Topic 2 Interviews

Here is the documentation of the interview I had with a collage professor.

1. What is your occupation

collage professor

2. What do you think the relationship between teachers and students should be like?

Teachers and students should teach each other and learn from each other.

3. In addition to the teaching of knowledge, what other influences do teachers have on students?

Evangelism, teachers play an important role in helping students establish a correct worldview and values. Teacher also helps student with their psychological and mental health.

4. Does online distance teaching have a negative impact on the establishment of teacher-student relationship?

No negative effects.

5. If possible, please share an example of a teacher’s impact on students’ psychological and emotional aspects

Once helped a student treat failure correctly and establish an optimistic attitude.

6. What do you think are the advantages of artificial intelligence replacing teachers?

Artificial intelligence can store more knowledge and more comprehensive knowledge, so it is better than teachers in teaching knowledge.

7. What do you think are the disadvantages of artificial intelligence replacing teachers?

In the face of individual students’ psychological and other problems, artificial intelligence is not as good as teachers.

8. If the future technology is sufficiently developed, do you think teachers will be replaced by artificial intelligence? Why?

Can’t. Preaching and teaching karma to solve doubts. Among them, preaching is the first, and artificial intelligence still cannot surpass teachers.

I interviewed one of my friends, and here is what was said:

Have you ever heard/learned about the “Great Human Migration”?

I have never really learned about it, just heard about it once before.

Do you think about your ancestors frequently?

Not really no

Do you have an interest in history or your family history itself?

I think that learning about your family history is cool. I would like to learn more about my family’s history a lot more.

What do you think about the drastic changes between ancient weapons to the weapons used today?

It is actually crazy to think about honestly. Our ancestors went from using stones and wood to using machinery and bombs to use as weapons against each other. It is kinda scary to think about the future.

The future is scary to think about. Do you think there could be a way to make “weapons” that could be used for good and not have deadly consequences?

I am not sure.

I interviewed Richard, an expert in the field of fracking and a professor of environmental law. 

Question 1:

Why do companies engage in fracking?

Answer 1:

Essentially it’s all about profit. Natural gas is a very profitable resource. Big natural gas companies can afford to go to relatively poor communities, buy cheap land at a slight premium, and turn a huge profit.

Question 2:

What are the key issues when it comes to fracking?

Answer 2:

Well there are several. First and foremost is water usage. Fracking uses incredible amounts of water. In areas like Texas, where water is more scarce, it puts a strain on the whole water system. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being put towards researching the issue of water in Texas and fracking and oil drilling account for almost half of the water usage that research is attempting to solve. Second is leaks. Leaking methane is horrible for the environment and is a major contributor to global climate change. There are others as well like ground water pollution, emissions due to transportation, habitat loss from development and infrastructure. The list really goes on.

Question 3:

Why did we start fracking to begin with?

Answer 3:

Putting profit aside, natural gas was original seen as a potential bridge fuel between non-renewable and renewable energy. It burns relatively cleanly with minimal emissions. The main issue is that these pockets of natural gas, shales, are hidden deep underground in rock formations. You essentially need to blast them apart to even get to the gas. Fracking was the most effective method, but it comes at an unsustainable cost to both the local and global environments. 

Question 4:

Do you think a ban on fracking would ever be possible?

Answer 4:

I think the transition away from fossil fuels is inevitable, but in the short term? Not likely. There’s too much money in the oil and gas industry and millions of people rely on jobs in those industries. 

I interviewed my colleague, Aneesha Desai, who is a climate activist and engineer.

Q: Can you give us a quick description about who you are and the work you do?

A: I’m Aneesha, and currently I work on a team at Google that does research on climate change. We analyzes data to see where products source their materials from, and help companies to use the data to figure out how to reduce their carbon footprint. I also created an app called Planet Possible, which educates people on climate change and encourages them to take action.

Q: Can you tell us how you initially became interested in working on climate change?

A: A few years ago, I initially became conscious of my non-environment friendly habits, and started to try and offset my carbon footprint by changing my daily habits, like becoming vegan. It wasn’t until the wildfires in Australia in 2020 which made me realize that I wanted to make a bigger impact and decided to join my team at Google.

Q: What are your thoughts on the general public and their idea of climate change?

