Oh, sorry… I thought you were a robot (BLA)

      The documentary my group and I watched was called "The Intelligence Revolution". Created in 2007 and hosted by modern philosopher Michio Kaku, it discussed the future possibility of computers thinking for themselves, humans being capable of reprogramming their biology to create a new "super human" species, and whether or not eventually humans will put the responsibility of their brains onto machines. The host shows many examples of how the world has technologically advanced within the past twenty years, and how it will continue to advance for the next twenty. He explores the idea of robots: will they be able to think for themselves?
     There is one example describing machines thinking for humans that particularly stood out to me. A middle-aged woman was featured as having clinical depression her whole life. No therapy or drug treatment had worked previously, so the doctors and scientists turned to a micro-chip in the hopes of a superior effect. They surgically placed the computer chip into her brain, and for months after the procedure she would visit the hospital and try out different levels of the transmitters the chip sent. It was hard at first because when the doctors gave her the wrong doses for the first several times, she was even more depressed than she had been; her hair fell out, her face sunk in, and she looked very ill. Then one day they switched the levels to fir her brain perfectly-- she now says she has never felt better. This is the beginning of implanting computer chips into human brains for this purpose… The documentary said that "by 2020, a microchip with the computing power of a modern cellphone will cost about $.01. Technology is developing that fast.

     "The Intelligence Revolution" related to our BLA book extremely well. Pavi, Emma, Sina and I read Distracted: the Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age by Maggie James. She includes many of the same arguments as Michio Kaku did, but also explores how this technology revolution is messing with our brains- creating us to be more distracted. She relates the robots to the humans becoming one and losing their distinguishable qualities. Machines are becoming man-like, and man is becoming machine-like. Jackson says we no longer have a choice whether we want a relationship with our machines, it's only the question of what kind of relationship.
     Both sources review enhancing the human race- Kaku having an excited outlook while Jackson being more worried. She begs readers to raise the question, "Are we heading into a dark age?" by discussing memory, and how the act of forgetting is "part of the brain's constant attempts to filter and comprehend the environment." (chapter 8, Distracted). She persuades us to admire memory's selectiveness as opposed to vastness, ultimately "cultivating a renaissance of attention" by explaining the negative effects in our attention today, and how it will bring us to the Dark Age.
     Jackson also discusses how American's today are more highly educated, but not necessarily better educated. She goes over the importance of self-control and how it's key to gaining reflective thinking skills and deep engagement in learning that will be needed in this new digital age. The lack of attention will bring us to a dark age.
     While covering similar topics, Kaku and Jackson had different approaches. Kaku went into depth on the amazement factor of technology and it's new improvements. Jackson is criticizing these new advancements by cautioning humans and their relationships with machines. Kaku visits different scientific labs and shows us new robots, computer chips, computerized sunglasses, and others that will give us more access to information throughout the world. Jackson sites many important studies bashing the effects of technology, and also includes anecdotes of herself visiting labs and testing out new equipment. Both did a great job with explaining what this new technology would mean to the world.
     I thought the documentary was more interesting because it was a film, and not a book. However I liked Distracted much more than The Dumbest Generation because of Maggie's personal style that connected more to the readers emotions. Mark Bauerlein, though credible, was very dull in the way he presented his information. Maggie Jackson treats her book like a narrative and a documentary all within one, which helps her readers connect her information to their own lives.
     Both sources inclined me to take my stance on technology into view. Though I have yet to mistake a human for a robot and vice versa, I am aware of how we are relying on technology more and more. Just today I went to help distribute iPads to the middle schoolers at Central Middle School- they get to keep them until they graduate, and by that time the prices will decrease to around $10 if they wish to purchase it forever (of course, by then iPads will be old news). There is much about technology that we should be aware of, but it has benefitted the human race in many ways (if I didn't have an iPhone, how else would I play Ruzzle?!)

  

mission statement

     My original plan for this revision essay was to show the relationship between mothers and daughters, and how the way your mother raised you reflects on the way you raise your own kids and live your own life- whether you choose to believe it or not. However, it naturally took a turn on it's own that i went with because i liked better.
     Mission statement: My essay Nana describes specific qualities of the grandmother i have always known. I use this- and stories about my mom- to show the importance of knowing how people change, why they change, and how it effects the people around them.
     Not everybody becomes a completely different person. But life changes your attitude on how to live, and how to treat the people you love. For my grandma, she realized this later in life. She was a polar opposite grandma than she was a mother, and my essay shows how this made my mother view her and how it made me view her as well.
    This happens all the time in life, so i think there is a lot of truth in my essay. I never knew my mom's mom, but maybe i was never supposed to. My grandmother learned lessons in her life and prompted her to change. Change can be a good or bad thing.
     My mom tried to raise me completely differently than she was raised. In a way, she broke a cycle.
     I guess what i'm also trying to say is to always be aware of how you treat others. "Treat them the way you would like to be treated."

light up the sky

One of those songs that makes me feel emotional for no apparent reason. I love Christina Aguilera. "Light Up The Sky"

We are the stars up in the sky
We light the darkness you and I
We are the flicker in the night
Never shine so bright

