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So last time we left off with some information about the different toxins that are going into the air and what we should be aware of. This time we will be talking about the emission trends & projections of the environment. From statistic's the Fifth U.S Climate Action Report concluded, in assessing current trends, that green house gas emissions increased by 17 percent from 1990-2007. Over time, the U.S. GDP increased by 65 percent and the  population increased by 21%. The  dominant factor affecting U.S. emission trends is CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, which increase by 21.8 percent over the 17 years period. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions decreased by 5 percent and 1 percent which is a good thing. The decline in nitrous oxide emissions is largely due to the installation of newer N2O control technologies in motor vehicles throughout the past decade. I think that we should try to increase the production of hybrid cars instead of continuing to make cars that give off gas. If we stop the production of gas powered cars then the percentage of N2O would decrease rapidly. 

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Do you receive a trans pass from the school district, in order to get to and from school? Well, until today there was a chance that that could have been cut from the budget. Thankfully SEPTA released a statement saying that it will continue to bargain with the school district of Philadelphia. This relieves many parents and students of the stress of finding out how to take their child to school, or finding out how to pay for the public transportation.

I know it sounds easy to pay the 2 dollars for a normal bus to school, but most people don't realize that some people have to take the trolley or multiple buses. This can turn out to be very costly if you are taking 3 buses to get to school in the morning and 3 buses to get back home at night. Then you will have to do that 180 days. This all adds up to a grand total of $2160. This is way out of the realm of possibility for some families. This money could be put toward furthering a students education, like college but instead these families might not be able to afford to send their child to school everyday of the week. This could increase the drop out rate and again increase the incarceration rate because the students will have to find a way to make money for school, but won't be able to get a job because of their current education status.

Citations: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/122708103.html

​To sum this whole "Gay is the New Black" controversy, gay rights is a civil right. However, should not even be thought about being compared to the black human race. People of African decent have been separated from other races because of their skin color. White people and black people had to be separated in school because of their skin color and the discrimination. However, please sit a think... has there ever been a school for straight people and gay people?

 Dont get me wrong, gays have endured a lot throughout their entire lives. No one asked to be gay. It is a proven fact that people are "Born This Way". I totally think it is wrong for a person to sit down a lecture a homosexual about the wrongs of being gay. I believe that people should be able to do what ever they want to make themselves happy, as long as it is not harming anybody else. People can say that "it hurts to see a gay person because they are so disgusting". However, all it really is, is a person being selfish. I have never witnessed a gay person walking around discriminating against straight people.

The world would be so much of a better place if we could stop worrying about the minor things in life and worry about tackling the bigger issues. Homosexuals are not doing anything to anybody. I believe that gays are just trying to feel comfortable in their own skin. When people discriminate against gays, they are just being a bully and need to go get a hobby because making people miserable for something they cannot help is awful! 

Citations-
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/2011/2011/05/22/erica-essay-2/

http://www.godandscience.org/evolution/genetics_of_homosexuality.html

​ We all love snow and snow days off from school or work. Unless of course that cost hard working people the money they need. Speaking about snow, remember the huge snow storm of 2010? Record were being set all over the United State. 49 of 50 states were hit by some sort of heavy snow fall. Florida was untouched by all the massive snow falls. There is a pretty good explanation for this phenomena.

As things get warm, it becomes easier for it to become moist. This is true in most cases. Take that example and put it into our atmosphere. With the increasing temperatures, more moisture is being held in out atmosphere. All this moisture will be turned into heavy rainfall, hurricanes, or thunder snow. Guess what? this is all caused from global warming.

How this works? In a basic sense, as from what I have read so far, the increased heat is melting the polar ice caps. The released moisture will rise into the atmosphere and collect.  All that moisture will equal major storms and what not. 

There also seems to be an increase in tornado's in the United States. Just recently there was a tornado in North East, Philadelphia. Tornadoes in Philadelphia, let alone Pennsylvania are very rare. About 4 days ago, there was an EF-0 Tornado in Lehigh Valley. When does that ever happen? Scientist have just claimed that the increase in tornado activity is from global warming. Not enough information has been released for me to say anything about it. 

It's a scary thought to have tornadoes tear apart your house. Or to have massive amounts of snow cave in your your ceiling and roof. I'm pretty sure none of you do either. So please take into consideration all the destruction that you can potentially cause by just throwing a McDoThe world doesn't revolve around it. It revolves around your actions. So take action and save the world!

Here's a quick fact:


Sorry if you can't see it
Henry Out.



Sources: 

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2011-01-12-2010-warmest-year-climate-change_N.htm

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2011-03-01-snow-cold-global-warming_N.htm

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/02/03/chicago-snow-2011-and-1967-global-warming-then-too/ 

​Since the food industry has grown and there's always more people to feed, the quality of food coming out of factories isn't the same as they used to be 40 years ago. A large factor to that is corn. Cows bred by big coporations are fed corn mil. Cows stomachs are supposed to be fed grass. This species for centuries of generations were raised on the open land of grass. Corn messes up the digestive system of a cow and as a result, they need to be given antibiotics by the time they start eating corn. Which is once they come out their mother's uterus lining into a world where the calves purpose is to be eaten. 

