Issue 11: blogs

If you had to, would you blog for a living?

Blogging is a nice hobby, however I don't think I can do it for a serious reason. When given a prompt or a due date I don't really feel like blogging. Blogging is not my kind of hobby though.

I don't think I really took blogging seriously when I had to do it. The only time I would say I have taken it seriously is when I started to write about what I like. Which I would have to say most definitely was my shark post. A lot of effort was put into that post, so I am very proud of it.

It is time to mention that I have been doing blogging for a class, and that this has been weeks of frustration. I don't think blogging has taught me anything new. It has reminded me of my HTML skills, however blogging could have been something that is omitted from my course.

If we can not omit blogging from the course, I would recommend keeping the same due dates however making the entire thing student choice. If there needs to be topics related to the class lesson, it would be better if the blog topic was vague. That way it can allow the student to be more comfortable in typing and be able to show improvements.

As far as blogs go for me. they get a 6 out 10 stars.

Movie Review: Fresh (Issue 7)

           Fresh is a movie about the farming industry in the United States. It touches on topics of sustainable living, industrial  farming and home grown foods.

Disclaimer: I did not get to see the rest of the film, however I have a gist of the overall purpose.

Convenience. That one word strives the world. Yet in a one particular country it is as if that word is a religion. America has built their selves around convenience. There are more gyms housing treadmills then there are parks to just take a stroll in. One place convenience has taken over is the food industry. We have moved past healthy and sustainable living, to give it to me in under and a minute and make it less than a dollar. The movie fresh discuss exactly that.

In the movie they showed the truth that hides behind the metal doors of farm cities. Farming is no longer a way of life. It is an industry that is gambling with the lives of others in order to make billions. Inside those farming cities, animals are kept in closed quarters, maxing out their living space. Corpses of animals that didn't make it to the slaughter house are making it into the animal food. This brings upon many diseases and bacteria not only harmful to the animal. but harmful to the consumer. Farm cities also destroy the animals way of life. Cows no longer eat grass, Chickens have their beaks and claws removed, and pigs fattened up right away.

On the other hand it shows farmers doing away with diseased animals and starting new. This one farmer killed off 40,000 $ of product because it was diseased. He decided to start a new. A lot of farmers where then shown, going through the process of substantial living. How to have either a big farm, or even a back yard farm with only healthy habits. A farm that runs itself. Water is recycled, waste is recycled, everything is recycled. A man in used an acre of land to create a farm that ran on what it produced. There he taught workshops on proper farming, and the difference between well grown food, and food that cut corners.

Issue 6: Escaping reality

It is story time, and I see it best to get a little bit personal. So please, grab some tea and have a seat.

Once in a while an escape from daily life, or reality as it is called, is necessary. One must leave the outer workings of society and go to a place that is deemed unhealthy. The place that makes humans scared and forces them to build facilities just to trap those who don't want to return. A place that all humans functioning in a society, a community, fear. The one place that the host human fears itself. The inner workings of the brain.

The brain is a magnificent organ. Processing electric paths to make a being function and is also possibly the house of the soul. Somewhere in that  three pounds of grey matter lies a switch that scientist calls the subconscious. The subconscious learns with the conscious about morals and starts to project positive thoughts. However we learn slowly that dark humor is the only humor the brain knows. It is called the darkness of the void. Sometimes when humans stare into space they unlock the first door to this void. It is called day dreaming. An alternate reality where things appear normal but do not follow the normal construct the host is used to. When humans get to night dreaming, that is when the subconscious voice speaks louder, as if in a whisper trying to influence the dream. It serves as warning on what is to come. REM dreams, or dreams that occur during REM sleep is the closest humans can get to this darkness, before it fully consumes them. It is said that if a person can not back away from the influence of their brain, that they kill themselves. However this is all speculation done by a few psychologist over time. Whether or not humans can escape reality completely without dying, is solely up to the the three pounds of grey matter humans cherish so deeply.

Issue 5: Will technology consume our future?

Please take a moment to watch the video clip above.

In this video clip, Wall-e an out of date robot, sees how technology advancements has consumed human social behaviour and habits. Humans have become so dependent on technology that even though they are right next to each other, they would rather video chat then talk to the person next to them. This clip also shows that propaganda has infected humans so much that it is taught to babies during the learning development. They are super reliant on the machines and do not start to change until Wall-e interacts with them. Dependency is on such a large scale that the humans do not even chew their food or do anything themselves.

While on the tram, Wall-e interrupted a woman on a call, while trying to reach Eva. Due to this interruption, the woman was able to see the world around her. It shows just how lazy humans become as they allow technology to do everything for them. It all starts out as convenience, then humans convince themselves that everything from there on out is convenience. When will humans say no?

Issue 4: Sharks in all their cuteness

When human think of predators of the sea, Sharks are the biggest offender. Humans tend to forget that they project their emotions onto what they see often or don't understand. Since sharks have rows of sharp teeth and eat other creature they must be dangerous. That, however, is a way of survival.

