Survey

For Humanities, as a part of the L.U.L.S project (Let’s Use Less Stuff) we are focusing on a specific way to live more sustainable. My group chose to research solar energy. To get information for our research, I created a survey that will gathers peoples opinions of solar energy.

Click Here to take the Survey

Blog Post Assignment 3/5/09

What strikes you about their movie?

What strikes me about this movie was their huge dramatic change. I couldn't believe that they made such a huge change to their backyard. Their home went from nothing but dry dirt, to a complete green home! When I saw all the flowers, fruit and plants I noticed the complete beauty of their home. We live in such a beautiful world, but we are letting it fall into dry ugly place when its so easy to make a change.

What do you think the Dervaes’ family Needs vs. Wants sheet would look like? Why?

I think that what they have is mainly wants. They want to have a green garden and organic food to live. They also want to have solar panels and to use appliances that don't need much energy to use. Such as their blender that works by spinning a lever. But compared to our wants, their total cost will be a lot cheaper. Besides paying for the solar panels, the cost for food will be immensely cheaper. Not to mention, they would be incredibly healthy from the organic foods they are eating. So to repeat what I said earlier, its their choice to live like they do so that falls under wants, but their wants will be a lot lower price.

How does the Dervaes family fit into what we are studying in My Ishmael?

In "My Ishmael", Ishmael is constantly lecturing Julie about life and what has happened. He talks about agriculture, locking away food along with how people think our way of living is the only way and the right way. The Dervaes show that they can live sustainably differently than most people. How many people have almost every square inch of their property as a garden/farm. Not many at all. They give a perfect example that we can live differently and still be sustainable.

Overall, what are your thoughts on the way this family lives and works?

I absolutely loved the video. They inspired me to make my own garden and make my own food. I really want to grow an apple tree and grow peppers in my backyard. I have a very good experience will store bought and freshly organic foods. Every year in October, I go and work at Calico Ranch in Wynola (where Julian is). Calico Ranch is an apple orchard that doesn't spray their apples with pesticides or other chemicals to make the apples grow bigger. Infact, their apples are actually really small (except for the Ida Reds which are a naturally large apple) The tastes of the apples from the orchard compared to apples from your local grocerey stores are as different as love and hate (or a fork and soup, haha) The organic apples have so much flavor and are simply heavenly. The store apples are disgusting and bland, I can barely bare to eat them anymore. So I totally agree with the Dervaes growing their own food. Its healthier and tastes A LOT better. Not to mention its cheaper and you don't have to worry about eating digusting pesticides and chemicals. They are definetly following the right path for a better life.

Do you want to live like the Dervaes? Check out this site to find out more about what they did and the steps you can take to turn your dry, itchy and not so attractive grass into a place where you can pick ripe and fresh tomatoes from everyday:

http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/2008/01/06/100-foot-diet-challenge-launch/

Blog Post Assignment 2/27/09

1.On page 82 Ishmael talks about ‘anthropomorphism.’ Look up the definition of this term and post it in your blog, then describe what he is applying it to in the chapter.
According to Dictionary.com:

Anthropomorphism

An`thro*po*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? of human form; ? man + ? form.]1. The representation of the Deity, or of a polytheistic deity, under a human form, or with human attributes and affections. 2. The ascription of human characteristics to things not human.

On page 82, Ishmael is referring to claiming territory. His message is that animals are becoming similar to humans, (meaning protecting their territory at any cost. Humans will fight for their territory at all costs, even when they know that they lost the war for their land. People usually fight for dignity and honor. As for animals, they do fight for territory, but usually not till death. I believe that a lion would give up a fight if everything is gone or his life is on the border of death.

2. In this chapter Ishmael leads us through the evolution of the Awks on planet Calliope. They start out as Awks and then some evolve into Bawks and then a few evolve into Cawks. These Cawks live in tribes and have a cultural heritage. They practice the strategy of ‘Erratic Retaliation’.

1. How does Ishmael define ‘Erratic Retaliation’? How does it work in the case of the Cawks?

Erratic Retaliation is fighting when it is right, but giving up when its time to retreat. Its saying to be smart about what you do to make sure that everything is fair. Its also similar to if they do something to you, you have the right to do something back. Its like a fair revenge. For the tribes in the Cawks, they practice Erratic Retaliation because it makes everything seem fair. For example: If someone steals a basket of lemons from your tribe, you can steal a basket of apples from their tribe. It's in a way respectful to get fair revenge, especially since the other tribe will see it coming

b.Why is Erratic Retaliation a peacekeeping method?
Erratic Retaliation is peaceful and keeps peace among the tribes because they see it as something fair. If you think about it, we mainly get angry at something when something isn't fair. For example: You did more work than someone in your group, but they get all the credit or the better grade. That would make somone angry. To prevent that, Erratic Retaliation makes sure that if someone takes something from you, you have the right to take something back. So it's like saying that you are "getting even" and you can't argue if you are even

1. Why don’t the Cawks just annihilate each other (instead of just doing the occasional attacks?

They don't annihilate eachother because they want to be equivelent among eachother. Occasional attacks are not a big thing if you know that you will return them back. It would keep you aware of the possibilties of an attack, but they wouldn't have to stress to much of it being anything like our wars we have today. And another reason, why would they want to annihilate eachother? Whats the point of whiping out a civilization or tribe. What does it help you gain? The Cawk tribes obviously not greedy.

Blogpost 2/25/06

1. What are Ishmael’s two general rules on how to identify people from our culture? Do you agree with Ishmael when he says that people from all over the world are part of the same culture? Why or why not?

