The reality of a fantasy

In Spanish 5, the class requires that students read and comprehend literature. Senora Wallis has chosen to read “Los Arboles Mueren de Pie”- a twisted love story following the reality of a fantasy life.

The story goes into depth about a woman who needs a change. Her life dwindles so low that Isabel, the protagonist, contemplates committing suicide by means of poison. She is rescued by a bouquet of flowers with a card saying “tomorrow”.

The flowers sent her on a path to a mysterious office. Nothing seems to fit, she can not put the pieces together. 

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Name of Ad: Lysol

1) What audience is the advertisement targeting? Everyone- especially people with children

2) What is the advertisement’s purpose?  What is the ad trying to communicate to you? To buy this cleaning product to protect your children from harmful organisms around your home

3) What values or emotions does the media try to evoke?  How? Is it effective, why?  The advertisement evokes the familiar emotions that every mom goes through when their children are young; the emotion that they need to protect their children from every and all bacteria that could possible be flowing throughout the house. The addition of the pedestrians’’ approval gains the respect and authority of all.

4) Does the ad try to connect with the audience? How? The ad depicts an everyday family, which is relatable to every genre of audience.

5) Is there anyway the ad could be improved? The ad couldn’t be improved because of the product it is advertising. Lysol isn’t an appealing, overly exciting product. It’s a cleaning solution and the advertisement was ideal for the cause.  

6) Is the advertisement memorable?  Why? The advertisement isn’t memorable, though it was a fitting, well-put together concept. I am not going to focus on a cleaning solution when that isn’t a priority in my daily life. If I was a mother, then it would be a different story.

Name of Ad: Pfizer Adbuster

1) What audience is the advertisement targeting? Pharmaceutical Users

2) What is the advertisement’s purpose?  What is the ad trying to communicate to you? To send an email to Attorney General Holder asking him to adopt a three strikes rule against corporate criminals.

3) What values or emotions does the media try to evoke?  How? Is it effective, why? The ad tries to evoke emotions regarding corrupted billion dollar companies and the inhumane testing on humans.

4) Does the ad try to connect with the audience? How? The ad is very unappealing. The reader must read paragraphs in order to know the basis behind the ad.

5) Is there anyway the ad could be improved? The ad needs to be completed revamped. The wording needs to be catchy and brief. The small print needs to be eliminated.

6) Is the advertisement memorable?  Why? Not at all! The advertisement isn’t a true advertisement, but merely a public service statement.

New Book, New Genre, New Mindset

My last novel was about a topic which was quite serious and controversial and that was Evolution. Topics such as these are not the easiest read however they are mind-stimulating. With that said, my mind can only be stimulated for so long until I need a comedic break, an easy read. I have not picked a book yet, though I should have already, but my next read will be a chick-flicky, unconventional love story, classic teenage girl novel. ( A girl needs her indulgences! )

Your Turn

People’s opinion, beliefs, acceptance on a theory is based upon personal decisions. Evidence can be presented to help persuade someone’s beliefs. In the end, however, people make their own choices. My choice is to be a “Creat-ulionist”. I believe in both, creation theory and evolutionary ideas. I believe, I was raised to believe, that God created the Earth, the Stars, the Sun, and everything around us. I also believe in developmental evolution. I believe that God created skinny or fat, short or tall people. I also believe that if the world were going to end unless you are short and fat, short and fat people would evolve to be norm.

So, now it is your turn to evaluate the facts and form an opinion. You must take in to account the information that was present.

God bless you and evolution supersede you!

The Five Stubbornnesses of Creation Thinkers.

Many people who believe in the idea of God creating Earth and the creatures that inhabit our vast planet disagree with the Evolutionist thinkers because of five misconceptions.

·      Evolution has never been observed.

·      Evolution violates the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

·      There are no transitional fossils.

·      The theory of evolution says that life originated, and evolution proceeds, by random chance.

·      Evolution is only a theory; it hasn't been proved.

The misconceptions are not because of ignorance but stubbornness. Take my mother for example. I’ve previously stated in earlier blogs that she is a devoted Christian and if it were up to her, we (my dad and I) would be going to Wednesday night sermon as well as Sunday morning service. My mother is very intelligent; give her a problem and she will solve it. Question her faith and argue evolution theory, my mom will revert to her stubborn ways and argue the five major misconceptions.

Evolution has never been observed-

If you have every been to the Milwaukee Public Museum and you walk up the stairs onto the main museum floor, the first thing you see is a giant whale fossil dangling over you in immense grandeur. That right there is “observed Evolution”.  Fossil records provide the essential evidence into evolutionary thinking.  

Evolution violates the 2^nd Law of thermodynamics-

"No process is possible in which the sole result is the transfer of energy from a cooler to a hotter body." [Atkins, 1984, The Second Law, pg. 25].

"The entropy of a closed system cannot decrease."

If you understand thermodynamics, then you will know that life is not a closed system. Thus, thermodynamics play a minuscule part in the evolutionary theory.

