When I first visited UCF, my feet ached and I was sweating profusely walking from building to building on my tour. I was perplexed about how students continually made it on time for class, trudging to class in conditions perfect for heat stroke. The concern continued as I got dressed for my first day of classes. I had moved in the weekend before and soaked two t-shirts through simply walking from the parking lot to my building three times. That distance was nothing compared to the trek to the Communications building. I slid into my t-shirt and pulled on my shorts. “Too hot for jeans,” I thought to myself. Making my way down the stairs, the heat hit me. There was no way I could walk to the opposite side of campus in this heat. Yet, I reluctantly dragged myself to class. After that, it was it was evident that I needed an alternative to walking to class.
Being a very large campus, UCF takes a long time to cross. It can take up to half an hour to go from the Hercules building to the Towers. There are only a few ways to get around quicker; biking, skating and long boarding. Many people enjoy long boarding yet some are looking to have it banned on campus. On any given school day, the walkways that connect this massive campus are full of skateboarders and long boarders. Due to the distance between the buildings on the UCF campus, skateboarding is the most efficient way to get from place to place.
Before choosing long boarding as a means of transportation, I explored other options such as rollerblading. I have played hockey since I was eight years old. Thus, rollerblading to class seemed logical. After weighing the pros and cons I realized that rollerblading would be more of an inconvenience. I would have to tie my skates and skate all the way to class while carrying an extra bag for my shoes. Then when I get there I would have to untie my skates and change into my shoes before I go into class. The whole charade would take almost as long as walking. Also considering riding my bike I realized there are too many cons in my opinion. After riding to class there is the hassle of trying to find a place to safely park it and lock it. None of these options would be a sufficient use of my time.
Deciding that walking is not as efficient, the sole remaining and hence logical way to get to class is to long board. In the time it would take me to walk one way from Hercules to the Towers, I could skate triple the distance. Also, by long boarding, I eliminate the problem of changing my shoes or parking my bike. I simply take my long board into class with me. However, until my freshman year of college I had never skate boarded. When I first started, I admit, I could barely step on a skate board without falling. This obviously posed quite the problem to my new plan. When I moved up to college, my older brother gave me his long board to use. It was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated learning how to ride it.
Long boarding to class is a breeze, literally. The air whirls past you and seems to bend around you as you lean forward into the turns. The bumps in the side walk provide an easy vibration that slows your speed. Once you get past parking garage B, coming from the Academic Village, it is generally smooth sailing. Your wheels simply glide across the cement. A few short kicks and you cruise by the people slowly walking to class.
Banning long boarding on campus seems like a trivial debate. However, it is the hot topic of many peer discussions. Many people who are in favor of banning them have ill feelings toward them from personal experience. Their strongest argument is the danger of them. There are some instances where people have become severely injured riding them. The worst case scenario is when an innocent bystander gets injured. Yes, injuries from long boarding would disappear if they were banned. But at what cost? The minority that have been injured in long board accidents is so small that it cannot be the basis of such a serious debate. You can not just simply ban something because of a few scrapes and bruises. “Abc.net reported 1.2 million deaths from car crashes worldwide in 2007.” How many deaths have come about due to long boarding on UCF campus? None. However, you do not find these same individuals who protest long boards trying to ban cars on campus. That’s because it is a legitimate mode of transportation to get around- just like long boards. If people paid more attention to their surroundings then everyone would be much safer- one doesn’t just walk out into the road without looking where they are going. The same thought process should happen when walking around campus knowing there are hundreds of long boards, bicycles, and roller blades where ever one goes on campus. It is the pedestrian’s responsibility to be aware of his or her environment. Living in a world of oblivion is what causes these accidents. Expecting that the skaters and bicyclists should watch every person and plan for every possibility is a cheap shedding of personal responsibility and allows one to think they can walk around campus recklessly and not be held accountable. Once a pedestrian has learned to truly take in his or her surroundings, only then will these accidents be significantly reduced.
