What is Power?

Power can be defined in many ways. My definition of power is when one person or group in a certain area that has more privileges than others and uses them to their advantage over everybody else. Over the course of this year, I have learned that power can be expressed through different actions. Three events in history that really defined and showed me what power really is were Imperialism in Africa, World War 2, and the Russian Revolution.

The Russian Revolution displayed a lot of power within it. My definition of power is shown a lot during this event and I can tell for a few reasons. One is that the upper class which was basically Tsar Nicolas II. During his rule he didn’t help Russia succeed in fact he brought it down. He gave the citizens of Russia bad living conditions and not many rights leading to inequality. The Tsar was influences by a man named Rasputin and under his wife’s control. This man with all the power over the country wasn’t doing anything at all. This lead to the Russian Revolution where there was lots of power in it.

Imperialism in Africa also displayed a lot of power during it. The British had all of the power while the Africans were under them. The British used their power to make the Africans their slaves and work for them. Since they had power, they were free to take any of the materials and important resources that they wanted. In return, however, they did give them school and jobs to help them survive.

During World War II, in Germany, the person with all of the power was Adolf Hitler. He started a group called the Nazis which was short for Nationalsozialists. World War II was from 1939 to 1945. Hitler and the Nazis used the technique OF Genocide during this time. First they used classification and discriminated the Jewish, gypsies, and other people by making them stand out wearing a star on the head. They dehumanized those people treating them like they were objects. After, they killed anybody who went against them, they used the process of denial so they wouldn’t get into any trouble.

So, altogether, I feel that power really is when one person or group in a certain area that has more privileges than others and uses them to their advantage over everybody else. Even though it may have its negative effects there are also positive effects that benefit others as well.

The Giver: Power or Control?

Throughout the book, The Giver, I identified the main theme as control. I say this for many reasons. One is that everyone in Jonas's community is being controlled by the Chief Elders. Their whole lives are being controlled and they don't even know. The Elders choose everything; gifts they get each year, their Assignment(job), who they marry, and one other is when to be released (killed) from the Community. They have no say in anything, but the good thing about that is that they don't know that they are being controlled. The only people aside from the Elders who know what is going on are Jonas and the Giver. Jonas knows that everything is wrong and really wants to help. He is very mad about this situation and doesn't like anything. On page 144, Jonas is talking to the Giver about what is going on.

Net Effect of Globalization

PROS:

• companies get cheaper labor
• more work gets done because of large population in poorer countries
  
• more people have the opportunity to get a job

CONS:

• people lose their jobs to others in a poorer country
• when people lose jobs, they have less money
• in order for some to get their job back, they must travel to apoorer country

So, overall, globalization has its pros and cons so it has good benifits and disadvantages.

Population Project: Thoughts

In my opinion, the three most valuable things I learned from The Population Project process are:

1. That due dates are very important and work needs to be turned in at a certain time or it is not graded. This can help me in the future because it will give me a stronger motivation to do work properly and on time.
2. How to write a proper data analysis, research paper, and create a digital story with information that says the same thing in a different way. This will help me in the future because I will know how to change my ideas around in a new and creative way.
   
3. That even though the population in India has been increasing, but at the same time diseases or otherwise my topic, infant mortality, has been decreasing. This will help me in the future because now I now that even a small contribution can help. This will motivate me more to help.

Overall, I can tell that the Population Project has really helped me understand the problems in India and how to solve them.

Technology and School

What are the main visual elements?

The main visual elements are the family of three sitting eating dinner. The son is in the middle and his parents are asking how his school day was.

What issue is this cartoon about?
This cartoon is about how technology takes over kid's lives and is used as a substitution for speaking instead. The parents are asking the son how his day went and he obviously said something like this, "Instead of me telling you how my day went you can just read my blog and find out." The parents don't like how their kids are becoming lazy.

What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?

The cartoonist's opinion is that us students should spend so much time on computers and other technologies when we should spend it on doing school work and playing outside or other sports. If a kid goes to the extent to say that my school day description is on my blog it means that computers are consuming us.

What evidence in the cartoon supports your opinion on how the cartoonist feels?

The evidence in the cartoon that supports the cartoonist's opinion is the look on the boy's parent's faces; they look dumbfounded. They are surprised that their kid has a blog to skip the retelling of the school day. They are also surprised that their child is very connected to the computer and have no other life besides it.

Why is this cartoon ironic?

The two main reasons that this cartoon is ironic are:

• Kids that age don't usually have a blog; I am thirteen and I don't have a blog unrelated to school
• If kids had a blog, then they don't usually tell their parent's to check their blog
  

How does this cartoon relate to our study of technology and the future?

This cartoon relates to our study of technology because it shows us how the people of this generation are overusing the internet for unneeded things like blogs about our school day. They could be used for reference, but the intention was not to make a person become lazy.

