Cuban Missile Crisis: How Was Nuclear War Avoided?

 Many people believe that war cannot be avoided. However, this event in history proved that humans themselves are able to prevent human-made conflict: by keeping rational thought. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, John F. Kennedy and his group of advisors made every decision after carefully examining the consequences, and did not act upon anger and impulse. Most wars are started without the realization that there are more peaceful ways in solving conflict. It was all because of the persistence JFK and certain members of his group had held during these two weeks, while many objected and insisted on war due to impulse. Having communicated carefully with the Russians, who also had certain members of the equivalent persistence, a peaceful negotiation was able to take place, preventing nuclear war and preserving world peace.

Fat Man and Little Boy: Justified?

The nuclear bombs that were used during the Second World War had been a very controversial topic since the time it was used. The damages to the Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were devastating. There was an estimated loss of 200,000 lives. Many think the attack was immoral, and that the US didn't thoroughly consider the consequences. Some, however, think that such a damaging attack was the only way to end the war, as it caused the Japanese to finally surrender. There is no exact answer to whether or not the bombing was the "right" and "justified" decision. Regardless, it was destined for countries and societies to discover the power of nuclear science and atomic energy. The usage of the atomic bomb was inevitable. The fact that it was used during a large scale, world-wide war, may have actually cushioned the blow, and helped justify its use. 

The catastrophic damages are undeniable, but it is also an undeniable fact that both US and Japan played major parts in the world wide war, where nations are destined to attempt to destroy and tear each other apart because of their differences. Many people blame the United States for their attack, but at the time, there were many other atomic projects going on in countries like Russia and Canada. An atomic bomb was destined to be created, and it was destined to be used, just like conflict is unpreventable when separate powers exist in the world. We can also compare this to the First World War. Many historians today look back at the causes for that war, and also the ways it was ended (specifically the Treaty of Versailles), and consider those decisions to be mistakes. Just like the atomic bombs, those events were inevitable, and it was only through those events did the world learn not to repeat the mistakes. After the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings, the world sure has learned a lesson on being cautious with unpredictable weapons. Yet, many of us continue to blame the US for the immoral event.

Origin of: Benjamin Button's Head

  How does Benjamin Button (yes, the movie) relate to science? 

The producers of the movie wanted to capture the lifetime of Benjamin Button. However, they also wanted to capture the same essence and character of Benjamin Button, or Brad Pitt, throughout different ages. During the production, the production crew went through a very long process finding a way to make Brad Pitt look old, using technology. They needed to generate a head via computer. To do this, they went through the scientific method, and eventually reached their goal.

First they came up with a few solutions, or, a few hypothesizes, and they tested them. They tried to use the usual pin pointed facial motion detectors to capture Brad Pitt's facial features and expressions. However, their hypothesis wasn't supported. They then had to move onto to a second solution.

The crew eventually landed on a very new technology that uses motion detecting cosmetics, which gave them extraordinary detail of the face and its expressions. This time, they realized this hypothesis might be support in the end and help them in producing the movie. They went further in this hypothesis, performing the "procedure" part of the scientific method. They kept a large database of all of Brad Pitt's expressions, using them to create the older version of him. Eventually succeeding to create a computer generated head of the 70-80 year old Benjamin Button. 

All Quiet on the Western Front Project: Paul Baumer Character Analysis

Paul Baumer is the central character of the book, All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque. Paul Baumer is also the narrator of the novel. Through his narration, he helps us to understand what life was like during the First World War. Paul Baumer is against war. He also changes throughout the novel. “...it has transformed us into unthinking animals in order to give us the weapon of instinct-it has reinforced us with dullness, so that we do not go into pieces before the horror, which would over-whelm us if we had clear, conscious thought.” (273-274) The war causes Paul Baumer to stop thinking and base his actions on his instincts. When he get the privilege to go back and visit his family and his old life, he even starts to struggle. Paul Baumer is a central, changing character in the book All Quiet on the Western Front. His emotions lead us and introduces us to the life style during the First World War.