This issue has sparked some heated conversations among many, from skaters to bicyclists to pedestrians. Through my interviews I conclude that while some oppose, most are generally indifferent to the subject. One of the people I interviewed was a girl named Janelly. I asked her, “What are your feelings regarding long boarding?” She responded, “If they don’t bother me why should I bother them?” Then I asked her, “Have you ever been hit by a long boarder?” She answered, “Not yet, but almost!” “How do you feel banning long boarding would affect campus life?” I asked. Janelly responded, “A lot more people would be on bikes and walking, and that would create more traffic which would make the current problems about transportation worse.” The general consensus is that most people do not mind long boarding.
One must take into consideration those who have been hurt in skate boarding accidents and those that will happen in the future. These accidents are unfortunate for both parties involved, but banning long boards is not the proper response to this issue. After all, these accidents are in no way intentional. And accidents happen without the medium of a vehicle of transportation. All in all, using a long board is a personal choice when it comes to getting around campus. It is a preference that cannot be infringed upon as there is not enough evidence to support a significantly detrimental effect caused solely by long boards. By starting with the banning of long boards, what will come next?
Works Cited
1. Crespo, Janelly. “Personal interview on 10/13/09”
2. Scot, Bevan. “1.2 million die each year in road crashes: global study.” http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2609956.htm ABC, 26 June 2009. Web. 15 October 2009.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thesis
Being a very large campus, UCF takes a long time to cross. It can take up to half an hour to go from Hercules to the Towers. There are only a few ways to get around quicker, biking, skating and long boarding. Many people enjoy long boarding yet, some are looking to have it banned on campus.
Commentary Questions
Metrosexual Matrimony
1. What is the trend or situation on which the commentary focuses?
The trend focused on this commentary is the increase in interest of males in the planning process of weddings.
2. Does the author give the reader an interesting introduction to the issue? Why or why not?
Yes, the author gives the reader an interesting introduction to the issue by using a specific example of Pignatelli.
3. Does the author explain the context of the issue? How in-depth does he or she go? What do you think this signifies regarding the intended audience of the commentary?
Yes, the author explains the context and goes into detail. This shows that men are becoming more involved in wedding planning and that people should focus more on the love of marriage than the Hollywood side of it.
4. What are the possible causes of the trend or situation the author explores?
The causes of this trend are couples marrying older and women being in more important jobs. This gives them less plan to a wedding and they subsequently need their husband to help.
5. What examples or observations does the author give to back their belief that these are the possible causes?
The author states that women are in established careers that eaves less time for wedding planning.
6. What is the author's stance on the topic?
The author is happy men are becoming involved in the wedding planning. However, the author doesn’t want the couple to lose the true meaning, love.
7. What significance does the author see in this trend or situation?
The author sees this as another trend that is bringing men and women to become more equal.
Hypocrisy Bowl
1. What is the trend or situation on which the commentary focuses?
The situation at hand is the boldness and hypocrisies of the entertainment and sports industries, the commercial culture and even the viewing public.
2. Does the author give the reader an interesting introduction to the issue? Why or why not?
Yes, the author interestingly introduces the situation by telling the Janet Jackson half time show controversy.
3. Does the author explain the context of the issue? How in-depth does he or she go? What do you think this signifies regarding the intended audience of the commentary?
Yes, the author explains the context and goes in depth. This shows that society has gone to far and needs to tone down.
4. What are the possible causes of the trend or situation the author explores?
The causes are that society has been desensitized and demoralized.
5. What examples or observations does the author give to back their belief that these are the possible causes?
The author shows this by examples of specific situations.
6. What is the author's stance on the topic?
The author’s stance is that this never should have happened.
7. What significance does the author see in this trend or situation?
The author significance to this is that the author believes it needs to change for the better.
1. What is the trend or situation on which the commentary focuses?
The trend focused on this commentary is the increase in interest of males in the planning process of weddings.
2. Does the author give the reader an interesting introduction to the issue? Why or why not?
Yes, the author gives the reader an interesting introduction to the issue by using a specific example of Pignatelli.
3. Does the author explain the context of the issue? How in-depth does he or she go? What do you think this signifies regarding the intended audience of the commentary?
Yes, the author explains the context and goes into detail. This shows that men are becoming more involved in wedding planning and that people should focus more on the love of marriage than the Hollywood side of it.
