What is Power?

What is Power?
Power is most commonly defined as the ability to bring about change. Power can be presented and expressed in numerous forms and ways. Human power, electrical power, brain power, weapon power, and many others are all forms of power. The biggest form of power we have covered this year is human power, which can be defined as dictatorship and leadership. Who has the power? Who is under the power? What are examples of power control? What are examples of protest against powers? Whether the change that has been resulted from power is good or bad, the definition will always be the same.
Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Francisco Franco and Emperor Hirohito are the most ferocious leaders ever recorded on history. Power was in their hands and was unable to be grasped away. The trait all the leaders shared in common evidently goes back to the idea of power being the ability to bring about change in the broad definition. The leaders mentioned above whom we have studied during the World War II unit were either communists or fascists. They were able to control a very large scale of citizens for a long time, until, of course, the power was corrupted.
Leadership and dictatorship are forms of power. In a larger scale, however, countries are powers. From the start of the Pre-War Era in 1930, when the dictators arose, Adolf Hitler from Nazi Germany was especially well known for being ‘powerful’. Germany, as a whole, with Hitler, invaded uncountable amount of countries and took away their rights. Relating back to the broader definition of power, once again, it was evidential that Hitler and Germany had the ability to bring about change: possibly one of the biggest in history. Other countries during 1930 to 1945 such as England and Japan were powerful, as well. A powerful country is usually achieved by having ferocious armies and dictators. But of course, power of a country can be achieved in a numerous other ways, whether it is good or bad.
Imperialism, which happened during the late 1800s, is another good example of power. Germany and England were the main imperialistic powers at the time. Almost the entire African continent had been grasped away by a seemingly unstoppable force of the British and German armies and dictators. Imperialism is a good example of nationalism, which is a form of power that is achieved as a whole of a country. Dictatorship and leadership, however, are examples of power in individual form. These are several of the biggest topics we have covered this year about power. Power is still a very difficult term to define, and the ways it is expressed is a never ending list.

Population Project Reflection

In this population project, I have learned a lot of skills within researching and finding data. This includes finding data off magazine, book, internet, and encyclopedias. Another skill I've learned during this project is the ability to finish off long assignments such as research papers, data analysis', and many more in a very short amount of time. Also, I have learned to create a slogan with a meaning. I believe and understand that in high school, I will be using these skills to create projects and many more in a variety of classes, therefore being and knowing to do them will be very helpful. I will save the learning time for these abilities because I've already learnt it from the Population Project in eighth grade. I think this experience we've had in eighth grade with the population project is very important for high school, and furthermore, our future career. Therefore, you can easily say that this project was not a waste of time!

Mother, Father, and Child - the Cartoon

1. What are the main visual elements?
A house, a man, a woman, a child and a slogan.
2. What issue is this cartoon about?
'Dehumanisation'. This cartoon is about how relied on technology we are today. In fact, instead of communicating with your mouth, which is presumably the easiest thing for most of the public, you are relying on technology to do so. The basic human quality of communication is becoming less and less distinct, therefore, the issue should be noticed instead of passed on.
3. What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
The cartoonist's opinion is is supposedly against the idea of technology emerging over the top in our society today.
4. What evidence in the cartoon supports your opinion on how the cartoonist feels?
The slogan the author has written is the main eye catching element of this cartoon. 'Well, yes, we could read your blog...but you could just TELL us about your school day.' This particularly slogan shows how the author feels about the dehumanised child, refusing to communicate about his school day. The point is express his opinion about how ridiculous we are now by using the example of this child and his parents.
5. Why is this cartoon ironic?
This cartoon is ironic because the child is not very old. Assuming children express themselves in a way in which does not involve technology, you would find this cartoon ironic because the example is used very strangely. This may be that the author is trying to hint that even young children are becoming attached to technology usage.
6. How does this cartoon relate to our study of technology and the future?
This cartoon relates to our study of technology and the future because it is yet another example of dehumanisation of the people. As mentioned above, the irony of 'children' becoming extremely relied on technology is a warning.
7. What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?
Perhaps the cartoonist could have involved some picture elements in the cartoon that hints the meaning of dehumanisation. At first, it is indeed very difficult to understand the real meaning of the cartoon. Once you read the slogan, however, you will quickly figure it out. As I've mentioned, to make this cartoon a lot more effective, the author could recreate new picture elements.