 

MISSION: YELLOW SUBMARINE

Today was SMASH DAY, the day in science class where we have more fun than usual and perform tasks related to science. In today's mission, we were to create a periscope-like device that would allow us to see inside a castle on land from a submarine under water. (That is, to see inside a cardboard box on a table from underneath the table). We were given 10 sheets of scrap paper, a piece of cardboard, four tiny mirrors, and tape. 

Our group came up with only one plan and stuck to it. We started to put together our periscope, which took more time than we expected. We didn't have time to try the device out. It was only during the "spy time" that we realized how difficult it was to use our periscope. The structure of our periscope wasn't strong enough, and so the device "bent" easily, making the slightest change in the angles of our mirrors which would mean failure. Soon after discovering this, we made a sudden change of plans, and completely changed our design. The communication that we had to decide this modification was rather simple. "CHANGE OF PLANSSS!!!", and we squished our entire paper device into a long rod, attempting to simply look inside from only one mirror that was at the very end of our periscope. It was a really funny scene actually. We really should've planned more carefully at the beginning of the mission, and try to think of different alternatives. 

I do have a few tips and suggestions for those who would like to try this out. Firstly, YOU MUST TRY YOUR PERISCOPE OUT BEFORE YOUR ACTUAL MISSION (especially if you are making it out of unstable material like paper). Secondly, you must remember that sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. It is also very important to keep ideas coming in as you perform the task.

Treaty of Versailles: Germany's Allowed Military Structure

http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Germany%27s_Allowed_Military_Structure

This article provides documents from the Treaty of Versailles, which dealt with the military structure that Germany was allowed after the world war. This part of the Treaty includes three tables. The first table talks about states and establishment of army corps headquarters staffs, and of infantry and calvary divisions. The second deals with the tabular statement of armament establishment. The last table talks about the maximum number of stocks authorized. Each of these tables include details and numbers of the amounts of weapons and divisions allowed.

This document greatly influenced the situation of Germany after World War I. Military structure is one of the most important aspects to the sustainability of a country. The limitations weakened Germany as a whole. With a limited amount of military defense and structure, Germany's original power in the world lowered. Without many weapons and soldiers and much structure, its ability to defend and fight also became much weaker in comparison to the Allies countries. This document symbolizes Germany's defeat. With the Treaty of Versailles signed, Germany, in a way, "agreed" that it has been defeated, and that the war has ended. Germany's people would face humiliation, and the nationalism and patriotism towards the country would be effected. Weakened nationalism weakens the country itself, not only in military terms, but also cultural and economical. This document symbolizes a great change and event in Germany' history.

In class, we have been been split into groups and each group was given a topic to research and explore. Our group's topic deals with the overall picture of the events of World War I.  This document relates to our topic in a cause-and-effect way, as it is the result to all the events of World War I. It was only after all the events occurred, that the Treaty of Versailles was signed and Germany's military structure was limited. You could also consider the Treaty of Versailles to be one of the many events that happened in the first world war. The treaty was the final event that put an end to the war, and changed Germany as a whole.

Hallucinations and Caffeine

tWhat causes some people to see things that are not there, and hear sounds that others can't? 

A recent BBC article reports UK studies on the connection between caffeine intake and hallucinations. The Durham University Team surveyed 200 students, and found a possible link between high caffeine intake and hallucinations. The human body releases a hormone called cortisol when it is stressed. Caffeine intake increases cortisol release in the body, and could be the cause of hallucinations. 

The article is unbiased in that it also provided the perspective of people who doubt the results to the research. However, I found it a little hard to believe because it did not tell us how the students were surveyed. I cannot think of a way to measure and compare hallucination accurately. However, the article was significant. I found the information very interesting and definitely proposed a new view towards the causes of hallucination.  

Read the article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7827761.stm?lsm

Current Event: More Than 1000 Killed in Gaza

On January 14th 2009, the BBC reported that the deaths of the Gaza crisis has passed 1000. The conflict started about 19 days ago when Israel, specifically the Hamas, attacked the Gaza strip, Israel claimed in a campaign that the attack was to end Palestinian rocket fire into Israel.

Egypt is currently making efforts in negotiating a ceasefire. The article includes many statistics about injuries and deaths in the Gaza. Out of the 1000 deaths, more than 300 are children, and about 78 are women. There has also been about 4500 injuries, of which 1600 are children, and 678 are women. The article also talks about the humanitarian concerns towards the crisis.

