Personal Intro

 WHO IS THIS 'AUSTIN'?

This is my second semester at BYU, and I am currently studying Accounting, but that is somewhat subject to change.  I am a native of Charlotte, NC, which causes confusion in Utah since I show little evidence of a southern accent.  My extracurricular interests include lacrosse, volleyball, theatre, and piano.  I love finding songs that relate so much to me, and I firmly believe in the power and influence that music has. It is very important to me to be a well-rounded person.  I guess it's so hard for me to decide on a major at this point because I am interested in so many different subjects.  We should constantly be striving to improve ourselves spiritually, mentally, physically, and in our relationships with others.  My family's motto growing up has always been "work hard, play hard," and I plan to always live in accordance to that.   I am really looking forward to serving a mission.  It was always something that I just knew I would do some day, but now that it is approaching I am realizing how great of an experience it will really be for me.  The most good we can do for the world is done through worthily using the Priesthood. 

WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT THE 17th CENTURY?

Honestly, out of all of the assigned centuries that have been assigned in this course, the 17th century is the period I know the least about.  I therefore recognize this as a great opportunity to learn.   The Americas were colonized during this period.  Colonists came for varying reasons but generally for religious freedom or potential fortunes.  Additionally, this period was set apart by the scientific revolution.  Advancements were especially made in biology, astronomy, and physics. 

WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT OPENNESS?

The openness of digital media has allowed more people to be able to publicly express opinions and reveal information.  Previous to modern digital media, mainly those of a higher socio-economic status had the only significant voices in society.  There is a Spanish proverb that says "Niño que no llora no mama," which means that a mother will not know that something is wrong with her young child unless he cries.  This applies because the voices that are heard in society are the ones that are addressed, and they are the ones that define a society.  Now that digital media has provided us with a more open manner of expressing thought, a larger range of voices can be heard and addressed.  With this consequently comes a more proportional representation of the voices in society.  However, there are people that still choose not to take advantage of our generation's unprecedented opportunity of expression through digital media.