Journal 29

Please read chapter XV entitled “New Age Icons” and Chapter XVI entitled “America:  Yesterday and Tomorrow.”   According to the selection by Walter Isaacson, why is Bill Gates and enigmatic genius.”  What was the judge’s ruling in the antitrust suit against Bill Gates and why?  What has been the impact of the Internet upon your life?  Do you believe that the overall impact of the Internet is positive or negative?  Explain.  What predictions (both optimistic and pessimistic) does Isaacson make in selection 31 about the future state of the world (environment, economy, democracy, etc.)?  According to the article by H.W. Brands, what is so compelling about Oprah Winfrey’s story?  What obstacles did she overcome, and what have been her greatest accomplishments in spite of these obstacles?  What prediction did Walter Isaacson make for “The American Century and Beyond.”  What is your opinion about those predictions (i.e., do you find them promising or frightening scary, bizarre, etc.)?  According to the selection by Annette Gordon-Reed, how is Barack Obama’s presidency a fulfillment of Thomas Jefferson’s vision of America’s future.  Do you agree or disagree with Gordon-Reed’s conclusions?  Explain