The two General rules on identifying people is by their flaws and by their culture. Each culture has different flaws based on their way of living. For example, there are tribes still living the Amazon. They don’t have common day clothing and they hunt for food. Then you see people like the United States and the United Kingdom. We are different. We also have different flaws by the way we live. For example, government. North Koreas flaw is living under a dictatorship. Another flaw is China exporting poisoned goods to other countries and having heavily polluted air. I do agree with Ishmael that we are all part of the same culture. even though we all have different cultures now, we did start out as one culture, but we eventually branched apart.

2. Ishmael disagrees with Mother Culture’s voice that says that humans are inherently flawed. After reading through page 66 of My Ishmael do agree or disagree with him? Why?
I do agree that we are inherently flawed because if we weren’t, we would be perfect and too powerful. If we didn’t purposely have flaws, we would be above everything else. For example, if we didn’t have flaws, but monkey’s did, what would be the point of the monkeys existence? It would be unfair for humans to be perfect and for anything else not to be.

3. Ishmael uses a parable of Tunes and Dancers to explain his idea of Takers and Leavers. Who are these Takers and Leavers and how do they relate to American culture?

Agriculture is represented by the Takers and Leavers, and life before agriculture, such as hunting and gathering and being nomadic are the Tunes and Dancers. That would show that American Culture are takers and leavers. We don’t have as much freedom to food or other supplies as we would if we were Dancers. As Dancers we can roam free and pretty much do what we want.

Blog Post Assignment 2/23/09

What does it mean to live sustainably?

To live sustainably means to live for a long, on going period of time. That would mean that a civilization that is sustainable must have some sort of discipline among the people. This type of discipline would come from a type of government. Although a society might be sustainable, it does not mean that they have to be perfect. For example, China is a communistic nation that has lived on for many years. Although China is corrupt and has sweatshops and other horrible things flowing through their country, they are still living sustainably. We can track China all the way from 50,000 BC till Today. They are definitely an example of a sustainable country that is far from being a Utopia. An example of a civilization that was not sustainable is Eastern Island (The Rapanui). Their civilization fell and is no longer around today. They most fell because of their lack of Government and their technology.


How much freedom and independence do you have as a 14-16 year old in our society?

In the United States, we have a lot more freedom than most people in other countries. That is because we have human rights that are respected in our society. But just comparing ourselves as an American to our society, we don't have as much independence as our elders. For example, if our parents are at a job that they loath, they can decide to quit. As for us, if we go to a school that we don't like it's not that easy to say "I quit" or "I need to switch schools". The decision is mainly based on the adult. As 14-16 year olds, we are controlled by the adults. Most teenagers don't feel they have enough freedom because their parents don't allow them to be who they want to be. It seems the Bill of Rights only effects us when we turn 18.

As a 14-16 year old, how can you currently live your life more sustainably?

Well if a civilization lives sustainably by living for a long period of time, adolecents can live sustainably by setting future goals. With that comes that famous line "Live your life the best you can". So all we have to do is be the best we can be and do whatever we can to live on. That is how everyone should live to be sustinable.

Goals

1. How are you different now than when you started school in August?

I am a lot more outgoing in school and my writing skills have increased. I know different rules to writing that I never knew before. Also, in Socratic seminars I've been speaking a lot more than I usually ever had. I feel confident about raising my hand and asking questions as well. All of these things that are different now than what they used to be are good differences/changes, so I'm very happy to say that I'm improving a lot in High Tech High Media Arts.

2. What skills do you think are the most important for succeeding in Humanities? Why?

I believe that paying attention and making a dedication to the class are very important skills someone would need in humanities and in all of the other classes. These might not seem like skills, but they to do me. This is because you have to decide whether or not you want to pay attention or not. If someone were to choose to pay attention and listen to the class, they have to learn to not doze off and keep all attention on the teacher and not on other distractions. Same applies with dedicating yourself to the class. I dedicate myself to the class by paying attention, also by putting in every effort I can to do well and succeed in school. At points I want to slack off and do other fun activities, but then I have to remember my dedication to learning at school. These 2 skills will help you with every other skill you might need to do well in a humanities class. Those skills might be either recognizing FANBOYS, or using descriptive writing in your writing, but you can only do so if you focus in class and put all of your effort to do well.

3. One thing I would like to improve on this semester is....I am going to do this by....

Public speaking. I stutter and squint when I try to say something. I also have trouble getting my point across to the audience. I try to explain what I am thinking, but most people look at me confused or don't get what I am trying to tell them. I want to try to get my words out correctly and catch the attention of them while I speak. I'm going to improve on this by participating in Socratic seminars and reading aloud the Word of the Day, my WEX writings or other reading material in class.

4. What are you most curious about? If you could study any topic, what would you study and why?
I would really like to study Shakespeare and his form of writing. Last year in 8th grade, we had to translate one of his sonnets into modern day language. It was one of the most difficult assignments I've ever done. My teacher had to help me through the entire sonnet. I would like to know more about his writing styles and why he chose to write like he did. I want to know his key messages in his poems or plays and how to decode his complicated writing.

What Ive Done.

(The Picture corresponds with #91, Met Someone Famous. This is Max Atom, the Creator of "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy")

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (school band, haha)
4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (I've seen it!)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gold panned

27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (when I was on a plane we flew over it!)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Gone without food or water for 24 hours or longer
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (for 8 years!)
59. Stayed up for 24 hours with NO sleep at all (on New Years, haha)
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Changed a light bulb
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Mowed the lawn
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Total= 41