This article is significant, as it provides many statistics and numbers to make people more aware of the Gaza crisis. The article contains very little bias, almost all of its content is information and numbers. However, there is always bias in an article, as it cannot include every perspective involved in the issue. I feel that the article didn't fully explain the Hamas' motives, but this may not be because of the author's bias. It may simply be the lack of the information.

To read the article on BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7828884.stm

Taiwanese Teenager Ping Pong Player Wins a World Competition!

http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/081215/4/1b6je.html

This article speaks about Jian-An Chen, a 17 years old Ping Pong player, winning a world-wide competition of teenage competitors. It is significant because Taiwan is a rather small country, and it is quite an accomplishment to win a competition WORLD WIDE! This event is most significant to the athletes of Taiwan, and those who pay extra attention. It gives them hope and anticipation to future developments in Taiwan's sports.

This article provides many facts, including quotes from Chen himself, and also his competition scores and the names of athletes who he played against. However, there are still some bias within the article. The article commented and claimed Jian-An Chen's victory to be the "biggest victory" in Taiwan's Teenage Ping Pong History. This could be a widely accepted opinion. 

DongMen Site Reflections

For Dance class, we worked on a few choreographs, and filmed them at the DongMen market site. Here are some of my reflections to the filming.

• How did the site of DongMen alter the choreography that you created in the classroom?

We were told in the classroom that there were going to be clothing lines on the roof. He created cool ideas of draping clothes over the clothing line, and our dancers dancing in between the line with repeating "dead-looking" movements and gestures. We also planned to suggest the art class to film us with the camera going in between the clothes, making it look like a maze. However, there weren't any clothing lines on the roof, and we had to cut out that part of our choreography. 

• Now that you know this site better; If you were to go back to Dongmen what would you add or subtract from your choreography to make it stronger?

I feel that the students don't really fit into the "old and dirty" mall, because we are all dressed in clean clothing. Of course, that would be okay if the role of the student was, a student. However, it would be great if students costumes fit into the setting better. 

I also thought that our movements were a bit too small for the wide and big rooftop. I would make movements bigger, if we were to film it over.

Energy Bar Project: FIRST TRIAL!!!!

It was our first time making and experimenting with our energy bar (energy balls) on Tuesday, November 11th. We were pretty successful with the making of the energy balls, and they tasted a lot better than we expected. We were able to observe the energy balls and decide on a lot of changes we could make.

We realized that they would look better with crushed almonds(very healthy) on the outside, and would taste even better with crispier granola filling. We were able to settle the procedure and steps of making the energy balls. 

Many things were made better and refined after our first experiment. However, it feels like we are still unsure about the effects of the "energy" from the energy bar. It was rather hard to try and observe whether or not we felt more energized after eating only one ball. Even though the research tells us the ingredients help, we have not yet proved that OUR energy balls actually had those effects.

"Obama Elected President as Racial Barrier Falls" on The New York Times

This article on The New York Times talks about Obama's victory in the 44th presidential election of the United States. The article calls Obama's victory the last racial barrier in American politics. Many quotes from others are included to support and relate to the theme of the article. The majority of the opinion based statements in the article is within the quotes of other people such as McCain and Obama himself, making the article itself very fact-based and believable. However, it contains the bias of others who made the comments and reactions toward the election. 

The article is very significant considering its topic. Many people see this election as a turning point for the politics of United States. Almost everyone is talking about it, even in countries other than the United States itself. Almost everybody knows about this event. The 44th presidential election, with Obama winning, could be called a world-known headlines.

Current Event

This is an article about the decease of a  very well-known and successful business man: Yong Ching Wang (王永慶). His death was very significant is now very widely being talked about all over Taiwan. A great amount of people praised him during his glorious lifetime, and after his death, they continue to pay him their respect by visiting and praying at his tomb. The article names many great things that Yong Ching Wang has done for others. The article quotes the taiwanese olympic player who has won a first place medal saying that he couldn't have gotten it if there wasn't Yong Ching Wang, who made donations to the Taoyuan Sports College sports stadiums and tracks. The article claims many great things that Wang has done, and certainly claims his significance. However, the article could be called biased because the fact that it says nothing bad about Wang leaves us in doubt. 