What is Technology?

1.) What is technology?
In my opinion, technology is the science in upgrading or increasing growth in the industries. Technology may also be the upgrade of relationship between tools and crafts and human. By inventions and further studies, technology can jump to a whole new level of understanding.
2.) What the five most and five least used technology today?
Five most used:
-Computer.
-Cars.
-TV.
-Telephones or cellphones.
-Cooking.
Five least used:
-Space tools.
-Renewable resources.
3. How do you feel about the amount of and use of technology at AES?
The amount of technology used in AES is tremendous, considering it has some of the most advanced technology available. In my opinion, the technology used in AES can sometimes reach a point in which it becomes too much. The air conditioning system in school is a very good example of technology consumed too much in the school. Smart boards used to be in very little amount of classroom; as to today, they are in almost available in every single classroom. This shows the huge increase of technology in the school. Also, almost every single year, computers are being bought and renewed, resulting another jump in technology in the school. To answer the question, I would say the amount of technology used in AES is tremendous and unessential at points. It benefits us, but not the others.

Evaluating Kurt Vonnegut's Quote

“Do you know whahe damn fool computer.”
I do not agree with Kurt Vonnegut because I believe computers are the tools that 'help' you become. Like a key to open a lock, computers save time and help you accomplish. Instead of cutting a t 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 tlock open by force, you are using a key, a piece of puzzle, that opens the lock. From the short story 'Euphio Question' in Kurt Vonnegut's Welcome to the Monkey House short story collection, you can easily tell that the Euphio created could have been in significant use if they did not use it incorrectly. By the Euphio, people can reach a level in which impossible with just human themselves. Launching against technology results in the greater benefit of the people. Some may say technology may ruin our minds and lives, but the chances are, people might reach a level of immortality. Perhaps there will be an invention of useful tools that would make you live longer. That would only be one example of technology usage that is necessarily. From our everyday lives, computers are becoming to impact a majority of our lives greatly. Without it, a lot of things we have accomplished could not be done and we would develop much slower. People would be wasting half their lives doing things could be done faster and better.

Fourth Quarter Goals

For third quarter, I was aiming to get above 90% on all quizzes and tests, but I ended up not achieving that goal. This may require that I need to study harder before quizzes and tests for next quarter because I haven't done enough of that this quarter. I was pretty close to achieving my second goal because I got a B- as the final grade for Humanities, and my goal was a B. The third goal may be one of the big causes of not being able to accomplish my second goal. However, overall, I need to spend more time on each category of Humanities as to assignments, projects, homework, tests, and other things. Lastly, my third goal was to miss only three homework assignments or less. U ended up not accomplishing that goal. I didn't only miss three homework assignments in the quarter, although I don't really know the exact number of assignments I missed during this quarter. Overall, my goal was not achieved, but a few percentage of them were achieved.
The new goals for fourth quarter are:
1. Get a B for Humanities for the quarter.
2. Get above 90% on all the big tests during the quarter.
3. Get an A- or above for my population project.

Holy War?

The definition of Holy is something that has been declared sacred by religions. The definition of war is a conflict represented by force or violence between nations or between parties within a nation. Wars are never publicly declared sacred, whether in the history or presence. By the combination of these two words, it is basically implying that some wars can be recognised as sacred. Using your common sense, you can easily argue that wars can never ever be sacred, no matter what circumstances one is under. Therefore, these words can be recognised as a oxymoron because the words are not meant to ever be together but yet they are, in this case.

The definition of conflicts are disagreements and clash of ideologies between one another. When there is clash and differences between people, conflicts happen. Conflicts are unpreventable because it is how people truly are inside; fighting for their own causes. When there is clash and differences between one another, conflicts are the ways people tend to resolve the issues. Although the religions in the world all condemn killing, the conflicts are still conflicts between human. All people fight in conflicts for their own goods, therefore, on every single side of the argument, people attempt to win. Even with religions, numerous wars still happen because there are so many clashes between them and numerous worldwide. One other factor is the people who fight in religious conflicts are still human, meaning their true means of conflicts and other actions are no different than any other human being in the world fighting for their causes.

World War III - Erupt or Not?

