Sunday, May 17, 2009

What is Power

Power is control over a group of people, an item, or an object. There is a large variety of power, and this power can be misused by everyone, even by the leaders who started out with good intentions for society. Some examples of these would be political power, and economic power.

Economic power is an excellent way to trade and boosts the entire country. It is a way of westernizing the poor countries by trade and efficiently creating highly crafted objects. It brought in the idea of capitalism, where the division of poor and rich kicked in. The bigger countries said that they where only trying to westernize the undeveloped countries but the real reason was to benefit the rich and cause the rich to become richer. Another example is for globalization. It is evident that globalization is good because it allows us to get merchandise for the cheapest and efficient way. This is why we have McDonalds in India, and other stores. But this power also harms the others around them. It increases poverty because the rich hire cheap labor and pay insufficient wages for the workers, giving the rich a bigger profit at the end of the day.

Another type of power would be political power. Many historical events happened because of power. Some examples would be Hitler, Stalin, and Lenin. They all had a good intention for society but their ideas went wrong because they had too much power. Stalin wanted to make everyone equal; as did Lenin, but whilst doing that he lost his original intention because he had too much control over people. Hitler was a lunatic, and he had no good intentions from the start of his leadership till the end of it, his intentions to begin where to unite all Germans, get more land, and to take over the world. He went mad with the amount of power he received which is mainly why his plan had failed. More examples of political power would be Marie Antoinette, a woman who abused her power to benefit herself, Louis XV a man who cared less for the people he ruled over. Even more examples are Tsar Nicholas, a man who enjoyed the rich life and never understood the poor, and finally Sadam Hussain, a man who used brutal techniques to hurt those around him.

Power is when you know your limit, and when you know what is right. To have a good control over people, and to know when to say when, and to understand that there are always consequences for what you do to whatever you are in control of. Power can be misused easily, and it is a difficult ability to posses, but once you have it, there is no stopping what you can do with it. In the end it can either make you or break you. You can be a Hitler, or you can be someone people look up to. The choice is yours.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

End of Pop

Three things that i learned from population project are time management, using a stronger voice and interpreting data. Time management will help me in high school so i will not fall behind in my classes. Using a stronger voice helps me in the future by improving my writing and allow me to use an academic tone in my writing. And also interpreting data will increase my understand about numbers and relationships between two sets of data

Power or Control

In my novel, Hunger Games, both themes of power or control are present because the capitol has the power and controls the districts, but since I must choose one, I would choose control. In the Hunger Games, the Capitol has control over the people and what they are meant to do. For example, District 11 is in charge of agriculture and District 12 is in mining. The capitol had decided this and that gives them control over the twelve districts. Another way that control is shown in the book is on page 82 of the novel. On this page is a brief description of the Avox Girl being taken away by a hover craft because she did something the capitol was against. They took her away, made her a worker, killed her friend, and cut up her tongue. This is one other way the capitol has power of the people. one more example that control is shown throughout the Hunger Games, is when Katniss, the main character, is in the arena. She has no control over what happens such as, fires, or storms, or the rules that the Game-Makers decide upon. She only has to survive. and the Game-Makers have complete control over how they want to affect the games and meddle around as much as possible. In my novel I believe that control is the main theme and it is the capitol who has complete control over the people in Panem.

Monday, April 13, 2009

PoP feedback

Monday
On Monday, I plan to get a good start on note cards and finding more information

Tuesday

I plan on gathering some more note cards and creating my outline

Wednesday
I plan on getting my outline together.

Thursday
I plan on creating my research paper

Friday
I plan on creating my research paper

Monday, March 23, 2009

Technology

What is technology?
Technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life according to dictionary.com

What are the 5 most and 5 least important technologies used today?
Most important technology are life support, game boys, elevators, calculator, and phones. The least important things i pod, the electric chairs that you use to get up the stairs, the i-phone, light up shoes, and electric shavers.