What Is the "Rule" for living things

My impression of life varies very broadly. At one extreme would be humans walking around on streets carrying gadgets of technology, and at the other would be microscopic plankton floating in the ocean. I believe in the "scientific" definitions that life must be consisted of one or more cells, and it must be able to grow and reproduce.

 

NOVA and thoughts afterwards

In physics class today we watched a movie called Nova. This movie introduces the scientific theories and concepts we humans have came up with on how the universe works. The movie introduces the concepts of newton, einstein, maxwell... etc... concepts of electromagnetism and gravity, the strong and weak nuclear force and how these all connect and work with one another. Basically, the film challenges a mind to imagine and understand science that is based on theory and idea.

Thinking about the concepts in the movie and trying to figure out which of these concepts I believed and didn't made me realize that I am a really scientifically based person. I love to imagine different ideas and concepts, but yet most of the time I choose not to believe them because of the lack of solid support that I can understand with my mathematic abilities. I feel like I can connect to other things about myself too. I am not religious, but the beauty of religion interests me. 

I realized that this is probably why I like science, there are so many possibilities and so many different ways to look at the world. However, I never choose a side. To me, choosing sides seem to limit so many ideas and thoughts... After watching this movie, I find myself an observer who appreciates, but not a believer who puts themselves as part of a concept.

Reflection for Physics Project

In class, we were given a ramp and a weighted cardboard box. We were told to study the action and the forces acting on the box as it slides down the ramp, especially the force of friction and the coefficients. It was fun and frustrating at the same time to try and figure out what we needed to know on our own for this project. Our group worked together nicely. I was always the one who refused to calculate anything for my dislike of math, and Gene was always more than willing to do so. It was nice having a group who were all willing to work hard and keep trying even if we had no idea what the heck we were facing.

The concepts and the forces were really fascinating, so fascinating that we eventually forgot that the whole point of the assignment was COEFFICIENTS OF FRICTION. That was a bummer 'cause it seemed to have cost us a lot of points. However, I believe we all enjoyed the assignment, even if it was filled with frustration and confusion from time to time. It paid off because now as I type sitting at my desk, I imagine gravity suddenly disappearing for an unknown reason and every single piece of junk falling and crashing, breaking through the wooden desk and onto the ground. Sound fun and exciting enough?

I liked how the assignment was organized so that we could work independently, but it still has a negative effect. This was not a major problem for our group but some groups didn't seem to be able to get the attention and help from the teacher all the time when they needed it. I think I learned alot because I could keep going on at my own pace this time. There's not much to ask for on my side, maybe just multiple Mr Loken's. :D

The Giver by Lois Lowry

For Language Art class we are studying dystopian stories and novels. The Giver is a dystopian novel by Lois Lowry, and it was the novel that we are currently studying and having fairly interesting discussions and arguments over. But before I talk about any of our analysis, I will introduce the plot and story of the book. So if you're planning on reading this book and hate it when people give away endings, stop reading this blog entry this moment. 

The story takes place in a "community" of about a few hundred people. Everything is perfect, and it would seem like an utopia if you didn't know better. In this community, no one knows of pain. Not war, not fear, not any emotions or feelings. However, while these unpleasant elements of life are hidden from the people, they also are not aware of happiness, love, or even the existence of color. The world in which the story takes place is organized with a set of rules. All language must be precise, and no lies are allowed. A family must share their feelings of the day at each dinner table  and share each dream at breakfast to make sure you have nothing hidden. Each individual owns the same amount of objects and property, given to you at specific ages of your life. children are assigned to family units and jobs are assigned to each individual when they become a "twelve". The same ribbons and hair styles, the same clothing, the same treatment... to make sure that everyone fits in. No one in this community is left different, no one is allowed to point out any differentness in another, to show respect and prevent uncomfortableness. The people are protected from any conflict and any unpleasant emotions: a world made of lies. 