What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?

I think that the only thing that tell me about the cartoon are the words. To make it more persuasive, the cartoonist could have made the parent's expressions a little more surprised and have the son have his chin on his hands to show he is too lazy to tell his parents about his day.

Population Project: Schedule

This week in Humanties class, we have time to work on our population project. So this is my outline plan of what I plan to do this week:

Monday:
Make outline of Data Analysis and draft first paragraph (with citations).
Write outline of research paper.

Tuesday:
Edit first paragraph of Data Analysis and draft second paragraph (with citations).
Draft first paragraph of research paper (with citations).

Wednesday:
Edit second paragraph of Data Analysis and draft third paragraph (with citations).
Edit first paragraph of research paper and draft second and third paragraph (with citations).

Thursday:
Edit paragraph of Data Analysis (with citations) and if possible begin fourth paragraph.
If time, edit second/third paragraph of research paper.

Friday:
Edit fourth paragraph and get a good start on fifth.
Draft fourth(or if worked on at home maybe fifth) paragraph of research paper.

Technology and the Present

1. What is technology?
Technology is, objects being created for people or animals made to make processes quicker.

2. What are the 5 most and 5 least important technologies used today?
The five most important technologies used today are, computers, cell phones, iPods (mp3 players), television, and air conditioners. The five least important technologies today are Smart Boards, hair dryers, light up shoes, automatic sliding doors, and coffee makers.

3. How do you feel about the amount of and use of technology at AES?
I think that the technology at AES is overused because people use it even when not needed. They have the light on even when there is enough coming from the window.

Technology and 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 agree with this statement because technology is something that does stuff for you. I do agree that it is helpful and gets work done faster and neater. But, I prefer to hand write everything. And if you think about back in the day when people did not have or even know about computers and they were fine. So, if we did not know about technology, life would be different. And when you say, "I wrote this paper for my Humanities class," technically, you didn't; the computer. It was just your ideas and you pushing the keys, but the computer is the object making it all work. I would not consider myself a Luddite, because computers are helpful, but I say that we could do without them.

Quarter 3 Feedback/ New Goals- Quarter 4

My goals for 3rd quarter were:

• To do my homework the night it was assigned, so I wouldn't have a load the night before.

• To add more detail and voice into my writing pieces. I would be able to know if I improved if I could picture what I was describing very clearly.
  

• To improve my geography skills. I would know if I improved if in TMTU questions.

My goals for Quarter 3 were not exactly met. There were sometime I didn't do my HW on the night it was given. We didn't actually do writing this quarter so I couldn't tell. Also, my geography hasn't improve. I know this because in TMTUs I didn't improve the amount of right answers
My goals for quarter 4 are:

• To make sure I do my homework on the night it's assigned. And if I have a project I should work on it during the course of several days
• To learn how to paraphrase better
• To make my writing pieces more descriptive and add imagery to them

Is Holy War an Oxymoron??

An oxymoron is two words that don’t belong being used together. Why is the phrase “Holy War” 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 "Holy War" is an oxymoron the two words, holy and war, just don't go together. I say that war can never be holy it doesn't help anyone in any way shape or form, just destructs our economy and wonderful land. People think that war is the solution to all off of our conflicts with others. Some war world peace, but that can never happen with all this fighting going on. War also ends friendships between countries that may have been on good terms. So many conflicts are about conflicts, because many believe that their religion is the best and feel that it should be spread all over the world.

A World War III???

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

I don't think that there will be another World War for a few reasons.

One reason is that many people would be against it. I know this because all around the world there have been "Peace, Not War" type of organizations started and they try to get others against war. So, if one country decides to declare war, then many petitions and riots may be started to stop the war. Some people who are for war may get persuaded to hate war.

My other reason that I feel there wont be a World War III is because many countries are aware of the reparations they might have to pay. They know that if they become entangled in the war, the situations that their country would face would lower their economy. This would make the country very poor and helpless. Also, even if you are a very rich country, allies may be made and broken so you could very well lose the war just as any other country could.

This is why I think there will not be a World War III.

http://www.metal-archives.com/images/5/9/7/7/5977_logo.jpg

Letter From the Battlefield

How is everything back at home? How are Jamie and Marla doing? Hope they’re not causing you any trouble! In the last letter, I think you had mentioned that Jamie had gotten the flu; how is that going for him? Things here are going okay, I guess.

We just invaded Poland from three fronts; East Prussia, Germany, and Slovakia. Before you knew it, every inch of Warsaw was surrounded by our men. After our defeat of the Polish, there is no way that they could ever come back to power. We needed to make sure that no Polish man, woman, or child was left and we succeeded.I have worked my hardest and my best to help my country and in that too, I succeeded.

Right now, I am writing this letter in the clinic because as I was walking in to my camping tent, I tripped and fractured my foot. So, I must say my farewell for now, because I need to get this letter my the noon mail call.

