Lab 44: Our Last Meal!

Alas, the final meal would be quite difficult for me, as I am so very fond of food :( But it would indeed be a meal to remember, until my dying day...hehe. ok so its not funny at all, but anyway:

A Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino
A Mellow Mushroom, magical mystery tour pizza
The BIGGEST COOKIE ON EARTH!! plus frosting of course

~Chloe

Lab 24: Mock Election

We conducted a mock election of fifty students from NCSA to try to get a better picture of the opinions of the younger generation. We mostly polled high school students, and a large majority of the participants were female. After tallying our results, the winner was clear, Barack Obama! The female to male ratio was 36:14, so it is difficult to get an accurate image of how popular each candidate was for each gender, but here are the statistics:

Obama: 69% of females, 71% of males
Clinton: 11% of females, 7% of males
McCain: 2% of females, 0% of males
Huckabee: 2% of females, 7% of males
Undecided: 13% of females, 14% of males

Draw from this poll what you may, but there are only two real discrepancies between the genders. Clinton was more popular in general with females, and Huckabee was more popular with males. As this is just a small example from NCSA, and a very small example of the US, who knows what the elections will bring!

~Chloe

Lab 37: Response to TED talk Mr. Rosling

I don't know if this is the correct way to do this lab, but as I have no recording equipment words will be my medium.

My first reaction to this video was one of overwhelming hope. The fact that there are people who share my philosophy of life is quite an encouraging thing to remember. My second reaction was amazement that this little Swedish man swallowed a bayonet!

More specifically I loved how he could look at the facts, but still be optimistic. He made me realize that we have to not only look at the present world today but also look at the past. what he said about how Africa isn't a damned place. It's no worse than Europe was long ago. He also, after 20 years of research, has found out that the solution is fairly direct and easy.

I really enjoyed the special computer program that shows information based on all of the statistics of the past. On one level, it gives me a greater respect for math. on another level it greatly increases my respect for history as well. The visual aid (which was a really cool program)really showed us the honest truth about our country and other countries as well. It shows our country gravitating towards economic issues as opposed to social issues like health. I wonder what we would do if the general public had this information? Would they applaud? Would they be shocked? it is certainly something to think about.

That is what great minds do. create more things to think about. It's only the apathetic and the shallow who stop thinking. the great minds will keep on thinking up new things to think about. Now it is time for the great leaders to do something with those thoughts.

Wells Albritton

Lab 3: How much would you sell your right to vote?

One of the things we, as Americans, take great pride in is our liberty, and extensive list of rights. Among the most basic rights is the right to vote. Although the right to vote is one that many people in the world are not fortunate enough to enjoy, it is something that many Americans take for granted. Many people who are old enough to vote in this country simply don't make the time to get down to the polls, or aren't even registered to vote. Many people function with the idea that one vote simply doesn't make enough of a difference to put forth the effort. However, since so many people think that way, a huge portion of the population doesn't vote, and therefore, their ideas and opinions are not represented. We need to remember just how precious the right to vote is. In this lab, people were asked what they would sell their right to vote for. In the ideal, politically active world, nobody would ever sell their right to vote, but in the world of NCSA people were willing to sell their rights for some pretty interesting compensation.

Lab #14 Letter to Hero

Dear The Who,
I am writing to tell you that you are one of my many heroes. There are many reasons why, and I’d like to take this time to write some of them down.

Reason number one is that you are musicians. That immediately adds a layer of respect to anyone I meet because I am one myself and I also like to learn from other musicians about their kind of music. It helps me in my music compositions. And you are not only musicians, you are a rock band. Some people may claim that rock is a lesser form of music, but I disagree because you make people feel empowered.

That leads me to reason number two which is that you inspire people. People still play your music today because the message of power, of independence is something we long for, especially now. This is why you played at Woodstock, because you were able to send a message. People just can’t send messages anymore. Occasionally you get a good powerful and empowering song but it gets lost in the trash that we get barraged with day after day. “My Generation” “We won’t get fooled again” these are the songs that ring out the independence of youth. People think that youth is the only time to be rebellious, but I disagree. I feel that if adults were more rebellious the world would be in a better state than it is today.

One more thing: Your song “Baba O’ Riley” is one of the best songs in the world. Every time I hear it I get chills and I feel alright with the world. I know that’s not a logical reason or an intelligent reason, but it’s a good reason for me. It doesn’t work on an intellectual level, it’s a soul level. That’s why I like it.

Forever a fan,

Wells Albritton

Lab 29: Is the US a democracy or plutocracy?

The US calls itself a democracy and by the definition I believe we are for the most part. Majority rule, people calling the shots for the most part, more factors of a democracy fit the US than not, however, I believe that we are slowly becoming more and more plutocratic in that the majority of the people calling the shots are those that are more wealthy, and that a lot of what happens in this country is made possible by large corporations. In some ways we are dependent on wealthy and large businesses and in others they control us and in that sense we move closer and closer to plutocracy as a country. As of now though I would still argue that the US is still a democratic country and it is in our hands to keep it that way.

- Josh

Lab 21: Chalk Politics

The young voting population has become more and more skeptical of the electoral system as the years go on. We decided to write this uplifting message on the sidewalk near the pickle to convince our generation to get out there and vote! Every vote does count. It is important that our revolutionary generation spread its ideas and vote for change.

