TOW #28 - Move over, Unicorn Frap

https://www.bustle.com/p/starbucks-will-unleash-more-novelty-drinks-in-the-near-future-so-move-over-unicorn-frappuccino-54602

Sadly, everyone’s favorite novelty drink, the Unicorn Frappuccino, is coming to its end in a few days. But while eliminating this sugary, neon colored drink is sad, this opens room on the menu for other Instagram worthy drinks to come. The C.E.O., Kevin Johnson, “confirmed that Starbucks will be adding more limited edition novelty drinks to their menu in the future.” Rumors of the flavor of this drink include a mermaid inspired beverage, as well as a rainbow swirl.

This text (and this drink) displays the pop culture of today’s world; so infatuated with new trends, yet always waiting for the next best thing. While I did not try the unicorn frap and do not plan on doing so, the people I know who have tried it are less than impressed. It seems like a drink that people NEED to try, but only once. This also points out a flaw that everyone wants to conform to new trends, but once they spend 5 dollars on a drink, they realize it is not really all that great.

Starbucks as a business chain is very good at their stuff. They know that people will pay whatever amount of money in order to get an infamous drink because they are Starbucks. Also, I have observed they have such good social media coverage. With Starbucks nationwide, it’s a wonder how much money comes out of their corporation.

I think that at times, we are all guilty of “trying the unicorn frap” in one form or another. Americans tend to be consumers of trends that may not even be logical. But, let’s face it: at least we are passed the silly band stage.

TOW #27 - Bulimia Visual Image

Imaged above is a piece of art work depicting the eating disorder, bulimia. Though the author is unidentified, we can assume they had or knew someone with this disorder, as they are showing the thoughts and feelings a bulimic may regurgitate. The artist makes an argument that bulimics get their inspiration to purge based off of what insults have been said to them. Their purpose is to show other's to be more mindful of what the say to others, as their words or actions could trigger someone to self-destruct.

To an extent, I agree with this artist rendering of a bulimic in action. As a person with a pass of an eating disorder, however, I think that the stigma that bulimia (and other eating disorders for the matter), is only a result of other people's actions is evident. More often than not, bulimia is about controlling an aspect of your life, such as food, as all other parts seem to be spiraling out of control. Being called "Too Fat" or reading proED accounts online may make a person more fragile, but this does not mean that an entire disorder can be sprain from this alone.

In order to eliminate these stigmas or generalization in a society, people who have gone through these illnesses should be encouraged to speak out about their past. This way, a society will be more educated on the subject, and people who know nothing but stereotypes will have a better perspective on what it’s really like to have this burden on their life. Unfortunately, bulimia, like other mental disorders is not easily to detect on a person, as it is expected for people to mask themselves from these problems.

TOW 26 - Diary of Anne Frank (IRB)

 In the early 1940s, in the midst of World War II and Hitler’s reign to kill all “non-Aryans”, there lived a Jewish girl named Anne. Anne, nearing her teens and looking for a way to express herself and her interest in writing, began to record her thoughts and the daily events of her life. It was just before her 14^th birthday that her parents announced they would have to make an abrupt move (or go into a hiding at a friend’s home). Thus was the beginnings of an accredited memoir that has impacted our knowledge of the Holocaust greatly.

Anne’s tone in her diary adds to her purpose of documenting what a young Jewish girl at that time was feeling. She deliberately uses distinct diction to show her feelings of isolation and longing in the Secret Annex. For example, in one of her entries, she writes, “Still, I can’t help telling you that lately I’ve begun to feel deserted. I am surrounded by too great a void.” (33% on Kindle) Anne uses words like “deserted” and “a void” to help communicate her sadness and what she is coping with. She feels bad admitting it, even to her own diary, because she knows she is fortunate to be safe with her family, but the loss of her friends and former life is incompatible. In this way, we recognize how difficult it must have been growing up as an adolescent who was being forced to go into a hiding at the cost of her life. It is astounding how well of author young Anne is, for she remarks the happenings in the Secret Annex in full, comprehensive detail.

I have noticed that often times, Anne’s frustration and boredom has become more and more apparent as the book continues. This is more evidence that the Holocaust affected the Jewish people as a population, both physically and emotionally.

TOW #25 - Anti-Evolution Poster

A bible church is "a type of Christian church which emphasizes the Bible as its standard, and focuses on the original inerrant of scripture. It is typically a sort of non-denominational, evangelical Protestant church." (Wiki) As we see in our history and present, many times, when a religious text is read and conceived word for word as the only truth, it can clash with other's beliefs and cause conflict.

In this poster, Darwin's theory of Evolution is being challenged. Many Extreme-Christian's are against (or at least were against) the idea of natural selection and survival of the fittest, as they sought out to persuade other's that people are the images of god, not an adaption of our ancestors. The author makes the statement that "If evolution were true, moms would have 3 arms". This statement, (recognized as an Either/Or fallacy), shows the illogicality of the argument, as evolution does not provide evidence in the individual, but in a population over time. The only way a maternal figure could inherit 3 arms is if someone who had 3 arms reproduced viable offspring. But, as it seems, someone with 3 arms is probably disabled and at a disadvantage, therefore the environment selects against them and they will face difficulties spreading this trait to their offspring. This statement made by the Bible Church goes to show that people who are anti-evolution, anti-Darwinism often do not even understand the logic behind it.

