Evaluation of News Magazine Stories

After looking through many lengthy articles, I found two articles that caught my attention. The first article, which interested me, was about a debate regarding solar energy in the business aspect which I will elaborate on. Secondly, another interesting article I found was about how one man has an idea to make the internet faster, smaller and cheaper, while competing against todays major internet providers.

Unsplash, "Solar Panel Energy Power" 9/30/2015 via pixabay

Public Domain Dedication License

 First Article:

1.What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.

The argument in the story relates to the business of solar energy. On one side, citizens and SolarCity (a solar panel installation company) are trying to lift a 3% cap on generating solar electricity by NV energy. Specifically, this is a conflict started between Elon Musk, who created SolarCity, and Warren Buffett who owns NV energy in 2013. SolarCity was made in 2006, allowing homes across the United States to install solar panels on rooftops and reduce fossil fuel use. The solar operator also offered employment opportunities to many people in the solar business. Now, Elon Musk is against lifting the 3% limit on energy generation, which Warren Buffett’s company implemented. The debate takes place in Nevada, where SolarCity started off in 2014, while the Nevada Public Utilities Commission is making solar energy installation and maintenance more expensive. This in effect leads to less people wanting solar, as it will not lower energy costs for homeowners in the future, but make them more expensive to use.

2. Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?

The most sympathetic character seems to be Elon Musk. Elon Musk is a businessman, most well known for being the CEO of Tesla Motors. Musk came up with the idea of SolarCity in 2006, which would allow U.S. homeowners to install solar panels on rooftops. This solar operator also offers employment opportunities for sales, maintenance and installing these solar systems. Another reason as to why I feel the most sympathy for Elon Musk in this story is that his intent behind SolarCity is to stop using fossil fuel energy and use a more clean energy source.

3. Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?

The least sympathetic character in the story clearly to me is Warren Buffet, who owns NV energy . Because Buffet is against lifting the 3% cap of generating electricity and giving expensive electrical solar bills, people will use less solar energy. This will damage SolarCity and will increase usage of more fossil fuel energy use. Buffet’s opposition of lifting the limit will cause many residents on Nevada to no longer have any desire to install solar panels since the financial loss of solar energy is so large, homeowners will not be saving any money at all in the future. Solar City CEO Lyndon Rive believes that homeowners might have to pay more than $11,000 in the future because of Buffet’s bills.  It is easy not to sympathize with Buffet as he indirectly goes against solar energy, making it hardly affordable to use and not allowing citizens to have free energy for the future.

Second Article:

1.What is the debate, disagreement or argument in the story about? Explain concisely, but with specificity and precision. Name specific people, places, things, events, dates, times and/or other identifying details.

The disagreement is between Starry and internet providers. Starry Station is a small wireless router, which would be faster and cost less than current internet providers. Chet Konaji the founder of Starry plans to bring faster Wi-Fi and eliminate other internet providers. Chet Konaji and other networks companies have had disputes between each other. This was seen with the idea of Aereo, Chet Konaji came up with recently. Aereo allowed viewers to watch live wireless T.V without having to buy a whole T.V broadcast package. However broadcasters believed that since broadcasters paid for rights for copyrighting the programs then it is equally important for Aereo to purchase them too. Thus the Supreme Court ended this situation, ordering Aereo to shut down. Now, Chet Konaji’s new idea of Starry will be a new business he strives to make a reality.

2. Who is the most sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why do they evoke feelings of sympathy from you?

Within this story, the most sympathetic character seems to be Chet Konaji. Chet Konaji’s company has a goal to make the internet more efficient and cost more reasonably than internet providers currently. One cannot help but feel sympathy for a man who’s dream of making the internet faster and cheaper become a reality. He tried doing the same with television, with an idea of making it more accessible and less expensive however the Supreme court did not allow this.

3.Who is the least sympathetic character in the story? Who are they? How are they involved? Why can't you easily sympathize with them?

           The least sympathetic character in the story would most likely be Chet Konaji’s opposition when creating Aereo or Starry. When creating Aereo, T.V broadcast providers immediately took action in stopping Konaji’s Aereo idea, as they took the issue to the Supreme Court and decided to put an end to Aereo. This shows how easily one cannot sympathize with these major television-broadcasting companies, as they are afraid of competition and losing money. Now the same issue takes place with internet providers. With the new idea of Starry to make internet faster, have a smaller router and cheaper, will all in effect greatly impact current major internet providers financially.