Yours,

George

Anne Frank Roundtables

In her diary Anne opened: “…if you’re wondering if it’s harder for the adults here than for the children, the answer is no…Older people have an opinion about everything and are sure of themselves and their actions. It’s twice as hard for us young people to hold on to our opinions at a time when ideals are being shattered…” (July 15, 1944.) Do you agree or disagree with this quote?

I agree with Anne Frank when she says that it's twice as hard for us to hold onto our opinions. I think this because since we are young and our minds are still a little confused and not sure what is right and what is wrong. We are influenced by certain things that can change our minds into believing something totally opposite than before. Whereas, adults seem to have their minds fixed on a certain idea and never want to change their minds.

A Recipe for World War II

A recipe for World War II,
Is all you’ll need to understand,
But, make sure you put enough Hitler,
Or your meal will taste just bland.

First, you warm up the oven,
Because the competition is heating up,
But, remember to put oil into the pan,
Or the damage will stick to your heart.

Now take out your bowl,
And get out your measuring cup,
Well you won’t actually need that,
Since everything was an overload in this war.

Next, get out your ingredients:
Add a glass of bitterness,
And a slab of greediness,
I’m sorry, I’m mistaken; a hunk of greediness.

Add a little Japan and Russia,
United States and France,
And North Korea and South Korea
Here and there.

Lastly, place your recipe,
Into a battlefield.
And as you do this,
The dish has no way out;
It is stuck in the pan forever,

Knowing,
That there is no way out.

Compare: Animal Farm Book and Movie

I think that the movie directors did an overall good job on creating the movie Animal Farm by grasping most of the details and putting them together in new ways. They also, did a good job of adding some humor in the movie without changing the story.

An example of humor is the little duck that tried so hard to work, but couldn't because of his(her) size. Another good thing that they did was made some of the characters look different according to their personality (only if they look was not described in the book).

But, even though there were some really good things, there were some events or animals that were not included or said correctly in the movie.

One example of an event that was changed was Old Major dying during his speech about starting the Rebellion. I think that they should not have changed this because the movie should show that Old Major was there for three more days to help the animals (mostly pigs) plan the Rebellion.

An example of a character that was not shown in this film is Mollie. I think it was important to have Mollie in the story because it shows that some people did not support Animalism, even in the beginning. Without Mollie, viewers who haven't read the book think that everyone believes in this new form of government, which is actually false.

Another thing that is changed is the seven commandments written on the wall. Some of them were left out and some weren't really commandments, such as, "Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad!" This never was really a commandment, it was a phrase that the sheep used to end any argument that could possibly start.

My last difference that I found in the movie was the twitch in Squealer's tail. This is important because it is part of his identity. But, even though it's not a big part of the story, it should stiil be there.

So, overall, the Animal Farm movie, had some good qualities to it and also some errors in it.

Animal Farm Reflection

I think I can closely relate to Boxer in this book. I feel this because if something goes wrong, I always keep trying harder to work towards my goal. In the book, Boxer's motto is, "I will work harder," and my motto when I need to work towards something is, "I will try harder next time until I get it right." These mottoes are very similar. Also, if I need to do something, I will work at it and do whatever it takes to finish. In Animal Farm, Boxer wakes up much earlier that all the other animals to work on the windmill.

I also think I am identical to Boxer because we both have something that helps us stand out. For Boxer, it is the white stripe down his nose and for me it is my long hair.

Tyranny, Injustice, and Self-Determination

Tyranny-when someone abuses their power
Injustice- when someone acts unfairly
Self Determination- to do an action without anyone else's opinion

In the book, Animal Farm, these three terms are used. Tyranny is used when Farmer Jones uses his power to torture the animals to do whatever he wants them to. He abuses his authority which leads to him being unjust (injustice). He acts unfairly by not giving the animals less food than they need and killing them when they become weak and cannot work anymore. Self-determination is used when the animals are determined to begin the Rebellion and overthrow Mr. Jones. The animals become strong and are determined to live better lives. This is how tyranny, injustice, and self-determination are used in Animal Farm.

I Sit Here In This Trench

I sit here in this trench,

Because I have fallen,

To the ground.

I wonder,

“How did I get into this mess?”

“Why am I here?”.

One part of me says,

“You have to help your country,”

“And save your people.”

But the other part,

Is longing to go home,

And to take care of my parents and siblings in peace.

I am being pushed and pulled,

Like a tug-o-war,

My mates yell to me:

“Come on, buddy!”

“Get up,”

But then, even they go into hiding.

I hear a,

“Chk, Chk,”

And I knew I was next.

All my guns had been taken,

I was, helpless.

The enemy looked at me,

Aimed his gun… and boom!

I sit here in this trench,

Gone, forever.

