Week 4 Reading Reflection - Chpt 5

Chapter 5

1)    What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

I really enjoyed reading the breakdown of the four phases involved in the creative process. The breakdown into four steps was very clear and concise. I always find it interesting when there are agreed on processes for creation and the human behavior involved.  

2)    Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

This week, I didn’t have any troubles understanding the reading. I did take more time doing the creative exercises though. It was interesting but pretty difficult to come up with the requested information within five minutes.

3)    If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

I would ask the author if he struggled with these exercises at first before breaking through the creative blocks or did it come natural for him. Also, I would probably want to expand and ask many more questions about the muddling mind sets. This was very interesting to me.

4)    Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

Once again, I think the author is on top of the subject. This weeks reading was highly enjoyable for me.

Top 5 World Problems

1.     Government/political structure

2.     Foster Care/Adoption processes

3.     Homelessness

4.     Obesity

5.     Overmedicated

I selected my top problem because I believe changing the government/political structure that we currently have will help all other problems our world faces. It starts there.

1.     3 – Homelessness

2.     4 – Obesity

3.     5 – Overmedicated

4.     2 – Foster care/adoption process

5.     1 – Government/political structure

I believe that homelessness has the more implementable solution. We have so many abandoned properties such as foreclosures. These homes could be allocated to those who do not have shelter to provide the first step to getting back on their feet.

Identifying Local Opportunities - Hampton Roads VA

1.     In Virginia Beach, hogs were found in dilapidated enclosures and sewage type conditions on city owned land. It had gone unnoticed as this land was not supposed to be used. The problem lies with the lack of concern over farms and vacant land. As noted, there were no signs that the property was city owned and the farm next to it had been taken care of fine. Regulations of these farms are not taken seriously/don’t exist and the owner had no well being checks. The city and these animals have the problem.

More on the Virginia Beach farm where hogs were in "deplorable conditions"

http://pilotonline.com/news/local/more-on-the-virginia-beach-farm-where-hogs-were-in/article_9968fce7-79df-5c95-aea6-2c451f427e4e.html

2.     In Surry, a very well known and loved smokehouse exploded and will be closed indefinitely. The problem is now that many employees will be out of business as well as a town that will suffer due to this loss. Not only that, but this personally affects my business as we did slicing jobs for them. It is a huge revenue loss. The problem is the city, the business and surrounding small businesses who sell and help put together their products. Rebuilding needs to have community involvement.

Massive fire shuts down famed Edward Virginia Smokehouse

http://pilotonline.com/news/local/massive-fire-shuts-down-famed-edwards-virginia-smokehouse-in-surry/article_316552dd-29f8-55d7-8ca0-28025668678a.html

3.     The City of Portsmouth is hemorrhaging money trying to fill executive positions. They have planned out near $44,000 to a employment agency that will try and fill these positions. The city has place requirements in contract for local hiring, however they are searching for the best candidates. The problem is the city having vacancies and also the local candidates. Although, the agency says they’ll look at local, it is based in Atlanta. They will most likely go outside of the area. Placement agencies also don’t review the person as much as they review paper. Good candidates can be overlooked.

           Portsmouth spends $44,000 to find executives

http://pilotonline.com/news/government/local/portsmouth-spends-to-find-executives/article_7031ee0c-a701-56da-8f34-02f8fa817915.html

4.     The state of Virginia’s adoption system is horrendous. Statistics are near the bottom in foster placement and families are disappointed waiting for a child to be in their family as the story’s anecdote states. The children stuck in foster care are the ones who suffer the most as well as the waiting families.

            Adoption system keeps family dreams on hold

http://pilotonline.com/news/adoption-system-keeps-family-dreams-on-hold/article_82c6c959-3660-5c62-b605-55c117dea9ba.html

5.     A Navy veteran faces homelessness and the state and organizations are not helping like they should be. The only help that is being had is those that are already homeless, therefore people like Nanez in the article are being overlooked even though facing eviction. The veterans are suffering as well as their families.

            Navy Veteran, at risk of homelessness, battles red tape to find help

http://pilotonline.com/news/navy-veteran-at-risk-of-homelessness-battles-red-tape-to/article_b8330d34-a3c8-57ec-a5cc-85b70ed8760a.html