String Theory

String theory explains everything, gravitational force, strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, and electromagnetic force. it says that everything is made up of tiny vibrating strings of energy, strings that are so small that they make an atom look like the size of a sun in comparison.
I DON'T CARE!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, fine, that's a little too much like an ignorant savage. The thing is, I don't WANT to real deal with this kind of science, the one that talks about things that I cannot see, affect, or barely even imagine with my own two hands. I want to learn about things I can touch, create, and generally interact with. Dropping a little ball off of a ramp and calculating where it falls? Cool. Sloshing two liquids together and seeing them cancel each other out with all that acidity, and bases nonsense? Sure. Tiny little atoms, and the even tinier protons and neutrons and what not, and the even tinier things that make up those things, and then the tiniest of all strings?!?!? No. No, no, no, no, no. You, my friend, can find your little string theorist buddies and get together to giggle and cheer that you've found that oh so very wonderful 'theory of everything'
Science is NOT my world. I will quite happily limit my knowledge of science to the typical high school things, and only think of elements and what-not when I must concern myself of whether or not this or that will poison my frog. Or fish. Or tadpole. Or cat. Or dog. THAT would be biology. NOT STRING THEORY.

Escape from Hua-Shin

I hate and love this movie. Love, because it was incredibly moving and introduced truly inpiring characters, but also hate, because IT MADE ME CRY SO MUCH!!! I understand how death was unavoidable, but the symbolism of the kites and the guns firing was a really touching effect.
I liked the quote in the beginning of the movie, where Hogg protested that the Japanese were not savages. His friend made a comment, that maybe the Japanese weren't savages, but they sure thought the Chinese were. It was very blunt, but it really got across his point.
Also, I was really moved to see the faces of the still living 'boys' that Hogg saved.

Landmine Videos

I learned new techniques like 'branding' and I also saw a cool example of satire (Go Max! :P). In class, I saw some interesting variety of music used. Though I chose a sadder, more serious type of song, I saw others use songs that were inspiring, or angry, or soft and sweet. I think it's interesting how different music can complete the same goal.

Engagement

1. Community Contributer
2 points: I am usually willing to help my classmates. When we got back our quiz, I helped Ariel understand her mistakes. Also, when we were working on the ball drop challenge, I gave the other groups hints when they were stuck on their problems.
2. Active Learner
1.5 points: I took detailed notes that eventually helped me to solve the challenge problem. Also, I was very interested in the material. However, in the beginning of the semester, I was very sleepy and may not have paid as much attention as I should when we covered the graphs.
3. Effective Communicator
1.5 points: When I worked with Jae, I felt that things went smoothly, even if we didn't end up solving the questions. However, when I worked with Ariel and Tiffany, I may not have communicated as well as I could have.
4. Critical Thinker/Problem Solver
1.7 points: I know this isn't an actual point thing, but I feel that I was fairly good at critical thinking, but still remember my problems with the challenge problem. Back then, I was unable to solve my problem, even though I was using several textbooks to search for something to help myself. However, I was a problem solver in other cases, when I used textbooks to find information, or found a way to bypass certain obstacles during the challenge problem. For example, I solved the problem of finding the initial speed on the x-axis by making it zero.
5. Person of High Character
2 points: I don't remember any instances in which I used my computer to fool around, or any times in which I was consistently late without reason. Also, I make sure to understand my mistakes on the homework problems instead of just ignoring them.

Land-Mines

I think this was a very effective advert, especially for those people in the hapy little land of denial. The fun, relaxed game of a few, bright young girls and the sudden destruction of the peaceful atmosphere really got across the point of the impact a single landmine could have. It also showed how sudden and unexpected it was, from going home with a smile on your face to losing your hopes, dreams, and innocence. For those who have kids, this advert would have really changed their outlook on land-mines.
However, there might be some problems because little kids should know about the danger to children their age, but they are also too young to be seeing something so...gritty. I don't think this advert is pg-13.

What Do I Know About Newton?...

He's nuts. I remember there was something about watching apples and realizing some great, incredible laws about...something(Physics, I think), but I also remember the strange anecdotes in our previous textbook.
Apparently, this guy stuck a needle into his eye and wiggled it around, just to see the effects. (He did not become blind, by the way...) Also, I remember a story in which he stared at the Sun for a very long time, again, just for curiosity's sake. (Again, he did NOT become blind...Despite the bizarre abuse it had gone through) It's odd, how the 'brilliant' guys are not so brilliant at times.
Maybe it's bad that I only remember these odd stories, but hey, I think it's odd that people worship him for a single moment of inspiration when he was obviously (in my opinion) a very weird guy.

World Without Gun Violence?

Well, in that society, there would be no crime that would make people want guns for protection, now, would there? I suppose there could be communal self-defense lessons for the average citizen so that they would feel more confidence in their ability to achieve security. Also, though I dislike the idea of propaganda, there could be movies, TV shows, or just pictures that show guns in an unfavorable light, so that the younger generation could see that guns are NOT a good thing.
If policemen were better trained and were capable of subduing criminals without the use of a gun, then that would definitely help in lessening the image of a gun being the best way of protection. Because of the many movies that show authorities bursting into, say, a crime ring with guns a-blazing, people get the impression that having a gun is a glorious thing, one that gives them the right to act like a policeman. Though there are terrible people out on the streets, we should be able to trust in our police to take care of them. Which means, of course, that our policemen need to be more efficient if the ordinary citizens are to place their trust in the system. If you have seen the movie "The Brave One" you'll see why the main character felt the need to purchase a gun because she was scared. With every example of how the system fails us, the common people feel more threatened than ever, and will want a gun to provide the safety and protection that they feel that the police system does not give.
Another way to lessen gun violence is to make sure that there aren't too many guns around in the first place. If there were taxes on each individual gun that a person owned, then obviously, some people would even want to get something that is so expensive. Also, if someone was required to renew their license often and was also required to undergo a serious background check before buying a gun, then there would be even less people able and willing to buy a gun.
So first, better police training and efficiency. Second, communal training for the everyday citizen to give a feeling of security to people. Third, stronger laws on guns would be a start on lessening the attitude of guns being available to everyone and his uncle (Taxes, background checks, frequent license renewals).