Will World War III erupt in my life time?
In my opinion, the answer is no. From the past two wars in the history, you can easily understand that most countries know how devastating it is for a war to erupt. Although nationalism is still common around the world, the common people know enough that the results of a war is disastrous and unworthy. Different from the past, the people today import and export resources, instead of using imperialistic acts to achieve their natural resources.
Unlike the allies from the history, the allies that are formed today are more global and stable. Ranging from Americans Africans, countries from all across the world help each other by any means, or at least most. Also, unlike the unstable countries f rom the past, the countries today are formed and most likely will not have any changes. Within the country itself, perhaps, but not according to land.
In conclusion, I believe that World War III will not erupt in my life time.

Animal who Represents me in Animal Farm

Benjamin, the one animal who knew what was going on, who is wise, and who is smart enough to know not to step in the problem, is more related to me than any other character in the book. Benjamin has the habit of keeping quiet when a problem is brought up. Just like Benjamin, I tend to understand the whole picture of the issue, but I keep quiet about my ideas because I know the result wouldn't be effected no matter what I did. As well as that, just like Benjamin, I am the smallest child in my family, therefore, I do not have much power in order to effect the decisions being made. By keeping quiet, it would appear as if I didn't care much, just like how Benjamin is viewed. Just like Benjamin, I usually don't get in trouble because I don't say anything, almost never, and it usually keeps me out of trouble. Hence, there are many similarities between me and Benjamin, which helps me conclude that Benjamin is the closest character to me from the book Animal Farm.

Tyranny, Injustice, and Self Determination

Tyranny means a forced power by an authority with abuse. Throughout the book, it shows how the animals are very rebellious against Farmer Jones because he forced the animals to work long hours everyday with limited amount of food to barely keep the animals alive. That fits in the definition of tyranny; Farmer Jones, in this case, would the authority forcing the animals to work by using abuses such as whipping. Injustice means unfairness and inequality. In this story, you can clearly tell that the animals are treated badly by the humans, which shows unfairness and inequality. Humans get to sit around and do whatever they want with small amounts of work, and animals get treated terribly but still have to work long hours everyday. This shows injustice. Self Determination means to determine something by yourself and not by others. All the animals in this book had to go through a self determination in order to decide whether they are going to join the rebellion or not. Most animals, however, were influenced by outsiders to make their decisions.

Moutains of Death

Mountains of bodies,

Laying on the field of no Glory nor Sin,

A field where no men win,

Soulless citizens as if trashed in the bin,

A field of silence where no men is let in,

Men and women outside the rim of death,

Such woman as Beth,

Stare in sympathy at her soulless soldier,

Husband Seth,

Who no longer has no heart nor breath.

Image Links:

http://www.warchat.org/pictures/world_war_i_1914-1918_casualties.jpg

http://www.warchat.org/pictures/world_war_i_1914-1918_dead_soldier.jpg

http://www.azski.com/images/WWI_barb-wire_death.jpg

http://www.ralphmag.org/CG/war-dead388x278.gif

http://www.gwpda.org/photos/bin09/imag0833.jpg

Political Cartoon World War I

This cartoon shows how a variety of the nations of the world are involved in this issue. The different cultural customs and the flag most of them are wearing show the places they are from. The cartoonist most definitely thought Russia was powerful at the time because it was represented by the black bear, a powerful animal. The woman crying at the side shows how some countries were affected in a bad way after World War I. In my opinion, I think the cartoonist is trying to show that after World War I, people actually united. With the men holding the same items show how they were somehow connected. Countries had to support each other to get through this situation. Perhaps the cartoonist could have put a bit more detail into this cartoon to make his means more obvious because I still cannot determine that accurately. This cartoon relates to the Great Powers Game because that was pretty much what we were trying to do; unite, form allies with each other, and end the great war. The cartoon reflects the whole idea by the connections of the countries.

Quarter Three Goals

For quarter, I was aiming to get an A- for humanities as a final grade, but I did not manage to accomplish that. It is a slightly difficult to tell whether I have accomplished the second goal or not because we did not actually do Socratic Seminars this quarter that much. However, we had the debates, orations, and trials. You needed preparation for all of those. For the debates, I had solid notes on the topic. So the preparation part was improved. I am pretty certain that I've turned in a little more assignments than I did last quarter.
Goals for Third Quarter:
1. Get above 90 percent for all quizzes.
2. Get a B as a final grade for humanities.
3. Miss less than three homework assignments.