There was a presentation yesterday in class talking about the new and highly anticipated iPhone from Apple. It not only is a phone, but also a camera and iPod. It also allows the user surf the internet with a variable viewing zoom. It looks to be the next technological trendy product from the savvy Apple. Until we hit the price. $499 for the smaller hard drive and $599 for the larger hard drive.
Ouch.
In my opinion this is wildly over priced. It does have all these feature, but none of them are outstand in specifications. The Camera is only a 2 Mega Pixel resolution which is very very limited in quality. It is a iPod with capabilites of holding 4 or 8 gigabytes, which is not sufficent for most people including me.
One can go out and buy a better verison of all of these for a very similar total price. True, it does add a convience factor of having it all in one place, but for $599 dollars? I don't think so.
Do I think that it will flop? No. I believe it will be the trendy product just like the iPod and will be wildly successful for those who have money to burn, also as the iPod when it was immediatley released. The reason is, Apple may not be the most successful computer company or operating system, but they are the best advertisers. It consistently makes you want this product no matter how ridiculous the price may be. Apple can make ketchup hip to a group of white gloved women. So kudos Apple and best of luck, but the iPhone is not for me.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Maglev - What I Want
To preface this post I will state that I have an EXTREME fear of flying. I am not sure why, but it is prevelent in my life.
Now we move to the heart of the post. I want the Maglev implemented in the United States. This would allow me to travel across parts of the country in a timely fashion while on the ground. The experts might interject and say, well you are actually levatatng due to the magnets. True, but I could handle being a few inches off the ground rather than thousands of feet.
The price does concern me, when building this track could cost in upwards of billions of dollars. What would this relate to ticket prices being? A million a ticket? Obviously not that outrageous but Im sure it will be expensive.
Others may question, are you not worried about a derailment? And the answer is simply, no. I am not. Why? I don't know. Call it personal preference, and if I find this more secure, I am sure that many others who dislike the idea of an engining breaking down at 30,000 feet, will find it too.
Other points that I find interesting and cool is that we have possibly moved into a new era of transportation. Could magents be the new medium for propulsion? What if cars began to operate on this system? Is it feasible, I do not know, just asking; What if?
Now we move to the heart of the post. I want the Maglev implemented in the United States. This would allow me to travel across parts of the country in a timely fashion while on the ground. The experts might interject and say, well you are actually levatatng due to the magnets. True, but I could handle being a few inches off the ground rather than thousands of feet.
The price does concern me, when building this track could cost in upwards of billions of dollars. What would this relate to ticket prices being? A million a ticket? Obviously not that outrageous but Im sure it will be expensive.
Others may question, are you not worried about a derailment? And the answer is simply, no. I am not. Why? I don't know. Call it personal preference, and if I find this more secure, I am sure that many others who dislike the idea of an engining breaking down at 30,000 feet, will find it too.
Other points that I find interesting and cool is that we have possibly moved into a new era of transportation. Could magents be the new medium for propulsion? What if cars began to operate on this system? Is it feasible, I do not know, just asking; What if?
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Planning...Actually Worth The Time
After reading the title, many think OBVIOUSLY. However, it was not too long ago when this immature teenager completely disagreed. I was the a-typical procrastinator, who left all projects to the last few days. Up until my senior year in high school I operated by this mindset. It wasn't until a film class where I realized that planning paid off.
The handbook reading focused more on the importance of planning before writing a paper, however with my background in film I will relate it to film. Sitting down and planning out what you want to convey to the viewers through shots and movement will add a noticeable amount of coherence and enjoyment. If one does not plan and just goes for broke when the time comes to start writing or filming, they may find that nothing worth value is produced. It will be a meandering jumble of words and shots. However a simple brainstorm and begin to organize ideas the final product will increase in quality. This process will also lend to better development of the story.
Second point that I found to be extremely true in both writing papers and scripts. Focus on details. In a essay the details enforce the point one may being trying to present. In a script the details make it seem all the more real and allows people to identify with. No successful movie has a script that follows one person and sticks strictly to the overall plot line. There are always side stories that add humanesque details that create a much more realistic feeling.
I am now a addvocate of planning and would reccomend it to all. (Even though Im sure most people my age have already figured this out)
The handbook reading focused more on the importance of planning before writing a paper, however with my background in film I will relate it to film. Sitting down and planning out what you want to convey to the viewers through shots and movement will add a noticeable amount of coherence and enjoyment. If one does not plan and just goes for broke when the time comes to start writing or filming, they may find that nothing worth value is produced. It will be a meandering jumble of words and shots. However a simple brainstorm and begin to organize ideas the final product will increase in quality. This process will also lend to better development of the story.