This poster goes to show that one must examine multiple theories and ideas before becoming fully invested in one. If one keeps an open mind, society will better advance. A lot of times, people get their principles and moral belief mixed up with science. In some instances, this could be a good thing. For example, people genetically engineering their offspring as the “master” individual is morally not right and typically dangerous. But, in the case of evolution, there are too many signs that it exists in society to be consider not possible. In general, moderation of morality and scientific research is beneficial for all.

TOW #24 - Bioengineering professor gives talk on biology, physics working together

http://observer.case.edu/bioengineering-professor-gives-talk-on-biology-physics-working-together/

Herbert Levine, physicist and professor of bioengineering at Rice University, makes the argument that the subjects of biology and physics have inherit similarities. Levine made his argument by appealing to logos. He explained, logically, that cells must use complex degrees of navigation to perform properly in their environment. He writes, "Cells figure out where to go by using primitive ‘senses,’ mostly smell—detecting chemicals—and touch—detecting the hardness of surface." Levine goes on to describe how these movements involve the law of attraction, there for making evident that biology has physics applications.

Another way Levine rationalizes his argument of cell mobility is through analogies. With the knowledge that his readers are of the age of driving, he compares the chemical mechanics of cell structures to a "cell driving car". He draws similarities to a cell and a car whereby they refuel themselves, respond to stimuli and survive in many ranges of environments. In this way, he gives his audience a tangible and memorable way to understand his subject at hand.

Overall, Levine makes a compelling argument. As a student of science, it is interesting to learn how all the facets is interconnected. I would think that chemistry and biology are more directly related, before reading this article, but it seems that all three subjects have some parallels. I wonder what it is like to have a teacher like Levine who also researches in laboratories and makes new discoveries every day. Science is a growing subject in that we still do not know what we do not know. Textbooks are constantly changing and new methods are being brought up, in contrast to history or math, where bureaucratic learning has been practice for years. In conclusion, biological structures are constantly making amazing innovations and people like Herbert Levine are responsible for this! 

TOW #23 - The Little Mermaid Playbill

Alas, the school's musical has come to an end. With all the free time I have without after school, late night rehearsals, I decided to analysis "The Little Mermaid" program in honor of it's closing this weekend. I should confess that this will most likely not help with my PSD (Post-show depression, as theater kids would call it).

Pictured is the outline of a mermaid, likely to be Ariel. She is facing the sun, sitting on a rock just above the sea. This is similar to how the show opens, with Ariel on her rock, looking out to the ocean to a ship that which Prince Eric is sailing. We can infer that this is what Ariel is looking at.

This texts, like the show, makes the argument that people often get curious of the unknown. Ariel, a mermaid, finds herself collecting "human stuff" and eventually (spoiler alert) sells her soul to the sea witch, Ursula, in place of getting legs. Ariel's body is facing towards the sun to highlight this longing.

I agree with this argument. I think that, for as long our existence on this earth, we are drawn to forbidden things. Think Adam and Eve, for instance. The forbidden fruit that Eve ate is equivalent to that of land for Ariel.

In some cases, following one’s curiosity can be a good thing. It can lead to new discoveries, new talents, and rid one of prejudice. For Ariel case, things worked out well for her when she visited the human world (thanks Disney). But, in some case, like Adam and Eve, obstacles will occur. It is imperative that when you follow your curiosity, you’re doing it with the right intentions. Otherwise, disasters may occur, or danger will proceed.

TOW #22 - Does Time Really Exist?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/biocentrism/201202/does-time-really-exist

“We're living through a profound shift in worldview, from the belief that time and space are entities in the universe to one in which they belong to the living.”

Biocentrism Robert Lanza, M.D. argues in an article that time is more of a social-constructed idea than a reality. He states that he believes that education and experience has shape time. He describes clocks and watches as "comparisons of events", but says that time is conceptually not this.

I agree with Lanza's argument. I think that our sleep and school and work schedules shape how we fill time, but time is not something that is measurable. For example, I think that, whoever came up with the idea that we sleep at night and work during the daylight did this because they were tired, not because it was their definite "bedtime".

Working on "week days" (which is a social construct in itself) and having off on weekends is another society construct. Our bodies and minds are used to the routine of getting up at a certain time and going to sleep at a certain time, but this does night necessarily mean that this can't change. People who often feel in a "time crunch" are actually just having problems following this social construct. In reality, everyone has the same amount of "time" during the day, just some are better at managing this unit of measurement than others.

Thinking time is a social construct may be pessimistic sounding thinking. A lot of people feel this way because questioning things that are yet to have been discovered is out of people's comfort zone. But, like Socrates preached with his method, you can’t discover things if no one ever questions anything. A society that does not tweak and refined their ways is an unproductive, undeveloped one.