4. What are the possible causes of the trend or situation the author explores?
The causes of this trend are couples marrying older and women being in more important jobs. This gives them less plan to a wedding and they subsequently need their husband to help.
5. What examples or observations does the author give to back their belief that these are the possible causes?
The author states that women are in established careers that eaves less time for wedding planning.
6. What is the author's stance on the topic?
The author is happy men are becoming involved in the wedding planning. However, the author doesn’t want the couple to lose the true meaning, love.
7. What significance does the author see in this trend or situation?
The author sees this as another trend that is bringing men and women to become more equal.
Hypocrisy Bowl
1. What is the trend or situation on which the commentary focuses?
The situation at hand is the boldness and hypocrisies of the entertainment and sports industries, the commercial culture and even the viewing public.
2. Does the author give the reader an interesting introduction to the issue? Why or why not?
Yes, the author interestingly introduces the situation by telling the Janet Jackson half time show controversy.
3. Does the author explain the context of the issue? How in-depth does he or she go? What do you think this signifies regarding the intended audience of the commentary?
Yes, the author explains the context and goes in depth. This shows that society has gone to far and needs to tone down.
4. What are the possible causes of the trend or situation the author explores?
The causes are that society has been desensitized and demoralized.
5. What examples or observations does the author give to back their belief that these are the possible causes?
The author shows this by examples of specific situations.
6. What is the author's stance on the topic?
The author’s stance is that this never should have happened.
7. What significance does the author see in this trend or situation?
The author significance to this is that the author believes it needs to change for the better.
Outline
Introduction
-on how large the campus truly is.
-mention other means of transportation
-bikes
-roller blades
-long boards
Body Paragraphs
-showing pros and cons about bikes and roller blades
Body Paragraphs
-showing cons of long boarding
Body Paragraphs
-showing pros of long boarding
Examples
Closing Commentary and view
-proving that it would be rediculous to ban long boards from the UCF campus.
-on how large the campus truly is.
-mention other means of transportation
-bikes
-roller blades
-long boards
Body Paragraphs
-showing pros and cons about bikes and roller blades
Body Paragraphs
-showing cons of long boarding
Body Paragraphs
-showing pros of long boarding
Examples
Closing Commentary and view
-proving that it would be rediculous to ban long boards from the UCF campus.
Letter
Dear Nico Vallorani,
Being a very large campus, UCF takes a long time to cross. It can take up to half an hour to go from Hercules to the Towers. There are only a few ways to get around quicker, biking, skating and long boarding. Many people enjoy long boarding yet some are looking to have it banned on campus.
I have played hockey since I was 8 years so rollerblading was an option. After weighing out the pros and cons I realized that roller skating would be more of an inconvenience than it is worth. I would have to tie my skates and skate all the way to class while carrying an extra bag for my shoes. Then when I get there I would have to untie my skates and change into my shoes before I go into class. The whole charade would take almost as long as walking. I have also considered riding my bike. However, there are also too many cons in my opinion. After riding to class there is the hassle of trying to find a place to safely park it and lock it to.
Therefore the quickest and most logical way to get to class is to long board. By long boarding I can get from Hercules to the Towers in approximately 8 minutes. Also by long boarding I eliminate the problem of changing my shoes and parking my bike. I simply take my long board wherever I go. I can even take it into class. Until my freshman year of college I had never skate boarded. I could barely step on a skate board without falling, but when I moved up to college my older brother gave me his long board to use and I learned with ease.
The debate about banning long boards has key points on each side. Many people who are in favor of banning them have ill feelings toward them from personal experience. Their strongest argument is the danger of them. There are some instances where people have become severely injured riding them. The worst case scenario is when an innocent bystander gets injured. Yes, injuries from long boarding would disappear if they were banned. But at what cost? The number of people who have been affected by this is so trivial it doesn’t even deserve debate. You can not just ban something to stop injuries. 1.2 million people died of car crashes worldwide in 2007. This is a significant number of people but it would still be crazy to even mention banning cars. If people paid more attention to their surroundings then everyone would be much safer.
