why it took so long to publish the
groundbreaking book; some suggest that he was afraid to challenge
the scientific community and upset the Church.
After first positing his ideas regarding how species underwent a
“natural selection” and could possibly adapt over time, the text
provoked adverted reactions from his intellectual mentors, Charles
Lyell and Sir John Herschel.
Still, Darwin continued working on his theory; if he really was affected
by the potential of a negative response to his ideas, some believe that
it seems more plausible that he would have abandoned research
completely. Throughout the period during which he was working on
the Origins of Species, he published essays revealing his work in
progress. Many now believe that Darwin did not delay publishing,
but rather, took over two decades to complete his work.
(Adaptado de [Link] Acesso em
21/09/2010.)
How to choose a career
Firstly, you must discover what are those standing and lasting values that make you who you are. What
things interest you or what things make you want to stop as soon as you begin. Choosing a career is all
about you, because if you don't know who you are as an individual, it's going to be extremely hard to
convince your potential employer to entrust you with a job.
For some of us, we value our families and the ability to schedule work around life or for some it may be the
need to work around certain types of people, rather than others. Whatever those values and ideals fit you,
you must be comfortable with yourself and willing to try new things!
Secondly, you must figure out what you are good at and what brings out the best of your abilities.
Obviously, if you are great at painting artwork, but really can't stand working outside in the scorching heat,
then you probably don't want to apply for a job as a car mechanic. There are many ways to figure out what
you are good at, simply just by asking yourself what are your likes and dislikes, your expectations for your
dream career, and what steps you would have to take to get there.
Whenever someone comes up to me and complains about their job and how they dislike it so much, I
always ask why you are still doing it. Work in a field that fits your mold and who you are, not based on pay
or some other factor.
Thirdly and most importantly, do something you love! Never get lured into doing a job that makes you
grumpy and angry at the world. There are too many career positions out there waiting for someone with
your talents to come aboard.
Happiness in career and life to me is one of the most vital issues we should all cherish as human beings.
Being happy is not only good for those who spend the most time with you, such as your spouse, kids, or
friends, it's also good for your health, happiness, and well-being. Like I said before, a great career is not
just for the rich and famous, it's for all of us.
Some of us have wealthy parents and can just inherit money or work for them, while others have to work
their hardest to earn a decent living. But whatever the case may be, your dreams and goals can come true
in life, no matter your age, race, or any other factor. Just remember to set goals, aim high, and never give
up! You have to be willing to be an innovator and a visionist in your quest to find that dream career. In the
words of Robert Byrne, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
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