We are the strong and though we fall
We fought for love we risked it all
Never back down against the walls
It's what we're living for yeah

Keep on rising higher
Blazing through the fire
Right down to the wire
Rise the fire higher
As we stand together
Chase our dreams forever
Forever, forever, forever

Now we have wings we can fly
We can be kings you and I
Wipe away the tears from our eyes
We light up the sky

Now we have wings we can fly
We can be kings you and I
Wipe away the tears from our eyes
We light up the sky

Although the road ahead was long
I was too weak to carry on
You picked me up you were my home
I never stood alone

No one can tell us what we want
No one can stop us anymore
No looking back we're moving forward
No one can take this moment away

Keep on rising higher
Blazing through the fire
Right down to the wire
Rise the fire higher
As we stand together
Chase our dreams forever
Forever, forever, forever

Now we have wings we can fly
We can be kings you and I
Wipe away the tears from our eyes
We light up the sky

Now we have wings we can fly
We can be kings you and I
Wipe away the tears from our eyes
We light up the sky

When skies are grey
I'll light your way
I'll be your shoulder
You can lean on me

When skies are grey
I'll light your way
I'll be your shoulder
You can lean on me

Now we have wings we can fly
We can be kings you and I
Wipe away the tears from our eyes
We light up the sky

Now we have wings we can fly
We can be kings you and I
Wipe away the tears from our eyes
We light up the sky

We light up the sky
Light up the sky
We light up the sky
We light up the sk

bicycle, my a**

     You want to know one of my pet peeves? One of the most infuriating things in this world? One of the acts that i just can't get over because i find it so rude and common that it just shouldn't be legal, ever?!

     I. Absolutely. Hate. It. When. People. Don't. Say. What. They. Mean.

     Simple as that. Why can't people just tell others how they're feeling straight up? I'm not going to get mad at you that you don't want to go the movies with me, but you don't have to tell me you're spending the day with your family. That makes me finding out you really spent it with your other friend much more maddening. Girls do this allllllll the time. 

     Another example: when a friend is mad at you, but they pretend nothing is wrong so they don't cause drama or anything. Okay stop! That never works! Just spit it out and tell me what i did wrong. Because otherwise we will both go on for weeks knowing something is getting under our skin. That itself will put another grudge in between us. 

     Another example: those pushover, people-pleasers that always say "i don't care" whenever you ask them what they want to do. You're not on autopilot, and you have a brain which means you have your own opinions. Share them. Or don't pretend like you're enjoying yourself when really you hate what we're doing. That's your fault!

    Oh, but you know what my favorite example of people not saying what they mean is? When someone promises they will hang out with you, and then last minute cancels and tell you they have to go to the U to pick up they're bicycle they left because they're worried it is going to be stolen. Really? You're scared your bike was stolen? You couldn't think of any better excuse? Can you imagine how infuriating that is? Why can't you just tell me the truth?! Is it really that hard for you? Are you really going to be that immature about things? Are we FIVE YEARS OLD?! No we are not, we are eighteen!

     I mean, that never happened to me. I'm just saying if it did, it would really get under my skin. 

     

new years resolutions

        I was four years old when I had my first dance recital. I mean, my first official dance recital. I was always that kid who never stopped dancing, singing, or screaming in my natural state. But this recital saw me on an actual stage with bright lights, in a sparkly blue cardigan that matched my sparkly blue skirt, with bright white tights and my shoulder length hair slicked back with four layers of hairspray and my lips lathered in bright red lipstick. The song was On a Sunny Day and it only had four verses that repeated themselves over and over for two minutes. I was in the front row and my sister was in the back (which is completely ironic because she always needed to get every step precise, while I was more focused on the "flare" of my performance, as my uncle would say.) Throughout the entire recital, all twenty of us little girls didn't take our eyes off of our instructor- who was off at the side acting out every move as clearly as she could. Even at my best I had no idea what was going on. While every step was choreographed by our instructor, the whole song basically consisted of twenty four year olds free styling. (Except for that one girl Stacy in the front row. She always knew what she was doing.) I was completely lost and didn't follow any of the steps we had practiced for weeks. But at the end of the show I couldn't stop asking my family "Did you see me up there? Did you see how I danced? I was pretty good." They all agreed. I even got flowers.
     I remember this whole recital extremely well because i literally just saw it a couple hours ago when my family decided it would be a great way to start the New years by watching the newly downloaded dvd's of the Bakken family past.
   The clips of when i was a kid all have one thing in common: little-kid confidence. Youngsters have so much confidence in themselves, a confidence that they never second guess. I always walked with sass, never stopped talking, and always tried to get in front of the camera- even if it was my brothers birthday, I was full of "hey dad, film me!"'s.
    Every year people make New Years Resolutions that they may or may not give up by February. My mother has been promising to us she will lost those last ten pounds for ten years now. My dad's resolution is to get ahead in work. My uncle's is to completely change his career. We all want to improve ourselves. We all want to get more.
    Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have little-kid confidence again. How wonderful would it be to not care what others say about you, not question the way you look in an outfit, not want to lose weight, not second guess yourself after taking a test you studied for hours for. I suppose my New Years Resolution is to be a little kid again, have that little-kid confidence. I wish i could get up on stage and dance my own dance- come off stage with a huge smile on my face. Unfortunately, it's probably harder to do that than to "lose those last ten pounds".

it's a wonderful life...