I dedicate this poem to all the people who sacrificed their lives in WW1.

Citations:

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/question-mark.jpg

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Egecase/images/BillieFamily.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x204/havokie/WW2/young-german-soldier-teen.jpg

http://www.2ndguards.com/Images/gallery%203/normal_NO6D8712.jpg

http://www.old-picture.com/civil-war/pictures/Warfare-Trench.jpg

Is the Military in My Future?

In some countries, joining the military is mandatory, in other countries, optional. In my country, the United States, applying for the army is not mandatory instead optional. According to the CIA World Factbook, you have to be 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service.

Since I am a girl, others (men) may not want females in their force. They might think that they make them lose the fight. If this did happen, and men said that girls cannot fight, I would join to prove that girls can do anything guys can. I would also join the army if it was mandatory for people my age. I would be against it, but I would know that I had no choice.

But, if none of this happened I would say no to war. I feel that people should not be forced to fight if they do not want to. Also, war is also just a path to world destruction and horrible economies. So, why begin one if you know that it's going to end nasty? My last reason why I would want to join the army is because, that would stop me from living my life like a normal teenager. I wouldn't be able to walk around and talk with my friends. Instead, I would be in a training camp, preparing for war.

This is why I would not want to join the army.

Great Powers Game Reflection

1.What are the main visual elements?
The visual elements in this cartoon are the different countries and how each person had a different amount of hands. The more hands they have, the more alliance they have.
2.What issue is this political cartoon about?
3.What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
I think the cartoonist's opinion on this issue are that when you make alliances,
4.What evidence in the cartoon supports your opinion on how the cartoonist feels?
5.What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?
6.How does this cartoon relate to the Great Powers Game?
We all had made alliances at one point of the game and in the cartoon almost everyone had at least one alliances/ treaty with someone at one point of time. Also, some countries have alliances with more countries than others do. Some countries are trustful while some aren't.

Great Powers Game Debrief

1. Which country were you? How did it feel to build your empire? Which countries had the advantage at the start of the game? Why? How did you empire compare to other empires?

My country was the Ottoman Empire. I'd say that the US, France, Germany, and the UK were the countries that had the largest advantage in the beginning because they're amount of industries/colonies was larger than most of the other countries. My empire had been defeated by many of the countries ( Italy, France, UK, Russia, and Austria) before which is why we were also one of the few empires that had no real allies (just friendship with France).

2. In the long run was it more important to buy armies, navies, industries or colonies? Why?

I think it was more important to buy industries and colonies that way the money you have would increase which would lead to you being able to buy more armies and navies in the next year. And when you have stronger armies, you'd stand a better chance against any people that would want to start a war against us.

3. What did you do well? What would you have done differently?

I think we bought the right amount of industries each year and knew how to split up how much we should buy of armies, colonies, and navies. I also think that we didn't get in the way of the wars occurring each year and if we did help our allies we wouldn't be able to help ourselves considering we didn't have very strong industries and armies. I think we should have bought more industries in the beginning of the game so we could save up for even more armies.

4. How successful were your alliances? Did they help or hurt you? Could they be trusted?

Our country's alliances weren't really any use because we never got sent to war so we never needed their help. Our alliances were, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Russia, and Japan. The only alliance that betrayed us was Italy. In the last round the US had declared a war against Japan and everybody but three countries joined which made it a Great War. All of the small countries joined Japan while Italy was undecided. The whole war really depended on Italy, who was the strongest of all. In the end, Italy joined the US and betrayed many of its allies.

5. What are three specific things you learned about conflict from this simulation?

I learned many things from this simulation:

• You can't always trust your allies so don't depend on them.
• Buy industries in the beginning instead of armies. Armies are no use in the start of the game because countries are trying to stay clear of each other and avoiding war.
• Even though I didn't do this, don't start wars against people who have strong allies or else you will be left defeated and with nothing.
• Lastly, I learned that don't always think you are the stronger country with lots of industries and armies because you never know when people with defeat you and leave you dead.
  

Quarter 2 Feedback/ New Goals- Quarter 3

My goals last quarter were:

• To have better study skills to study for test because my test scores could be better if I knew how to study better
• To do my homework the night it was assigned so I wouldn't have load the day before.
  

• To add more detail into my projects (writing wise) like I said in quarter 1.
  

I feel that my first goal partly met because my test/quiz scores had improved from last quarter and were usually in the range of an A or B. I think my second goal was partially met because I still did some homework the night before instead of the day it was assigned. I think my third goal was met because I saw an improvement to how specifically I describe things.

My goals for this quarter are:

• To do my homework the night it was assigned, so I wouldn't have a load the night before.

• To add more detail and voice into my writing pieces. I would be able to know if I improved if I could picture what I was describing very clearly.

• To improve my geography skills. I would know if I improved if in TMTU questions.