Every action has hidden consequences. Any economics student can tell you that. If a city spends more money to hire more police officers, there will be less crime on the streets. However, you must think, where did that money come from? Most likely from the public schools budget. As schooling goes down, crime goes up. Therefore in the long run hiring more cops has created more crime. Before a decision is made you must weigh out all the circumstances. Long boarding is connected to other events the same as animals are connected to each other. If there becomes too many or to few of a certain species it creates an interruption in the balance and equilibrium of nature. The same goes for transportation on campus. If long boarding was canceled then there would be too much traffic for bikers or more bikers and cashes resulting in it. All in all it would be much better to keep long boarding legal on the UCF campus.
Being a very large campus, UCF takes a long time to cross. It can take up to half an hour to go from Hercules to the Towers. There are only a few ways to get around quicker, biking, skating and long boarding. Many people enjoy long boarding yet some are looking to have it banned on campus.
I have played hockey since I was 8 years so rollerblading was an option. After weighing out the pros and cons I realized that roller skating would be more of an inconvenience than it is worth. I would have to tie my skates and skate all the way to class while carrying an extra bag for my shoes. Then when I get there I would have to untie my skates and change into my shoes before I go into class. The whole charade would take almost as long as walking. I have also considered riding my bike. However, there are also too many cons in my opinion. After riding to class there is the hassle of trying to find a place to safely park it and lock it to.
Therefore the quickest and most logical way to get to class is to long board. By long boarding I can get from Hercules to the Towers in approximately 8 minutes. Also by long boarding I eliminate the problem of changing my shoes and parking my bike. I simply take my long board wherever I go. I can even take it into class. Until my freshman year of college I had never skate boarded. I could barely step on a skate board without falling, but when I moved up to college my older brother gave me his long board to use and I learned with ease.
The debate about banning long boards has key points on each side. Many people who are in favor of banning them have ill feelings toward them from personal experience. Their strongest argument is the danger of them. There are some instances where people have become severely injured riding them. The worst case scenario is when an innocent bystander gets injured. Yes, injuries from long boarding would disappear if they were banned. But at what cost? The number of people who have been affected by this is so trivial it doesn’t even deserve debate. You can not just ban something to stop injuries. 1.2 million people died of car crashes worldwide in 2007. This is a significant number of people but it would still be crazy to even mention banning cars. If people paid more attention to their surroundings then everyone would be much safer.
Every action has hidden consequences. Any economics student can tell you that. If a city spends more money to hire more police officers, there will be less crime on the streets. However, you must think, where did that money come from? Most likely from the public schools budget. As schooling goes down, crime goes up. Therefore in the long run hiring more cops has created more crime. Before a decision is made you must weigh out all the circumstances. Long boarding is connected to other events the same as animals are connected to each other. If there becomes too many or to few of a certain species it creates an interruption in the balance and equilibrium of nature. The same goes for transportation on campus. If long boarding was canceled then there would be too much traffic for bikers or more bikers and cashes resulting in it. All in all it would be much better to keep long boarding legal on the UCF campus.
Interview
Janelly Crespo
1. How do you know what you know? (evidence) Through friends.
2. Who are you to the subject? (perspective) For long boarding.
3. How is this event connected to other events? (patterns or opposing forces)
If long boarding was banned more people would be on bikes and then bikes would be banned.
4. What if things were different? (suppositions/predictions) A lot more people would be on bikes and walking, and there would be more traffic.
5. Why is this important? (significance) People who long board would have to find other ways to class and not get the thrill of riding a long board.
6. Are you for or against long boarding? For.
7. Have you ever been hit by a long boarder? Almost.
8. Do the long boarders annoy you? As long as they don't hit me.
9. Have you seen any long boarders crash? No.
10. Do you have any friends who long board? If yes how many? Yes, four.
Ryan Atkins
1. How do you know what you know? (evidence) Through personal experience.
2. Who are you to the subject? (perspective) For long boarding.
3. How is this event connected to other events? (patterns or opposing forces)
It is connected to other events the same as animals are connected to each other. If there becomes to many or to few of a certain species it creates an interruption in the balance and equilibrium of nature. The same goes for transportation on campus. If long boarding was canceled then there would be to much traffic for bikers or more bikers and cashes resulting in it.