...is possibly one of the best movies ever made. It is definitely the best movie I have ever seen. Each year I look forward to watching this movie more than I look forward to opening up christmas presents or eating the annual christmas pudding cake (which tastes better than it sounds, but I still wouldn't even eat it until i reached high school). Anyway, we make this movie a big deal in our house because it is so great.
      If you haven't seen this movie, I feel bad for you. Watch it this year, or else.
     The plot is about a man named George Bailey who has always wanted to leave the small town he was born and raised in, but due to his father's death and his devotion to his family and town, he ends up taking over the family business. One year events take a turn for the worst, and he is at his lowest point. All of a sudden, an Angel named Clarence comes to his rescue in a very unusual way. He takes George on a tour of a world where he was never born to show him just how much he is appreciated.
     There are so many lessons jammed into this film that just makes me want to cry.
    
favorite quotes:

"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."

"Well, you look about the kind of angel I'd get. Sort of a fallen angel, aren't you? What happened to your wings?" 
"I haven't won my wings, yet. That's why I'm called an Angel Second Class. I have to earn them. And you'll help me will you?"

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."

hope (variations on a theme)

Narration:
     When my grandmother got sick, I didn't think much of it because i just assumed that though her health was jeopardized then, it would eventually get better. That's what happens in life- situations get sticky but then they clean themselves up. In the summer she got rushed to the hospital by an ambulance and the doctors told my dad they didn't think she would make it. I prayed, I pleaded, I bargained with God. And it comforted me, because God is always supposed to listen to those in crisis.  Maybe she will just be sick for a week, and then get better. It's always possible that the doctor is wrong, you see it all the time on TV shows. This isn't really happening. 
    
Description:
     It is when you're waiting for the sun to rise in the horizon after a long night filled with cold sweats and bad dreams. You've awoken late the past three nights by a harsh pounding originating from downstairs and your heart begins to beat faster and faster as the strange sound continues. Your clock tells you it's 3:45 in the morning and the simple thought of investigating the cause of the daunting creaks fills your stomach with butterflies, so you tell yourself to breath because the morning is only hours away. Tomorrow your worries will vanish, the thudding noises will disappear, your feverish chills will subside, and you will eat vanilla ice cream because it's your favorite flavor. After all, those noises are probably only the wind batting the door from side to side.
"Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers."  ~Robert Ingersoll

Example:
     Hope to America is a large, red, white, and blue flag, waving tall and proud in the sky. In the Civil War, it was when the Union won the battle of West Virginia, and suddenly African American's stopped ignoring the fact a war was being waged for their freedom and started fighting back. When Katniss Everdeen won the brutal Hunger Games in an unusual way, hope was the MockingJay pins they wore in her honor.
      "Hope is the poor man's bread."  ~Gary Herbert

Comparison/Contrast:
     The difference between hope and impossibilities is lies, and most often denial. When a doctor tells the parents of a child that is in a coma after a tragic car accident there is nothing they can do, the parents don't just accept the fact that their child will never come back to them. They use many what if's and there's still hope's. 

Process Analysis:
     Hope is very easy to come across, because not many want to accept dreadful news. It comes in the darkest hours of ones life, because those are the moments people need something to believe in the most.

Classification of analysis:
    Hope has many different stages and levels involved. There is the kind of hope a little boy has when he catches a pop fly in practice and believes his team has a chance to win the entire championship later that weekend. There is the kind of hope a girl has when the man of her dreams asks her out to a movie and she wishes him to be her next boyfriend. Then there is the kind of hope a soldier's family has, knowing their loved one is in battle and may not make it to the next day. Different extremities working in the same way.

Cause and Effect:
     Hope is created when humans come up with excuses to tell yourself over and over in times when you don't know what else to do. As humans, we neglect accepting the hard truth in emotional situations because they are dear to our hearts. We will do anything to prolong the hurt, or make us feel better. It may be the cause of disappointments and irritations that lead to victory. And that's what it does: focuses our attention on outcomes we like the most. It fills our hearts with joy and fills our stomachs with butterflies. It is one of the best yet uncertain feelings to ever be felt.

Definition:
    Hope is a noun and a verb. It works as a noun when someone is filled with hope, and they cherish a desire with an abundance of anticipation. They have an expectation of what a certain outcome should be and they stick to it faithfully, and put their trust and confidence in that result. Hope is that trust. Hope is also inputing that trust into their minds and thoughts, manipulating their beliefs and thinkings.

Argumentative/Persuasive:
     Hope as often as you can, even if it breaks your heart. There will be haters of hope out there, the people who neglect outcomes to look forward too because it's too painful when their dreams come crashing down. But hope gives you something to fight for. It gives you strength to handle the hard situations in your life.



p.s. my previous video gives more insight