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Why is homosexuality around even though it doesn't help with reproduction?

Posted by Teila Allmond in Science and Society - Best on

Natural selection is a way of helping a species to become stronger by survival of the fittest. The theory of “survival of the fittest” describes what happens when a mutation in a species causes them to have certain traits that make it easier for them to feed or grow stronger. When thinking of homosexuality, a question could be where is natural selection in this section of life.

Homosexuality is present in humans and even apes, birds, reptiles and fish. It doesn’t quite help these species to grow stronger as far as reproduction goes but its usually used as a way of relieving the sexual stress that it caused by natural hormones. It is said, “sex is important but very inconvenient”. This is true in more traditional species that take the time out to have breeding seasons where the males are separated from the females. During this time, male hormones aren’t reduced but instead are present to the point where “male guppies will court each other for weeks while confined in a one-sex group”. Basically, homosexuality isn’t a way of helping reproduction, but at the same time doesn’t stop it. “Homosexuality doesn’t prevent reproduction: Homosexuals reproduce and would therefore be able to pass on a genetic propensity for homosexuality or ‘gay genes’”, but at the same time, even if they didn’t reproduce, it is not definite that there is a gene for homosexuality. In fact, scientists say that “No. There is no evidence that shows that homosexuality is simply ‘genetic.’” It is more possible that homosexuality is spontaneous and therefore will never become an extinct trait.

Still, there are people that will continue to adopt and continue on with their heterosexual capabilities despite their actions or feelings. Those male guppies still went on to have children after they were put back into their normal society, and this is the same across all of the species that adapt homosexual traits.

Citations:

Hunter, Preston. "Homosexuality: A Paradox of Evolution." Adherents.com. N.p., 1994. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.adherents.com/misc/paradoxEvolution.html>.

"Is There a "Gay Gene"?." NARTH: National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality. N.p., 09 Feb 2008. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.narth.com/docs/istheregene.html>.

H.R. 1256: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Posted by Teila Allmond in American Government - Laufenberg on

This bill was passed on June 22, 2009 and this video describes the process of the steps it took for it to be passed.

Citations:

"H.R. 1256--111th Congress: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act." GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation). 2009. November 16, 2010 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1256

Rebecca, Snowden. "Tobacco Regulation Bill Becomes Law." American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society, Inc, June 22, 2009. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/tobacco-regulation-bill-becomes-law>.

Jorn, Charisse. "Examiner.Com." President Obama signs the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.examiner.com/us-headlines-in-national/president-obama-signs-the-family-smoking-prevention-tobacco-control-act>.

Pictures:

http://www.smallcountycoalition.com/Important_Links.html

http://all247news.com/house-finally-passes-stand-alone-unemployment-bill/1080/

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/126485DraftCommitteeBOR.aspx

http://channel6newsonline.com/2010/11/republicans-take-control-of-the-house/

http://www.londonderrynh.net/?cat=13

http://www.answers.com/topic/congress-of-the-united-states

http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb150/TOTO-LERO/gifs/?action=view&current=2yuf311.gif&mediafilter=images

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/henry_a_waxman/index.html

Lewis C. Cassidy

Posted by Alaya White in American History - Laufenberg on

Link to Video

Link to Bibliography

American Government Benchmark:Bill Me

Posted by Kourtnee Lynch in American Government - Laufenberg on
​For my American Government benchmark,we had to find a bill that we were interested in researching about,and create our own storyline.I choose the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010. This bill was particularly interesting to me because society has found it hard to obtain jobs. This bill grants the people who are unemployed,the opportunity to maintain their bills and their family duties. This assignment was slightly difficult,but I was able to push through it. I hope that my project demonstrates all the time and effort I have put into this assignment

Thank You

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/650280/index.html

Building History

Posted by Markia Johnson in American History - Laufenberg on

Bibliography:

"Rittenhouse Town." Inquire Print.

Article about how the rittenhouse area was abondoned and some information about the paper mills that were built by ritten house and his family. (Found in the free library)

"Virtual American Biologies ." Virtuology. N.p., 1887-199. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.famousamericans.net/williamrittenhouse/>.

 A virtual biography about william rittenhouse . All about his life and some of the things he did in it.

Wenger, J. C. "Rittenhouse, William (1644-1708)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1959. Web. 12 November 2010. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/rittenhouse_william_1644_1708.

A biography on william rittenhouse . This website deals a little bit more about how he was a mennonite  and how he brought it to america.Ruane, Michael.

Spanish project

Posted by Diamond Blenman in Spanish 1 - Manuel on

In order to tell time you definitaly need to know numbers from 1-60 in spanish. Telling time is not hard but you also need to know how to speak Spanish. By that I mean you need to know how to say half and quarter to and say how much to. For example….

Once you have mastered the numbers you are not yet done. Next you need to know that the –y- next to  cincuenta y, or veint y etc. is pronounced like sin-quent-eye-or BENT-EYE also you need to know the pronunciation. Also like “es las tres" which means it is three o'clock. Or es las uno or es las ......etc.