Second point that I found to be extremely true in both writing papers and scripts. Focus on details. In a essay the details enforce the point one may being trying to present. In a script the details make it seem all the more real and allows people to identify with. No successful movie has a script that follows one person and sticks strictly to the overall plot line. There are always side stories that add humanesque details that create a much more realistic feeling.
I am now a addvocate of planning and would reccomend it to all. (Even though Im sure most people my age have already figured this out)
Friday, February 16, 2007
In Class Discussion 2.15.2007
As we were talking about various topics from bluetooth and alternative fuels for automobiles to Western education, we stumbled onto the topic of education and its recent standardization. From ACT's and SAT's to required cirriculum American education is catering towards the capitalist society we employ. We strive for what most percieve is a good education, but in reality is limiting the mind to professions that have a high salary or prestige status. Education systems around the country attempt to brainwash young minds to head in a path of a lawyer, doctor or engineer. The government further propels this notion by issuing standard tests that only cover topics that are mainly utilized in these mainstream professions.
So what happens when an individual is most talented in a topic that is considered "alternative" to most. I happen. My best talents are in visual arts and film, but no one tested me on that. My talents go unrecognized by most because the ACT or SAT ceases to have a visual arts section. I get it that thses tests serve a purpose to evaluate every student on a even platform. However, it only evaluates those who are status quo students. Those who want to be a lawyer, doctor or engineer. These tests show little about students that want to enter in culinary arts, music or film. Upon further examination and I just realized they basically do not test on any of the arts.
Which brings me to my final point. America is slowly removing itself from artistic minds. Is it because traditionally the field makes a considerable lesser amount of money, and as we know America is driven by wal-mart, fried food and MONEY.
So what happens when an individual is most talented in a topic that is considered "alternative" to most. I happen. My best talents are in visual arts and film, but no one tested me on that. My talents go unrecognized by most because the ACT or SAT ceases to have a visual arts section. I get it that thses tests serve a purpose to evaluate every student on a even platform. However, it only evaluates those who are status quo students. Those who want to be a lawyer, doctor or engineer. These tests show little about students that want to enter in culinary arts, music or film. Upon further examination and I just realized they basically do not test on any of the arts.
Which brings me to my final point. America is slowly removing itself from artistic minds. Is it because traditionally the field makes a considerable lesser amount of money, and as we know America is driven by wal-mart, fried food and MONEY.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Power and Place - Reaction to Education
After the first few sentences of Chapter Four authored by Daniel Wildcat in the Power and Place of Indian Education in America, I was completely in agreement. The point Wildcat conveys is that American students are pushed to learn "facts" not concepts. These facts are placed in the short term memory bank, which allows for the retainment for tests, but does not grasp an overall understanding. I had made this conncection within myself a few years back while in my high school U.S. History class. I received a A in the class but came away feeling that I could not put the time periods together to create an uniform experience. Exactly how the book describes it, I was able to remember facts and bits and pieces, but not relate them to one another.
At first I attributed this to my personal learning style (procrastination). However, now am switching the blame towards Western technology and thought. It is quite possible that the problem is larger than me, and that it has not just been publicly disclosed. If this information was released into a widespread audience, many individuals may be enlightented, as I was. In fact, maybe the realization of what Western thought has taught us will trigger a backlash into learning to understand concepts or as Wildcat calls it; The thirst for "wisdom."
At first I attributed this to my personal learning style (procrastination). However, now am switching the blame towards Western technology and thought. It is quite possible that the problem is larger than me, and that it has not just been publicly disclosed. If this information was released into a widespread audience, many individuals may be enlightented, as I was. In fact, maybe the realization of what Western thought has taught us will trigger a backlash into learning to understand concepts or as Wildcat calls it; The thirst for "wisdom."
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Class Discussion 2.8.2007
In class we began a few discussions spawned off the topic of controversial scienctific and technologicals procedures. Stem Cell research was an obvious choice that was brought up, as it is undoubtley the "hottest" one in modern times. It was an interesting session espcially for me because being raised in a catholic household and attending church has pushed for the stoppage of stem-cell research. The side of me that is interested in technology and science wants to dive deeper into research and explore where the possibilites lead. What the in-class discussion is lend to me was updated knowledge. What I knew about stem cell research was that it had to be derived from an unborn fetus. So in the eyes of many it was destroying a life to possibly help another. What I learned on Thursday however was alternative ways of harvesting cells that are usuable for research. Cells extracted from the umbalical cord or from amniotic fluid in the placenta. This way research can be done and preserve all unborn life.
This is an intriguing procedure because it silences all critics that state religious beliefs in protest. I am fully for stem cell research in the sense that it does not terminate a possible life. I am unaware of all the possible outcomes that stem cell research can provide, but I am positive that they could save lives. Even if they do not save lives, but rather improve them I am eager to explore. However, the binding fact is that they do not end a possible life. If they are harvested from a piece of flesh or body that is unused I think it is a scientifical advantage that should be utilized.
