Advocacy
I am very interested in advocacy and outreach. I enjoy volunteering at astronomy programs at local state parks and environmental centers. I've also created a few videos and recordings that are available in the "Advocacy" tab above.
Think Before You Frack is a video I created to raise awareness of the issues that seem to be related to hydraulic fracturing as an advocacy project in Rhetoric and Civic Life. It has been showcased on other websites such as the Pennsylvania Green Party's site. Several important issues such as groundwater pollution and methane migration have been documented near hydraulic fracturing drilling sites. While what exactly is and is not caused by fracking is still a bit up in the air at this point, I believe we should put a moratorium on its use in Pennsylvania until we know exactly what's going on.
I Believe in Not Believing is an audio recording that I made about my religious beliefs for an NPR "This I Believe"-style presentation. While I tend to avoid the topic of religion, I felt like it was necessary to explain exactly how I felt about the subject. Generally, people hear the words "atheist" or "agnostic" and immediately assume that person has no beliefs. That simply isn't true. I may not involve a higher power in my beliefs, but that doesn't mean that I don't have any. In general, my beliefs and interests follow a similar line of thought. Like the rest of my life, I need beliefs that are sustainable, meaning that they can change with the times to keep from going against modern knowledge.
The Trouble with Greenwashing is a TED Talk-like video that I made discussing the corporate practice of making products seem environmentally friendly even if they have no redeeming green qualities. It's become rather popular lately with the energy industry. It's cheap and easy to put "Environmentally Safe!" on a product without proving it. Sadly, it's also perfectly legal. This was one of the earlier projects in my Rhetoric and Civic Life class, so while I have shown improvements in presenting since then, I believe that this video is useful in showing something which I'm passionate about.
Think Before You Frack is a video I created to raise awareness of the issues that seem to be related to hydraulic fracturing as an advocacy project in Rhetoric and Civic Life. It has been showcased on other websites such as the Pennsylvania Green Party's site. Several important issues such as groundwater pollution and methane migration have been documented near hydraulic fracturing drilling sites. While what exactly is and is not caused by fracking is still a bit up in the air at this point, I believe we should put a moratorium on its use in Pennsylvania until we know exactly what's going on.
I Believe in Not Believing is an audio recording that I made about my religious beliefs for an NPR "This I Believe"-style presentation. While I tend to avoid the topic of religion, I felt like it was necessary to explain exactly how I felt about the subject. Generally, people hear the words "atheist" or "agnostic" and immediately assume that person has no beliefs. That simply isn't true. I may not involve a higher power in my beliefs, but that doesn't mean that I don't have any. In general, my beliefs and interests follow a similar line of thought. Like the rest of my life, I need beliefs that are sustainable, meaning that they can change with the times to keep from going against modern knowledge.
The Trouble with Greenwashing is a TED Talk-like video that I made discussing the corporate practice of making products seem environmentally friendly even if they have no redeeming green qualities. It's become rather popular lately with the energy industry. It's cheap and easy to put "Environmentally Safe!" on a product without proving it. Sadly, it's also perfectly legal. This was one of the earlier projects in my Rhetoric and Civic Life class, so while I have shown improvements in presenting since then, I believe that this video is useful in showing something which I'm passionate about.