Link to video 

http://www.teachertube.com/members/viewVideo.php?video_id=204870&title=Telling_what_time_it_is_in_spanish

In this video  Shay Walkes Up To Profe And Asks What

Time The Test Is The The Profe Replies
It Is At 11:00.

Title: Days of the week

When you do days of the week you need to know how to say days of the week.  In order know how to say the days of the week you need to know the difference in between the capitals and lower case letters and also accents. Accents are the words with little lines on top of the letter and they are pronounces as shown in the graph below. Accents in the word may get you in trouble by saying it wrong and the teacher or Spanish person by them misinterpreting it. Also it may mean something else in Spanish. There will be a video that explains Dime asking shay that walks up what day is the test and dime gets scared because that day is the test so he starts scrambleing. You also need to know how to ask which is....¿que dia de la semana es el? Which means what day of the week is it? 

http://teachertube.com/members/viewVideo.php?video_id=204644&title=Spanish_days_of_the_week

the link is posted above

Dispelling Some Common Misconceptions About Evolution

Posted by Harrison Talese-Rhodes in Science and Society - Best on

Here are some frequently made claims evolution followed by why they are false.

Evolution claims that humans are descended from monkeys

While it is true that humans are somewhat closely related to modern apes, it is not true that we are “evolved from dang-dirty monkeys.” The truth is that humans share a common ancestor with monkeys; it is believed that this ancestor existed between 5 and 8 million years ago. At some point in time, this ancestor’s species evolved into two separate lineages.

So, to provide an analogy, monkeys are more like our cousins than our parents.

Evolution is entirely random

Evolution is the result of natural selection; this means that organisms are more likely to pass on dominant gene traits than recessive gene traits.

Now, to clarify—natural selection does not determine dominance of genes directly based on interactions with the environment.  What happens is very simple—

Organisms with “dominant” genes survive.

Organisms with “recessive” genes do not survive.

Science!

Evolution is just a theory

Yes, evolution is classified as a scientific theory—this doesn’t mean that it has not been proven. It is it is important for one to note the difference between the scientific definition of theory and the contemporary definition of theory.

Contemporary definition of theory: A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, esp. one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.

Scientific definition of theory: A scientific explanation of an observed phenomenon. 

The theory of intelligent design is as feasible a theory as evolution

This is false; if not for many reasons, then for one:

Evolution is backed by empirical evidence.

Intelligent is not backed by empirical evidence.

More science!

Citations

Harding, Ken. (1999). But it's "just a theory!". Retrieved from http://www.evolution.mbdojo.com/theory.html

PBS. (C 2001). Evolution: frequently asked questions. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/faq/cat02.html

Life of Cannibalism

Posted by Kimberlea Talington in Science and Society - Best on
Many people around the world have heard of cannibalism, the act of consuming another of the same species. It is frowned upon in mostly every part of the world, yet in the animal kingdom it is seen as a part of nature.

There are 4 different “types” of cannibalism. The most common in the animal world is Sexual Cannibalism, in the female of a species mates and then eats the male of the same species. The next is size structured, in which the strongest and the biggest will eat the weakest and smallest. After that would be cannibalistic infanticide, which is when the mother will eat the weakest of her young. Last is Intrauterine cannibalism which takes place in the womb. It’s when strong embryos will “eat” the weaker for nourishment.

This could have a number of different reasons. Sexual Cannibalism’s reason could be to make sure that each creature only has one mate. Because  the female wants only he r children to be the strongest so by mating with the strongest male and then eating him, she insures that. cannibalistic infanticide could have a lot of reasons. One could be to make sure that there are no “flaws” in the species, but eating the weakest or “flawed” baby. It could also just be another way of getting food. If the mother eats her flawed weak child, then it will give her the nutrition she will need to feed the rest of her young.

9/11 Memorial Medals Act - Alexis Beren

Posted by Alexis Beren in American Government - Laufenberg on

H.R.4684: National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act of 2010 

It has been almost 10 years since the tragic attack on the United States. September 11th is still a day that weighs heavy on the hearts of Americans. In late February a bill was passed in the House of Representatives. This bill proposed that the Secretary of Treasury be required to make medals in commemoration for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. It also presented the idea of establishing the “National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.”

On February 24, 2010 New York Representative Jerrold Nadler (D) proposed the idea and got over 300 co-sponsors, 314 to be exact. The bill was referred to the House Financial Services committee. After many edits and revisions the House passed the bill on July 20, 2010.  The bill was passed on a voice vote and no records were kept of who actually supported the bill.

From the House the Senate took possession of the bill and two days later on July 22nd the Senate voted unanimously on the bill and it was passed on to President Obama for final approval.