How do you feel about the amount of and use of technology at AES?
I think that the amount of technology used by AES is okay but we just use it too much sometimes

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Kurt Vonnegut

“Do you know what a Luddite is? That’s a person who doesn’t like newfangled contraptions. Contraptions like nuclear submarines armed with Poseidon missiles that have H-bombs in their warheads, and like computers that cheat you out of becoming. Bill Gates says, “Wait till you can see what your computer can become.” But it’s you who should be doing the becoming. What you can become is the miracle you were born to work—not the damn fool computer.

- Kurt Vonnegut

I partially agree with this statement that Kurt Vonnegut has said because it is somewhat states the truth. To some extent man should use their own work by themselves and not use some "contraption" to do what they could do with their own two hands and feet. But there are many situations in which machines are necessary such as the computer that makes your the process of writing faster. The computer can help you achieve the miracle that you were born to work because many jobs revolve around using the computer nowadays but back then the computer was sort of pointless.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Holy War

Why is the phrase “Holy War” an oxymoron?
The phrase "Holy War" is in fact an oxymoron for several different reasons. Firstly the definition of Holy is sacred or worship. The definition of war is an act of violence that can harm or hurt people. But both of the words together means, "a war that defends or acts for a certain religion." Aren't religions meant to teach peace in their teachings? Then why do they fight? If religions believe in peace and tell fellow followers to not kill, to not commence in violent activities, to stay clear from harming other people then why in heavens name would you find this war justified. No war has any justification and to say that a war was for religious reasons just insults the whole religion in my opinion.This is why the phrase "Holy War" is an oxymoron.
Why is it that so many conflicts in the world today are based upon religious differences yet all major world religions condemn killing?
I think that many people have been brainwashed by a higher power to believe that war is a necessary resource and if it is in Gods name then it is justified even though you may kill many other people. Also in many religions if you can convert someone into your religion most of your bad deeds become cleared off and you then are justified in the desperate measures such as war.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Do you think there will be a World War III in your lifetime?

To answer the question honestly, I doubt that World War Three will ever happen in my lifetime. A lot of countries have signed peace treaties and have promised to not have war with other countries and most of the countries in the world are part of the United Nations and they have vowed not to be part of war. Also another reason that there may not be war in my lifetime is because no one is actually power hungry anymore. People seem to be happy with the land that they own and are satisfied with their economy apart from poor countries. No one is like Hitler, Stalin or Mussolini and they aren't many fascist countries left in this world. The last reason that WW3 wont occur is because people understand the problems that were left due to WW1 and WW2 such as the economy being ruined and a lot of lives being taken. This is the reason why I don't believe WW3 will ever happen in my lifetime.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Anne Frank Round About

In The New York Times the writer Anna Quindlen asked, “Would our understanding of the Holocaust be quite the same if Anne Frank had not taken a small plaid diary into hiding with her?” Respond to this question and explain your answer.
If Anne Frank's diary had not been found or had Anne not have taken the diary with her while in hiding then our understanding of the Holocaust would not have been the same because we wouldn't have a first hand out account of the events. Also we wouldn't have the sense of fear, anxiety, anger and a lot more emotions that Anne placed in the comfort of her diary giving us her point of view of how the Jews were being treated. It gives the emotional and mental depth of the Holocaust and not just the list of events and the facts. It gives meaning and feeling towards the Holocaust and another side to look from. I think that Anne Franks diary was a way of people to realize the insanity of Hitler and the harm he had cause to a young Jewish girl.

Dearest Mother,
How are you? How's Marianne? Last time you wrote to me, you told me that she had a fever. Did you take her to the doctors yet? I strongly advise you should. I would hate to see another sister of mine die. I really miss everyone and finally have time today to write to you and remind you that Friedrich needs new shoes and I will send the money over shortly.