This is an intriguing procedure because it silences all critics that state religious beliefs in protest. I am fully for stem cell research in the sense that it does not terminate a possible life. I am unaware of all the possible outcomes that stem cell research can provide, but I am positive that they could save lives. Even if they do not save lives, but rather improve them I am eager to explore. However, the binding fact is that they do not end a possible life. If they are harvested from a piece of flesh or body that is unused I think it is a scientifical advantage that should be utilized.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Modern Society in Technology
After reading the suggested passage focusing on Control, Convience and Progress, one statement resonanted with me. It was mentioned finally in the conclusion that the human race is in a paradox between the use of technology and the critism of overuse of technology. There is the ongoing debate discussing that society is extremely technologically driven that we emerse ourselves so deep into the progression of new technologies. However, there is the other side of the coin, and the ongoing debate whether or not the society is too dependent on technology.
This topic began the gears turning in my head. I thought about a program that I viewed last year which was based on the possibilitly of a solar flare explosion. These are natural occurring instances that happen all the time, but have little or no effect on the earth. However, there is the possibility that a massive explosion could pass the Earth with power that it would mimic a large Electro-Magnetic Pulse. These EMP's would knock out all electricity and therefore all electronic devices. This would leave the World powerless and limp. Subways stopped underground unable to move. Street lights off. Cell Phones useless. Life in developed and industrialized regions paralyzed
My point from this story, is maybe we are too tech. Everyone is on the grid and expected to embrace this ability. Would it hurt to revert back to some self sustaining practices? The ability to rely soley on yourself is long passed, with the system that is utlized in Industralized societies. Interdependence is the only way of living. From genetically mutated kernels of corn, to stem cell research maybe we should as a soceity start to take a step back. I am a vigorous enthusiast of new technologies and even science, but maybe we take ourself and slow down before a solar flare turns the U.S. into a chaotic state.
This topic began the gears turning in my head. I thought about a program that I viewed last year which was based on the possibilitly of a solar flare explosion. These are natural occurring instances that happen all the time, but have little or no effect on the earth. However, there is the possibility that a massive explosion could pass the Earth with power that it would mimic a large Electro-Magnetic Pulse. These EMP's would knock out all electricity and therefore all electronic devices. This would leave the World powerless and limp. Subways stopped underground unable to move. Street lights off. Cell Phones useless. Life in developed and industrialized regions paralyzed
My point from this story, is maybe we are too tech. Everyone is on the grid and expected to embrace this ability. Would it hurt to revert back to some self sustaining practices? The ability to rely soley on yourself is long passed, with the system that is utlized in Industralized societies. Interdependence is the only way of living. From genetically mutated kernels of corn, to stem cell research maybe we should as a soceity start to take a step back. I am a vigorous enthusiast of new technologies and even science, but maybe we take ourself and slow down before a solar flare turns the U.S. into a chaotic state.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
The Future of Food
After viewing "The Future of Food" in my WRA class, I was astounded by some of the information presented. To start of the largest relavation was how Monsanto was relatively unknown to the common world, but in reality it acts quite similiar to Walmart. They are obviously different in the sense of their products, however identical in their business practices.
The second point that I was amazed to hear was the fact that many wartime activites spawned modern day insectcides. Nerve gases are directly linked to chemicals such as DDT or Agent Orange, which have been employed in the prevention of diseases or insects on plants. Also the fact that many of the fertilzers used today we originated from nitrogen bombs in the military.
Finally the last practice that I find unreasonable is the patenting of living organisms. The Percy Schmiscer case was a perfect example of how outlandish some of these acqusations seem. It is ridiculous to sue a person because seeds have blown off a truck or have been deposited by animals. Also to patent a specific gene located in breast cancer and sue educational facilities is unethical. To expect the youth of America, let alone the scienctists of America, to search for a cure of this human killer without having all of the genes available to research is ridiculous.
The second point that I was amazed to hear was the fact that many wartime activites spawned modern day insectcides. Nerve gases are directly linked to chemicals such as DDT or Agent Orange, which have been employed in the prevention of diseases or insects on plants. Also the fact that many of the fertilzers used today we originated from nitrogen bombs in the military.
Finally the last practice that I find unreasonable is the patenting of living organisms. The Percy Schmiscer case was a perfect example of how outlandish some of these acqusations seem. It is ridiculous to sue a person because seeds have blown off a truck or have been deposited by animals. Also to patent a specific gene located in breast cancer and sue educational facilities is unethical. To expect the youth of America, let alone the scienctists of America, to search for a cure of this human killer without having all of the genes available to research is ridiculous.
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