There are no transitional fossils-

A transitional fossil is the remains of an organism that is set between two lineages. In easier terms, my parents’ remains are transitional fossils between my grandparents’ skeletons and my own. The state that scientists have no proof of tranisitonal fossils is now ignorant. Thousands of fossils have been discovered to prove evolution correct.

The theory of evolution says that life originated, and evolution proceeds, by random chance-

Chance is random. Evolution is not. Chance manipulated genetic variation based upon random mutation. (That is the only chance seen in evolution.) Those genetic variances enable natural selection to reinforce evolution.  Let’s look at an easier way to comprehend this! Say an ice age hits the Earth. People with a mutation to carry more body fat and/or a mutation to have more body hair would be exposed to natural selections. Those fat, hairy people are more likely to serve long enough to reproduce. (Reproduction is the sole purpose in life!) Thus, those mutations that caused the survivors to have more body fat and more body hair are continued in the gene pool.

Evolution is only a theory; it hasn't been proved-

The bible is mere story. Generation by generation have accumulated vocal story about Jesus and other Gods. Have you ever played telephone? Stories change as they are passed down the line of people. Who says that what is written in the bible is fact? Evolution is based upon physical fact. Factual information that can be ran through databases and highly developed equipment. The true definition is for evolution is an allele frequency change over time. Thus, evolution is concrete. Allele frequencies can be proven. Can you run Jesus through a machine? Can you run scientific analysis and a lie detector on the vocal storytellers of the many Gods worshiped in the World?

And Now a Word From Op-Ed Blog Response

1) According to the article, how does The New York Times define Op-Ed?

Op-Ed was created for writers who had “no institutional connects…” with The New York Times. It gave writers the ability to vocalize their opinions that wouldn’t coincide with the opinions representative of the newspaper.

2) How does the newspaper decide what to publish?

There are many different criteria for being published. The optimal length for your article should be about 750 words but that is just a reference point. The language of the piece should be representative of the author. Do not use “big words” or ”textbook” level wording that could confuse some readers. Be original. The newspaper doesn’t print anything that has been published or advertised before. Be ready for a long publication process. Editors and artists will be evaluating your work. Numerous people will be reviewing your opinion, though they will not change your opinion, they will check your factual accuracy. That process may take weeks or months but be patient. The monetary reward is worth the wait.

3) Do celebrities or well-known experts get preferential treatment over other contributors?

 All opinion articles are read. All opinion articles are evaluated. All opinion articles have had a final decision chosen for specific reasons. Some articles are even debated over by editors and other staff members before a decision. There is no time for sorting through thousands of articles based upon social popularity and preferences.

4) Identify three things that the editorial board wants you to know as a contributor about your submission.

·      The newspaper has all rights to your article. It can not be published previous to The New York Times.

·      The illustrators chose the art that accompanies your article.

·      Contributors write your headlines, even for their profession staff writers.

5) What happens when an article is accepted for publication?

A phone call or e-mail will be sent by your specific editor. Questions will be asked and validity will be checked.

6) What advice did you find most helpful if you were to write an Op-Ed piece?

Write in a language that is easy to write, without sounding ignorant. Don’t use big words but casual language. 

Two Sides to One Story- Religion vs Science Part Two

Evolutionary Theory is scientifically based. Fossils and other physical evidence are the basis behind the concept into the evolving Earth. The idea that adaptations were made to preexisting life forms, whether that mutation is effective or considered a maladaption, gave rise to the diversity of life on Earth.

The creationist idealism that the God created all life, which can be seen today, is blown out of the water by factual information in all scientific evidence.  Fossil records can be studied and evaluated to give a synopsis into the prehistoric Gaia- the complex, evolving system of Earth.  The study of homologous structures can clearly show the connection between dissimilar creatures; living and extinct.

Evolution can also be seen is the evolution of bipedal humanoids to the current day human.  The idea that our closest living ancestors are the chimpanzee and gorilla can be proven through the skeletal make up our ancestors. Connections can be made through scientific analysis of the progression we, humans, have made of centuries. 

Response to Picasso's Guernica

The abstractism of the illusion of human suffering makes a mockery of the pain felt in death. The black and white effect enforces the feelings of negative sorrow. The distortional figures express their pain through their enormous eyes.

Two Sides to One Story- Religion vs Science Part One

To completely understand Evolution Theory and explore the scientific ideas of the creation of this World, as we know it, I feel that people need to explore faith. Though I can find truth in Evolution, I find truth in my religion of Christianity.

Creationism is the belief of a supernatural entity, God or Allah, creating the universe. Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions believe that the universe had a beginning and everything within that universe has a religious development. The theory of creationism has one sole source, one resource into the truth, in the written book of the Genesis Creation narrative.  The first two chapters in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the first book of the Hebrew Bible preach to the existence of God. The bible speaks to God creating the world in six days and to the creating of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 1 depicts the very cycle in which God created the land, the water, and mankind.