Two men, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, decided to become farmers to learn were the food they eat so much came from. After a nine month period, after planting 31,000 seeds of corn on one acre of land, turned into 10,000 pound harvest. Ten thousand pounds of corn can produced 57, 348 cans of soda, 3,894 corn-fed hamburgers, 2,301 pounds of bacon, or 6,726 boxes of corn flakes. Both of these men realized corn was literally in everything they ate. Doughnuts, bacon, beef, soda, etc. In the conclusion of gaining this knowledge, they decided to get their analyzed to exactly see how much corn was in their bodies. Cheney had a 58% make up of corn in his body and Ellis 53%. 

Cheney and Ellis actually made a film called King Corn to show regular Americans what most of their food consists of. Cheney and Ellis say Earl Butz, the 18th secretary of agriculture, is the blame for this big industry of corn production that caused the fast food industry to boom in the past twenty years. After being in office from 1971 to 1976 under Presiden Nixon's appointment, Butz's idea was to genetically modify corn to create a surplus of the product. 

So, Butz who died in 2008, could be the primary blame for this vegetable that colonized all of Americas died, but regardless, since it's a big money maker for corporations and no farmers, it's going to be hard to wean of off such a highly used project. 

Sources:

Fueling The Fast Food Industry

One topic I feel that needs to be addressed is bullying. It is such a powerful thing and I feel it should be mentioned.The bullies don't even realize how effective what they're doing is. Over the internet, phone or in person. Bullying is bullying. There are a a lot of different reasons. The bullies feel insecure and they need someone to pick on and make them feel better about them self. Jealousy is a major reason. Like the bully isn't as pretty and the one person gets all the attention, so the bully just hates it so much she tries to make her feel bad. Because the other person is different. For example gay. When in reality there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, in my opinion.

These are just a few examples of what bullying could be about. If bullying of any kind is done to the point where person getting bullied is starting to feel so awful about them self they let the bully win. They take their own life. It's a heart breaking thing. It really is. 

The last two pictures are pictures of my sculpture. I took 200 photos and during my weekend vacation to portland I used 3 pictures from the bunch and altered the saturation and exposure of these photos. 

    I completely understand that there are people in the world who are going to argue against the title of this blog post. However, to me, it's just a rhetorical question. There are so many other things in the world , that are actually wrong, that those people can be spending their time on.

    The United States has come so far over the years with same-sex marriage. Granted, there has been over a  half a million hate crimes for same - sex couples. Keep in consideration that there weren't that many people coming out in the 1920s, so that number of hate crimes was a lot.

    There was a change that came for same-sex couples. In 1972, East Lansing, Michigan banned the discrimination against same sex couples.  However, with change, there are always going to be people against it.  Many people thought that it was a "threat" to the American way of life. Also, some Americans didn't want to have a gay airplane pilot, school teacher, or even doctor. However, when you think about it, we need those people. Why would you stop someone from helping you get to where you want to go, learn, or even cure your disease. WHY?

    When you just sit there and ask yourself the question "WHY" , it is hard to think of an excuse. Any type of discrimination is wrong. There is a wide variety of people who are discriminated against on a daily basis. There are people that really take that seriously. There are people who take their own lives BECAUSE of it. But what I wan't you to do is just as yourself "WHY". You know the reasons why they are doing this. But why do most people want this for same-sex couples or anyone who is teased. These are the consequences. WHY? WHY? WHY and HOW can  people so cruel?



The Link were I got all of my statistics is here.

          After more of my research I still see that more kids each day are starting to do drugs and drink at a young age. By a young age I mean 10 and up. I don't really know why these kids do this. After researching that, I found out that most kids do this for publicity and self esteem. I also found out that children who use or drugs and alcohol is to feel old. To be older than they actually are.

          I do know someone who smokes and drinks to be cool his name is Nasir he is only 10 years old he has 2 older brothers and 2 older sister they live right next door to me. He smokes and drinks because his brothers do it. He tells them that if he doesn't smoke or drink with them he will tell their mom. The 2 older brothers are also young one is 12 the other 15. Now people come around asking to buy off of them and smoke with them. In reality they are using his money they no he want buy the drugs or alcohol because they are friends. So he buys and buys, smoke and drink. It is sad to see people at a young age do these things.

          I have tried talking to them but they don't listen. I don't get why they don't listen. It is for their own health, but the more their friends come around the more they buy.

         I hope all of this stops not just with them but in general drug and alcohol, abuse messes up people minds and action. It makes them look different as a person and kills people including themselves.

