Stories/Content Week 1

1. Non-Fiction Genre (Op-Ed): http://www.thenewatlantis.com/archive/7/scienceeditorial.htm

Eric Cohen, "Science in the Public Square," The New Atlantis, Number 7, Fall 2004/Winter 2005, pp. 3-9

Excerpts from article: "But it is precisely the greatness of scientists in the experimental sphere that sometimes deforms their political judgment. In the laboratory and the lecture hall, research scientists grapple intimately with the deepest mysteries of nature: the evolution of species, the biological workings of mind and body, the molecular underpinnings of the material world. But because their end is so noble—objective knowledge of nature, often “useful for life”—scientists sometimes forget that it is also partial and dependent. Even a fully demystified nature offers no obvious guide for living a decent life. And the activity of demystifying nature requires many non-scientific institutions and supports—such as a productive economy, a stable polity, and a culture that rears the young to follow in their elders’ footsteps. Precisely because the scientific method works so well in acquiring objective knowledge of the natural world, scientists often forget that it cannot supply the wisdom individuals need to live well in the human world, or settle the hard political questions that citizens face about the role of science in a democratic society" "The central reason conservatives oppose price controls for prescription drugs and large-scale government interventions in American healthcare is because they fear a great slowdown in biomedical progress. What is clear is that there is no single party of progress in American life. Conservatives and liberals both believe in the virtues of modernity, often in identical ways. But they also offer competing visions of what progress is, where it leads, and what it requires. Conservatives want to send men to Mars, ban embryo research, develop new weapons systems, and build hydrogen cars. Liberals want to keep human beings on earth, fund embryo research, curb weapons spending, and build hydrogen cars"

This Op-ed speaks to one of the significant issues of the day, Science and Government. The auhor points out the benefits and problems of both sides of the issue.

If a pulication has earned my trust as somewhat even-handed (even if their leanings are expressed and/or obvious), and provocative, I find the conent in op-ed pieces intellectually stretching. To gain my attention it must be well researched, it must not be an endless subjective rant and it must be thoughtful and substantive. Op-ed allows the writer to integrate various disciplines together in a limited space.

2. Business Genre (Instructional Document): "http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarrior/04/10/19/"
Although not strictly from a business, this type of "how-to" article is extremely helpful and practical. It was written in manner that makes it accessible for those who, while not experts, have some level of technical knowledge and a measure of courage. This particular article refers to a set of instructions that I relied on several years a go to replace the display screen on my Pismo Mac Powerbook, still in use today. This helpful document allowed me to puraches a screen off Ebay and save $800 over what Apple would have charged.

Excerpt from article, "The PowerBook 2000 — aka Pismo — is one of the great Apple portables, in my opinion (I’ve owned one for three years) perhaps the best of all PowerBooks in the context of its era. The Pismo is still an impressive machine going on five years since its introduction, performs decently well running OS X (better than decently with a G4 upgrade installed like mine has), and offers advantages unmatched by any current Mac laptop, especially its removable device expansion bay."

3. Commercial Genre (Web Ad): "http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Pilot"
This site might also be classified as "business: promotional." A number of stories/contents could cross strict lines of classification depending on the frame of the user.

I appreciate well done advertising. It is obviously slanted to drive sales of a particular product and so there is no misconception of neutrality. Let me have the best persuasive argument that can be mustered. This presuasion is both visual and text based. Give me the hard facts required for the sale and information on where to obtain the product. Allow me to explore the item (in this case a vehicle) at my own pace and in the direction I choose.

Due to the number of business divisions under the Honda roof it is a slightly cumbersome process to gain access to vehicle desired, one click too many.

Excerpt from site: "The Honda of SUVs. You expect a lot from the Honda Pilot. So you'll appreciate a V-6 engine that cranks out 255 horsepower. An ingenious Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts you if any specific tire needs air. And an available moonroof allows EX with Leather drivers to engage in some serious stargazing. These features and more are new for 2005.
Improved Performance:
Expect Improved Performance and Off-Road Capabilities

• Drive-By-Wire™ throttle system
• Larger fuel tank for greater driving range

• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA™) (EX with Leather models)
• Brake assist (EX with Leather models)"

Together with the attractive images, this concise information allows for exploration without overload.