4. What if things were different? (suppositions/predictions) See answer 3.
5. Why is this important? (significance) People who ride their long board to class would have to leave significantly earlier and would not get to experience the joy of boarding.
6. Are you for or against long boarding? For.
7. Have you ever been hit by a long boarder? No.
8. Do the long boarders annoy you? No.
9. Have you seen any long boarders crash? Yes, multiple.
10. Do you have any friends who long board? If yes how many? Yes, countless.
1. How do you know what you know? (evidence) Through friends.
2. Who are you to the subject? (perspective) For long boarding.
3. How is this event connected to other events? (patterns or opposing forces)
If long boarding was banned more people would be on bikes and then bikes would be banned.
4. What if things were different? (suppositions/predictions) A lot more people would be on bikes and walking, and there would be more traffic.
5. Why is this important? (significance) People who long board would have to find other ways to class and not get the thrill of riding a long board.
6. Are you for or against long boarding? For.
7. Have you ever been hit by a long boarder? Almost.
8. Do the long boarders annoy you? As long as they don't hit me.
9. Have you seen any long boarders crash? No.
10. Do you have any friends who long board? If yes how many? Yes, four.
Ryan Atkins
1. How do you know what you know? (evidence) Through personal experience.
2. Who are you to the subject? (perspective) For long boarding.
3. How is this event connected to other events? (patterns or opposing forces)
It is connected to other events the same as animals are connected to each other. If there becomes to many or to few of a certain species it creates an interruption in the balance and equilibrium of nature. The same goes for transportation on campus. If long boarding was canceled then there would be to much traffic for bikers or more bikers and cashes resulting in it.
4. What if things were different? (suppositions/predictions) See answer 3.
5. Why is this important? (significance) People who ride their long board to class would have to leave significantly earlier and would not get to experience the joy of boarding.
6. Are you for or against long boarding? For.
7. Have you ever been hit by a long boarder? No.
8. Do the long boarders annoy you? No.
9. Have you seen any long boarders crash? Yes, multiple.
10. Do you have any friends who long board? If yes how many? Yes, countless.
First Draft
Being a very large campus, UCF takes a long time to cross. It can take up to half an hour to go from Hercules to the Towers. There are only a few ways to get around quicker, biking, skating and long boarding. Many people enjoy long boarding yet some are looking to have it banned on campus.
I have played hockey since I was 8 years so rollerblading was an option. After weighing out the pros and cons I realized that roller skating would be more of an inconvenience than it is worth. I would have to tie my skates and skate all the way to class while carrying an extra bag for my shoes. Then when I get there I would have to untie my skates and change into my shoes before I go into class. The whole charade would take almost as long as walking. I have also considered riding my bike. However, there are also too many cons in my opinion. After riding to class there is the hassle of trying to find a place to safely park it and lock it to.
Therefore the quickest and most logical way to get to class is to long board. By long boarding I can get from Hercules to the Towers in approximately 8 minutes. Also by long boarding I eliminate the problem of changing my shoes and parking my bike. I simply take my long board wherever I go. I can even take it into class. Until my freshman year of college I had never skate boarded. I could barely step on a skate board without falling. When I moved up to college my older brother gave me his long board to use and I learned with ease.
I have played hockey since I was 8 years so rollerblading was an option. After weighing out the pros and cons I realized that roller skating would be more of an inconvenience than it is worth. I would have to tie my skates and skate all the way to class while carrying an extra bag for my shoes. Then when I get there I would have to untie my skates and change into my shoes before I go into class. The whole charade would take almost as long as walking. I have also considered riding my bike. However, there are also too many cons in my opinion. After riding to class there is the hassle of trying to find a place to safely park it and lock it to.
Therefore the quickest and most logical way to get to class is to long board. By long boarding I can get from Hercules to the Towers in approximately 8 minutes. Also by long boarding I eliminate the problem of changing my shoes and parking my bike. I simply take my long board wherever I go. I can even take it into class. Until my freshman year of college I had never skate boarded. I could barely step on a skate board without falling. When I moved up to college my older brother gave me his long board to use and I learned with ease.
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