NO DRUGS
NO ALCOHOL

 

 

            Some of you people that are reading this are probably thinking that childhood obesity can’t affect much of our general public.  You are wrong.  16% of children are obese.  That is a large enough of a percentage to be called an epidemic.  Out of those obese children, ½ of them become obese adults. 

            If you are a parent and your child is obese, don’t just think that they will magically become fit.  That is a process which lasts for a long time.  Diet and exercise affect your Child's weight, and so does mindset.  You need to make them think, and be strong enough to get through each day’s workout.  You need to encourage them, and push them.

            As I have previously stated, obese children are 51% more likely to get heart diseases, diabetes, or some other possibly fatal disease.  About half of all obese people have diabetes as well.  Also, people with a lower education have a higher chance at becoming obese.  These are staggering statistics.

            Throughout this project, I’ve discussed obesity through the lens of an academic.  I cannot fathom being obese, but I know that this is an issue that needs to be pursued.  America is slowly becoming more obese, and I don’t want the future of our country to look like the movie Wall-E.  Help America by checking out the links below, and doing research yourself.  With our help, this topic could become a first priority.

Bibliography:

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa010803a.htm

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09317.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesityinchildren.html

Well i wanted to stay home because I needed to work on my capstone and my calculus benchmark. Sorry everyone. I know you miss me ;]

1. How is sound produced by this instrument (now that you know more about sound, please try to refer specifically to the energy transfer and vibrations)?

I was thinking about doing piano at first. Pretty sure I'm going to make either a xylophone or a twanger to make matters easier. Sound is produced with the xylophone by hitting on the keyboard of different sounds and pitches. The longer the rod the more mass it has where as to a shorter rod it'll have a more pitch sound.

2. Based on your understanding, how are you changing the pitch? What physical characteristics are important in this instrument?

 It depends on the length and width of the rod to create the sound.  

3. What materials will you actually be using for your instrument and why? How will you play your instrument? What is your plan for constructing the instrument?

I planned on using metal plates to use as the keyboard and a box to have a base for the plates. From my understandings, the length and width of the rod will have more of an effect in constructing the instrument I would like to play. 

4. What outstanding questions do you still have?

Am I on the right path Ms. Awesome? 

 It depends on the length and width of the rod to create the sound.  


Am I on the right path Ms. Awesome? 

really, really enjoyed the past few days.

now for next Tuesdayyy. :]

i'm such a weirdo.

The instrument that I picked was a guitar. A string instrument with specific tensioned wires which can alter the sound that it will produce. The size, thickness, and tension is the most important components to finding the right tune. 

-The proper way to play a guitar is by plucking the string or by strumming all the strings by holding certain frets that can produce specific tones/ notes. 
- To change the note of the guitar can be done by plucking different strings and also by holding a string along the neck of the guitar. The further down the neck you hold the higher the pitch of the tone will be. Tones and notes that can flow together is counted by frets. From the top of the neck goes from 1-20 frets. Frets 3, 5, 7, 9 are the main notes to play. 
-A guitar should be shaped with horizontal length so that the strings can be placed along the neck of the guitar and pass over a hollow base where the reverb of the sound can be amplified. 
-I was thinking about how large of a hollow hole can be placed in the base and still how loud can it be? Will more holes in the guitar give it a different sound?
-As interfering waves are produced from the guitar while strumming can be more of a constructive interference and help the sound of the guitar. Also by plucking individual string along with other can correspond into a beautiful melody. 


Video Of the Song: http://fretplay.com/guitar-videos.php?title=Train-Hey-Soul-Sister-Guitar-Lesson&band=train&studio=TotallyGuitars&id=2243

 

The instrument I chose was a xylophone. In order to produce sound you must hit the xylophone. The xylophone is a rectangular type of instrument with longer or shorter rectangles that produce higher and shorter notes. Those rectangles or hollow bars (depending on design) produce higher and lower pitched noises when you hit them.

 

When you hit the instrument the vibration through the material causes the sound waves to occur. If the bars are larger there needs to be more vibration, therefore causing a deeper sounds. So the size of the bars actually causes the pitch. For the instrument I am making I will most likely be using metal, copper, or PCP piping. I will play the instrument by hitting it with some type of bar that will actually cause sound. I will use nails and screws to make the instrument and as little tape as possible because tape muffles the sound and interferes with the sound waves. 

This is my drawing of an outside scene.

--How is it played? What does the person have to do to produce sound?

The arm holds up the viola, and the person playing the viola is holding it steady by the chin.  You would have to move the bow across the strings to produce sound.

 

--How do you change a note?

 Each string itself has it’s own note so moving the bow across the strings. Then, depending on where you place your fingers on the string at the top, it changes the way the note sounds.

 

--How is it shaped?

It have a vase like shape.

 

--What does this make you think about how you can create and change sound?

Sound can be changed by adding pressure to a specific part.