A: Typically, I see people react in three different ways. The first group are hardcore climate activists, and are very passionate and knowledgable about climate change. The second group are climate change deniers, who don’t believe climate change will impact their lives. And lastly and more commonly, I see people who are aware of climate change, but don’t know where to start making an impact. We found that about 85% of the people make up the last group. Many people care about the problem and want to take action, but lack knowledge about the topic and can’t find ways to participate in the cause. This is what led me to build my app Planet Possible, which educates people on all the industries that contribute to climate change, and gives them ways to reach out to key people to enact change.

Q: What do you think is the most effective way to motivate people to change?

A: Through building Plant Possible, we’ve found that people are most inclined to participate in a rewards-based system, where they are given rewards for their actions. We found that just providing facts and statistics on your carbon footprint does not enact change, and people need more to be motivated to change. This is why we’re pivoting the Planet Possible app to a more rewards-based platform, where people attain points when they offset their carbon footprint.

For my interviews, I talked to two of my friends who are active texters, social media users, and emoji users. One is Natalie. She’s in her late twenties and is a talent manager for TikTok stars. The other is Victoria. She’s in her mid twenties and operates her own small business.

Q1: How frequently do you use emojis?
V: I use a lot of emojis, mostly just with friends though.
N: For me it really depends on who I’m talking to. Like if there’s a serious conversation, I’m not using them. But if it’s informal or just messing around in group chats I use them pretty often not a ton. And I I use different emojis with different friends. I use a lot of gifs too though.

Q2: Do you use emojis in text differently than in social media?
V: Yes! I use emojis so much more on social.
N: Same. I think social media is definitely the emoji hub. Like comments are all emojis and captions are all emojis. I know a lot of my talent take a long time trying to pick the right emoji for their posts.

Q3: Do you feel like everyone thinks emojis mean the same thing?
V: Yes and no. I feel like the context really matters. Like crying laughing could be super mean or like I’m dying laughing that was so funny.
N: Half the time I’m not sure what the emoji I’m using even means. Like the one with the hands I thought was like spreading happiness but it’s actually a hug? I think? I still don’t know.

Q4: Did you know a lot of emojis have hidden/alternative meanings?
V: Basically every emoji has some sex/drug secondary meaning, and I don’t even know all of them. One time I was posting something on TikTok and a friend texted me to be like why did you use the corn emoji? You know that means porn right? You tagged your post as TikTok porn? And I was mortified.
N: Yeah I feel like I know a few. A lot of times though I just hear about them from someone else who’s like did you know that emoji also means this? I honestly don’t know where people come up with this stuff.

Q5: Are you ever worried you’re using an emoji wrong or someone will take it the wrong way?
V: Yes! I feel like I can’t use the eggplant emoji for anything other than a dick or people will just assume that anyway. Can you imagine if I texted someone that I’m going out to buy some eggplant emoji? They will all think I’m talking about buying sex or something.
N: Someone told me that No one uses the thumbs up emoji anymore and if you use it you’re considered old, so I stay away from that one now.

For the interview, I talked to two people in my life. One is my friend, Nic, a 31 years old American scholar. Another is my uncle, Wen-Pin, who’s a 62 years old Taiwanese guy, practice Taoist Buddhism his whole life and  have never been to any western countries if not including Hawaii. 

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Are you familiar with the origin history of the Swastika symbol?

Nic: Of course. It was borrowed from ancient religions.

Wen-Pin: Yea. The Buddhist one is the opposite from the Nazi’s one, it’s different! But aside from Nazis, I believe the Crusades and maybe something else also used the symbol in war and invasions. 

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Do you know many of the Native American tribes also used the same Swastika symbol for thousand years, but voluntary dropped it after the Holocaust happened? 

Nic: Interesting. I did not know.

Wen-Pin: No, but I’m not surprised. 

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Do you think Buddhist and other religions using similar symbols should also stop using the symbol to avoid confusion?

Nic: I don’t think so. 

Wen-Pin: Of course not? Each country should mind their own business. I respect the suffering and the tragic of the Holocaust, but I don’t think the West should have a say on what we’ve been using for centuries. 

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Do you think we should help reclaim the original meaning of the swastika?

Nic:…..okay….this is a tricky question. I don’t think it’s an appropriate topic at the moment. Things have been really sensitive and anti-semitism is still a very real issue in our society. 

Wen-Pin: I think it would be nice if the West learn and educate the public about the history of the symbol. It is important to respect where everyone’s coming from.  But also, this is not really my business, as long as nobody is coming to my home and banning the Buddhist swastika in my own family shrine. 

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