~Chloe

Lab 13: Global Warming Tickets

SUVs have long been known for their gas-guzzling quality, but unfortunately, this characteristic does not seem to have done anything to discourage consumers from buying them. In the United States, SUVs can be found everywhere, and quite often, I get the feeling that American consumers purchase cars with the "bigger the better" mindset. In this lab, we printed out "Global Warming Violation" tickets and placed them on the windshields of SUVs. The tickets display facts about SUVs' contributions to global warming, and efforts that SUV owners should make to help solve the problem. The purpose of the tickets was to make the SUV owners think about the environment and their contribution to its deterioration. Hopefully the tickets have encouraged the owners to choose a more environmentally friendly car the next time the purchase a vehicle. -Michele

Lab 20: Words of a Different Language

The Crisis in Kenya, and most of Africa for that matter, has been overlooked by most of the world. Its as if the international community is purposely ignoring Africa's many, complex issues for the sake of keeping their "hands" clean. Apathy. Is. Murder. The nation of Kenya is teetering on the brink of a civil war, and the world refuses to take action.

The current president, President Kibaki, allegedly rigged Kenya's 2007 election in favor of his party, and opposition leader, Raila Odinga, claims the victory for himself. Kibaki and Odinga represent the dominant Kikuyu ethnic group and the Luo ethnic group (respectively), so the election issue is much more than a political debate, it is an ethnic conflict as well.

Violence on behalf of the fudged election erupted December 30, 2007 and 1000 people have already been killed. Violent mobs, opposition militia and other forces are wreaking destruction and death that may only contribute to the onset of an official war.

So why hasn't the American public heard about this? Yes, I'll admit it has come up randomly in the news, but I had to do some intense research to back up my own spotty knowledge of the situation.

To open up my eyes and the eyes of others to the troubles going on overlooked in Africa, I decided to learn some words in the Kenyan language of Swahili:


To open our eyes:

Peace= salaam, amani, suluhu, salama

War= kita

Love=penzi

I love you= nimekunoki

Hatred= chuki

Faith= tumaini

Loyalty= bidii

Friendship=urafiki

Diplomacy=hekima

Health=afya

~Chloe

Lab 19 Things that history will show were bad ideas

It is my belief that there are several things in society today that will be regarded as awful parts of the history of our country. It amazes me that people can't see the mistakes of the past and make different choices. An old saying comes to mind "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it." Our media is only helping us forget the lessons we have learned form the past, and also they are pushing more and more images in our heads that promotes stereotype and judgment.

For instance, Television has practically produced the image of the "screaming queen" with shows like Queer eye for the straight guy and will and grace. Because of this the homosexual stereotype, people don't take homosexuals seriously anymore. I understand the value of entertainment (I am an actor after all) but at what cost?

Another target of their entertainment industry is the Muslim population. Terrorists running around with machine guns and bombs strapped to their chest screaming "ALALALALALALALALLAAA" are all we think about when we think muslim. We think it's okay just because we are at war with someone (war: another bad idea) that we can disregard their humanity. No. Whether they are muslim, homosexual, Christian, or Hari Krishna they are all humans and we need to understand that we are not the only ones on this planet.

These are the kinds of things that will be regarded as heinous 100 years from now. Look back, the most despicable crimes are the ones the ones that involve making judgments on other people, and oppressing them.

All you need to do is think for yourself and don't let the stereotypes of the media get in your head. We can do it, if only we make the effort. Let's re-write history for the better

-Wells Albritton

Lab 10: No cell phone for 24 hours

I chose to sacrifice my cellphone for 24 hours last week Friday, and it was an enlightening experience. For the whole day I was constantly worried that my parents would try to call me with some emergency, and would be unable to contact me. This caused me a great deal of anxiety and distress. Also, it was a bit of an inconvenience not being able to call my friends before meals. I had to plan my entire day ahead of schedule. Although having to plan ahead wasn't a enormous tragedy, it did shed a great deal of light on the fact that I depend on instant communication way too much. It's pretty pathetic that it causes me anxiety when the possiblity of having to go to meals alone arises.


-Michele

Lab 5: Photo with J-gal aka Jocelyn!

Jocelyn and I have several things in common such as:

-We really enjoy rap and hip-hop, especially Lil Wayne

We hated our junior math class

We were both in the school chorus

We grew up in Boston. I grew up in Southie (South Boston) and she grew up in the Dot (Dorchester)

Public Transportation (Lab 16)

This is my friend Liz and I taking the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) We are on a double decker train, yay!

I have taken public transportation all my life and have always seen a wide variety of people on the T. It tends to break down like this: The commuter rail is for the rich, white business men/women and teens who live in the suburbs. The T (not the subway, thats a sandwich shop) is for the more lower class to middle class men/women as well as elderly and kids/teens. Really, everyone rides the T if you want to get around Boston. The T bus travels both the outskirts of Boston, as well as the surrounding towns, meaning the bus travels through the rough parts and the wealthy.

In Boston, taking public transportation really isnt a sign of wealth or the lack there of. However, when riding, dont communicate or look at anyone. If someone smiles at you, they want something or they are trying to pick you up.