Cutie Patootie

There are many different kinds of sharks, some even without teeth. Yet, humans only fear the ones with teeth. Stories of our sharks are vicious and how they like to eat humans. Several different accounts of scientific research shows that sharks aren't actually fond of humans. Sharks are curious creatures that react to electromagnetic waves in the ocean. They also detect the minute vibrations in the water. If a camera or boat with with a motor or radio is in shark territory, a shark would become curious and investigate. Most carnivorous sharks have a diet for school fish or seals. With long limbs and swim gear, humans tend to confuse sharks. To them, human silhouette looks like the same silhouette for a seal. Seals are the favorite snack of a carnivorous shark. Sharks do not purposely seek out humans.

In several blood test studies, it was shown that when human blood was dropped in a pool of water that contained a well fed shark, that the shark avoided the blood. However, when fish blood was dropped in that same tank, the shark began to be increasingly aggressive.

Unknown credit, if found please tell me

Most times a curious shark would bite a human once, get a taste of their blood, and swim away. The only time a shark would attack twice would be in instances of lack of food or if the shark was provoked. Punching a shark on the nose, does not get it to leave you alone. It actually ruins a shark's navigational system, making it difficult or impossible to find it's way to it's lagoon. When  a shark cannot make it back to their lagoon, they tend to live a short life and are unable to reproduce. Calm sharks are extremely friendly, and if they don't sense any danger, can be tickled as shown in some documentaries on National Geographic.

This cute ocean beast, come in a variety of sizes, types, and live in multiple locations. Recently National Geographic, recorded a video finding that some sharks might actually live in underwater volcanoes.  Thanks to the United States treaty with Cuba, scientist are able to track down and study a much larger variety of sharks. Discovering that Sharks can become a lot larger than we have known, and theoretically discussing the discovery of a megalodon, due to how deep sharks actually live.

Personally I have had a rather interesting experience with Bull Sharks. Bull sharks are said to be even more aggressive than their great white relatives. In my experience, I have swam unsupervised with these sharks and received no harm. Which could only theorize that these aggressive in nature sharks only attack in defense or survival.

Hopefully one day, people could see the good in sharks, and stop the unnecessary killing of sharks. Especially if it is only for their fin. Sharks are friends not food.

Credit goes to http://hayzlenut.tumblr.com/

Issue 3: 3D Printing, The Future of Prosthesis for Animals?

3D PRINTING. One would think, what does that mean? How does it work?  3D printing is the 

process of melting down plastics to print a third dimensional shape. It has taken the medical field by storm with advancements in prosthesis. Now those who have lost limbs due to amputation or other causes have a more affordable way to integrate into what the world calls a normal human routine. Though scientists, veterinarians, and everyday citizens don't stop there. Before 3D printing, if an animal was missing a part they where either euthanize or put in a state of depression that eventually lead to death. This quick video by Dnews shows that 3D printing has helped out non human friends also survive longer with a bit of love, help, and technology.

These advances can keep our furry and non furry friends alive to play again. It allows other creatures like the Toucan and Bald Eagle, to eat. A very popular example is the case of the Dolphin. She was such a powerful example of 3D Printing coming to the rescue that Morgan Freeman himself decided to engage in the 2 part movie about her story. Humans create technology only thinking about how it will help them. It is not until their technology spreads past their species that they see the joy in being innovative. Technology not just for humans, but for the world.

Issue 2: Blogs

There are tons of blogs on the internet, from personal to business. Personally I only keep up with one blog, which is a sewing blog. I am not good with the ritual of constantly telling people about my life. Blogs are nice for people with constant consistency in their lives. I tend to be sporadic after a while and need a mix up. I commend those who can take the time to sit down and write a blog. I would rather enjoy having the time to do a blog. Most of the blogs I browse now are either on deviantart or tumblr. Picture blogs as they are called. Picture blogs are great especially if you are an aspiring artist. They give inspiration and enlighten you to persevere through the art world. A nice art blog I really like is actually a part tutorial blog. https://doxiequeen1.wordpress.com/ is a sewing blog by an 18-19 year old girl by the name of Angela in Long Island, Queens.

She shows her passion in pursuing fashion in costume creations. I love the time she takes to properly explain her process as if you could create along with her. She tries her best to take step by step pictures, though sometimes she falls short. Her purpose is not to teach, it is to share, which I think she accomplishes well. Another blog I like is an art blog on deviantart. Before I link it, I would like to explain that this person uses the site mainly as a portfolio, or a means to make side cash. http://maruuki.deviantart.com/ . I am personally envious of her time management. Seeing her updates everyday inspire me to strive for more in my artwork.

As for a blog that I don't personally enjoy, I would have to say I don't like buzzfeed.com. They have grown into a blog where they have become the written embodiment of society. Not a good society either, more of the stereotypical society we all tried to avoid. If you accidentally click on a link of video from them, it doesn't go away. It is like a cockroach, extremely desperate and determined which can be a bad thing. Blogging itself is not bad and if you can do it, just try not to be annoying about it.