A little over two weeks later on August 6th Obama signed the bill and passed it into a law. This law was passed very quickly due to it’s significance to Americans as a whole. In this piece of legislation each medal that is sold under this Act will have a surcharge of $10, which will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in order to keep the museum maintained and in operation.

Sources:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-4684

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4684/show

The Life of The Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007

Posted by Taylor Tomasco in American Government - Laufenberg on

A slideshow about the life of POCCAF, The Life of The Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007. He goes into some detail about what his job is, how he came to the rescue, and when the president made it possible for him.

Works Cited: 

Text of H.R. 2517 [110th]: Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007. Civic Impulse, LLC, 2007. Web. 16 Nov 2010. <http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-2517>

The House of Cheese

Posted by Thomas Nicolella in American History - Laufenberg on

Thomas Nicolella English/History Benchmark Q1 (Science Leadership Academy) on Prezi

For annotated bibliography click here

Building History: Henry C. Lea Elementry School

Posted by Daniel Mambu on

12/14/1914 http://dmambu.blogspot.com/2010/11/henry-c-lea.html

http://www.vuvox.com/collage/detail/0319419e40

This is the Henry C. Lea Elementary School. The school was named after a Philadelphia historian, civic reformer, and political activist Henry Charles Lea. The Building is located on the corner of 4700 Locust Street PA.  The school was build in 1914 two years after West Philly High school was built. The school cost a lot to be built. The total cost of the school and full construction and instillation of the heating, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical was added up to 190,090.00 dollars. It may not sound like a lot of money now but back then that was a lot of money. Then they had to pay for the classroom. Each classroom cost 6,554.80 dollars. There were 29 classes built in the school. When the school was first build it was about 926,724 cu. Ft.  It cost $.205 per cubic foot. The designer of the building was Henry deCourcy Richards and the superintendent J. Horace Cook. The land was first donated June 19, 1873 to Thomas C. Price and his wife Susan T. It was there thatThomas C. Price School was build. On May 4, 1911 John R. Drexel bought the land for $27,108.53 and three years later Lea was built. Now there has been some changes to the school since the school was built. There are more classrooms added on, security camera, and two playgrounds.  But by looking at the picture’s I found at phillyhistory.org you can get a idea of the changes since it was built.

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Trevor Hinton: Memorial Hall History

Posted by Trevor Hinton in American History - Laufenberg on

This is a project that we had to complete for our United States history class as well as our English class. My project was about Memorial hall in fairmount park and how it came to be known as Memorial hall and exactly the impact it had on the community.

This is the link for all of my bibliographies 

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1x9Y_izU3EJS3Qtadztp7CO7ojdOMpckV8NI1cFEmosk

How does the history of evolution predict the outcome of future evolution?

Posted by Charles Labb in Science and Society - Best on

The history of evolution shows us that when there is a pressure change that threatened the survival of an organism, the organism evolves to continue living.  That shows us that for future evolution, for example, homo sapiens might start to have more and more hair due to the recent climate change and issues of global warming, so they can continue to live and keep warm throughout the decades to come.  If the world where to become flooded, leaving very little land but enough for people to migrate and find new sources for food and shelter etc., then we would have to find another alternative to the way we live now. If people had to swim from point A to B, I don’t think that we would necessarily grow gills, but I do think that our lungs would grow larger and bigger. If you were to look at a mammal that lives in the water, such as a dolphin, whale, or sea lion, they do not have gills. They need to resurface from time to time to get oxygen. So, if  the world did start to flood you could only imagine that people would start to hold their breath longer and probably have webbed fingers and toes to help swim in the water.

I don’t think that evolution can be determined by looking at history and seeing what has happened.  I believe to see the future in evolution you have to look to the present and see what is happening now in front of you.  If there are no selection pressures maybe evolution will just start to get rid of what we don’t need, like the pinky toe or the male nipple.  The problem with the theory of evolution is that there is nowhere near enough data to say this is how evolution works.  The reason being for that, even though evolution is amazing on its own, it takes centuries for it to occur. 

The Marihuana Tax of 1937

Posted by Matthew O'Toole in American Government - Laufenberg on

<object width="500" height="375"><param name="movie" value="http://www.schooltube.com/v/078efbc9805612e89f36" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.schooltube.com/v/078efbc9805612e89f36" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="375"></embed></object>

If there's trouble with that the link to school tube is below:

www.schooltube.com/video/078efbc9805612e89f36/The-Marihuana-Tax-of-1937

Slide improvements

Posted by Anthony Best in Technology - Hull on

I liked the first slide I made, but I couldn't fight the feeling that there was something missing. I added a picture of myself. I thought that the contrast on the old slide was an overload of color, so I toned it down some. I made a more unique font, with a single poppable color. I took out the pie chart because it was just too much information at once.

I used contrast in the yellow words on red background. I used empty space where there is nothing in the upper-left and kinda rule of thirds in my picture. I used 3 different colors not including the picture.

Top: after   Bottom: before

Best.Hull.Slide
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