Not-So-Smart Cities

   This article quickly grabbed my attention because it involves cities completely run by robots. "Smart Cities" as coined in article are "life-size laboratories" that companies, universities, and government agencies to test "smart power grids, cyber security, and intelligent and surveillance systems". The article describes how cities are comparable to complex systems, like the weather.These complex systems are "governed" by feedback loops that are understood but are impossible to replicate. Author Greg Lindsay makes it clear how ridiculous and flawed this idea is, "To the folks at Living PlanIT and Pegasus, such programs are worth it because they let planners avoid the messiness of politics and human error. But that's precisely why they are likely to fail." I completely agree with Greg because he is right, how can you calculate the complex web of interactions created by humans? Even though how it could "possibly" be calculated by algorithms, no math in the world will be able to predict the exact orbital of human nature and furthermore how we interact and coincide in society. Lindsay finishes his argument saying "... that the smartest cities art the ones that embrace openness  randomness, and serendipity- everything that makes a city great." I also agree with what Lindsay says because he is right, smart cities make calculate how to run a city perfectly but that's flawed because what truly defines a "smart" city is it's ability to accept, coincide peacefully, and interact with one another.
   Lindsay does an excellent job in alluring the reader and giving a critical argument against these smart cities: "Despite it's superior computing power and life-size footprint, Pegasus' project is hobbled by the equally false assumption that such smart cities are relevant outside the sterile conditions of a computer lab. There's no reason to believe the technologies tested there will succeed in cities occupied by people instead of The Sims." Lindsay persuades the reader into believing his opinion of this by pointing out how a humans environment isn't controlled and precise like in a laboratory and therefore these smart cities are far from accurate in calculating the perfect means of controlling a human environment through computer models. Lindsay develops ethos in his article by citing credible smart city companies like Living PlanIT and Pegasus who are legitimately making smart cities. In doing so the reader is likely to believe what the author is saying and further understand his point of view of these companies and smart cities in general.

Article By: Greg Lindsay
Published: September 24,2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/opinion/sunday/not-so-smart-cities.html?ref=opinion

Is junk food really cheaper?

   This article is both relevant and conscientious of the world we currently live in and I agree with  many of the arguments that are raised . In the article, author Mark Bittman analyzes the common belief that fast food or junk food is a cheaper and faster way to eat. He also explains  in depth how "...despite extensive government subsidies, hyperprocessed food remains more expensive than food cooked at home." This is very interesting to me  because like many other people I too indulge on the convenience of a quick meal. It's a guilty pleasure to be honest, who wants to cook a meal and waste time when a drive-through is twice as fast? However, being realistic, convenience is a luxury that has slowly become a typical and cultural part of our society. Our technology and culture is focused around being fast and efficient and whether it be the latest iPhone or fast food, humans  have an obsession with making things easier and more convenient for themselves. Bittman proves this in saying "It's cooking that's the real challenge.(The real challenge is not "I'm too busy to cook." In 2010 the average American, regardless of weekly earnings, watched no less than an hour and a half of television per day. The time is there.)" Bittman hits the nail on the head, the saying "ignorance is bliss" truely describes how we live today. We'd rather choose convenience then cooking supper because it consumes time and energy and as Americans we choose convenience because it gives us one less thing to do. Cooking dinner and having  family meal is one tradition that seems to be diminishing. Bittman proposes that "to make changes like this more widespread we need action both cultural and political. The cultural lies in celebrating real food; raising our children in homes that don't program them for fast-produced, eaten-on-the-run, high calorie, low-nutrition junk; giving them the gift of appreciating the pleasures of nourishing one another and enjoying that nourishment together." Bittman raises a valid point in saying this because eating dinner with the family is very important and teaches a person how to appreciate being together and having a meal. But the idea of changing America's eating habits involves more then just changing the diets, it involves changing human gluttony because we all enjoy choosing convenience in our busy everyday lives.
   While reading through article Bittman uses many strategies of rhetoric to convince the reader logically why fast food isn't the right choice over a cooked meal. For example, Bittman utilizes Marion Nestle, professor of food studies at New York University, who deems "Anything that you do that not fast food is terrific; cooking once a week is far better than not cooking at all,". By quoting a professor Bittman makes his article appeal to ethos, by offering evidence that a woman of credible intellect of this subject agrees with Bittmans thesis statement.  Bittman also develops a good pathos in this article because he tackles a popular topic that many people and their families are involved with: "...giving them the gift of appreciating the pleasures of nourishing one another and enjoying that nourishment together." Bittman makes the reader think about the last time they had a family dinner and further imposes how these family dinners are altogether important for family intimacy. Bittman does an excellent job in striking the morals of his targeted audience and developing a critical train of thought about fast food in general, in his readers thoughts.

Article by: Mark Bittman
Published: September 24, 2011
 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/opinion/sunday/is-junk-food-really-cheaper.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=Is%20fast%20food%20really%20cheaper&st=cse&scp=1