Global Cooling Costs Too Much

Jonah Goldberg makes some interesting points in "Global Cooling Costs Too Much" (Presence, p. 686), but I found only one that was supported by a citation. He refers to an atmospheric scientist who suggested in Science magazine that we might need 30 international climate agreements to halt global warming.
For your response, pick an assertion Goldberg makes that you think needs more support. Suggest where Goldberg could find research to back himself up.

Solve the World's Problems

Please post your Nobel Prize-worthy topics here. The deadline is the start of class on Monday, Nov. 8. The topic should come from your major.

"Secret Society of the Starving"

For Monday, Nov. 8, please read Mim Udovitch's "A Secret Society of the Starving" in the Presence book, page 556.
Pick one of the "non-scholarly" sources the author uses and write a 200-word memo about its effectiveness. Does it do a good job of supporting what the author is trying to get across? If so, how? If not, why?

"Don't Do the Math"

Please read James Surowiecki's piece in Presence (pg. 676) and write a 200-word comment on a cost-benefit trade-off you've had to make. Was it worth it in the end?

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

Bobby Henderson's e-mail to the Kansas School Board is written in a form we'll explore in Unit 4: It identifies a problem and proposes a solution. It drew attention to the School Board's assault on evolution and helped generate widespread derision. The board members eventually were voted out of office.
A visit to Henderson's Web site is eye-opening. Years after he wrote the e-mail, he still gets hate mail.
After reading "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" (Presence, pg. 348), tell us about a particularly effective bit of satire that you've read, heard, or seen (on television perhaps). What made it effective?
This response is due on Monday, Nov. 1.

"An Animal's Place"

Read "An Animal's Place" by Michael Pollan in Presence (page 204-221). Respond by listing one of the claims Pollan makes and a piece of evidence he uses to support it.

Vote for Candidate X! Post your race here!

The office responsible for running elections in Vermont is the secretary of state.
Click this link to go to the elections page of the secretary of state's website.
If you scroll down a bit, you'll find the following headline in the middle column:
FINAL General Election Candidate Listing.
Clicking PDF Format or Excel File will allow you to download a complete list of candidates running for public office across Vermont. If you see more than one candidate listed for one race, you've found a competitive race.
You may write your essay about candidates in a state other than Vermont; I knew about this link because I am using it in a journalism class.
Please choose the race you wish to write about and post it as a comment below. This assignment is due at the start of class on Wednesday, Oct. 13.