We have successfully invaded Poland in the last few weeks. I couldn't have been any more scared but I held my head high and thought about how I would make my country proud if I could just destroy the Polish. We hardly had enough food to feed most mouths but we tried our best to stay strong. We attacked from three fronts East Prussia in the North, Germany in the west and Slovakia in the south. We had planes, tanks, guns and more and the only thing that would ever cross our minds is to not leave a single polish alive who got in the way.

Us soldiers managed to conquer Poland and make sure that they never try to over take Poland ever. We didn't spare those Polish who tried to run away from us. No one can ever fear The Fürer. May it be man or women, child or baby. we did indeed manage to take over the Polish people and we are in full control of their transportation systems. This event has made me leap for joy for I know now that the Fürer is always going to win and help all Germans be in control of the world!
Mama dear I must go now. tell my darling children that I love them. Please take Marianne to the doctors soon before she grows sick and dies. I don't want another woman in my life to be taken away from me.
Love Always
Franz Schweinsteiger
Image:http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/gallery.php/d/32840-5/07-garson-blitzkrieg-wwii-mcgrouppotraitmg-sidecar.jpg

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Recipe of WWII

  1. Take one bowl of Treaty of Versailles
  2. Knead it until it is soft and smooth
    Add two tablespoons of angry Germany
    Mix well
  3. Next crack four Hitlers and mix into the first batter
  4. Add a essence of Mussolini
  5. Add a dash or Stalin
  6. Mix until a thick like paste has formed
    Then it is time to add on some France and Britain
  7. the Side Dish:
  8. Wash some Asia
  9. Then chop finely and place into a bowl
  10. Add some Japanese violence
  11. Bake the entire dish until
  12. you hear
  13. The Boom
  14. Of an empire
  15. Being destroyed

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Critique on Animal Farm- The Movie

The cartoon movie Animal Farm and the book Animal farm have a numerous amount of similarities and differences. For starters the character Mollie was absent throughout the film. Mollie may not have seemed like an important character but in the Russian Revolution, Mollie's character represented the nobles and that is why she seemed important in the book yet she wasn't in the movie. Most of the movie was accurate except for a few events that happened too early. One example of this would be the death of Old Major. In the book Old Major dies three days after his speech and not after he sings. Also in the movie the Rebellion and the Battle of the Cowshed happened on the exact same day whereas in the book they had happened in separate days.
Other than these inaccurate changes, the rest of the movie was mostly correct i. e that Snowball was exiled after the plan of the Wind Mill had been introduced, that trade had happened,animals were slaughtered and that Napoleon was a bad leader. Overall the movie was good and was very entertaining and did a good job of reasonably portraying the book into an animated movie despite the few minor changes.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Which Character Am I Most Like?




In Animal Farm I think I am most like Mollie because she and I have many same characteristics. The both us like materlistic things i.e she likes ribbons and sugar and I tend to like little items aswell. When the pigs took control over the farm and forced Mollie to give up her trinkets she was melancholy as I would I have been in that situation. She also ran away when things were getting tough on her, and although its not the best way to deal with problems, i do run away aswell. She and I are both carefree and do whatever we want. This is why Mollie best represents me.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Tyranny, Injustice, self determination.

Tyranny- abuse of power
Injustice-violation of the rights of others
Self-determination- without help of others

Tyranny was shown throughout chapters 1-3 mainly because the pigs are abusing their power by making the other animals bring them milk and apples because the pigs had to stay healthy because the pigs needed to run the farm but the main reason the pigs wanted the milk and apples was because they are greedy creatures. This example is on page 25. Injustice was shown in chapter one where Mr Jones would neglect the animals and forget to feed then and take off to go drinking rather then look after the animals. In chapters 2 and 3 the animals showed self determination by running the farm without the need of Mr Jones or other humans. They worked constantly and needed no help with it and did their work without Mr Jones.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Poem

I’m all alone
In this dark tent
And I think about what you told me
My dear Ann
“Make our nation proud john
Prouder then any man could have ever done”

As I lie in this tent
I wonder about the choices I’ve made
This new way of life
And being away from home
I don’t know why I ever chose
Such dim-witted choices
Let me assure
If I could go back
I would never have left you