Jonas is the main character of the novel. He is a child living in this community, around the age to receive an assignment and start specified training for his job in the rest of his life. At the ceremony, Jonas was assigned as the "Receiver". The receiver is the most respected of the community. It required wisdom and courage, but no one knew of his actual duty. The Receiver took training from the previous receiver, who is now referred to as the "Giver. During training, Jonas discovers that his assignment was to carry memories of the past, where mistakes and lies were allowed, and where people felt loneliness and love. Jonas discovers a whole new depth of feelings, from a cozy family christmas eve to a devastating war. Jonas was overwhelmed with complicated feelings and reactions, but he knew he wanted everyone else to feel what he can feel. He wanted his parents to love him, and he wanted his friends to see colors like he does. The Giver was inspired by Jonas's reactions, and decides that the truth must be revealed. They plan for Jonas's escape from the community to "Elsewhere". After Jonas leaves the community, all of the memories he carries will be given away and spread over the community. 

Lois Lowry leaves the ending ambiguous. Jonas leaves the community, his memories pulled away from him one by one. The author never stated whether Jonas survived his escape and reached Elsewhere, but personally I believe he did. There's no reason to believe that Jonas died on the way, and therefore I prefer to think positively. I have no actual evidence to support my opinion, I make this choice just on the way it made me feel. The tone of the ending was fairly optimistic. I believe that Jonas reached Elsewhere, and received new memories elsewhere. 

Engagement Journal.. long time no see :D

What engagement grade do I deserve?

I think I would give myself a full 2 points for being a community contributor. During classes and independent learning periods, I answer my classmates' questions on classwork and homework. I think I am also a good partner to be with in group work assignments. When I am in a group working on an assignment, I always try my best and concentrate on the work at hand. I think this helps my teammates and is a way of contributing to the community.

As for a critical thinker and problem solver, I would give myself 1.5 points. I'm not confident to say that I can think critically, but when I face a problem in class, I always try to solve it no matter how hard it seemed. One good example was the ramp challenge that we did recently. I was really freaked out in the beginning, but then I challenged myself to think critically with out panicking or asking for a easier way.

I would be most confident in giving myself 2 points for being an active learner. I am very interested in physics. I constantly pay attention in class. Even at home, I talk to my dad about what we've learned, and he would tell me even more about it.

As an effective communicator I would give myself 2 points. When I wish to communicate something, I wouldn't hesitate. I'm not afraid of communicating and saying things in front of the class, and I believe that usually what I'm trying to say gets through to others.

As for being a person of high character, I would give myself a 2. I've never used the computer for reasons other than class in physics class, and I try my best to be on time for class. I am always attentive (being so interested in physics). I try before I give up, and one good example was the ramp challenge which I mentioned earlier.

Over ally I think I was pretty engaged in physics class this semester..
:)

Singapore Goodness

(sorry for the lateness of this entry)

Just gotta say, the trip was wonderful except for the part where I got sick. I have problems adapting to different climates.

It was the first time in my life I started to think that global warming wasn't too big of a problem.. Until I saw the traffic, which would've been just as bad as Taiwan if there were scooters. Singapore's trees were so green and so many they even seemed fake. We walked around downtown for the first day, amused by everything around us, especially the way people talked. We also were able to meet up with Claire, who moved to Singapore. 

Our first academic competition experience.. It was constant stress and constant brain work: from the second we started writing that essay eight in the morning till about eleven at night when we circled that last multiple choice question at the public quiz. We weren't the only stressed ones either. At lunches and dinners you'd see singaporean students in proper uniforms flipping through those resources for a last minute study. The competition lasted long. I was too tired to be surprised when they announced that we had won first place as a group for the essay section. But still, good jobs to Aled and Seaweed.. and thanks to Ms Gruber for being an awesome roommate! 

:)

We need some meegorang in this country!!!

With pok!!

Dinnertime with Dad

In our house, our family often engages into a very interesting topic at meal times. My dad and I share an interest that my mom doesn't seem to ever understand. We love physics. My dad would talk about some physics concepts, and answer my never ending questions. 

Every time I learn something new, I spend the rest of the week dazed just thinking about the movements happening around me. It's not just random colors I see anymore, what I see are light rays coming from the sun and bouncing into my eyes. Every now and then when I see a sunset, I can see way deeper than just beautiful colors.