Growing up , these very worlds were what my mind decided was fact. May it be ignorance or isolation, I knew no other way. I always challenged my mother’s persistence that God was the only way. But I never challenged by mother’s beliefs that God created the universe. It wasn’t really until I studied evolution and the truth behind the science.

I discovered the use of fossil in the evolution of this world. I discovered the connections between “cavemen” and myself. I discovered the connection between certain prehistoric “wolves” and their transition into modern day whales! Bet you didn’t know there was a connection did you? Evolution surrounds us. Ignorance also surrounds us. I am not trying to say that Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions are wrong and preach uncertainty. I am saying that people need to branch away and discover the science behind ourselves and this world in which we call home. 

No More Will Hobbs

Due to the fact that I am on the teeter-totter of failure in AP Biology, I need extra credit, a lot of extra credit. That extra credit will come in the form of reading a “textbook” on evolutionary theory.  “ Climbing Mount Improbable” by Richard Dawkins was said to be one of the best books written on evolutionary theory without a major resistance towards creationist beliefs.

This should be interesting for my mother in a smoking Mother Theresa. She is a devoted Christian with a stubborn outlook. The concept of Evolutionary Theory is impossible in her eyes. She needs concrete answers opposing her views on Creationism, whoever will shun any scientific answers.

I am the complete opposite of my mother, though I am religious. I believe in God however I believe in science. If you could combine both Creationism and Evolution Theory, you’d have my “religion”. I believe God created the Earth and evolution created diversity. 

Chapter 10

So like usual I slept the full way up north, interrupted only by my father’s insistent murmuring about my mother’s failure to go under the speed limit. I wasn’t able to keep my eyes open long enough to read Downriver. I ended the adventures of Jessie and her fellow escapees in chapter nine. Continuing on into chapter ten, Jessie and crew dock into a utopian cavern; warm streams collected over a waterfall into a bathtub of luke warm blue. The waterfall was an escape from the stress involved with pirating the Grand Canyon. Inside Troy allows the group to relax and unwind.  Amidst the fun, Jessie spots Freddy attempting to climb through the caves scattered along the banks of the water. The two traveled through the caves; stopping for nothing except the spring. The spring was a Hopi (Southwestern Indian Tribe) sanctuary. Unknown to Jessie, Freddy was born a Hopi. The sanctuary was touching place for Freddy, from that he expressed his deeper, brooding emotions. Freddy gave light into his whole life; his mother, father, upbringing. Jessie was astonished by the show of emotion she never thought she was see. The two would talk until Freddy’s embarrassment overshadowed his bubbling emotions. The two would walk back to the waterfall in utter silence to be meet by blank stares from the rest of the group. Time had escaped the two in the sanctuary and hours had past. The group was frustrated by Jessie and Freddy’s little adventure. Night fell and day came and the group was still in disarray. Traveling down the river would be one of silence and awkward glares. The group came along river thunder; to be met by Al. He’s back. As the group was scouting the upcoming  rapid, Al came down the canyon face. No one could believe what he or she was seeing. Is their adventure over? Is Al going to turn them in? Are they going to jail? Did Heather rat on the group after she bailed at the boat landing?

Continuance of Downriver Chapters 1-9

I have not read more into my novel this week due to that fact that I will be stuck in a car for 4 hours with my ever-so interesting parents. So I decided that I could spending my family bonding time encapsulated in floating down the Grand Canyon and not I-43. Next week’s blog will tell the tale into what exactly happens when teenagers decide to take the river into their own paddles. See you down river.  

Downriver - Will Hobbs Chapters 1-9

Downriver is the story about the adventures that Jessie, the main character, has as she pirates down the Grand Canyon with the other members from 'Hoods in the Woods'. 'Hoods in the Woods' is a a program officially entitled Discovery Unlimited, a nine week outdoor adventure program for delinquents to discover their selves. However, Jessie and her other camp members lose sight of the purpose of 'Hoods in the Woods' and steal the program's rafting equipment and begin their ever so dangerous adventure. Jessie is accompanied by Troy, the boarding school drop and Jessie's love interest, who takes the reigns as leader. Adam, the comedic 'ninja', Freddy, the quiet Indian, and Pug, the giant teddy bear who feels the need to impress, round off the male program members. Along with Jessie, Rita, the NYC ring leader who controlled a theft ring back home, Star, the Tarot- reading, quiet spiritualist, and Heather, the not-so-bad girl, round of the female program members. All members. with the exception of Heather, take on the undertaking of rafting down the Grand Canyon with no experienced guide or permit, but only a Arizona Driving Map.  As the plot continues and the group progresses down the Grand Canyon, difficulties are faced and people's nerves are tested. I personally haven't rafted down the Grand Canyon, but I have rafted down the Snake River in Wyoming. My group faced whitewater, however our guide was able to navigate through. Though rapids only last about 30 seconds, I discovered so much about myself. I used muscles I never existed and I make high pitched sounds I only thought pigs made. The first few chapters in Downriver had my mind relapsing to all my personal adventures, though I wasn't pirating down an uncharted river.