Trudging barefoot in the trenches
I only think of you
As the rest of the men who fought with me die
I only think of you
I fire cannons with hopes
That you get to live a harm-free life


I would lie at night
Every night
Count the stars
And wait for my death
Wondering when it would be my turn
To die from gas
From a canon
Or shot between the eyes
As soon as there is the loud
BOOMOf a cannon
I close my eyes
And hope it’s me
Who gets the privilege to die


As I lie in this tent
My legs blown off my body
I question my actions
Why did I ever decide
To volunteer for a death sentence?
Why did I ever climb into
No Man’s Land?

Your last letter saddens me, my love
When our sonwill arrive into this harsh world
Tell him that I love him
More than any man could
Lastly my love
I say goodbye
I know I cannot last
And my time has come
When the time comes you will see me again
Maybe not in this world but in a world
Where you, our son, and I
Can be free from
This brutal treatment
Images from:
http://library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/britpost/p9l.jpg
http://videoindex.pbs.org/resources/greatwar/images/ph_26.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/history1900s/1/0/O/3/wwi16.gif
http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/warpictures/trenches/images-trenches/03-german-trench-gw000.jpg
http://us.altermedia.info/images/WW1.jpg

Monday, January 19, 2009

Reasons I would ever join the military

In Scotland it is not mandatory to serve in the military but if I had to serve in the military then I would do it for the following reasons
1) If my country was in war then I would join for country pride
2) You can learn self defence
3) If I didn't have money for education and Scotland gave a G I Bill to the soldiers then I would alsoo be persuaded to join the military

Monday, January 12, 2009

Feed back Cartoon

The main visual elements in this cartoon is a British man handing out treaties to everyone. Other people are also handing out treaties to other people and everyone has got a treaties except one woman who is crying on the side and one man who has not been given anything at all. The point of this political cartoon is that every country or representative of a country is making alliances but there are the odd two or three countries that don't get accepted into the alliance, which is bad because they will be easier to fight in wars. The cartoonist is showing that it is unfair because of the woman who is crying. The point they trying to get across is that not everyone can get included in an alliance and those who don't get upset about it. Maybe they should show anger on the people who do not included because then it shows how wars are created. This relates to the Great Powers Game because everyone in the game was making alliances to save themselves and those who did not make alliances with the strong countries were easiest to crush and rip them off all their power.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

I was Great Britain. We had the advantage along with Russia and USA. It didnt take very long at first to build up our empire but when we were at war our empire died. At firsdt our empire was one of the greatest but then we lost everything due to war. It was most important to gain armies and industry mainly bacause you allies would join forces to destroy you and industry because you need to build up your empire and gain economic points. We did do well to start off with but then we lost everything and were one of the poorest empires there was. We would not have been so naive and we should have brought more armies and we would if we did this again. Our allies hurt us even though we helped them as much as we could even the ones who didnt go at war against us didnt help us either. The lesson I learned is don not trust anyone even your "friends". Ive learned that conflict does not help you, they hurt you, and you can never have a "good" war.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Goals for Thrid Quarter

My goals from last quarter were to improve my writing skills, build on my vocabulary and to improve my reading standards. I have improved my reading abilities by a lot but my vocab and my writing is still lacking in formality. I have a hard time using a more formal voice in my writing mainly due to my vocabulary not being up to the eighth grade standard.
For quarter three in humanities I would still wish to work on these goals but I also have some other goals that I would like to improve on. I would like for my research skills to improve, I never really thought that I would need this skill to improve but due to my research paper last quarter I decided this is one goal I wish to work on. I would also like to improve on my paraphrasing and sentence fluency also another skill I realize I should work on due to the research paper on Africa. And lastly I would like to improve on my oral communication. I want to be able to speak in front of my peers and be able to to speak with confidence and eye contact. I hope to achieve these goals by the end of the quarter